Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Great rooftop deck, tasty sausages and cheap beer.
91 locals recommend
Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
4750 N Lincoln AveGreat rooftop deck, tasty sausages and cheap beer.
Kuma's Corner
2900 W Belmont AveAmazing burgers with heavy metal inspiration.
The food is worth the wait. A lively atmosphere, small plates and lots of wine. You can grab a drink on the terrace while you wait.
99 locals recommend
The Purple Pig Restaurant
444 Michigan AveThe food is worth the wait. A lively atmosphere, small plates and lots of wine. You can grab a drink on the terrace while you wait.
Gale Street Inn Chicago
4914 N Milwaukee AveA Chicago tradition for pork ribs. Yum.
Stop in for a delicious treat. Founder honed her skills at the famous Tartine in San Francisco.
49 locals recommend
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
1220 W Webster AveStop in for a delicious treat. Founder honed her skills at the famous Tartine in San Francisco.
Just say yes to anything this group creates. They will never lead you astray. Butcher shop and great place for breakfast and lunch. During the summer they are open on Tuesday nights for burger night.
60 locals recommend
Publican Quality Meats
825 W Fulton MarketJust say yes to anything this group creates. They will never lead you astray. Butcher shop and great place for breakfast and lunch. During the summer they are open on Tuesday nights for burger night.
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketFarm to table deliciousness.
Super long waits, but their burgers are to die for, and if you can get the chillaquilles you should.
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StSuper long waits, but their burgers are to die for, and if you can get the chillaquilles you should.
Rick Bayless is pretty much the patron saint of Chicago. He has multiple restaurants in the city, but this is one of my favorites. Mexican street fare elevated, but still humble.
39 locals recommend
Fonda Frontera
1471 North Milwaukee AvenueRick Bayless is pretty much the patron saint of Chicago. He has multiple restaurants in the city, but this is one of my favorites. Mexican street fare elevated, but still humble.
Some of the best tacos you will ever eat. If you can get a seat on the patio during the summer you have won the lotto. If not there is a to-go window that will get you your fix.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveSome of the best tacos you will ever eat. If you can get a seat on the patio during the summer you have won the lotto. If not there is a to-go window that will get you your fix.
SMAK-TAK! Polish Restaurant
5961 N Elston AveAuthentic Polish food. Delicious and gut busting.
Rated one of the best Thai restaurants in the country. Authentic food, so don't go in there expecting just pad thai.
7 locals recommend
Arun's Thai Restaurant
4156 N Kedzie AveRated one of the best Thai restaurants in the country. Authentic food, so don't go in there expecting just pad thai.
A summer ritual for anyone that grew up in the neighborhood or went to school at nearby UIC and St. Ignatius College Prep.
31 locals recommend
Mario's Italian Lemonade
1068 W Taylor StA summer ritual for anyone that grew up in the neighborhood or went to school at nearby UIC and St. Ignatius College Prep.
Sabatino's Restaurant Chicago
4441 West Irving Park RoadLike taking a step back in time.
goosefoot
2656 W Lawrence AveFine contemporary dining. BYOB.
It might just be a strip mall, but the food is incredible. Try their ice cream dessert
17 locals recommend
Isla Pilipina Restaurant
15 West Washington StreetIt might just be a strip mall, but the food is incredible. Try their ice cream dessert
Garcia's Restaurant
4760 N Lincoln AveDamn good burrito.
m.henry
5707 N Clark StGreat place for brunch. In a cute neighborhood.
Deep dish is great, but not for everyone. Explore your options.
83 locals recommend
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveDeep dish is great, but not for everyone. Explore your options.
Unique mix of German and Italian cuisines. Live music on Thursday and Friday nights with one of the best singers in town.
6 locals recommend
Himmel's
2251 W Lawrence AveUnique mix of German and Italian cuisines. Live music on Thursday and Friday nights with one of the best singers in town.
Starbucks
5406 W Devon AveCoffee and free wi-fi available.
Good spot for a quick bite in the neighborhood, excellent place for soup.
Ssyal - Chicago Korean Restaurant
4201 W Lawrence AveGood spot for a quick bite in the neighborhood, excellent place for soup.
Peruvian food and wonderful service. I think it is still BYOB (bring your own bottle) which means you can bring your own beer, wine or spirits.
8 locals recommend
Ay Ay Picante : Peruvian Seafood Restaurant
4569 N Elston AvePeruvian food and wonderful service. I think it is still BYOB (bring your own bottle) which means you can bring your own beer, wine or spirits.
Cauldron of spicy, garlicky, buttery yum. Long waits, but definitely worth the wait. BYO with no corkage fees.
12 locals recommend
The Angry Crab
5665 N Lincoln AveCauldron of spicy, garlicky, buttery yum. Long waits, but definitely worth the wait. BYO with no corkage fees.
Fresh made pastas in whole and half orders. Their fried chicken is out of this world and completely unexpected for a mostly Italian eatery.
37 locals recommend
Charlatan
1329 West Chicago AvenueFresh made pastas in whole and half orders. Their fried chicken is out of this world and completely unexpected for a mostly Italian eatery.
Everything Else
Finch Beer Co
1800 W Walnut StCraft Beer is HUGE in Chicago, there are many options to enjoy.
Step back in time in this fully restored theater. Great late night selection of old favorites, and all the new run films too. Plus, they have a great selection of beer.
315 locals recommend
The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee AveStep back in time in this fully restored theater. Great late night selection of old favorites, and all the new run films too. Plus, they have a great selection of beer.
One of my favorite movie theaters in the city. If you are a film buff you simply must visit.
152 locals recommend
Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveOne of my favorite movie theaters in the city. If you are a film buff you simply must visit.
One of the best beaches on the lakefront. Off the beaten path which is what makes it so great.
9 locals recommend
Leone Beach Park
1222 W Touhy AveOne of the best beaches on the lakefront. Off the beaten path which is what makes it so great.
If you have forgotten anything, and I don't have it at the property you can probably find it here. They also have some groceries. Also, within walking distance.
84 locals recommend
Walgreens
4010 W Lawrence AveIf you have forgotten anything, and I don't have it at the property you can probably find it here. They also have some groceries. Also, within walking distance.
Cherry Circle is a wonderful dining experience, but I love just sitting at the bar...the room is so unique. Cindy's rooftop bar is gorgeous with the steel beams and danish modern influenced decor.
53 locals recommend
Chicago Athletic Association
12 S Michigan AveCherry Circle is a wonderful dining experience, but I love just sitting at the bar...the room is so unique. Cindy's rooftop bar is gorgeous with the steel beams and danish modern influenced decor.
Baker Miller
4655 N Lincoln AveGrains milled in house. Breakfast all day.
Essentials
Tony's Fresh Market
3607 W Fullerton AveInexpensive grocery located nearby
Aldi
3363 N Milwaukee AveGreat place to stock up on inexpensive essentials. Within walking distance.
Jewel-Osco
4250 N Lincoln AveClose by and wide selection. Also sell prepared hot foods.
Drinks & Nightlife
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveTap room and tour of the production facility
Yet another delicious local craft brew. Also try the location on Milwaukee for a full kitchen menu.
101 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
3340 N Kedzie AveYet another delicious local craft brew. Also try the location on Milwaukee for a full kitchen menu.
Great food and beer. Try the soft pretzel and the to die for Cheese Sauce.
724 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveGreat food and beer. Try the soft pretzel and the to die for Cheese Sauce.
Trendy little restaurant and bar. Worth the visit to this popular neighborhood.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveTrendy little restaurant and bar. Worth the visit to this popular neighborhood.
A different take on pizza in a city famous for deep dish, definitely worth the visit.
488 locals recommend
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveA different take on pizza in a city famous for deep dish, definitely worth the visit.
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayA Chicago classic.
Late night bar where people usually end up after a long night. One of the best bands playing real country music.
20 locals recommend
Carol's Pub
4659 North Clark StreetLate night bar where people usually end up after a long night. One of the best bands playing real country music.
One of my favorite old man bars. So much fun, and a great beer a liquor selection.
55 locals recommend
Simon's Tavern
5210 N Clark StOne of my favorite old man bars. So much fun, and a great beer a liquor selection.
Dedicated to all thing beer and all things Belgian. They make excellent frittes and have a interesting sandwich made with cashew butter and cheese that is out of this world.
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StDedicated to all thing beer and all things Belgian. They make excellent frittes and have a interesting sandwich made with cashew butter and cheese that is out of this world.
Fado Irish Pub
100 W Grand AveGreat spot for live music on a Saturday night.
Excellent beer selection and a great place to catch a soccer game if that's what you are interested in.
38 locals recommend
The Globe Pub
1934 W Irving Park RdExcellent beer selection and a great place to catch a soccer game if that's what you are interested in.
Arts & Culture
Great venue. Pirogi Festival held on the grounds once a year in this densely Polish area.
10 locals recommend
Copernicus Center
5216 W Lawrence AveGreat venue. Pirogi Festival held on the grounds once a year in this densely Polish area.
Metro
3730 N Clark StFamous rock venue - catch a show if you can.
Schubas Tavern
3159 N Southport AveBar and music venue with the Harmony Grill attached.
Lincoln Hall
2424 N Lincoln AveFantastic music venue owned by the Schubas brothers.
Live music upstairs, restaurant on the first floor, and punch house in the basement...all packaged in a gorgeous and historic building.
135 locals recommend
Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StLive music upstairs, restaurant on the first floor, and punch house in the basement...all packaged in a gorgeous and historic building.
Shopping
Unique gelato flavors made at the store. My favorite is Goat Cheese Caramel Cashew.
90 locals recommend
Blue Frog Bar & Grill
676 N LaSalle DrUnique gelato flavors made at the store. My favorite is Goat Cheese Caramel Cashew.