Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Café Colao
2638 W Division StNellie’s Restaurant
2458 W Division StDon't miss the coconut oatmeal!
Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveThe kale and grits tacos are an unexpectedly great choice, trust me
59 locals recommend
Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveThe kale and grits tacos are an unexpectedly great choice, trust me
Rotating cakes, cookies, and pies - you never know what's gonna be in the display case here
16 locals recommend
Bake
2246 W North AveRotating cakes, cookies, and pies - you never know what's gonna be in the display case here
Coffee shop and bakery by day, atmospheric bar by night (that still serves coffee and mini doughnuts) - on nice days they open up a big window out onto the nearby park
62 locals recommend
Ipsento 606
1813 N Milwaukee AveCoffee shop and bakery by day, atmospheric bar by night (that still serves coffee and mini doughnuts) - on nice days they open up a big window out onto the nearby park
Butcher? Deli? Bar? Event space? Fine dining restaurant? Choose your own adventure here, you won't leave disappointed either way
27 locals recommend
Chop Shop
2033 W North AveButcher? Deli? Bar? Event space? Fine dining restaurant? Choose your own adventure here, you won't leave disappointed either way
The Wicker Park outpost of a Chicago minichain, ours has fernet on tap and a chalkboard menu that'll tempt you inside from the street. Grab an alfajor for dessert!
19 locals recommend
5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North AveThe Wicker Park outpost of a Chicago minichain, ours has fernet on tap and a chalkboard menu that'll tempt you inside from the street. Grab an alfajor for dessert!
The hot coffee here is pourover-only, so don't stop if you're in a hurry - but the quality can't be beat, and they have a variety of cold brews on tap, including matcha nitro. Their menu of elixers is seasonal, and always delicious
26 locals recommend
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
1620 N Milwaukee AveThe hot coffee here is pourover-only, so don't stop if you're in a hurry - but the quality can't be beat, and they have a variety of cold brews on tap, including matcha nitro. Their menu of elixers is seasonal, and always delicious
"Borderlands" menu that opens early - 7AM! - with coffee, juice, and breakfast tacos. Bring your laptop and post up at the bar; the atmosphere is great. If you come here later, there's a curated mezcal menu and delicious non-breakfast tacos too
55 locals recommend
Lonesome Rose
2101 N California Ave"Borderlands" menu that opens early - 7AM! - with coffee, juice, and breakfast tacos. Bring your laptop and post up at the bar; the atmosphere is great. If you come here later, there's a curated mezcal menu and delicious non-breakfast tacos too
Drinks & Nightlife
A solid neighborhood bar with regular music nights - Monday is my favorite: BYOV (bring your own vinyl)
26 locals recommend
EZ Inn
921 N Western AveA solid neighborhood bar with regular music nights - Monday is my favorite: BYOV (bring your own vinyl)
West on North
2509 W North AveGood bar food and cheap drinks!
Open all day! A restaurant that keeps bar hours (and has a hopping bar, especially on Mondays - $1 PBRs)
140 locals recommend
Handlebar
2311 W North AveOpen all day! A restaurant that keeps bar hours (and has a hopping bar, especially on Mondays - $1 PBRs)
Music venue with regular open mic hip hop and reggae nights - plus a packed calendar of shows otherwise. A quick walk from my place
57 locals recommend
Subterranean
2011 W North AveMusic venue with regular open mic hip hop and reggae nights - plus a packed calendar of shows otherwise. A quick walk from my place
Free music on Monday nights! Plus cheap drinks and a friendly bar staff. The attached restaurant is awesome too
208 locals recommend
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveFree music on Monday nights! Plus cheap drinks and a friendly bar staff. The attached restaurant is awesome too
Essentials
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveMango Market
1458 N Western AveNearby bodega with a solid selection of everything you might need
Every Sunday between June and October, the farmer's market is in Wicker Park starting at 8AM - locally grown produce, bread, jams, even kombucha!
14 locals recommend
Wicker Park Farmers Market
1425 N Damen AveEvery Sunday between June and October, the farmer's market is in Wicker Park starting at 8AM - locally grown produce, bread, jams, even kombucha!
Arts & Culture
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
3015 W Division StHeaven Gallery
1550 N Milwaukee AveParks & Nature
An uninspiring name but absolutely idyllic - a nearby entrance to the 606, right next to Ipsento 606. If you sit down here for lunch you'll probably catch a couple of rabbits playing on the small hill
7 locals recommend
Park No. 567
1801-11 N Milwaukee AveAn uninspiring name but absolutely idyllic - a nearby entrance to the 606, right next to Ipsento 606. If you sit down here for lunch you'll probably catch a couple of rabbits playing on the small hill
Shopping
Bright and well-curated store selling modern wares and apothecary
13 locals recommend
Gather Home + Lifestyle
2321 W North AveBright and well-curated store selling modern wares and apothecary
Moon Voyage
2010 W Pierce AveBoutique with women's clothing, apothecary, and home decor
Getting Around
Damen & Milwaukee/North Ave