And go to Chicago Diner. All vegetarian/vegan and the best this carnivore has ever had.
I hate most of the restaurants downtown so sorry, I don't have better suggestions.
Posted By: Zoey Zacquery
Hi everyone!
I'm passing through Chicago tomorrow and have a several hour layover downtown during the day. Does anyone have recommendations for a great brunch/lunch spot downtown? I love hearty cuisine, Asian food, breakfast served late, vegetarian or mixed menus, and local ingredients, but am open-minded about what kind of food to eat. Mostly I just want something indulgent and delicious to feed my soul in the middle of a long journey!
Thanks in advance!
I too would recommend the Chicago Diner as the previous poster. But if you stay downtown, I'd say Karyn's Cooked on Wells & Chicago. All vegetarian with quality food. You could also check out Eataly, plenty of really great options in there. And for a super quick, on a budget, meal can't go wrong with Native Foods.
Enjoy!
Chicago is really a great city for a vegan/vegetarian because I've found that, if places don't readily have something vegan on the menu, most chefs find it to be a delightful challenge to make something special for me. I've even been to Moto and they've made a 10 course vegan meal for me!
But, if you'd rather go somewhere that won't require a phone call ahead of time, here's some of my favorite places to go downtown:
1. Le Colonial
They have a separate vegan menu (which most of it's on the regular menu, but they do have a few special and/or modified items). It's upscale Vietnamese food and I've never had anything there I didn't like. Also, the cocktails are fantastic, and I love the 1930's style decor.
2. Gilt Bar
Admittedly, a small offering of vegan faire, but they do it right. The roasted garlic and balsamic on toast is to die for, as is the cauliflower. The decor is chic and rustic, and sometimes they have live music (which manages to never be too loud).
3. Karyn's on Green
All vegan, all amazing. Again, try the "cheese" plate and the "crab" cakes. Unbelievable!
4. Sunda
Japanese food is usually pretty easy (provided you make sure that there's no fish in the miso soup or the seaweed salad). I found that this place had lots of really unique, vegetarian offerings. And because it's kind of a tapas style place, you can easily fill up on tofu, seaweed salad, edamame and veggie sushi. Oh, and they have a great selection of sakes!
Hope that helps, fellow rabbit food eater 
