Chicago is full of a wide range of dining experiences, from rooftop bars to Michelin-starred restaurants. Whatever tickles your taste buds, you are bound to find many perfect bites around the city, but here’s where jet-setters dine in Chicago.
Alinea
Having the prestige of holding three Michelin stars, Alinea is world-renowned for its multi-course tasting menu that has been praised for its approach to modernist cuisine. The price of eating at this three Michelin-starred restaurant comes in at about $485 per person. Alinea opened in 2005 and is located in the upmarket Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Noteworthy celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Sophia Bush and Jesse Tyler Ferguson are regulars. Chef Grant Achatz found success with Alinea, even after having lost his sense of taste due to tongue cancer — yet the magic to please discerning palates here is alive and well.
Oriole
Oriole was opened in 2016 in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago by executive chef and owner Noah Sandoval. Oriole is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant that serves a contemporary-American tasting menu that exhibits different cuisines from around the world. This new American cuisine is roughly $215 per person and features an ever-evolving tasting menu. The Oriole experience is elevated with eclectic tipples, such as sake and farmhouse cider.
Pequod’s Pizza
Known widely as one of Chicago’s best pizza stops, Pequod’s Pizza is appreciated for its famous deep-dish pizza with a caramelized crust. Each pie is covered with cheese from edge to edge and baked until browned. If that end-to-end layer of cheese isn’t enough, Pequod’s flawless crust is nestled on an additional cloud of cheese, cradling it between the dough and the pan. The original location for Pequod’s pizzeria, located in Morton Grove, expanded to an additional restaurant in Lincoln Park in 1992.
LH Rooftop
With outstanding views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan – something every Chicagoan and tourist seeks – the LH Rooftop has been rated as one of the best rooftop bars to visit in Chicago by Time Out magazine. The tri-level LH Rooftop crowns the top of LondonHouse Hotel, featuring three distinct dining experiences: On the 21st floor you can dine exclusively indoors, walk up the 22nd floor for the stunning outdoor views, and further to the 23rd floor, which is home to Cupola, the LH Rooftop’s private dining space. LH Rooftop serves re-imagined American cuisine, such as their southwest chicken burger and their Kalbi short ribs, as well as clever cocktails like the frozé and espresso martinis.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse has seen many celebrities walk through its doors including Adam Sandler, Michael Jordan, Jennifer Lopez and Rob Schneider. Opened in May of 1989, Gibsons has become known as the quintessential Chicago steakhouse experience. Gibsons is the only American restaurant group to own its USDA prime certification and they source their prime beef from a carefully curated list of products. The beef is then aged for a minimum of 45 days to get that award-winning flavor that insiders crave. The menu also features fresh fish and an extensive wine list to pair with your premium cut.
