Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes

  • Phoenix

    Chicago

    This big, modern, gilt-dragon-bedecked restaurant is a Chinatown stalwart known for reliable dim sum that's served all day. Small plates of char siu bao …

  • 5 Loaves Eatery

    Chicago

    Order at the counter, and then head to one of the 12 tables at this friendly breakfast and lunch cafe. Lots of regulars from the surrounding community…

  • Patio at Cafe Brauer

    Chicago

    Take a break from zoo explorations at pretty Cafe Brauer. It's perfect for some ice cream, a Caesar salad, hamburger or glass of wine refresher while…

  • West Side Market Cafe

    Cleveland

    This is a smart stop if you’re craving well-made breakfast fare, like kielbasa-studded Hungarian hash or honey-buttered cornbread waffles. Lunch brings…

  • Nana

    Chicago

    This convivial little gem has received multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for great food offered at great value. It whips up yummy organic breakfasts …

  • Tempo Cafe

    Chicago

    Bright and cheery, this diner serves up most of its meals in a skillet. The omelet-centric menu includes all manner of fresh veggies and meat, as well as…

  • Syl's Cafe

    Upper Peninsula

    Breakfasts are Syl's glory. Folks chitchat over biscuits and gravy, pancakes and sausages, and heaping plates of eggs at the booths in this classic diner…

  • Brown Bear Bakery

    Cincinnati

    The bakers get wild with flavors and create cravings you didn’t know existed. Lemon and rosemary cookies? Matcha tea loaves? Orange zest cinnamon rolls?…

  • Willalby's Cafe

    Wisconsin

    Vegans and vegetarians will love this awesome diner on trendy Williamson St. In addition to the usual breakfast fare, this place serves vegan renditions…

  • Cafe Selmarie

    Chicago

    Selmarie has been serving the Lincoln Square neighborhood cakes, tortes, quiches, tomato bisque soup and turkey-and-Brie sandwiches for more than 35 years…

  • Portillo’s

    Chicago

    Hot-dog purists might bemoan the lack of true Chicago wieners available in the downtown area, but this outpost of the local Portillo’s chain – gussied up…

  • New Sandusky Fish Co

    Ohio

    This hole-in-the-wall spot on the bay is terrific for lake perch and walleye sandwiches with a side of French fries. The fish are caught daily and…

  • Bryant-Lake Bowl

    Minneapolis

    A workingman's bowling alley meets epicurean food at the BLB. 'Biscuits and gravy' breakfasts, spicy Gouda mac 'n' cheese, mock duck potstickers and…

  • Andie’s

    Chicago

    Friendly, reliable Andie’s has anchored Andersonville’s restaurant row from the get-go, and it still draws crowds for Mediterranean comfort food such as…

  • Lakely

    Wisconsin

    Part of the Oxbow hotel next door, the Lakely carries over the hotel's boutique, detail-focused approach with a menu of classic cocktails, craft brews and…

  • Barrio

    Cleveland

    The Tremont outpost of this small chain is always abuzz with young locals smitten with the build-your-own tacos concept. Fillings include everything from…

  • QC Coffee and Pancake House

    Illinois

    You will not leave this traditional Midwestern cafe hungry. Enormous portions of biscuits and gravy, omelets and hash browns, and chicken-fried steak thud…

  • Nelson Cheese Factory

    Wisconsin

    The name is a bit misleading: the refurbished building no longer produces cheese, but the shop carries a big stash of Wisconsin hunks, and the cozy wine…

  • Original Soul Vegetarian

    Chicago

    Finding soul food that meets the tenets of the vegan diet is such a rarity that the creative barbecue sandwiches and dinner plates at this comfy South…

  • Rosebud

    Chicago

    This location in Little Italy is the first branch of an empire of quality Italian restaurants that has spread throughout the city. It is popular with…

  • Sultan’s Market

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    Steps from the Blue Line, this Middle Eastern spot is a neighborhood favorite for meat-free delights such as falafel sandwiches, spinach pies and a…

  • Fox in the Snow Cafe

    Ohio

    Transcendent bacon and egg sandwiches, sublime doughnuts plumped with custard and flaky-crust tarts filled with tomatoes and herbed cheese win the day at…

  • Food Trucks

    Wisconsin

    Madison's fleet impresses. Trucks ladling out adventurous dishes – East African, Jamaican, Indonesian, vegan – huddle at the Library Mall (aka at the foot…

  • Udupi Palace

    Chicago

    This bustling all-vegetarian South Indian restaurant serves toasty, kite-sized dosas (crepes made with rice and lentil flour) stuffed with all manner of…

  • Flo & Santos

    Chicago

    This neighborhood pub is known for its tavern-style pizza (with wafer-thin crust and sweet sauce) and its Polish dishes (such as pierogi and potato…

  • Winds Cafe

    Ohio

    A hippie co-op 40-plus years ago, the Winds has grown up to become a sophisticated foodie favorite plating seasonal dishes such as fig-sauced asparagus…

  • Little Fleet

    Gold Coast

    Eight food trucks hub at the corner of Front and Wellington Sts, serving up barbecue, sushi, tacos and more, while the onsite bar pours craft beer and…

  • Dairy Store

    Ohio

    It's the less formal restaurant at Young's dairy farm, serving omelets, burgers and sandwiches. But those are just clumsy foreplay for the main event:…

  • Babycakes Muffin Company

    Upper Peninsula

    Settle in at a rustic wood table amid locals and nibble a blueberry cream puff or espresso fudge brownie. For breakfast, one of the signature, over-the…

  • Letizia’s Natural Bakery

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    Early risers can get their fix of fantastic baked goods here starting at 6am, and everyone else can swing by at a more reasonable hour for Letizia’s…

  • Union Hotel & Restaurant

    Wisconsin

    The Union Hotel & Restaurant dates from 1893, and simply walking into the main dining room takes you back in time at least a few decades. Dress up for…

  • Hinkle’s

    Indiana

    It's hard to beat a plate of mini burgers and a caramel milkshake while sitting at the counter on a twirly stool. Hinkle’s is an old-school diner in…

  • Hell's Kitchen

    Minneapolis

    Descend the stairs to Hell's devilish lair, where spirited waitstaff bring you uniquely Minnesotan foods, like the walleye taco, bison benedict, 'Juicy…

  • Nha Hang Vietnam

    Chicago

    Little Nha Hang may not look like much from the outside, but it offers a huge menu of authentic, well-made Vietnamese dishes. It's terrific for slurping…

  • Buzzard Billy's

    Wisconsin

    It's as if a little piece of New Orleans drifted up the Mississippi and beached itself in La Crosse's historic downtown. Cajun specialties, like blackened…

  • Eagle OTR

    Cincinnati

    A hipster magnet serving modern soul food amid reclaimed wood decor, the Eagle rustles up fantastic fried chicken (dipped in spicy honey), white cheddar…

  • Defloured

    Chicago

    Celiacs, rejoice! Defloured is an entirely gluten-free bakery that believes everyone should be able to indulge in ooey-gooey down-home sweet treats like…

  • Maricque's Bar

    Wisconsin

    This is widely considered to be the city's best venue for that Wisconsin classic: fried fish. Choose from perch, cod, pike, whitefish or catfish and a…

  • Green Dot Stables

    Detroit

    It's in an offbeat location between downtown, Corktown and Mexicantown, but that doesn't deter young urbanites from flocking in to munch on 20 types of…

  • Savory Swine

    Indiana

    A genuine butcher befitting of a much larger town than Columbus, the Savoury Swine offers an array of deli sandwiches in addition to gourmet provisions…

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