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11+ Top Navy Pier Restaurants For Foodies

When you think of Navy Pier, images of the Ferris Wheel, the amazing skyline views, and Bubba Gump Shrimp may come to mind.  But there is more to Chicago’s Navy Pier than the first few places you see, especially when it comes to restaurants. Navy Pier is home to many cuisines that is sure to satisfy any food, snack or dessert craving you may be having.  Plus! There are some new spots that add even more adventure to your dining experiences.

For a variety of cuisines…

1. Lirica

Photo Source: Navy Pier

Named after the Spanish word for lyric, this restaurant is a love song to Latin cuisine.  The menu is a beautiful blend of Spanish, Portuguese and Caribbean culinary traditions. And as the name would suggest, music comes to the fore as well, lending to an engrossing dining atmosphere hard to find anywhere else on the pier. 

Their cocktails are can’t miss, and neither are the views of Lake Michigan.

2. Chef Art Smith’s Reunion

Photo Source: Reunion

James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef Art Smith brings his famous down-home cooking to Navy Pier with Reunion. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, stop in to sample Chef Smith’s take on unpretentious Southern cuisine with a distinctly Midwestern twist using only the freshest locally sourced ingredients.

Chef Smith invites you to gather around the table for simple food done right. What more could you want?

3.  America’s Dog & Burger

Navy Pier America's Dog & Burger

Photo Source: Chicago Food & City Tours

If you are in the mood for a hot dog (and let’s be honest… a hot dog is fit for nearly any mood) or even a good turkey burger, check out America’s Dog & Burger. Not only can you get a Chicago Dog (which means no ketchup!), but you can take yourself on a tour of America — through your mouth — by trying different cities unique hot dog specialties, all without leaving the Pier!

The story behind America’s Dog and Burger is an American Dream come true. In 1993, a pair of brothers, Manolis and George Alpogianis took a cross-country road trip. They packed their Jeep and hit the road.  It was on this road trip, through their frequent stops to grab a bite, the brothers discovered that every place in America had a slightly different way of making their hot dogs.

This is where an idea started to form. They wanted to showcase the great American road trip, by featuring these unique hot dog recipes in one location. 

4. Billy Goat Tavern

Navy Pier Billy Goat Tavern

Photo Source: Facebook

Sometimes you just want a solid burger, and you can’t beat Billy Goat’s Cheezborger. Plus, it’s quite fun to say it three times in a row. Go ahead and try it — we’ll wait!

Grab this simple classic which includes cheese, pickle and onions and on a warmer day, grab a seat outside to enjoy the lakefront breeze. Also, you can wow your friends with a little Chicago trivia by telling them about the tavern’s history…

The original Billy Goat Tavern location was founded in 1934 when Greek immigrant, William “Billy Goat” Sianis, purchased the Lincoln Tavern for $205.  Funny enough, his check bounced but he was able to repay the recipient with sales from the first weekend. 

A truck was passing by the tavern and a goat fell off and went inside the tavern. The owner, William Sianis, adopted the goat and grew a goatee gaining him the “Billy Goat” nickname.  He then changed the name of the bar to Billy Goat Tavern. And the rest is, shall we say, history. 

The tavern was located across from, what’s now the current location of the United Center and naturally hosted many sports fans to and from Bulls and Blackhawk games.

5. Big City Chicken

Navy Pier Big City Chicken

Source: Facebook

Sometimes you just need a little fried goodness and if chicken is calling your name, Big City Chicken is worth a visit. You can satisfy your craving with chicken wings, strips or cheese fries! You can even turn up the heat with the Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

6. Harry Caray’s 

Navy Pier Harry Caray's

Photo Source: Harry Caray’s

You will see Harry Caray’s Tavern on the waterfront on the way into Navy Pier.  It’s known for its outstanding barbecue, craft beers and sports memorabilia. In addition to hickory goodness, you can also grab salads, burgers and if you like burgers but not meat, give the plant based Beyond Burger a try.  Bring your furry one and grab a seat on the dog-friendly patio and enjoy the Lake Michigan views or a sporting event on the HDTVs.

7. Giordano’s

Navy Pier Giordano's

Photo Source: Chicago Food Planet

No Chicago restaurant list is complete without a pizza option. Am I right? Come hungry, especially if you are ordering Giordano’s famous deep-dish pizza. It’s hearty, filling and well worth the wait.  

This pizza’s origins began in a small northern Italian town with Mama Giordano. She was famous for her cooking and well-known for her double-crusted, cheese-stuffed “Italian Easter Pie”. When her sons moved to Chicago years later, they opened their own business and introduced their mom’s recipe.  

The stuffed pizza became part of the first Giordano’s in the world in 1974.  If you are looking for a lighter meal, you can also try the thin crust pizza and pasta options.  

For something a little sweeter…

8. Garrett Popcorn Shops

The Garrett family was a competitive bunch, and they used to have family contests to see who could make the best batch of caramel corn. Through the experimentation of these family rivalries, they figured out how to make some pretty darn good popcorn! 

Family members took turns stirring the kettle, mixing the ingredients, and of course, taste-testing the results all along the way. They opened their first location at 10 West Madison Street, near the bustling State Street corridor, way back in 1949.

Why do Chicago visitors and Chicagoans alike love Garrett’s? They use high-quality ingredients from local sources. They hot air pop their kernels, instead of using oil, and then they mix them into their secret family recipe of flavors. Every batch of Garrett popcorn is handmade throughout the day. They use over 1 million pounds of cheese per year and over 20,000 bags of brown sugar. 

Also, at Garrett, they’re super secretive about their recipes, BUT! we can say that there are a total of seven ingredients in their caramel crisp popcorn and one of those is water. 

9. The Original Rainbow Cone

Navy Pier Rainbow Cone

Photo Source: Rainbow Cone

Haven’t ventured to the South Side to try the Original Rainbow Cone? Not to worry! Take advantage of the summer and stop by the Navy Pier kiosk. 

Rainbow Cone’s signature five flavors include scoops of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio and orange sherbet. Grandpa Joe has created a unique ice cream that has been a Chicago favorite since 1926. 

For something a little different…

10. Offshore Rooftop & Bar

Navy Pier Offshore Bar

Photo Source: Facebook

Offshore, Navy Pier’s latest opening is called a “grownup cocktail lounge with a massive rooftop space.” It’s definitely a place to go if you need to meet for a work meeting. And you get the bragging rights of going to the largest rooftop deck in the world. With seating for 1,000 people, you can enjoy an outside space nibbling on American cuisine and trying one of their seasonal cocktails.

11. Dine on the Lake

Navy Pier Dining Cruise

Photo Source: Navy Pier

If you’d rather not eat on land, eat on the water with one of Navy Pier’s Dining Cruises. You can have brunch, lunch or dinner aboard one of Navy Pier’s cruise boats: Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago and Mystic Blue. You get the best of both worlds, pairing a sightseeing adventure of Chicago’s famous landmarks with a wonderful meal.   If you’ve already eaten, try one of our favorite boat tours.

Looking for more?

Interested in learning more about all of Chicago’s iconic foods and where to find them?  Eat your way through the city with our handy guide of the Best Chicago Food.

 

Chicago Food Planet offers a variety of awesome walking food tours in Chicago

Discover Chicago’s hottest foodie neighborhood as you nosh on cuisine from the master chefs that started a dining revolution.

Tour Length3 Hours
Cost$99 Adult With Alcohol | $85 Adult (no alcohol) | $50 Adolescent | Free Child (6 & Under)
Tour Distance0.6 Miles
NeighborhoodsWest Loop

This tour is complete with treats from 6 bakeries, stories of ethnic holiday traditions, & ample shopping time to purchase additional goods.

Tour Length4 hours
Cost$115 Adult | $59 Adolescent (8-15) | Free Child (0-7)
Tour Distance6 Bakery Stops
NeighborhoodsNorth Shore, Sheridan Road, Village of Winnetka
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