The Time Out Chicago blog team

Sorry, Chicago—you came this close. In the latest rankings from Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards, Chicago was officially crowned the second-best food city in the United States. The only place to outrank it? None other than New York City, which held onto the top spot thanks to its sheer scale, diversity and constant culinary reinvention.  RECOMMENDED: The 28 best restaurants in Chicago right now Still, being No. 2 is hardly a loss, especially considering the company Chicago is keeping. The annual list, compiled from input by more than 400 chefs, food writers and travel experts, highlights cities that best blend tradition, innovation and a strong sense of place. And unsurprisingly, Chicago checks all those boxes. According to the ranking, the city continues to stand out for its balance of high-end dining and deeply rooted neighborhood food culture. You’ll find Michelin-starred tasting menus alongside old-school institutions, plus a wave of newer restaurants and younger chefs pushing boundaries with global mashups and personal storytelling. That combo of innovation and diversity keeps Chicago firmly in the national spotlight, proving that the city’s food scene isn’t just about deep-dish pizza and hot dogs (although those definitely still matter). Chicago dining is also about Filipino tasting menus, Cambodian flavors, Mexican street food and everything in between, often in the same neighborhood. In fact, Chicago’s culinary rep has only grown in recent years. The...

The Hand & The Eye, a 36,000-square-foot sanctuary for the all things magic, officially opens its doors on Saturday, April 18. Anchored inside the legendary McCormick Mansion at Ontario and Rush (100 E Ontario St), the venue sits just steps from the Magnificent Mile, transforming a Gilded Age icon into what is being hailed as the world’s most ambitious home for modern magic. The estate is no stranger to reinvention—having famously housed Lawry’s The Prime Rib for decades—but its latest act is its most daring. Within its 37 rooms, the mansion hides a labyrinth of secret passageways and hidden chambers where world-class magicians perform intimate, close-up tricks. The experience pairs high-concept sleight of hand with an elevated culinary program, operating on the belief that nothing complements a vanishing act quite like an extravagant entrée.  “We’re creating a singular experience of wonder, where memories are made and magic is shared. You become a part of the magic,” says founder Glen Tullman. “We’re investing in Chicago to bring the most unique magic experience in the world to life, and to play a role in reinvigorating the Magnificent Mile.” Photograph: Courtesy of the Rockwell Group The five-story experience unfolds through a sequence of lounges, theaters and dining rooms that shift from stylishly cozy to wildly opulent. With more than five ways to enter the mansion, every visit is a curated pivot; the magicians you meet, the illusions you witness and even the menu...

Chicago Fire FC is turning matchday into a full-on summer night out. The club has announced its 2026 Summer Concert Series, with Lupe Fiasco and Two Friends set to headline post-match performances at Soldier Field, a pairing that leans hard into soccer, music and city pride. The concerts are scheduled around two major fixtures for Chicago Fire FC, bookending the summer’s global soccer frenzy tied to the FIFA World Cup. On May 23, Lupe Fiasco will take the stage after the Fire play Toronto FC, which will be the team’s final match before the league pauses for international play. Then on July 16, Two Friends will keep the energy going after a “Homecoming Night” match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, just days before the World Cup final. If that sounds like a lot happening in one place, that’s kind of the point, as the club works to emphasize the idea that a ticket should get you more than 90 minutes of soccer. It can easily turn into a full evening, with the crowd hanging out long after the final whistle. For Lupe Fiasco, the hometown angle is part of the draw, too. The rapper, known for his sharp, socially conscious lyricism, is Chicago-born and called the opportunity to perform at Soldier Field meaningful. Two Friends, meanwhile, bring a very different kind of following. The duo, best known for their viral “Big Bootie Mix” series, has built a reputation for high-energy sets that can make a stadium feel more like a festival. During the World Cup break, the club is also...