New York gets all the glory as the city that doesn’t sleep, but Chicago keeps plenty of doors open into the wee hours of the night. Whether you’re in the mood for a 24-hour greasy spoon or late-night Thai food, you won’t be disappointed by the city’s late-night food scene. Eat your way through these four neighborhoods well past midnight. 

Chatham

Photo courtesy of Dat Donut

Kill two late-night cravings (sweet and savory) with one stone in Chatham. This South Side neighborhood is home to Dat Donut, a 24-hour donut shop. You can get incredible cake doughnuts, glazed doughnuts, fritters, and breakfast food in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn. Dat Donut has been open since 1994 and continues its sugary success with doughnut flavors like caramel, lemon, and chocolate.

Lem's BBQ House

Also, when you’re feeling the savory side of things, Lem’s BBQ House does rib tips, hot links, and fried chicken. The restaurant’s secret sauce dates back to the 1950s and will satisfy anyone who loves good barbecue. Lem’s is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday and until 1 a.m. during the week, but they’re not open on Tuesdays.  

Chinatown

Photo courtesy of Chi Cafe

Chinatown does late night like no other spot in the city. On Friday and Saturday, Chi Cafe on Archer Avenue is open 24 hours. The giant menu at this late-night staple covers noodle dishes, rice dishes, soups, meat dishes, vegetarian plates, and seafood. On Sunday through Thursday, the restaurant stays open until 4 a.m.

MingHin Cuisine

Chinatown is also home to MingHin Cuisine, a brightly lit and chic restaurant with dinner, dim sum, and cocktail menus. The restaurant is open until 2 a.m. every night of the week.

Three Happiness Original Restaurant

For another 24-hour spot, head to Three Happiness Original Restaurant on Cermak Road. Three Happiness does delivery too. There’s nothing quite like the late-night bliss of having hot food delivered right to your door. 

Ken Kee Restaurant

Ken Kee Restaurant and Seven Treasures Cantonese Cuisine are two other notable late-night restaurants in the neighborhood. Ken Kee, open until midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, focuses on the cuisine of Hong Kong. During the week, this spot closes at 10 p.m. Seven Treasures serves food from its wide-ranging menu until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Lakeview 

Photo courtesy of Cheesie’s Pub and Grub

Given that Lakeview contains both Wrigleyville and Boystown (two of the city’s most wide-awake neighborhoods), it’s no surprise you can take your pick of menus after midnight. Cheesie’s Pub and Grub claims to make the perfect grilled cheese, and they might just be right. Go with a classic grilled cheese and tomato soup, or try one of their more creative options like The Napoleon (cheddar, bleu cheese, tater tots, bacon, and hot sauce). Cheesie’s in Lakeview stays open until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Dimo's Pizza

Some of the neighborhood’s other tempting late-night restaurants include Dimo’s Pizza, Krung Thep Thai Cuisine, and El Tequilas Bar and Grill. Dimo’s serves pizza—the quintessential late-night grub—until well into the night seven days of week, and you can get delivery as late as 3 a.m. on Saturday nights. Krung Thep Thai, which does classic dishes like pot stickers and pad thai, stays open until 1:30 a.m. most nights of the week. El Tequilas serves tacos, fajitas, and plenty of other delicious Mexican dishes. If you’re craving something sweet, try the margarita key lime pie. This spot stays open until 2 a.m. every day of the week except Saturday when it stays open an hour later.

South Loop

Photo courtesy of Devil Dawgs

If you live in Chicago, you should be able to get a Chicago-style hot dog even in the middle of the night. Enter Devil Dawgs. This South Loop hot dog joint is open until 3.m. Thursday through Saturday and until midnight Sunday through Wednesday. Mustard, relish, onions, a tomato, a pickle, sport peppers, and celery salt on the hot dog—and no ketchup, period. 

Buddy Guy's Legends

The South Loop is also home to Buddy Guy’s Legends and White Palace Grill. Buddy Guy’s not only does late-night food, but it also doubles as a blues bar. Buddy Guy’s is open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, but kitchen closes at midnight, so stay out late, listen to music, and fill your stomach with Cajun and soul food. The White Palace Grill has been doing the same thing since it opened in 1939: serving classic diner food 24 hours a day.