Your guide to the food and drink at Time Out Market Chicago—and how to order

Alice & Wonder is joining the Market as a summer retail pop-up from Friday, May 30th through Labor Day weekend. Known for its playful, high-quality mix of apparel, accessories, and giftable treasures, the brand turns everyday essentials into feel-good must-haves. Exclusively for Time Out Market Chicago guests, Alice & Wonder will debut “Alice’s Hat Press,” a hands-on station where visitors can customize their own hat with a bespoke patch - created on the spot and made just for them.

Creating edible art, Chef Jorge Kauam combines Caribbean flavors, European techniques, and Asian spices, creating the best combination in each chocolate. He has earned various awards for Best Dessert Dish in Venezuelan competitions and also hand-crafts the viral sensation, the Dubai chocolate bar. This artisinal chocolate shop is the perfect destination for a sweet treat for yourself or gifts. 

Mochi Donuts

Driven by a desire to create a comic book-inspired world where guests could escape, Kevin Yu and Vanessa Vu crafted one of Chicago’s most enthralling and immersive dining experiences. At 2d Restaurant, you’ll embark on a journey to Paris through black-and-white, hand-drawn artwork that covers every inch of the space. The menu is equally impressive, featuring airy and chewy mochi donuts in various flavors alongside Taiwanese boba teas and Vietnamese coffee. Go ahead and give in to the temptation of the ube mochi donut, and don’t forget to grab a couple of other sweet treats for later—you won’t regret it.

Vitasana, created by husband-and-wife duo Jorge and Adriana Kaum, brings bold flavor and holistic wellness to the table. Jorge, a seasoned chef and founder of Gutenberg and JK Chocolates - also located in Time Out Market Chicago - and Adriana, a nutritionist with a focus on integrative health, have crafted a menu that proves nutritious food can be crave-worthy. Think slow-roasted meats, fermented vegetables, and plant-based power - all plated with purpose.

Coastal Indian Cuisine 

When co-owners Manish and Rina Mallick first traveled to Goa, they were captivated by the region’s beautiful white sand beaches and Portuguese architecture. But the coastal Indian state’s delicious cuisine left an even bigger impression, with pristine seafood served alongside spicy curry and fluffy poi bread. The pair founded Bar Goa to share these delicacies with Chicagoans, serving a variety of dishes that just happen to pair nicely with a cold beer or a refreshing cocktail.

Eclectic Ramen

Steaming bowls of noodles have been a fixture of chef Bill Kim’s menus ever since he opened his first restaurant, and diners have always been eager to slurp his latest creations. Originally launched as a delivery-only concept, Bill Kim Ramen Shop specializes in broths that draw on Korean, Vietnamese and Mexican flavors, garnished with a creative array of toppings. Whether you’re looking for a conventional bowl or ramen or something a bit more adventurous, Kim has something you can enjoy by the spoonful.

German-Inspired Burgers

Drawing inspiration from the modest origins of the hamburger, chef Jorge Kauam’s German-American concept offers a variety of smashed creations that blend the comfort of familiarity with striking inventiveness. Through modern techniques and premium ingredients, including a specially crafted spice rub for the beef patties, Kauam presents umami-rich options like the namesake Gutenburg Burger and the indulgent Guten Belly Burger, which comes adorned with luscious caramelized pork belly. And don’t overlook the accompaniments—the sweet potato fries elevated with brown butter and blue cheese are an essential complement to every order.

Milkshakes & Other Treats

The classic diner gets a dose of ‘80s- and ‘90s-inspired nostalgia at JoJo’s Shake Bar, where visitors can sip decadent milkshakes beneath photos of Biggie Smalls, Bill Murray and other heroes from the era. You can opt for a customized flavor or try a milk bar (essentially a milkshake in popsicle form), but we also suggest one of the shop’s signature Biggie Shakes if you’re feeling adventurous: Topped with a cornucopia of cookies, candy and marshmallows, they’re a delightful sugar rush and a blast from the past all at once.

Authentic Lebanese

Juicy, marinated shawarma shaved off a spit; smooth and creamy hummus; crispy falafel—the traditional flavors of Mediterranean cuisine take center stage at this family-run Lebanese restaurant. With roots that trace back more than eight decades to the capital city of Beirut, Libanais offers a tantalizing selection of mezzes, wraps and more. The Kharoof Mehchi bowl stands out as a favorite, featuring a combination of rice, ground beef, roasted lamb and a delicious yogurt cucumber salad. For a sweet finish, the baklava, available in several varieties and also vegan-friendly, steals the show.

Latin Street Food and Tacos

Chef Rodolfo Cuadros refers to himself as a “nomad” after a decade spent working alongside Latin American cooks in Miami, London and France. When he opened Wicker Park restaurant Amaru in 2019, Cuadros set out to serve pan-Latin cuisine and share parts of the various cultures that inspire his recipes. Lil Amaru is a continuation of Cuadro’s mission to explore the soul of Latin American cooking, focusing on delicious dishes that are commonly sold by street vendors in countries like Mexico, Cuba and Colombia.

Fresh Sushi

A seasoned veteran of the sushi world, Ismael Lucero Lopez has spent decades meticulously refining his skills in slicing pristine fish. At Madai, the menu honors traditional Japanese flavors while weaving in elements of Latin and Pan-Asian influences. Satisfy your seafood craving by indulging in inventive maki rolls like the El Baja—panko ebi, tuna and avocado, crowned with marinated jalapeños—or a selection of nigiri, sashimi and chirashi bowls. Whichever you choose, you’ll savor the essence of fresh, open waters through Lopez’s impeccable creations.

Bakery and Cafe

For nearly two decades, Molly’s Cupcakes has been the place where the sweetest dreams come true—for both kids and kids at heart. The whimsical shop offers a wide selection of luscious cupcakes, from the classic crème brûlée to the award-winning peach cobbler. And though the crowd favorites are always stellar choices, there’s also the option to build your own cupcake or indulge the sweet tooth with other treats like cookies, brownies and cake pops. It’s not just all about dessert, either—Molly’s serves breakfast sandwiches and Dark Matter coffee so you can have a delicious start to the day.

Roman Pizza, Pasta and Sandwiches

With over forty years of expertise in hospitality, the Stefanis have earned their status as Chicago’s first family of Italian cuisine. At Stefani’s Bottega Italiana, guests are treated to some of the finest handmade pastas in town, including the Mezzaluna Cipriani—delicate, ricotta-filled ravioli bathing in a classic tomato-vodka sauce. Pizza lovers will be delighted by the Roman-style pies; the light and airy crust is crowned with ingredients like spicy soppressata, savory Italian sausage and aromatic truffle oil. For those craving a sandwich, the Bottegga comes loaded with cured meats, provolone, giardiniera and more on thin Tuscan flatbread. Buon appetito!

Chinese Dumplings

Many vie for the title of “Best Dumplings in Chicago,” but the undisputed crown belongs to this Chinatown gem. Freshly made every day, QXY’s soup dumplings are a pinnacle of the form—delicate, thin wrappers encase savory broth and a variety of tasty fillings. The menu offers some of the restaurant's greatest hits, including pork and cabbage, wagyu beef and truffle, and zucchini with vermicelli and mushrooms. Can’t pick just one? Don’t worry because you can choose up to two flavors per order.

Art Smith

Art Smith has donned many hats during his illustrious career, from chef to diplomat to sports team owner, but one thing that’s been consistent is his unwavering passion for Southern hospitality. At Sporty Bird, you can get your hands on Smith’s famous fried chicken, which has been a longtime favorite among locals and luminaries alike. Accompanied by decadent mac and cheese, it’s everything you’d expect from a celebrated, two-time James Beard Award winner. If you’re in the mood for a handheld, the array of inventive chicken sandwiches promise to satisfy. And lest we forget, save room for dessert—the hummingbird cake is an irresistible delight that simply can’t be missed.

Asian Fusion Fare

Born in Seoul and raised in Chicago, chef Bill Kim's earliest food memory is standing at his mother's side, grinding sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle. Back when his career first started, Kim immersed himself in French cuisine, with guidance from industry heavyweights like Jean Banchet and Charlie Trotter. These days, he's developed a signature style all his own, dispensing a hit list of border-blending, Asian-inflected treats.

Chicago, we know you're thirsty, which is why we put a bar on every floor of Time Out Market Chicago. The main bar—located on the first floor, as soon as you walk in—is also the largest in the building. Expect vibrant and fun flavors at every turn, from housemade lavender cola and activated charcoal to hibiscus salt and coconut liqueur. The menu is rounded out with top-rated wines and a selection of Chicago-made brews from the likes of Metropolitan Brewing, Moody Tongue and Off Color Brewing.

Named for Time Out founder Tony Elliott, Tony’s is the crown jewel of Time Out Market Chicago. The cozy all-season rooftop bar is decorated in vintage Time Out London covers, twinkling lights and handsome wood beams that stretch the length of the room. If the sun is shining, wander outside to take in skyline views and enjoy a meal on the breathtaking terrace.