The Best Lunch Spots in Chicago in Chicago, Food, Travel on 05/15/19One of my favorite things about Chicago is that it is one heck of a foodie city. With there being so many neighborhoods with their own distinct vibe, bustling with every cuisine imaginable, hot new spots opening on the reg, it can almost be a bit overwhelming when you’re trying to decide where to eat! I have a go-to list of restaurants I always recommend for dinner to people who are visiting, but I feel like the perfect lunch spot involves a totally different set of criteria. There are a ton of spots that don’t open until 4 pm during the week or only offer a more breakfast centric menu on the weekends, plus, I feel like a majority of more classic “lunch” spots are lacking in energy and overall ambiance— which for me is often just as important as the food! Especially if I’m out with my mom or with girlfriends or something; I want to be able to order a glass of rosé, some delicious food, and be able to relax and enjoy my surroundings. So, without further ado, here is my list of the best lunch spots in Chicago. 3 Arts Cafe There’s a chance you’ve seen pictures of this dreamy place all over Instagram… and for good reason! It’s gorgeous and the food is bomb dot com. Located in the Restoration Hardware store in Gold Coast, the 3 Arts Cafe is one of my favorite places in the city for a nice sit down lunch. They also have a stand alone bar and coffee bar so you can grab a drink and walk around and explore the store! Wait times can get up to two hours over the weekend for brunch, but come mid week for lunch and you’ll be good to go. They have the most amazing interiors and one of my favorite grilled cheeses out there… you see the truffle dusting on top?! Absolute heaven. 10/10. ALTHEA Vegan celebrity chef Matthew Kenney brings his culinary talents to the Midwest! Located on the 7th floor of the Saks Fifth Avenue on Michigan Ave, I have quickly become a HUGE fan of ALTHEA. The menu is innovative and the type of cuisine really ranges across the board; above you can see the tempeh spicy udon and kimchi dumplings, the menu also features a raw vegetable lasagna, a “cheese” board, kelp noodle cacio e pepe… Everything is locally sourced, super fresh, light and flavorful. They also have amazing cocktails and house made juice. Add in the killer city views and chic ambiance, this place screams #ladieswholunch. Plus… you can shop after. All about it. Left Coast With locations in River North and Lincoln Park, I love Left Coast for a fast, inexpensive, and healthy lunch. They bring the West Coast vibes to Chicago, offering fresh made juices, smoothies, salads, grain bowls, and wraps. Everything is heavy on the veggies and super flavorful! I love that you can get a multitude of proteins added to your bowl (chicken, salmon, tofu, a soft boiled egg) and that they offer a seasonal menu. Both locations have outdoor patio seating, but I highly recommend the River North location as the decor is SO cute. Pierrot Gourmet Credit: Trip Advisor This little cafe is such a hidden gem! It’s part of the Chicago Peninsula hotel and offers authentic Parisian vibes. They have both indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio, adorned with flowers, located in a prime people watching spot in the city. It is incredibly charming. They serve tartines, soups, flatbreads, and amazing pastries!! Big Star I obviously had to throw in one of my favorite Chicago Mexican spots on this list… Sometimes you just want lunchtime tacos and margs! And a patio when it’s nice out!! Big Star has all of these things, at two different locations: Wicker Park and Wrigleyville. Make sure you try the “hot chips,” (pictured above). They’re kinda a take on nachos; the tortilla chips are marinated in a spicy sauce and are smothered in guac, cotija cheese, black beans, onions, radishes, cilantro, crema… they are soooo so good. Somerset Credit: Somerset Located in one of my favorite areas in the city, Somerset has such a charm to it. It has an old timey supper club feel, with beautiful decor, and classic menu staples. They have a killer lunch menu, thinks lots of sandwiches and salads, and I love that they offer a half and half combo deal so you can get a salad and soup, soup and sandwich, whatever your heart desires. I specifically come to Somerset when I am craving their kale and brussels sprouts pecorino salad… omg. It is to die for. It is super cheesy, has a little crunch, and lots of tang from the lemon mustard dressing. Seriously one of my favorite salads of all time! True Food Kitchen I feel like True Food is a little underrated and I have ZERO idea why. My family comes here all the time, for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The majority of the menu is healthy, fresh, and the menu rotates seasonally, emphasizing whatever produce is in season! The founder of True Food is Dr. Andrew Weil, who is a world renowned doctor in the integrated medicine space; his philosophy is based on the anti-inflammatory food pyramid, so expect to find lots of foods and drinks with turmeric, mushrooms, or other anti-inflammatory properties. Blue Door Kitchen So I’ll be honest, I personally think the lunch menu is a bit limited; however, the food from this farm-to-table hidden gem is delicious AND the ambiance cannot be beat. Blue Door works with local Midwest farms, offering a menu of seasonal ingredients, with a southern cuisine focus. You must sit on the patio; it is nestled between tall buildings and makes you feel like you’re in someone’s private backyard garden. The space is surrounded by white brick walls, blue and white striped umbrellas, flowers everywhere… there truly is nowhere else like it in the city! Especially on a summer day. Eataly Ohhhh Eataly. I have been going here for as long as I can remember; it may be my original first favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fun fact, I posted that first picture to my feed back when I started my account back in 2014! Eataly can only be described as an Italian food mecca… With several different restaurants, markets, wine bars, even a nutella bar, this place is a true destination and SO much fun. They do tons of seasonal specials, so there is always something new to discover. Right now they are doing a “Italian seaside” themed offering, where you can try different types of spritz drinks along with “easy to eat coastal fare.” I actually worked with Eataly a couple months back to promote one of these specials and everything was fantastic. There’s a reason I’ve been coming back here for years! Grab a glass of wine, walk around the store to explore, and then relax with a big ole plate of pasta. My ideal lunchtime mood. Fred’s Fred’s is another place that just screams “ladies who lunch.” Located in the Chicago Barney’s location, Fred’s has a killer menu: think artisan pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pastas, classic entree dishes… It’s one of those places where I always have the toughest time deciding what to order. My favorite thing about this lunch spot is the rooftop patio!! It is nestled in the city, offering prime views of both lake Michigan and beautiful Chicago architecture (hello Instagrammable moments!). A perfect place to enjoy some sunshine and get your rosé all day on.