and might have taken over billboards and red carpets everywhere in recent years, but Chicago was famed for its cuisine well before the hit HBO series came along. Ranging from Michelin to humble local dives, the city’s options leave you spoilt for choice – and very full. If you love Italian, add Ummo, a new fine-dining destination, to your list.
Street-food fans should head to Pilsen, a neighbourhood in the Lower West Side. Its Hispanic roots make for the best taquerias and margaritas; be sure to visit the National while you’re in the area. Chicago’s Architecture River Cruise is in every guidebook for a reason: you’re treated to incredible views of the city, making it the best way to get to grips with its layout.
Location is key if you’re a first-timer, so stay at . Sitting on the Magnificent Mile in the commercial district, it has some iconic neighbours (Tiffany & Co and Saks Fifth Avenue, to name just two), as well as a half-Olympic-size pool on its top floor with views of the skyline. A sunrise dip before a day of sightseeing – what could be better? In the year of the US election, few places will give you a power kick in the same way as the capital of America.
But there is now another great reason to visit the District of Columbia: the breakout restaurant landscape. From classics at The Bazaar by José Andrés to Love, Makoto, a Japanese food hall complete with a sushi bar and sake tastings, and El Presidente, a lively new Mexican eatery with three varieties.