There are countless options for dining around Chicago, from ethnic street foods to iconic deep-dish pizza and Chicago Dogs, but these options are our top choices for group-friendly Chicago dining experiences.
Giordano's - Arguably the best deep dish pizza in the nation, definitely the best in Chicago, lies within the Navy Pier and goes by the name of Giordano’s. This spot serves up the deepest deep-dish pizza pie, the crust actually proven to be the deepest and the pie itself 40% larger than the average in the city. NBC, CBS Chicago, Chicago Eater, and much more have officially named this pizza joint the ‘Best Pizza in Chicago’. If those stats don’t sell you the smell wafting around the Navy Pier sure will!
Location: Navy Pier
Popular Menu Items: Classic Cheese, Chicken and Sausage Deluxe, Fried Calamari, Mama’s Meatball Sub
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. - ‘There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burgers, shrimp sandwiches…’ Well, not quite, but there is a huge selection of shrimpy options here at the Forrest Gump fishing boat themed Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., another Navy Pier foodie haven. The chain has 43 total worldwide, though many consider this one in Chicago one of the most iconic.
Location: Navy Pier
Popular Menu Items: Shrimp Shack Mac n Cheese, Shrimp Po-Boy, Coconut Shrimp
Weber Grill - A unique and iconic meal choice for your group can be found at Weber Grill, an open kitchen eatery based on the popular Weber Charcoal Grill brand. Just 2 blocks from the Magnificent Mile, this spot uses kettle grills and honed techniques to create their award-winning burgers and meats. It’s such a popular spot that they actually go through 1 ton of charcoal per day. Watch the chefs create some of the tastiest meats in town and enjoy the theater-like experience!
Location: Downtown
Popular Menu Items: Slow Smoked Regional BBQ, Black Angus Steak, award-winning Signature Burger
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Tommy Gun's Garage- Get a quick history and culture lesson on Chicago at the longest-running audience interactive dinner show, Tommy Gun's Garage. Here you and your group will be taken back to the Roaring Twenties and learn all about the time of speakeasies, gambling, and doing the Charleston, a major focus being on Alphonse Capone. This infamous star of the prohibition period had a big part in Chicago’s speakeasy scene, including this one. Enjoy 20’s memorabilia, roaring music, and Vito Gloves and his gang's hilarious show. The dinner is an Italian based delight, and the comedy is just as delightful. Did we mention it’s interactive? Chaperones, be sure to hide your hooch when the coppers walk by, you may get a sobriety test on stage!
Location: Wabash Avenue
Popular Menu Items: Lasagna, Prime Rib, Salmon, Pork Chops
Hard Rock - Hard Rock is an internationally known chain of eateries (and hotels) that provide a truly funky, entertaining, and all-around rock n roll dining experience. At Hard Rock, you will feel the servers high energy, taste some classically delicious American fares, and even get a little music history while you are at it. This particular Hard Rock has been a popular dining destination since 1986, the legendary burgers, legendary rock, and legendary music history drawing in big crowds daily.
Location: River North
Popular Menu Items: Legendary Burgers, Rockerita, Onion Rings
Hard Rock Cafe Pixabay Public Domain
Rainforest Cafe - Leave the Midwest for a meal and head to the rainforest, Chicago’s Rainforest Cafe a truly ‘wild place to eat and shop’. This tropical paradise provides classic American fares amid eye-catching jungle flora and fauna, a truly great dining experience for your group. Our favorite feature about this popular restaurant chain is their focus on rainforest education and conservation education, the entire experience providing you with a great meal and a great lesson!
Location: Downtown, Clark Street
Popular Menu Items: Seafood, Steak, Chicken, Burgers, Sparkling Volcano Dessert
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Epic battles of ‘steel and steed’ can greet your group at dinner here at the Chicago Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, an absolute fanfare of feats and fights. See a live jousting competition while eating a delicious 4-course meal, the tournament both comical and educational. After you’ve enjoyed the show (and really delicious dinner) take in the actual castle itself, the Schaumburg Castle on of the most famous in the area, providing various tours, educational matinees, and horse viewings.
Location: Schaumburg
Popular Menu Items: Set 4-Course Dinner: Roasted Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Garlic Bread, Tomato Bisque
Credit Medieval Times
