Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
THE original Italian beef, period. Al's has been dipping sandwiches on Taylor Street since 1938, and the formula hasn't changed: thin-sliced beef, soaked in jus, loaded with hot giardiniera, wrapped in Italian bread that disintegrates in your hands. Order it dipped. Eat it over the wrapper. This is Chicago.
The birthplace of the Italian beef sandwich. Al Ferreri and his sister Frances and brother-in-law Chris Pacelli Sr. opened this family beef stand in 1938 on the corner of Harrison and Lafflin, originally called Al's Bar-B-Q because the beef simmered outside. They figured out you could slice the roast thin on a deli slicer, cook it in its own juices with secret spices, and feed twice as many people with a first-rate sandwich. Since they were all Italian — that's where 'Italian Beef' came from. The Taylor Street location is the original, now run by the Pacelli family's next generation. Over 150 culinary awards. Ships nationwide via Goldbelly. This is not a chain — this is where Chicago's signature sandwich was invented.
The burger that put Chicago on the map. What many call the best burger in America. Late-night staple in the West Loop.
James Beard winner Stephanie Izard's rooftop retreat atop the Hoxton Hotel in Fulton Market serves bold Peruvian-inspired plates with skyline views that don't quit. Cabra is the kind of place where the ceviche, the cocktails, and the sunset all compete for your attention.
Canal Street Eatery in the West Loop offers unlimited pizza, pasta, and salad for those who believe more is more. A solid group-dinner option near the Fulton Market corridor when everyone's hungry and nobody wants to overthink it.
Deeply authentic, brick-walled Mexican steakhouse centered around open-fire grilling and social dining. Charbroiled Arrachera Skirt Steak, Grilled Onions, Fresh Guacamole, Charro Beans.
A Chicago classic since 1982. Central Gyros is famous for juicy, perfectly seasoned gyro meat, fresh-cut fries, and fast counter service. The portions are huge and the prices are right. This is the kind of no-nonsense late-night spot that locals drive across town for after a night out.
Michelin-recognized and Logan Square proud, Daisies delivers handmade pasta and seasonal market-driven plates with a stellar happy hour that locals guard like a secret. Dinner service runs until 11pm on weekends.
Don Pepe is a contemporary mexican in Little Village.
Stephanie Izard's Fulton Market take on Chinese comfort food is as playful as it gets -- hand-pulled noodles, house-made dumplings, and creative cocktails in a space that's always buzzing. The goat dumplings alone are worth the trip to West Randolph.
Fulton Market's Fioretta blends Italian steakhouse elegance with live jazz and lounge performances Thursday through Saturday. The stunning dining room fills with smooth melodies from 6:30 to 9 PM — perfect for a date night that doesn't try too hard.
Fulton Market Kitchen is a art gallery restaurant in West Loop, serving Chicago's west side.
Girl & The Goat is a contemporary global tapas in West Loop, serving Chicago's west side.
A Greektown institution for over 40 years. Greek Islands is the go-to spot for flaming saganaki, perfectly grilled lamb chops, and traditional gyros in a lively taverna atmosphere. The dining room feels like a trip to the islands with whitewashed walls and Mediterranean decor. Come for the food, stay for the OPA.
Loud, dark, industrial brick alleyway warehouse pumping heavy rock anthems. Central Texas-style brisket, pork belly, beef ribs, Mexican street corn, and banana pudding.
Fulton Market ramen shop built on a signature beef-bone gyuro broth that stands apart from the pork-heavy competition. Bold, beefy, and perfectly located for a post-work bowl in the West Loop corridor.
Harold's isn't just a restaurant — it's a Chicago cultural institution. The fried chicken is impossibly crispy, the mild sauce is non-negotiable, and the white bread on the side is tradition. Dozens of locations across the city, each with its own character, but the experience is always the same: fast, loud, and delicious.
Flavor-packed gyros with homemade sauces and fresh, quality ingredients right on Halsted Street in Greektown. The lamb gyro is consistently juicy and the fries come out hot and crispy. A solid fast-casual Greek spot that holds its own against the bigger names on the block.
Big, flavorful gyros, burgers, and Greek favorites on Taylor Street in Little Italy. Jimmy's is the kind of neighborhood counter spot where everything is made fresh and the portions never disappoint. The staff knows the regulars by name. Always satisfying, always reliable.
Open 24 hours and standing on the site of the original Maxwell Street market, Jim's has been grilling Polish sausages and hot dogs on an open flame since 1939. Onions piled high, yellow mustard, sport peppers — no frills, no seats, no excuses. The 2 AM crowd here is half the experience.
Black-owned soul food restaurant serving comfort classics including housemade mac and cheese, oxtails, and Southern-inspired dishes. A beloved neighborhood gem in West Town.
Twin brother chefs are quietly running one of Chicago's most talked-about sushi counters in Humboldt Park—their omakase is inventive without being precious, and the BYOB setup keeps things refreshingly unpretentious. You're looking at a 10-seat operation where creativity actually means something, not just weird ingredient combinations masquerading as elevated. Reserve early; word's out and tables move fast.
Genie Kwon and Tim Flores's Michelin-starred Filipino spot in Pilsen is absolutely worth the trek—their tasting menu hits different, blending heritage techniques with serious technical chops. The bakery counter alone justifies a visit, and this place's spot on North America's 50 Best list isn't hype.
Labriola Chicago sits steps from the Magnificent Mile, offering world-class bakery and Italian dining from Rich Labriola, Chicago's top bread baker.