Every couple of months, a new trend takes food TikTok by storm — and right now, it’s the “girl dinner.”
While the name may sound exclusive, “girl dinner” is for anyone who enjoys the simplicity of an easy meal that may not be high in nutritional value, but is rich in flavor, and just enough to fill up.
Here are our favorite places to grab your own small + satisfying meal.
Verde, 2727 E. 86th St. | Queso fundido, ceviche, an empanada trio — the only thing more flavorful than this authentic Mexican restaurant’s selection of girl dinner menu options is the vibe.
Lil Dumplings Noodle Bar, 906 Carrollton Ave. | The menu at this ramen shop inside The Garage really gets our mouths watering. Their pillowy steamed buns — filled with ingredients like spam, pimento kimcheese, white bbq sauce, and pickles — make the perfect snack-sized meal at only $5 a pop.
Gallery’s sticky black garlic wings are plentiful enough to share — or keep for yourself.
Photo by @gallerypastryshop
Gallery Pastry Shop, 4573 N. College Ave. | Comment dit-on “girl dinner” en français? Swing by Gallery for a massive selection of snackables like fritters, croissants, bread baskets, and hummus plates.
Forty Five Degrees, 765 Mass Ave. | This one’s for the sushi haters and lovers alike. Make your own combination of the 10+ small plates on the menu here, like vegetable tempura and tuna nachos, for the perfect girl dinner.
Goose the Market has everything you need to create the perfect picnic spread, or an easy dinner at home.
Photo by @goosethemarket
Goose The Market, 2503 N. Delaware St. | More of a make-it-at-home girl dinner fan? You’ll find everything you need to build your own snack-ish charcuterie meal here, from freshly baked artisan bread to cheeses sourced from local farms.
Grindstone on the Monon, 17470 Wheeler Rd. | Hop on your bike + ride up to Westfield for some amazing fried green tomatoes, goat cheese bruschetta, and cheese curds. Pro tip: Go on a Thursday for the live music and drink specials.
Where else in the city do you go to grab your own girl dinner? Let us know.
