While ordering a classic deep dish is essential if it’s your first time visiting, Chicago stands as one of the nation’s most exciting dining destinations. From traditional favorites like Chicago-style hot dogs to innovative flavor combinations like steamed bao buns with coconut custard, we’ve put together a list of some of the best restaurants in the Loop. Discover the city’s top dining experiences with a well-positioned home base during your visit to the Windy City.
At Club Quarters Hotels, we offer guests two convenient locations in the heart of the Loop. Each boutique hotel provides guests with luxurious amenities, special discounts and essential comforts. The Central Loop location situates guests next to Millennium Park and the iconic Willis Tower. At CQ’s riverfront location, Wacker at Michigan, visitors are only a short walk from the Magnificent Mile and the Vietnamese Veterans Memorial. Of course, both properties are situated near the best restaurants in the Loop, but we make it easy to order in with contactless delivery if desired.
Seeking a casual pub that also serves mouth-watering fare? Look no further than Elephant & Castle, located on the first floor of our Central Loop hotel. Just beyond their vibrant red door and emerald green awnings, revelers will discover tin-plated ceilings, exposed brick walls and a striking stained-glass window embellished with the establishment’s name. Easily “Get Your Brit On” any time of day with their UK-inspired dishes. Nosh on a full English breakfast in the morning, grab a basket of fish and chips for lunch or dine like the Queen with a personal shepherd’s pie for dinner. There’s also a quaint patio perfect for enjoying shareable bites and a pint during happy hour.
An industrial-chic restaurant adorned with rich brown leathers, exposed pipes and concrete ceilings, Land + Lake Kitchen serves Midwestern classics with an elevated approach. Start your day with a satisfying avocado and goat cheese toast topped with a sunny-side-up egg, or nosh on a hearty Midwestern breakfast of steak and eggs. Mid-morning libations are also served including mimosas and Bloody Marys. Relax on the quaint outdoor patio under bright blue umbrellas or enjoy your meal indoors at one of the best restaurants in the Chicago Loop.
As the name implies, Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe is best known for their berry-topped pancakes and waffles — but their other breakfast bites are just as scrumptious! Inspired by traditional recipes and fresh ingredients, the menu boasts year-round staples like chocolate chip pancakes and seasonal specials like pumpkin pie waffles. Pair any brunch with the caffeinated beverage of your choice, and enjoy a dessert-worthy dish topped with fresh berries, granola and fruit coulis. Positioned in the Chicago Loop across Millennium Park, Wildberry’s is easily spotted with crimson umbrellas speckling the outdoor patio.
Deemed a classic by locals and a favorite by tourists, Eleven City Diner is a retro-style restaurant on South Wabash Ave that offers delicious, comforting American cuisine and deli standards. This casual spot serves breakfast all day, making it the perfect place to regroup with friends after a night out or fuel up before a long day of exploring Chicago. Reviewers cite large plate sizes good for sharing, excellent service, and a friendly atmosphere.
Situated along Chicago’s Cultural Mile, Acanto draws you in with an outdoor patio trimmed in twinkle lights and outlined by seasonally-blooming metal planters. The interior decor is just as breathtaking, with an entire wall of Italian wine bottles sourced from 20 regions in Italy. The menu features authentic Italian cuisine with handcrafted pasta and stone oven pizzas. Take a seat at the curved marble-top bar or dine at an intimate table. Save plenty of room to enjoy the coveted tiramisu created by their executive pastry chef to truly discover why Acanto makes everyone’s list of the best Chicago Loop restaurants.
Take a journey to turn-of-the-century Tuscany without ever leaving the city at Chicago’s oldest Italian restaurant. Since 1927, The Village has transported guests with traditional Northern Italian cuisine and vivid Tuscan decor. Dine under the stars in a small Italian village at the base of the rugged Apennine Mountains with a bottle of local wine and delicious dishes by Chef Tony Rodriguez. Each of the three restaurants owned by the Capitanini family in the Italian Village coordinates decor, cuisine, and wine selections with a region of Italy.
A local chain with area fame, Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta showcases Malnati roots through their authentic deep-dish and thin-crust pies, plus decadent pasta and housemade sauces, fresh garlic bread, and more. Located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, Pizano’s is close to Chicago’s best entertainment and shopping. This location features the same delicious menu as the original Pizano’s location on State Street, with additional lunch items created for busy days exploring the city or working. Looking for a restaurant in The Loop open late? Pizano’s is open until 10 pm!
Discover sweeping views of the Chicago River and a fresh menu each season at Raised, an urban rooftop bar and restaurant in the Loop. Every ingredient, brew and garnish is provided by a local business in the Chicagoland area, and each season’s servings feature creative interpretations on classic dishes. Warm up with a slow-cooked pork chili and a spiced mezcal cocktail as you take in Chicago’s vibrant aesthetic on Raised’s versatile outdoor rooftop.
Inspired by the bohemian freethinkers of the 1950s and 1960s, Beatnik on the River showcases the style, aspirations, and rebellions of the beatnik generation. Through lush interiors, maximalist decor, and subversive cuisine, Beatnik on the River offers a transformative dining experience through the Middle East with flavors from Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Northern Syria – all while utilizing local Midwestern farms. Enjoy ingredient-led cocktails and mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine with a view of the river just outside the massive glass windows lining the space.
With an arched glass ceiling and wall of windows, Cindy’s rooftop restaurant and open-air terrace provides patrons with a bird’s-eye view of Millennium Park and a panoramic sight line of Lake Michigan and beyond. The architecture is vintage yet modern with brick walls and exposed metal beams frosted with twinkling globe lights —- the relaxed ambiance truly feels like a casual family gathering at the lake house. Revel in a seasonally-rotating menu filled with lunchtime delectables like smoked salmon on a sesame bagel, oysters on the half shell or bass aguachile. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged and can be made up to 30 days before your desired date.
Satisfy your appetite and your wallet with a discounted stay at one of our Club Quarters Hotels. Both of our boutique Chicago hotels offer deals and discounts to suit your needs, so you can explore everything The Loop has to offer on a budget.
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