Sometimes you just don’t want a great night out to end-- or you’re just getting out of a long day of work and need to find something to eat! Good thing Chicago restaurants understand that not everyone’s quitting time is 5pm, and that the perfect end to an evening out is a yummy bite to eat. This is why so many continue to serve food late at night, and locals are grateful for it! We’ve put together a list of our favorite places in the Windy City to grab something to eat a little past the traditional dinner hour, and while it’s not exhaustive, we think you’ll find some pretty great places to dine late!
Do you have a friend who is a night owl? Or maybe you know someone who likes to pick up food on their way home from a night out on the town? Then you should pick them up a GiftYa electronic gift card to any of these late night places. They can redeem it whenever they choose, and not have to worry about forgetting a plastic gift card at home!
1. Mad Social
Stop by this popular cocktail bar for elevated bites late night
1140 W Madison St. | West Loop | madsocialchicago.com
If you’re in the mood for some earthy cuisine that’s served in a family-owned restaurant, then consider stopping by Mad Social. They’re open until 10pm (and 11pm on weekends), serving up their signature cocktails and kitchen bites to hungry customers. This neighborhood bar is a great last stop on an evening out with friends, or it’s an ideal spot to grab a yummy meal before heading home from work.
Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you’ll definitely need to try their Havarti mac n’ cheese, the Mad burger, or the popular short-ribbed stuffed ravioli pillows. If you do have time for a drink, the Pretty in Pink and the Guapo 2.0 are some of the locals’ favorites to try.
“I had heard good things, especially about the burger, and it did not disappoint, and the service was probably the best I have ever had...I would do it again in a heart beat.” -Yelp Review
2. Pequod’s
Grab a deep dish pizza when you’ve got a late night food craving!
2207 N Clybourn Ave. | DePaul | pequodspizza.com
This deep dish is one of Chicago’s best. Image courtesy of Pequod’s.
Sometimes all you seem to want after a night of fun is an authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And where better to satisfy your craving than at Pequod’s? This pizza shop is well-known throughout the Chicagoland area as having some of the best deep dish pizzas around. Maybe it’s due to the fact that each deep dish pizza features their mouth-watering caramelized crust? Do yourself a favor, and if you and your group want pizza, stop at Pequod’s.
If you’re not in the mood for a pizza, but still want some delicious food late at night, then pick up some buffalo wings, a meatball sandwich, or fresh made raviolis. You can even order thin crust pizza as well if you prefer!
“This has to be my favorite deep-dish Chicago pizza! Well done Pequod's! The crust is perfectly buttered and caramelized.” -Yelp Review
3. Gareeb Nawaz
Try some of this spot’s fantastic late night Indian food
2032 W Devon Ave. | West Rogers Park | ghareebnawazonline.com
If you’re out late either by choice or because of work, and craving some amazing Indian cuisine, never fear because Gareeb Nawaz will be open! This place has been serving up food to hungry late night customers until 4am since 1993, and is the perfect place to get your fill of all your Indian favorites.
The moderately priced menu offers chicken biryani, shami kabab paratha, green chicken chili, chana chicken curry and so much more! You never have to worry about a long wait either, even when there is a line, it tends to move quickly. They are also open for breakfast, in case you’re in need of that as well, and it’s served from 8am until 11am.
“This place is one of a kind, great fast food option for a Indo/Pak cuisine. The value for money is great. Also, the portions are enormous, so you can easily share with family or friends.” -Yelp Review
4. The Moonlighters
Your late night place for burgers, tacos, and wings
3204 W Armitage Ave | Logan Square | themoonlighterchicago.com
The Moonlighters is a fun, neighborhood bar that serves up a mean hamburger. Fortunately for many hungry Chicagoans, they serve them up late night as well! This is the perfect place to stop and grab one of their 20 craft beers on draft, and order a hamburger to enjoy with it. You can choose from their classic cheeseburger, or spice it up with bacon, BBQ sauce, slaw, guacamole, or pickled jalapenos. You can even order a vegan friendly patty with vegan cheese as well!
They have plenty of TVs to enjoy while you’re waiting on your food, or if the weather is warm, you can hang out outside on their popular patio. Since it’s dog friendly, you might get to meet some new furry friends as well!
“I really like this place. It had great food that was super interesting and a cool bar scene. Love the number of TVs and the overall vibe. Would definitely come back here again.” -Yelp Review
5. Blind Dragon
Enjoy late night bites + karaoke at this Asian lounge
613 N Wells| River North | blinddragon.com
If you’re in the mood for something a little different at the end of the night, why not stop by Blind Dragon for a handcrafted cocktail, delicious bites, and fun karaoke? This spot is open until 2am most nights and until 3am on Saturday nights--so it’s perfect for your late night needs! Come in and grab a seat at one of the many luxe booths or at the bar, and order up a couple of their fantastic late night Asian-inspired small plates.
You can choose from edamame, Thai chicken wings, spicy potatoes, Korean noodles, or even beef satay. It’s a good idea to pair those with one of their world-class cocktails such as the Singapore Slang, Shogun Assassin, or the Midnight Warlock.
The drinks were great. We got a bottle of Veuve too. We nibbled on the back, edamame, and the potato wedges - so good.” -Yelp Review
6. Jim’s Original Hot Dog
This Chicago mainstay is open 24 hours a day
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvLV0v2PWJV/
1250 S Union Ave | University Village | jimsoriginal.com
After a long night out, a lot of Chicagoans seem to get the late night munchies for an authentic Polish sausage. And that’s just what this iconic hot dog spot has been serving up since 1943. This place is known throughout Chicago as being one of the places to stop for the famous Polish sausage sandwich, which is topped with onions, peppers, and mustard. They also offer hotdogs and hamburgers, but you’ve really got to try the sausage! Locals say this is a must after a fun night out.
"What can you say about a CLASSIC! You can smell the onions and Polish sausages grilling off the highway! The place is FAST, friendly, reasonably priced, and best of all the food is DELICIOUS!” -Yelp Review
7. Ciccio Mio
Craving a late dinner for Italian food? Check out this late night restaurant!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cof-K27PIPJ/
226 W Kinzie Street | River North | cicciomio.com
Sometimes life gets ahead of you and all you want is some late night Italian food? We understand the struggle and with that, make sure to check out Ciccio Mio in Chicago! This Italian restaurant offers every kind of Italian dish you’re craving and some fantastic cocktails to correspond with your meal too.
Ciccio Mio offers everything from spicy vodka rigatoni, black truffle pasta, chicken parmesan, braised beef cheeks, shrimp scampi, lasagna bolognese rotolo, and so much more. Make sure to stop by Ciccio Mio for a late dinner and check out all the good stuff they have to offer!
“This place was amazing! We heard great things about it, but even the greatest compliments undersold how amazing this place is.” - Yelp Review
8. Quartino Ristorante
Whether you want small or large plates of Italian food, this place has just what you need!
626 N State Street | Near North Side | quartinoristorante.com
Italian food is definitely what you’re craving, so if you’re looking for more than one restaurant to go to, make sure to give Quartino Ristorante a try! Quartino Ristorante is the perfect late night restaurant to go to that offers the most authentic Italian food and wine experience that you have been dreaming of.
Quartino Ristorante offers lots of tasty wine to go with dishes such as beef short rib, caprese, duck prosciutto, margherita pizza, shrimp risotto, burrata, a roasted beet salad, tuscan sausage risotto and much more. An upscale Italian restaurant like Quartino Ristorante is the perfect restaurant to go to for those late nights, so check them out today!
“I cannot recommend Quartino Ristorante more in trying times such as this. Their ability to be flexible in both keeping customers safe and happy is extraordinary.” - Yelp Review
9. Sultan’s Market
Thinking about trying some Middle Eastern food? Try out this restaurant ASAP!
2057 W North Avenue | West Town | chicagofalafel.com
We understand that sometimes you’re just looking for something different, so why not get some Middle Eastern food? If you never had it before, then you need to stop what you’re doing and try out Sultan’s Market today for some of the best around Chicago! Sultan’s Market is a chain restaurant in Chicago that is cash-only, but has some authentic food you’ll love.
Sultan’s Market is the place to go to when you want a cheap meal that you can even get late at night. From falafels, baked spinach pie, Jerusalem salad, chicken shawarma, baklava, baked egg and cheese pie, and so much more, you’ll be loving everything you try here. Make sure to check out Sultan's Market in Chicago today!
“My order was up quickly. The food was fantastic. I can't wait to go back and taste more of the food.” - Yelp Review
10. Superdawg Drive-In
Retro drive-in that serves Chicago-style hot dogs, fries, and shakes
6363 N Milwaukee Ave | Norwood Park | superdawg.com
If you’re looking for some comfort food that will fill you right up, you’ve come to the right place. Since 1948, Superdawg Drive-In has delighted Chicago residents with friendly service and delicious fast food. Hot dogs, fries, and more savory dishes await you at this retro drive-in.
From the Superdawg to the Whoopercheesie, the plates at this restaurant are sure to put you in a food coma. For an extra cherry on top of your meal, you can also get a Supermalt or Supershake. These rich shakes are sure to knock you off your feet.
Check out Superdawg for your next late night meal!
“Literally everything on their menu is always good and not once in the 10+ years I alone have been going to it, has the food ever been wrong or bad or have I ever had bad service.” - Yelp Review
11. Little Bad Wolf
Popular late night eatery that has gained a massive following for its signature burger
1541 W Bryn Mawr Ave | Andersonville, Edgewater | littlebadwolfchicago.com
Little Bad Wolf has something for everyone. Located in Andersonville, Little Bad Wolf is a popular late night eatery that offers an array of savory plates and drinks.
Their extensive menu includes tacos, bao, burgers, salads, seafood, steak, and sides. Many of their regulars love the Wolf Burger, in particular. Their famous burger consists of three patties with bacon, cheese, fried onions, pickles, and fried egg. Yum!
“I saw a post about this place on TikTok and had to come check it out for their burgers! Dear lord, it was ridiculously lovely. Double smash burger with cheese, bacon, and a fried egg, coupled with house cut fries. I also had some lovely beer.” - Yelp Review
12. San Soo Gab San
Laidback Korean BBQ joint that offers all of the essentials for a great late night meal
5247 N Western Ave | Lincoln Square | sansoogabsan.com
Whether you’re an avid fan of Korean BBQ or you never had the pleasure of trying it before, you’ll love San Soo Gab San. As the only Korean BBQ restaurant in Chicago with a Michelin BIB Gourmand award, San Soo Gab San is a must-see for anyone searching for a top-of-the-line dining experience.
Their menu boasts a wide selection of stews, appetizers, casseroles, rice & noodle dishes, soups, and meats. Thirsty? You can also treat yourself to some Korean wine or Japanese rice wine.
“The service is always fantastic and all the staff are super sweet and friendly. The travel for us is always worth it and the amount of food for the price always keeps us full for most of the day.” - Yelp Review
13. Dancen
Cozy Korean restaurant that is known for its hearty portions of food
5114 N Lincoln Ave | Lincoln Square
Next up on the list is Dancen. This Korean restaurant is a great spot for satisfying those late night hunger cravings.
The menu boasts a wide selection of dishes, including Spicy Rice Cakes, Fried Pork, Sweet & Spicy Chicken, and Pork Ribs. All of their dishes are served in hearty portions. So you definitely won’t have to worry about leaving hungry.
“Dancen has a great ambiance! If you are looking for a laid-back spot to hang out with a small group of friends, then this is the perfect place for you. All the dishes we ordered were super delicious!” - Yelp Review
14. The Wiener’s Circle
Late night spot that specializes in service with an attitude
2622 N Clark St | Lincoln Park | wienerscirclechicago.com
Here, we have The Wiener’s Circle. One thing that makes the restaurant stand out from others on the list is its service. But we’re not talking about a restaurant that goes above and beyond with friendliness. Quite the opposite. The servers are known to throw insults and profanities at customers. And they love it.
The profanities are usually saved for the late night hours. So while you enjoy a late night meal of char burgers and hot dogs, you can expect to hear some colorful insults.
Come see the action for yourself for your next late night meal!
“Enjoyed everything. My boyfriend and I both loved our Chicago hotdogs. Got them with raw onions, the classic way, although the onions can also be sautéed if you'd like. We got hot peppers with them as well. The French fries were worthwhile too- with salt!” - Yelp Review
15. The Delta
Southern Cocktail Bar That Stays Open Late
1745 W North Ave | Wicker Park/West Town | thedeltachicago.com
The Delta is a cocktail bar that specializes in Southern style cuisine. The nice thing about them is that they don’t even open until 5PM most days and then they stay open until midnight or 1AM the next day. So if you need some late night food in Chicago and you’re craving something Southern style then head over to West Town and give The Delta a try. You won’t leave disappointed given their hundreds of positive reviews from customers!
“Effing delicious. Fantastic service by Eddie. We said bring out the best plates and he did not disappoint. Everything start to finish was great. Best late night spot hands down.” – Yelp Review
16. Hide+Seek
A Cocktail Bar With Great Food That Stays Open Until 2AM Every Night!
838 W Randolph St | West Loop | hideandseekchicago.com
Hide+Seek is a great place to find some late night food in Chicago if you are also hoping to grab some amazing cocktails with your food. They are a cocktail bar that specializes in American style cuisine. And by that they really mean that they specialize in upscale American cuisinee so you can expect meals like grilled oysters and braised short ribs on the menu. If you need some food late night in Chicago and you need it to be upscale then definitely check out Hide+Seek cause they stay open until 2AM every single night of the week!
“We came here late on a Friday night for the first time and it was a great experience. The music and ambiance were fun and lively. I had the Campenelle pasta and my boyfriend had the lamb chops.We will be back!” – Yelp Review
17. Mother’s Ruin
Be Well. Feel Well. Tip Well. Farewell.
2943 N Milwaukee Ave | Avondale | mothersruinchi.com
Mother’s Ruin is another popular cocktail bar that stays open late in Chicago. They stay open until 2AM every night except for Saturday when they stay open all the way until 3AM. And they serve much more of what I would consider traditional American pub food than Hide+Seek. So instead of grilled oysters and the like, this is going to be a great place to get a great burger or some fish tacos. If you are craving classic American bar food and some great drinks then head on over to Avalon and give Mother’s Ruin a try!
“Amazing food and drinks! We found this place through yelp after a Ravinia concert and looking for a place with a late night kitchen. One of the best chicken sandwiches and burgers hands down in the city! Bartender was pretty cool and overall laidback vibes.” – Yelp Review
18. No Vacancy
Back to Basics With Elevated Ingredients
509 N Wells St | Near North Side | dontnvus.com
No Vacancy also stays open until 2AM every night except Saturday (when they also stay open until 3AM.) And I think No Vacancy really splits the difference nicely between Hide+Seek and Mother’s Ruin. They aim to offer a new spin on classic American pub food by making it all with high end ingredients. And the nice thing about them is they have a full beer and wine selection on top of their cocktail menu. So you can get great food and drinks here all at a fairly reasonable price. And just as a heads up, the last call for the kitchen isn’t until 1AM every night!
“Always great service and fun atmosphere! Great late night spot, the kitchen is open late!!” – Yelp Review
19. 2AM Izakaya
Late Night Sushi Bar In Chicago That Stays Open Until 2AM
2218 N Lincoln Ave | Lincoln Park | 2amizakaya.com
If you are craving some late night food in Chicago but American style food just isn’t what you are in the mood for you should check out 2AM Izakaya. This restaurant is a sushi bar that stays open until 2AM every night of the week except for Tuesday when they are closed. If you’re craving sushi, sashimi, noodles, fried rice, and grilled food then this is going to be just the spot for you late night in Chicago. While they are primarily a sushi bar, they also offer plenty of other classic Japanese and Chinese dinner cuisine as well!
“I've been once before and this place is awesome! The fish is always fresh and the grilled items that I tried were cooked exceptionally well. Will be coming back in the very near future. The service is good as well so no complaints there. And it's the perfect setting for a late night date or after drinks spot with friends. 10/10!” – Yelp Review
There’s always something delicious to eat in The Windy City, and we hope you love these late night food joints in Chicago!
Restaurants that offer late night fare are always appreciated in Chicago. No matter if you’re craving pizza, sandwiches, or Asian cuisine, these places have got you covered! Where are your go-to places for late night food? Let us know in the comments!
Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.
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