I’m continuing my annual tradition of recapping the year with 40 of my favorite things I ate and drank — this year divided into desserts, drinks, breakfast/brunch, and everything else. In a rollercoaster year, these bites and sips were a bright spot, whether during precious adventures in France and Puerto Rico, or at new and familiar eateries closer to home.
Desserts
Crying Tiger, Chicago, IL
Virtue, Chicago, IL
Elske, Chicago, IL
La Cuisine Paris, Paris, France
Drinks
Cantina Rosa, Chicago, IL
Pinky’s, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Watson’s Shack and Rail, Champaign, IL
Parson’s Chicken & Fish, Chicago, IL
Peat’s Cider Social, Stevensville, MI
Shibam Coffee Co., Glendale Heights, IL
Lilac Tiger, Chicago, IL
Khepri Kitchen + Coffee, Mt. Prospect, IL
Breakfast and brunch
Seraphine, Paris, France
La Coffeetera, San Juan, PR
Cafeteria Mallorca, San Juan, PR
Caribella, Chicago, IL
The Getaway on Lake Como, Lake Geneva, WI
Cafe Yaya, Chicago, IL
Beachwater Bagels at Middlebrow, Chicago, IL
Dim Sum House, Champaign, IL
Kasama, Chicago, IL
Aba, Chicago, IL
Elia Cafe, Park Ridge, IL
Everything else
L’Archeste, Paris, France
Sorry Mommy, Rolling Meadows, IL
Cooper’s Hawk, Arlington Heights, IL
La Cueva del Mar, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Briks Pizzeria, Mahomet, IL
Shaw’s Crab House, Schaumburg, IL
TRU Bowl, Mt. Prospect, IL
North Pond, Chicago, IL
Tensuke Market & Food Court, Elk Grove Village, IL
The Oakville, Chicago, IL
Jackman & Co., Glenview, IL
Pizzeria Fred’Au, Bayeux, France
La Sapinière, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France
Le Maharaja, Lorient, France
Emmett’s Brewing Co., Palatine, IL
Pizzeria Portofino, Chicago, IL
Momento Cantina, Chicago, IL
Cheers to all the good meals ahead in 2026!