TRAVEL GUIDE | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA

Known for creating immersive events and weddings layered with color, craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, Chicago-based designer Rishi Patel knows his city intimately. Today he shares the places that inspire him most, from storied institutions to neighbourhood favorites, offering a hyperlocal insider's guide that reveals the creativity, character and understated glamour of Chicago.

BY RISHI PATEL | CABANA TRAVEL | 16 JULY 2026

My Favorite Place to Stay: The Peninsula Chicago 

My favorite hotel in the city, The Peninsula consistently delivers some of the best service anywhere in the world and is home to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Shanghai Terrace, which serves exceptional Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Sichuanese cuisine. 

My Favorite Restaurants: Armitage Alehouse & Tre Dita

Armitage Alehouse is everything I love about dining. The intimate scale, moody interiors, and warm English pub atmosphere create one of the most transportive experiences in the city. The cuisine is exceptional, thoughtfully blending classic British fare with subtle Indian influences in a way that feels both comforting and refined. And then there's the sticky toffee date cake, arguably one of Chicago's greatest desserts. In the summer, it's an herbal gin and tonic; in the winter, a perfectly made martini or Manhattan.

My other favorite is Tre Dita. It couldn't be more different, yet is equally unforgettable. Where Armitage is intimate, Tre Dita is grand. The soaring ceilings, sweeping skyline views, and generous use of marble create a space that is simultaneously chic, modern, and unmistakably Italian. I have a soft spot for restaurants that embrace a moody atmosphere while remaining beautifully lit, and Tre Dita strikes that balance effortlessly.

My Favorite Coffee Shop or Cafe: Sawada Coffee

Sawada is my one of my favorite coffee spots. It's tucked into Fulton Market, industrial and a little rough around the edges: string lights, stickers on every pillar, that kind of unpolished cool you can't fake. I go for the Black Camo Latte every time with a dash of cinnamon. It's the kind of place where you order something and think, 'okay, someone thought about this'.

My Favorite Museum or Gallery: MCA Chicago

Known for its experimental and cutting-edge approach, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago focuses on rotating and semi-permanent exhibitions rather than a permanent collection. The MCA is also credited with giving artists such as Frida Kahlo, Jeff Koons, and Gerhard Richter some of their earliest major exhibitions. 

My Favorite Shop: Right | Proper

Right | Proper is an appointment-only store with an incredible inventory of unique, curated home goods, decor and gifts. Most are antiques sourced by hand across the globe. With a keen eye for style and design, the owner, Erik, has done an incredible job outfitting some of the best interiors and homes across the country through his shop.

My Favorite Antique Store: The Golden Triangle

I love The Golden Triangle for beautiful furniture, art, accessories and statement architectural pieces. Doug, the owner, has done an amazing job sourcing pieces from Asia, which brings a vivacious cultural nod to Chicago and the places where his products find a new home. Copious amounts of teak wood, hand carvings, unique antiques and original pieces set the tone every corner you turn. 

My Favorite Garden or Green Space: Chicago Botanic Garden

There is nothing quite like the Chicago Botanic Garden. Located just north of the city in Glencoe, it is one of the most spectacular botanical gardens in the country, featuring 27 vibrant gardens spread across 385 acres. It has long been one of my favorite places to escape into nature while remaining close to Chicago. My favorite garden center within the city is Gethsemane, which offers the largest selection of flowers and plants in Chicago, including rare varieties and species that are difficult to find elsewhere.

My Favorite Way to Spend a Weekend in Chicago

Summer in Chicago is all about the water. Sailing along the river and spending time at the Playpen off Oak Street Beach is hard to beat. Add a great dinner at one of the city's outstanding restaurants and shopping along Oak Street, and you have the perfect weekend.

I also enjoy returning to Lincoln Park, the neighborhood where I first lived after moving to Chicago after college. I spent nearly a decade there, and now I love taking my kids back to explore the area. Wandering its tree-lined streets, local boutiques, and neighborhood favorites brings back wonderful memories. Two spots I always return to are Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. And, for the kids, Summer House.

My Favorite Lesser-known Spot: Ping Tom Memorial Park

I love Ping Tom Memorial Park. It's 17 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, pergolas, and walking paths offer a peaceful escape, along with unique views of the Chicago skyline from an entirely different perspective. 

I also love the Richard H. Driehaus Museum – a true Chicago treasure. Housed in a beautifully preserved 25,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion, it offers a remarkable glimpse into the worlds of art, design, and architecture. A personal connection makes it even more meaningful to me: I had the pleasure of designing events for Richard Driehaus before he passed away. He was an extraordinary collector of art, furniture, history, and automobiles, and the museum reflects his incredible passion and vision.