All eyes in the culinary world were on Chicago as the prestigious James Beard Awards celebrated excellence in food, beverage and hospitality on June 15. Widely regarded as the “Oscars of the food world,” the annual event once again cemented the city's reputation as one of America's premier d…
For generations of Chicagoans, summer hasn't officially arrived until they've taken a bite of a Rainbow Cone. Now, the iconic South Side institution is preparing to celebrate a milestone few businesses ever reach: its 100th anniversary.
Set to debut at 58 East Oak Street, the restaurant will occupy the location of the old Esquire Theatre, a Movie hall first opened in 1938 and situated in the heart of the Gold Coast’s high-end food scene.
Long before farm-to-table became a buzzword and tasting menus dominated restaurant headlines, Midwesterners were gathering in cozy supper clubs for leisurely evenings filled with prime rib, fish fries and brandy Old Fashioneds. Now, that cherished Wisconsin tradition has found a new home in …
Chipotle is marking the start of the 2026 World Cup with a one-day offer for customers wearing a soccer jersey.
Ribfest Chicago is set to return to the Northcenter neighborhood Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, bringing three days of barbecue, live music and more than 20 food vendors, according to the festival website.
Dutch Bros Coffee has opened its first Chicago-area store in Melrose Park, bringing the drive-thru chain’s West Coast style to suburban Cook County. The shop is at 1931 N. Mannheim Rd., and the company says in a press release that it is the first of several planned locations in the region.
Stan’s Donuts is celebrating National Donut Day on Friday, June 5, with a free limited-edition Chocolate Dipped Donut with a purchase at all Stan’s locations and inside
Roanoke Hospitality is adding two Italian-inspired destinations in Streeterville this month, building on its Chicago dining portfolio with both a new restaurant and a rooftop concept. According to the company’s announcement, La Bella Trattoria on Rush opened Friday, May 15, at 101 E. Erie St…
Prime & Provisions is set to reopen in July after a full reconstruction, marking the return of the DineAmic Hospitality steakhouse to Chicago’s dining scene. According to the press release, the restaurant closed late last November after a kitchen fire caused smoke and water damage, promp…
Chicago coffee lovers rejoice: after building a cult following through pop-ups and residencies, Milwaukee-based Discourse Coffee is set to open its first permanent Chicago location in the Fulton Market neighborhood.
Chefs Noah Sandoval and Larry Feldmeier, known for their two Michelin-starred Oriole in Chicago, opened their newest restaurant All Well on Wednesday, April 22 in the West Loop. According to a press release, this marks their first expansion after a decade. Sandoval partners with Feldmeier, w…
After a two-year, $4 million transformation, Carmine’s on Rush made its return in January 2026, and the comeback feels like a glow-up in every sense. Longtime fans of the original will find plenty to love, but the redesigned space raises the experience to a whole new level while honoring the…
Chicago’s first-ever Kids Restaurant Week kicks off this weekend. The event runs from Sunday, May 3, to Thursday, May 7. It targets kids ages 4 to 12 with chef-led dinners featuring global cuisines.
Chicagoans can now slide into their next night out at Electric Shuffle in River North. Originating in London, the high-tech shuffleboard bar at 488 North LaSalle Drive opened in May of 2025, serving food and drinks alongside gaming opportunities centered around the exciting action of shuffleboard.
The month of May is off to a festive start with celebrations of both Cinco de Mayo and the annual Kentucky Derby this weekend. With the renowned Louisville horse race on Saturday, and the high-energy Mexican holiday on Tuesday, restaurants and bars all over Chicago are putting on epic partie…
Chicago’s Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week—which runs through Friday, May 8—with a big giveaway. According to a press release, the family-owned chain invites Chicagoland residents to nominate standout teachers. A total of 70 educators will win free pizza prizes thr…
The team behind Adalina Prime and Adalina Italian recently revealed plans for ARLA. According to the announcement, this new spot will come to Chicago's Gold Coast in summer 2026. It joins their growing list of hits.
Springtime is the perfect occasion to indulge in afternoon tea in Chicago. The city’s flowers are starting to bloom, adding a pop of color to the occasional gray, rainy days; the temperatures are gradually warming, but the air still has a cool, crisp touch; and for the ladies, the city’s fas…
There are luncheons and then there are hat luncheons. And when it comes to glamour, generosity and a dazzling parade of millinery masterpieces, few events rival the annual Spring Hat Luncheon hosted by The Service Club of Chicago.
Chicago will host the James Beard Awards ceremonies through 2028, Choose Chicago announced in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation at a ceremony hosted on Tuesday, March 31. The event revealed 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees and Achievement Award honorees at The Wellsley, a …
A Texas dessert sensation is landing in Chicago. The Bougie Foodie, a cult favorite for oversized cookies and family-recipe bread pudding, opens its first spot outside the Lone Star State this April. According to a press release, the new shop sits at 210 N. Carpenter St. in Fulton Market, th…
In honor of Tax Day on Wednesday, April 15, several Chicago bars and restaurants are offering discounted menu items and half-price happy hour deals. Head to the following places on the big day to take advantage of these mouth-watering specials.
A new cocktail lounge called Kitty's Cosmopolitan Club opened recently on Friday, March 27 in Chicago's River North, sitting on the lower level of 51 W. Hubbard Street.
A new late-night dining spot has taken root in Logan Square with the opening of The Radicle, the latest concept from the team behind the acclaimed Daisies. Located in Daisies’ original home at 2523 N. Milwaukee Ave., the bar and restaurant officially opened on Jan. 7, 2026, bringing an aperi…
Windy City Smokeout, Chicago’s favorite summer BBQ and music festival, has unveiled its 2026 roster of more than 20 award-winning pitmasters. According to its press release, this two-time Academy of Country Music “Festival of the Year” returns for its 13th year outside the United Center from…
Chicago startup Chowbus has secured $81 million in fresh funding, according to the Chicago Business Journal. The funds raised aim to grow its AI-powered restaurant tech. Investors include Prysm Capital and Left Lane Capital, with help from Dutchess, Fika, and Avid Bank, the Chicago Business …
Easter comes early this year and now is the time to start planning your holiday celebration. Whether you’re looking for brunch options, bar crawls, and family getaways, here are the top Easter events and specials that are just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
The West Town Chamber of Commerce recently announced its third annual West Town Restaurant Week. According to the organization’s press release, the event runs from Saturday, March 21, to Sunday, March 29. More than 20 local restaurants, bars and cafes will offer special tasting menus, discou…
Chicago’s restaurant scene continues to evolve with the planned opening of NAIA, a sprawling 12,000-square-foot Mediterranean restaurant and event venue set to debut this spring along the Chicago Riverwalk. The new concept will occupy river-level space at 300 N. LaSalle Street, stretching ne…
Popular Nashville hot chicken chain Hattie B’s debuted its first Chicago location on Friday, Feb. 27, in Wrigleyville on North Clark Street, according to a report by NBC Chicago.
This April 1st marks the 10th anniversary of Jibaritos y Más, the beloved Chicago Puerto Rican restaurant known for its signature jibarito sandwich and rich Latin flavors that has since grown to three Chicago locations. Since opening its doors in 2016, the family-owned business has become a …
Avondale's nightlife scene is getting an upgrade as a new late-night mecca, “Tune-Up,” opened its doors to the public on Saturday, Feb. 28.
In Chicago, theee culinary legends were born from wartime necessity and immigrant ingenuity: the cheese-packed deep-dish pizza and the thin-sliced, jus-soaked Italian beef sandwich from the city’s stockyards. Let’s dig into this delicious history.
Chicago’s vibrant Greektown kicks off its annual Greektown Restaurant Week on Sunday, March 1, through Saturday, March 7.
Chicago’s nightlife scene just got a little more interesting as one of the city's most celebrated mixologists brings her blend of fun and flavor to Bar Bambi, West Town's newest cocktail lounge.
With new restaurants always popping up throughout the Windy City, foodies in Chicago will continue to have their pick of the finest fare. From Mediterranean steakhouses and Latin fusion, to sandwich glory with an in-house butcher, here are the top three new restaurants that will sizzle in 2026.
For men both young and old, the end of cuffing season mixed with a looming Valentine's Day on the horizon can make February a delicate month to navigate, from a love and romance perspective.
With Fat Tuesday fast approaching, Chicago and its suburbs are serving up some of the season’s most irresistible treats, from classic Polish pączki to festive Mardi Gras delights. For those unfamiliar, pączki (pronounced “poonch-kee”) are rich, fluffy, deep-fried pastries, often filled with …
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and for Chicagoans, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this special day of love.
Chicago’s food scene continues to expand with bold, globally inspired concepts, beloved local favorites branching out and standout new eateries opening across the city. From authentic ramen to Peruvian-Japanese fusion and neighborhood sandwich shops, here’s a roundup of the most talked-about…
There are restaurants, and then there’s Steak 48, the kind of place that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary event worth savoring long after the last bite. Tucked into the lively rhythm of River North on Wabash Avenue, this contemporary steakhouse brings a dash of sparkle to Chicago’s …
In a downtown Oak Park dining scene filled with longtime favorites, Maya Del Sol stands out for its ability to balance consistency with energy. Since opening in 2007, the family-owned Latin American restaurant has become a neighborhood institution, part social hub, part cocktail destination …
A popular fried chicken chain from the East Coast has arrived in Illinois as Zaxby's opened its first Illinois location last week in the Chicago suburb of Plainfield.
There’s no better time to discover a cozy, dimly-lit steakhouse than during Chicago’s winter season. From menus stacked with hearty soups, flowing spirits, and the finest cuts of meats, Chicago boasts some of the best steakhouses in the country. In this Editor’s Pick edition, our editors hav…
Chicago’s vibrant West Loop dining scene is about to lose a major destination: Time Out Market Chicago has announced it will close permanently on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, after nearly seven years in the Fulton Market District.
The North Shore restaurant scene is about to get even more flavorful with the arrival of The Barn Steakhouse’s second location in downtown Highland Park. After nearly a decade of success in Evanston, famed local restaurateur Amy Morton, daughter of legendary Morton’s The Steakhouse founder A…
Three luxury downtown Chicago hotels are bringing holiday cheer with elaborate afternoon tea services this season. The Drake Hotel, Langham Chicago, and The Peninsula Chicago offer festive menus, live entertainment, and magical decorations now through early January.
Chicago is getting ready to welcome one of television's most famous bars to the city. Bucket Listers has announced plans to open The Drunken Clam, the beloved hangout spot from the animated show "Family Guy," according to a company press release that details the exciting new venture. The pop…
Congratulations to all the Chicago nominees for the 2026 Jean Banchet Awards, the city’s premier celebration of culinary excellence. The ceremony is set for Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at Venue SIX10, located at 610 S Michigan Ave. Tickets are now on sale and are expected to sell out quickly. Gen…
There might be no season Chicago’s nightlife scene is better suited for than the holidays. Something about the festive, frigid atmosphere paired with the town's bevy of quaint, comforting pubs and restaurants creates a magical atmosphere for those looking to celebrate the Christmas spirit ou…
