As a Chicago local who’s watched The Bear Season 4 with equal parts pride and hunger, I can confirm one thing: the show doesn’t just capture the chaos of the kitchen, it shows the passion this city has for its food. This season, Carmy and crew step out of the fictional world and into real-life spots that locals (like I) genuinely love, from the beloved diner Dove’s Luncheonette to the beautiful tasting menus of Elske to the 1920's nostalgia of Margie’s Candies.
Processed with VSCO with f2 presetEven though I’m beyond lucky to call this incredible city home, I will forever be in awe of how special Chicago is culinarily. And when asked to mirror 12 restaurants I love with ones on the show, it became a mission to showcase spots that give you just a small taste of what makes my home truly one of the best eating cities in the world.
Related: What It's Like to Eat at the Real-Life Restaurant Featured in The Bear
1. Elske
Tucked into the West Loop, this Michelin-starred spot serves artful dishes that pay homage to its Nordic roots, like Scandanavian cheeses, the confit cod with peas and watercress, as well as a signature sunflower seed parfait for dessert. In The Bear Season 3, Carmy and Sydney visit Elske as a nod to the city’s elegant, quietly confident tasting menus, which are equal parts refined and sophistic as they friendly and warm.
2. Avec
A West Loop icon and multiple-time James Beard nominee, Avec is as beloved today as when it opened in 2003. It's a place where you sit communally and pass mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes around, like grilled butcher steak cooked a perfect medium rare, silky smooth hummus, lamb roti (for 4) and free-flowing Spanish wines. In The Bear Season 1, the crew references Avec as a go-to spot for relaxed, communal dining that feels authentically Chicago, a perfect contrast to the high-pressure kitchen scenes.
3. Oriole
Two Michelin stars and countless national “best restaurant” lists make Oriole a bucket-list spot. Dishes like A5 wagyu with matsutake mushrooms and caramelized milk bread are often featured, by Chef Noah Sandaval, like many of his caliber, is always changing it up. Despite the prestige, the vibe intimate and welcoming. My first visit to Oriole was after a grueling 2.5 hour commute from the suburbs, and I'd do it all again a million times for any of Chef Noah's culinary masterpieces.
Consistently ranked among Chicago’s best Italian beef spots by outlets like the Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago, Johnnie’s keeps it old-school: dipped, messy, and crowned with spicy giardiniera. My husband, a born and bred Chicagoland native, swears this is the only place you can bring out of towners when they visit. It’s also why The Bear tips its hat here, no pretense, just slow-cooked beef seasoned right, served on a soggy roll. My husband only has his paired with a cup of lemon Italian ice — a classic move that’s as Chicago as it gets.
Related: What Is the Real Meaning Behind the Feast of the Seven Fishes in ‘The Bear’?
5. Dove’s Luncheonette
Brought to you by the One Off Hospitality team (behind Avec and Big Star), Dove’s combines Southern comfort and Mexican soul. It appears in The Bear Season 3, Episode 6 (“Napkins”), where Sydney sits alone at Dove’s Luncheonette, reflecting on her journey and finding quiet inspiration away from the chaos of the kitchen. I've had similar moments there, especially eating the smoky brisket enchiladas and the rich tres leches cake paired with a mezcal cocktail. As a long-lover of 50's diners, I couldn't love the ambiance more, and with lines out the door for brunch every weekend, I know I'm far from the only one who loves it.
6. Monteverde
Housemade pastas take center stage at Monteverde, from hand-rolled cacio e pepe to richly layered ragù alla napoletana. I had a first date here in 2017, and although that relationship fizzled, my love for this place certainly did not. Chef Sarah Grueneberg, a Top Chef Season 9 alum, really focuses on her Italian roots and her incredible skill at pasta rolling, and it's no surprise this West Loop fave is celebrating 10 years in 2025.
7. Lula Cafe
A pioneer of Chicago’s farm-to-table movement, Lula Cafe has been nominated for multiple James Beard awards. I only recently visited Lula's, and I still can't believe it took me 7 years to get here. The pasta yiayia with brown butter and cinnamon was as delicious as it was inventive, and my husband still talks about the baked French feta. Weekend brunch is practically a local holiday, just be prepared to wait. (And for the love of all things holy, do not forget to order a few pastries to go, like the rhubarb cornbread scone).
8. Giant
Small in size, big in acclaim: Giant has earned spots on Bon Appétit’s “Hot 10” and national “best new restaurants” lists. This will always be one of my favorite Chicago restaurants for the food, think crab tagliatelle dripping with butter, fried uni shooters, and spicy eggplant parm, but also for the memory. This was the first real date my husband took me on 2 weeks after giving birth to our daughter, and it was one of my favorite dining memories. Despite sleep deprivation and massive anxiety, we enjoyed every second of Chef Jason Vincent’s playful menu.
A Chicago institution since 1921, Margie’s Candies is a beloved ice cream parlor known for its old-school charm and decadent sundaes. It makes a memorable appearance in The Bear Season 2, Episode 7 (“Forks”), when Richie and his daughter stop in for a nostalgic break from the pressure of the restaurant world. Even though my job as a writer and copy strategist is far from the chaos of a kitchen, the nostalgia feels the same, and I even brought my parents here once and we shared a classic hot fudge sundae. With its retro booths and shelves lined with house-made candies, Margie’s (to me) is the true sweet heart of Chicago’s dessert scene.
Related: Sorry, Deep Dish, This is the Chicago Pizza Real Chicagoans Love
10. Boka
Michelin-starred for over a decade, Boka is a Lincoln Park instituion. Chef Lee Wolen’s precise yet approachable dishes, such as ricotta agnolotti and dry-aged duck—which has become a favorite of mine—showcase why Boka remains one of Chicago’s most beloved restaurants. Critics also acclaim this inspired restaurant, and other favorites on the menu include roasted veal sweetbreads and dry-aged beef tartare. The dining room looks like something out of your very rich, very eclectic great uncle's home, with velvet banquettes, moody artwork, and lush greenery throughout.
11. Aba
Part of the nationally acclaimed Lettuce Entertain You group, Aba pairs Mediterranean small plates with a lush rooftop garden that made the Chicago Tribune’s “best rooftops” list. Inside, patterned tile floors, larger-than-life plants, bulbous chandeliers, and soft leather banquettes give a vibe fit for an Italian Riveria villa. Outside, twinkling string lights and olive trees frame one of my favorite skyline views of the city. I can't visit without ordering the whipped feta, drizzled with honey, and the skirt steak shawarma.
12. Itoko
Led by chef Gene Kato (of Momotaro fame), this newcomer quickly made Chicago magazine’s list of “best new restaurants.” On a date night out in the city, my husband and I devoured basically the entire menu, with the miso black cod, roasted shishito peppers, and melt-in-your-mouth otoro as our standout favorites. If I had to label it, I'd say the aesthetic is warm wood, glowing lanterns, and modern Japanese elegance, tucked away in the heart of Lakeview.
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