Chicago is at the heart of the East coast in America, a dream destination which travellers have added to their bucket lists. The constant upbeat of festivals, high skyscrapers rising across the city, Chicago River and an overall Batman city vibe. Chicago is at the heart of life in America and exploring street culture, gilded era architecture, unique museums and a great vibe overall. In Chicago, what tempted me most was the vegan food the city has to offer. Here are my top vegan food picks from the city.
1. PLANTA Queen – PLANTA Queen is a fine dine serving great cocktails and multi-cuisine menu. Spanning from dimsums and sushi to some great bang bang cauliflower and katsu curry. The food at PLANTA Queen is on point. It is also one of the places you can visit by yourself, sit at the bar and romanticise life. PLANTA Queen is in the middle of the city center, walkable from most hotels in Chicago city center. If you have visited New York, you would know PLANTA as a popping place on 5th Avenue. Most people in America associate PLANTA as a safe vegan spot to dine. They have something for everyone.
2. Demera – One of the most unique experiences in dining I have ever experienced. Demera hosts Ethiopian cuisine and serves it on a platter. Their Bayanetu is served as a crepe with around six veggies and curries on the side. The experience of dining here teleports you to Ethiopia to the most stunning village experiences in people’s homes. While Demera is located outside the city center, it is worth a drive. I would go to Demera a thousand times over. Little did I know what to expect at Demera before I went, I almost thought the uber dropped me to the wrong spot. But there it was – hidden in plain sight giving me a memorable experience for life.
3. Alice and Friends Vegan Kitchen – Alice and Friends has a laid back vibe and houses a multicuisine menu. Their salads and wanton soup is a must try. Miso ramen and bibimbap are some of their in house favourites. Their mushroom wonderland teleports you to mushroom land and immerses you in some of the most Umami flavours you will ever try. The house made carrot cake was love. While their menu is not too vast, it houses simple dishes that hit the spot. If you are looking for an early evening cafe vibe, this is a go to spot.
4. Kale My Name – At Kale My Name, some of the go to spots are their house nachos, greek salad, jackfruit wrap, jackfruit tacos and homemade cheesecakes. They also have a variety of smoothies you can pick from. While the spot is unassuming, it is crowded on most evenings. You definitely need an Uber to get the Kale My Name. While the spot is away from the city center, it is worth the drive. It also offers you a chance to explore a less explored neighbourhood in the city.
5. Beatrix Streetville – Beatrix Streetville is an upscale restaurant in the middle of the city center. They have some of the best fresh juices. While I did not try too much food here and was rushing late for a museum experience, I tried their vegan pasta and avocado toast. I loved how they put a green tag saying began on top of every dish. They also noted my allergies seriously and ensured there is no cross contamination in my food. While on a normal day I would have sat for longer, in the limited time I spent at Beatrix, my experience was quite memorable.
6. Indienne – Indienne is one of the most highly rated Indian restaurants in America. Offering a tasting menu experience with cocktail pairing, Indienne helmed by Chef Sujan Sarkar is out there to transform the culinary landscape of America in Indian food. Chef Sujan has gained significant acclaim across the world and most people who visit Indienne have the restaurant on their list to explore and experience. Indienne also recently started in New York. Their serving style and plating truly stood out to me during my dining experience there.
