Grano Cafe y Pan
Family-owned panaderia baking pan dulce, conchas and bolillos in-house alongside specialty coffee
Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine
Fast-casual plant-based soul food near the South Shore lakefront, rooted in Southern and African flavors
New Archview Restaurant
Scratch-made diner classics at a McKinley Park breakfast institution serving since 1963
The Polo Inn
Char-grilled steaks and chops in a restored 1914 space that was once Chicago’s oldest ice cream parlor
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
Beloved Chinatown dumpling house (locals call it QXY) with dozens of handmade varieties
Chiu Quon Bakery
Chicago’s oldest Chinese bakery, turning out BBQ pork buns and egg tarts since the 1980s
Kristoffer’s Cafe & Bakery
Family-run Pilsen cafe famous for what many call the city’s best tres leches cake
Mario’s Italian Lemonade
Beloved Little Italy street stand slinging Italian ice since 1954
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe
Creative pancakes and mountainous breakfast plates draw daily lines of downtown locals
Bronzeville Hoagie & Panini
Black-owned 35th Street cafe serving fresh hoagies, paninis, and Italian beef in the historic Douglas district