Get your treasure maps ready! These 14 restaurants are hidden in plain sight in downtown Chicago.
They're hidden restaurants -- or, literally hidden gems. And they're all awesome.
You'll find them nestled in side alleys, down twisted staircases, or right smack in the middle of office buildings -- if you can find them at all. 😉
They're listed by neighborhood below. Enjoy!
RIVER NORTH
1. Beacon Tavern
If you know the exact address and map it on your phone, you’ll STILL have trouble finding this place. I got super lost on my first visit here and ended up having to call them (the horror!) from a block away to find my way.
Beacon Tavern‘s address is 405 N Wabash, but it’s not on Wabash at all — it’s actually located on the walking path behind the Wrigley Building (between Michigan and Wabash, as if you were walking from the Wrigley Building to Trump Tower).
WHAT TO GET: cheddar bay biscuits, shrimp toast, fish & chips, cocktails.
RESERVATIONS: Beacon Tavern Reservations
2. Billy Goat Tavern
A list of hidden spots has pretty much got to include the original Billy Goat Tavern — established in 1934 and located underneath Michigan Avenue. You walk down a flight of stairs from the elevated Michigan Avenue to get there. How much more hidden-in-plain-sight can you get?
Go for the burgers; try to avoid the tourists (even if you are one). 😛
WHAT TO GET: double cheezborger & beer
LINCOLN PARK
3. Naoki Sushi
Naoki is one of my top spots for sushi in Chicago, and one of the most hidden spots on this list. You can only get here by going THROUGH the kitchen of another restaurant, Intro. Check in with Intro’s hostess, who will then lead you through a live kitchen to this one-room sushi spot.
Fair warning: it’s a bit more expensive than most places on this list — especially if you order a bottle of sake, which you should — but the sushi is really incredible.
WHAT TO GET: any/all of the Naoki-style sushi plates (named after the chef – my personal favorite is the salmon); truffle chawanmushi; toro hand rolls; sake.
RESERVATIONS: Naoki Reservations
4. North Pond
North Pond is located right in the middle of Lincoln Park - not just the neighborhood, but the actual park itself.
You can only get there by walking in from the streets on either side.
It's located on a small lake, with a beautiful view of the skyline in front of it and a fresh, seasonal menu inside of it. Enjoy!
WHAT TO GET: seasonal tasting menu!
RESERVATIONS: North Pond Reservations
LAKEVIEW
5. Chilam Balam
This cash-only, BYO, tapas-style Mexican spot is located down a half-flight of stairs on Broadway in Lakeview. A big portion of their menu rotates monthly, so it’s a bit different each time you eat at Chilam Balam.
Bring friends so you can try more dishes, but not TOO many friends — it’s small, and they don’t take reservations.
WHAT TO GET: chunky guac, mahi mahi ceviche, corn masa memelas, seafood specials. BYO wine (for their sangria mix) or tequila (for their margarita mix). Bring cash!
LOOP
6. Heaven on Seven
A list of hidden restaurants MUST include Heaven on Seven. It’s tucked away on the 7th floor of an office building in the Loop, where it’s been for the last 37 years. It has no street presence at all, and you even have to check in with the building’s doorman at dinnertime (Th-Sun). It’s another cash-only spot.
They have a cajun menu that will transport you right to NOLA. There are 2500+ different bottles of hot sauce on the walls! Say hi to Chef Jimmy Bannos for me if you go — he’s one of my favorite people EVER.
WHAT TO GET: andouille sausage on sweet potato polenta; Nashville hot cheese curds; surf & turf po-boy; their GINORMOUS fried steak sandwich with giardiniera. Don’t forget to bring cash!
Pssst! You can find Heaven on Seven on two of my other guides: Chicago Brunch Checklist + Chicago Pie Guide.
7. Oasis Cafe
Oasis Cafe is hidden in the back half of a jewelry store on Jewelers’ Row. You can’t see it from the front, but there is usually an A-board on the street.
It’s a great 1-stop shop if you’re looking to get some falafel and a diamond ring from the same spot on your lunch break (and if that’s how you roll, I will most certainly join you for lunch). 😉
WHAT TO GET: anything with falafel – it’s the BEST. I love their combo plates.
8. Whimsical Candy
This candy shop is hidden in the basement off of Franklin Ave, but you can smell the chocolate the second you walk in the building’s main entrance.
Enter on first floor and quite literally follow your nose as you wind your way downstairs to the small shop — where they make many of their delectable treats in-house. Whimsical Candy is a great mid-afternoon escape from the office for those of you who work in the Loop.
WHAT TO GET: their house-made La-Dee-Dahs (the caramel swirl things in the pic); seasonal barks.
8b. Tabo Sushi
This is a good one – so good that I’m updating this guide to add it.
Chef Takashi, the James Beard award-winning chef formerly of Slurping Turtle, has his own sushi counter hidden in a food hall in the Loop. It’s called Tabo Sushi, and it’s inside the Wells Street Market.
What an awesome food hall find!
If you dine in, you can get a bunch of different prix fixe options. There are also a TON of to-go options that are prepared each day.
WHAT TO GET: the “I Love You” prix fixe – which comes with cold and hot appetizers, miso soup, a lot of different nigiri options, and a roll.
WEST LOOP
9. High Five Ramen
On a list of hidden restaurants, this is about as hidden as you get. I’m obsessed with this dark, underground restaurant because it feels SO much like the tiny ramen shops in Japan — AND they have sake juice boxes. Win-win.
High Five Ramen is located within and below Green Street Smoked Meats, and I’ve always waited 1-2 hours to eat here — which is not really a big deal since you can go have a drink upstairs at Green Street and wait for them to text you. For tips on what to do while you wait, take a look at my Chicago Wait List Hacks (it’s #4 on the list)!
Fair warning: DON’T order the spiciest ramen option. There are signs all over the menu telling you NOT to get it, and you should listen. 😅
WHAT TO GET: signature ramen bowl with half-spice; if you like mushrooms A LOT, like I do, get the Maitake Ramen; sake juice boxes.
Pssst! High Five Ramen is also on: Chicago Wait List Hacks.
10. Chicken Shop
Right across the street is Chicken Shop, located on the second floor of Soho House and open to the public. Enter through the main entrance and take the stairway to your far right to get up there.
It’s a great spot for lunch or dinner.
WHAT TO GET: fried chicken sandwich, avocado salad, and a boozy milkshake.
WICKER PARK
11. a tavola
a tavola is hidden in Wicker Park and nestled on one floor of a residential two-flat. You could literally walk right by it — and may have even done so in the past.
It’s a tiny, cozy Italian spot with a great vibe — and they’ve got a great patio for summertime, too.
WHAT TO GET: gnocchi with brown sage butter and parmesan; wine.
RESERVATIONS: a tavola reservations
12. Taqueria in Carcinerias Guanajuato
A list of hidden restaurants has GOT to include a taqueria in the back of a Mexican grocery store. This no-frills spot has some of the most delicious, authentic Mexican food in Chicago.
If you go at lunch or on Saturday or Sunday, there can be a bit of a line. Note that this is another spot that prefers cash. YUM. 🌮🌮🌮
WHAT TO GET: carne asada tacos or tortas.
NOBLE SQUARE
13. Ada Street
The super delicious Ada Street is located in a bit of no-man’s land — visible from the outside only by its minimally marked black door amidst a street of warehouses. You will certainly think you’re on the wrong street when you’re on your way there.
The food and wine are great, and they have a nice back patio as well.
WHAT TO GET: ceviche; Italian burrata; cocktails; wine.
RESERVATIONS: Ada Street Reservations
Pssst! Ada Street is also on my list of the Best Holiday Cocktails in Chicago, 2017.
14. Stock Cafe
Stock Cafe is the perfect spot to end this list of local gems. It’s a farm-to-table, locally sourced cafe located behind the butcher counter within Local Foods.
Aligned with the mission of Local Foods, everything they serve is from local and midwest vendors.
WHAT TO GET: charcuterie; daily sandwich specials.
I hope you enjoyed this list. If you did, please help me out by sharing and pinning it using the buttons below.
And please do let me know in the comments if you can think of any spots I missed. I'd love to check them out and include them in a future article!
Erin, awesome list!! I’ve been to 8 so far and now i need to go to the rest. Thank you!
Naoki Sushi and Chilam Balam are both on my list! I live so close to both places and I can’t believe I’ve never been! Great list and I just pinned! 🙂
Author
We must be neighbors – I live close to both spots as well. You’ll love them! Have you been to the Gundis yet? It’s on my new brunch guide and is one of my new favorites in our ‘hood.
We must be! I have not been to Gundis yet but now I want to go! I just read your brunch post (love!). In our hood, we are regulars at Mortar and Pestle, so much so that they know as by name. I’m obsessed with the biscuits and jelly.
Author
Yes, we are obsessed with Mortar & Pestle as well! I think we have the same taste. You will love the Gundis!!!