The Time Out Chicago blog team

A golden tiger depicted over a dark-green tiled wall welcomes diners to Lettuce Entertain You’s newest culinary concept, Crying Tiger. The highly anticipated River North restaurant, located in the former Hub 51 space at the corner of Hubbard and Dearborn Streets at 51 W. Hubbard St., is the first collaboration between the restaurant group and James Beard Award finalist and Lettuce alum chef Thai Dang. Photograph: Courtesy Lettuce Entertain You/Lindsay EberlyCrying Tiger dessert with wild Thai banana and foster sauce   RECOMMENDED: The best bars in River North Dang’s menu is inspired by the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia and the foods he and managing partner Amarit Dulyapaibul ate growing up. Informed by the partners’ extensive global travel and the bold flavors of Southeast Asia, signature dishes include the Chinese donut crispy prawn toast with herb nam jim, crispy Hong Kong pork belly, and stir fry, rice and noodle dishes like clay pot lobster pad Thai and rolled rice noodles with roasted maitake mushrooms. Pastry chef Juan Gutierrez’s dessert menu features sweets like the toasted coconut sundae with palm sugar caramel. Photograph: Courtesy Lettuce Entertain You/Lindsay EberlySalted mango limeade with preserved citrus served on shaved ice  As for drinks, beverage director and partner Kevin Beary (Three Dots and a Dash, The Bamboo Room and Gus’ Sip & Dip) offers an inventive selection of cocktails and zero-proof sips, including a coconut fat-washed sbagliato,...

Turns out the Windy City is bringing the sunny vibes. Chicago just landed at No. 8 on our new ranking of the world’s happiest cities in 2025, based on responses from more than 18,000 locals around the globe. The survey weighs what actually makes city life feel good day to day—think culture, nightlife, food, walkability, affordability and overall quality of life—then zeros in on happiness with statements about whether people feel joyful in their city, see that joy in others and find it growing. This year’s global podium goes to Abu Dhabi, followed by Medellín and Cape Town. Chicago’s top-10 finish places it ahead of Seville, Melbourne and Brighton and just behind Shanghai, Mumbai and Beijing—all serious international company for a Midwestern heavyweight that too often gets reduced to snow jokes and sports takes. So why are Chicagoans cheerful? Start with the everyday pleasures: a lakefront that’s actually public (26 miles of it), beach days that melt into outdoor concerts, neighborhood parks with pick-up hoops and farmers’ markets and a riverwalk that finally lives up to its postcard. Add a food scene with range, from Italian beef counters and tavern-cut pies to destination tasting menus. Layer in culture that never coasts—storefront theaters experimenting nightly, big-ticket museums refreshing their hits, music everywhere from dive bars to Millennium Park. None of it requires a car; this is a city built for walkers who like to discover things around the corner....

The 2025 Chicago Marathon is almost upon us. On Sunday, October 12, more than 50,000 runners will convene in Grant Park and race through the city, sweeping through 29 neighborhoods. Whether you’re participating in the big race or just cheering on the runners, the following is a list of vital information you need to know, including start times, the marathon route and best places to watch. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best running clubs in Chicago When is the Chicago Marathon? The 2025 Chicago Marathon is Sunday, October 12. What is the Chicago Marathon route?  The marathon starts and finishes in Grant Park, weaving through 29 neighborhoods across the city. Runners will charge north through downtown along LaSalle St toward Lakeview, before looping around to head south down Broadway, Clark St and more. They will then head west across the Chicago River and into the Near West Side, before moving south through Pilsen, Chinatown and Bronzeville. The course finishes with a long stretch up Michigan Ave back to Grant Park, with the finish line stationed on Columbus Dr. The full map of the course can be found here. How can I track marathon runners? Spectators won’t be able to access the race start and finish areas in Grant Park, but they can track runners via the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon app, available for iPhones and Android phones.  Where are the best spots to watch the Chicago Marathon? The race can be viewed from streets along the marathon route or from official...