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Chicago
Dining Overview

Welcome to the DiningGuide overview for Metropolitan Chicago, Illinois.

For a complete list of dining options, please visit our main Chicago DiningGuide page.

Chicago’s dynamic dining scene embodies this vibrant city’s multi-ethnic influences and cross-cultural population. The Windy City’s once clearly-defined cultural neighborhoods are fusing into a true metropolitan melting-pot and the world-class epicurean scene features a range of indigenous cuisines, home-style American cooking and fusion foods aplenty. The region is also home to some of the nation’s finest French restaurants and a plethora of celebrated chefs to guide the adventurous gourmet on a culinary journey that spans the globe.

Italian cuisine is one of Chicago’s longest-standing culinary traditions and the area offers an abundance of authentic Italian eateries, many offering classic Northern Italian fare.

The legendary Deep Dish Pizza was created in Chicago in 1943, by pioneering entrepreneur Ike Sewell. Invented from a combination of old authentic Italian recipes and copious quantities of meats, spices, vegetables and cheeses, the Deep Dish Pizza was Sewell’s way of turning standard pizza into a whole, hearty meal; and Pizzeria Uno was opened as a home for this specialty dish. Soon, Pizzeria Uno needed to expand to handle the number of customers, but space constraints prevented expansion and Pizzeria Due was born – a second branch on the opposite street corner. Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due became possibly the most celebrated pizzerias in the world. Sewell’s famed pizzerias are now part of Uno Chicago Grill, a successful franchise with over 200 branches worldwide offering steaks, seafood and casual dining favorites.

Greek cuisine also holds a prominent place in Chicago’s dining world, along with culinary delicacies hailing from China, India, Thailand, Africa, Russia, Poland, Germany and Mexico. The region offers everything from cavalier Caviar dishes to Russian deli delights and original Pakistani pastries.

Addis Abeba, on Clarke Street in the Lakeview / Wrigleyville region, is an acclaimed African-inspired eatery offering the enduring flavors of Ethiopia. Magnificently decorated with straw baskets and African artworks, Addis Abeba offers an ingeniously unique, authentic dining experience for the adventurous epicure: a hands-on meal, served on a communal platter, with the traditional flat bread, injera, that serves in lieu of a knife and fork.

Chicago’s fine dining is as varied as the city’s ethnic cuisine scene, featuring a range of restaurants offering everything from traditional French cuisine to upscale fusion foods and classic Chicago cuisine.

Butterfield 8, on North Wells Road, is an elaborately staged venture by noted restaurateur Demetri Alexander. Named for an old Elizabeth Taylor film, Butterfield 8 is a 40’s-style supper club revival serving an innovative combination of traditional and contemporary American cuisine, classic Chicago-style fare and traditional favorites. The acclaimed menu includes signature dishes such as a delightful Shrimp Binyon, classic Windy City-style Prime steaks and Chef Ziad Mansour’s specialty, Halibut Mansour.

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MetroGuide.Network > DiningGuide > Chicago Restaurants > Overview

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