Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
When you absolutely need a grilled-cheese fix—and sometimes, we know, that indulgence strikes late at night—this Lakeview joint satisfies with a half-dozen grilledcheese options, mac and cheese, cheese curds, cheese fries, and more.
958 W. Belmont Ave., 773-388-1574; cheesieschicago.com
Davanti Enoteca
Scott Harris’s Taylor Street spot has one of the most fantastic dishes in the city: a Ligurian-style baked focaccia topped with fresh soft cow’s-milk cheese. And if that isn’t enough, the mini mason jar filled with ricotta and honeycomb may make your head explode.
1359 W. Taylor St., 312-226-5550; davantichicago.com
Melt Sandwich Shoppe
Restaurateur Dion Antic opened this grilled-cheese-themed restaurant in early fall to cater to the Bucktown mom-and-kid crowd. Everything on the whimsical menu is less than $10, and the shop also offers a variety of gluten-free and vegan items.
1840 N. Damen Ave., 773-292-6358; meltsandwichshoppe.com
MorSo
Matt Maroni, of Gaztro-Wagon fame, opened this romantic neighborhood eatery just off Lincoln Park in August. Settle into the second-level lounge for some seared fontina with apricots and crispy peppers, or one of two dessert cheese plates.
340 W. Armitage Ave., 773-880-9280; morsochicago.com
NoMI Kitchen
When this gorgeous new restaurant reopened inside the Park Hyatt Chicago, one of the highlights—apart from a top-tobottom makeover—was its cheese cave. Located in the wine room just outside the lounge, a glass case displays a selection of domestic and international cheeses.
800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030, nomirestaurant.com
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine
With three locations, including one housed inside the Chicago French Market, this Europeanstyle specialty grocer offers one of the best selections of cheese in Chicago in a one-stop shop where you can get wine and bread, too.
2945 N. Broadway Ave., 773-472- 4781; 53 E. Lake St., 312-658-1250; 131 N. Clinton St., 312-454-2200; pastoralartisan.com
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
This super-chill Humboldt Park wine bar has a fantastic cheese plate that pairs perfectly with its well-edited wine list, which is made up of many small-batch wines from around the world. Team a plate with its tasty charcuterie, and you have a mouthwatering snack. 954 N. California Ave., 773-292-1616; rootstockbar.com
Southern Mac & Cheese Store
What was first a food truck offering an array of eclectic and indulgent mac and cheese flavors (truffle-infused white cheddar! Brisket! Bacon!) is now also a stand-alone shop in the heart of the Loop. Start lining up.
60 E. Lake St., 312-262-7622; thesouthernmac.com
Spiaggia
This upscale Italian restaurant (and Obama favorite) gets a new shipment of cheese direct from Italy nearly every month, and as executive chef Sarah Grueneberg notes, it’s always a surprise what arrives—be it Rocchetta, Robiola di Grotta or Blu Mediterraneo—to be housed in its humidity- and temperature-controlled cheese cave.
980 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-2750; spiaggiarestaurant.com
Volo
Although the cozy cabanas make Volo an ideal summer destination, its well-priced selection of cheeses, including favorites like Humboldt Fog and Point Reyes Blue, makes it worth visiting year round. Need a wine pairings selection? No worries. Volo’s staff will help you out there, too.
2008 W. Roscoe St., 773-348-4600; volorestaurant.com
