Courtney Slabaugh: The decadent drinking chocolate is soooooo good! If you like super rich chocolate, it's a must.
Hamid Alan9ary: The staff here are super nice and professional 😊👍🏼Chocolate here is good and desert options are plenty.Hot chocolate for the winter 🥶Ice cream 🍨 in the summer Chocolate strawberry any time 😁
Scott Kleinberg: I am a total hot chocolate snob, and I can tell you that the salted caramel hot chocolate is stunningly wonderful.
2. Firecakes Donuts
9.2
68 W Hubbard St (at N Clark St), Chicago, IL
Donut Shop · Near North Side · 165 tips and reviews
Thrillist: Firecakes' donut ice cream sandwich is held together with chocolate espresso or vanilla bean gelato, and adorned with rich chocolate, caramel sauces, and cocoa nibs. Hell to the yes. Read more.
trillateezy: Heaven is a chocolate donut dipped in a latte made with La Colombe espresso.
Time Out Chicago: The doughnut ice cream sandwich at Firecakes is one of the 100 best things we ate this year. http://tmout.us/rLOtk Read more.
Sara Spevack: We came on a Saturday and it was incredibly loud when he was playing all is instruments and the service was slow BUT the food is fantastic, the staff is delightful, and it was a fun time
Chicago magazine: When the urge for a few steins, a heaping platter of sausages, and crispy-skinned roast duck strikes, this Teutonic stalwart and its oompah band await. Read more.
Therese Kono: Simply the BEST! PROST!
7. Caro Mio
8.5
1825 W Wilson Ave (at N Ravenswood Ave), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Ravenswood · 31 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: The deep-red walls and friendly service make this charming Ravenswood spot as warm as the food. And because it’s BYOB, it’s hard to beat the value. Read more.
Jeff Willinger: BYOB and ginormous portions that make Maggiano's look small.
Seth Putnam: To start: the bruschetta (the best I've ever had). For the main, the pasta is molto bene. Portions are huge, so feel to share. Best part: BYOB, no corking fee.
8. Acanto
8.2
18 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · The Loop · 27 tips and reviews
Chicago Tribune: You can enjoy budget-friendly pizzas here, as well as some house made pastas. Try the toothsome duck egg spaghetti with creamy pork sugo and grated caciocavallo cheese, a sinfully rich indulgence. Read more.
Kevin M. McNally, CMP: Simply shared, tasty food offerings at a value price and served via a friendly staff. You must try the Risotto; the flavor cooked perfectly. Applause-Applause for this restaurant.
Ronald C Kuebler, CCC-SLP, ABDA: Wild boar bolognese and revolution draft, followed by branzino!
Pachita Ghl: Basil Lemon Sorbet dessert is delicious!! To better get a taste of everything get the messob samplers, you can pick different things to taste. Def worth a try!! You won't be dissapointed.
Serious Eats: Although Demera has only been open since 2007, it's already an Uptown neighborhood mainstay in its own right.
Elizabeth Towle: If you have at least four people in your group, order the "Family Style" dinner and some sambussas to start. You'll get to try a great range of dishes and it's a very cost-effective way to go!