The best feeling when you're ravenous on Chicago's Restaurant Row, the West Loop, is knowing that there are unlimited options of amazing West Loop restaurants. The hard part is deciphering where to go. New restaurants are constantly popping up, and I have made it my mission, slowly but surely, to eat at every single one of them. Here are my top 5 recommendations for a food adventure among the best West Loop restaurants today:
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Monteverde is run by Chef Sarah Grueneberg, who won the James Beard Best Chef: Great Lakes award in 2017, instantly expanding the restaurant's popularity and cementing its status among elite West Loop restaurants. If you're thinking her name sounds familiar, it is very possible, as Sarah was a standout contestant on Top Chef season 9. With a Top Chef feature and a James Beard Award fresh in guests' minds, there are high expectations for Monteverde, especially with all the fierce restaurant competition in the West Loop.
However, for Monteverde, the expectations and the density of West Loop restaurants are not a problem. Their ingredients are fresh, pasta is hand-crafted in their on-site Pastificio, and the dishes provide a unique Italian fare that you won't find anywhere else on Restaurant Row.
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Forno Rosso is unique in so many ways, but I'll keep it simple with what truly makes Forno Rosso a top West Loop restaurant. They serve Neapolitan Pizza and are one of only three VPN-certified (Vera Pizza Napoletana) pizzerias in the state of Illinois. Forno Rosso is also a 2016 Caputo Cup winner; the Caputo Cup Pizza Competition is Italy’s largest and most renowned pizza contest.
With all these accomplishments, Forno Rosso serves amazingly delicious pizza that stands out even among the diverse West Loop restaurants.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide to the best pizza in Chicago
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Bonci serves Roman-style pizza with the highest quality ingredients, many imported directly from Italy, including their heritage stone-ground flour used to make the perfect dough. Their pizzas focus on fresh ingredients, so the variety of pizza is continuously rotating based on the seasons. The pizza is so fresh and delicate that they cut every square with scissors as you order.
To vouch for Bonci’s excellence, they opened shop in the West Loop (August 2017) and have remained a staple of the neighborhood ever since. Bonci's pizza will keep you coming back for more, enough said. Check out Chef Gabriele’s journey into the Chicago market from Italy to see why this is a cornerstone of the West Loop restaurants scene.
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Momotaro is part of the Boka Restaurant Group, so right off the bat, you know the standard of their food is elevated compared to many other West Loop restaurants. It is a Japanese-styled restaurant with a large focus on sushi and sashimi. Momotaro is definitely on the more expensive side, and you will need a reservation no matter what night of the week you are heading in, but it is completely worth it.
Overall, I have never had better sushi in the Midwest than at Momotaro. They're also a prominent contender to any sushi spot in the country. Chef Mark Hellyar spent quite a bit of time in Japan learning the technique and flavors that he brought to Momotaro. You can truly taste his passion and experience in every bite of food.
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Do-Rite Donuts is the perfect way to conclude any outing exploring West Loop restaurants. They have a vast assortment of donut options, from the classic Old Fashioned donut to the Pistachio-Meyer Lemon donut. Do-Rite also features an ever-popular fried chicken donut sandwich. Whether you're going for dessert, breakfast, or lunch, they have you covered with sweet and savory eats!
Now that you're most likely starving, start your food exploration of the West Loop. Keep in mind you don't have to explore alone! Eat with Chicago Food & City Tours on the Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour (hint: we often feature favorites like Do-Rite Donuts, Bonci, and Formento's). We strive to keep you pleasantly full and having fun at all times!
Keep in mind, the Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour also features the option of alcoholic beverage pairings. A night out among West Loop restaurants should never be short of craft beer, cocktails, and wine. To learn more about the evolving landscape of where to drink and eat, join our expert-led tours today.
As the Director of Sales & Private Events for Chicago Food & City Tours, Gina Schammel brings years of deep-rooted expertise in the Chicago culinary and events industry. Her career has been dedicated to exploring, traveling, and indulging in the diverse flavors that define the city's identity. Gina is a recognized leader in the local tourism community, serving as an official Ambassador for Choose Chicago and an Associate Board Member for Growing Home, an organization focused on urban organic farming and job training.
When she is not curating the next high-impact food event for Chicago Food & City Tours, Gina is an active participant in the city’s culinary evolution—whether she is grocery shopping for her favorite home-cooked meals, exploring the latest Italian imports at Eataly, or enjoying the authentic atmosphere of Gold Star Bar. Her "Grub Guide" is an authoritative resource for Chicago locals, global travelers, and corporate event planners seeking the city’s most essential food and drink destinations.
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