The area around West Randolph Street in Chicago and the Fulton Market District is a foodie haven.
Fulton Market restaurants are diverse, innovative and serve up a range of delicious cuisines. Choices are vast and it can be tough deciding on which ones to try.
Like Wicker Park and Bucktown, this area’s gone through an image overhaul over the years. Today, Randolph Street and Fulton Market have become one of the best places for locals to meet, eat and drink.
To understand the area’s association to food, West Randolph Street is also home to the annual Taste of Chicago food festival.
Fulton Market restaurants
There are many great restaurants to eat near West Randolph Street and Fulton Market, and this post lists 9 of them.
Arranged according to food type, and in alphabetical order,* it should provide a helpful guide of which restaurants you want to try.
1. Au Cheval
If you’re going to eat a burger in the USA, you’ve got to do it right.
I’m talking about quality ingredients, generous sizes, and with enough grease to maintain the burger’s juiciness. And, while I’m not usually the biggest burger fan, I’d return to Au Cheval in a heartbeat.
Au Cheval, West Randolph StreetFulton market restaurants — 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
2. Bad Hunter
Bad Hunter is a restaurant near West 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.
Healthier options available at Bad Hunter
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
3. Duck Duck Goat
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.
Outside Duck Duck Goat
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
4. Green Street Smoked Meats
I’ve a real weakness for authentic Texan barbecue, but it’s not so easy to get in London.
So, imagine my excitement when I came across Green Street Smoked Meats restaurant near West 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.
Inside Green Street Smoked Meats
What’s more, the laid-back atmosphere is so relaxed, that eating barbecue with your hands is encouraged, not frown upon.
112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
5. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
One of the best Fulton Market restaurants, in my opinion, 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.
Southern comfort cooking at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Crispy, crunchy fried chicken — Fulton Market restaurants
The food’s as comforting and home-like as the interior, and the deep-fried okra is also a must try. While the majority of the menu is fried, it’s crispy and moist, not greasy.
847 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Discover even more delicious eats in the windy city by taking a Chicago food tasting tour. These tours aren’t just delicious; they’re also led by locals that know Chicago best.
6. 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.
de cero Hello Tacos!
Prices in this cantina are also pretty reasonable, and you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and a full belly.
816 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
7. 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.
Nellcote, Fulton Market
From Italian handmade pasta dishes, to raw beef carpaccio, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s palate.
833 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
8. Parlor Pizza
There’s no-one I know who doesn’t love a good pizza, and Parlor Pizza serves theirs straight from its wood fire oven.
The traditional way — Fulton Market restaurants
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
9. Soho House Chicago
I was happy to visit Soho House Chicago, seeing as I’d already visited the branches in London and Berlin.
As you’d expect from the Soho House chain, the décor is a mixture of stylish and individual furnishings. We stayed for cocktails, which were excellent, bespoke and not overly alcoholic.
Outside Soho House Chicago
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
What else to see around West Randolph Street
After filling your stomach from one of the Fulton Market restaurants, work off the calories by exploring the area.
The area surrounding West Randolph Street is known for its colorful and symbolic street art.
The West Randolph Street area
Have you visited Randolph Street and/or the Fulton Market district when in Chicago? Did you try any of the mentioned restaurants? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Where to stay near 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.