Looking for a Restaurant in Downtown Chicago?

The Loop, as it is known, has played host to many notable skyscrapers and iconic architectural firsts, such as the Home Insurance Building, by William LeBaron Jenney, considered the first skyscraper; the Sears Tower, by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, the tallest in the United States; and the most comprehensive collection of Mies van der Rohe buildings, found near the South Side. More recent initiatives under Mayor Richard

M. Daley, including Millennium Park and the green roof on City Hall, squarely place Chicago at the forefront of today’s green movement.

Long known for its pizza and hotdogs, downtown Chicago is rapidly establishing itself as the destination for green gourmet cuisine. With their focus on high-quality fresh local ingredients, the featured restaurants will help you discover passionate chefs who are creating a host of delectable treats in equally pleasurable and design-savvy interiors.

1. Aigre Doux
230 W Kinzie St
312-329-9400
aigredouxchicago.com

Aigre Doux is fresh on the Chicago dining scene this year.
Husband-and-wife team Mohammad Islam and Malika Ameen put the food above everything else. They have created a dining experience that promotes the elegance of quality ingredients in an atmosphere designed to be casual yet sophisticated at any time of day or night in the restaurant, while they emphasize quick service but never a rushed feeling in the adjoining bakery.

Designers Olsen | Vranas transformed the chefs’ ideals into a dining room that is peaceful and yet full of verve. The clean look reflects the richness, honesty, and purity of the food as well as the deeper implications of good living.

2. Bin 36
339 Dearborn St
312-755-WINE
bin36.com

Bin 36 is crazy about wine. Their cellar for 5,000 bottles offers 50 varieties of wine by the glass. The food, regional and seasonal, is just as varied. Executive chef John Caputo offers organic tasting menus based on the concept that farm-fresh ingredients are perfect on their own. Look for biodynamic wines, selected by wine director Brian Duncan, paired with an artisanal treat from the restaurant’s cheese bar.

Like the food it serves, this fun and accessible restaurant is designed around the basics, letting the building’s original materials show through. Located in the Marina Tower, a Modern Chicago icon by Bertrand Goldberg, Bin 36’s minimal materials palette maintains a sense of balance and elegance.

3. North Pond
2610 N Cannon Dr
773-477-5845
northpondrestaurant.com

When the owners of North Pond got through the red tape of leasing a historic 1912 building in Lincoln Park, there was only one way for the restaurant to go: earthy and organic. Designer Nancy Warren interprets the calming release of the park and the landscape in a scheme that leans toward the Prairie style. All natural materials include wood and stone—there are no plastic laminates.

With the arrival of chef Bruce Sherman in 1999, the fate of the restaurant as respite from hectic city living was assured. His seasonal American menu with French influences starts and ends with flavors that can only come from the freshest ingredients. What’s more, Sherman is personally committed to ensuring that Chicago’s tables will be bountiful inside and out of North Pond. He is a board member of the Chicago Green City Market, also located in Lincoln Park and touted by chefs citywide as a force of positive change for Chicago’s eating habits; he’s also a board member of Slow Food Chicago, committed to the ideal of sustainability through pleasure.

4. Frontera Grill & Topolobampo
445 N Clark St
312-661-1434
rickbayless.com

Rick Bayless serves regional Mexican cuisine, cooked with the finest Chi­­cagoland ingredients, at the casual Frontera Grill and elegant Topolobambo restaurants, which share a front door and bar in River North. Believing that great cuisine comes from great local ingredients, Bayless goes so far as to serve microgreens grown in his own garden. In 2003 the chef created the Frontera Farmer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives capital-development grants to small sustainable farms.

Nancy Warren’s concept and design are “infused with the spirit and energy of Rick Bayless himself,” she says. The restaurant achieves a true contemporary feel without forcing any stereotypes. The stones and colors may be Mexican, but there’s always a fresh twist.

5. one sixtyblue
1400 W Randolph St
312-850-0303
onesixtyblue.com

Executive chef Martial Noguier regularly offers tastings of regional cheeses paired with wines, and even special menus based on the crops of specific farms. The heartland’s bounty keeps him on his culinary toes developing new dishes in a city that is becoming known for its top-notch chefs.

Restaurant designer and eminent hospitality specialist Adam D. Tihany, an early adherent of the Slow Food movement, believes it’s normal to care where food comes from and how it’s produced. Tihany feels that his job is to be both a portrait artist and a custom tailor in expressing the passion of the chef in the look of the restaurant.

6. Spiaggia
980 N Michigan Ave, 2nd Fl
312-280-2750
spiaggiarestauarant.com

Spiaggia sets the standard for fine Italian dining in Chicago, allowing the innate flavors of every ingredient to shine through with elegance. Executive chef Missy Robbins gets up to 75 percent of her produce from farmers at the Green City Market during the local growing season and has Italian varieties of herbs specially grown at Kinnikinnick Farm, less than 100 miles away.

7. Hannah’s Bretzel
233 N Michigan Ave
312-621-1111

180 W Washington St
312-238-9658
hannahsbretzel.com

At Hannah’s Bretzel, sustainability starts with a fifteenth-century German classic, the bretzel, made with organic whole grains. Founder Florian Pfahler sees organics as the only way to go.

The first Hannah’s Bretzel opened in 2005; a second shop opened this year, taking the greening of the bretzel industry to a whole new level. UrbanLab, the designer of both locations, worked to reveal the process, visually exposing to the consumer what the food is, where it comes from, and how it is prepared. Walls are wheat board, carryout containers are made of 100 percent biodegradable corn, and the store is well on the way to being the first LEED-rated retailer in Illinois. Perhaps the most important sustenance of all is the satisfaction of eating the smoked turkey and Gruyère bretzel sandwich with tomato chutney.

8. Fox & Obel
401 E Illinois St
312-379-0112
fox-obel.com

Fox & Obel is a gourmet market and café that benefits from a large selection of seasonal and local ingredients. Breads are baked on-site along with other house-made selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This spring executive chef Suzanne Edwards partnered with City Farm at the Familyfarmed.org

Expo, a trade show that brings regional organic growers together with urban consumers. City Farm is as local as you can get: located within Chicago city limits, the organization collects scraps from restaurants and converts them into superior mulch. Local students and volunteers farm the garden, and the produceis sold back to the community, including at Fox & Obel.

… MORE DOWNTOWN EATS

676 Restaurant & Bar
(NEW AMERICAN BRASSERIE)
Omni Chicago Hotel
676 N Michigan Ave 4th Fl
312–944–7676
Art Deco accoutrements and a view of bustling Michigan Avenue.

Alinea
(PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN)
1723 N Halsted St
312-867-0110
alinearestaurant.com
Creative culinary mastery from Chef Grant Achatz.

Ambria
(FRENCH)
2300 N Lincoln Park West
773–472–5959
leye.com
A Chicago institution for over a quarter of a century; fine food is set in a stage of deep-toned woods and ultra suede banquettes.

Avec
(FRENCH/ITALIAN/SPANISH)
615 W Randolph St
312–377–2002
avecrestaurant.com
Suave Thomas Schlesser–designed space featuring communal tables.

Avenue M
(STEAKHOUSE)
695 N Milwaukee Ave
312–243–1133
avenue-m.com
Avenue M features affordable, delicious cuisine; a patio dining area overlooks a magnolia tree and imported grapevines.

Army & Lou’s
(SOUL FOOD)
422 E 75th St
773–483–3100
armyandlous.com
At 62, this Southside institution is still one of the best soul food restaurants in the city.

Avenues
(AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY)
108 E Superior St
312–573–6754
chicago.peninsula.com
Corporate high rollers and affluent out-of-towners are checking into this swank hotel spot.

Bandera
(AMERICAN WITH A SOUTHERN FLAIR)
535 N Michigan Ave
312–644–3524
A chain restaurant that doesn’t act like one—lighting is dark, and black vinyl booths with wood tables line the walls. Live jazz nightly.

Billy Goat Tavern
(AMERICAN)
430 N. Michigan Ave
312-222-1525
Billygoattavern.com
Chicago legend since 1934 fa­mous for SNL’s “Cheez-bur­ger! Cheezburger! No Fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!”

Bistro 110
(FRENCH)
110 E Pearson St
312–266–3110
bistro110restaurant.com
A bustling atmosphere and a savory menu, with a Sunday brunch that’s très magnifique

Blackbird
(CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN)
619 W Randolph St
312-715-0708
blackbirdrestaurant.com
Stylish seasonal fare from Chef Paul Kahan.

Blue Water Grill
(NEW AMERICAN / SEAFOOD / SUSHI)
520 N Dearborn St
312–777–1400
brguestrestaurants.com
Designed by Yabu Pushelberg to echo the rich architectural texture of Chicago.

Brasserie Jo
(FRENCH BRASSERIE)
59 W Hubbard St
312–595–0800
brasseriejo.com
Check out the zinc bar imported from France or lounge outside at the café.

Bistro Campagne
(FRENCH BISTRO)
4518 N. Lincoln Ave
773-271-6100
bistrocampagne.com
Seasonal menu from organics guru Michael Altenberg.

Boka
(CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN)
1729 N Halsted St
312–337–6070
bokachicago.com
Ambitious menu and wine list from noted chef Giuseppe Scurato.

Butter
(NEW AMERICAN)
130 S Green St
312-666-9813
butterchicago.com
Gourmet dishes in a space designed by local artisans.

Carmine’s
(ITALIAN / SEAFOOD)
1043 N Rush St
312–988–7676
rosebudrestaurants.com
Huge portions and an outdoor café make this spot great for lunch or dinner.

Carnivale
(LATIN)
702 W Fulton Market
312–850–5005
An extravaganza of color and flavors.

Charlie Trotter’s
(CONTEMPORARY
AMERICAN)
816 W Armitage Ave
773–248–6228
charlietrotters.com
The ultimate indulgence in fine food and wine.

Chicago Chop House
(STEAKHOUSE)
60 W Ontario St
312–787–7100
chicagochophouse.com
Steaks, steaks, and more steaks in a restored Victorian brownstone.

Copperblue
(FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN)
580 East Illinois St
312–527–1200
copperbluechicago.com
Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, designed by Paul Schuster.

Cru Café & Wine Bar
(WINE BAR)
25 E Delaware Pl
312-337-4001
cruwinebar.com
Light meals and an extensive wine list at this newly opened lounge.

Custom House
(REGIONAL AMERICAN)
500 S Dearborn St
312–523–0200
customhouse.cc
François Genève designed Custom House to feel like a 1950s gentlemen’s club.

David Burke’s Primehouse
(MODERN AMERICAN CUISINE)
616 N Rush St, at
The James Hotel
312–660–6000
brguestrestaurants.com
Steaks are dry-aged and sired by a bull named “Prime” in Kentucky.

Emerald Loop
Bar & Grill
(AMERICAN)
216 N. Wabash
312-263-0200
mysticceltchicago.com
Newly opened Irish Pub with full menu.

Flatwater
(GLOBAL)
321 North Clark St
312-644-0283
flatwater.us
Gorgeous views of Chicago at this delectable river-level newcomer.

Fogo de Chão
(BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE)
661 N La Salle Dr
312–932–9330
fogodechao.com
At this churrascaria, chefs carve skewered, slow-roasted meat tableside on request.

Fulton’s on the River
(STEAKS & SEAFOOD)
315 N LaSalle St
312–822–0100
levyrestaurants.com
Stunning riverside views and prime steaks in the historic Reid Murdoch building.

Graze
(GLOBAL)
35 West Ontario St
312-255-1234
grazechicago.com
Newest small plates restaurant for full tour of flavor downtown.

Green Zebra
(VEGETARIAN/NEW AMERICAN)
1460 W Chicago Ave
312–243–7100
greenzebrachicago.com
The organic and contemporary design matches the seasonal ingredients at this veggie-focused restaurant.

Haro
(SPANISH TAPAS)
2436 S Oakley Ave
773–847–2400
The newest tapas restaurant in Little Italy serves up Basque food with Spanish techno.

Harry Caray’s
(ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE)
33 W Kinzie St
312–828–0966
harrycarays.com
Named for the late Hall of Fame baseball announcer.

Karyn’s Cooked
(VEGAN)
738 N Wells St
312–587–1050
karynraw.com
Herbivore heaven!

Manny’s Coffee Shop and Deli
(DELI)
1141 S Jefferson St
312–939–2855
mannysdeli.com
Hardly anything has changed at Manny’s since opening in 1942, except the free wireless Internet.

mk the restaurant
(CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN)
868 N Franklin St
312-482-9179
mkchicago.com
Dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients served in a refurbished factory.

Meiji
(JAPANESE/SUSHI)
623 West Randolph St
312-887-9999
Fish flown in from Japan guarantee the authenticity of the cuisine.

Moto
(AVANT-GARDE ASIAN / INTERNATIONAL)
945 W Fulton Market
312–491–0058
motorestaurant.com
Chef Homaro Cantu’s futuristic eatery.

Naha
(CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN)
500 N Clark St
312–321–6242
naha-chicago.com
World-renowned wine list.

NoMI
(FRENCH)
800 N Michigan Ave
312–239–4030
nomirestaurant.com
Stunning views from Park Hyatt’s 7th floor and an interior by Tony Chi.

Oysy
(JAPANESE/SUSHI)
888 S Michigan Ave
312–922–1127
oysysushi.com
Oysy means “delicious.”

Patty Burger
(AMERICAN)
72 E Adam St
312-987-0900
pattyburger.com
Mouthwatering burgers rule the menu at this new restaurant reminiscent of the classic diner.

Park Grill
(AMERICAN)
11 N Michigan Ave
312–521–7275
parkgrillchicago.com
The first restaurant in Millennium Park.

Saltaus
(MEDITERRANEAN/ASIAN)
1350 W Randolph St
312-455-1919
Saltaus.com
Sleek, contemporary restaurant inspired by interaction between Mediterranean and Asian cultures.

Seasons
(CREATIVE MODERN AMERICAN)
Four Seasons Hotel
120 E Delaware Pl, 7th Fl
312-649-2349
fourseasons.com
Not your typical hotel restaurant, chef Kevin Hickey finds the best ingredients at small ethnic markets.

SUSHISAMBA rio
(JAPANESE/BRAZILIAN FUSION)
504 N Wells St
312-595-2300
Sushisamba.com
Exciting menu in a theatrical space designed by David Rockwell.

Timo
(MODERN ITALIAN)
464 N Halsted St
312–226–4300
timochicago.com
Hip bistro-chic cooking with seating in one of the city’s best gardens.

Viand
(AMERICAN BRASSERIE)
155 E Ontario
312–255–8505
viandchicago.com
A modern day supper club in grand art deco style.