But you can warm up and enjoy some time outside of your condo with a comforting meal, especially if you live downtown! What could be better on a cold winter day than gathering with a buddy or two, sitting around a table for a long lunch or dinner and filling yourself with hot, hearty grub? Chicago has a blossoming, cutting edge culinary scene, but that scene was built on what Chicago does best– comfort food. After all, isn’t the Midwest known for good ol’ meat and potatoes?

Here are our favorite places to pick up warm comfort food near downtown Chicago condos:

Heaven on 7: Are you a displaced Southerner, or simply someone who appreciates soul food, sweet tea and “yes ma’ams”? Either way, you should give Heaven on 7 a try on a cold winter day. The southern style fare, heavily influenced by the Cajun cuisine of Louisiana, features gumbo, red beans and rice and jambalaya. The jalapeno corn muffin will warm you up with its spicy flavor, and the variety of Southern-fried dishes will leave any Chicagoan fully satiated.

With a location in the Loop and the Near North Side, there’s plenty of access to warm food and good service for owners of downtown Chicago condos. Heaven on 7 will leave you thinking about rocking chairs on the front porch and a warm Southern breeze… not the wind chill factor!

Pastoral: For the francophile in us all, this European-style deli right off of Michigan Avenue at Lake Street has the very best of gourmet cheese, bread, wine and charcuterie. You can eat in or carry out a fresh sandwich or salad with the best ingredients. The Bocadillo De La Mancha, with serrano ham, manchego cheese and quince, is a delicious play on savory and sweet for any sandwich lover.

Or pick out a variety of your favorite cheese, bread, tapenade, olives and charcuterie (all of which you can sample in the store!), select a bottle of wine or champagne (the staff will help you with pairings!), and take it all back to your Chicago condo. Camp out on the floor in front of your favorite movie and enjoy an indoor picnic. It can take you away to a less snowy zone for a few of your weekend afternoon hours!

The Publican: This award winning West Loop restaurant is particularly geared toward comfort food and creating an inclusive dining experience for its patrons. It has been described as a place where you “just sit back and let the food come to you,” and here, comfort food and drink are king. The menu features “beer cuisine” consisting of oysters, seafood, and pork. The seasonal, American menu is highlighted by the 12 draughts and 75 bottles offered.

This is the kind of restaurant where you won’t be hurried out– so take a few hours, eat casually, drink slowly, and enjoy meeting the people around you in the family-style seating. The Sunday brunches and Sunday dinners are a special event every week and will fill you with a warm, welcoming feeling on the coldest of days.

Perry’s Deli – Perry’s Deli on Franklin Street in the Loop is “the home of delicious sandwiches as big as your head.” Every day of the week has its own special sammy, and each one will leave you feeling as full as Thanksgiving dinner. With a dedicated 3 person staff, there will always be a friendly face serving you, and the signature decor and menu have been the same for over a decade! You always know what you are going to get at Perry’s (a great sandwich!) and you can get it in your most casual attire. So throw on some sweats and walk over to Perry’s from your downtown Chicago condo. Consistency and comfort is the name of the game!

Russian Tea Time – Right across from the Art Institute, slip under the red awning of Russian Tea Time for an old country delight. You can escape winter chills in their large and richly appointed dining room during their afternoon tea service, a traditional high tea with pots of fine tea, scones and sweet and savory small dishes.

Russian Tea Time in Downtown Chicago

Or go for a long lunch or dinner, and order from the menu of hearty and comforting “Russian, Slavic and Jewish classics complemented by upscale dishes of Imperial Russian Courts.” The potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce are a great place to start!

But what will really cure you of the winter chills? Drams of Russian Tea Time’s house-infused vodkas. They’ll teach you how to drink it the Russian way, and even if you aren’t a vodka enthusiast, you’ll have fun learning the Russian tradition that is specifically meant to warm you up but not get you drunk. Their explicit advice: “Repeat the round in 15-20 minutes; slow down when you feel fuzzy, warm, comfortable and your attention span is not at 100%.” Leave it to the Russians to know how to relax on cold day!

So if just thinking about heading outside of your Chicago condo gives you a shiver, use this surefire way to warm up: EAT. Good company, good food and good drink will fill you with warmth during the winter. And you might discover a part of downtown Chicago that you’ve never experienced before!