Must-Try Classic Tourist Restaurants in Chicago

🍕 Giordano’s Rushed for deep-dish pizza on day one — looks better than it tastes 😅. We got the classic and cheese combo. The classic has nice layered toppings, but the cheese-only one was mainly stretchy (good for photos) and not much else. Our Uber driver said Giordano’s tastes like frozen pizza and recommended Lou Malnati’s instead. 🥞 Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe Signature Berry Bliss Pancake — truly lives up to the hype! Loaded with fresh berries, pancakes are super fluffy. Pro tip: drown them in maple syrup! That feeling of stuffing your mouth with 5 syrup-soaked layers… you just have to try it 🥹. Omelets and Benedicts were just okay. Prices are high but portions are huge — one pancake can easily feed two. 🐷 The Purple Pig A Mediterranean spot on the Magnificent Mile — great vibe and flavor, but a bit pricey with small portions. Perfect for a date night! Turkey Leg Confit was unanimously loved — crispy skin, tender meat, lightly sweet and smoky, perfectly balanced with yogurt sauce. Squid Ink Chitarra was delicious but tiny — packed with seafood flavor and chewy noodles. 🇮🇹 Volare Very atmospheric Italian restaurant — great for a first date (maybe? 😄). Portions are way bigger than Purple Pig, healing our “still hungry but afraid to order more” trauma 😂. TARTUFO PIZZA is a must — rich truffle flavor with a crispy crust. I declare Italian-style pizza victorious in Chicago! 🥳 Linguini All'Aragosta (lobster pasta) was also great — garlic and seafood are a classic pair, with tomato sauce that enhances without overpowering. P.S. They have a very handsome waiter who looks like a charming Italian uncle. 👨🍝 🌭 Portillo’s Hot Dog A classic Chicago street hot dog spot. Before eating: It’s just a hot dog. After eating: Wow — smoky sausage, tangy pickles, tomato relish, onions, peppers, mustard, all in a soft yet chewy bun… the harmony of flavors is amazing! Portillo’s, you’ve revived my love for hot dogs! 🌭💖 ☕ Starbucks Reserve Roastery Took photos at the world’s largest Starbucks with views of the Magnificent Mile — watching the crowds go by. Honestly, I don’t remember how the coffee tasted, but judging from my smile, it must’ve been good 🥰. #ChicagoEats #DeepDishPizza #ChicagoFood #TouristFavorites #BrunchGoals #DateNightChicago