Food guideIllinois · United States
Where to Eat in Chicago: 24 Researched Spots and 8 Must-Try Dishes (2026)
24 researched places to eat in Chicago and the 8 dishes to order, grouped by type of place, with the neighbourhood, address, hours and price tier where the place record has them.
- 24 places to eat
- 8 must-try dishes
- 16 neighbourhoods
- Researched October 2026
- 7 sources
Must-try in Chicago8 dishes
Gluten-Free Deep Dish Pizza Where to order it in Chicago
Gluten-Free Donuts Where to order it in Chicago
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Where to order it in Chicago
Gluten-Free Injera Where to order it in Chicago
Gluten-Free Pierogi Where to order it in Chicago
Gluten-Free Italian Beef Where to order it in Chicago
Saffron Risotto Where to order it in Chicago
Red Velvet Cake Pops Where to order it in Chicago
The short answer
- Start with Hooligan (Logan Square), Arla (Rush & Division), Crying Tiger (River North), defloured: A Gluten Free Bakery (Andersonville) and Wheat's End Cafe & Bakery (NO DINE-IN) (Lincoln Park).
- 24 places across 16 neighbourhoods; River North (6), Andersonville (2) and Chicago Loop (2) have the most.
Where to eat in Chicago: 24 researched places
Restaurants and bistros
Hooligan
Why it’s on the map
A neo-Midwestern bistro from Michelin-awarded chef Christian Hunter, newly opened in October 2026. This spot focuses on creative regional ingredients with a menu designed to be inclusive of dietary restrictions.
2528 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Arla
Why it’s on the map
A massive 8,500-square-foot Mediterranean-Japanese concept launched in late 2026 by the team behind Adalina.
15 E Oak St Fl 6, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Crying Tiger
Why it’s on the map
A recently opened Southeast Asian collaboration in River North that focuses on vibrant, bold flavors.
51 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Restaurant · River North
Barbecue Restaurant · Beverly
Restaurant · Douglas
Asian Restaurant · River North
Pizza Restaurant · Chicago Loop
Steak House · River North
American Restaurant · Andersonville
Ethiopian Restaurant · Uptown
Italian Restaurant · Chicago Loop
Vegan Restaurant · Magnolia Glen
Pizza Restaurant
Restaurant · Fulton Market District
American Restaurant · River North
Vegan Restaurant · River North
Indian Restaurant · Little India
Bakeries and pastry shops
defloured: A Gluten Free Bakery
Why it’s on the map
A dedicated 100% gluten-free bakery that remains a local staple for its vast selection of pies, cookies, and seasonal treats.
1477 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
Donut Shop · Streeterville
Cafés and coffee
Wheat's End Cafe & Bakery (NO DINE-IN)
Why it’s on the map
A 100% dedicated gluten-free eatery famous for its brunch and lunch offerings. While it has transitioned to a carry-out and delivery-focused model in 2026, it remains the gold standard for gluten-free popovers.
543 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Tea House · Grand Crossing
More places to eat
Doctor · Near West Side
Deli · West Town
Research receipt
How this Chicago food guide was researched
- 24 places to eat, each matched to its real place data record: the neighbourhood, address, hours and price tier come from that record, not from a review.
- The sites below are the ones the research cited for these places to eat, most-cited first.
- Researched October 2026.
Sources checked
Planning questions
Where should I eat in Chicago?
Start with Hooligan, Arla, Crying Tiger, defloured: A Gluten Free Bakery, and Wheat's End Cafe & Bakery (NO DINE-IN). All 24 places to eat are on the Chicago map, grouped on this page by type of place.
Which neighbourhoods in Chicago are best for food?
River North (6), Andersonville (2), and Chicago Loop (2) carry the most researched places to eat, out of 16 neighbourhoods on this map.
Is Chicago expensive for food?
Of the 24 places, 18 list a price tier: 10 moderate, 5 inexpensive, 2 expensive, and 1 very expensive. Tiers come from the place record, not a menu, so treat them as a range.