Best Business Lunch Power Players Restaurants in Motor Row
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Apolonia
Bib Gourmand Mediterranean restaurant balancing ambitious small plates with convention-friendly polish.
Notable Picks
#1
Apolonia
8.6
Apolonia is chef Stephen Gillanders' contemporary Mediterranean dining room at the edge of McCormick Place, blending Northern Mediterranean flavors with a European-leaning small-plates menu and a focused wine list. Guests come for dishes like black truffle puff bread, branzino, and pastas, plus a Bib Gourmand–recognized experience that works for both conventions and date nights. The minimalist, high-ceilinged room can run loud, but it feels like one of the South Loop's most polished Mediterranean options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black Truffle Puff Bread, Mediterranean Branzino, Fiorentini al Sugo
What Makes it Special: Bib Gourmand Mediterranean restaurant balancing ambitious small plates with convention-friendly polish.
#2
Il Culaccino
8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Opened in 2019 near McCormick Place, Il Culaccino offers modern Italian plates, a large wine list, and an outdoor patio steps from Wintrust Arena. It’s used for pre- and post-game dinners, business meals, and nicer nights out when you want polished service without downtown formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whipped Ricotta Tuffo, Linguine with Clam Sauce, Bone-In Berkshire Pork Chop
What Makes it Special: Modern Italian near McCormick Square with a serious wine list and patio.