A Girls’ Winter Getaway to Chicago’s West Loop

 When I lived in Chicago around eight-ish years ago, I’d look out my window and see Oprah’s studio building and walk past a recently closed Blockbuster on my way to work. A lot has changed. It’s now one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city with Restaurant Row (some of the best restaurants situated on Randolph St.) and arguably the best donut shop. Need I say more? I think I do. Read on:

Where to Stay

I always find myself in the Fulton Market/West Loop area when I visit Chicago, never staying overnight in my favorite neighborhood, but there are a handful of super chic hotels that make it irresistible. We stayed at the Hoxton

Favorite Restaurants

I’m not a foodie, but this trip I brought along a friend with a palette far more advanced than my own and she loved the restaurants we visited as much I did. For breakfast the first morning we visited the Allis inside Soho House.

Veronika ordered avocado toast and we’re still both convinced they loaded her up with an entire avocado. I got my standard American breakfast with crispy bacon, delicious bread and scrambled eggs. So much flavor and perfection in even the most basic of dishes. She got a cappuccino and I ordered an iced latte, both incredibly smooth coffee drinks. And the furnishings, textures and moody lighting made for a wonderful ambiance.

For a quick coffee, breakfast or lunch, pop by Beatrix. I frequented the location twice–once for a late lunch and the following day for coffee. Veronika and I both ordered burgers and fries– a basic lunch that served up plenty of flavor. My friend Merl (who owns the SHUDIO in Pilsen, just 10 minutes from West Loop) claims I eat like a bird never finishing a meal but I sent her a pic of my plate after since I ate just about all of it. They also have a section in the restaurant that serves as a coffee shop/bakery and another area for grabbing a salad from the salad bar and drink to go.

Our dinners were spent in the West Loop area unfortunately, but I can recommend Au Cheval (long wait, delicious burgers), La Josie (upscale Mexican), Chicken Farm Shop (inside Soho House, anything chicken and the milkshakes are a must.)

For our last breakfast in the city, we just headed down the elevator to Cira, the Mediterranean restaurant on the first floor in the hotel. Veronika got the flat white and I ordered a mocha, possibly the best mocha I ever had. And the adventurous eater ordered shakshuka and I again opted for the American breakfast that loaded me up with crispy potatoes, all the fresh bread I could hope for, scrambled eggs, bacon AND sausage. I got a bite of the shakshuka and it was so flavorful!

Grab a Treat

If you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, the West Loop has you covered. My beloved Jeni’s Ice Creams has a location right on Randolph. Hack: pretend you’ve never been there and get samples. I’m always like “oh wow, that brown butter almond brittle sounds ever so intriguing, may I try?” But of course that is my standard go to and what I’ve been ordering for years in cities that contain a Jeni’s.

Molly’s Cupcakes more recently opened up a location in Fulton Market and for 10 years, I’ve loved the cookie monster cupcake, filled with cookie dough. I can’t resist! The space is large with a chalkboard wall, swings instead of stools at the bar and coffee on the menu.

Do Rite Donuts is a local favorite. I personally love Stan’s Donuts marginally more since Do Rite only has cake donuts, BUT the sprinkle donuts are delicious.

A Little Shopping

Asrai Garden is my favorite shop in the neighborhood. It’s part floral shop part retail store with luxurious skincare products, candles, fragrances, jewelry and more. And it’s an absolutely stunning shop.

Aesop must’ve recently opened too and it’s a skincare shop that I always find in larger cities and stock up on my favorite hand lotion and hand wash.

There are larger retailers like Anthropologie, Free People, Blue Mercury and more too.The Hoxton Chicago hotel room above and lobby below with Cira, their mediterranean restaurant.  The Allis, my favorite breakfast/brunch spot at Soho House.The lobby at Soho House. Lots of cozy furniture and tables to choose from. Asrai Garden, the most beautiful store. Located next to the ACE Hotel. Molly’s Cupcakes are the best cupcakes in town. Jeni’s Ice Cream–always get the waffle cone chunk if you prefer a bowl over a cone. Outside of Beatrix in Fulton Market. Great stop for coffee, lunch or a quick snack. Breakfast and coffee at Cira, first floor of Hoxton Chicago.