meetinchicago.com Gate Brewery you’ll find plenty of the beloved namesake stout on tap, along with tasty global cuisine, inside a beautiful loft-like space. Ornate buildings, fanciful storefronts, and restaurants serving authentic Chinese cuisine are all part of the allure of Chicago’s century-old Chinatown . A modern Asian steakhouse, HOLU features a variety of the world’s finest meats and seafood, much of which is prepared by skillful servers on smokeless table grills. An eclectic mix of vintage stores, indie art galleries, and colorful public art, West Town delightfully embraces its hipster status. Dine along the Chicago River on the open-air rooftop at Azul . This lively restaurant offers an expansive Old Fashioned Donuts menu of Latin-inspired seafood plates. From funky eateries and live entertainment venues to some of the city’s best indie boutiques, Wicker Park is always bustling. Taking a from-scratch attitude, the father-and-son team at Kama Bistro offers boldly flavored contemporary Indian cuisine, as well as cocktails that incorporate Indian spices. A charming mix of majestic homes, tree-lined boulevards, and trendy cocktail bars and restaurants, multicultural Logan Square checks all the boxes. The same could be said of award-winning Daisies , a coffee bar with impeccable pastries during the day and a terrific farm-to-table restaurant at night. Offering a cool combo of urban savvy, industrial roots, and under-the-radar dining, Avondale is Chicago’s hidden secret. At Anelya , husband-and-wife chefs Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim work side by side to create their version of heartfelt Ukrainian cuisine. Home to one of Chicago’s largest LGBTQ+ communities, Andersonville was once an enclave to Swedish immigrants, who founded the local Swedish American Museum. Today, the streets are lined with charming boutiques and cozy restaurants. The latter includes Oda , offering authentic Turkish comfort food with Eastern European flair. With plenty of lakefront green space, a hidden lily pond, and a free zoo, Lincoln Park lives up to its name and then some. A fusion of art, culture, and philanthropy, Esmé offers an innovative tasting menu in its intimate dining room. For a more casual experience, head to neighboring Bar Esmé . A rich historical area, Uptown is full of beautiful vintage theatres and old-school jazz clubs from the past, along with the international community of its present. With that cultural mix comes a wealth of global restaurants, including Give a uniquely Chicago gift from these local businesses. Schweet The Original Homemade Chicago Cheesecake produces individual and full-size cheesecakes inspired by their granny’s recipe. Make it personal (literally!) with TeeMart Decorated Apparel ’s custom clothing and drinkware. Family-run Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company works with Kenyan farmers to source its flavorful coffee beans. The woman-owned Sugar Bliss crafts delicious pastries, including colorful cupcakes and macarons. Laudi Vidni offers a range of beautiful custom leather goods for men and women. Memorable custom gift boxes from Packed With Purpose support a variety of organizations. Since 1947, handcrafted chocolates and fudge by Kilwins have created a legion of fans. Savory or sweet, the fresh-made popcorn from Garrett Popcorn Shops is impossible to resist. Maya-Camille Broussard offers incredible pies, quiches, and tarts from her beloved bakery, Justice of the Pies . CHICAGO GIFT IDEAS
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2025: Page 41
