Fine food, stunning architecture and all that jazz – the Windy City is one of the most exciting destinations for a gourmet getaway (Image: Getty Images)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeThanks to the smash-hit TV show The Bear, Chicago is now firmly on the map as a travel destination that’s perfect for foodies, art lovers and music enthusiasts. The Loop and the historic Gold Coast are the main tourist hotspots, but if you head further into some of the 77 diverse neighbourhoods, you’ll find plenty of trendy dining spots and bustling bars. Where to stay in Chicago Built in 1893 as an elite gentlemen’s social and sporting club, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel is full of amazing history and architecture. Positioned downtown on Michigan Avenue with views of Millennium Park and The Bean, the city’s famous curved sculpture, the hotel is perfectly located near fantastic restaurants, major shops and handy metro stops. The distinctive exterior, Venetian Gothic interiors and moody lighting is what made this hotel feel like nothing we’d ever visited before. Playing into the fact that the space used to be an athletic club, the retro-style rooms feature old-school gym equipment such as pommel horses and climbing frames, as well as boxing-inspired robes for hotel guests.
The Chicago Athletic Association’s has a Venetian Gothic design
(Image: Chicago Athletic Association)
A room in the Chicago Athletic Association
(Image: Chicago Athletic Association)
From the scenic Cindy’s rooftop bar that overlooks Lake Michigan to the buzzy, atmospheric Cherry Circle Room restaurant and old-fashioned Milk Room bar – named during the prohibition era – you could, if you wanted, spend the entire holiday never stepping foot outside and still discover something new. There’s even a Shake Shack on the grounds if you fancy a late-night burger. Where to eat in Chicago Famous for more than just deep-dish pizza, the culinary scene in Chicago is on par with some of the world’s best. With nearly two dozen Michelin-starred restaurants as well as no end of excellent smaller independent spots, the city is filled with hidden gems for everyone to enjoy, whether you call yourself a foodie or not. Based in Chicago’s South Loop area is Moody Tongue, the world’s first brewery to boast not just one but two Michelin stars. We sat in The Bar, a casual dining space that features an à la carte menu with recommended beers to complement the dishes. Fine dining and beer is not something you often see, but the surprising combination worked excellently together. The menu’s standout dish was the duck breast, a rich and succulent main course paired with courgette purée, greens and one of their Farmers Market Series cherry beers. This was rounded off with a decadent 12-layer German chocolate cake.
Moody Tongue’s famous 12-layer chocolate cake
(Image: Moody Tongue Brewery Chicago)
Alongside The Bar there’s also The Dining Room, an intimate 28-seat restaurant where guests can experience a seasonal tasting menu coupled with speciality beer pairings. The following evening we headed to family-owned Mexican restaurant and bar La Josie, located in the affluent and trendy area of West Loop – a great place for tasty and authentic Mexican food. We dined on tortilla chips and fresh guacamole, as well as crispy baja fish and barbacoa beef tacos, all washed down with zesty margaritas. The vibrant atmosphere of the area combined with the large open windows and friendly staff make this a top choice. We followed up the meal with negronis at buzzy blues and jazz bar Rosa’s Lounge – a must-visit if you like live music and strong drinks. What to do in Chicago If you’ve seen the comedy-drama series The Bear, the Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour should be at the top of your Windy City to-do list. Throughout this tour, aboard an air-conditioned bus (which is a life-saver in the Chicago summer heat), you’ll take in spots that Carmy, Richie and Sydney talk about or visit on the show. Starting off at Mr. Beef, the sandwich shop that inspired the show and where 90% of the pilot episode was filmed, we enjoyed a hot Italian beef sandwich topped with sweet peppers and spicy giardiniera submerged in beef sauce. Another stop-off was Margie’s Candies, a unique and delicious ice-cream sundae shop from 1921 that was visited by Ayo Edebiri’s character Sydney in season two of The Bear, as well as The Beatles and Mick Jagger. The tour is great for taking you to areas of Chicago you may not have mapped out yourself yet; just be prepared to leave with a very full stomach.
Mr. Beef, who inspired The Bear, is known for their Italian beef sandwiches
(Image: Grace Salmon)
The city’s architecture is arguably some of the most impressive in the US, and a charming way to get a view of it is on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard the boat Chicago’s First Lady. Our 90-minute tour was run by an expertly trained guide who filled us in on the fascinating history and stories behind more than 50 buildings along the river. We recommend arriving early to get the best seats at the sides of the boat. And don’t worry if you’re unlucky with the weather, as you’ll still be able to hear the guide via loudspeaker from inside the boat, which includes a fully stocked drink and snack bar – just in case you were getting hungry… How to book Rates at Chicago Athletic Association start from $279 per night. To book, visit chicagoathletichotel.com. For more information, go to choosechicago.comStory SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnTravelDisney Plus
