Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Chicago

With disco balls, big mirrors, cuboid seats, and funky little tables, this modern bar attracts a young, trendy Soho crowd. Its novel graded pricing scheme proves popular; drinks are priced according to the time of day, with cocktails priced low during ‘Stupid Hour', rising slightly for ‘Happy Hour', and peaking during ‘Night Hour'. Service is speedy and efficient, and staff will recommend cocktails based on your preferences or prepare a bespoke one. The mood is upbeat, with punters spilling out onto the street when the weather permits and boogieing on the downstairs dance floor. There's no food service, but guests can bring their own—perfect if you want to order a pizza and keep the night's costs down.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in the South Loop neighborhood is a great place to enjoy deep-dish pizzas with family and friends. Their savory sauce, gooey cheese and delicious fillings are just perfect to make you fall in love with their creations. Though the pizzeria is popular for its Deep Dish creations it also serves gluten-free, cheese and sausage thin crust pizzas. In addition, they are also known for their delectable appetizers, soups and lasagna. Check out their decadent spread of deserts that spans from brownie sundaes to tiramisu and chocolate pizza.

Big Star pays homage to the honky tonk era of Bakersfield with hillbilly music played nightly and the bar brimming with single barrel bourbon, tequila and beer. This late-night destination is also known for its Mexican street food-influenced menu. Dig into their dishes like Papas Con Rajas, Taco Al Pastor, Taco de Pollo and The Walking Taco. Take a sip of drinks like Lone Star, Gold Dust Gimlet, or Bakersfield Mule, or order a beer on the tap. Kick back and relax with your buddies at this laid-back food joint.

Located at the lovely Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, the Michael Jordan Steak House is one of the finest restaurants at the casino. Every kind of steak is served, from a Kansas City-aged to Porterhouse to Strip Steak to Filet Mignon. Get your meat with a delicious sauce or just plain, and on the side choose from a wide selection of dishes like Truffle Fries, Macaroni and Cheese, Roasted Mushrooms in Truffle Oil or Onion Rings. It is worth the trip to Mohegan Sun from out of town to experience the fine steaks at Michael Jordan's Steak House.

Oriole is an American fine dining restaurant featuring an elegant dining room and an open kitchen. The restaurant offers an extensive tasting menu with an impressive selection of wines and beers. The kitchen is run by Chef and Co-Owner Noah Sandoval, who works closely with his team to create a multi-course tasting menu that changes regularly based on the seasonality of ingredients. Marching to the beat of their own drums, the restaurant is not afraid to try something new. Intended to be a journey through flavors, textures, and techniques, the dining experience at Oriole has each dish carefully designed to surprise and delight guests.

Despite being a relative newcomer to Chicago's coffee roasting market, Metropolis Coffee Company is now a dominant force in the field because of its meticulous approach to preparation. The café, run by father-and-son pair Jeff and Tony Dreyfuss, offers a wide range of coffee options, including single-origin options from Brazil, Peru, Columbia, and Ecuador, as well as daily mixes like the Redline espresso (named for the neighboring Metro line). If you'd like to try your hand at your own roasting, the shop also sells green, unroasted coffee. While you can always find Metropolis's brews at their cafe location, their beans are also stocked at Whole Foods and numerous restaurants throughout the Chicago area.