From the Wrigley Building to Water Tower, walking even a couple blocks of the Magnificent Mile during the holiday season means navigating through crowds of families and tourists. It’s basically a contact sport. So yeah, you deserve a delicious meal at one of these amazing nine restaurants in the area.
9 of the Best Magnificent Mile Restaurants (That Aren’t the Cheesecake Factory)
Shop till you drop?and then eat
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Published Nov 9, 2016
Beacon Tavern/Facebook
1. Beacon Tavern
After getting ample pics of the gorgeous Wrigley Building, head to brunch at this farm-to-table spot. Their seasonal French toast is soooo worth the Mag Mile crowds. Yep, that’s ham, smoked turkey, Gruyère and raspberry jam French toast (much like a Monte Cristo).
405 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-955-4226 or beacontavern.com
The Windsor/Facebook
2. The Windsor
What could be better than sipping on a Sour Rose (bourbon, St. Germaine, lemon and egg white) and chowing down on Korean short ribs after waiting in line at the Apple store for three hours? Well, maybe a bourbon milk shake. But you can get that here, too.
160 E. Huron St.; 312-943-7777 or thewindsorchicago.com
Squarespace
3. Imperial Lamian
You left your mark at Nordstrom and now it’s time to refuel two blocks away with some delicate, delicious and oh-so-colorful xiaolongbao—soup dumplings. (The "rainbow basket" is sure to up your Instagram game.) Satiated? Now you can go back to shopping.
6 W. Hubbard St.; 312-595-9440 or imperial-lamian.com
@picturemelovelympls/Instagram
4. Carmine's
If you walk the Mag Mile from south to north, this is great place to wind up. Rest your tired feet at this supper-club lounge and order the skirt steak Velasco. It’s spicy, so you’ll definitely need an ice-cold martini to wash it down.
1043 N. Rush St.; 312-988-7676 or rosebudrestaurants.com
The Peninsula Chicago/Facebook
5. Shanghai Terrace
You tipped the silver-robot street performer. You deserve to dine at one of the best Chinese restaurants in town. If the weather’s right, you can sip cocktails and take in the skyline from the swoon-worthy outdoor space. If things get chilly, warm up inside with the 1930s decor and Peking duck. Mmmm.
The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St.; 312-573-6744 or chicago.peninsula.com
Fig & Olive
6. Fig & Olive
From the food to the interior design, you’ll forget about the lake effect for an hour or two as you relish the Mediterranean #vibes. We love the seasonal menu items like kabocha squash risotto with roasted pumpkin seeds, fried sage and Parmesan.
104 E. Oak St.; 312-445-0060 or figandolive.com
Ramen-san/Facebook
7. Ramen-san
After you do your Black Friday shopping, you’re gonna want to warm up with a hot sumo bowl: chashu (pork belly), wontons and spicy crushed egg. Or on second thought…why wait until then?
59 W. Hubbard St.; 312-377-9950 or ramensan.com
Siena Tavern/Facebook
8. Siena Tavern
It may not be Chicago-style pizza, but we can make an exception. And since this is the breakfast pizza, you can come here for brunch, do your shopping and then come back for dinner. The whole-roasted branzino is calling our name.
51 W. Kinzie St.; 312-595-1322 or sienatavern.com
Quartino/Facebook
9. Quartino
Have visitors in town? This place is meant for sharing its Italian small plates. So even if your entire family couldn’t agree on whether to hit up Bloomingdale’s or the Nike store first, at least you can agree on the veal meatballs with sun-dried tomatoes and golden raisins.
626 N. State St.; 312-698-5000 or quartinochicago.com
