Consider these local favourites if you’re looking for the quintessential Chicago dining experience.

Breakfast

Bongo Room - Located in trendy Wicker Park, the Bongo Room is known for its sinful pancakes, including the version made with crushed Oreo cookies and warm vanilla bean sauce. Also open for lunch and brunch.
1470 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Eleven City Diner - Breakfast is served all day at this traditional delicatessen that features staples like brisket and matzo ball soup and old-fashioned ice cream treats.
1112 S. Wabash Avenue

Lou Mitchell’s - A fixture on Route 66 since 1923, Lou Mitchell’s is a favourite downtown breakfast spot known for its hardy diner fare, complimentary doughnuts and boxes of “Milk Duds.”,
565 W. Jackson Boulevard

Milk and Honey Café - Located in Chicago’s eclectic Wicker Park neighbourhood, Milk and Honey Café’s chalkboard menu changes daily for breakfast and lunch from waffles to sandwiches, but don’t miss out on the homemade granola.
1920 W. Division Street

Ina's - Chef Ina Pinkney is the creative force behind this charming American café known for its great breakfasts (lunch and dinner are also served). Don’t miss Ina’s original vegetable hash and tasty pasta frittata.
1235 W. Randolph Street

Chicago Pizza

Crust - This organic eatery and lounge features good-for-you salads, wood-oven flatbreads, along with regional brews.
2056 W. Division Street

Giordano's* - For more than 30 years Giordano's has been serving up its own version of deep-dish pizza, stuffed with loads of cheese and topped with a tangy tomato sauce.
730 N. Rush

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria* - This family-run pizzeria offers a huge variety of pizza options, though it's hard to beat its namesake Lou: a hearty combo of tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and three cheeses layered in a deep, flaky crust.
439 N. Wells

Piece Brewery & Pizzeria - This pizzeria is known for its creative East Coast-style thin crust pies and award-winning microbrews.
1927 W. North Avenue

Pizzeria Uno* - Home of Chicago's original deep-dish pizza, invented by owner Ike Sewell back in 1943. Read the entertaining graffiti on the walls while you wait for your freshly made tomato-topped pie, filled with cheese and a choice of veggies and meat.
29 E. Ohio Street address

Hot Dogs

Gold Coast Dogs* - Order your Chicago-style hot dog here: start with an all-beef Vienna hot dog, top it with mustard, pickle relish, onions, hot peppers, a tomato slice, a pickle spear and celery salt and serve it in a poppyseed bun.
159 N. Wabash Avenue

Hot Doug’s - Hot dogs and gourmet sausages (try the rib eye steak version) rule here, but don’t miss the fries cooked in duck fat on Fridays and Saturdays only.
3324 North California Avenue

Portillo’s* - What started as a simple hot dog stand in 1963 is today 42 restaurants serving all the Chicago food favourites, including hot dogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, pizza and ribs. The downtown Ontario Street location has a fun display of Chicago memorabilia from the 30s and 40s.
100 W. Ontario Street

Superdawg Drive-In - It's hard to miss this modest stand—just look for the towering boy and girl hot dog mascots winking from the roof. Order a plump Superdawg with french fries and wait for a carhop to bring it out to your car. Don't leave without a milkshake or creamy root beer Blackkow!
6363 N. Milwaukee

Wiener’s Circle - Best known for their char-grilled food, visit the iconic Wiener’s Circle for a signature Chicago-style hot dog. Other customer favourites include the charburger and cheese fries.
2622 N. Clark Street

Hamburgers / American Classics

Billy Goat Tavern - Best known for being featured in a Saturday Night Live skit, the Billy Goat Tavern has been a Chicago legend since 1934.
430 N. Michigan, lower level

Duchamp - Affordable, Bucktown neighbourhood restaurant offering small portion options along with desserts. On Sundays, enjoy a backyard barbecue-style brunch.
2118 N. Damen Avenue

Grahamwich - Experience a unique take on the traditional sandwich shop where bready goodness meets homemade sodas and gourmet snacks in a groovy setting that was once home to an artist colony in the 1800s.
615 N. State Street

Kuma’s Corner - Hipster hamburger lovers head for this eatery that serves up burgers inspired by heavy metal bands with names like Iron Maiden.
2900 W. Belmont Avenue

Lucky Strike Lanes - Yes, a bowling alley can have a hip menu —especially when it's a spinoff of a popular L.A. hangout. Sample dishes like Asian chicken skewers and bite-size mac n' cheese balls, or hunker down for full-size meals that include gourmet pizzas and burgers.
322 E. Illinois

Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli - This traditional Jewish deli is famed for its corned beef sandwiches and potato pancakes.
1141 S. Jefferson Street

M Burger* - Order the M Burger (topped with bacon, cheese and secret sauce) with homemade peach ice tea to go.
161 E. Huron Street

Plan B Bar + Kitchen - Plan B Bar + Kitchen offers a well-edited bar menu, straightforward beer selections and premium, reasonably-priced cocktails against a perfect blend of sexy rock, vintage hip-hop, old school and 80s classics by local DJs.
1635 N. Milwaukee

Rockit - A favourite for visiting celebs, Rockit serves up a mean Kobe beef burger with truffle fries (in the heart of the River North neighbourhood).
22 W. Hubbard Street

R.J. Grunts - Try the Gruntburger topped with fried onions and bleu cheese at this cosy restaurant near Lincoln Park Zoo.
2056 Lincoln Park West

Valois Cafeteria - Cheerful employees serve up generous portions at this historic Hyde Park eatery. Everything from chicken pot pie and mac and cheese to turkey and gravy-soaked mashed potatoes (breakfast is served until 4 p.m.) is worth a visit.
1518 E. 53rd Street

Steak, Ribs

Carson’s* - Baby back barbecued ribs smoked for hours in a hickory wood-burning pit are the specialty of the house.
612 N. Wells Street

David Burke’s Primehouse - Located in the chic James Chicago Hotel, this restaurant puts a modern spin on the classic American steakhouse.
616 N. Rush Street

Gene & Georgetti* - A Chicago steakhouse tradition since 1941, and an old favourite of Frank Sinatra’s. Besides steaks and chops, the kitchen serves up a number of authentic Italian specialties.
500 N. Franklin Street

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - This Gold Coast neighbourhood hotspot is a favourite among locals and visiting celebrities alike. Start your evening at the bar with a famous onion-garnished Gibson martini, then dig into one of the best steaks in the city.
1028 N. Rush Street

Harry Caray's* - Named for the late Hall of Fame baseball announcer, this acclaimed Italian steakhouse serves the finest steaks and chops. The combination of mahogany panelling, white tablecloths and a veritable museum of baseball history creates a warm and casual elegance.
33 W. Kinzie Street

Keefer's Restaurant - This twist on the classic Chicago steakhouse offers a wide selection of prime steaks, fresh fish, pasta and chicken.
20 W. Kinzie Street

Mike Ditka's Restaurant* - Located in the Tremont Hotel, the former coach of Chicago's American football team, the Bears, is behind this restaurant. Check out the sports memorabilia before digging into the famed pork chops. After dinner, enjoy a cigar and live music in the cigar bar.
100 E. Chestnut Street

Morton's The Steakhouse* - The original Morton’s The Steakhouse in Chicago is housed in a clubby restaurant with crisp white tablecloths, exposed brick walls and a discreet below-street locale in the bustling Rush Street district. In addition to a second downtown Chicago location, Morton’s also has three suburban restaurants, plus other locations around the world.
1050 N. State Street

N9ne - This modern steakhouse features prime-aged steaks, as well as succulent seafood. See and be seen at the circular granite champagne and caviar bar in the centre of the dining room, or at the groovy upstairs Ghostbar.
440 W. Randolph Street

Smith & Wollensky - Located along the Chicago River, this traditional American steakhouse is known for its hand-cut steaks and excellent wine list.
318 N. State Street

Tavern at the Park - Enjoy breathtaking views of Millennium Park through the 20-foot windows of this chic, yet casual, eatery. John Hogan, the celebrated chef from Keefer's, offers a wide selection appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees.
130 E. Randolph

Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern - A favourite in the city’s Old Town neighbourhood since 1932, Twin Anchors is known for its lip-smacking barbecued ribs. The music of Frank Sinatra, a long-time customer, often plays on the jukebox.
1655 N. Sedgwick Street

Wildfire* - Wildfire is a sleek steakhouse that recalls a 1940s supper club, complete with a cosy martini lounge. Try the steak, (you'll hear them sizzling in the brick oven), or a seafood dish like the popular cedar-planked salmon.
159 W. Erie

ZED451* - Try unlimited samplings of ZED451’s seasonal multicultural offerings and check out the sexy rooftop deck.
739 N. Clark Street

Seafood

Joe's Seafood Prime Steak and Stone Crab - It may be best known for its cracked stone crab claws, but the prime steaks deserve equal praise. The crisp white tablecloths and dark wood create a classically elegant setting.
60 E. Grand Avenue

Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House* - Seafood is the specialty at this happening Rush Street spot with dishes like their signature 8-ounce crab cake and frog legs topped with garlic butter. Nightly live piano music in Hugo’s lounge is sure to lighten the mood of any evening.
1024 N. Rush Street

McCormick and Schmick's* - Known for the freshest seafood available, this Chicago favourite offers everything from Alaska halibut to the New Zealand grouper on a "Fresh List" that includes more than 30 seafood varieties. A knowledgeable wait staff is eager to make your dining experience unforgettable.
41 E. Chestnut Street

Shaw's* - This popular seafood destination prides itself on its famously fresh fish, flown in daily from all coasts. The casual oyster bar offers a menu of regional oysters and cocktails, while the more formal dining room features over 40 fresh seafood entrees.
21 E. Hubbard Street

Vegetarian

Chicago Diner - The Chicago Diner was one of the first vegetarian restaurants in the city. Try the garden vegetable loaf or the macrobiotic plate, and don't miss the vegan desserts.
3411 N. Halsted 

Karyn’s on Green - This stylish vegan restaurant, located in the heart of Greektown, is open daily for lunch and dinner.
130 S. Green Street

Green Zebra - Green Zebra is a contemporary vegetarian restaurant that caters to a hip crowd. Imaginative seasonal dishes include crispy sweet potato dumplings with water chestnuts and dandelion miso broth.
1460 W. Chicago 

*multiple locations