Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Best Indian food around without the longer trip up to Devon St. Everything is delicious, but our favorites are the gobi manchurian, the chicken chettinad, and the butter masala. They're also great for pick-up or delivery, if you don't want to eat out.
68 locals recommend
Rangoli Classic Indian Dining
Best Indian food around without the longer trip up to Devon St. Everything is delicious, but our favorites are the gobi manchurian, the chicken chettinad, and the butter masala. They're also great for pick-up or delivery, if you don't want to eat out.
Closest coffee shop to the unit. Their homemade poptarts are tasty and they do a good hot/iced latte.
26 locals recommend
Cup & Spoon
2415 W North AveClosest coffee shop to the unit. Their homemade poptarts are tasty and they do a good hot/iced latte.
This place has THE best pies we've found in Chicago. They also make killer baked goods (scones, cookies, savory stratas). They also have an old school ice cream fountain and can make floats/sodas/etc.
78 locals recommend
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveThis place has THE best pies we've found in Chicago. They also make killer baked goods (scones, cookies, savory stratas). They also have an old school ice cream fountain and can make floats/sodas/etc.
Best coffee in the neighborhood. The classics are amazing and they also do some fun takes on lattes, like nutella and a spicy coconut flavored "ipsento" latte.
109 locals recommend
Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western AveBest coffee in the neighborhood. The classics are amazing and they also do some fun takes on lattes, like nutella and a spicy coconut flavored "ipsento" latte.
Hip spot for vegan/vegetarian food, just a short walk away from the unit. Also has an outdoor patio in back.
140 locals recommend
Handlebar
2311 W North AveHip spot for vegan/vegetarian food, just a short walk away from the unit. Also has an outdoor patio in back.
Awesome pies and incredible buttery, flakey biscuits. Large outdoor seating area and a cozy indoor area for cooler or rainy days.
468 locals recommend
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveAwesome pies and incredible buttery, flakey biscuits. Large outdoor seating area and a cozy indoor area for cooler or rainy days.
Fun BYOB Costa Rican restaurant, about a 10 minute walk from the unit. Good food, lively atmosphere. The batidos (http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/food/fruit-batido-refresco/) are very fruity and delightful.
109 locals recommend
Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee AveFun BYOB Costa Rican restaurant, about a 10 minute walk from the unit. Good food, lively atmosphere. The batidos (http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/food/fruit-batido-refresco/) are very fruity and delightful.
Killer donuts and right next to the Damen el stop. Their glazed donuts are perfection, but they also have a variety of other flavors as well as some "gluten-less" options.
209 locals recommend
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveKiller donuts and right next to the Damen el stop. Their glazed donuts are perfection, but they also have a variety of other flavors as well as some "gluten-less" options.
Hearty and delicious baked hand pockets of amazing goodness. Plenty of veggie and meat-based options.
19 locals recommend
5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North AveHearty and delicious baked hand pockets of amazing goodness. Plenty of veggie and meat-based options.
Hip taco joint with margaritas; great for people watching and taking in the scene in Wicker Park. You can also do take-away or get food at the side bar if you don't want to sit down in the restaurant.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveHip taco joint with margaritas; great for people watching and taking in the scene in Wicker Park. You can also do take-away or get food at the side bar if you don't want to sit down in the restaurant.
Super hip cocktails and bar, they also have a good menu and even mussels!
584 locals recommend
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveSuper hip cocktails and bar, they also have a good menu and even mussels!
Long time restaurant in Lula Cafe; everything there is wonderful. Brunch is always a treat and so are the other meals. You might have to wait if you try to go on a weekend, but it's worth it.
936 locals recommend
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdLong time restaurant in Lula Cafe; everything there is wonderful. Brunch is always a treat and so are the other meals. You might have to wait if you try to go on a weekend, but it's worth it.
Slightly further away than Ipsento, but also excellent coffee. They also have tea and do a real good hot chocolate. Consistently solid baked goods....I really like the cookies.
114 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee - Logan Square
2642 N Milwaukee AveSlightly further away than Ipsento, but also excellent coffee. They also have tea and do a real good hot chocolate. Consistently solid baked goods....I really like the cookies.
Hot hipster restaurant, bone marrow dishes, etc. Plan to wait a little, but you'll be rewarded.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveHot hipster restaurant, bone marrow dishes, etc. Plan to wait a little, but you'll be rewarded.
Incredible sushi and also has a super cozy, romantic vibe. You can either watch the chefs or ask for a booth that is enclosed and feels private.
87 locals recommend
KAI ZAN
2557 W Chicago AveIncredible sushi and also has a super cozy, romantic vibe. You can either watch the chefs or ask for a booth that is enclosed and feels private.
Off the hook Malaysian restaurant. So good and also about a 10-15 minute walk from the unit.
19 locals recommend
Serai
2169 N Milwaukee AveOff the hook Malaysian restaurant. So good and also about a 10-15 minute walk from the unit.
Large pizza joint, a local favorite. Quick delivery or nice to go eat there. The Hot Doug's Atomic Sausage pizza uses sausage from the iconic Hot Doug's sausage maker. They also have their own brews available.
488 locals recommend
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveLarge pizza joint, a local favorite. Quick delivery or nice to go eat there. The Hot Doug's Atomic Sausage pizza uses sausage from the iconic Hot Doug's sausage maker. They also have their own brews available.
Excellent deep dish! Best for delivery or take-out since it's a small spot for eating-in.
22 locals recommend
My Pi Pizza
2010 N Damen AveExcellent deep dish! Best for delivery or take-out since it's a small spot for eating-in.
Sweet Rice
1904 North Western AvenueShort walk or quick delivery and some great authentic Thai food.
Delicious Southwestern/Mexican fare with good strong drinks. This place is open all day long and has lots of natural lighting and a chill vibe. Good for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just to go to the bar for some drinks.
55 locals recommend
Lonesome Rose
2101 N California AveDelicious Southwestern/Mexican fare with good strong drinks. This place is open all day long and has lots of natural lighting and a chill vibe. Good for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just to go to the bar for some drinks.
Incredible brunch----french toast never disappoints! Also lots of pastries and some standard breakfast dishes. This place is pretty busy on the weekends but worth the wait if you're up for it.
108 locals recommend
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveIncredible brunch----french toast never disappoints! Also lots of pastries and some standard breakfast dishes. This place is pretty busy on the weekends but worth the wait if you're up for it.
Hot Chicago brewery, hip brewpub. The beet burger is an excellent veggie burger and almost everything else there has been good! The beers are pretty good, too, and can be found all over Chicago.
724 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveHot Chicago brewery, hip brewpub. The beet burger is an excellent veggie burger and almost everything else there has been good! The beers are pretty good, too, and can be found all over Chicago.
Drinks & Nightlife
So many beers! Walkable from the unit and a great place to grab a drink or two.
119 locals recommend
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveSo many beers! Walkable from the unit and a great place to grab a drink or two.
Sleek lounge-y feel, delicious cocktails, and a secret entrance door.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveSleek lounge-y feel, delicious cocktails, and a secret entrance door.
Parks & Nature
This park has it all; ice skating rink/ribbon in the winter, climbing walls in the summer. A massive playground for kids of all ages. A garden for strolling....definitely worth checking out if you like city parks.
175 locals recommend
Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph StThis park has it all; ice skating rink/ribbon in the winter, climbing walls in the summer. A massive playground for kids of all ages. A garden for strolling....definitely worth checking out if you like city parks.
Chicago's best conservatory; this is a wonderful place in the winter when you're feeling like everything is gray outside. Easy way to spend a couple of hours enjoying beautiful flowers and plants and come away rejuvenated.
258 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveChicago's best conservatory; this is a wonderful place in the winter when you're feeling like everything is gray outside. Easy way to spend a couple of hours enjoying beautiful flowers and plants and come away rejuvenated.
2.7 mile elevated bike/running/walking trail just two blocks north of our unit. Makes for easy trips to Wicker Park or for some exercise.
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue2.7 mile elevated bike/running/walking trail just two blocks north of our unit. Makes for easy trips to Wicker Park or for some exercise.
Everything Else
Consistently solid massages and spa treatments available here. They also do nice manis/pedis if desired.
Spa Soak
1733 N Milwaukee AveConsistently solid massages and spa treatments available here. They also do nice manis/pedis if desired.
Beautiful aquarium on the lake front with a wide variety of aquatic life to see. Easily combined with a trip downtown for the day!
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrBeautiful aquarium on the lake front with a wide variety of aquatic life to see. Easily combined with a trip downtown for the day!
Chicago's free zoo by the lake front----great for walking around on nice days and checking out some wildlife!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StChicago's free zoo by the lake front----great for walking around on nice days and checking out some wildlife!
Large city park a couple blocks west of the unit; great for walking around and enjoying the weather. In the summer, there's a "natural pool/beach" available for splashing around in. You can also often catch a local baseball game to watch during the Spring/Summer months.
293 locals recommend
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrLarge city park a couple blocks west of the unit; great for walking around and enjoying the weather. In the summer, there's a "natural pool/beach" available for splashing around in. You can also often catch a local baseball game to watch during the Spring/Summer months.
Arts & Culture
These guys do an amazing river tour of the Chicago architecture. Very informative and also a cool way to see the city. They also have non-boat tours if you prefer to be on land.
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrThese guys do an amazing river tour of the Chicago architecture. Very informative and also a cool way to see the city. They also have non-boat tours if you prefer to be on land.
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveLyric Opera of Chicago
20 N Upper Wacker DrFantastic shows!
Chicago's iconic art museum with the lion statues in front. Excellent permanent exhibits as well as rotating ones. Right next to Millennium park, making it a nice place to enjoy a few hours during a day downtown.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveChicago's iconic art museum with the lion statues in front. Excellent permanent exhibits as well as rotating ones. Right next to Millennium park, making it a nice place to enjoy a few hours during a day downtown.
This is where "The Bean" statue is and the Pritzker Pavilion, home of the summer music series (https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html)
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StThis is where "The Bean" statue is and the Pritzker Pavilion, home of the summer music series (https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html)