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Chicago Waffles is a West Loop neighborhood breakfast spot known for its extensive all-day menu, comforting classics, and, of course, its signature waffles. I recently had the opportunity to visit Chicago Waffles and explore some of its most popular breakfast offerings, and it was the perfect way to start the day. To begin, I ordered a classic Vanilla Latte which was exactly what I needed. For my entrée, I chose the Breakfast Sandwich, made with bacon, a fried egg, and cheese

Carbon is one of the newer additions to Chicago’s West Loop dining scene, and after visiting for happy hour, I can confidently say it offers one of the best happy hour deals in the neighborhood. With discounted cocktails, oysters, caviar, and burgers, Carbon delivers an elevated experience with a great happy hour To start, I ordered the $6 Lychee Martini, which was sweet, refreshing, and exactly what I was hoping for. Next, we tried the $1 oysters, served with cocktail sauce,

Sākrid Coffee is one of the newer additions to Chicago’s coffee scene, and it has quickly become a must-visit spot in Lincoln Park for coffee lovers. During my visit, I ordered the classic Iced Vanilla Latte, a simple yet perfectly executed coffee drink that was exactly what I needed to start my morning. The espresso was smooth and flavorful, while the vanilla added just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the coffee. Sākrid: 2060 N Clark St, Chicago, IL

El Che Steakhouse & Bar had been on my Chicago restaurant bucket list for quite some time, and I finally had the chance to visit for a Saturday night dinner. Known for its live-fire cooking, Argentine-inspired flavors, and expertly prepared steaks, El Che delivered an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. To begin the evening, I ordered the First Class cocktail, a unique blend of mezcal, tequila, Licor 43, cacao, and lemon. The cocktail was smooth and balanced

Pizz’Amici has quickly become one of the most sought-after reservations in Chicago, with limited seating and high demand making it one of the toughest tables to secure. When a 10pm reservation opened up, I grabbed it immediately, and it absolutely delivered on the hype. From standout cocktails to ultra-crispy pizzas, this Chicago pizza spot offers a full dining experience that lives up to its buzz. One of the highlights of the night were the cocktails. I ordered the Margarita

Petite Edith is one of the newest additions to Chicago’s River North dining scene, created by the team behind Esmé. Known for its elevated French-inspired cuisine and polished atmosphere, the restaurant has quickly become a standout for a refined night out in the city. To start the evening, I ordered the Conicule, made with mezcal, Salers, and citrus. The drink balanced smoky, bitter, and citrus notes. An unexpected bonus dish turned into one of the highlights of the night. F

Hiro Izakaya is a popular Japanese izakaya in Chicago known for its shareable small plates, sushi-inspired bites, and elevated comfort food. With a menu designed for group dining, it’s the kind of place where ordering a variety of dishes is the best way to experience everything. I had been wanting to try Hiro Izakaya for a while, and it fully lived up to expectations. To start, I ordered a classic Lychee Martini. It was light, sweet, and a refreshing way to kick off the meal.

Summer House Santa Monica is a well-known brunch destination in Chicago, offering a California-inspired menu with fresh ingredients and a great dining atmosphere. With an extensive brunch menu and bakery-style pastries, it’s a go-to spot for a relaxed weekend meal. It was surprisingly my first time dining here, so I stopped in to try their popular brunch offerings. To start, we shared the Warm Cinnamon Roll. This dish leaned more like a cinnamon croissant, with light, flaky l

Frasca Pizzeria + Wine Bar offers a standout prix fixe brunch in Chicago, combining Italian-inspired dishes with a lively dining experience. Known for its pizzas, house-made pastas, and weekend brunch menu, Frasca delivers a well-rounded mix of sweet and savory options. I visited for a prix fixe brunch and was impressed by both the variety and execution of each dish. The brunch includes bottomless cocktails, and I opted for Aperol Spritzes throughout the meal. Light, citrusy,

Lately, I’ve been on a major matcha kick, so the Blue Sky Matcha from Nimble immediately caught my attention. The Blue Sky Matcha is a marshmallow matcha latte topped with spirulina cold foam and marshmallow clouds. The drink leans on the sweeter side, with the marshmallow adding a soft, dessert-like flavor while the matcha still comes through . The spirulina cold foam gives it a signature blue color and a light, airy texture that makes the drink feel elevated and fun. It’s a

Ambar brings Balkan cuisine to the heart of Chicago, offering a unique all-you-can-eat dining experience in River North. I visited on a Thursday evening to experience both the food and the lively patio scene. To start, I ordered the Plum cocktail made with mezcal, vanilla-infused plum rakia, ginger, pineapple, and lime. The drink balanced smoky, citrusy, and slightly savory flavors, making it a refreshing and well-rounded cocktail. The highlight of the meal was the Balkan dip

GG’s Chicken Shop has been a long-standing favorite to try on my Chicago restaurant list, known for its crispy fried chicken, bold flavors, and elevated fast-casual menu. With a reputation for serving some of the best chicken sandwiches and wraps in Chicago, it was finally time to see if it lived up to the hype. The standout order was the Chicken Caesar Wrap, made with crispy fried chicken, kale and Brussels sprouts, pickled onion, and Caesar dressing. The fried chicken deliv

Toro is a Latin American-inspired restaurant in Chicago known for its vibrant small plates, fresh seafood, and creative craft cocktails. One of the standout cocktails is the Mercado Margarita, made with jalapeño-infused tequila, passion fruit, lime, and hibiscus with rosemary foam. The drink strikes a perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes, and the presentation is just as impressive as the flavor. To begin the meal, we ordered a selection of shared appetizers

Loaf Lounge is one of the most consistently recommended breakfast spots in Chicago, best known for its viral sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich served on a house-made English muffin. The bakery-cafe has built a strong reputation for its pastries, coffee drinks, and elevated comfort-style breakfast offerings. I finally stopped in on a Saturday morning to see if it lived up to the hype. To start, I ordered a vanilla latte and a fresh chocolate chip cookie. The latte wa

Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago, known for its inventive dishes, bold flavors, and notoriously difficult reservations. The experience blends elevated comfort food with Sichuan-inspired heat and classic Chinese-American favorites, making it one of the most talked-about dining spots in the city. The meal began with Crab Rangoon and Wontons in Chili Oil. Both appetizers were flavorful and well-balanced, offering two distinct flavor p

While searching for the best chicken Caesar wraps in Chicago, Happy Camper kept coming up, so it was time to try for myself. The Chicken Caesar Wrap is packed with romaine, kale, parmesan cheese, grilled chicken, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing, all wrapped together in a way that perfectly balances texture and flavor. The lettuce tasted fresh, while the croutons added the perfect crunch in every bite. What stood out most was how well everything was proportioned—n

If you’re looking for a chic cocktail spot in downtown Chicago, Caché 310 is a newer speakeasy in the Loop serving authentic French-inspired cocktails in a cozy, lounge-style setting. We started with the Decadance Avec Elegance, made with gin, lychee, elderflower, hibiscus tea, and champagne vinegar. Served in a teacup, this cocktail felt both elevated and playful. The flavor leaned sweet—but not overpowering—and reminded me of a lychee martini. It was easily a table favorite

Located in Chicago’s West Loop, Sepia is a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its elevated American dishes, seasonal tasting menus, and innovative cocktails. It’s especially famous for its one-of-a-kind cheeseburger martini, which I knew I had to try. To kick things off, I ordered Keith’s World Famous Cheeseburger Martini, a creative cocktail made with gin washed in roasted beef tallow, dry vermouth, tomato water, pickled ramp, and dill oil. The drink was incredibly unique

One of the best ways to spend a weekend in Chicago is relaxing on a cozy patio with coffee and good food and Bourgeois Pig Cafe is the perfect spot to do just that. I started with a classic vanilla latte, which was smooth, well-balanced, and perfectly sweet. For food, I couldn’t pass up the Breakfast Burrito, filled with eggs, bacon, salsa, avocado, cheese, and sour cream. It was hearty, flavorful, and satisfying, making it an ideal choice whether you’re stopping in for break

If you’re looking for a luxurious seafood dining experience in Chicago, Miru should be at the top of your list. Located inside the St. Regis Chicago, this upscale restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, elevated Japanese-inspired cuisine, and lively ambiance. There was no better time to visit than a Friday during Lent, making it the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of seafood-forward dishes across the menu. We kicked off the evening with cocktails, and the lychee m