Planning a visit to Chicago’s iconic Shedd Aquarium involves more than just buying tickets; it requires a strategy for keeping your energy up. The museum campus is a hub of activity, and after spending hours exploring the aquatic exhibits, you are bound to work up a serious appetite. While the aquarium has its own cafes, stepping outside offers a chance to experience the vibrant culinary scene that surrounds the lakefront.
The area around the aquarium is a mix of high-end dining, classic Chicago staples, and quick casual bites. Whether you are looking for a sit-down meal with a view of Lake Michigan or a quick slice of deep-dish before heading to the Field Museum, the neighborhood has you covered. The key is knowing where to walk, how far you are willing to go, and what kind of atmosphere fits your itinerary.
This guide focuses on restaurants that are practical for tourists and locals alike. We have prioritized locations that are within a reasonable walking distance or a very short rideshare from the aquarium’s main entrance. You won’t find a list of generic fast-food chains here; instead, we highlight spots that offer a true taste of Chicago’s diverse food identity.
From the historic streets of Printer’s Row to the bustling sidewalks of the South Loop, the options vary greatly. You can find everything from Michelin-recognized cuisine to family-friendly diners. Because this is a high-traffic tourist zone, we have also considered noise levels, wait times, and whether reservations are necessary to help you plan your day efficiently.
It is important to remember that the "Museum Campus" is a pedestrian-friendly zone but slightly isolated from the main restaurant rows. Most dining options require a walk of about 10 to 20 minutes north toward Roosevelt Road or west toward Michigan Avenue. The walk is scenic, passing through Grant Park, making the journey to your meal part of the experience.
Below is a curated list of the best dining options near the aquarium, balancing convenience, quality, and variety.
Eleven City Diner
| Address | 1112 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 212-1112 |
We were excited to get breakfast at Eleven City Diner as we did some research prior to our trip and found they are very highly rated. We had an absolutely amazing breakfast and our server was phenomenal! We sat at the bar because they were very busy and we didn't mind, and got to enjoy being able to watch the goings on. Jonathan J was incredibly helpful, friendly and fun to talk to and provided fantastic service. Our breakfast was the best breakfast we've had in many years. I got eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast, my standard breakfast meal to check out how good breakfast is at a location. My husband got the french toast along with the corned beef hash. It was all so delicious! The potatoes are cooked in beef tallow and the seasoning was superb! They are absolutely the best potatoes I've ever gotten with a meal (I tend to dislike the potatoes and/or hash browns at most restaurants) and I wish we hadn't been going straight to the museum after breakfast so I could have taken the rest with us. I love they try to use locallyl sourced ingredients. We learned that by talking with our server. The coffee is sourced locally and they grind the beans fresh and the coffee was amazing. I truly don't have one negative thing I can say about our experience or our meals.
10 out of 10 for food, service, and atmosphere. Half of us ordered off the all-day breakfast menu and half of us ordered dinner. Everything was fresh and so good. The portions were amazing and the side house potatoes were probably the best potatoes I've ever had. Most importantly we were immediately welcomed with smiles by the hosts and our waitress was so friendly too, it was refreshing!
Visiting from St. Louis, MO and Eleven City popping up when searching local places with good reviews. So glad we made it during our visit.
What an incredible experience. This may be my favorite diner I've ever visited. The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish prepared perfectly and served fresh. It's the kind of place that immediately leaves a lasting impression.
What really stood out was the staff. Every team member was kind, attentive, and genuinely welcoming throughout the visit. You can tell this is a well run restaurant where everyone takes pride in providing great service and creating a positive experience for guests. Between the outstanding food, friendly atmosphere, and excellent hospitality, this is a place I highly recommend and look forward to visiting again.
If you are looking for an incredible breakfast spot, this is it!
The food here is executed perfectly. The breakfast sandwich was phenomenal—the eggs were hands-down the fluffiest I've ever had, and the bacon was perfectly cooked with amazing flavor. Also, do not skip the pancakes. They are incredibly fluffy on the inside with a beautifully crispy outer edge, and they have a fantastic vanilla flavor that elevates the whole stack.
The atmosphere has a great, nostalgic old-school diner vibe, made even better by the jazz music playing in the background. It sets the perfect morning mood.
To top it all off, our server Joaquin was ABSOLUTELY amazing. He was attentive, friendly, and provided top-tier service that made a great meal even better.
I’ll absolutely be back. Highly recommend!
If you’re in Chicago, do yourself a favor and check out Eleven City Diner. The food was excellent and the service was beyond excellent — one of those places where the staff genuinely makes the experience better.
The French toast was fantastic, but the real star of the meal was the brisket sandwich with their house dipping sauce. It’s almost like a consommé, but richer and packed with brisket flavor from the brine. Absolutely incredible.
The Michelada was also one of the best I’ve had — made with their homemade mix and local Chicago beer.
On top of all that, the atmosphere is awesome. Full old-school 1950s diner vibes with classic music playing the whole time. Great food, great service, and a really fun experience overall.
Deep Ocean Cafe
| Address | 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (312) 939-2438 |
Their food had a very good umami flavor. I sat by the window which had a nice view of the lake Michigan however there were many little children gawking at me. It was also allergy friendly as my grandbaby with a peanut, treenut and shellfish allergy was able to eat her chicken wings.
LOVED the Mac and cheese and house made chips! Super well made food for food court style. My friends loved their grilled cheese, fries, and impossible burger too! Lines were long but moved quick.
Eevette was absolutely wonderful. I came in just a few minutes before closing unfortunately and she listed to me all of the available vegetarian dishes, gave me recommendations, and even made my food herself, which I don't think is at her station. The food was great and there were lots of awesome choices, even for people with dietary restrictions.
Robin and Elana were a couple of the sweetest baristas I've ever met. My cousin and I were exhausted after a day of juggling babies and kids and tbh we were a nightmare to take care of LOL but they did it with the biggest smiles and kindest hearts. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day at the Shedd!
did not have several things listed on menu, a friend and I ordered two identical smoothies and they both looked/tasted drastically different; alongside coming in different cups (dif size, same price, no explanation) lol. Not the best 💔
Yolk - South Loop
| Address | 1120 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM |
| Phone | (312) 789-9655 |
Amazing Restaurant!!
It’s a fantastic spot for both breakfast and lunch. The menu offers an impressive variety of flavors, and everything is consistently well-prepared and impeccably clean. The entire staff is warm and welcoming, but Paola truly elevates the experience—her attitude, positivity, and professionalism are exceptional.
Highly recommended!
Ordered the meat n eggs which comes with pancakes. The poached eggs are different from what you would get from an egg Benedict, it’s more like soft boiled eggs and there are water left behind after I finish eating them. The ham steak was huge but very salty and the hash browns are just so so. The pancakes tasted good but it came out not hot n fresh, the butter doesn’t melt on them. The coffee was very good though. The service was standard and they expect 18%tips. This meal cost $30 and I would not be going back.
From the moment our food arrived, it was one problem after another. I specifically asked for my breakfast potatoes to be extra crispy. Instead, they came out undercooked, soft, and raw in the middle. They weren’t even close to what I ordered. I was able to eat the two eggs and sent the rest back, letting her know if the issue. Not much was said or done about it. They didn't even reduce my bill considering I got two eggs I could eat and didn't touch the corned beef and potatoes because it wasn't done like I had requested.
The bigger issue was my wife’s meal. She ordered Eggs Benedict, but the waitress wrote down the caprese eggs Benedict apparently and brought out a dish topped with tree nuts — to which she has a severe tree nut allergy. That’s not a minor mistake; it’s a dangerous one that could have had serious consequences. Zero apologies whatsoever
When the meal was remade, we expected things to improve. Unfortunately, they didn’t. Her potatoes were still pale, barely cooked, and were not even fully reconstituted (clearly they use dried potatoes because they were crunchy and still bone white). It honestly felt like no one in the kitchen cared enough to get something as basic as breakfast potatoes right and the waitress cared even less about her customers.
What made the experience even worse was our server, Kathleen H. She was rude, dismissive, and condescending from start to finish. Rather than showing any concern about the allergy mistake or the repeated food issues, she acted as though we were inconveniencing her. There was no genuine apology, no effort to make things right, and absolutely no sense of urgency.
Mistakes happen in restaurants. What separates a good restaurant from a bad one is how they respond. Yolk failed on every level—poor food quality, a potentially dangerous allergy mistake, and some of the worst customer service we’ve experienced.
We left frustrated, disappointed, and with no desire to ever return. There are far too many great breakfast places in Chicago to waste your time and money here.
I hope they needed my money bad enough cause that was the last time I'll ever return
A fun and upbeat atmosphere with plenty of room. The staff were amazing, helpful, and very insightful with their food, offering recommendations when we said this was our first time.
The food is big, so be warned! But oh so good! If your a fan of breakfast food, come here! The hardest part is figuring out which of all their many great options to choose from!
We had some of the French toast and the red velvet French toast. They were so flavorful and delicious. Along with some of the best (and thick) sausage links I've had in a while.
I recently had breakfast at Yolk in the South Loop and tried the scrambled egg combo, which came with hash browns and pancakes. The portion size was generous, and everything tasted great. The ambience was warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to start the day. The service was quick, and the staff were friendly enough to recommend some must-try items from the menu. Yolk definitely has some amazing options that are worth exploring.
The Spoke & Bird (South Loop)
| Address | 205 E 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (929) 263-2473 |
Good coffee with a good cookie. The omelette was a bit oily for my tastes but was also decent.
The patio was a great spot on a sunny Tuesday morning, would recommend going for a short walk from the convention center area for a conference, it’s only about 15 min!
Super good location and atmosphere. Service is great and coffee was good. Our oatmeal was weird. The lemon zest on overnight soaked oatmeal with no berries or nuts was not tasting good. I hope they change it and make normal. The rest was good and I am hoping their other food items are good.
Great corner spot built into the lobby of a larger building. There's indoor and outdoor seating along with a good variety of food and drinks on offer.
Everything we got was of high quality and brought directly to our table.
I walked by this place many times during the late summer and early fall months and noticed that this spot had many people using their indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Also, good mix of people of all ages that seemed to be from the neighborhood and surrounding. I would have to try this spot before it got too cold.
Finally got around to it and ordered some of their signature breakfast offerings.
I had to try their egg breakfast sandwich with ham and cheese on a brioche bun. This was really tasty and the ham was more reminiscent of ham carved off the bone similar to those at Christmas dinner. It was a bit too salty for me but still devoured it with gusto.
I also tried their swiss and mushroom omelette. To me it was a fairly decent sized omelette, and they sure did not skimp on the mushrooms. Well-seasoned and earthy sauteed mushrooms with the salty melted cheese all wrapped up in an egg blanket was delicious.
Only thing I felt amiss here was the pricing which I felt was a bit overpriced. But still really enjoyed everything here. Washed it all down with a tall cup of coffee (it wasn’t quite as hot as I like my coffee).
I would like to try the outdoor seating next season during summer.
I’m officially a returning customer at Spoke & Bird to the point where my weekend personality is basically “person waiting for their Spoke & Bird delivery.” ☕
I order from them almost every weekend and they’re consistently amazing. Their specialty lattes are creative, perfectly balanced, and somehow manage to feel fancy and comforting at the same time. Not overly sweet — just really good coffee done right.
Also, their vegan blueberry 🫐 muffins deserve their own fan club. I’m not even vegan and I order them every time. They’re moist, flavorful, and dangerously easy to justify as a “healthy choice.”
Everything arrives fresh, delicious, and worth breaking any “I’ll just make coffee at home” promises I make to myself. Highly recommend.
Soundings Cafe
| Address | 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday: 2:00 – 4:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Phone | (312) 692-3277 |
I recently visited Soundings Café, and it was a truly disappointing experience. The cafe has a terrible practice that I feel compelled to share. The menu listed a side of salmon at $7.95, but when I got my bill, I was shocked to see that I was charged $9.95. When I pointed out the discrepancy to the staff, they casually mentioned that the price had increased but they hadn't bothered to update the price tag. This is an unacceptable and misleading practice that leaves customers feeling deceived.
The service was equally disappointing. There was no apology or attempt to make things right—just a dismissive attitude that added to the overall negative experience. I wanted to give this place 0 stars, but unfortunately, that’s not an option. I won't be returning, and I advise others to avoid this place unless they enjoy being overcharged.
Got from the “hot fresh food” menu but it wasn’t very hot and didn’t seem very fresh. Overall not that bad though
Can get a nice view by the window
$7 for a stale pb&j with hardly any jelly. $16 for an equally unsatisfying chicken ceasar wrap that skimped on meat. That’s the “value” Shedd serves to families here, clearly taking advantage of their captive audience. Beautiful views of the skyline, but avoid the food if you can.
Ordered macciado with oatmilk due to lactose allergy. Got cows milk. Allergic reaction. Not recommend. Unreliable and careless.
The food here was just awful. The tomato soup tasted like a salt bomb. The chicken Cesar salad was bland and stale, the buffalo chicken wrap was a salty disaster and the Chicago style hot dog wasn’t memorable. The only things that were good were the bottles of beer and the views of Lake Michigan. I wouldn’t recommend unless you’re desperate. The Monterey bay aquarium had awesome food compared to this. Surely Shedd you can do better!
Chicago Waffles South Loop
| Address | 1400 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 854-8572 |
Breakfast was fantastic from start to finish! Every item came out perfectly cooked, but Connie really made our visit memorable. She was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely pleasant to talk with. Her warm personality and great service made such a difference. We would absolutely love to have her as our server again on our next visit. Definitely a great experience!
Chicago Waffle is a great spot for breakfast or brunch. The menu offers plenty of options, and the food was fresh, flavorful, and served in generous portions. Everything we ordered was enjoyable, and the ingredients tasted fresh.
The service was friendly and welcoming, and despite being fairly busy, the staff kept things moving and made sure we had everything we needed.
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that while everything was good, nothing really stood out as exceptional or unforgettable. That said, it’s still a solid choice if you’re looking for a satisfying breakfast in a comfortable atmosphere, and I’d happily come back to try more of the menu.
Had the pancake sampler, blueberry cheesecake pancake, side of corned beef hash, fried chicken with a strawberry orange juice and oat milk matcha.
Pancakes were nice, nice variety. Chocolate sauce was pretty Hershey syrupy. Kind of too sweet. Cream was nice and flavored.
Hash was nice, salty as expected. Fried chicken was alright. Pretty good but maybe cooked a tad long, was tough to cut through. Would have been juicer if it was cooked like 30 seconds shorter in the fryer.
Oat milk matcha was nice, not sweetened besides probably whatever was in the oatmilk.
Strawberry orange juice was a bit too sweet for me, but better at the end. Was probably strawberry syrup that needed mixing, but I didn't realize.
Free wifi available. Decent lighting, has tap to pay and a loyalty program.
I flew in from outta town. I got the waffle flight with eggs and chicken sausage on the side. It was pretty good. The food came out quickly. Two of the 4 waffles tasted good (red velvet and the one with bananas) but I think that's just a preference. I would return the next time I was in Chicago. Also I got the Macha tea with almond milk. It tasted really good. Water served was clearly tap with lemon.
Must try breakfast in Chicago downtown. Located across from Chicago firehouse restaurant. Limited parking on the street but worth visiting in Chicago. This restaurant offers many dishes with waffles, pancakes and eggs. My favorite was waffle Benedict. Enjoy.
River Roast
| Address | 315 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60654 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 822-0100 |
Okay I went to this place like 3 times, and I sat outside all 3 times. It’s so BEAUTIFUL I swear to god I’m a person who loves views and it’s so worth it. The food is super good too. I’ve had the burger, the fried chicken sandwich, the half chicken, and it was all amazing. They used to have a spinach dip that was super good but I guess they took it off. It’s right on the riverwalk so you see other people on boats, all the building, the bridge. Just everything is so nice. BOOK A RESERVATION. They rarely have walk ins. You’re lucky if they do, and if they do it’s def not any outside. They prioritize their reservations. Anyways, please go.
First time eating there and it was excellent! Our server Jeffrey was wonderful. He was able to explain what was on the menu so well and describe what the taste was on the menu. He also gave us really great suggestions on what to eat and we followed through with those suggestion’s and he did not disappoint. I asked for the Steak Frites cooked medium and thats what I got no send backs and definitely no complaints. Also had the delicious rolls and a glass of champagne and it was really wonderful. When I come back to Chicago I would definitely be back for the food and the wonderful service thanks to Jeffery!
Had a great time at River Roast. The food was solid and flavorful (4★), with well-executed dishes, though not overly memorable. The ambience truly stands out—beautiful riverfront views and a vibrant setting make it special. Service was excellent, attentive, and welcoming throughout (5★). Overall, a wonderful dining experience I’d happily recommend, especially for the atmosphere and hospitality.
Went to River Roast to celebrate me and my partners anniversary. It truly was a wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived the host and the staff were very welcoming and sweet. Our server was Hozell and he was amazing. Very attentive and offered a lot of recommendations and details about the food menu. Made us feel very special and happy when he brought us dessert to celebrate and say congrats to our anniversary. The food and dessert was delicious. We appreciate the way he took care of us and will definitely come again soon with friends and other future celebrations!!😊
A New American style restaurant in one of Chicago’s best locations. The roast chicken is crispy on the outside, and the potato wedges inside are hands down the crispiest, most tender, and most flavorful I’ve ever had. Plus!! the service from restaurant manager Morgan and the bar staff was absolutely fantastic . I can’t wait to come back once their riverside location is renovated!
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe
| Address | 130 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 938-9777 |
We stopped by around 9:00 AM on a Saturday and had about a 20–25 minute wait for two with first available seating. The line looked long, but they have a very efficient system for checking people in and turning tables, so it felt like they were doing everything possible to keep things moving.
We ordered two coffees, a breakfast skillet, upgraded the buttermilk pancakes to the cinnamon roll pancakes, and added a side of fruit. Our total came to around $80 with everything included. The food was really good, and we saw several other tables with incredible-looking pancake specials like the berry and Oreo pancakes that we’d love to try next time.
We’d definitely go back, but would either try to make a reservation or arrive a little earlier to avoid the wait. Overall, a great breakfast spot that’s clearly popular for a reason!
You can always tell how good a restaurant is by their wait. This restaurant always has a wait. We waited 45 minutes. So worth it. The food, service and atmosphere was very good 👍. They turn their tables so fast. The team work was insane. Our server was very good. We had a great time.
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe on E. Randolph is absolutely worth the hype. Despite stopping by during a busy brunch service, the experience was outstanding from start to finish. Our waiter was personable and attentive, and I was amazed that our food arrived in less than 10 minutes.
I ordered the Butcher Block Skillet along with the signature Berry Bliss Pancakes, and both were fantastic. The skillet was hearty and loaded with meat, while the pancakes completely lived up to their reputation. The berry mascarpone filling was rich, creamy. It truly was the icing on the "pan"cake!
We also tried the brisket grilled cheese. While it was good, I'd probably skip it next time. As a Texan, I felt it was missing a tangy barbecue sauce to give it that authentic barbecue flavor. Overall, the food was incredibly flavorful, the service was excellent, and the restaurant handled a packed brunch crowd with impressive efficiency. Wildberry is a must-stop every time I visit Chicago.
Visited Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe for brunch and had a great overall experience! We tried the toasted coconut banana cream pie pancake — it was just okay, not as impressive as expected — but the other dishes were really good and made up for it.
The food was fresh, flavorful, and the portions were satisfying. The ambiance was nice, and we truly enjoyed our meal. Definitely a good spot if you’re looking for a solid brunch option.
The signature blueberry pancakes were the star of the show!! They are so fluffly and Deli! The food was good, the coffee and mocha coffee was good, maybe the only thing that I didnt like was it was so many tables and almost no room but it’s totally understandable with the flavors and menu they got!
Again the blueberry pancakes are the ones making me coming back 🙂 !!!
Burger Bar Chicago
| Address | 1150 S Michigan Ave Near, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 988-0162 |
Great place for an above average burger. Went in about 5ish with a party of four. We were greeted and seated almost immediately. Welcoming environment with good music playing. The only way to view the menu is scanning a QR Code at table. We ordered drinks a Moscow Mule, an old-fashioned and two Stella Artois. Appetizers were fried pickles, and honey bourbon, glazed wings (10/10) everyone’s burger was made to order. For sides we got tater tots (10/10) The Parmesan truffle fries seemed a bit lacking. They’re more like plain french fries with a side of garlic dipping sauce (5/10)
Our server was nice as well. All in all a great place we will definitely revisit. My only gripe was I was warm & slightly uncomfortable. That day was 94° and it was not cool and refreshing in the restaurant.
Food was good, I got the honey chipotle wings special, Very tasty grilled wings, good size, the burger bar stack, a very delicious burger. I was surprised how good the burger was. Bacon was crispy, the special sauce was good as well. First time I didn't put ketchup on a burger. The rest of the group loved their food as well. The only disappointing aspect was the fries. We ordered truffle garlic Parmesan fries and that only includes a sauce not a sprinkling of seasoning on top of the fries and the sauce was really garlicky. Wasn't good at all. Other than that, I will definitely return for the wings and burger. Other thing to note they didn't split our check in itemized items, just halved the bill.
One of the best burgers I’ve had in my life! The mac & cheese was also outstanding. It had been a LONG DAY so we were late getting to dinner. We walked in 30 minutes before closing, and they still gave us the best food and service. I’ll be back!
One of the best burgers I have had. Ask for an egg on top of the burger it gives it extra flavor. The restaurant was huge with lots of TVs and plenty of seating. I highly recommend.
Had a great experience at Burger Bar Chicago. We are from out of town visiting the Shedd Aquarium and were looking for a nearby place to eat. This place was real close! We got seated right away and the food was AMAZING! The burgers really are the best.
Meli Cafe
| Address | 500 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 834-0500 |
I had a wonderful experience at Meli Cafe. The atmosphere is beautiful, with lovely decor and charming lighting that makes the space feel warm and inviting. The staff was friendly and attentive, which made the visit even more enjoyable.
I stopped by for an afternoon snack and had a fresh, delicious salad along with some excellent drinks. Everything tasted fresh and was prepared with great care. It was the perfect place to relax, enjoy good food, and spend a pleasant afternoon.
I truly enjoyed my visit and would definitely recommend Meli Cafe to anyone looking for a cozy atmosphere, great service, and fresh, delicious food. I’ll be back! 😊☕🥗✨
Stopped in for breakfast and it was great. The banana bread French toast was incredible, super flavorful and perfectly cooked. We also had the lox bagel, which was fresh and loaded with toppings. The hash browns were crispy and everything came out fast.
Really cozy place with friendly service and good prices for being right in downtown Chicago. Would definitely come back.
We tried this breakfast diner in the Loop and had a good overall experience. The service was a bit slow but not a big issue.
The gluten-free French toast was decent though not very fluffy. The avocado toast with eggs and fruit was very good and the pancakes were tasty but slightly crumbly. 🥞
I also had an iced oat milk vanilla latte it was excellent! The only downside is that there’s no sugar-free vanilla syrup option 🙁
Overall a solid breakfast spot with minor room for improvement !!
This cafe was within walking distance of our hotel and was such a great find. The interior was very nice with some great decoration and was busy but inviting. The hostess and waitress were fantastic. All of that somewhat pales in comparison to how good the food actually was. The Irish Eggs Benedict had some of the best hollandaise sauce I’ve ever had. The portions were generous, and I got a side of the applewood bacon and the Smokey flavor was prominent and delicious. My wife got the lamb shakshouka and I don’t think I’ve seen her enjoy any other meal in Chicago more. At the end we got to speak with the manager, Charles, and he seemed genuinely happy to hear how much we liked the food and our experience. He talked with us about the location, some other locations, and some of his past food experience. It was a cool end to a great eating experience. If you have the chance don’t pass up this Cafe.
Whenever I’m looking for breakfast spots I pick places with a unique menu and meli did not disappoint! They had a lot of fun options to choose from and we enjoyed our brunch. I could definitely see myself coming back to try something new! We sat outside on their patio on a beautiful day and it was so nice. I would highly suggest more umbrellas for the outdoor seating but we enjoyed our meal here!
Reunion by Chef Art Smith
| Address | Navy pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 AM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 224-1415 |
The food was so good! We started with the Ferris Wheel appetizer sampler, which was fun and had a little bit of everything. The pan-seared salmon with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts was cooked perfectly, the three-cheese mac and cheese was creamy and delicious, and the shrimp grain bowl was full of flavor. The dessert was amazing and honestly one of the best parts of the meal. We really enjoyed everything and would definitely come back. I recommend making a reservation because it can get busy!
The food here was absolutely incredible. Every dish was beautifully presented, packed with flavor, and served in portions that were both generous and satisfying. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared, making each bite memorable. I will definitely be back the next time I visit.
Reunion delivered an outstanding experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a relaxing meal. The service was flawless, with the hosts, servers, and staff all providing exceptional hospitality throughout our visit. A huge thank you to the chefs, servers, and hosts for making the experience so enjoyable. Between the unforgettable food, excellent service, and welcoming ambiance, this is a restaurant I highly recommend.
We arrived around dinner time and it was not as busy as I was expecting especially since the service and food were very good. The location is great; you can do a bit of souvenir shopping before or after dinner! I love their private bathroom stalls too.
The fried chicken, you can request for all dark or white meat for an additional charge. It was seasoned very well coming from someone that grew up in the south all her life. Their homemade hot sauce had a sweet undertone that I didn’t care for. The hush puppies were fried perfectly and fluffy on the inside. I love their pimento cheese dip and their pepper jelly was okay for me. The fried calamari was very good; I would ask for the garlic aioli to dip them in. The skirt steak had a great sear and chimichurri sauce to compliment it. The mash potatoes is one of their best sides. I couldn’t stop eating it. Their pimento cheese grits was too runny for me but still good!
Our server was very sweet and took great care of us. Kept our drinks filled and everything.
First time Chicago visit and Chef Art Reunion restaurant did not disappoint!
Great location on the Navy Pier ,Very Inviting and Clean .
Excellent wait staff, and delicious food.
I had the catfish my husband had the salmon . The cherry on top Chef Chris coming out to greet us and offering us great tips about the city and a cupcake to go! We will be back, we want to try the Famous Fried Chicken!!!
Killing time while waiting to check into our hotel but also starving so we stopped here for a drink and snacks. Thankfully they were open when no one else had opened yet.
Tried the Moonlit Flight, which was a great choice since I couldn't decide what to try. The Watermelon was my favorite followed by the Cherry and then the Rumshine and Blue Hooch. The margarita and sweet tea were my least favorite. But also could have been b/c it was warm out and wanted something more fruity/refreshing.
Also couldn't decide on snacks, so tried the Centennial Sampler. The hush puppies and deviled eggs were amazing. The rest of the food was also great, but those 2 stood out to me.
A great place to stop while visiting Navy Pier especially on a nice day!
Giordano's
| Address | 1340 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | (312) 842-1100 |
The service was excellent! When they realized I couldn't finish the food, the server proactively asked if I wanted to take it to go in a box. I felt completely at ease throughout the entire experience. The pizza was still delicious even after being reheated at home! They have a personal lunch set for weekdays, where you can choose between pizza with salad or soup – excellent value for money!
I was really keen to try Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and after reading heaps of online reviews and hearing from friends, I decided to give it a shot. To be honest, the pizza didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It felt more like a cheesy, meaty mess than a traditional pizza. I’ll probably stick to New York-style pizza from now on.
But would I have regretted not trying it? I’d suggest you give it a go yourself!
Besides the pizza, we also had Parmesan garlic fries, which were absolutely amazing. And the hot wings were great too.
The margarita was delicious—perfectly balanced and full of flavor. Steven provided excellent service and was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed. He made the whole experience even better. I would definitely come back!The margarita was delicious—perfectly balanced and full of flavor. Steven provided excellent service and was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed. He made the whole experience even better. I would definitely come back!
I hate to do this as I have had Giordano's before and a wonderful experience but this location was a huge let down for my excitement of returning. First we had to wait which is no big deal at all but their alarm keypad was busted and the 20-30 minute wait was quite annoying. Again I could live with this but it just keeps going. The hostess was nice at least. We got seated and the server came over looked annoyed did not introduce himself put water down and said "You know what you want?" Again no greeting no drink requests just that. We knew what we were going to order as we were going to do a compare to a competitor type thing so we ordered a 10" deep dish and the cheese bread. He told us the deep dish takes 40 minutes and we said we understand. He then goes back to put the order in. Comes back to the table next to us and greets them tells them his name and does what you expect from your waiter. I hear him tell them it will be 40 minutes on deep dish so at least that was consistent. My fiance seen a Crack in her water glass and asked me to take it to the bar to swap out. Our waiter came up and asked what was wrong I said your glass has a Crack in it could we get it replaced. He took the glass set it behind the bar and grabbed a new glass. Filled it with a pitcher with very little ice and only filled it 3/4 set it down and walked away. Our cheese bread came out fairly quick by someone else who ran the food. They were nice when they brought it out and it was good. Best part of the meal which pulled it from a 1 star. The cheese bread would be a 4 star had that been the only thing we got. The hostess dropped a pitcher of water off at our table which was nice. Eventually our server came by and finally polite asked if he brought us our cheese bread. Mind you he did pick the plates up after we finished it a few minutes earlier but he was smiling and being nice we said yes we did receive it and he said our pizza would be up soon. The table who ordered after us and had 2 deep dish pizzas and appetizers while waiting got there pizzas and we were still waiting. After he dropped theirs off he went back and grabbed ours. First thing I noticed was we had 6 slices. I didn't put it together yet but the second thing I noticed was crust color. It was darker shade of brown. We dug in and sure enough it was over cooked. After the first slice the next 2 I grabbed had black burnt patches. Check comes and I realized why we had 6 slices instead of the 10" he entered 12". Now could we have sent the pizza back for the burnt sure but we didn't want to wait 40 minutes again and I don't like to complain very often. It wasn't the worst burn but it was close to getting beyond well done. The waiter asked if everything tasted good we said it was alright and he thanked us and asked for a 5 star review because that was important so here is a 2 star review. I have had Giordano's twice before and why I wanted to show my fiance how good it was but ended up a $50 disaster. I hope it doesn't ruin any future visits but we probably will try others for sure now.
THIS PLACE WAS AMAZING!!! my toasted Italian sandwich was soooo yummy!! I don’t like water but this place had amazing water too!! Our server Steven was amazing and super funny! Overall I’d rate this place (if I could) 100/5 stars!!
Tips for Dining Near Shedd Aquarium
Choosing where to eat near a major attraction can be stressful, especially if you are traveling with children or on a tight schedule. The geography of the Museum Campus means you cannot simply walk out the front door and stumble into a restaurant; you need a plan. To make your dining experience as smooth as the exhibits are wet, consider these practical tips before you leave the aquarium.
- Walk North for Better Variety: The immediate vicinity of the aquarium is mostly parkland. Head north toward Congress Parkway or west toward South Loop to find the highest concentration of quality restaurants.
- Make Reservations for Weekend Brunch: If you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, the brunch rush in the South Loop is intense. Secure a table online before you enter the aquarium to avoid a 45-minute wait with hungry kids.
- Check the Weather Before You Walk: Chicago weather is unpredictable. If it is raining or freezing, the 15-minute walk to some venues can feel much longer. Have a backup plan for a rideshare if the weather turns sour.
- Look for "Chicago Classics" over Chains: You are in a world-class food city. Skip the national chains and look for local staples like Italian beef, deep-dish pizza, or a Chicago-style hot dog to maximize your cultural experience.
- Consider a Late Lunch: The aquarium is busiest from 10 AM to 2 PM. If you eat a late breakfast and visit the exhibits early, you can enjoy lunch at 2:30 PM when most nearby restaurants have cleared out and service is faster.
- Ask About the Aquarium Discount: Some nearby restaurants partner with the museum campus to offer small discounts or free kid’s meals with a valid ticket stub. It never hurts to ask the host before you are seated.
Finding a great meal after watching the dolphins or belugas is the perfect way to cap off your visit. The South Loop area has undergone a culinary renaissance, making it easier than ever to find food that matches the world-class status of the attractions next door. Whether you opt for a quick slice of pizza or a leisurely steak dinner, you are in for a treat.
As you leave the aquarium, take a moment to enjoy the skyline view as you walk toward your table. The restaurants in this area are accustomed to hosting visitors, which means they are generally efficient and understanding of tired feet. With a little bit of planning, your meal can be just as memorable as the marine life.
