May 17–20, 2025
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
Around Chicago
Hit the road and find fun things to do in Chicago
Enjoy all that Chicago has to offer
Chicago is known for its jaw-dropping architecture, vibrant music scene, amazing food, and iconic neighborhoods. Chicago is a foodie haven with over 8,000 restaurants that showcase its ever-changing culinary scene. Be sure to explore the variety of dining options while you are in town. Explore Chicago.
We encourage you to discover all the fascinating things there are to see and do in Chicago, whether it’s visiting Wrigley Field, one of the oldest ballparks in the nation; enjoying the city’s many waterfront; viewing public art by the likes of Picasso, Miro, and Matisse; visiting internationally renowned collections at the city’s many museums; sipping wine along a skyscraper river canyon; or worshipping the sun along miles of sandy beaches with the iconic city skyline as your backdrop, Chicago is second to none.
Use the complimentary Choose Chicago Virtual Concierge to help make your time in the city as memorable as possible. Type in keywords or select specific categories through the search engine to find an interactive map and list of suggestions.
Dining near McCormick
Many options to choose from If you haven’t been to the McCormick Place campus in a little while a lot has changed and continues to change. Recently, Eater Chicago did a feature on various places to eat around McCormick Place and there are probably more options than you realized!
Chicago Highlights for Foodservice Professionals
Food, Beverage, and Kitchen Tours
Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour: This unique food tour is inspired by the TV show The Bear and takes you to restaurants featured in the series. You'll visit trendy eateries in Chicago neighborhoods throughout the city, including the Italian beef shop that inspired "Mr. Beef" and the legendary Margie's Candies.
Commercial Kitchen Tour: Tour a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and get hands on equipment demonstrations from experts. PB&J Commercial Agents is located 20 minutes from the Chicago O'Hare Airport in Hillside, Illinois.
Secret Beer Tasting Tours: Sample seasonal beers while learning how Chicago politics has shaped the beer industry, Chicago's gritty rivalry with Milwaukee, the German beer riot, and many more fascinating snippets of Chicago’s history.
Brewery, Distillery, and Winery Tours The Barrel Run provides a distinctive way to explore Chicago and its brewing scene. The Prohibition-era styled barrel bus is available for public or private tours.
Unique and Innovative Restaurants
Wagyu House By The X Pot: A futuristic all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant with robotic servers, elaborate light projections, and thematic soundscapes.
Frontier: With a distinct ambiance and stylish setting inspired by the American frontier in the 1800s, Frontier offers whole animal meals highlighting unique proteins such as wild boar, goat, or alligator.
Tack Room: A saloon-inspired piano lounge located in a former horse stable and now concert hall, the Tack Room is a local favorite for late night cocktails and small bites.
Valhalla: Experience an innovative fine-dining concept within a casual setting. Chef Stephen Gillanders offers both à la carte and tasting menu options in an open kitchen environment, allowing for intimate chef interactions.
Maxwell's Trading Co: Named one of the best new restaurants in America by Esquire, this restaurant showcases Chef James Kim's innovative small plates, blending Japanese and Basque influences with locally sourced ingredients.
Trendy Concepts and Experiential Dining
Omakase by Kanemaru: Delivering an exquisite seasonal omakase experience featuring premium ingredients like Hokkaido uni and soy-marinated toro, this minimalist Japanese den offers an exclusive, private dinner party atmosphere.
The Girl & The Goat: A well-known Chicago dining destination by award-winning chef Stephanie Izard impresses diners with its unique twist on tapas, serving innovative dishes like calamari bruschetta, duck tongues, and wood oven-roasted pig face.
The Drifter: Lively speakeasy and cocktail bar located in the heart of Chicago offers a pre-Prohibition era atmosphere and rotating list of over 100 cocktails presented on Tarot cards.
Cocktail and Mocktail Destinations
BOKEH: Known for its innovative approach to mocktails, BOKEH pairs spirit-free creations with seasonal food menus providing a sophisticated mocktail drinking experience.
The Old Town Ale House: Established in 1958, this classic Chicago dive bar equipped with a jazz-only jukebox and funky art has hosted famous visitors including Anthony Bourdain and Stephen Colbert.
The Violet Hour: This James Beard Award-winning bar is known for its pre-Prohibition-style seasonally rotating cocktail list featuring the latest trends in adult beverage such as umami-rich cocktails.
Avec: A southern European wine-focused restaurant with refreshing alcohol-free options and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Special Events
Beyoncé Performs at Soldier Field: May 15, 17, and 18
Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field: May 16-18
Broadway in Chicago: Check schedule for details
Chicago Street Festivals: Review festivals taking place in May
Savor the Windy City: Chicago Welcomes Food Industry Professionals
Discover why Chicago is the perfect host for the National Restaurant Association Show. From world-class cuisine to easy accessibility, the Windy City offers an unparalleled experience for food industry professionals. Explore insider tips from Lisa Nucci, CMO of Choose Chicago, on making the most of your visit to this culinary capital.
