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During my visit to Austin, I had dinner at Nido, a rooftop restaurant known for its stunning downtown Austin views and fresh, seasonal cuisine. To start, I ordered the Smoke & Fire Margarita, a cocktail made with mezcal, tequila, orgeat, lime, and guava. The smoky notes from the mezcal were perfectly balanced by the citrus and subtle sweetness from the guava, creating a refreshing cocktail. For our first course, we shared the Burrata, served with piquillo romesco, pomegranate

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.

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,

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

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

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

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

Ox Bar & Hearth is a newer Lincoln Park restaurant serving classic American dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere. With an open kitchen, cozy fireplace, and simple menu,it’s the perfect spot for a comforting meal in Chicago. To start, we shared the Smoked Trout Dip, served with crackers and fresh crudité. The dip was light, flavorful, and a refreshing way to kick off the meal. We also tried the pierogis with sour cream and sauerkraut — a classic take on this Eastern Europe

Chicago Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to explore Michelin Star restaurants without the usual commitment, and Esmé exceeded every expectation. I had passed by this acclaimed Lincoln Park spot many times but finally experienced their seasonal menu — and it was a delicious culinary journey from start to finish. The evening began with the Orchard Lane cocktail, made with pisco, apple, agave, and habanero. Bright, citrus-forward, and slightly savory, it was the ideal

If you’re searching for a hidden restaurant in Lincoln Park with standout cocktails and an unforgettable food menu, Le Mistral in Chicago absolutely deserves a spot on your list. This intimate neighborhood gem is known for being tough to book — and after finally snagging a reservation, I completely understand why. From creative cocktails to one of the most talked-about burgers in Chicago, every bite exceeded expectations. I started the evening with the Bergamot Margarita made

Chicago’s dining scene is constantly evolving, and one of the newest spots making an impression is Dēliz Italian Steakhouse. This elevated Italian steakhouse blends classic flavors with modern presentation, delivering a meal that feels both refined and comforting. We started strong with the Dēliz Brioche served alongside garlic herb butter. The brioche was incredible — light, flaky, and layered with subtle flavor that paired perfectly with the rich, savory butter. Next, we or

One of my favorite traditions since moving to Chicago has been making a New Year’s Eve reservation at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse. There’s nothing quite like dining at a classic Chicago steakhouse to ring in the new year, and every time I visit Gibsons, both the food and overall experience live up to the hype. Starting with cocktails, Gibsons is absolutely the kind of place where ordering a martini feels essential. One of my personal favorites is a pickle martini, which adds a t

Though I don’t always plan for dinner in the Chicago Loop, going out before a show is the perfect excuse to explore the neighborhood’s restaurant scene. My latest stop was Solette, a downtown Chicago restaurant known for its lively happy hour, after-work crowd, and convenient location near theaters. I started with a $10 glass of prosecco from the happy hour menu, which felt like a great value for the area. If you’re looking for affordable drinks in the Loop, this is definitel

I love it when a new cocktail bar opens in Chicago, and Double Fun in the Gold Coast was high on my list to try. Known for its creative cocktail menu and moody atmosphere, Double Fun is quickly becoming a go-to spot for elevated drinks in the neighborhood. I started with The Martina, made with tequila reposado, Cocchi Rosa, strawberry amaro, and hoja santa. This cocktail leaned strong, but the strawberry amaro added a balanced sweetness that rounded out the bold flavors beaut

During my New York City food tour, after enjoying multiple Italian spots, I wanted a change of pace and visited La Mercerie, a chic French restaurant in NYC known for its fresh flavors and Parisian-inspired menu. We started with Pain et Beurre, a simple yet delicious dish of a fresh baguette served with salted butter — a perfect introduction to the meal. For a shared starter, we had the Salad with Fine Herbs, which was crisp, fresh, and bursting with vibrant herb flavors. For

Emerald Loop quickly became one of my go-to late-night stops in Chicago after initially visiting to try their famous espresso martini. This lively pub stood out not only for its cocktails, but also for its festive holiday decor and unexpectedly great bar food. I had to try the Nitro Espresso Martini on tap, which isn’t usually my go-to drink, but I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and creamy it was. To pair with the cocktails, we ordered a few appetizers, including the

If you’re looking for a classic Chicago wine bar for pre-dinner drinks, Good Funk in the Loop is an excellent spot to add to your list. After walking past it a few times, I finally stopped in—and immediately loved the lively atmosphere and festive holiday décor throughout the bar. Once seated, we chatted with the bartender for orange wine recommendations and went with the safest option, which ended up being the perfect pick. As someone who’s always searching for new wine bars