Best Chicago Restaurants

Chicago is a city with a very rich and quite colorful history. Everything from Al Capone to the Chicago Bears draws tourists to the city each year, but perhaps the best part of the entire experience is the cuisine. While in the Windy City, you have access to some of the best Chicago restaurants, among them some of the best eateries in the world. If you need ideas for where to start with your Windy City getaway, then you have come to the right place.

Francesca’s on Taylor

This is true Italian dining, and it is also among the best Chicago restaurants overall. Featuring mussels in spicy tomato sauce, pollo limone, rigatoni menzalene and salmone pagliacci, this isn’t some trip to the Olive Garden. With Francesca’s you will get an eating experience as authentic as you would get in Northern Italy where these Tuscan delights originate. Wait staff is courteous and knowledgeable, capable of keeping you apprised of the many options at your disposal. The price for a main course meal typically runs around $30, so while it isn’t easy on the pocketbook, it is way more affordable than similar restaurants located in areas such as Los Angeles and California.

Bob San

Located on West Division Street, Bob San is known by many as the best Japanese restaurant in the city and one of the best Chicago restaurants period. Unlike exorbitantly priced restaurants that you will find elsewhere in cities like New York and Paris, the average main course item of a dish at Bob San is only around $21. And you can expect menu items such as tempura, teriyaki, beef, and vegetable dishes to thrill your palate. You can call ahead and see about reservations or simply show up and endure a short wait.

The Art of Pizza

This strip-mall joint may not look like much, but within its small location, comes what many believe is the best pizza in the city. And in a city known for its pizza above all else, that makes The Art of Pizza one of the best Chicago restaurants period. Eating here allows you to personalize your own pizza among a seemingly endless selection of toppings including traditional favorites such as pepperoni, Italian sausage, and Canadian Bacon. Thin crust, cheesy stuffed crust, and Chicago-style deep dish are all available. Reservations are not necessary. Most patrons order take out, but some tables are also available.

The best Chicago restaurants offer a variety of regional and global classics such as surf-and-turf, French cuisine, and Italian. If it’s edible, Chicago’s got it, and they often do it better than anyone else. For more information on the restaurants where you should visit while in Chicago, browse the selections on thecottageeatery.com, and start planning your vacation getaway today.