While the latest seasons of The Bear are mainly set in a fictional fine-dining restaurant, the show is also a love letter to Chicago’s real-life restaurant scene.

The hit comedy/drama features a diverse array of the city’s top restaurants, with characters visiting everything from Michelin-starred spots to beloved local dives.

And off screen, the show’s star cast has been known to get out and explore Chicago’s dynamic dining scene for themselves. Here are all the places where the cast has been spotted dining around Chicago.

Vito and Nick’s: a South Side pizza staple

This acclaimed South Side pizzeria already has a cult following, with many Chicagoans claiming that Vito & Nick’s is home to the city’s best tavern-style pizza. The entire cast visited the family-owned shop, which has been serving the Ashburn neighborhood for nearly a century. No word on what they ordered, but it’s easy to imagine that the signature Italian beef pizza was a strong contender.

Ohh Wee It Is: soul food favorites

Ayo Edebiri (who plays Syd) visited this soul food restaurant with fellow cast member Lionel Boyce (Marcus), and had what she called “some of the best food of my life.” The menu is filled with decadent renditions of Southern comfort food, with favorites like oxtails, pot roast, shrimp and grits, mac and cheese, peach cobbler, and more. Find Ohh Wee It Is locations in the Beverly and Burnham neighborhoods.

Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf: popular downtown steakhouse

This moody downtown steakhouse is known for its superb steaks and dimly lit ambiance. It’s also a top pick of cast members Jeremy Allen White (Carmy) and Matty Matheson (Fak), who have both named the stylish spot one of their favorites in the city.

“Going to Bavette’s and getting the shellfish tower with an extra pound of crab, with a side of fries and green salad, is maybe one of my last meals for real,” Mattheson told Esquire.

Ponce Restaurant: Puerto Rican comfort food

Chicago is home to unmatched Puerto Rican cuisine, from traditional offerings to the city’s signature jibarito. While filming, Liza Colón-Zayas (Tina) visited this family-owned restaurant in the city’s Hermosa neighborhood. First opened in 1998, Ponce Restaurant specializes in authentic Puerto Rican dishes that include sandwiches, seafood, grilled meats, and weekly specials.

Birrieria Zaragoza: the city’s best birria

Jeremy Allen White was spotted at this well-known Mexican restaurant in the Archer Heights neighborhood. A true Chicago institution, this casual spot specializes in one thing — birria. The stewed goat at Birrieria Zaragoza is designed to be scooped onto soft corn tortillas and dunked in the rich consommé broth. Or opt for the cheesy quesabirria, as you truly can’t go wrong here.

Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap: old-school style in Little Italy

Matty Matheson may play a front-of-house role on The Bear, but off screen you’ll find him in the kitchen as a real-life chef. While on location in Chicago, he can’t resist a visit to Tufano’s. This old-school restaurant is an essential spot in Chicago’s legendary Little Italy neighborhood. Matheson recommends the grilled calamari and the sausage and peppers.

Doma: chic café with European influence

Just down the street from Mr. Beef (the real-life version of “The Original Beef of Chicagoland”), Doma is a sleek cafe and coffee shop with Croatian influences. The spot gets a cameo on season three of The Bear, when Sydney visits the sunny spot’s back patio. It’s also been frequented by the actors after the cameras stop rolling, including a recent visit from Jeremy Allen White.

Shaw’s Crab House: a Chicago seafood institution

Shaw’s is a long-standing Chicago establishment, known for its fresh seafood and classic vibes — think red leather booths, white tablecloths, and a bustling oyster bar. The menu includes everything a seafood lover could want, including king crab legs, lobster bisque, cold-water oysters, calamari, shrimp cocktail, and more. The River North spot has seen its fair share of celebrities over the years, including Matheson and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Other Chicago restaurants where cast members of The Bear have been spotted:

Looking to dive further into the culinary world of The Bear? Learn more about the history of the iconic Italian beef sandwich and the best spots to try one in Chicago.