Is your idea of a perfect Friday night a glass of wine and a steaming bowl of freshly made pasta?
Have your friends basically forgotten what you look like because your Instagram feed is nothing but pictures of your latest meals?
Are you the one that everyone goes to when they need to find the perfect scone, the best steak, or the under-the-radar spot that the crowds haven’t found yet?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then you might just be a foodie – and, wow, have you come to the right place!
Chicago is one of the greatest food cities in the country, if not the entire world. Decades of immigration and immigration have brought flavors from all around the world to the Windy City, which boasts the best in cutting edge gastronomy, and classic comfort food – sometimes all on the same block!
From fine dining to finger food, Chicago has it all, and there are options out there for every taste and budget. But what neighborhood should you call home if you’re looking to tempt your tastebuds every night? Here are five Chicago spots perfect for lovers of food, drinks, and good times:
West Loop
For fans of fine dining, the West Loop is the place to be. This neighborhood on the rise is home to a glut of gastronomic goodness, thanks to the many bars and restaurants that dot Randolph Street and the historic Fulton Market District.
Formerly a major packing and industrial area, today these West Loop destinations are home to some of Chicago’s most buzzed-about restaurants, including Iron Chef Stephanie Izard’s trio of local gems (Duck Duck Goat, Girl and the Goat, and Little Goat).
And that’s not all! Walk around the Fulton Market area, and you’ll stumble across some of the best that Chicago has to offer, from the elevated comfort food at Au Cheval, to impeccable meat cookery at The Publican or Swift & Sons. Plus, setting up shop in the West Loop puts you in a great position to head to some of the other foodie destinations around the city, including Pilsen and Chinatown.
Want to know more about the West Loop – and what it takes to call this haven for fine dining home? Check out our guide to the market conditions for the West Loop, right here.
Lincoln Park
No area quite captures Chicago’s sense of history – and very modern sense of charm – quite like Lincoln Park.
Known around these parts for far more than its free zoo, Lincoln Park is a great place to call home… especially if you’re a true lover of amazing food!
For one thing, Lincoln Park is home to Alinea. This progressive fine dining restaurant treats food like an art show that has to be experienced to be believed, and it’s been named the best restaurant in the world by Elite Traveler magazine. How’s that for foodie motivation?
On the finer side of things, Lincoln Park is also home to Boka, a celebrated local favorite. And for amazing food that won’t break the bank, Lincoln Park plays home to countless greasy spoons, diners, and storefronts serving up the tasty goods. Look out for the Tina Fey- and David Letterman-approved Athenian Room, which serves up classic Greek fare; or there’s the legendary Wiener’s Circle, where a late night hot dog will always be waiting for those in need of a pick-me-up.
Want to look at Lincoln Park? Our guide to this area’s market stats is available here.
Near North
The Near North Side is home to some of Chicago’s most astonishing sights, including the Chicago River and a lot of the city’s most striking skyscrapers. And beyond that, this prime spot for locals and tourists alike boasts almost too many great restaurants to name!
For lovers of modern elegance, there’s RPM Italian and RPM Steak. For anyone looking for progressive or rustic Mexican, there’s the offerings of celebrated chef Rick Bayless, including Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Looking for a romantic spot for date night? Then there’s always the mysterious, romantic food served up at Bavette’s and Gilt Bar.
On the more casual side, locals snatch up baked goodies and Doughnut Vault and Firecakes, and chow down on Ramen on Slurping Turtle. And it’s important to note that we’ve barely scratched the surface on all the amazing options that the Near North Side has to offer!
In this historic part of town, you can’t walk for more than a few minutes without running into a steakhouse, local watering hole, or some other fantastic foodie find!
Have we whet your appetite for this bustling spot? Our guide to Near North real estate is available here.
Logan Square
Unbelievably beautiful architecture. A classic movie theater. Lots of outdoor spaces to explore. Amazing food. If you’re looking to get a taste of Chicago’s past, present, and, future, Logan Square is a great place to set down roots.
When it comes to cuisine, Logan Square is a little bit like Chicago in miniature, offering up tastes from all over the world, for every palette and pocketbook. Off the top of our heads, there’s the New American dishes of Longman and Eagle, the spectacular plates from 90 Miles Cuban Café, the sweet treats from Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits, and the classic Mexican flavors of El Cid. There’s also Fat Rice, the explosively tasty spot overseen by James Beard award winner Abe Conlon.
Local mainstays, accessible markets, and vendors with carts and in food trucks all mean that you can spend a lifetime in Logan Square, and never quite have the same meal twice!
Want to call Logan Square home? Here’s our guide to its real estate market stats.
West Town (Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Bucktown)
West Town, which includes neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, and Bucktown, is the right place to be if you’re chasing the latest trend. Home to galleries, boutiques, and, yes, restaurants, West Town is the spot for anyone looking to find the next big thing, before it goes mainstream.
On the food side, there’s Split-Rail, WHISK, Homestead on the Roof, and the world-famous tacos (and al fresco dining) from Big Star. For adventurous drinkers, there are countless iconic bars, including Violet Hour, a legendary speakeasy.
And for foodies who like a bracing cup of coffee with their meals, there’s no shortage of coffee shops serving up distinctive brews in a great setting, like Wormhole and Dark Matter.
Curious about what else the neighborhoods of West Town have to offer? Our guide to West Town’s market conditions is available here!
What’s On the Real Estate Menu?
The first time you sit down at a new restaurant, it can be confusing and overwhelming. What should you order? Is there a specific wine that you need to try? To help set you on the right track, restaurants offer up the services of sommeliers, waiters, and bartenders.
Well, think of Real Group RE as your real estate sommelier! We know everything there is to know about the many neighborhoods that make up Chicago, and we have the skills it takes to help you buy or sell, for the right price.
Ready to get started? Want to keep the conversation going – or even swap recipes? We’re always here and ready to chat! Don’t hesitate to drop us a line today!
