Kristen Mendiola

Where to Eat in Chicago, From Touchdown to Takeoff

Heading to the city for the James Beard Awards? We’ve got you covered.

Updated May 20, 2026, 7:50 PM UTC

On June 15, the culinary world will descend on Chicago for the James Beard Awards . For the uninitiated, this esteemed ceremony, hosted by the James Beard Foundation, recognizes the country’s best chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists — the people dedicated to cooking, sharing, and celebrating life’s greatest pleasure: food.

Whether you’ve just landed at O’Hare or Midway Airports in preparation for the event, are looking for a beloved restaurant for your friends, or need a late-night bite after your own party, these are the spots the nominees (and future winners) are sure to hit.…