Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Reminder:The Foursquare City Guide app officially sunset on December 15, 2024, with the web version following in early 2025. However, your check-in journey doesn’t end here! Join us on Swarm, where new adventures await.
Learn more
15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago
Sticky Rice is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

1. Sticky Rice

8.3
4018 N Western Ave (at W Irving Park Rd), Chicago, IL
Thai Restaurant · Horner Park · 52 tips and reviews

Adisak P.Adisak Pochanayon: The pineapple fried rice served in a pineapple and the coconut curry serve in the coconut as both great for taste and presentation.

2. 90 Miles Cuban Cafe

9.0
2540 W Armitage Ave (at Stave St), Chicago, IL
Cuban Restaurant · Logan Square · 173 tips and reviews
Dove's Luncheonette is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

3. Dove's Luncheonette

9.2
1545 N Damen Ave (btwn Milwaukee Ave & Wicker Park Ave), Chicago, IL
Diner · Wicker Park · 95 tips and reviews

Daniel F.Daniel Fry: Had the breakfast special: homemade sausage, 2 fried eggs, pickled spicy peppers and grits. Pro-tip: there's a Sichuan chili oil in the hot sauce rack!

Le Colonial is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

4. Le Colonial

9.0
57 E Oak St, Chicago, IL
Vietnamese Restaurant · Streeterville · 86 tips and reviews

Daniel H.Daniel H: Get the appetizer beignets.

Nuevo Leon Restaurant is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

5. Nuevo Leon Restaurant

1515 W 18th St, Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Pilsen · 106 tips and reviews

Chad C.Chad Curry: The chilaquiles were outstanding. Simple tacos that don't rely on toppings to produce great flavor.

Chi Cafe is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

6. Chi Cafe

8.2
2160 S Archer Ave (btwn Wentworth Ave & Princeton Ave), Chicago, IL
Chinese Restaurant · Armour Square · 72 tips and reviews

Bob B.Bob Brown: One of the best Chinese places in the city.

Three Dots and a Dash is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

7. Three Dots and a Dash

8.8
435 N Clark St (btwn Illinois & Hubbard St), Chicago, IL
Tiki Bar · Near North Side · 223 tips and reviews

Kenney M.Kenney Marlatt: Start off with a Three Dots and a Dash or a Saturn. End with a banana daiquiri or Paul's riff on the Painkiller, made with Appleton 12-year aged Jamaican rum.

Lady Gregory's is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

8. Lady Gregory's

8.7
5254 N Clark St (at W Berwyn Ave), Chicago, IL
Irish Pub · Andersonville · 152 tips and reviews

Sean D.Sean Doe-Simkins: This place has an entire almanac of whiskeys. Super fun to do a flight!

Xoco is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

9. Xoco

8.8
449 N Clark St (at W Illinois St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Near North Side · 358 tips and reviews

Serious EatsSerious Eats: Nowhere else can you get a torta as expertly constructed or a cup of hot chocolate made from cocoa beans roasted in house.

Balena is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

10. Balena

1633 N Halsted St (btwn Willow St & North Ave), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Lincoln Park · 66 tips and reviews

TeresaTeresa: Absolutely delicious and the ambience is great. Skip the pizza and choose pasta (squid ink) and meaty mains (chicken breast was recently added back to the menu!) The tiramisu is to die for!!

Little Goat Diner is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

11. Little Goat Diner

820 W Randolph St (at Green St), Chicago, IL
Diner · Fulton Market · 472 tips and reviews

sajid r.sajid reshamwala: Hey Indians! The sloppy joe here tastes like keema pow! Hey Americans! That means its good!

Hannah's Bretzel is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

12. Hannah's Bretzel

8.6
400 N La Salle Dr (at W Kinzie St), Chicago, IL
Sandwich Spot · River North · 43 tips and reviews

GwynneGwynne: The club is amazing!! Super fresh ingredients and pretzel buns make for delicious sandwiches.

Saucy Porka is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

13. Saucy Porka

8.4
400 S Financial Pl (Van Buren), Chicago, IL
Asian Restaurant · The Loop · 49 tips and reviews

Casey W.Casey Winters: Everything I've tried so far is great. Love the Asian Paella and the donuts especially.

Gilt Bar is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

14. Gilt Bar

9.2
230 W Kinzie St (at N. Franklin St.), Chicago, IL
Lounge · River North · 189 tips and reviews

Robert M.Robert Mc: Black Keys? Johnny Cash? Radiohead? Jimi Hendrix? Best restaurant music in the city.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is one of 15 Best Authentic Places in Chicago.

15. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

8.6
210 E Ohio St (at N St Clair St), Chicago, IL
Japanese Restaurant · Streeterville · 134 tips and reviews

Viral P.Viral PR: Interactive (cook-you-own) Japanese BBQ. The higher floors (yes, it's more than the first level) offer fun seating arrangements.