Dinner spots near Navy Pier in Chicago?
I'm in Chicago for business for 3 days next week. I'll be stuck at Navy Pier all day, does anyone have some recommendations for good breakfast and dinner places near Navy Pier? i know some neighborhoods in Chicago, but that isn't one of them.
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4 Comments:
Here's the problem. Navy Pier is long. If you're walking from the east-most end, it's about 3/4 of a mile to Lake Shore Drive (and all of the non-Navy Pier restaurants in the neighborhood are on the other side of the drive). That said, you can take a free trolley that runs (not sure of the schedule or if it even operates on weekdays) to touristy points in the Loop and Near North Side.
Restaurants on Navy Pier? Nothing worth writing home about. I had a lousy Mother's Day brunch at Riva. There are a couple "pubs" and, last time I checked, a Bubba Gump Shrimp place. That gives you an idea of the caliber of restaurant on Navy Pier (and the typical NP audience).
The best/closest place outside of NP? Fox & Obel grocery store. It's upscale and has a great little cafe attached to it.
You might want to check the suggestions in these threads for restaurants within trolley distance.
http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2008/07/where-to-eat-near-michigan-ave.html
http://www.seriouseats.com/eating_out/2008/07/eats-for-chicago-iphone-linewaiters.html
http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2008/03/chicago-there-for-3-days-where-do-i-eat.html
http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2008/03/eating-out-in-chicago.html
Where's your hotel? That might help me suggest some places that are located between your hotel and NP.
chgoeditor at 11:35PM on 08/13/08
thanks for those links, they were most helpful. and that Fox and Obel place looks good to stock up the hotel mini-fridge for breakfast nibbles.
i'm not so much interested in eating at Navy Pier, as i am interested in something that's within bus/train/taxi distance of the Pier. i think the hotel is about 10 west of the Pier.
redhead at 7:38PM on 08/14/08
Fox & Obel can be great for snacky things, depending on your budget, but if you're about 10 blocks west, there are also a few grocery stores that might be closer to you and cheaper. Ask your hotel concierge to point you toward Trader Joe's or Dominick's.
The other posts that I like to all address dining near Michigan Ave., and it sounds like that's the neighborhood where your hotel is located, so I won't bother to repeat the suggestions posted there.
Michigan Ave. is a pretty major thoroughfare and neighborhood. You'll find buses are plentiful and there is almost sure to be an L stop within a couple blocks of your hotel. If you're feeling more adventurous about taking the L or bus, you'll be able to find all sorts of restaurants to try! If you have any particular cuisines that you'd like to seek out, I'd be happy to make more specific recommendations.
chgoeditor at 9:52AM on 08/15/08
My favorite place nearby is Bandera. It's on Michigan Ave just about a block or two north of the River. It's on the second floor, above Andriana Furs, on the east side of the street. Great rotisserie chicken, burgers, etc., with a sophisticated twist. Even the kids' grilled cheese is on special thinly sliced bread-- very cute. They have nightly jazz and seats by the window overlooking Michigan Avenue. Prices are extremely reasonable for such a great location. After dinner cross the street and head north a block to Grand Luxe Cafe for a dessert to blow your mind.
orangemiles at 11:56AM on 08/18/08