Best Places to Lunch in the Loop.
If, like me and 578,000 others, you spend your weekdays in the Loop, here’s a list of some of the best places to go for lunch. For more detailed reviews and pictures of many of the places featured below, check out our friend’s reviews at Professional Chicks.
· 7th Floor of Marshall Field's
The Seventh Floor of Marshall Field's (I refuse to call it Macy’s) has long been a favorite, but after two seasons of Top Chef Masters, this fancy food court has something special to offer: two Top Chef outlets right next to each other. Enjoy Frontera Grill for lunch without planning 6 weeks ahead and making a reservation at the actual restaurant location. Or, enjoy an award-winning burger from Marcus Samuelsson’s station. The salad and panini stations are tasty, too. visitmacyschicago.com
· Atwood Café
If you’re looking for a longer, sit-down lunch, check out the Atwood Café. Named after Daniel Burnham’s right-hand man, the Café is located right at Washington & State in the beautiful and historic Reliance building. atwoodcafe.com
· The Berghoff
I’m a sucker for Chicago history, and The Berghoff is brimming with it. This German establishment dates back to 1898 and was the place to be even during Prohibition. The restaurant is currently located at 17 W. Adams, one door west of where it was originally opened. I enjoy sitting upstairs at the bar for a quick sandwich and side. The basement level houses an expanded cafeteria offering a wider selection of hot and cold sandwiches. The Berghoff also offers a selection of beers including its own, which was first introduced at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. berghoff.com
· Café Baci
If you’re in the mood for a salad, soup, pizza or panini, check out Café Baci. With multiple locations throughout the loop, this place is quick, tasty and convenient. caffebaci.com
· Chase Plaza
When you’re hungry and you don’t have a taste for anything in particular, head to the food court at Chase Plaza. They have a myriad of options, and most everything is tasty and affordable. I generally go for the Mediterranean salad bar, but the Mexican Grill and American Grill are go-tos when I feel I deserve the indulgence. The best part about this place is not the food, it’s the outdoor seating. Enjoy a fountain-side spot in the summertime. yelp.com/biz/plaza-market-bistro-chicago
· Freshii
Freshii just opened a second loop location! This mod lunch establishment lets customers pick from a short, standard menu or create-your-own on a quick order sheet. There are so many options that sometimes I find myself a bit overwhelmed, but so far my custom wraps are 8 for 9. It’s not particularly cheap, but it is tasty, healthy and quick. freshii.com
· Hannah’s Bretzel
Hannah’s is my favorite place to lunch in the loop. Again, it’s not cheap, but the food is so tasty and fresh, I’ll overpay for one of their meals any day. The majority of the signature sandwiches at Hannah's are served on pretzel baguettes (“bretzels”) and the meat is hand-carved as they prepare your order. My favorite sandwiches are the Italian Parma (prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula and asparagus (pictured at the top of the page!)) or the Sergio’s Special (ham, smoked Gouda, avocado, jalapeño slices and a mango chutney). When you feel like something lighter, try the vegetable bomb. hannahsbretzel.com
· Heaven on 7
Heaven on 7 is a Cajun dream. The original loop location at 111 N. Wabash (7th floor, hence the name) just celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. The gumbo is to-die-for, but basically anything on the menu is worth trying. It does get very busy at lunch, though, so check it out when you have some time to spare. heavenonseven.com
· Mezza
Mezza, like Roti, is a bit of Mediterranean magic. It’s different, tasty and quick, and the portions are just the right size. My favorite thing to order is the Chicken Shawarma because it’s got quite a kick! mezzagrill.com
· Mista Pizza
Mista Pizza is a relative newcomer on the Loop lunch scene. Located on LaSalle just south of Randolph, this quaint pizza place serves up delicious hand-made, thin-crust, organic pizzas. For a pizza of this quality, Mista is pretty quick, too. The Margherita and Prosciutto are my favorites, and the Heart Smart low-fat pizza is also delish. mistapizza.com
· Pastoral
This mini market, located right on Lake just west of Michigan, offers a variety of freshly-prepared salads and sandwiches, with several great vegetarian options. My favorite lunch items are the Millennium Park Bean (white bean puree, black olive tapenade, red onion, roasted tomatoes, piquillo peppers and field greens) and the Blue Pig n’ Fig (Serrano ham, blue cheese, fig jam, Dijon and field greens). pastoralartisan.com
· Pret-A-Manger
After studying in London and enjoying many a meal at Pret, I was thrilled to hear that it would be opening in Chicago. Pret is ideal for a quick, tasty lunch. The baguette sandwiches are my favorite, but the soups and wraps are good, too. Don’t let the fact that the sandwiches are pre-made scare you, they always taste crisp and fresh. pret.com/us
· Roti
Roti is like a Chipotle for Mediterranean cuisine. First you pick your “base,” then your meat, then your veggies and sauces. The sauces are delicious, and the Baba Ghannoush, tomato & cucumber salad, and cous-cous make for a satisfying lunch any day. roti.com
· Sopprafina
Set up in a style almost identical to Baci Café, this Italian-inspired eatery serves delicious salads, pizzas, soups, paninis and pasta salads. I generally get the antipasti trio with the Mediterranean veggies, tuna, and zesty tomato pasta salad. sopraffina.com
· 7th Floor of Marshall Field's
The Seventh Floor of Marshall Field's (I refuse to call it Macy’s) has long been a favorite, but after two seasons of Top Chef Masters, this fancy food court has something special to offer: two Top Chef outlets right next to each other. Enjoy Frontera Grill for lunch without planning 6 weeks ahead and making a reservation at the actual restaurant location. Or, enjoy an award-winning burger from Marcus Samuelsson’s station. The salad and panini stations are tasty, too. visitmacyschicago.com
· Atwood Café
If you’re looking for a longer, sit-down lunch, check out the Atwood Café. Named after Daniel Burnham’s right-hand man, the Café is located right at Washington & State in the beautiful and historic Reliance building. atwoodcafe.com
· The Berghoff
I’m a sucker for Chicago history, and The Berghoff is brimming with it. This German establishment dates back to 1898 and was the place to be even during Prohibition. The restaurant is currently located at 17 W. Adams, one door west of where it was originally opened. I enjoy sitting upstairs at the bar for a quick sandwich and side. The basement level houses an expanded cafeteria offering a wider selection of hot and cold sandwiches. The Berghoff also offers a selection of beers including its own, which was first introduced at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. berghoff.com
· Café Baci
If you’re in the mood for a salad, soup, pizza or panini, check out Café Baci. With multiple locations throughout the loop, this place is quick, tasty and convenient. caffebaci.com
· Chase Plaza
When you’re hungry and you don’t have a taste for anything in particular, head to the food court at Chase Plaza. They have a myriad of options, and most everything is tasty and affordable. I generally go for the Mediterranean salad bar, but the Mexican Grill and American Grill are go-tos when I feel I deserve the indulgence. The best part about this place is not the food, it’s the outdoor seating. Enjoy a fountain-side spot in the summertime. yelp.com/biz/plaza-market-bistro-chicago
· Freshii
Freshii just opened a second loop location! This mod lunch establishment lets customers pick from a short, standard menu or create-your-own on a quick order sheet. There are so many options that sometimes I find myself a bit overwhelmed, but so far my custom wraps are 8 for 9. It’s not particularly cheap, but it is tasty, healthy and quick. freshii.com
· Hannah’s Bretzel
Hannah’s is my favorite place to lunch in the loop. Again, it’s not cheap, but the food is so tasty and fresh, I’ll overpay for one of their meals any day. The majority of the signature sandwiches at Hannah's are served on pretzel baguettes (“bretzels”) and the meat is hand-carved as they prepare your order. My favorite sandwiches are the Italian Parma (prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula and asparagus (pictured at the top of the page!)) or the Sergio’s Special (ham, smoked Gouda, avocado, jalapeño slices and a mango chutney). When you feel like something lighter, try the vegetable bomb. hannahsbretzel.com
· Heaven on 7
Heaven on 7 is a Cajun dream. The original loop location at 111 N. Wabash (7th floor, hence the name) just celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. The gumbo is to-die-for, but basically anything on the menu is worth trying. It does get very busy at lunch, though, so check it out when you have some time to spare. heavenonseven.com
· Mezza
Mezza, like Roti, is a bit of Mediterranean magic. It’s different, tasty and quick, and the portions are just the right size. My favorite thing to order is the Chicken Shawarma because it’s got quite a kick! mezzagrill.com
· Mista Pizza
Mista Pizza is a relative newcomer on the Loop lunch scene. Located on LaSalle just south of Randolph, this quaint pizza place serves up delicious hand-made, thin-crust, organic pizzas. For a pizza of this quality, Mista is pretty quick, too. The Margherita and Prosciutto are my favorites, and the Heart Smart low-fat pizza is also delish. mistapizza.com
· Pastoral
This mini market, located right on Lake just west of Michigan, offers a variety of freshly-prepared salads and sandwiches, with several great vegetarian options. My favorite lunch items are the Millennium Park Bean (white bean puree, black olive tapenade, red onion, roasted tomatoes, piquillo peppers and field greens) and the Blue Pig n’ Fig (Serrano ham, blue cheese, fig jam, Dijon and field greens). pastoralartisan.com
· Pret-A-Manger
After studying in London and enjoying many a meal at Pret, I was thrilled to hear that it would be opening in Chicago. Pret is ideal for a quick, tasty lunch. The baguette sandwiches are my favorite, but the soups and wraps are good, too. Don’t let the fact that the sandwiches are pre-made scare you, they always taste crisp and fresh. pret.com/us
· Roti
Roti is like a Chipotle for Mediterranean cuisine. First you pick your “base,” then your meat, then your veggies and sauces. The sauces are delicious, and the Baba Ghannoush, tomato & cucumber salad, and cous-cous make for a satisfying lunch any day. roti.com
· Sopprafina
Set up in a style almost identical to Baci Café, this Italian-inspired eatery serves delicious salads, pizzas, soups, paninis and pasta salads. I generally get the antipasti trio with the Mediterranean veggies, tuna, and zesty tomato pasta salad. sopraffina.com