Le Meridien Essex Chicago Visitor‑Favorite Dining & Cocktail Recommendations
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
Cuisine: Contemporary American / Gastrobrewery · Cost: $$$
2515 S Wabash Ave (~15 min walk) · 312‑600‑5111
Hours Wed–Sat 4:30 pm–10 pm · Closed Sun–Tue
Website moodytongue.com · Reservations OpenTable
Why go: the world’s only Michelin‑starred brewery pairs chef‑driven dishes with beer in a mid‑century‑meets‑industrial setting. (moodytongue.com)
Wagyu House by The X Pot
Cuisine: Japanese / Hot Pot / Yakiniku · Cost: $$$$
1147 S Delano Ct E (~10 min walk)
Hours Mon & Thu 12 pm–3:30 pm, 5 pm–9:30 pm; Tue–Wed 5 pm–9:30 pm; Fri–Sat 12 pm–11 pm; Sun 12 pm–10 pm
Website wagyuhouse.group · Reservations SevenRooms link on site
Immersive A5‑wagyu hot‑pot/Yakiniku with projection art and sleek lounge vibe. (wagyuhouse.group)
Apolonia
Cuisine: Mediterranean / Contemporary European · Cost: $$$
2201 S Michigan Ave (~12 min walk) · 312‑363‑2431
Hours Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm & 5 pm–10 pm; Sat–Sun 10 am–3 pm & 5 pm–10 pm
Website apoloniachicago.com · Reservations OpenTable
Chef‑driven Mediterranean plates in a light‑filled, gallery‑modern room.
Kindling — Downtown Cookout & Cocktails
Cuisine: American / Wood-Fired Grill · Cost: $$$
202 S Franklin St (Willis Tower) (~18 min walk) · 312‑789‑5992
Hours Mon–Thu 11 am–9 pm; Fri 11 am–10 pm; Sat 4 pm–10 pm; Sun Closed
Website kindlingchicago.com · Reservations OpenTable
Live‑fire kitchen by James‑Beard‑winner Jonathon Sawyer; wood‑fired plates and soaring two‑story dining room. (kindlingchicago.com)
Southern Chicago
Cuisine: Southern / Soul Food · Cost: $$
1840 S Michigan Ave (~10 min walk) · 312‑265‑0533
Hours Tue–Thu 4 pm–10 pm; Fri 4 pm–11 pm; Sat 11 am–11 pm; Sun 11 am–6 pm; Closed Mon
Website southernchicago.com · Reservations OpenTable
Sleek, modern Southern fare with warm service and a polished, inviting atmosphere. (southernchicago.com)
Roots Handmade Pizza – South Loop
Cuisine: American / Pizza (Quad Cities Style) · Cost: $$
744 S Dearborn St (~6 min walk) · 773‑645‑4909
Hours Wed–Thu 11 am–10 pm; Fri–Sat 11 am–11 pm; Sun 11 am–10 pm; Mon–Tue Closed
Website rootspizza.com · Reservations “Find a Table” link on site
Quad‑Cities malt‑crust pizza, 100‑plus Midwestern beers, rooftop patio with mural art. (rootspizza.com)
Siam Thai Eatery
Cuisine: Thai · Cost: $
1220 S Michigan Ave (~5 min walk) · 312‑431‑8230
Hours Mon–Fri 11 am–9:30 pm; Sat–Sun 12 pm–9:30 pm
Website siamthaieatery.com · Reservations Not required
Flavor-packed casual Thai with bold spice, colorful plating, and a cozy interior. (siamthaieatery.com)
Café Bionda
Cuisine: Italian-American · Cost: $$$
1924 S State St (~11 min walk) · 312‑313‑6485
Hours Mon–Thu 4 pm–11 pm; Fri–Sat 4 pm–12 am; Sun 4 pm–11 pm
Website cafebiondasouthloop.com · Reservations Resy link on site
Romantic trattoria with brick‑arched bar and vintage murals; handmade pasta & steaks. (cafebiondasouthloop.com)
Flo & Santos
Cuisine: Polish-Italian / Pizza · Cost: $$
1310 S Wabash Ave (~9 min walk) · 312‑566‑9817
Hours Tue–Thu 4 pm–10 pm; Fri 4 pm–11 pm; Sat 11:30 am–11 pm; Sun 11:30 am–9 pm; Closed Mon
Website floandsantos.com · Reservations Not required
Polish-Italian mash-up with pizza, pierogi, and a laid-back, eclectic vibe. (floandsantos.com)
Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
Cuisine: Jewish-American / Deli · Cost: $
1141 S Jefferson St (~12 min walk) · 312‑939‑2855
Hours Sun–Mon 8 am–3:30 pm; Tue–Sat 8 am–7:30 pm
Website mannysdeli.com · Order‑Ahead link on site
Chicago’s 80‑year Jewish‑deli icon—towering corned‑beef, matzo‑ball soup, cafeteria nostalgia. (mannysdeli.com)
Lula Café
Cuisine: New American / Farm-to-Table · Cost: $$$
2537 N Kedzie Blvd (~20 min drive) · 773‑489‑9554
Hours Mon 9 am–2:30 pm; Wed–Fri 9 am–2:30 pm, 5:30 pm–10 pm; Sat–Sun 9 am–3 pm, 5:30 pm–10 pm; Closed Tue
Website lulacafe.com · Reservations Resy
Creative, market-driven New American cuisine in a cozy, art-filled Logan Square gem. (lulacafe.com)
Wildberry Pancakes & Café
Cuisine: American / Brunch & Breakfast · Cost: $$
130 E Randolph St (~20 min walk / 6‑min ride) · 312‑938‑9777
Hours Daily 7 am–2 pm
Website wildberrycafe.com · Waitlist “Get In Line” online
Beloved tourist‑fave brunch: signature berry bliss pancakes in bright, contemporary digs. (wildberrycafe.com)
Taureaux Tavern
Cuisine: French-American Brasserie · Cost: $$$
155 W Van Buren St (~18 min walk) · 312‑624‑8778
Hours Mon–Fri 11 am–9 pm; Sat 4 pm–10 pm; Closed Sun
Website taureauxtavern.com · Reservations OpenTable
Modern French-American brasserie with timeless elegance and an energetic Financial District setting. (taureauxtavern.com)
Bars & Cocktail Experiences
Storyville Chicago
Cuisine: Cajun-Creole / Southern-Inspired · Cost: $$
712 N Clark St (~8‑min ride) · 872‑279‑3331
Hours Mon–Wed 4 pm–12 am; Thu–Fri 4 pm–2 am; Sat 11 am–3 am; Sun 11 am–12 am
Website storyvillechicago.com · Reservations OpenTable
NOLA‑inspired supper‑club with burlesque vibes, Cajun bites, & speakeasy basement. (storyvillechicago.com)
The Aviary
Cuisine: Cocktail Experience / Molecular Mixology · Cost: $$$$
955 W Fulton Market (~10‑min ride) · 312‑226‑0868
Hours Sun–Thu 5 pm–11 pm; Fri 5 pm–1 am; Sat 4:30 pm–1 am
Website theaviary.com · Reservations TockGrant Achatz’s avant‑cocktail “bar as theatre”: molecular mixology served like modern art. (theaviary.com)