Fulton Feast: Where to Eat in Chicago's Fulton Market

In Chicago’s Fulton Market District, meatpacking warehouses have transformed into restaurants, galleries and cocktail lounges delivering some of the city’s most amazing meals.

In any debate about the best steak in meat-loving Chicago, Swift and Sons always makes the list. With dishes like Japanese wagyu and a beef Wellington that serves two, the menu treats meat dishes to French-inspired preparation, all in a swanky space that honors Fulton Market’s history inside the historic 10-story Fulton Market Cold Storage building. Neighbors include the seafood-centric Cold Storage restaurant and Google’s HQ.

Part art gallery, part lounge, Fulton Market Kitchen embodies creativity both in its ambience and on the plate. The restaurant’s warehouse-like space showcases bold colors, surprising murals and rotating artist exhibits that create a cozy, inspired atmosphere. The restaurant’s frenzy of color balances its classic dishes with unique presentations like mushroom and cheese curd-stuffed arancini with dry-aged beef Bolognese.

Fulton Market was establishing a foodie-haven reputation even before celebrity chef Stephanie Izard chose the neighborhood in 2010 for her restaurant Girl and the Goat, followed by Little Goat Diner. Now, at Duck Duck Goat, she features twists on Chinese fare, including spicy goat slap noodles and richly flavored beef and bone marrow pot stickers. Dim Sum Brunch delights the weekend crowd.

This neighborhood restaurant and coffeehouse offers a full and elaborate menu for every meal. Try a rich cappuccino and pastry from the in-house bakery, or a plateful of caramelized pork shank, complete with a cocktail made with freshly squeezed juice. During summer months, the wall-like windows swing open, welcoming in diners at all times of the day.

The Publican’s menu changes often. In fact, Saturday’s brunch menu differs from Sunday’s. One thing that never changes: sustainably and locally sourced ingredients making up comfort fare, such as cornmeal coffee cake and pork schnitzel. The open layout and long, communal tables offer a classy take on a European beer hall, inspiring conversations between tables over oysters a la carte and mugs of beer from a vast international selection.

At this Japanese hot spot, choose from the main-floor dining room or pub-like Izakaya downstairs. Each offers separate menus and experiences. Upstairs, mix and match from the cold and hot menu, or select an array of sushi rolls and sashimi. Order craft cocktails at Izakaya’s central 30-seat bar while sharing small plates of crispy Chicken Karaage and tender skirt steak with cremini mushrooms.

WHERE TO STAY, DRINK, AND SHOP NEAR FULTON MARKET

Shops

MARS GALLERY

Staff from this hip art gallery claim that it sits atop an energy vortex that’s the source of the flourishing creativity in Fulton Market.

NOTRE

With hard-to-find brands and limited-edition shoes, this boutique sells men’s and women’s fashion in a loft-like space.

Drinks

STUMPTOWN COFFEE ROASTERS

The roasters source beans straight from the farms of South America, Africa and East Asia.  

THE AVIARY

Bartenders at this cocktail lounge train like chefs and work like scientists.

Stays


THE EMILY HOTEL

A boutique hotel experience in the heart of Chicago’s Fulton Market inspired by the belief that art changes the way we look at the world..

NOBU HOTEL CHICAGO

An iconic hotel that seamlessly blends old-world Japanese influence, with ultra-modern design..