Nicole & Greg
Chi-Town Reccos
Architecture Boat Tour
Official Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. Neighborhood: The Loop
The Art Institute of Chicago
The only museum in the world to be top-ranked by TripAdvisor four years in a row! Neighborhood: The Loop
Cindy's Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bar and open air terrace with a great view of Millennium Park. Located in the historic Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. Neighborhood: The Loop
Lincoln Park
Visit the Green City Farmers Market, Lincoln Park Zoo, Nature Boardwalk and Lincoln Park Conservatory. All Free! Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Walking Distance from Sofitel Hotel
STAN'S DONUTS: best donuts in Chicago! ($) Address: 750 N. Rush St. https://stansdonuts.com/ TEMPO CAFE: one of our favorite casual breakfast spots. Try the scrambler! Walk-in only ($). Address: 6 E. Chestnut St. http://www.tempochicago.com/ ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE: casual breakfast spot, famous for pancakes. Walk-in only ($). Address: 22 E. Bellevue Place. https://www.ophchicagoland.com/gold-coast/ VELVET TACO: fast-casual taco spot. Open as late as you can hang. Walk-in only ($). Address: 1110 N. State St. https://velvettaco.com/location/chicago/ SOMERSET: upscale American dining. Great spot for dinner or cocktails at the bar. Reservations required ($$$). Address: 1112 N State St. https://www.somersetchicago.com/
Restaurants in the Trendy West Loop Neighborhood
GREEN STREET SMOKED MEATS: casual restaurant and bar with Texas-style BBQ (counter service). No reservations required ($). https://greenstreetmeats.com/ PARLOR PIZZA: casual spot for pizza and drinks. Reservations required ($). http://westloop.parlorchicago.com/ DUCK DUCK GOAT: creative Chinese fare from Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard. Reservations required ($$). https://duckduckgoatchicago.com/ BAR SIENA: Italian restaurant from Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani. All dishes are made in-house, from-scratch. Reservations required ($$). https://www.barsiena.com/ PROXI: upscale restaurant with small plates that are great for sharing. Menu inspired by the street food of Asia, India, Mexico and beyond. Reservations required ($$$). https://www.proxichicago.com/ ABA: light style of Mediterranean cooking with a big emphasis protein. Reservations required ($$$). http://www.abarestaurantchicago.com/ Note: West Loop is 10-25min from welcome drinks, depending on traffic
Walking Distance from Welcome Drinks
THE BRISTOL: what's closer to welcome drinks than the restaurant right downstairs! One of our favorite restaurants in the neighborhood, The Bristol serves American fare with fresh seasonal ingredients. Reservations required ($$). Address: 2152 N Damen Ave. http://www.thebristolchicago.com/ LE BOUCHON: classic French bistro food. Voted one of the best French Restaurants in America by Timeout Magazine. Reservations required ($$). Address: 1958 N Damen Ave. http://www.lebouchonofchicago.com/ MINDY'S HOT CHOCOLATE: American eatery known for its seasonal fare, rich desserts & hot chocolate. Reservations Required ($$). Address: 1747 N Damen Ave. http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/ LOTTIE'S PUB: dive bar extraordinaire. Only bested by Streeters (after party bar). Address: 1925 W. Cortland. http://lottiespub.com/ DANNY'S TAVERN: dark, funky multiroom bar/club with DJs & dancing in an unassuming space. Address: 1951 W Dickens Ave.
<10min Drive From Welcome Drinks
These restaurants are located in Bucktown/Wicker Park - Chicago neighborhoods that are trendy, funky and a little grungy. BIG STAR: housed in a defunct 1940's gas station, this casual taco spot is a Wicker Park staple. Walk-in only - be prepared to wait ($). Address: 1531 N. Damen. http://www.bigstarchicago.com/wickerpark CLUB LUCKY: old-school Italian cooking & martinis in a mid-century-themed supper-club setting. Reservations required ($$). 1824 W Wabansia Ave. https://www.clubluckychicago.com/ ETTA: centered around a wood-fired hearth, Etta puts a twist on childhood favorites like pizza and homemade pasta. Reservations required ($$). Address: 1840 W North Ave. https://www.ettarestaurant.com/ NORTHSIDE BAR: neighborhood bar with a nice, casual ambiance and chill vibe. Address: 1635 N Damen Ave. http://northsidechicago.com/
Old Town Neighborhood Favorites
TOPO GIGIO: One of our favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago. Topo Gigio will not disappoint. Reservations required ($$). Address: 1516 N Wells St. https://www.topogigiochicago.com/ SMALL CHEVAL: Casual, unassuming burger joint that serves only the essentials - burgers, fries, shakes and booze. Sister restaurant to Au Cheval, a Chicago burger legend. Walk-in only ($ - counter service). http://smallcheval.com/