4 Restaurants You Should Check Out In Chicago

My roommate and I finally visited The Windy City last month and, to no surprise, we picked the restaurants we wanted to try first and then planned everything else around it! When visiting cities outside of LA, I always realize how lucky I am to have such amazing and diverse options here–BUT I was pleasantly surprised with the food we ate. Here’s a list of the wonderful places we tried with my personal opinions on them and a cost breakdown so you know what to expect.

Sochi Saigonese Kitchen

First up, I have to give a huge shoutout to Sochi. Not only was it such a cute, cozy atmosphere, the food was incredible and well-deserving of their Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition! We got their egg rolls, crab fried rice, and pho and were not disappointed (~$40/person). Definitely worth the drive north towards Lakeview as it was my favorite restaurant of the trip!

*Beware of the multiple high curbs in front of the restaurant and try not to trip over them out of your Uber…not that I’m speaking from experience… :,)

Bar Mar

I am SUCH a sucker for any type of seafood dish and I was super excited to finally try one of José Andrés restaurants. First and foremost, the decor was super bright and fun which brought such a positive energy to a gloomy day. Definitely try their Neptune’s pillows with tuna on top, fresh oysters, and lobster roll served with tomato bisque. This is a more upscale spot with pretty small portions, but I felt it was worth it for high quality seafood.

Girl and the Goat

As one of my favorite restaurants in LA, I was stoked to finally try out the original location in the heart of Chicago. The menu changes pretty often, so it was nice to try some new plates such as the pig face and goat cheese charcuterie board, as well as indulge in the delicious green beans. The pig face was served over crunch stringed potatoes and paired very well with the fried egg mixed in. Tried and true, Girl and the Goat does not disappoint.

Cabra

Lastly, we visited Cabra, a rooftop restaurant and bar by the same chef as Girl and the Goat! The aesthetic of the place was stunning with tons of natural light and greenery. However, the portions were extremely small and, in my opinion, not worth the price. We got the salmon ceviche, crab, and goat empanadas. Overall, would recommend for drinks and a light bite, but I definitely left still hungry!

If you’re visiting Chicago anytime soon, I’d recommend you look at some reservations and JesssBookIt!