Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Jam
2853 N Kedzie Ave
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdThe Radler
2375 N Milwaukee AveTaqueria Moran
2226 N California Ave Affordable and makes the best cafe con leche on the PLANET!
Trike Thai Noodles & Sushi
2339 N Milwaukee AveThe Rocking Horse
2535 N Milwaukee AveParticularly amazing brunch with outdoor seating and a modern colorful diner ambiance inside.
16 locals recommend
The Johnny's Grill
2545 N Kedzie BlvdParticularly amazing brunch with outdoor seating and a modern colorful diner ambiance inside.
Amazing cocktails at affordable prices. Couches and a fireplace you can eat at. They even serve free cookies at midnight!
584 locals recommend
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveAmazing cocktails at affordable prices. Couches and a fireplace you can eat at. They even serve free cookies at midnight!
Yelp rated whiskey bar and restaurant with thousands of reviews for some of the best food in the area, if not Chicago at large. A bit pricey, but well worth it. Mondays have $1 beers and $2 shots.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveYelp rated whiskey bar and restaurant with thousands of reviews for some of the best food in the area, if not Chicago at large. A bit pricey, but well worth it. Mondays have $1 beers and $2 shots.
You can smell the coffee roasting from the apartment and wake up feeling delightful. They have basic coffee drinks, but provide a great place to pop open your laptop and hang for a while.
108 locals recommend
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
2385 N Milwaukee AveYou can smell the coffee roasting from the apartment and wake up feeling delightful. They have basic coffee drinks, but provide a great place to pop open your laptop and hang for a while.
Local coffee shops that supports local artists, musicians, and alternative performers. Turns into a bar with a venue at night. Sundays are great for Karaoke nights, and scope out Facebook to see what movie nights, comedy shows, or spelling bees they offer on random week nights.
68 locals recommend
Cafe Mustache
2313 N Milwaukee AveLocal coffee shops that supports local artists, musicians, and alternative performers. Turns into a bar with a venue at night. Sundays are great for Karaoke nights, and scope out Facebook to see what movie nights, comedy shows, or spelling bees they offer on random week nights.
Great pies, but also great food in general. Usually a line out the door with a cozy indoor and outdoor area. HIGHLY recommend their Chicken Pot Pie!!
468 locals recommend
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveGreat pies, but also great food in general. Usually a line out the door with a cozy indoor and outdoor area. HIGHLY recommend their Chicken Pot Pie!!
You know you're getting great coffee cocktails when they're made in hyper modern Intelligentsia. Chicago is proud home to the nationally distributed coffee brand where baristas look like scientists and coffee is treated like a delicacy.
114 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee - Logan Square
2642 N Milwaukee AveYou know you're getting great coffee cocktails when they're made in hyper modern Intelligentsia. Chicago is proud home to the nationally distributed coffee brand where baristas look like scientists and coffee is treated like a delicacy.
Bow Truss Coffee Roasters
2631 North Kedzie AvenueLarge homely coffee shop with great eats. Stay as long as you like, park it on a couch or at a farmhouse style table, pick your poison. My favorite coffee shop in the area!
113 locals recommend
New Wave Coffee
2557 N Milwaukee AveLarge homely coffee shop with great eats. Stay as long as you like, park it on a couch or at a farmhouse style table, pick your poison. My favorite coffee shop in the area!
Vegan eats you would never know had no meat, for a reasonable price, and great rotating cocktails! Ask your servers where to go from here, they all live and hang in the area, and will probably come with you!
136 locals recommend
The Chicago Diner, Logan Square
2333 North Milwaukee AvenueVegan eats you would never know had no meat, for a reasonable price, and great rotating cocktails! Ask your servers where to go from here, they all live and hang in the area, and will probably come with you!
Right at the end of the block, you can't miss it! Great for reliable Mexican noms on a budget.
2 Amigos
2320 N Milwaukee AveRight at the end of the block, you can't miss it! Great for reliable Mexican noms on a budget.
Logan 11 Bar & Kitchen
2230 N California AveWhen you're craving a humongous menu of straight up diner food with bottomless coffee, huge portions, and quick quick service. You can never go wrong with cozy. Open early, but closes early!
88 locals recommend
Cozy Corner Restaurant and Pancake House
2294 N Milwaukee AveWhen you're craving a humongous menu of straight up diner food with bottomless coffee, huge portions, and quick quick service. You can never go wrong with cozy. Open early, but closes early!
Really cool and popular primarily pizza restaurant where you can pickup individual slices, whole pies, or go in on a PB&J special where you get a PBR, shot of Jameson, and slice of pizza for $8. Bartenders and servers will be caked in tattoos and great resources for where to head next. Cash only, but if you keep your $3 ATM receipt, they'll give you a free shot!
152 locals recommend
The Boiler Room
2210 North California AvenueReally cool and popular primarily pizza restaurant where you can pickup individual slices, whole pies, or go in on a PB&J special where you get a PBR, shot of Jameson, and slice of pizza for $8. Bartenders and servers will be caked in tattoos and great resources for where to head next. Cash only, but if you keep your $3 ATM receipt, they'll give you a free shot!
Vegan dinner restaurant open after 5. Intimate space with few tables, but hearty and wildly delicious meals.
80 locals recommend
GROUND CONTROL!
3315 W Armitage AveVegan dinner restaurant open after 5. Intimate space with few tables, but hearty and wildly delicious meals.
New to the neighborhood, but lines out the door every night. Great vibe inside with tables squeezed close together. Known for the Pho, but has an awesome list of sushi and creative appetizer menu you should pick one or two or ten off of! BYOB, so why not??
134 locals recommend
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveNew to the neighborhood, but lines out the door every night. Great vibe inside with tables squeezed close together. Known for the Pho, but has an awesome list of sushi and creative appetizer menu you should pick one or two or ten off of! BYOB, so why not??
Same Day Cafe
2651 N Kedzie AveSimply restaurant with reliably great sandwiches
Reno
2607 N Milwaukee AveSeasonally rotating pizzas and more
Always busy, much loved spot. Great in every season, and even flaunts an ice skating rink in the back during the winter!
658 locals recommend
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveAlways busy, much loved spot. Great in every season, and even flaunts an ice skating rink in the back during the winter!
Great great great Cuban restaurant where you can BYOB. If you bring wine, they'll even make it into Sangria for you!
182 locals recommend
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveGreat great great Cuban restaurant where you can BYOB. If you bring wine, they'll even make it into Sangria for you!
Furious Spoon Logan Square
2410 N Milwaukee AveAll you can eat ramen, say no more!
Based on Brooklyn's famous Paulie Gee's wood fired pizza
44 locals recommend
Paulie Gee's Logan Square
2451 N Milwaukee AveBased on Brooklyn's famous Paulie Gee's wood fired pizza
Creative tacos and beers served in boots. Also doubles as a liquor store of sorts where you can buy 6 packs of beer. Specials for a taco, beer, and a shot.
12 locals recommend
The General
2528 North California AvenueCreative tacos and beers served in boots. Also doubles as a liquor store of sorts where you can buy 6 packs of beer. Specials for a taco, beer, and a shot.
Fun spot with a cool ambiance with karaoke and trivia nights. Great for a quick and simple burger, friendly bartenders, and a burger, shot, and beer special
38 locals recommend
Parts & Labor
2700 North Milwaukee AvenueFun spot with a cool ambiance with karaoke and trivia nights. Great for a quick and simple burger, friendly bartenders, and a burger, shot, and beer special
Cafe Con Leche
2714 N Milwaukee AveDunlays On the Square
3137 West Logan BoulevardRestaurant that doubles at night as a venue for local artists to perform, or artists to have craft fairs
32 locals recommend
Township
Restaurant that doubles at night as a venue for local artists to perform, or artists to have craft fairs
Q-Tine
2339 North Milwaukee AvenueDine in or take away hearty poutine meals
My favorite restaurant in the whole city. Cheap cocktails and known for their "Three little piggy sandwich." Dine inside of an old train car with Christmas nights and old music.
19 locals recommend
The Silver Palm
768 N Milwaukee AveMy favorite restaurant in the whole city. Cheap cocktails and known for their "Three little piggy sandwich." Dine inside of an old train car with Christmas nights and old music.
Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AveDrinks & Nightlife
Analogue
Great crafted cocktails
Best Intentions
3281 W Armitage AveGreat local find
Live music, great affordable and creative cocktails with an open outdoor area
185 locals recommend
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveLive music, great affordable and creative cocktails with an open outdoor area
Trendy tiki themed cocktail bar with small bites. Crowded some nights, call in advance
356 locals recommend
Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey AveTrendy tiki themed cocktail bar with small bites. Crowded some nights, call in advance
Only open Fridays and Saturdays because they're THAT GOOD. Clean, modern feel. Bartenders are cool, they've customized the cocktail lists for bars around the city, are extremely knowledgable, and the bar offers games to keep you entertained.
13 locals recommend
Chicago Distilling Company
2359 N Milwaukee AveOnly open Fridays and Saturdays because they're THAT GOOD. Clean, modern feel. Bartenders are cool, they've customized the cocktail lists for bars around the city, are extremely knowledgable, and the bar offers games to keep you entertained.
Late night 4 AM hipster bar with dance floor in the back and waterfalls behind the bar. $2 craft beer Tuesdays worth checking out for the extensive list. Nearly always packed late night, locally famous.
106 locals recommend
The Owl
2521 N Milwaukee AveLate night 4 AM hipster bar with dance floor in the back and waterfalls behind the bar. $2 craft beer Tuesdays worth checking out for the extensive list. Nearly always packed late night, locally famous.
Widely distributed Revolution Beer, brewed right here, across the street from the apartment. Huge tanks of beer fill the ambiance, large circular bar to relax around, and incredible food to match. Would DEFINITELY recommend!
724 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveWidely distributed Revolution Beer, brewed right here, across the street from the apartment. Huge tanks of beer fill the ambiance, large circular bar to relax around, and incredible food to match. Would DEFINITELY recommend!
Speakeasy bar above the Slippery Slope...a "bar within a bar" if you will. 70s theme with tucked away tables, dim lighting, groovy music, and cocktails out of a psychedelic movie. Don't miss this place! Long lines make it nearly impossible to get in on weekends, but stop by after dinner on a weeknight...just to know!
32 locals recommend
The Heavy Feather
2357 N Milwaukee AveSpeakeasy bar above the Slippery Slope...a "bar within a bar" if you will. 70s theme with tucked away tables, dim lighting, groovy music, and cocktails out of a psychedelic movie. Don't miss this place! Long lines make it nearly impossible to get in on weekends, but stop by after dinner on a weeknight...just to know!
Roudy bar becoming more popular by the day and drawing crowds from all over the city. Photobooth and arcade games inside, round booths for large groups, and dancing/performance space in back
127 locals recommend
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee AveRoudy bar becoming more popular by the day and drawing crowds from all over the city. Photobooth and arcade games inside, round booths for large groups, and dancing/performance space in back
This place is like Cheers where everyone knows everyone, and no one who doesn't live within walking distance. Young dive bar where the owner is always one of the bartenders. The DJ spins vinyl records and most nights they have an event in the back, be it comedy shows on Wednesdays, free shows on Fridays, lip sync battles on Mondays, and so on.
70 locals recommend
Cole's Bar
2338 N Milwaukee AveThis place is like Cheers where everyone knows everyone, and no one who doesn't live within walking distance. Young dive bar where the owner is always one of the bartenders. The DJ spins vinyl records and most nights they have an event in the back, be it comedy shows on Wednesdays, free shows on Fridays, lip sync battles on Mondays, and so on.
HUGE arcade bar with every game you could imagine in it and multiple pool tables, air hockey tables, and walls lined with murals by local artists. Enormous beer list, food truck INSIDE of the bar, and wrap around bar. Often has cool events like Zine Fests
139 locals recommend
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveHUGE arcade bar with every game you could imagine in it and multiple pool tables, air hockey tables, and walls lined with murals by local artists. Enormous beer list, food truck INSIDE of the bar, and wrap around bar. Often has cool events like Zine Fests
Surf Bar
2367 N Milwaukee AveHead here on a Monday night to see a free LGBT friendly variety show called Salonathon where performers prepare acts weekly to fit a theme. Quite the show with incredible individuals!
82 locals recommend
Beauty Bar
1444 W Chicago AveHead here on a Monday night to see a free LGBT friendly variety show called Salonathon where performers prepare acts weekly to fit a theme. Quite the show with incredible individuals!
Gorilla Tango Theatre Bucktown
1919 North Milwaukee AvenueBurlesque shows galore
Sightseeing
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StThe big bean, must see!
Two gigantic stand alone sculptures that light up day and night with projections of moving faces which spurt water out of the mouths in the summer for kids to play in
27 locals recommend
Crown Fountain
201 E Randolph StTwo gigantic stand alone sculptures that light up day and night with projections of moving faces which spurt water out of the mouths in the summer for kids to play in
Offers multiple tours for architecture lovers. Stories are funny, fascinating, and visuals are beautiful. Tour guides are volunteers, so remember to tip!
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrOffers multiple tours for architecture lovers. Stories are funny, fascinating, and visuals are beautiful. Tour guides are volunteers, so remember to tip!
Head to the Signature Lounge and get a cocktail to see sweeping views of the city, but don't spend too much, it's easy!
157 locals recommend
John Hancock Center
875 North Michigan AvenueHead to the Signature Lounge and get a cocktail to see sweeping views of the city, but don't spend too much, it's easy!
Willis Tower Skydeck
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StArts & Culture
Bar attached to the theater so you can grab some drinks and bring them into the movies!
315 locals recommend
The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee AveBar attached to the theater so you can grab some drinks and bring them into the movies!
Single room cinema with alternative movies not shown in normal theaters. Worth a visit for a quirky local feel!
Facets
1517 W Fullerton AveSingle room cinema with alternative movies not shown in normal theaters. Worth a visit for a quirky local feel!
Great for student discounts to see limited screened films in a great old theater!
22 locals recommend
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N State StGreat for student discounts to see limited screened films in a great old theater!
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveMuseum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveThe Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrInternational Museum of Surgical Science
1524 N Lake Shore DrSteppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StGoodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn StLyric Opera of Chicago
20 N Upper Wacker DrFirst Fridays open up artist's studios throughout the iconic building!
18 locals recommend
The Flatiron Arts Building
1579 N Milwaukee AveFirst Fridays open up artist's studios throughout the iconic building!
Entertainment & Activities
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StFREE!!!
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrEssentials
Tony's Fresh Market
3607 W Fullerton AveVas Foremost Liquors
2300 N Milwaukee AveLiquor store