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McCormick Place
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Where to Eat Near McCormick Place Convention Center

A guide to find food and drink near McCormick and Wintrust Arena

by Ashok Selvam
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McCormick Place
| McCormick Place/Facebook
by Ashok Selvam

Chicago’s McCormick Place is one of the most popular venues for conventions in America. But restaurateurs and developers have avoided the area around the South Side convention center leaving mostly fast food options like McDonald’s and White Castle. Until recently, convention goers didn’t have many choices nearby.

But that’s changed with the addition of Wintrust Arena, the building that’s mostly known for hosting DePaul University men’s basketball. The arena has jumpstarted development with newly constructed hotels and more. There are more choices near McCormick than ever before, and expect the number of restaurants to increase in the future.

So check out the follow list of the best bets to eat and drink near McCormick. If convention centers want to explore, note that both Chinatown and the South Loop are a quick car ride away. Those neighborhoods offer even more dining and drinking options, and use the linked guides for tips.

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The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

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This steakhouse was a former fire station and coincidentally was closed for two years after a fire. Chicago Firehouse reopened in 2017 and is a popular spot for private events. The building was erected in 1905. It’s a classic menu with shrimp cocktails on all the traditional staples of a steakhouse.

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-1401
(312) 786-1401
Chicago firehouse
Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

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M Lounge

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Live music and DJs are staples at this South Loop lounge. It’s dimly lit with a friendly staff. Customers can come as they are, or dress up because all types patronize the space to enjoy the relaxed vibe.

1520 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 447-0201
(312) 447-0201
M Lounge
M Lounge [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Acadia

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Acadia is the best choice for fine dining near McCormick Place with two Michelin stars. Chef Ryan McCaskey has created a luxurious, approachable, and accessible menu. Customers can find a 10-course tasting menu. But there’s also a casual bar with one of the best burgers in town.

1639 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 360-9500
(312) 360-9500
Acadia
Tim Hiatt Photography/Eater Chicago

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Opart Thai House Restaurant

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Opart Thai House is a beloved Thai restaurant with locations in South Loop and West Town. The restaurant was a pioneer, and while it does staples like pad Thai well, it introduced Chicago to even more variety of Thai cuisine. This is a BYO spot with a killer Tiger Cry.

1906 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 567-9898
(312) 567-9898
Opart Thai House
Opart Thai House/Facebook

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Cafe Bionda

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A classic red sauce Italian spot with a spacious dining room. Find pastas, veal, salads, and more.

1924 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-9800
(312) 326-9800
Cafe Bionda decked out for the holidays.
Cafe Bionda/Facebook

Reggies Chicago

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Reggie’s is a music venue where visitors will find nationally touring acts, the occasional cover band playin nostalgic hits, and a record store. Reggie’s has a fine beer list and is known for its chicken wings. There’s also a rooftop deck.

2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 949-0120
(312) 949-0120
Reggie’s pub food.
Reggie’s/Google

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Asian Cajun PLUS - South Loop

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This Chinese-inspired Cajun restaurant has all the spicy bagged seafood customers have tried at other restaurants. But it also features a solid Chinese-American menu, too.

1507, 2115 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 883-6536
(312) 883-6536
Asian Cajun
Asian Cajun/Facebook

Harold's Chicken Shack

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Convention goers are blessed by a nearby outlet of Harold’s Chicken Shack, a Chicago landmark. The chain is notoriously inconsistent, but this one is convenient for South Loopers. But beware the tiny waiting room.

2132 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-5575
(312) 326-5575
Harold’s Chicken No. 71
Google

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VU Rooftop Bar

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VU Rooftop Bar offers the South Side a rare view of the city south of Madison. The venue includes three bars and two deck, fire pits, and plenty of small bites and fancy drinks. It’s 22 floors above ground and one of the nicer rooftop venues in Chicago.

133 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 528-0191
(312) 528-0191
The rooftop space features fire pits and couches.
VU Rooftop Bar
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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Fatpour Tap Works - McCormick

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The second location of the Wicker Park sports bar brings pub food and craft beer to the South Side. There’s tons of TVs in a uber-casual atmosphere that will appeal to most folks recently out of college. Fatpour will from time to time do special beer releases, too.

2206 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 878-9292
(312) 878-9292
Fatpour Tap Works McCormick Place
Fatpour Tap Works [Official Photo]

Chef Luciano Kitchen + Chicken

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Chef Luciano has been around since 1982 and was once split into two restaurants. They’ve rebranded of late, focusing on chicken and allowing chef David Gupta to serve more international items including jerk chicken and chicken tikka masala. Customers will also find pastas.

49 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-0062
(312) 326-0062
Chef Luciano’s chicken
Chef Luciano/Facebook

14 Parish

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On the corner of 23rd and Michigan Avenue, this Caribbean fusion restaurant is casual and has a private events space. Find jerk wings, sliders, and crab cakes. There’s also oxtails and plenty of seafood at 14 Parish.

2333 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 291-8379
(312) 291-8379
Fried seafood and more at 14 Parish.
14 Parish/Facebook

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The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

This steakhouse was a former fire station and coincidentally was closed for two years after a fire. Chicago Firehouse reopened in 2017 and is a popular spot for private events. The building was erected in 1905. It’s a classic menu with shrimp cocktails on all the traditional staples of a steakhouse.

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-1401
(312) 786-1401
Chicago firehouse
Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

M Lounge

1520 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Live music and DJs are staples at this South Loop lounge. It’s dimly lit with a friendly staff. Customers can come as they are, or dress up because all types patronize the space to enjoy the relaxed vibe.

1520 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 447-0201
(312) 447-0201
M Lounge
M Lounge [Official Photo]

Acadia

1639 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Acadia is the best choice for fine dining near McCormick Place with two Michelin stars. Chef Ryan McCaskey has created a luxurious, approachable, and accessible menu. Customers can find a 10-course tasting menu. But there’s also a casual bar with one of the best burgers in town.

1639 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 360-9500
(312) 360-9500
Acadia
Tim Hiatt Photography/Eater Chicago

Opart Thai House Restaurant

1906 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616

Opart Thai House is a beloved Thai restaurant with locations in South Loop and West Town. The restaurant was a pioneer, and while it does staples like pad Thai well, it introduced Chicago to even more variety of Thai cuisine. This is a BYO spot with a killer Tiger Cry.

1906 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 567-9898
(312) 567-9898
Opart Thai House
Opart Thai House/Facebook

Cafe Bionda

1924 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616

A classic red sauce Italian spot with a spacious dining room. Find pastas, veal, salads, and more.

1924 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-9800
(312) 326-9800
Cafe Bionda decked out for the holidays.
Cafe Bionda/Facebook

Reggies Chicago

2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616

Reggie’s is a music venue where visitors will find nationally touring acts, the occasional cover band playin nostalgic hits, and a record store. Reggie’s has a fine beer list and is known for its chicken wings. There’s also a rooftop deck.

2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 949-0120
(312) 949-0120
Reggie’s pub food.
Reggie’s/Google

Asian Cajun PLUS - South Loop

1507, 2115 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616

This Chinese-inspired Cajun restaurant has all the spicy bagged seafood customers have tried at other restaurants. But it also features a solid Chinese-American menu, too.

1507, 2115 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 883-6536
(312) 883-6536
Asian Cajun
Asian Cajun/Facebook

Harold's Chicken Shack

2132 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616

Convention goers are blessed by a nearby outlet of Harold’s Chicken Shack, a Chicago landmark. The chain is notoriously inconsistent, but this one is convenient for South Loopers. But beware the tiny waiting room.

2132 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-5575
(312) 326-5575
Harold’s Chicken No. 71
Google

VU Rooftop Bar

133 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

VU Rooftop Bar offers the South Side a rare view of the city south of Madison. The venue includes three bars and two deck, fire pits, and plenty of small bites and fancy drinks. It’s 22 floors above ground and one of the nicer rooftop venues in Chicago.

133 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 528-0191
(312) 528-0191
The rooftop space features fire pits and couches.
VU Rooftop Bar
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Fatpour Tap Works - McCormick

2206 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

The second location of the Wicker Park sports bar brings pub food and craft beer to the South Side. There’s tons of TVs in a uber-casual atmosphere that will appeal to most folks recently out of college. Fatpour will from time to time do special beer releases, too.

2206 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 878-9292
(312) 878-9292
Fatpour Tap Works McCormick Place
Fatpour Tap Works [Official Photo]

Chef Luciano Kitchen + Chicken

49 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

Chef Luciano has been around since 1982 and was once split into two restaurants. They’ve rebranded of late, focusing on chicken and allowing chef David Gupta to serve more international items including jerk chicken and chicken tikka masala. Customers will also find pastas.

49 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-0062
(312) 326-0062
Chef Luciano’s chicken
Chef Luciano/Facebook

14 Parish

2333 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

On the corner of 23rd and Michigan Avenue, this Caribbean fusion restaurant is casual and has a private events space. Find jerk wings, sliders, and crab cakes. There’s also oxtails and plenty of seafood at 14 Parish.

2333 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 291-8379
(312) 291-8379
Fried seafood and more at 14 Parish.
14 Parish/Facebook

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