The Eateries That Define the City — Past and Present
From Al Capone's speakeasy to the birthplace of deep-dish pizza, from the restaurant that inspired "The Bear" to the supper club that launched Barbra Streisand. These are the restaurants that shaped Chicago.
In-depth stories behind the restaurants that define Chicago — complete with history, key facts, FAQs, and interactive map links.
Al Capone's favorite speakeasy, where a comedian got his throat slashed for leaving and the poetry slam was born. Still open with the original Art Deco interior.
SNL's "Cheezborger!" sketch, the Billy Goat Curse on the Cubs, and 90 years of newspapermen arguing under Michigan Avenue.
Chicago's oldest Italian restaurant, where twinkling stars on the ceiling and four generations of the Capitanini family have enchanted diners since 1927.
Chicago's oldest steakhouse, under the L tracks, where Sinatra had a table and the garbage salad became a city institution.
Liquor License #1 — the first bar to serve after Prohibition ended. Women weren't allowed at the bar until NOW protested in 1969.
The birthplace of Chicago deep-dish pizza. Whether Sewell or Malnati invented it, this is where it happened in 1943.
The Italian beef stand that inspired "The Bear" on Hulu. Lines exploded overnight, but the dipped beef hasn't changed since 1979.
Route 66's first stop, where double-yolk eggs and free Milk Duds have greeted travelers for over a century.
Rick Bayless spent six years in Mexico, then opened the restaurant that changed how America thinks about Mexican food. James Beard Outstanding Restaurant.
The original Italian beef stand. Al Ferreri invented Chicago's signature sandwich in 1938 to feed Depression-era wedding guests.
Chicago's oldest bar for 136 years, Liquor License #6, and the unofficial headquarters of five mayors' political machine.
Roger Ebert's "best bar in the world," famous for nude paintings of politicians behind the bar and its proximity to Second City.
The 250-seat Rush Street club that launched Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, and George Carlin.
Bronzeville's soul food legend, where Gladys Holcomb fed the heart of Black Chicago for 52 years through the Great Migration and civil rights era.
83 years of Bookbinder soup and raw oysters inside The Drake Hotel. Where Gold Coast society dined until the renovation that never brought it back.
The self-taught perfectionist who put Chicago on the world's culinary map and trained Grant Achatz.
The legendary Booth One where Bogart married Bacall and Chicago's elite saw and were seen for eight decades.
The 'Sausage Superstore' where foie gras duck sausages caused 4-hour lines.
The 77-year Italian landmark with 1,000 seats where politicians, entertainers, and 'all walks of life' came for red sauce.
Where Eli Schulman invented Chicago-Style cheesecake — after Frank Sinatra said he could eat the whole thing.
The McCormick Mansion's elegant dining room where silver carts rolled prime rib tableside for 46 years - until COVID and civil unrest closed its doors forever.
For 30 years, Chicago proposed, celebrated, and said goodbye 1,000 feet above the city - until the iconic 95th floor restaurant went dark without warning.
The restaurant where Obama celebrated his election victory and Chicago discovered pasta could be art - silenced after 37 years and 12 consecutive Michelin stars.
The skinny, white-walled restaurant that launched the West Loop revolution and trained more future chef-owners than any kitchen in Chicago.
The birthplace of the modern American steakhouse chain, where the plastic-wrapped presentation of raw steaks became an industry standard - closed after 42 years.
For 34 years, one of only 13 Mobil Five-Star restaurants in America served Alsatian cuisine 40 stories above LaSalle Street - until the lease ran out.
Chicago's oldest continuously operated Chinese restaurant for 90 years - where legend says Al Capone kept a regular table and Jewish families from the North Side came for Sunday dinner.
The caviar staircase, the fishbowl with a live fish holding tartare, two Michelin stars - Tru defined theatrical fine dining for nearly two decades.
The birthplace of flaming saganaki and the 'OPA!' cheer - after 48 years, the cheese stopped burning in Greektown.
The restaurant where your server insulted you on purpose - 'Eat and Get Out!' - closed after 30 years to become luxury condos.
The 'Sausage Superstore' where foie gras duck sausages caused 4-hour lines and the owner greeted every customer as 'my friend.'
The self-taught perfectionist who put Chicago on the world's culinary map and trained Grant Achatz - then walked away at the peak of his powers.
For 27 years, this 1940s-style grill was the hidden gem behind Water Tower Place's food hall - then COVID emptied the mall.
The deli that brought the pepper and egg sandwich to Chicago - and made generations of Chicagoans crave it year-round, not just during Lent.
The Greektown gem where Oprah learned to dance like a Greek grandmother, with a rooftop patio that captured the Chicago skyline.
The seafood specialist that anchored Greektown's busiest corner for 31 years - until the pandemic and rising real estate values swept it away.
The spinning salad bowl that mesmerized suburban diners for 40 years - until Ann Roth turned 90 and there was no one left to spin.
The restaurant where Eli Schulman invented Chicago-Style cheesecake in the basement - after Frank Sinatra said he could eat the whole thing.
The Belden-Stratford's elegant temple of French cuisine where Lettuce Entertain You proved it could do four-star dining - and trained a generation along the way.
The Evanston restaurant that launched Grant Achatz, earned Five Mobil Stars, and changed American fine dining - before quietly fading away.
The 77-year-old Italian landmark with 1,000 seats and 13 banquet rooms - where politicians, entertainers, and 'all walks of life' came for red sauce and romance.
The Bavarian chalet that hosted 3,000 weddings and 1,100 funerals - so beloved they named the street corner after it.
The shoebox diner where Mayor Harold Washington craved oxtail stew and Hillary Clinton posed for photos - run for 33 years by an immigrant who made pierogis feel like home.
The elegant Michigan Avenue French restaurant with high ceilings and arched windows - where every meal felt like a luxurious event.
The glamorous Loop restaurant where Big Band music was broadcast live on WGN Radio in the 1920s - and where the spinning salad bowl became an American icon.
The baroque stone building across from Germania Hall where it felt 'like entering the Black Forest' - demolished for Sandburg Village despite protests.
The restaurant that survived the Great Chicago Fire, billed itself as 'Chicago's Most Famous,' and served Mayor Daley his power breakfasts for a century.
The Depression-era hot dog stand where 'Fluky' Drexler invented the Chicago-style dog - and Frank Sinatra later sang about it.
The legendary Booth One where Bogart married Bacall, Liza Minnelli dined with Judy Garland, and Chicago's elite saw and were seen for eight decades.