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Get a Taste of Chicago and Beyond at All the Restaurants Featured in Season 3 of The Bear

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4m ago

Jul 19, 2024 / 6238 Views

Evan Walker

If season 3 of The Bear has left you ravenous, whether it be for nourishment or Michelin-level cuisine, these featured restaurants across Chicago and beyond are sure to leave you sated.

Beyond the rich tapestry of its riveting storyline, anxiety-inducing twists, and extraordinary cast of characters, FX’s award-winning comedy drama The Bear has proven itself a worthy platform for honest good food – fine dining or otherwise. In celebration of that, here are all the dining hotspots and restaurants that were featured in season 3 of The Bear, from Chicago to Copenhagen alike.

Food is an integral part of the human experience. This much has always been true, and The Bear has done a spectacular job highlighting this ideal across its three critically acclaimed seasons. In life, as in the show, food is viewed as sustenance; yet those who harbour an obsession with the culinary arts know there is so much more to food than meets the eye.

The role of food in The Bear

The culinary industry, and more importantly, food, is central to the plot of The Bear. Spotlighting cuisine, the show portrays food as a precious means for upholding family traditions. Across scenes vital to the plot, food is an ever-present commodity, serving to further the storyline while simultaneously providing insight into the characters’ lives and personalities.

To wit: Carmen’s relationship with food borders on obsession, yet his clinical perfectionism for plating leaves us impressed, but cold and wanting. In contrast, we view Sydney’s relationship with food through a more humanised lens; where Carmen embodies an unHealthy compulsion for is ‘correct’ in haute cuisine, Sydney’s relationship with the plate is rather more nuanced and human.

Through Sydney’s eyes, we are allowed to romanticise food and the act of eating — and beyond that, we are allowed to fall in love with the people who make the food. Across The Bear’s famous montages dedicated to the food scene of Chicago, we experience the irresistible pleasures of eating to savour, living to bask in all that is good in the world.

the bear season 3 restaurants chicago — Tortello in Chicago was featured in a stunning montage of Chicago’s finest restaurants and eateries in season 3 of *The Bear*. (Image: Tortello)

Beyond the pleasures of eating, food is also viewed as integral to upholding familial traditions. This is notably the case in the season 2 episode Fishes, which sees the entire Berzatto family congregating at matriarch Donna’s house for Christmas dinner. The episode provides a glimpse into the (likely) undiagnosed mental health issues of Donna, whose unstable behaviour is fuelled by alcoholism and the belief that ‘nobody is there to help her’ in putting Christmas dinner on the table. A chaotic commentary on the role of women in providing nourishment, The Bear masterfully subverts that trope by showing us that help is readily available to Donna — she is simply unwilling to accept it.

In season 3 of The Bear, we see food used as a bridge to building and maintaining connections. In particular, it is an Italian beef sandwich that brings Tina into the fold of The Beef, thus cementing her relationship with Michael, Richie, and the crew. And in the case of Sydney, whose potato chip omelette in season 2 became a viral TikTok recipe, food is used to show affection and care. In season 3, this character trait is further expanded upon as Sydney brings a care package of casseroles and foodstuffs to Sugar and Pete following the birth of their child.

One thing remains clear through the themes of the show: Food connects us all. And just as that is true in The Bear, so too is it true in the real world, where a good meal in good company can often change a bad day to good. In celebration of this, we look at all the restaurants and eateries that have been featured in season 3 of The Bear.

All the restaurants featured in season 3 of The Bear, from Chicago to Copenhagen

Ever, Chicago

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With two Michelin stars to its name, the real life Ever is helmed by Chef Curtis Duffy and his business partner Michael Muser. Diners at Ever can expect seasonal tasting menus of 8 to 10 course, each carefully curated to prioritise the best ingredients of the season. Wine pairings are also available for those seeking to enhance their Ever experience.

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The Chicago-based restaurant served as the filming site for its fictional counterpart in The Bear, where it is led by Chef Andrea Terry (portrayed by Olivia Colman). It is in this fictional counterpart that both Carmy and Richie receive training — both in the culinary arts, and in the fine points of impeccable service.

Address: 1340 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Visit the website here.

After, Chicago

In real life, the After lounge and bar is the sister establishment to Ever. While by no means as fanciful Ever’s, the After menu includes three varieties of high-grade caviar as well as a caviar flight that is certain to appeal to those seeking the ultimate tasting experience. Other small bites include Vietnamese duck wings and mushroom arancini; hungrier patrons can also take a bet on larger plates, with options ranging from chicken and salmon to mushroom risotto and a burger. An inspired cocktail menu completes the experience, while with special tastes can look to the menu of fine spirits for their libation of choice.

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In The Bear, After served as the set for the Copenhagen restaurant in which Chef Luca (portrayed by Will Poulter) trains Marcus (portrayed by Lionel Boyce) in the fine art of patisserie.

Address: 1338 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Visit the website here.

Noma, Copenhagen

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In a flashback depicting Carmen’s life and career, we see him staging in Noma, a three starred restaurant in Copenhagen that is world renowned for its farm-to-table Scandinavian cuisine. Its unique concept and extraordinary surroundings has also earned it a Michelin Green star, awarded only to establishments that emphasise sustainability. Synonymous with dining at the highest levels, the restaurant has rightly garnered a reputation for serving complex dishes with vivid flavour profiles. It is headed by Chef René Redzepi, who incidentally also makes a cameo appearance in season 3 of The Bear.

Address: Refshalevej 96, 1432 København K, Denmark
Contact: +45 32 96 32 97
Visit the website here.

Daniel, New York City

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Yet another establishment that played host to Carmen’s culinary Education is Chef Daniel Boulud’s eponymous restaurant in New York City. With five or nine course tasting menus available, the two-star establishment, which is steeped in French culinary History, incorporates ingredients in tandem with the shifting of the seasons. It also boasts a world-class cellar.

Address: 60 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065 USA
Contact: +1 212-288-0033
Visit the website here.

The French Laundry, California

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Carmen’s backstory places him at Chef Thomas Keller’s iconic three-starred Michelin restaurant in Napa Valley, California. Coupled with Chef Keller’s cameo in season 3 of The Bear, this plotline presents the perfect opportunity to showcase The French Laundry in all its glory. The fine dining restaurant first opened its doors in 1994, and since then, it has gained a reputation for serving French cuisine of the highest quality, all the while showcasing the bounty of Californian farms. With two tasting menus offered daily (Chef’s tasting menu and tasting of vegetables), the restaurant also offers a fine selection of limited libations from Modicum Wines, exclusively bottled for The French Laundry and its sister establishments.

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In the show, Carmen encounters Chef Keller on his first day at The French Laundry, just as he is preparing the ‘family meal’ — roast chicken. A teacher at heart, Chef Keller walks Carmen through the process of trussing a chicken, leaving him with an encounter that evidently enriches his culinary Education.

Address: 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
Contact: +1 707-944-2380
Visit the website here.

Mr. Beef, Chicago

While season 3 of The Bear features several fine dining restaurants, it also returns to its roots by revisiting the original Italian sandwich shop that started it all — Mr. Beef in River North, Chicago. While its fictional namesake has since been deconstructed and rebuilt as The Bear, The Beef makes its on-screen return in a flashback in episode 6, Napkins, much of which was filmed in Mr. Beef.

Address: 666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Contact: +1 312-337-8500

Doma, Chicago

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Known for their Croatian-inspired menu, Doma is a casual daytime restaurant that has garnered a well-deserved cult following. Visitors can enjoy an assortment of Balkan breakfast items, including strudel, ćevapi (Croatian sausages), burek (filo pie with beef and potato), breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of beverages from single origin coffees and matchas to juices and teas. In the show, Doma served as the backdrop for Sydney’s catch-up with Ever executive chef Adam Shapiro.

Address: 946 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Contact: +1 312-643-0527
Visit the website here.

D’amato’s Bakery, Chicago

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As one of the oldest and most iconic restaurants in Chicago to be featured in season 3 of The Bear, D’amato’s Bakery has garnered much love from locals since it first opened its doors in 1970. Among the bakery’s offerings, diners can find breads from Viennese loaves to seeded Sicilian Mafalda. Also available are sandwiches, subs, pastries (yes, including cannolis), sheet pan pizzas, and more.

Address: 1124 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Contact: +1 312-733-5456
Visit the website here.

Schneider Deli, Chicago

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Classic deli fare meets Jewish staples at North River’s Schneider Deli. Having just opened its doors in August of last year, the deli has already garnered a loyal local faNBAse with its Jewish-inspired menu, which features loaded breakfast sandwiches, latkes, matzoh ball soup, challah, and various other wholesome and belly-warming treats.

Address: 600 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Contact: +1 773-590-1345
Visit the website here.

Lou Mitchell’s, Chicago

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A century-old diner imbued with old world charm, Lou Mitchell’s serves up classic diner fare, from pancakes, waffles, and eggs-any-way to sandwiches, burgers, and even meatloaf. Interestingly, the establishment appears to take a page out of the books of the Greeks, who are known to welcome guests into their homes with sweet treats. In a nod to Chicago’s past of producing Milk Duds, Lou Mitchell’s spin on the Grecian tradition sees women and children welcomed with Milk Duds instead.

Address: 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
Contact: +1 312-939-3111
Visit the website here.

The Original Pancake House

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Over the years, pancakes have become eponymous with a hearty American breakfast, and The Original Pancake House more than delivers. With over a hundred locations available across the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, the franchise is well-beloved by fans of the timeless breakfast food. Menu items include Apple pancakes, Dutch babies, Danish Kijafa cherry crepes, corned beef hash, an assortment of cured meats, waffles, and various egg specialties among others. If you’re after a breakfast to remember in Chicago, The Original Pancake House is here to serve, with five outlets available in the locale.

Visit the website here.

Roeser’s Bakery, Chicago

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Craving a sweet treat? Roeser’s Bakery has delighted the locals of Chicago with layered cakes, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, and old-fashioned doughnuts since first opening its door in 1911. Featured in the opening montage of episode 2, these doughnuts are as tempting as they are inspiring, having received the same love in season 1 when they kickstarted Marcus’ passion for pastries.

Address: 3216 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Contact: +1 773-489-6900
Visit the website here.

Metric Coffee, Chicago

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At Metric Coffee, beans are roasted daily, which means every artisanal cupful is as fresh as it gets. Guided by sourcing transparency and a fair price, the folks at Metric source their beans from a small collective of eight nations in a process that prioritises the building of relationships, traceability, flavour, and the boundless potential of a single cup of coffee. Besides coffee, visitors to Metric’s cafe-cum-roastery and training centre can also pick up sweet treats, supplied by Brite Donuts and Baked Goods.

Address: 2021 W Fulton St suite k-101b, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Contact: +1 312-982-2196
Visit the website here.

Tortello, Chicago

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A casual eatery specialising in homemade pasta, Tortello offers a pared-down, but impressive menu filled with favourites from the shores of Italy. From classics like puttanesca and ragu to tortelli di burrata and an alluringly ebon squid ink bucatini with prawns, their pasta dishes embody the rather Italian notion of ‘comfort food for the soul’; also available are an assortment of Italian-style salads, starters, and sweets from cannoli to tiramisu. Devotees to the art of pasta making can also sit in on classes at Tortello’s, or purchase pre-made pasta sauce or dried pasta to recreate their favourites at home.

Address: 1746 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Contact: +1 773-360-1293
Visit the website here.

Jim’s Original, Chicago

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Despite its propensity for highbrow cuisine, The Bear has never shied away from showcasing the real food of the everyday salaryman in need of soul sustenance, and Jim’s Original in Chicago proves just the right addition to season 2’s montage of such. Serving up a simple menu including beef hot dogs and burgers, Jim’s is also known to be the birthing place of the Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, which features mustard, grilled onions, and pickled peppers.

Address: 1250 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA (Original Location), and 2775 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA (Northside)
Contact: +1 312-733-7820 (Original Location) and +1 872-206-5279 (Northside)
Visit the website here.

Chiu Quon, Chicago

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Beyond the nation of China, Chinese food has had a long and storied history across the world. In Chicago, the heritage of this cuisine has manifested itself in Chiu Quon, a Chinese bakery that serves traditional steamed buns, the pleating of which was prominently featured in The Bear, and dim sum, pastries, and cakes. While originally founded by Pui Yip and Cora Chiu over 35 years ago in 1986, the bakery is now operated by their daughter Joyce Chiu and her husband, William Chan.

Address: 2253 S Wentworth Ave Chicago, IL 60616 (Chinatown), and 1127 W Argyle St Chicago, IL 60640 (Uptown)
Contact: +1 312-225-6608 (Chinatown), and +1 773-907–8888 (Uptown)
Visit the website here.

Cafe Tola, Chicago

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With four outlets open across Chicago and a new one in New York City, Cafe Tola has quickly cemented its place in the hearts of locals as the place to be for an exceptional empanada. With fillings that range from PB&J to beef sirloin and buffalo chicken, their empanadas have become fast favourites well deserving of their quick cameo in The Bear.

Visit the website here.

Birreria Zaragoza, Chicago

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With a well-deserved entry in the Michelin guide, this family-owned restaurant, which was founded in 2007 specialises in Birria, a tender stewed goat dish that is eaten alongside diced onions, cilantro, and tangy salsa made in-house. While birria may be the only protein found on the clean-cut menu, visitors to the restaurant can choose how they would like to enjoy it — in a bowl, in a wrap, in a taco, as a quesadilla, and so on. Also available on the menu: Flan, horchata, and any number of Mexican beverages to truly recall the tastes of South America.

Address: 4852 S Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60632, USA (Archer Heights), and 4800 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60640, USA (Uptown)
Contact: +1 (773) 523-3700 (Archer Heights), and +1 (773) 334-5650 (Uptown)
Visit the website here.

The Tamale Spaceship, Chicago

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Founded in 2011, The Tamale Spaceship first found its legs as a catering company and a restaurant; to note, the establishment also operates out of a food truck. Their menu encompasses authentic South American offerings such as tamales, tacos, tortas, ceviche, taquitos, empanadas, and a variety of sliders.

Visit the website here.

Longman & Eagle

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Tina is shown shopping for fresh produce at a farmer’s market in season 3, where she learns the ancient but noble notion that ‘what grows together, goes together’. While the farmer’s market experience certainly exists in Chicago, the location in which the scene is, in fact, Longman & Eagle, a contemporary take on a traditional Chicago inn that first opened its doors in 2010. Menu items include bar snacks that recall the finest in tavern fare, from pretzels to rillette and roasted bone marrow. Additionally, those seeking libations can also revel in Longman & Eagle’s well-stocked bar, which contains several rare bottles of whiskey for these inclined to sip and savour.

Address: 2657 N Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Contact: +1 773-276-7110
Visit the website here.

Long Grove Confectionery Co., Chicago

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With special focus placed on Tina and her efforts in finding a place for herself in the world, we are whisked away to Long Grove Confectionary Co., a suburban chocolate and sweet-making company that first opened its doors in 1975. The company currently operates out of an 85,000 square foot production facility in Illinois, where they also have multiple retail stores.

Visit the website here.