Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
The drip and iced coffee are excellent as are the donuts. It's a nice place to relax.
42 locals recommend
C.C. Ferns
2806 W Augusta BlvdThe drip and iced coffee are excellent as are the donuts. It's a nice place to relax.
A nice cozy coffee shop with soda pops and pastries.
78 locals recommend
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveA nice cozy coffee shop with soda pops and pastries.
Hands down the best breaded chicken breast sandwich I've ever had. Cash only
51 locals recommend
Leghorn Chicken
Hands down the best breaded chicken breast sandwich I've ever had. Cash only
Feed
2803 W Chicago AveAnother good cash only restaurant well known for their chicken meals.
Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveCash only taco and whiskey joint
This is a good BBQ place with ribs, sandwiches and good outdoor place.
116 locals recommend
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StThis is a good BBQ place with ribs, sandwiches and good outdoor place.
WHISK
2018 W Chicago AveGreat chicken & waffles and burgers plus it's BYOB
This is a pizza place specializing in thin crust pizza plus they have an on-site brewery - expect a wait
488 locals recommend
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveThis is a pizza place specializing in thin crust pizza plus they have an on-site brewery - expect a wait
One of my favorite places for dinner - this a BYOB Cuban restaurant
19 locals recommend
Habana Libre Restaurant
1440 W Chicago AveOne of my favorite places for dinner - this a BYOB Cuban restaurant
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StHighly recommended restaurant in the West Loop
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueOne of the best pizza places in Chicago
Authentic French bakery - delicious pastries and rustic bread. I go here often!
28 locals recommend
La Fournette
1547 N Wells StAuthentic French bakery - delicious pastries and rustic bread. I go here often!
Delicious donut store in the heart of Wicker Park/Bucktown. They have dozens of donuts for you to choose from.
209 locals recommend
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveDelicious donut store in the heart of Wicker Park/Bucktown. They have dozens of donuts for you to choose from.
An excellent Italian restaurant with very good pizza. The triple pepperoni pizza with white truffle oil is amazing!
8 locals recommend
Osteria La Madia
59 W Grand AveAn excellent Italian restaurant with very good pizza. The triple pepperoni pizza with white truffle oil is amazing!
It's bit of a drive/commute on the CTA but this is a delicious authentic Neapolitan pizzeria in Ravenswood. They also let you have an amazing cannoli when you leave!
83 locals recommend
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveIt's bit of a drive/commute on the CTA but this is a delicious authentic Neapolitan pizzeria in Ravenswood. They also let you have an amazing cannoli when you leave!
If you're downtown sightseeing, don't waste you're time at Shake Shack. This simple burger joint is amazing! I get my burger with an egg on it. Everything is made fresh.
Good Stuff Eatery Chicago
22 S Wabash AveIf you're downtown sightseeing, don't waste you're time at Shake Shack. This simple burger joint is amazing! I get my burger with an egg on it. Everything is made fresh.
This is where cops and the locals eat. I've never had better pancakes and get them almost every time I go here. Everything is delish. They have free parking for customers right next to the restaurant.
Johnnies Snack Shop
160 N Halsted StThis is where cops and the locals eat. I've never had better pancakes and get them almost every time I go here. Everything is delish. They have free parking for customers right next to the restaurant.
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StOne of Chicago's most popular restaurants. Be prepared to wait.
Excellent burgers and shakes and this cozy eatery with lots of outdoor seating. Close to the 606 Trail.
161 locals recommend
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveExcellent burgers and shakes and this cozy eatery with lots of outdoor seating. Close to the 606 Trail.
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveIconic ice cream and fudge shop.
Be prepared to wait especially on the weekends as this is a very popular spot. Great outside lawn area to enjoy your pie or one of their delicious biscuit meals.
468 locals recommend
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveBe prepared to wait especially on the weekends as this is a very popular spot. Great outside lawn area to enjoy your pie or one of their delicious biscuit meals.
Big Star
1531 N Damen AvePopular taqueria in Wicker Park with awesome outdoor patio.
Nellie’s Restaurant
2458 W Division StGreat breakfast buffet on the weekends.
Very popular BYOB Cuban restaurant with lots of outdoor seating.
182 locals recommend
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveVery popular BYOB Cuban restaurant with lots of outdoor seating.
It's a bit of a drive from the apartment but this cozy Greek restaurant is perfect for any meal. Very affordable with burgers, salads & gyros. Tina Fey even recommends. Can't go wrong with a feta burger.
32 locals recommend
Athenian Room
807 W Webster AveIt's a bit of a drive from the apartment but this cozy Greek restaurant is perfect for any meal. Very affordable with burgers, salads & gyros. Tina Fey even recommends. Can't go wrong with a feta burger.
Great breakfast place. May have to wait as there's not too much seating but it's definitely worth it.
39 locals recommend
Sweet Maple Cafe
1339 W Taylor StGreat breakfast place. May have to wait as there's not too much seating but it's definitely worth it.
I eat here almost every week. Great tacos and tortas. Low key and simple Mexican joint.
8 locals recommend
Taco El Jalisciense
2859 W Chicago AveI eat here almost every week. Great tacos and tortas. Low key and simple Mexican joint.
Love going to this local bar during the week or weekend. Good food and drinks. Casual atmosphere.
39 locals recommend
The Beetle Bar and Grill
2532 West Chicago AvenueLove going to this local bar during the week or weekend. Good food and drinks. Casual atmosphere.
Café Marie-Jeanne
1001 N California AvePopular spot for brunch. French bistro with a unique menu.
Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski RdHands down my favorite bbq place.
toast
2046 N Damen AveExcellent brunch spot in Bucktown.
Drinks & Nightlife
The California Clipper
1002 North California AvenueThey have live music and it's a nice bar.
Lockdown Bar & Grill
1024 N Western AveExcellent burgers
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveLaid back bar
The Second City
230 W North AveGreat comedy theater
High Dive
1938 W Chicago AveBusy local bar with good food.
Boulevard Sports Lounge
2645 W North AveLots of beers on tap.
Sightseeing
The ferris wheel is cool but except crowds. Fireworks during the summer on Saturday. They also have a big parking garage if you want to use it was a base station.
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveThe ferris wheel is cool but except crowds. Fireworks during the summer on Saturday. They also have a big parking garage if you want to use it was a base station.
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StGo see the iconic Bean at Millennium Park.
2.7 mile trail that connects 4 Chicago neighborhoods via a former elevated rail line converted to a beautiful walking/running/biking trail. Lots of good views.
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue2.7 mile trail that connects 4 Chicago neighborhoods via a former elevated rail line converted to a beautiful walking/running/biking trail. Lots of good views.
875 North Michigan Avenue
875 N Michigan AveWillis Tower Skydeck
Essentials
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveLocal grocery store
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveShopping
Massive liquor store - over 55,000 square feet of liquor. You can find anything here.
15 locals recommend
Binny's Beverage Depot
4901 W Irving Park RdMassive liquor store - over 55,000 square feet of liquor. You can find anything here.
I definitely recommend just going to this authentic Italian restaurant/grocery store. It's 5 floors of authentic Italian. Lots of little restaurants and shops. Fun to just walk around.
140 locals recommend
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StI definitely recommend just going to this authentic Italian restaurant/grocery store. It's 5 floors of authentic Italian. Lots of little restaurants and shops. Fun to just walk around.
Entertainment & Activities
A free public zoo right on Lake Michigan. It's got lots of exhibits and greats views of the city.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StA free public zoo right on Lake Michigan. It's got lots of exhibits and greats views of the city.
A different way to see the city. You can canoe all the way downtown which takes about 2 hours round trip.
9 locals recommend
Kayak Chicago
1220 N Magnolia AveA different way to see the city. You can canoe all the way downtown which takes about 2 hours round trip.
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StGo watch the Cubs play.
United Center
1901 W Madison StBulls & Blackhawks home.
Guaranteed Rate Field
333 W 35th StHome of the White Sox.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrParks & Nature
Largest park in Chicago. Lots of pretty trails to walk on. Can see downtown from here.
293 locals recommend
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrLargest park in Chicago. Lots of pretty trails to walk on. Can see downtown from here.