Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Reza's Restaurant
5255 N Clark StMe Dee Cafe
4805 N Damen AveMidnight Congee (Chinese Rice Porridge)
Life changing pie and biscuits. Go here. You will not be disappointed!
43 locals recommend
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits Ravenswood
4947 N Damen AveLife changing pie and biscuits. Go here. You will not be disappointed!
Sun Wah BBQ
5039 N BroadwaySan Soo Gab San
5247 N Western AveCafe Selmarie
4729 N Lincoln AveOver Easy Café
4943 N Damen AveAnteprima
5316 N Clark StGolden Nugget Pancake House
1765 W Lawrence AveGreat Greasy Spoon right across from the Metra
Silver Seafood Restaurant
4829 N BroadwayAmazing and cheap dim sum
Best carrot cake in the 'verse. They also have a great breakfast and lunch menu.
42 locals recommend
A Taste of Heaven
5401 N Clark StBest carrot cake in the 'verse. They also have a great breakfast and lunch menu.
El Catrin
1905 W Foster AveAmazing tamales and dinner platters. For tacos, plan to go elsewhere.
Pauline's
1754 W Balmoral AveNookies Edgewater
Awesome brunch
Pearl's Southern Comfort
5352 N BroadwayJerry's Sandwiches
4739 N Lincoln AveGreat sandwiches
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveHoosier Mama Pie Company
1618 W Chicago AveHalf Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveThis place is my church: one part bakery, one part middle eastern cafe, one part grocery store.
32 locals recommend
Middle East Bakery & Grocery
1512 W Foster AveThis place is my church: one part bakery, one part middle eastern cafe, one part grocery store.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StKopi Cafe
5317 N Clark StQuirky travel-themed cafe.
Bennison's Bakery
1000 Davis StEverything here is amazing. Say no more.
Heartland Cafe
7000 N Glenwood AveNice, homey cafe with vegetarian grub.
Marmalade
1969 W Montrose AveGreat little brunch spot with incredible beignets.
The Perfect Cup
4700 N Damen AveBig Jones
5347 N Clark StLouisiana-themed food. Amazing brunch.
m.henry
5707 N Clark StVincent
1475 W Balmoral AveFirst Slice Pie Cafe
5357 N Ashland AveReza's Restaurant
5255 N Clark StTanoshii
5547 N Clark StAwesome sushi bar. Try the chef's special.
Ethiopian Diamond
6120 N BroadwayEpic traditional Ethiopian food.
La Amistad Restaurant
1914 W Montrose AveGreat (and cheap) Mexican breakfast spot.
Bar Roma
5101 N Clark StGreat brunch.
Tank Noodle
4953-55 N BroadwayMmmmm, Vietnamese food.
Tweet
5020 N Sheridan Rd
Bistro Campagne
4518 N Lincoln AveCute lil French bistro
Miku Sushi
4514 N Lincoln AveWonderful sushi bar.
Wishbone Restaurant
3300 N Lincoln AveThe whole restaurant is chicken-themed. kind of trippy.
Ann Sather Restaurant
909 W Belmont AveGirl. The cinnamon rolls. Try the cinnamon rolls.
Rise Sushi & Sake Lounge
756 West Webster AvenueKtischy 24-hour cafe.
The Bagel Restaurant and Deli
3107 N BroadwayJewish deli-themed restaurant. So good.
Known for their burnt cheese crust. Some argue that it's in the running for the best deep dish in the city.
536 locals recommend
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueKnown for their burnt cheese crust. Some argue that it's in the running for the best deep dish in the city.
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StMy favorite BBQ joint for Brisket.
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StGet the burnt ends sandwich. Mmmmm, burnt ends.
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveFish tacos. Yes please.
The best burger you will ever have in your life. Get there early or go alone. The wait can be 2-3 hours if you're with a group.
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StThe best burger you will ever have in your life. Get there early or go alone. The wait can be 2-3 hours if you're with a group.
China Kitchen
1931 W Foster AveGood place to get Hong Kong style pot stickers.
Famous Dutch Pancake Huis - Pannenkoeken Cafe
4757 N Western AveWabi Sabi Rotary
4521 N Sheridan RdFour words: Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurant
Parks & Nature
This place is like a little heaven for me when I want to go for a quick walk somewhere. They also have a 4th of July fireworks display that rivals Navy Pier's.
65 locals recommend
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt StThis place is like a little heaven for me when I want to go for a quick walk somewhere. They also have a 4th of July fireworks display that rivals Navy Pier's.
Drinks & Nightlife
It's a bit dive-y and gross, but they have turtle races every Friday or Saturday night.
78 locals recommend
Big Jones
5347 N Clark StIt's a bit dive-y and gross, but they have turtle races every Friday or Saturday night.
Great beers. Also, they have cats in the brewery that are all named after Ghostbusters characters. Kind of fun.
21 locals recommend
Empirical Brewery
1801 W Foster AveGreat beers. Also, they have cats in the brewery that are all named after Ghostbusters characters. Kind of fun.
Great beer bar with a massive selection of beers from all around the world. Great food, too. Try the truffle fries!
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StGreat beer bar with a massive selection of beers from all around the world. Great food, too. Try the truffle fries!
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayAragon Ballroom
1106 W Lawrence AveGreat concert venue
Riviera Theatre
4746 North Racine AvenueOldtimey Jazz nightclub where Al Capone used to hang out. Great drinks and activities. Keep in mind, they do charge a cover and are cash only.
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayOldtimey Jazz nightclub where Al Capone used to hang out. Great drinks and activities. Keep in mind, they do charge a cover and are cash only.
Lincoln Karaoke
5526 N Lincoln AveThis place has private karaoke rooms. Awesome.
KOVAL Distillery
4241 North Ravenswood AvenueGreat Whiskey Distillery.
The Northman
233 East RiverwalkAwesome cider bar that rotates its selection every day.
Fountainhead
1970 W Montrose AveKaiser Tiger
1415 W Randolph StUptown Underground
4707 N BroadwayGreat speakeasy with cabaret and burlesque shows.
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveBougie place to get fancy drinks.
Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey AveBecause Tiki drinks, y'all.
Ampersand Wine Bar
4845 N Damen AveGreat wine bar within stumbling distance of my apartment.
This is a great bar to watch sports, dress schlubby, and enjoy a beer.
6 locals recommend
Gio's Bar & Grill
4857 N Damen AveThis is a great bar to watch sports, dress schlubby, and enjoy a beer.
Nice, quiet bar where you can enjoy a Guinness and hold a conversation.
31 locals recommend
The Grafton Pub & Grill
4530 N Lincoln AveNice, quiet bar where you can enjoy a Guinness and hold a conversation.
Entertainment & Activities
Davis Theater, Chicago
4614 N Lincoln AveGorgeously rehabbed vintage theater.
Getting Around
Berwyn station
Foster & Wolcott station
The 147 express bus to downtown picks up on the west side of the street here.
Sheridan & Berwyn station
The 147 express bus to downtown picks up on the west side of the street here.
The Metra runs on the left side of the tracks, so if you're going downtown, plan to board on the East side of the tracks. If you're going north, board on the West side of the tracks near Mariano's.
43 locals recommend
Ravenswood station
4800 N Ravenswood AveThe Metra runs on the left side of the tracks, so if you're going downtown, plan to board on the East side of the tracks. If you're going north, board on the West side of the tracks near Mariano's.
Uptown Bikes
4653 N BroadwayIf you bring a bike an need to have it repaired, this is a good place to go.
Clark & Foster station
Catch the 22 bus to Wrigley Field here.
Essentials
Mariano's
3358 W Touhy AveGreat Mexican grocery store where you can get produce for extremely cheap. They don't have everything, but it's a good place to pick up essentials.
37 locals recommend
Edgewater Produce
5515 N Clark StGreat Mexican grocery store where you can get produce for extremely cheap. They don't have everything, but it's a good place to pick up essentials.
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwaySwedish Covenant Hospital
5140 N California AveAdvocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
836 W Wellington AveMethodist Hospital of Chicago
5025 N Paulina StCVS
5205 N BroadwayAldi
3363 N Milwaukee AveLA Fitness
2828 N Clark StWhole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StSightseeing
Baha'i House of Worship
100 Linden AveEdgewater Beach Apartments
5555 N Sheridan RdEssanay Studios was one of the United States’ foremost film studios for just under a decade, even producing the famous Charlie Chaplin film, The Tramp.
Essanay Studios
Essanay Studios was one of the United States’ foremost film studios for just under a decade, even producing the famous Charlie Chaplin film, The Tramp.
Built to house a chapter of the Knights Templar, this grandiose building is a relic of Freemasonry in Chicago a century ago.
Stan Mansion
2408 N Kedzie BlvdBuilt to house a chapter of the Knights Templar, this grandiose building is a relic of Freemasonry in Chicago a century ago.
Evanston History Center
225 Greenwood StAll Saints Episcopal Church
4550 N Hermitage AveCute little church with fun and odd architecture!