No matter the hour, Chicago restaurants never stop serving great food. For those who work late shifts or have spent a night out on the town, the following spots are life savers. They offer delicious bites into the early morning and are here for you when you need them the most. You can devour one of the city’s best burgers from Redhot Ranch or feast on affordable Indian cuisine at Ghareeb Nawaz. Local greasy favorites like Jim’s Original and The Wieners Circle are also nocturnal haunts. And, of course, the classic carne asada tacos from Los Comales or Coyotes. Just as important: these places are among the finest cheap eats in Chicago, too. So the next time you find yourself out past your usual bedtime, check out our guide to the best late-night restaurants for a satisfying meal before heading home.
RECOMMENDED: The best late-night delivery restaurants
Greasy favorite Redhot Ranch’s menu is simple yet utterly delicious. The jumbo fried shrimp and Depression Dogs won’t disappoint, but the double cheeseburger is the true star of the show. Hailed by many as the best in Chicago, it sports two smashed patties, LTO, melty cheese and special sauce. Every order includes fries, too. At $7 and change, it’s an unbeatable deal.
Although it’s no longer open 24/7, Jim’s Original is still a beacon for late-night eats. The UIC-adjacent stand is famous for its Maxwell Street Polish sausages, as well as the bone-in pork chop sandwich. When you’re in the area and hungry, find salvation by following the smell of grilled onions.
Chardogs and late-night antics by staff members draw locals to this legendary Lincoln Park stand. A remodel in 2021 improved things by adding more patio seating plus a bar that slings beer and cocktails. Your experience may include some sassy banter, and certainly an eyeful if you order a chocolate shake.
The only thing better than a place that’s open late is a menu with budget-friendly prices. Indian stalwart Ghareeb Nawaz checks both boxes at its West Rogers Park location, which doesn’t close its doors until 2am. So when you’re winding down your night, stop by for some lamb biryani, butter chicken and garlicky naan.
In a neighborhood full of after-hours choices, Chi Cafe sits near the top. The Chinatown Square restaurant offers a massive menu and you can expect everything from shrimp-studded fried rice and sizzling beef tenderloin to fried pork intestines. If you’re craving something on the lighter side, a homey bowl of congee—available plain or with proteins—should hit the spot.
A night out on the town should always end with some greasy goodness. At Diner Grill, the menu offers reliable breakfast fare, burgers, sandwiches and more all day long. First-timers need look no further than the Slinger for sustenance. The signature dish features hash browns, two burger patties and over-easy eggs all smothered in homemade chili. It’s a gutbuster that’ll send you to bed happy and full.
As the name implies, South Side staple Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp is known for fried seafood. The restaurant has been in business since 1950—a testament to its quality—and Gulf crustaceans are its best seller. There are a couple of varieties to choose from, such as coconut and popcorn shrimp, but we favor the original large shrimp breaded using a family recipe. Other highlights include catfish strips, pollock fillets and frog legs.
Old-school Italian-American joint Ricobene’s delivers approachable items like pizzas, burgers, ribs and wings. But the main reason to come here is for the breaded steak sandwich. It’s a gloriously messy combination of fried steak, mozzarella, giardiniera and bright tomato sauce on a French roll. It’s sure to put you to sleep afterwards.
It’s hard to say no to tacos, especially after last call. This local mini-chain serves up cuts of steak, al pastor, chicken, crispy fish and more on corn tortillas until the wee hours of the morning. Tortas, burritos and large plates like carne asada round out the menu.
Laid-back New York cocktail bar Mother’s Ruin arrived in Chicago in 2022, giving us a dependable spot for brunch every day of the week and late-night bites. You can pair your boozy slushy or sbagliato with intriguing items like a falafel burger and red velvet Oreo bombs. The kitchen accepts orders until 1:30am (2:30am on Saturdays).
Enjoy the best bagels in Chicagoland at any hour of the day, as this Lincolnwood shop is open 24 hours. It’s located just off I-94 so take the short trip up north for a variety of breads and Jewish specialties. We recommend getting a lox bagel with all the fixings but there are also options like pastrami, chicken salad and breakfast sandwiches.
View this post on Instagram
It wouldn’t be a night to remember (or forget) without some greasy grub to seal the deal. This national late-night chain landed in Lincoln Park in 2021 and has supported the midnight crowd ever since. Open until 3am on the weekends, you can satisfy that craving for a Philly cheesesteak or buffalo wings in the wee hours of the early morning. Chow down on mouthwatering deep fried Oreos and cheesecake bites for dessert, too.
For tacos until the early morning, head over to Coyotes on 18th Street in Pilsen. Open until 5AM on Saturday nights, Coyotes is a humble spot for a filling and hearty dinner or late night snack. Venture off into the Cuban tortas, chilaquiles or all-day breakfast tacos, but always know the go-to order of carne asada tacos will hit the spot at Coyotes. There’s also chorizo, lengua, fish, shrimp and half a chile relleno tacos.
When all the other clubs and bars announce last call, head over to this 4am watering hole to keep the good times rolling. This low-key sanctuary at the oft-pretentious Milwaukee-North-Damen intersection is great for snagging a bite at the end of the night. The extensive late night menu is served past midnight with highlights including southern fried green beans, a gyro-burger and mini chicken corn dogs.
Discover Time Out original video
