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Olympic restaurants
Can't swing a vacation to Beijing for the Olympics this year? Fret not. A trip to one of Chicago's many Chinese eateries will give you a glimpse of the smells and tastes you're craving at a fraction of the price.
Rooftop dining
Here's a sampling of Chicago's best rooftop gardens and patios. But be warned: Like summer in the Midwest, they're only here for a limited time.
Cool coffee shops
Chicago may have a Starbucks on every corner, but it lays claim to something even more exciting: a robust community of local coffeehouses.
Lunch in Lincoln Park
The whole "shop 'til you drop" mentality can leave you famished. Luckily, Lincoln Park's boutiques are sandwiched between great spots for, well, sandwiches.
Texas in Chicago
You don't have to go all the way to Texas to get a little Lone Star feel. Head to any of these places for a unique Texas experience (cowboy boots and lasso not included).
Caribbean cuisine
From giant platters of Dominican food sided with sweet plantains to jibaritos to an astounding two pounds of jerk chicken wings, the eating is good, the easy breezy atmosphere even better.
Cuban cuisine
From casual BYOBs to slinging-the-mojitos hot spots, these restaurants represent some of Chicago's Cuban best.
Gold Coast fine dining
A girl can't shop on an empty stomach: Here are the best spots for post-shopping eats, Gold Coast-style.
Lunch in Lincoln Square
From paninis and enchiladas to authentic Chicago dogs and soups, Lincoln Square dining has just about anything that'll satisfy your appetite.
Mexican restaurants
Whether you're in the mood for a casual platter of tacos or an upscale Mexican meal, these restaurants will take care of your tortilla-loving needs.
Sushi spots
Take advantage of our by-neighborhood search option to find a Japanese restaurant that's near – and new – to you.
Around Lakeview
While you're looking to get a glimpse of Johnny Depp filming his new movie in Lakeview, you might as well make a day of it. Try one of these places for lunch, dinner or just a quick drink.
What's up in Uptown?
You may know it as the home of the Green Mill, but Uptown lays claim to plenty more good stuff, from "Little Vietnam" to all-the-rage music venues.
Eat healthy
Whether you're watching your waistline or don't like the idea of deep-fried, processed foods, check out these health food restaurants.
Cooking classes
Whether you have a hard time boiling an egg or like to whip up Indian curries on a whim, these cooking schools will take your culinary skills to the next level.
Tea time!
Celebrate National Tea Month at one of these fine places for your favorite herbal blends.
Dinner on Devon
The bustling stretch of Devon Avenue in West Ridge (aka West Rogers Park) is the epicenter of the Indian and Pakistani communities in Chicago, and a destination for some of the most delicious, affordable dining in the city. You can't go wrong by dropping into the first place that strikes your fancy on Devon, but here's a sample list if you prefer to plan ahead.
Bar breakfast buffets
Who would have thought that the bar that lead you down the path to that raging headache is the very place to hit up the next morning for brunch?
Comida caliente
With a city filled with tantalizing Mexican restaurants, take the search even farther south of the border for the best that Central and South America had to offer.
A healthier holiday
So Thanksgiving isn't exactly known as a light meal. Luckily, it can be a healthy one, thanks to these healthful groceries and their organic produce, free-range birds and well-portioned desserts.
Last-minute turkeys
The countdown to Turkey Day has begun. Did you get your bird yet? Don't worry, last-minute doesn't have to to mean frozen.
LTHForum favorites
When you want to uncover the tastiest, off-the-radar eats in town, look no further than the folks at LTHForum.
Fair trade coffee
What's even more satisfying than a hot cup of coffee? A hot cup of fair-trade coffee. Sip the good stuff at one of these independent coffeehouses.
Thai food
Whether you've got a taste for fried rice or fried caterpillar, these spots will satisfy your Thai cravings.
Organic restaurants
These restaurants emphasize locally grown, seasonal foods, meaning those pork chops don't just taste good...they do good.
West Town's cheap eats
You don't need a million bucks to look like it, and you don't need much more than a tenner to each like a king at these great West Town spots.
Fun with fondue
From cheese to chocolate to hot broth and oil, see how some Chicago chefs are interpreting this classic dish.
Near-campus dining
Sick of the dorm cafeteria? You'll be happy to know that you're not doomed to a semester of ramen noodles, thanks to these near-campus restaurants.
Breakfast at the diner
If firing up the griddle seems like a little too much work, let one of these omelet-slinging diners do the early-morning job for you.
Moroccan eats
Chicago's handful of Moroccan restaurant fit into nearly every dining niche you can think of, from cheap Loop lunches to casual BYOBing to exotic fine dining.
Top spots for waffles
Pancakes may get top billing, because there's nothing like a Belgian waffle. These spots dish everything from whole wheat options to totally sinful sundae versions.
Charlie Trotter's alumni
We shook a few branches of the Trotter family tree and caught up with eight top Chicago chefs who spent the early part of their careers working in the kitchen at 816 W. Armitage.
Kid-friendly lunches
Back-to-school means packing lunches and breakfast on-the-go. We asked a few food experts about everything from nutritious snacks to ho-ho alternatives.
Cool down with Italian ice
Lakeview's Soupbox/Icebox has the Italian ice thing down pat: no fat, real fruit chunks, made from scratch, whipped up daily. With a recipe like that, you can't help but crave a cup of icy mango goodness.
Ice cream shops, mmm
Get your daily dose of Vitamin D in the yummiest way possible: via a drippy cone of ice cream.
16 picks for pierogi
From sauerkraut to potato to plum, pierogi abound at these 16 Polish restaurants and delis.
Caribbean eats
While there's no mistaking Lake Michigan for the Caribbean's impossibly blue waters, you can get an authentic taste of the islands at these Caribbean restaurants.
Pack a picnic
Too tired to whip up Mom's homemade potato salad? Just stop by one of these gourmet shops and markets for pre-made goodies to go.
Chicago's best pies
Do you love pie but loathe rolling out dough? Get a nice hearty slice without sweating it out with a rolling pin from these 10 pie-baking geniuses.
Bayless's favorite things
After 20 years of running Frontera Grill, we figured Rick Bayless might know a thing or two about Chicago, so we asked him about his favorite spots.
Chicago's NY-style eats
From hot dogs to tender steaks, you can experience the Big Apple in Chicago thanks to these authentic New York favorites.
Mediterranean meals
The word "diet" usually doesn't conjure exotic food exploding with flavor...unless it's preceded by "Mediterranean," that is. Find a heart-healthy meal at one of these eateries.
Sizzling steakhouses
You can't say you've experienced quintessential Chicago until you've tucked into some of the city's best cuts, available at these fine steakhouses.
Argentinean eats
Chicago may not have as many Argentinean restaurants as it does, say, Italian joints, but the few we've rounded up include everything from an Argentinean coffeehouse to an white-tablecloth restaurant.
Hot hotel restaurants
If your shortlist of hot places to dine doesn't include aria, NoMI or at least one of these multi-starred hotel restaurants, you're missing out.
10 great delis
Even casual fans of potato salad and piled-high sandwiches should make a trip to these 10 great delis.
Peruvian restaurants
Chicago doesn't lay claim to many Peruvian eateries, but the ones it does have are well worth a visit.
Delicious desserts
While it's easy as pie to grab a Snickers bar, there aren't quite as many places to get amazing pie. Here are some of Chicago's best sweet spots.
Heavenly hot dogs
There's nothing like a good Chicago-style dog, and these hot dog palaces rule the scene when it comes to tasty red hots.
10 soul food faves
If smothered pork chops sided by collard greens are your thing, give one of these soul food restaurants a go.
Maxwell St. Market
There's no better place for culinary adventure than the Maxwell Street Market, held Sundays from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Super-sweet bakeries
From yellow bean sweet cake to giant eclairs, these bakeries' shelves come weighed down with every type of iced, filled and sprinkled treat you can imagine.
Really big burgers
If you think McDonald's 1/3-pound burger is a biggie, take a look at Chicago's beefy delights (the slimmest one weighs in at 10 ounces).
