Top 5 restaurants in Illinois for business dining

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including restaurant and dining expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Understanding where businesses spend their dining dollars in Illinois requires more than anecdotal evidence or review sites. A data-driven approach reveals genuine patterns in corporate entertainment, client meetings, and team gatherings across the state's diverse culinary landscape. With 112 million visitors driving tourism spending and evolving food trends reshaping Chicago's dining scene, tracking actual business expenditures provides invaluable insights into which establishments truly serve the corporate community.

Understanding Illinois restaurant industry

Illinois' restaurant industry represents a $27.7 billion annual market supported by 26,543 establishments statewide. Chicago dominates this landscape with 7,300-11,500 restaurants, benefiting from a metropolitan population of 12.7 million and record tourism that contributed $47 billion in visitor spending during 2023. The industry employs 586,100 workers, making restaurants the state's second-largest private employer. While traditional Midwestern favorites like deep-dish pizza and Italian beef remain popular, 2024 trends show businesses gravitating toward venues offering cultural fusion cuisine, artisanal offerings, and innovative corporate dining solutions. The state's unique position as a Midwest business hub drives demand for restaurants that can accommodate everything from quick working lunches to elaborate client entertainment.

Top 5 restaurants for business meals and client dining

Based on analysis of corporate spending patterns across Illinois, these five establishments consistently rank highest for business dining expenditures. From innovative corporate catering solutions to traditional steakhouses, these venues represent where Illinois businesses invest their dining dollars—not individual consumer preferences. The top three include Fooda's revolutionary workplace dining platform, Current's lakeside executive atmosphere, and Gibsons' legendary steakhouse experience.

Fooda

Fooda revolutionized corporate dining since its 2011 founding by partnering with over 1,000 local restaurants to deliver workplace meal programs. The Chicago-based company serves 10 million meals annually through rotating pop-up restaurants in office lobbies, individually packaged lunch delivery, and full-service catering. Their technology platform enables employees to order from multiple restaurants simultaneously while providing companies with consolidated billing and dietary accommodation tracking. Following their 2024 acquisition of Foodsby, Fooda expanded to 50+ cities nationwide while maintaining headquarters at 1 N Dearborn Street in Chicago's Loop.

Notable facts: Fooda's unique model brings different restaurants to office buildings daily, with 70% of their partners being independent local establishments. The company raised $38.68 million in funding and employs dedicated drivers who deliver meals directly to office locations. Their AI-powered scheduling system ensures variety by preventing restaurant repetition within 30-day cycles.

Signature dishes:

• Build-your-own lunch combinations from multiple restaurants
• Rotating ethnic cuisines including Vietnamese banh mi and Mexican street tacos
• Customizable salad bars and grain bowls
• Local bakery pastries and artisanal coffee programs

Best for: Companies seeking comprehensive workplace dining solutions, from daily employee meals to large corporate events. Fooda excels at accommodating diverse dietary restrictions across large groups while supporting local restaurant partners. Their platform particularly suits businesses with 50+ employees looking to enhance workplace culture through food programs.

Current

Current at the W Chicago-Lakeshore combines seasonal American cuisine with spectacular Lake Michigan views from its 644 N Lake Shore Drive location. This upscale restaurant opened in 2022, featuring a Chandon Spritz Garden patio and sophisticated Living Room Bar ideal for business entertaining. Executive chef Jacob Potashnick crafts ingredient-driven menus highlighting local sourcing, with the venue accommodating up to 125 guests for private events. The restaurant operates from breakfast through late evening, offering valet parking and easy access to Navy Pier attractions.

Notable facts: Current capitalizes on Chicago's $322 million in hotel tax revenue by serving both hotel guests and local business clientele. The restaurant embraces 2024 dining trends including half-roasted chicken preparations and house-made pasta programs. Their outdoor fire pit seating extends the dining season while providing intimate spaces for confidential business discussions.

Signature dishes:

• Herb-crusted Lake Superior walleye with seasonal vegetables
• Duck fat corn dogs with house-made mustard
• Wagyu beef tallow fries with truffle aioli
• Orange Whip cocktails (paying homage to Blues Brothers)

Best for: Executive-level client entertainment requiring impressive ambiance and flexible space options. The lakefront views create memorable dining experiences while multiple seating areas allow for both formal presentations and casual networking. Current particularly suits businesses in hospitality, real estate, and creative industries seeking to impress out-of-town clients.

Queenie's Supper Club

Queenie's Supper Club brings classic Midwestern supper club traditions to the United Center at 1901 W Madison Street. Since opening in 2018, this venue operates exclusively during Bulls and Blackhawks games plus major concerts, serving up to 250 guests in an atmosphere featuring taxidermy décor and nightly piano performances on a Steinway grand. Named after Virginia "Queenie" Wirtz, the space channels Wisconsin supper club nostalgia with modern amenities including direct arena access and private dining rooms.

Notable facts: The restaurant maintains authentic supper club elements including relish trays, Friday fish fries, and strong brandy old-fashioned cocktails. Their herb-crusted prime rib has become legendary among regular patrons. Despite the exclusive hours, Queenie's accommodates dietary restrictions with dedicated vegan options alongside traditional meat-heavy offerings.

Signature dishes:

• 28-day aged prime rib with horseradish cream sauce
• King crab legs with drawn butter
• Wisconsin-style brandy old-fashioneds (sweet or sour)
• Maple-glazed fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits

Best for: Sports-related business entertainment and corporate groups attending United Center events. The venue excels at pre-game dinners for client entertainment, offering guaranteed reservations for season ticket holders. Companies in sports marketing, entertainment, and media industries find Queenie's particularly valuable for combining business dining with marquee events.

Levy Restaurants

Levy Restaurants, headquartered at 980 N Michigan Avenue since 1978, operates premium dining experiences across Chicago's most iconic venues including Wrigley Field and the United Center. This hospitality giant manages over 15 local concepts ranging from Michelin-starred stadium clubs to quick-service concessions, generating $1.5 billion annually nationwide. Their innovations include introducing "Chicago Mix" popcorn and creating 30-course tasting menus within sports venues.

Notable facts: Levy employs over 200 chefs throughout Illinois and pioneered farm-to-stadium sourcing through partnerships with 300+ Midwest farms. The company's BMO Club at United Center earned Michelin recognition, proving stadium dining can match standalone restaurants. Executive chef Scott Perez oversees menu development that ranges from Chicago-style hot dogs to wagyu beef preparations.

Signature dishes:

• Stadium-exclusive prime rib carving stations
• Garrett Popcorn Chicago Mix (cheese and caramel)
• Impossible Burger plant-based options at all venues
• Chicago-style hot dogs with neon green relish

Best for: Large-scale corporate hospitality at sports and entertainment venues throughout Chicago. Levy's diverse portfolio serves businesses needing everything from luxury box catering to employee appreciation events at ballparks. Their expertise in handling high-volume service while maintaining quality makes them ideal for companies hosting 100+ person gatherings.

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse has dominated Chicago's Rush Street dining scene since 1989, earning recognition as the city's highest-grossing independent restaurant. This 24,000-square-foot temple to USDA Prime beef features mahogany bars, red leather booths, and walls lined with celebrity photographs including regular Michael Jordan. The restaurant dry-ages its exclusive Gibsons-branded Angus beef for 40+ days, serving massive portions that embody Chicago's larger-than-life dining culture.

Notable facts: Gibsons' wine program earned Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence for its 20,000-bottle cellar spanning rare vintages to accessible business lunch selections. Their signature 28-ounce porterhouse has become synonymous with Chicago power dining. The restaurant group expanded to five locations while the Rush Street flagship maintains its position as a see-and-be-seen destination.

Signature dishes:

• 48-ounce "Gibsons Famous Double" porterhouse (serves two)
• Whole lobsters weighing up to 3 pounds
• Bone-in ribeye with truffle butter
• Strawberry shortcake with house-made buttermilk biscuits

Best for: Traditional business dinners requiring the gravitas of Chicago's most established steakhouse. Gibsons suits industries like finance, law, and real estate where deals still close over martinis and massive steaks. The Rush Street location offers proximity to Gold Coast hotels and Michigan Avenue offices, making it convenient for entertaining out-of-town executives.

Tips for business dining in Illinois' restaurant scene

Navigating Illinois' business dining landscape requires understanding both Chicago's fast-paced culture and Midwestern hospitality traditions. Make reservations at least one week ahead for premier steakhouses like Gibsons, especially during convention seasons when hotels report record occupancy. Consider weather patterns—Chicago winters push business dining indoors from November through March, making restaurants with valet parking particularly valuable for client meetings.

Leverage Illinois' unique dining innovations like Fooda's corporate programs for regular team meals while reserving traditional venues for special occasions. Many Chicago restaurants offer pre-theater menus ideal for early business dinners before entertainment at venues like United Center. Don't overlook restaurant timing tied to events—Queenie's Supper Club only opens during games, requiring careful schedule coordination.

Budget considerations vary dramatically across venues. Stadium dining through Levy Restaurants can accommodate large groups cost-effectively, while intimate client dinners at Current or Gibsons command premium prices reflecting their ambiance and service levels. Illinois' tipping culture expects 20-25% for business meals, with many corporate cards now automatically calculating appropriate gratuities. Finally, embrace local specialties—ordering Chicago-style dishes demonstrates cultural awareness that resonates with local business partners while creating memorable experiences for out-of-state guests.