The Best Restaurants in Chicago, According to a Local
by
Marco Del Arca
2 years ago
A restaurant is not just about the food that is served. In order to create something special, a restaurant must also excel at service and the dining experience as a whole. Here is a list of restaurants that understand this and deliver with excellence, time and time again.
Photo by Marco Del Arca
MAPLE & ASH
This is a place to celebrate. Maple & Ash goes away from the stuffy, quiet steakhouses and creates a plane where you can have fun and eat great. The team is on board to make sure you and your party have a great time.
ADALINA
With breathtaking decor and plates that resemble art pieces, Adalina is perfect for a nice dinner out with friends or a nice date night. Their dishes are Italian, but creative and with a spin on them that always works. Stop by the Rose lounge downstairs after your dinner for a night cap.
TZUCO
Photo by Marco Del Arca
Tzuco has some of the most inventive and well executed Mexican dishes you can get in Chicago, with a big emphasis on seafood. Do not skip dessert!
ETTA
Photo by Marco Del Arca
You can almost always get a table at either Etta Bucktown or Etta River North. Great pizzas, pastas, wine selection, cocktails, and do yourself a favor and order the Focaccia!
PIZZERIA PORTOFINO
You can't beat the views and the ambience of Pizzeria Portofino. Right on the iconic Chicago riverwalk, having a date night on their Riverfront Tables as the sun sets and the city lights turn on make for a memorable dining experience.
CABRA
The Hoxton Hotel has become a great place for foodies. Cabra, the main restaurant, has great rooftop views in Chicago's West Loop. And with Cira (a bit more of a lounge and social) and Lazy Bird (a great speakeasy) right downstairs, you can make it a night without even venturing out in the cold Chicago Weather
GREEN STREET SMOKED MEATS
Photo by Marco Del Arca
You cannot get better bbq in Chicago than at Green Street Smoked Meats. The fairy lights and wooden accents make this a great place to go with a big group, and you can even get coffee right inside at Sawada.
I’m never one to turn down an invitation to go somewhere, eat great food, or try something new. I am originally from Latin America, lived across the USA and am now based in Chicago. Can’t wait for new adventures!
Photo by Brad Knight
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