Amazing Restaurants Near the United Center

Image courtesy of United Center. 

If you want to enjoy your time before or after the game with a good meal, there are several restaurants near the United Center you can visit. The city of Chicago has a whole lot to offer, especially the West Loop neighborhood, so after a Bulls game or a concert, you’ll only have to take a few minute drive to find some food. The restaurants range from American to Italian to Croatian, and the scenery is amazing. Check out our list for some great options and enjoy an amazing meal after all the excitement of the game.

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1. Billy Goat Tavern

A famous tavern with sizzling burgers. 

📍 430 N Michigan Ave | North Side | billygoattavern.com

Visit the famous Billy Goat Tavern for one of their famous cheezborgers if you want to have a great time after the game. And yes, I meant to spell cheezborgers. If you want to know why this spot spells cheeseburger that way, check out the famous SNL sketch! 

This tavern has long been a favorite for Chicago journalists, and can be a favorite for you as well. Go in for a classic double cheeseburger and fries straight from the grill. You are sure to have a blast.

“A very iconic Chicago place, thanks to SNL and other comedians (such as Bill Murray) that made it famous. I was told that if I were to go to the BGT, this was the location to go...and I would pass that advice to any Chicago tourist!”–Yelp Review

2. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

Handmade pasta mixed with tradition and innovation. 

📍 1020 W Madison St | West Loop | monteverdechicago.com

Steps away from the United Center is Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio. It is an Italian restaurant with a traditional heart and a modern hand that blends Italian tradition with the chef’s trips around the world. 

This restaurant offers a new way to experience Italian food. You can enjoy traditional dishes alongside newer adventurous ones. Get the best of Italy and the midwest, and do it after seeing an exciting game with your friends. Fresh, handmade pasta in different shapes and textures will be available to you with different sauces, and they even have gluten free options!

“The ambiance is great for date night or for a girls night. Super nice setting at the bar and restaurant. The burrata and bread was amazing and the ragu was definitely worth the price and we had a lot of leftovers. I would definitely recommend going.”–Yelp Review

3. Girl and the Goat

Exotic meat options a few blocks from United Center. 

📍 809 W Randolph | West Loop | girlandthegoat.com

If you want to enjoy a big part of the West Loop’s history, visit Girl and the Goat. This restaurant was one of the first to exist on the West Loop’s famous restaurant row. They treat all their guests like family, and will offer you some of the best seasonal flavors, cocktails, wines, and local beers. 

They also have a selection of meats that you won’t find anywhere else. Get anything from roasted pig face, confit goat belly, and goat liver mousse alongside classics like prime skirt steak, BBQ pork belly, and smoked chicken. 

“Loved my dining experience here while visiting Chicago. We were recommended by friends who are from the area and we made a late reservation. The vibes and restaurant was spot on. Loud, lots of people, great service and the food was fantastic! If in the area, please visit. You won't regret it!”–Yelp Review 

4. Park Tavern

Chicago's famous deep dish pizza and other styles. 

📍 1645 W Jackson Blvd | West Side | parktavernchicago.com

For craveable foods that include great burgers, amazing pizza, and craft beers, visit Park Tavern on your way out from the United Center. Park Tavern is a restaurant that is primed to give you and your friends a great experience, and you won’t have to go very far from the United Center at all. 

If you want to enjoy some of Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza, this is the place to be. They also have plenty of other pizza, like thin crust and custom options, so you aren’t at all limited with choices. They also offer market greens, street tacos, craft burgers, and more. 

“We had a group in a party room before a hockey game at the United arena. Our food on the buffet was absolutely fabulous. I loved the mac and cheese and the steak and the brisket was great. Our tables were kept clean and the bartenders were more than adequate. Thanks for a wonderful experience”–Yelp Review 

5. Kaiser Tiger

A spot made for large groups with tons of beer on tap.  

📍 1415 W Randolph St | West Loop | kaisertiger.com

If you want to enjoy a great atmosphere with a large group of people, head down to Kaiser Tiger. Kaiser Tiger is Chicago’s best beer garden. They have more than 20 beers on a rotating tap at a time, and complimentary shuttles to all Bulls and Hawks games! You can even get rides to and from certain concerts as well. So this place is not only a good time, they also make sure that anyone can make it there!

“Good beer garden with plenty of space. Enjoyed their house beers. Food came out pretty fast. But I would say the benefit to coming here is their massive amount of seating. They have a great outdoor seating area. That is perfect for the summer, especially for big groups.”–Yelp Review

6. Twisted Spoke

Southern style food, and cocktails to-go. 

📍 501 N Ogden Ave | West Loop | twistedspoke.com

If you’d like to have a drink and meal in a gorgeous location after the game, head over to Twisted Spoke. This restaurant offers food and cocktails to go, and space to eat inside or on their scenic outdoor patio. 

Twisted Spoke also serves some southern style food, so if you’re a fan of gumbo, shrimp po’ boys, and walleye tallboys, this is a great place to be anytime before or after the next game at the United Center. 

“Fun bar with great food top seating during the nice weather. It's a pretty casual vibe. The menu here is pretty standard bar food, but everything we tried was SO good. The jalapeño poppers were amazing and we should have gotten another order of them.–Yelp Review

7. Ranalli’s

All kinds of pizza just a few minutes from the United Center. 

📍 1326 W Madison St | West Loop | ranalliswestloop.com

Ranalli’s is a restaurant that will serve you beer, pizza, and events. There is very often something going on there, and you can buy tickets to enjoy some of them on occasion. 

They offer game day specials, holiday packages, and more. You can even use the space to host your own private party. They have a communal setting where guests can enjoy signature appetizers, sandwiches, beers, and cocktails along with a dog friendly outdoor sidewalk cafe. They will even sponsor your sports team if you’re on one!

“We love coming here after skating at Johnny's ice house for a delish Italian lunch. The hot honey salami pizza hits all the right spicy & sweet notes. Surprisingly, I've had one of the juiciest turkey burgers here. Kids love the calamari and the Dino nuggets. Servers can get busy but they are always super friendly. Only problem is that after such a satisfying & plentiful lunch, you'll soon be in a food coma!”–Yelp Review

8. Cobra

Get something greasy with a rock n’ roll twist. 

📍 235 N Ashland Ave | West Loop | cobralounge.com

Cobra offers a menu filled with burgers, soup, veggies, and bar staples that you love, but with a cool rock n’ roll twist to it. They offer an evolving menu that keeps things interesting, and that goes for whether you want something greasy or something vegetarian!

The bar offers a full range of drinks, from beers, wines, and cocktails. They serve an in-house rotating beer selection, weekly hot dog specials, and sometimes, live music. The menu includes foods like house smoked wings, beer hall chili, and pot roast grilled cheese. They even offer pothole brownies and churros. 

“My love and I went to Cobra Lounge awhile back. Our visit was on a gray Saturday mid-afternoon, so we came for only a bit of food and drink and not any live music. The place had a very laid-back vibe, and the kind service we received was fine with us.

We were not too hungry so we split a Cobra Burger with a side of fries. Although the burger and fries looked basic, it was all very flavorful and satisfying. I enjoyed my Three Orange Wit beer too.”–Yelp Review

9. Rose Mary

Croatian and Italian fare near the United Center.

📍 932 W Fulton Market | West Loop | rosemarychicago.com

In the historic Fulton Market district, not far from the United Center, you can find Rose Mary, a Croatian and Italian inspired restaurant. It is a lively place to be, and is named after grandmothers and the spice rosemary. It is a great space to enjoy after a game. 

Rose Mary serves vegetables, fish, meat, pasta, and risotto. Some of the options are zucchini fritters, grilled clams, duck, and gnocchi. They also have a long list of desserts like gelato, sorbetta, and toffee zelten. 

“A perfect meal. Recommended by a friend that has been many times, we sat at the chef's counter and had a completely delightful experience. The service was attentive and not overbearing. The lighting and design choices were warm. But, importantly, every single dish was five stars. Order wildly and you will not be disappointed in the slightest.”–Yelp Review

10. Green Street Local

A comforting place inspired by the city of Chicago. 

📍 130 S Green St | West Loop | greenstreetlocal.com

Green Street Local is a restaurant that is inspired by the city of Chicago and all of its diverse neighborhoods. Everything from the menu names to the dish inspirations and ingredients all come from things that are seen and heard all around the city. 

This restaurant offers snacks and essentials, soup, and comfort food. On the essential list are wings, calamari, mozzarella logs, and more. And on the comfort menu there is steak, chicken parmesan, local mac and more. 

“Huge fan of this place. Can be both a casual date spot or a great place to watch the game with buddies. Food is solid and sold at a fair price. That said what truly can't be beat is the staff, they welcome me in every time as if I'm an everyday regular and take great effort into providing a fantastic experience.”–Yelp Review 

If you’re at the United Center and want to get something good to eat before you go home, visit any of these restaurants to have a good experience. You won’t regret any of them! Just pick out your favorite and take a five minute drive!