If you’ve been a visitor to the Windy City before, you know there’s no shortage of totally mouthwatering, unique restaurants. From Chicago’s signature juicy, shredded Italian beef to its decadent deep dish pizza, you don’t have to miss out on the fun just because you’re on the ketogenic diet!
We’ve curated a list of our top Chicago restaurant recommendations that won’t kill your ketosis. Check them out below!
Whether you're starting or well into your keto journey, be sure to try 310 Nutrition's Keto Kit.
1) Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 (River North, Near North Side)
Nothing says Chicago like a thick, cheesy, decadent slice of deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. And if you’re eating out on keto, you can still partake!
Keto Menu Highlights: The restaurant offers a crustless pizza option – the entire crust is made of lean sausage! The pizza is then smothered in mozzarella cheese and fresh tomato sauce. It’s a one of a kind treat!
Trying to eat lighter? Lou’s also has a great selection of healthy yet satisfying salads, including Chicken BBQ Club, Spinach, Caesar, House or the ultra-popular Malnati Salad. You could also start your meal with the chicken wings or cheddar cubes as an appetizer (as if you needed any more cheese)!
2) The Purple Pig
444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (Near North Side)
The two main focuses of this restaurant are pork and cheese – making it a prime location if you’re eating out on the keto diet. Go early before it opens to avoid the long line to get in!
Keto Menu Highlights: Start your meal with an expansive tray of various meats and cheeses, which you can even have with a small glass of wine if you watch your carb intake (wine being another specialty at this keto restaurant). You’ll also find tons of other mouthwatering pork small plates, such as milk-braised pork shoulder (sans the mashed potatoes), meatballs, pork belly and more.
For the adventurous eater, one of the most popular items on the menu is right up your keto alley, a roasted bone marrow with herbs. Just disregard or go light on the bread that comes with it and instead eat it with the herbed salad. It’s so good it’s sinful!
3) Eataly
43 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 (Near North Side)
Whether you’re looking to dine in or bring a keto feast back home, Eataly is your spot. Don’t arrive hungry, as you just may put too many exquisite cheeses in your cart! When you’re ready for a break from the aisles, pull up a chair at one of the restaurants for a carb-free Italian fix.
Keto Menu Highlights: Try Osteria di Eataly for quick, indulgent options such as housemade fresh mozzarella with sea salt and olive oil, or their cheese and salami plate (sans bread!)
Looking for something more filling? Also at Osteria, try the premium steak cuts, like the American Wagyu, Beef Tenderloin or Dry aged bone-in ribeye. Pair it with the roasted broccoli with garlic and anchovy for a savory keto side dish.
4) Fittingly Delicious
3939 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618 (Irving Park)
When looking for keto-friendly restaurants, rarely do you find an option that lets you take not one but many meals back home. Fittingly Delicious is the rare exception – designed especially for those who want to eat clean on a healthy diet. Choose between their array of carefully prepared meals… all you have to do is heat them up! Major plus: You can also set up home delivery.
Keto Menu Highlights: Some great keto options include the ground beef stuffed peppers, pepper steak with cauliflower and broccoli, and honey glazed salmon.
For a unique, vegan spin on a traditional keto diet, try the plant protein brat (made with pea protein isolate), which comes with red and green peppers, or the plant protein burger, sans the sweet potato fries.
5) Portillos
Multiple locations including…
100 W Ontario, Chicago, IL 60654 (River North)
This well-known Midwest chain restaurant is a staple for those who want to get their fix of some Chicago favorites.
Keto Menu Highlights: Try a Chicago-style hot dog (don’t you dare put ketchup on it!), juicy Italian beef, or sausage with onions and peppers, all without the bread. Or, dig into an entire slab of juicy ribs!
Some of the Portillo’s locations, including the one listed in the address, above, also includes a Barnelli’s inside of it, which has awesome homemade soups and salads. Try a cream-based broccoli and cheese or stuffed pepper soup, or indulge in a Tuscan Chicken and Bacon Salad or Garbage Salad (light on the dressing).
6) Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse
505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (Near North Side)
When you’re ready to truly indulge and sit back with a succulent, memorable steak, this keto-friendly restaurant is your spot. Go for a bone-in filet mignon with bone marrow butter or a regular filet with bay leaf butter to up your fat and flavor content. Or try a petit filet with the king crab, asparagus and a creamy lemon hollandaise sauce. You can’t go wrong with any of the cuts of meat!
Keto Menu Highlights: The menu also includes some keto-friendly appetizers, including the biggest, thickest slab of bacon you’ve ever seen! To try it, ask for the Nueske’s Double Smoked Bacon (hold the glaze).
What's Next?!
We hope this list of restaurants helps you get your keto restaurant fix while visiting the Windy City! And don’t forget… mix up your intake of indulgent keto meals with lighter ones by taking advantage of a selection of yummy, keto-friendly meal replacement shakes. This Keto Kit supplies everything you need to make them at home or on-the-go while traveling!
Stay tuned for the next 310 City Dining Guide highlighting keto-friendly restaurants in a major US city! You can also check out all of our city dining guides here.
