The cheeseburger here may look like a simple, griddled double patty burger, but don't be fooled: this burger is what food writer Francis Lam calls "tremendous work, thin patty diner style magic."
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s New American offers a bit of everything. We recommend making a reservation.
Lots of buzz and long lines at this pastry shop- donuts are the must-have treat.
Situated on the seventh floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel, dine here to get a great view of The Magnificent Mile.
Located only a few blocks away from our flagship boutique, the Elysian Spa & Health Club is reason alone to call this hotel a favorite.
A pioneer of molecular gastronomy, it’s no surprise that this restaurant is one of the world’s 50 best.
Nothing's better than a great burger and a perfectly made martini. Be sure to order the Dietzler Farm burger with the works and a Rain Organics Vodka martini, made from 100% organic white corn.
Must Order: Milk-braised pork shoulder, porchetta panini, and pig's tail braised in balsamic. Crispy chicken-thigh kebabs do the original white meat proud. Read more.
Skipping the kimchi taco route that's so popular elsewhere, Kim takes a chance (and succeeds) with dishes like a clever spin on the clambake, Korean chili and calamari stuffed with chicken and pork.
Dine at the Chicago flagship, where you can enjoy the signature Steak Diane or the classic RL Burger.
Just steps away from the Magnificent Mile, the staff at the Peninsula is known for their attention to detail, like leaving a martini glass full of gummy bears in your room.
The Peninsula Spa by ESPA on the 20th floor has an indoor pool, sundeck, eucalyptus steam room, and fireplace-equipped lounge—not to mention fabulous views of the Windy City. Read more.
The Peninsula Hotel has a high tea in their gorgeous lobby area. The views from this hotel are spectacular as well. Their Sunday brunch is a local favorite too. - Nikki
Pay special attention to the sandwiches, made with chewy ciabatta, meats cooked in-house and wonderful spreads like the herb mayonnaise on turkey with bacon, arugula and jalapeños ($12). Read more.
Try the roast carrot and avocado salad from our 100 Best list:Crunchy with seeds, redolent with spices and enhanced with crème fraîche, this is proof there is such a thing as salad evolution.
Say yes to the parmigiano-topped tagliatelle with Brussels sprouts on pistachio pesto and the crisp, warm Italian bread layered with chicken liver and fried sage. Skip the salt-and-pepper shrimp.
Cocktails at this revived classic nightspot are competently executed versions of the classics. Order the ginger margarita made with Olmeca Altos tequila: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.
This "hotspot" (literally!) keeps patrons warm during the winter - its 1,100°F Vulcan broiler sears steaks to perfection with plenty of heat to spare. Sip on icy martinis to keep cool in the summer.
The collection encompasses more than 5,000 years of human expression from around the world & more than 260,000 pieces. The Modern Wing was opened in 2009 & is the largest expansion in their history.
The home of such homegrown masterpieces as Grant Wood's American Gothic and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks.
Taking the day off? You're at one of the many stops Matthew Broderick and friends make in 1986's "Ferris Buller's Day Off." Don't forget to find Cameron's favorite "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte." Read more.
The spectacular Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano in limestone, glass, and steel was voted by T+L readers as one of the world’s top new landmarks in 2011. Read more.
Famous guests include Winston Churchill, Pope John Paul II and Presidents Eisenhower, Ford, Clinton and Obama. Read more.
You may recognize this hotel from the big screen. Movies filmed here include Mission: Impossible, Risky Business, My Best Friend's Wedding and What Women Want.
Trendsetters, icons and America's original power couple, Joe DiMaggio & Marilyn Monroe carved their initials in the bar of the Drake Hotel's Cape Cod Room during one of their clandestine encounters.
Patrons will be able to sample precisely assembled cocktails thanks to Mike Ryan running the show behind the bar. They can also expect delectable dishes prepared by Heather Terhune.
On the menu is pub fare such as house-cut chips and meat pie with braised short ribs. The folks behind Fat Willy’s Rib Shack are running the show, so you know the grub will be a solid bet. Read more.
Must-try cocktail: Victorian Pimm's Cup. The best of three Pimm’s Cup variations at this bar, with pink peppercorn tincture and rose water.
Try the Full English fry up from our 100 Best list: Hands down, this British pub is putting out one of the best brunches in the city, from the ornate coffee service to made-in-house seasonal scones.
Hidden gem where you must be in the know to get in. Great cocktails with cool infusions. -Mike Isabella, Top Chef
Wait in line for a dark, sexy speakeasy experience. House-made syrups, exclusive spirits, suspender-clad bartenders.
Modeled after early-19th-century English clubs and French salons, this lounge is complete with chandeliers and a fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling curtains frame the bartenders as if they were on a stage.
Step inside the intimate space and peruse through an extensive handcrafted drink menu that includes vodka, tequila, rum, brandy and portable bitters creations. Try the Juliet & Romeo or the Sazerac.
Logan Square's gastropub, with a kick-ass whisky selection, has made national headlines and even got a Michelin star. Like a nose-to-tail approach? So does chef Jared Wentworth. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
This museum’s largest exhibit is also its most impressive. In its time, this steel monster was one of the deadliest war machines ever created. It is a U-boat, known by its infamous number 505. Read more.
Go in a couple hours before the sun comes up if you really want to experience it.
Grab a ticket to the Private Spaces Tour on Saturday and Sunday for access to the third floor, not normally open to the public.
Completed in 1925, this 40-story skyscraper is the home of The Chicago Tribune, which printed its first edition in 1847 in a one-room plant.
Take a history tour around the world at the Tribune Tower. See more than 120 stones embedded in the building's exterior walls including the Taj Mahal, Parthenon, Great Wall of China and more! Read more.
A custom oak-stoked oven kicks out perfectly charred Neapolitan beauties in less than two minutes. Toppings run the gamut from fennel-flecked sausage to bitter rapini to prosciutto ribbons.
Fifty American and French wine selections and 10 international beers make it a nice spot to come in for a nightcap or post-work drink. Read more.
