Best of the City: The 10 best things Time Out Chicago editors saw, ate and visited in 2024

It’s been quite the year for Norman Fenton and his Latin American fine dining concept Cariño. Opened at the tail end of 2023, the restaurant rapidly ascended to the peak of Chicago’s culinary scene, culminating in one of the highest honors: A Michelin star. In a review for Time Out, restaurant critic Maggie Hennessy wrote, “Cariño might be the best dining experience in Chicago right now, and a redemption of the tasting menu, which too often feels like it’s reaching for Michelin stars to the point of wanton tedium.” Not sold on upscale dining? Fenton also offers a more affordable and casual taco omakase experience, where guests can enjoy corn tortillas filled with wagyu, Alaskan king crab, duck confit and other elevated ingredients while vibing to curated tunes.

Bucktown’s newest drinking hotspot is the perfect hybrid between a neighborhood watering hole and an elevated tavern. Balancing an AM coffee program with a PM cocktail list is no small feat, but TRUCE is masterfully integrating bold new creations into both. Rotating menus showcase flavors like pumpkin curry, pandan, date molasses and ancho peppers, and every visit is a reason to try a new, enticing elixir. With no reservations and only walk-ins accepted, TRUCE truly embodies the perfect “I-know-a-place” vibe that precedes TikTok virality.

Chicagoans know tacos, and every new taco-touting concept must now live up to the outstanding version that Vela chef and Chicago native chef Jorge Angulo has created. Set in a space boasting striking and organic interior design inspired by Mexico City, Vela’s tender barbacoa ossobuco is a shining star among the newest dishes this year. Wrapped in housemade tortillas, the rich and savory short rib, sparked by pickled carrots, is a culinary experience on another level.

It’s almost hard to believe, but Millennium Park turned 20 this year. Chicago’s unofficial front yard, the park is home to attractions like “The Bean” and various free events during the summertime, including the Millennium Park Summer Music Series and the Millennium Park Summer Film Series. It was only fitting, then, that the city celebrated the 20th anniversary with four days of free entertainment. Chicagoans had the opportunity to watch performances by Fruko y Sus Tesos, the Grant Park Orchestra, Common and more—all without spending a dime. It was a reminder that despite living in a city with world-class attractions and activities, there are still plenty of exciting free things to do.

Harry Styles last performed in Chicago in 2022 on the Love on Tour, but the pop star still made waves this past summer when his beauty brand Pleasing opened a pop-up shop in the heart of Wicker Park. Dubbed the Pleasing AstroMilk Bar, the space diner-themed concept offered a selection of nail polishes, shirts, hoodies, hats, totes and more. Shoppers could even indulge in ice cream flavors inspired by the polishes, including Space Milk (strawberry), Cow Jumped Over The Moon (blueberry), Milk Man’s Cheeks (espresso) and Not Sorbet (red velvet). It didn’t matter if you were a fan of Styles—the pop-up was an enticing and intriguing attraction during its month-long residency.

The extensive revival of Bridgeport’s historic Ramova Theatre arrived this year after nearly four decades of vacancy. The community and event space opened with an 1,800-person standing theater, modern taproom and brewery, and sprawling loft space for smaller events. Throughout 2024, Ramova hosted a benefit concert headlined by Chance The Rapper, a gala during the Democratic National Convention and countless live shows amplifying local talent. Restored stained glass windows, original moulding and beautiful archways make this rehab project more than just a place to catch a show, but a sight to behold. Plus, the attached Ramova Grill and Taproom is open until midnight on the weekends—can it get any better?

“A dance party for ladies who got sh*t to do in the morning.” That’s the selling point of this Chicago-based dance party organization that hosts events from 6pm to 10pm. Contrasting the nocturnal nature of nightlife, Earlybirds surged this year as a women-forward and earlier option for partygoers who are, simply, sleepy. Founders and longtime friends Laura Baginski and Susie Lee brought the idea to life when they realized going out after 11pm isn’t an option for many people. Now, Earlybirds Club hosts sold-out events filled with hundreds of women ready to dance the evening away and still get a great night’s rest.

As a Chicagoan, I’d heard the whispers of a supposed art project of glimmering lights illuminating the "L" train tracks downtown. For nearly 10 years, the Wabash Lights project has worked to raise funds to bring the art piece to fruition. In August 2024, the initial phase of the project was presented to the public, with shimmering lights installed and flowing just in time for the Democratic National Convention. Future iterations of the project would allow passersby to text in new colors and patterns, thus highlighting the “public” part of “public art.”

There have been 27 films, spanning 62 years, in the illustrious James Bond franchise, yet it wasn’t until this year that fans had the chance to get an up-close look at the science and technology behind the world’s most famous spy. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry unveiled a new exhibit showcasing the series’ iconic cars, gadgets and props, such as the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. If you’ve ever dreamed about going undercover for MI6, well … that’s likely not happening but this is the next best thing.

Eight years after it premiered in London’s West End, the wizarding world of Harry Potter finally made its way to the Chicago stage. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which kicked off its North American tour here and will run through February 2025, follows Harry’s son Albus and a new generation of characters as they embark on an extraordinary adventure that threatens the past and future. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-year, the production will cast a spell over you.