What if my visitors don't eat meat?

Avec, Girl & The Goat, and Sepia all have full vegetarian tasting menus on request; Bonci's pizza al taglio has vegetable-forward slices throughout the day.

How far in advance do these need reservations?

Smyth and Sepia book 3–4 weeks out; Girl & The Goat about 2 weeks; Avec and El Che a week. Au Cheval is walk-ins only with multi-hour waits on weekends.

Are these places kid-friendly?

Most marquee restaurants seat kids during daytime hours and walk-in service. See the kid-friendly list for restaurants and activities explicitly suited to families.

Best of

Where to take out-of-towners in the West Loop

When friends or family are in town and you have one meal, one drink, or one afternoon to spend, these are the West Loop spots that consistently land. The list mixes Chicago-iconic (a 1923 diner, the country's Bonci pizza flagship), marquee Randolph Restaurant Row destinations, and distinctive things to do that aren't a museum or a tour.

Iconic Chicago experiences

Spots a visitor can specifically say they did in Chicago, not anywhere else.

Lou Mitchell's Greek-American diner on West Jackson, open since 1923, famous for the donut holes handed out at the door.565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60661
Bonci Roman Style Pizza Roman-style pizza al taglio from Gabriele Bonci — the American flagship of the Rome original, on West Randolph.161 N Sangamon St 1st, Chicago, IL, 60607
Chicago French Market European-style food hall directly under Ogilvie Transportation Center with 30+ vendors covering most cuisines.131 N Clinton St 1 1, Chicago, IL, 60661
J.p. Graziano Grocery CO INC. Italian sub shop and specialty grocer on West Randolph, in continuous operation since 1937 under the fourth generation of the Graziano family. The Mr. G sandwich is the order.901 W Randolph St 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
Greek Islands Restaurant Long-running Greek restaurant in Greektown — a multi-generation South Halsted Mediterranean institution.200 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL, 60661

Show all 6 picks

National Hellenic Museum The only museum in the United States dedicated to the Greek-American experience, at the heart of Greektown.331-341 S Halsted St 1,2,3 1,2,3, Chicago, IL, 60661

Marquee Randolph Restaurant Row

The internationally-recognized West Loop dining anchors.

Show all 17 picks

Distinctive things to do

Non-museum activities visitors leave Chicago talking about.

Show all 6 picks

Emporium Arcade Bar (Fulton Market) Vintage arcade games and pinball machines paired with a full cocktail bar.839 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL, 60607

When they're staying overnight

Hotels that work as a destination themselves, not just a bed.

Frequently asked questions

What if my visitors don't eat meat?: Avec, Girl & The Goat, and Sepia all have full vegetarian tasting menus on request; Bonci's pizza al taglio has vegetable-forward slices throughout the day.
How far in advance do these need reservations?: Smyth and Sepia book 3–4 weeks out; Girl & The Goat about 2 weeks; Avec and El Che a week. Au Cheval is walk-ins only with multi-hour waits on weekends.
Are these places kid-friendly?: Most marquee restaurants seat kids during daytime hours and walk-in service. See the kid-friendly list for restaurants and activities explicitly suited to families.

Most recent pick verified today. Some picks may be older — the date reflects whichever pick on this page was checked most recently.