Go to Sfera (named in the NYT’s 36 hours in Chicago despite its location on the far north side??) for the arancini, limonata, and the orange hot chocolate.
Come here for an Ethiopian/Eritrean brunch/lunch get the jebena coffee and the egg silsi.
1/4 of Chelsea & Dan's top burgers in Chicago! This is a thicc burger.
Get a slice of pizza for $0.99 with their frozen paloma.
Get the fried king trumpet mushrooms and the beef noodle soup (half beef/half tendon).
Go to Hopleaf, where we had our second date, get mussels, fries, and a beer (the house dark—you can’t get it anywhere else) then go for a glögg slushie at Simon’s Tavern, one of the oldest bars in the city.
Brats on the rooftop in the summer! Jake Johnson played the butcher at here in an episode of Easy on Netflix!
Go to Guthrie’s Tavern, a cozy bar near Wrigley Field that’s been open since 1933, for a drink and a board game. Bonus points if you play Bananagrams or Anomia.
Get a sandwich and a coffee at Panes Bread Cafe, our staple spot by Dan and Jeremy’s old place.
Head to Pequod’s to reenact our first date and get the best deep dish in the city (caramelized cheese edges!)
1/4 of Chelsea & Dan's top burgers in Chicago! Smash burger; very divey; very affordable; very cute (and small).
Get a matcha or a coffee at Dayglow and stroll or bike down the 606, a tree-lined elevated rail trail.
pizza, beer, house-made soft serve. Best in the city. If you’re still in town on Tuesdays, don’t miss the tavern-style night.
Cool off with Miko’s Italian Ice (don’t sleep on the banana chip!!)
Get the key lime pie!!!
Go to Best Intentions for the coziest dive bar vibe, high-quality drinks for great prices, popcorn shrimp, and tiny smash burgers.
Grab a martini at Queen Mary’s to relive where we celebrated our engagement after Daniel proposed across the street at Bourbon on Division.
Go to Tortello’s for the best handmade pasta in the city, fennel salad, focaccia, an Aperol spritz, and some tiramisu enjoyed out on the patio.
Get literally anything from Lao Peng You (featured on The Bear).
Find a big beer selection and grab a bite to eat at Forbidden Root (brewery/restaurant).
Amazing sandwiches! (Dan loves the potato-nator)
Go to Monteverde if you’re feeling fancy; we came here for Chelsea’s 25th birthday. PS: Clare’s Italian culinary arts professor in Italy called it “the best Italian food in the States.”
1/4 of Chelsea & Dan's top burgers in Chicago! Comes with pickle juice for dipping. Sit at the bar. Get the corner seats if you're lucky.
1/4 of Chelsea & Dan's top burgers in Chicago! Just don't tell Dan if you don't love it. He will be saddened.
Meet Bacon the cat at Kaiser Tiger and get a meal on their patio (plus: good bloody marys).
For something else on the fancy side, go to Michelin-starred Danish restaurant Elske (make a reservation). (Unfortunately you’ll miss Theo who used to chef here.)
Best wings in the city; Dan once lost to a dog in a sloppy joe eating competition here
Dan's favorite brewery in Chicago.
Brewery! Lots of plants! Get Le Tub (saison)!