Need a local culinary getaway right here in the city, where incredible food is the absolute focus? Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer, and there is no better place to spend it than eating your way through our favorite local neighborhoods. Whether you have family visiting or just want to treat yourself to a holiday weekend feast, finding top-tier Chicago restaurants open on Memorial Day is essential to planning the perfect long weekend.
We firmly believe that the food in Chicago is some of the best you'll find in the world. When you are looking for things to do over the holiday, number one on your list must be eating legendary Chicago pizza. We don’t care if it’s deep dish or thin crust, just do it. Chicagoans know how to do pizza right.
For classic deep dish, we recommend visiting the always-delicious Lou Malnati's, which keeps its ovens fired up for lunch and dinner on Memorial Day.
Pro Tip: Skip the lines at Lou Malnati's by booking our Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour which features stops at some of the city's most historic eateries, including Lou Malnati's!
Even more creative is the historic Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. in Lincoln Park, which opens up at 4:00 PM on Mondays, allowing you to secure a world-famous, bubbling pizza pot pie on the holiday itself.
If you want a complete, worry-free tasting experience of the city's finest neighborhood flavors over the long weekend, we highly recommend checking out our food tour calendar and book before spots fill up!
But if you're venturing out on the holiday itself, here are our favorite local spots to hit:
Address: 302 N Green St 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
If your idea of a perfect Memorial Day includes sunshine, stunning views, and an extra day of weekend brunch, Aba in the Fulton Market district is a must-visit. Their gorgeous, greenery-filled rooftop patio is legendary. For the holiday Monday, they open early to serve up Mediterranean-inspired brunch favorites like Chocolate Babka French Toast, Spinach & Feta Frittatas, and Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak & Eggs alongside their famous house hummus spreads.
Pro Tip: Fulton Market and the West Loop make up the culinary heart of the city. You can experience the absolute best hidden gems and historic stories of this neighborhood by joining us over the holiday weekend on our Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour!
Address: 74 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
Located right in the center of River North, Ema is fully operational on Memorial Day and boasts an incredible sidewalk patio perfect for warm-weather people-watching. They offer a lighter, California-style Mediterranean menu featuring spicy whipped feta, charred eggplant spreads, and grilled kebabs. It’s the ultimate airy, breezy spot to toast to the unofficial start of a Chicago summer with a craft cocktail in hand.
Address (downtown location): 181 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
Looking for a sweet treat to kick off your holiday morning before heading out to a neighborhood parade or park? While many local boutique bakeries close their doors on Mondays, Stan's Donuts operates regular hours across the city on Memorial Day. Stop into their whimsical, pink-hued shops for a signature cold brew coffee and one of their famous pockets (like the Biscoff Cookie Butter pocket) or a classic glazed old-fashioned.
Wherever you decide to spend your time this Memorial Day, we hope that you savor the fantastic food, enjoy the company of those you are with, and always remember why we celebrate the day. Please take a moment to honor and remember all the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country while serving in the armed forces.
And as always: stay hungry, friends!
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