CONTENTS 10 REASONS TO MEET EXPLORE CHOOSE CHICAGO IS HERE TO HELP WHAT’S NEW CONVENTION FACILITIES FESTIVALS & EVENTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS FEATURED PARTNERS ACCESSIBLE CHICAGO RESOURCES TAP INTO CHICAGO’S DIVERSE BUSINESSES FUN TEAM BUILDING IDEAS DINING IN CHICAGO’S NEIGHBORHOODS ICONIC CHICAGO EVENT VENUES MEET SUSTAINABLY SEE CHICAGO IN 24 HOURS Demera Ethiopian Restaurant , which serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a welcoming setting. Home to the legendary Wrigley Field and Northalsted (the nation’s first officially recognized LGBTQ+ neighborhood), Lakeview is nothing if not diverse. Equally unique is 2d Restaurant , a hand-drawn two-dimensional Asian eatery that feels like walking into a comic book. Take in the scenery as you snack on Asian treats like Taiwanese fried chicken and mochi doughnuts. With its bounty of stores offering Mexican items like baked goods and artisan crafts, Little Village (or La Villita, as the locals call it) offers a vibrant Mexican cultural experience. Inside a chalet-style building, La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant features some of the city’s best chilaquiles, as well as other iconic Mexican dishes. Puerto Rico seems a lot closer when you’re in Humboldt Park , with the area’s many colorful murals and lively festivals. Then there are the restaurants, like Papa’s Cache Sabroso , which offers authentic Puerto Rican cuisine — their pollo chon (rotisserie chicken) and jibarito sandwich are legendary — and friendly island hospitality. Sure, Bridgeport is home to the Chicago White Sox baseball team, JACK X LI but a thriving arts and dining scene can also be found here. Family-owned and -operated, Franco’s Ristorante has been making patrons feel welcome since 1989, and features made-from-beautifully restored interiors. Its lounge, The Blue Room , embraces a spot-on speakeasy vibe. Latino street art, museums, live music venues, and charming independent restaurants Chicago is the proud home of the James Beard Awards. Check out our local winners. greystone mansions in the city and home to the K-Town Historic District, North Lawndale is a residential architecture lover’s dream. Soulé chef-owner Bridgette Flagg, who grew up in the area, cooks up Creole-infused soul food like blackened catfish served over dirty rice with shrimp. scratch Italian dishes ranging from whipped ricotta tuffo to tortellini carbonara. With world-class museums and historic areas like Motor Row and the Prairie Avenue District, the South Loop offers plenty to do. Set inside a 1905 Romanesque Revival building, The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant combines stellar steakhouse fare with La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant Cozy up on a leather sofa near the fireplace on chilly evenings. Architecturally significant homes can also be found in Beverly , often called a “village in the city” for its small-town vibe. This area is also well known for its proud Irish heritage. Here, The SoulFood Lounge 2 takes a global approach to its comfort food offerings that range from Bayou blackened shrimp tamales to Hong Kong honey shrimp. can all be found in Pilsen . HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen , from husband-and-wife owners Thai and Danielle Dang, pairs Vietnamese street food and family recipes with modern touches in signature dishes like fragrant papaya salad and crispy chicken wings. With the greatest concentration of
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2025: Page 42
