The area around West Randolph Street in Chicago and the Fulton Market District is a foodie haven. Fulton Market restaurants are diverse, innovative and of course, also delicious. Choices are vast and it can be tricky knowing which ones are any good.
Like Wicker Park and Bucktown, this area’s gone through an image overhaul in recent years. For locals, Randolph Street and Fulton Market have become one of the best places to meet, eat and drink.
To understand the area’s association to food, West Randolph Street’s also home to the annual Taste of Chicago food festival.
Fulton Market restaurants
There are so many great restaurants to eat near Randolph Street and Fulton Market. This post rounds up the best of them according to food type and also in alphabetical order!*
The best burger in Chicago – Au Cheval
If you’re going to eat a burger in the US, you’ve got to do it right. I’m talking about quality ingredients, very generous in size, and yes, a little on the greasy side. While I’m not the biggest burger fan, I’d return to Au Cheval in a flash.
For me, I’d say it’s the best burger in Chicago. The beef patties are thick, juicy, and with a slathering of tangy homemade sauce. It’s sandwiched between 2 brioche style buns, which are light, fluffy and also delicious on its own. There’s also a smaller branch called Small Cheval that’s dedicated to selling just burgers and fries.
800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Where to eat in Fulton Market district – Bad Hunter
Bad Hunter is a restaurant near Randolph Street and is one of the healthiest restaurants in the Fulton Market district. Here, you can find plenty of healthy, and tasty, options like aubergine salads and cauliflower tartine.
Bad Hunter’s also a good choice for veggies, as the menu has many wholesome vegetarian options on the menu.
802 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Fusion Chinese at Duck Duck Goat – Fulton Market restaurants
If you like your Chinese food with a modern twist, you’ll love Duck Duck Goat. This Fulton Market restaurant serves up all the dishes you’d enjoy in a Chinese restaurant, but with a slight edge.
Take the wonderfully named Slap noodles. It’s a noodle dish with goat sausage and prawns. Without having tasted it, I’m guessing the ‘slap’ is the hit of flavor you get after trying the first bite!
857 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Barbecue at Green Street Smoked Meats
I’ve a real weakness for authentic Texan barbecue, but it’s not so easy to get back in London! So, imagine my surprise when I came across Green Street Smoked Meats restaurant near Randolph Street. With an aroma so irresistible, it’s hard to walk by. The restaurant may not be in Texas, but the flavors, choices and portion sizes mimic it well.
What’s more, the laid-back atmosphere is so relaxed, you can eat as much barbecue with your hands as you like.
112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Randolph Street restaurants – Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
One of the best Fulton Market restaurants is Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. The restaurant delivers exactly as its name suggests, and the fried chicken here is unreal. You get a taste of the deep south, and also from some of the friendliest staff around.
The food’s as comforting and home-like as the interior, and the deep-fried okra’s also a must try. While the majority of the menu is fried, it’s crispy and moist, never greasy.
847 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Discover even more delicious eats in the windy city by taking a foodie tour. These tours aren’t just delicious; they’re also led by locals that know Chicago best.
Places to eat near Randolph Street – de cero Hello Tacos!
No best restaurant list would be complete without a Mexican place. At de cero Hello Tacos! you can load up on all your Mexican favorites. Get stuck into a smoked paprika poblano quesadilla, or a couple of generously-filled steak, chicken or fish tacos.
Prices in this cantina are also pretty reasonable, and you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.
816 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
European dining near Randoph Street – Nellcote
Treat your significant other (or friend) to a posh night out at Nellcote. The name may be French, but it serves European-inspired food.
From Italian handmade pasta dishes, to raw beef carpaccio, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s palate.
833 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Time for a pizza at Parlor Pizza – Fulton Market restaurants
There’s no-one I know who doesn’t love a good pizza, and Parlor Pizza serves theirs straight from its wood fire oven.
Serving everything from traditional pies to more experimental combinations, there are no unsatisfied customers here. When the sun’s out, take the chance to sit outside, enjoy your pizza, and maybe some people watching too.
108 N Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Bed, breakfast and more at Soho House Chicago
I was very happy to see Soho House Chicago, as I’ve only been to the one in London and Berlin. As you’d expect from the Soho House chain, the décor is a mixture of chic and is also quite eccentric. We stayed for cocktails, which were excellent, and not too overpowering with the alcohol.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and also drinks. Check the website beforehand to see what you want to order before you visit.
113 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Randolph Street and Fulton Market restaurants – the extras
Along with the Fulton Markets restaurants and the places to eat near Randolph Street, the street art’s also worth seeing too.
West Randolph Street photos
Have you visited Randolph Street and/or the Fulton Market district when in Chicago? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Where to stay around Fulton Market
This area of Chicago is really for the locals, and is also a little out of the way from downtown. That said, if you want to stay close to this neighborhood, I suggest booking a few nights at The Robey.
You’ll be near to Randolph Street and Fulton Market, and will also have an easy commute back to your Art Deco hotel.
*The restaurants listed in this post are correct at the time of publishing.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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I still haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Chicago, but when I do, you can bet your bottom dollar that Duck Duck Goat will be on my list of must go places!!
Great, I didn’t get to visit when there, so let me know how you get on!
A nice roundup of eateries of Randolph Street. I have never been to Chicago, but when I go , I know where to eat 🙂 🙂
Perfect! It’s a fun city with many great places to eat.