The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Chicago | South Side

1. • Virtue 88

   • Thoughtful Southern Restaurant
   
   

   1. 2022 James Beard Awards
      Best Chef: Great Lakes, Erick Williams | Winner

   2. 2023 James Beard Awards
      Emerging Chef, Damarr Brown | Winner

   3. Time Out
      The 25 best restaurants in Chicago | #12

   
   

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   • 1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

2. • Nine Bar 82

   • Fantastic Asian-Inspired Cocktail Bar
   
   

   1. Esquire
      The Best Bars in America 2024

   2. The Banchets
      2025 Bar of the Year | Nominee

   3. The Infatuation
      The Best Cocktail Bars In Chicago

   
   

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   • 216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

3. • The Duck Inn 75

   • Cozy Neighborhood Gastro-Tavern
   
   

   1. Michelin Guide
      Bib Gourmand

   2. The Banchets
      2025 Chef of the Year, Kevin Hickey | Nominee

   3. Eater Chicago
      The 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago

   
   

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   • 2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

4. • Birrieria Zaragoza 70

   • Tiny Mexican Taco Shop
   
   

   1. Michelin Guide
      Bib Gourmand

   2. Time Out
      The 25 best restaurants in Chicago | #2

   3. The Infatuation
      The 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago | #18

   
   

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   • 4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

5. • Plein Air Cafe & Eatery 61

   • European-Style Cafe/Coffee Shop
   
   

   1. Eater Chicago
      Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops

   2. Time Out
      The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

   3. The Infatuation
      The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

   
   

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   • 5751 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

6. • Afro Joe’s 61

   • Great Neighborhood Coffee Shop/Cafe
   
   

   1. Eater Chicago
      Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops

   2. Time Out
      The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

   3. The Infatuation
      The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

   
   

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   • 1818 W 99th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

7. • Sanders BBQ Supply Co. 45

   • Flavorful Smokehouse
   
   

   1. The New York Times
      The Restaurant List 2025

   2. Eater Chicago
      The 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago

   
   

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   • 1742 W 99th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

8. • Apolonia 45

   • Dynamic Contemporary Mediterranean Restaurant
   
   

   1. The Banchets
      2025 Sommelier of the Year, Jelena Prodan | Winner

   2. The Banchets
      2025 Chef of the Year, Stephen Gillanders | Nominee

   
   

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   • 2201 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

9. • Oliver’s 43

   • 1930's LA-Inspired Neighborhood Restaurant
   
   

   1. Michelin Guide
      Selected Restaurants

   2. The Banchets
      2025 Best New Restaurant | Nominee

   
   

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   • 1639 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
   • Website
   • Instagram

10. • Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern 43

    • Casual New Orleans-Inspired Po'Boy Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago | #19

    2. The Banchets
       2025 Best Neighborhood Restaurant | Nominee

    
    

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    • 5215 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

11. • Vito & Nick's 43

    • Old-School Tavern-Style Pizza Shop
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 25 best restaurants in Chicago | #9

    2. Eater Chicago
       Chicago’s Best Pizza

    
    

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    • 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

12. • Kusanya Cafe 41

    • Creative Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops

    2. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 825 W 69th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

13. • Calumet Fisheries 41

    • Tasty Seafood Takeout
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 25 best restaurants in Chicago | #8

    2. Eater Chicago
       The 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago

    
    

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    • 3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

14. • Overflow Coffee 41

    • Unique Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops

    2. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 1449 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

15. • Bridgeport Coffee 40

    • Photogenic Neighborhood Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

    2. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 3101 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

16. • Build Coffee 40

    • Eclectic Coffee Shop/Bookstore
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

    2. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 6100 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

17. • Justice of the Pies 30

    • Amazing Pie Shop
    
    

    1. 2022 James Beard Awards
       Outstanding Baker, Maya-Camille Broussard | Nominee

    
    

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    • 8655 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

18. • Dat Donut 28

    • Classic Donut Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       11 Of The Best Donuts In America

    
    

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    • 8251 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

19. • Moody Tongue 26

    • Intimate Tasting
    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       1 Star

    
    

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    • 2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

20. • Birrieria Ocotlan 25

    • Delicious Mexican Birrieria
    
    

    1. The New York Times
       The 26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024 | Birria

    
    

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    • 8726 S Commercial Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

21. • Shawn Michelle's Homemade Ice Cream 25

    • Creative Ice Cream Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Ice Cream Power Rankings | #1

    
    

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    • 46 E 47th St Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

22. • Yao Yao 25

    • Quality Chinese Pickled Fish Restaurant
    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Bib Gourmand

    
    

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    • 230 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

23. • Xocome Antojeria 23

    • Handmade Mexican Kitchen
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago | #5

    
    

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    • 5200 S Archer Ave, Unit 8, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Instagram

24. • Kilwins 21

    • Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Ice Cream Power Rankings | #15

    
    

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    • 5226 S. Harper Street, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

25. • The Original Rainbow Cone 21

    • Nostalgic Ice Cream Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Ice Cream Power Rankings | #18

    
    

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    • 9233 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

26. • Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings 21

    • Delicious Chinese Dumpling Shop
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 25 best restaurants in Chicago | #24

    
    

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    • 2002 S Wentworth Ave #103, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

27. • Sugar Shack 21

    • Nostalgic Ice Cream/Funnel Cake Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Ice Cream Power Rankings | #17

    
    

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    • 630 W 26th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

28. • Bad Owl Coffee 21

    • Charming Coffee Shop/Cafe
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops

    
    

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    • 3315 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

29. • JM Seafood 21

    • Casual Chinese Seafood Restaurant
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago | #17

    
    

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    • 3312 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL | South Side

30. • Ocean Grill & Bar 21

    • Relaxing Vietnamese Restaurant
    
    

    1. The Banchets
       2025 Best Heritage Restaurant | Nominee

    
    

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    • 1826 S Canal St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

31. • Sip & Savor 21

    • Warm Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops

    
    

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    • 78 E 47th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

32. • Cafe 53 20

    • Laid-Back Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 1369 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

33. • Sweet Bean 20

    • Layed-Back Taiwanese Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 1152 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

34. • Phil's Pizza 20

    • Cash-Only Tavern-Style Pizza Shop
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       Chicago’s Best Pizza

    
    

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    • 1102 W 35th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website

35. • Jackalope Coffee & Tea House 20

    • Halloween-y Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 755 W 32nd St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

36. • Sip & Savor 20

    • Warm Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

    
    

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    • 5301 S Hyde Park Blvd, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

37. • AndySunflower Café 20

    • Kind Cafe/Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

    
    

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    • 9920 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

38. • Cadinho 20

    • Sunny Portuguese Bakery/Cafe
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 3483 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

39. • Sputnik Coffee Company 20

    • Humble Coffee Shop
    
    

    1. Time Out
       The 40 best coffee shops in Chicago

    
    

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    • 2618 W 48th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

40. • Grano 20

    • Sunny Mexican Coffee Shop/Panaderia
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

    
    

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    • 1845 W 47th St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

41. • Bronzeville Winery 18

    • Vibrant Wine Restaurant
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       The 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago

    
    

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    • 4420 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram

42. • Harold's Chicken Shack 18

    • Hot Fried Chicken Shop
    
    

    1. Eater Chicago
       The 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago

    
    

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    • 12700 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL | South Side
    • Website
    • Instagram