One Year in Chicago! - My Top 5 Dining Experiences

I moved to Chicago on July 1st, 2024. I knew next to nothing—about everything. What I did know: I was moving in with two girls I couldn’t wait to become friends with, and my boyfriend was leaving for a month and a half just three days after helping me settle in.

I arrived with no job, no friends, and a savings account I’d been building for years.

My first priority was job hunting. A couple of months in—after settling into my apartment and making fast friends—I landed a job as a personal and executive assistant. I felt incredibly lucky, and I still do. I work for a company that truly cares, and for a boss I can’t speak more highly of.

I feel so fortunate to have grown my friend group so quickly after moving here. Seriously—a girl couldn’t have asked for better roommates. They introduced me to so many (if not all) of my now-close friends. We instantly bonded over countless things and spent time together almost every day. I was nervous about being lonely in a huge city where I knew no one, but I was proven wrong in the best possible way.

I always say that in your 20s, your friends are your family. You look out for each other, live together, argue, make up, make spontaneous plans, and travel together. But that’s only if you’re lucky—like me.

After getting settled and finding my footing at work, I started to really explore the city, host visitors, and soak it all in. From my first days here at the Mustache Bar Crawl, to Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day (and the green river!), endless date nights, farmers markets, thrift store hauls, Dim Sum in Chinatown, and so many other events and memories—I’ve completely fallen in love with this city, these people, and these experiences.

I actually started writing this to talk about my favorite restaurants. So let’s get into it!

When people talk about Chicago, they always bring up the food scene—and for good reason. I’ve been beyond spoiled with some of the most insane dining experiences. This small-town Kansas girl couldn’t have dreamed of the things I’ve had the chance to taste here.

If you know me, you know I spent over six years in the restaurant industry—doing pretty much every job there is. I truly don’t think I could have even imagined the level of dining I’ve experienced in Chicago.

Quick shoutout: If you're into restaurants, download the app Beli. You can rate spots you’ve been to, add photos, comments, favorite dishes, and follow friends to see what they recommend. You can even make reservations through the app. When Jacob and I are planning a date night, this is our go-to for stealing recs from friends!

Alright—now for my top five favorites, plus a few honorable mentions.

According to my Beli list, my Top 5 Dining Experiences in Chicago:

5. Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf
If you know anything about the Chicago food scene, you know that Hogsalt restaurants are beloved—and I totally see why. The service, the ambiance, the cocktails, the food, the aesthetic—it’s all immaculate.

Jacob had been once for a work dinner and kept talking about how badly he wanted to go back. Before I moved, I had no idea how hard it could be to get a reservation (again—small-town Kansas girl!). So, for his birthday, I made it my mission to get us a table. I even asked my boss how to pull it off—and he came through.

We went. We got sourdough bread service. I had the chicken, Jacob had the steak. We shared a veggie and mac & cheese. Everything was beyond delicious. The ambiance was dark and moody, the servers were dressed to the nines, and even the bathroom felt luxe. If you want a hearty steak dinner with great vibes and killer cocktails—this is the place.

Sourdough Bread Service

** All images taken from peer Beli reviews

Truffle Mac N Cheese

** All images taken from peer Beli reviews

4. Girl & the Goat

The first time I went was with my roommate and her dad, one of our first nights in the city. It’s a shared plates spot with a seasonal menu. We drank red wine, ate a ton of amazing food, and got to know each other.

It was the first time I ever tried raw salmon in a poke dish (lol). We had a strawberry shrimp salad, their famous green beans, halibut (my favorite dish, anywhere), and so much more. We still talk about that dinner a year later!

I did go back recently and had a less-than-stellar experience, but I reached out to the manager via email, and he was amazing. Their pride in customer service really showed. We went back and had the most amazing service, food, and atmosphere on a Friday night. Shoutout to the servers, food runners, and kitchen staff at Girl & the Goat, they are experts in service.

Infamous green beans!

**All images taken from peer Beli reviews

3. Fioretta
Seriously, you guys. This place blew me away. Honestly, my top three could easily be tied for first.

We went for a work dinner and shared everything—table-side Caesar salad (the best I’ve ever had), flaming steak brushed with rosemary and carved tableside, perfectly cooked fish, and crisp martinis.

The service was truly a step above—our waiter even remembered drink orders from our last visit and worked with the bartender to recreate them. Unreal.

The ambiance was dark but light-hearted, with an almost beachy theme. The bar setup had a sunken living room vibe that made it feel cozy and upscale at the same time. Stunning experience.

Table side Caesar Salad

**All images taken from peer Beli reviews

2. La Serre
Their dirty martini? To die for. I couldn’t even tell you what was in it—something with olive oil that threw me off at first—but it ended up being one of the best I’ve ever had.

From the caviar service to the seafood tower to the entrees—everything was flawless. The space was airy, light, and coastal-feeling, and our waitress was phenomenal. Her attention to detail, presentation, and professionalism elevated the whole experience.

The food truly speaks for itself. The seafood tower was fresh, the steak was perfectly prepared, and even the sides were memorable. I wish I had more to say, but honestly—you’ll just have to go have the experience for yourself.

Caviar Nest

**All images taken from peer Beli reviews

1. Bar Mar by José Andrés
How is it that the first restaurant I ate at in this city is still my #1 a year later?

Bar Mar is the bar-level concept of Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, and Jacob and I went early on when we moved. It’s a tapas-style menu, and I seriously loved everything. And I’m not a seafood girl!

Let me just say this: the seafood croquettes were to die for. I still think about them.

I don’t even remember everything we ordered—it was all just that good. The atmosphere is energetic and fun. There’s a huge glowing octopus hanging from the ceiling, it’s open-concept with big windows that let in the breeze, and the cocktail presentations are incredible—from smoking gin drinks with edible flowers to smoky Old Fashioneds with wood chips.

Shrimp Paella

**All images taken from peer Beli reviews

Seafood Croquet’s

**All images taken from peer Beli reviews

Looking back on this past year, I honestly can’t believe how much life I’ve lived in just 12 months. Moving to a new city with no job, no friends, and no clue what to expect felt terrifying at first—but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Chicago has pushed me, surprised me, fed me (really well), and most importantly, connected me with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known. 

This city is special. The people, the energy, the food, the moments—it’s all become such a huge part of who I am now. And I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

Cheers to one year in Chicago—and to many more memories, meals, and moments to come.