in ,

Magnificent Mile Restaurants You Need to Try

If you’re planning a visit to Chicago, many of the attractions on your itinerary are likely to lie within the Magnificent Mile. The area refers to a quarter-mile stretch of Michigan Avenue, the main artery of downtown.

chef plating dish at magnificent mile chicago restaurant

Its turbulent yet triumphant history has withstood the devastating Chicago fire and the subsequent stock market crash.

Chicago real estate developer Arthur Rubloff came up with the name Magnificent Mile in the late ’40s when Michigan Avenue underwent yet another positive transformation into the world-famous cultural jewel it is today.

The Magnificent Mile spans five key neighborhoods in its short quarter-mile expanse and houses some of Chicago’s most significant architectural and historical buildings like the Chicago Water Tower, the Tribune Tower, and the 100-story John Hancock building.

The restaurants in Magnificent Mile encompass a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences.

So whether you want a fine-dining steak house or an iconic Chicago-style pizza from the Windy City’s most prized pizzeria, you’ll find the best restaurants in Magnificent Mile on the following list.


The Purple Pig

444 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-464-1744
Visit Website

The Purple Pig is a Mediterranean Fusion, fine-dining tapas restaurant and wine bar from fourth-generation restauranteur and Chicago native Jimmy Bannos Jr., who has received the James Beard Award for Rising Star of the Year.

Located across the street from the famous Tribune Tower, The Purple Pig has received annual Michelin Bib Gourmand awards along with countless accolades from notable culinary publications like Bon Apetit and Food and Wine.

Chef Bannos Jr. has created an impeccable menu with pork-centric tapas dishes inspired by the flavors of Italy, Greece, and Spain.

If pork isn’t your favorite, the menu has plenty of cheese, seafood, and other meat dishes. I loved the Morcilla Sausage entrée with pork blood sausage, fried polenta, apple mostarda, and aged balsamic.


NoMI

800 Michigan Avenue Seventh Floor, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-239-4030
Visit Website

Led by Executive Chef Terence Zubieta, NoMI is a fine-dining French fusion restaurant and cocktail lounge inside the stunning Chicago Hyatt Hotel.

NoMI’s name originates from its location on North Michigan Avenue, and the restaurant offers two distinct dining experiences and menus.

One is a seafood-centric Asian and New American menu in the lively, stylish lounge, while the main dining room offers a modern French, multicourse menu.

NoMi offers incredible breakfasts, brunches, and high-end dinners, not to mention an all-day lounge and garden menu to enjoy at the bar or in NoMi’s picturesque dining terrace.

I started my extravagant French dinner with lobster beignets and subsequently delighted in the main course of duck breast with wilted chard, petite potato, foie gras, and blackberry duck jus. 


Labriola Chicago

535 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-955-3100
Visit Website

Labriola Chicago is famed baker and restauranteur Rich Labriola’s Italian restaurant, bakery, and pizzeria in a fun and lively 40s style Italian American dining room in Streeterville, with exposed wood-beamed ceilings, wood finishes, and red leather booths and chairs.

Rich Labriola’s expert knowledge of baking and dough-making combined with his Italian heritage makes for an authentic menu of scratch-made pizzas and bread.

Labriola’s Neapolitan pizza has won praise from the Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun-Times. They also serve thin-crust and Chicago-style deep dish pizza using Chef Labriola’s award-winning focaccia bread for the crust.

See also  Top 13 Navy Pier Restaurants You Need to Try

Still, I recommend their signature Neapolitan pies, my favorite being the Salsiccia with garlic cream, smoked buffalo mozzarella, caramelized onions, crumbled sausage, baby kale, and Calabrian chili.


Eataly

43 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-521-8700
Visit Website

Located inside the fashionable North Bridge Shops Center in River North, Eataly is a world-famous Italian eatery and market that originated in Torino, Italy, and expanded to over 35 locations around the world.

Owned by Torino-native Oscar Farinetti, Eataly strives to provide an authentic and educational Italian experience where customers can shop for authentic Italian goods, learn about Italian culinary culture, and eat authentic Italian dishes.

Eataly’s massive two-story market space has various stalls, counters, cafes, classrooms, and restaurants.

For an authentic Italian aperitivo or “happy hour,” I recommend heading to La Piazza on weekdays between 4 and 6 pm for cheap glasses of Italian wine and half-off charcuterie and cheese boards.


Aster Hall

900 N Michigan Ave Level 5, Chicago, IL 60611
Visit Website

Aster Hall is a massive food hall and market consisting of various floors. Each has different eateries, cafes, bars, and specialty grocers in beautifully designed modern spaces in Near North Side across from the iconic John Hancock Building.

From the owners of Chicago’s famed Au Cheval restaurant, Aster Hall offers a wealth of atmospheres and dining experiences to study, enjoy a happy hour with friends, or dine in style.

The food hall has various eateries, from vegan greens to chicken and waffles, to taco stands. There’s also a bar, lounge, and coffee house on a separate floor.

I went for Mexican-street food and tied the authentic tacos al pastor with a spit-roasted pork shoulder with grilled pineapple, salsa, cilantro, and lime on a hand-pressed corn tortilla.


RL Restaurant

115 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-475-1100
Visit Website

Overlooking the iconic Chicago Water Tower, RL Restaurant is Ralph Lauren’s fashionable New American bar and restaurant in a quaint and stylish vintage dining space.

The dining space features various rooms, including an intimate and romantic library with a wood-burning fireplace and overstuffed leather chairs. The RL restaurant is an excellent place for a date night, happy hour, and business lunches.

The menu offers creative and traditional steakhouse appetizers, entrees, salads, and seafood. I started with the Pigs in a Blanket, which are mini-wagyu beef hot dogs that have been baked in golden puff pastry with a beautiful spicy brown mustard. I recommend the pan-seared Dover sole with Meyer lemon butter sauce for the main dish.


Shanghai Terrace

108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-573-6744
Visit Website

Located inside the five-star The Peninsula Chicago Hotel, Shanghai Terrace is a high-end Chinese restaurant offering Cantonese cuisine in a vintage-chic space meant to evoke a ’30s supper club.

Its location, various stories high, offers stunning views of the downtown skyline. Head Chef Elmo Han has created a spectacular menu that has won Zagat’s vote for best Chinese restaurant in Chicago and the coveted AAA Four-Diamond Award.

The award-winning Cantonese menu offers the highest quality ingredients and a modern presentation of classic dishes like Dim Sum, dumplings, Kung Pao Chicken, and Peking Duck, to name a few.


Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

410 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-858-5600
Visit Website

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is Chicago’s most iconic and historic pizzeria. It originated in the early ’70s in Lincolnwood when founder Lou Malnati and his wife opened the first location using their 30 years of making deep-dish pies.

Over the past 50 years, Lou Malnati’s has become synonymous with Chicago-style pizza and has over 70 locations.

Lou Malnati’s Magnificent Mile location is in Streeterville in an old-school Italian American dining space. They make their dough from scratch and use the best ingredients for their scratch-made sausage and sauce.

See also  Bridgeport Restaurants You Should Check Out This

I recommend the deep dish sausage with Lou’s proprietary lean sausage topped with mozzarella cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce.


Gino’s East

162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-266-3337
Visit Website

Opened by taxi driver buddies Sam Levine, Fred Bartoli, and George Loverde at the flagship Streeterville location in 1966, Gino’s East is one of the legendary restaurants in Magnificent Mile.

The recipe for Gino’s East pizza was created by Alice Mae Redmond, a revolutionary Black female pizza chef and the talent behind Gino East’s world-famous dynasty.

Eating at the flagship location is a taste of Chicago history and a delicious one at that. Their deep-dish pan pizza is impeccable, with interesting specialty combos that combine Italian and classic American comfort food. For example, try their unique Burger and Fries pizza.

Yes – this pizza has a tangy combination of ground beef, onion, tomato, and dill pickle chips, topped with French fries and a thousand island dressing.


The Signature Room at the 95th

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-787-9596
Visit Website

Dining at The Signature Room at the 95th floor of Chicago’s most famous skyscraper, the former John Hancock Building- now, simply the 875 N Michigan building- is an experience that should be on everyone’s Chicago bucket list.

Its fabulous interior gives diners a panoramic view of downtown Chicago through floor-to-ceiling windows for one of the most memorable meals in your life.

The Signature Room is a fine-dining New American steakhouse with a cocktail lounge on the next floor up.

They have classic steakhouse raw bar options like the famous Seafood tower, which is an appropriate way to start a “mile-high” meal.


Michael Jordan’s Steak House Chicago

505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-321-8823
Visit Website

Owned by the most famous basketball player in history and a proud teammate of the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan’s Steak House Chicago is Mr. Jordan’s continued legacy of excellence off the court.

Located in Streeterville, in front of the Tribune Tower, Michael Jordan’s Steak House is a fine-dining American steakhouse and wine bar that opened in 1998 and continues to be a city-wide favorite nearly 25 years later.

The classic steakhouse menu uses only the best cuts of prime beef. I recommend going with a group so you can order the Legendary Steak Flight, featuring Wagyu NY strip, a 10 oz Filet mignon, 14 oz prime NY Strip, roasted garlic shrimp, and a butter-poached lobster tail. 


Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

521 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-595-1114
Visit Website

Located in the upscale shopping center of The Shops at North Bridge, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is a nationally renowned traditional fine-dining seafood restaurant and steakhouse in a luxurious and beautiful dining space.

You can enjoy live jazz music in the cocktail lounge from nationally acclaimed jazz musicians before retiring to the main dining room for an award-winning multicourse surf and turf meal.

Only the finest and freshest catches elaborate Eddie V’s wide selection of seafood dishes. I love their classic Maine Lobster bisque as a starter, and the Chilean Sea Bass steamed Hong Kong style with light soy broth was the flakiest, most delicate, and flavorful filet I’ve ever tasted.


Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar (Gold Coast)

100 E Walton St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-626-1300
Visit Website

Doc Bs Restaurant and Bar is a friendly, lively American bar and grill with medium-high prices and elevated American comfort food plates along with a selection of healthy alternatives.

See also  17 Best BBQ in Chicago

Doc Bs Gold Coast location is at the northernmost point of the Magnificent Mile, a block from Oak Street Beach.

They’re an excellent place for business lunches, happy hours, and festive dinners. They make a great burger, which comes in many forms, from a classic cheeseburger to a healthy “all green” burger.

I recommend The Wedge Burger with a sunny-side-up egg, lettuce, tomato, Danish blue cheese, candied bacon, and garlic dressing.


Grand Lux Cafe

600 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-276-2500
Visit Website

Located in Streeterville and only a quick walk to Chicago’s Navy Pier, Grand Lux Café is an upscale yet casual eatery specializing in globally inspired cuisine based on the owners’ European travels.

The founders of The Cheesecake Factory own the Grand Lux Café and opened the first location in Las Vegas to wide acclaim, becoming yet another national success story.

You’ll get American takes on international dishes from around the world served with friendly American hospitality and American-sized portions.

I started with the Asian-inspired Crispy Thai shrimp and chicken spring rolls, working my way west for the main course of Cajun-style shrimp and chicken jambalaya.


Coq d’Or

140 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-932-4623
Visit Website

A true Chicago tradition Coq d’Or is one of the oldest establishments in town, opening in 1933 in the Gold Coast’s Drake Hotel.

Coq d’Or was the second restaurant to obtain a liquor license when prohibition lifted and continues to be Chicago’s go-to for the best cocktails in town. You can sip pre-prohibition era cocktails while enjoying live music on the weekends.

Coq d’Or also has a diverse menu of elevated bar fare from sandwiches and burgers to fish and chips and Shepard’s Pie.

I recommend trying their famous Bookbinder Soup with red snapper and dry sherry. They also make an incredible Reuben sandwich with gruyere, in addition to sauerkraut and corned beef.


The Cheesecake Factory

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-337-1101
Visit Website

The Cheesecake Factory is a household name in the United States for fancy yet casual all-American food served in over-the-top heaping portions with an extensive cheesecake selection to boot.

The Cheesecake Factory is a whimsical and welcoming restaurant to enjoy a celebratory family meal or a get-together with friends. Its Magnificent Mile location is on the first floor of the famous 875 Michigan North Avenue Building.

Whether you want a salad, flatbread, pasta, or burgers, The Cheesecake Factory’s massive menu covers all the regional bases.

I recommend their Chicken and Biscuits since the sauteed chicken breasts in pan gravy with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and buttermilk biscuits is one of the ultimate comfort meals.


Volare Ristorante Italiano

201 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-410-9900
Visit Website

Owned by Chicago-famous restauranteur Benny Siddu in collaboration with executive Chef and Bologna-native Massimiliano Campagnini, Volare Ristorante Italiano is a high-end traditional Italian restaurant.

It’s been a Streeterville favorite for 25 years. Chef Campagnini uses his training and cultural background to inform a delicious menu of classic Italian favorites and innovative Italian dishes.

The multicourse menu at Volare features antipasti, soups, salads, handmade pasta, risotto, and entrees.

The homemade ricotta Gnocchi with creamy vodka sauce was as classic and comforting as traditional Italian pasta gets. I also recommend the classic Milanese-style veal chop as a hearty main dish.


The Magnificent Mile’s world-class selection of high-end restaurants and iconic Chicago institutions lives up to its name and world-famous appeal.

So whether you’re looking for steaks, Chinese food, or Chicago-style pizza, my list of restaurants in Magnificent Mile has the most luxurious and renowned restaurants, bistros, and food halls to enjoy it.

Chicago has an abundance of other incredible restaurants in the surrounding neighborhoods, so be sure also to check out this list of even more Chicago restaurants to try.

If we missed a restaurant on this list, be sure to let us know in the comments!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.