Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Though on the expensive side, it offers a great cup of jo. The interior is architectural. All the hip people hang out here including John Cusack (who is tall!).
77 locals recommend
Caffè Streets
1750 W Division StThough on the expensive side, it offers a great cup of jo. The interior is architectural. All the hip people hang out here including John Cusack (who is tall!).
The Winchester
1001 North Winchester AvenueFor brunch or dinner, this is such a great hidden gem.
They have the best Huevos Rancheros casserole in town and their granola is sold all over town.
94 locals recommend
Milk & Honey
1920 W Division StThey have the best Huevos Rancheros casserole in town and their granola is sold all over town.
You haven't tasted scones like these. SERIOUSLY. Forget what you think you know about scones and go here. They also have gluten-free and vegan options.
13 locals recommend
Scone City
1632 W Division StYou haven't tasted scones like these. SERIOUSLY. Forget what you think you know about scones and go here. They also have gluten-free and vegan options.
Best tacos in town... The rivalry is between this place and Big Star up the street. I prefer this place because of its nontraditional twist. YUM.
113 locals recommend
Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AveBest tacos in town... The rivalry is between this place and Big Star up the street. I prefer this place because of its nontraditional twist. YUM.
Clever Rabbit
2015 W Division StCocktails and veggie/gluten free friendly faire. Yum.
It's one of the best vegetarian tapas bar you will go to. Vegan options available.
57 locals recommend
Mana Food Bar
It's one of the best vegetarian tapas bar you will go to. Vegan options available.
Rally casual pizza place with fantastic outdoor patio. You may think that you're in Austin instead of Chicago.
73 locals recommend
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division StRally casual pizza place with fantastic outdoor patio. You may think that you're in Austin instead of Chicago.
Tacos. Really highly rated and somewhat overhyped taco place. People like the outdoor patio and drinks more than the food. It's very lively. A table for dinner can be 1.5 hour wait.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTacos. Really highly rated and somewhat overhyped taco place. People like the outdoor patio and drinks more than the food. It's very lively. A table for dinner can be 1.5 hour wait.
It's an old school local favorite! Chance the Rapper got his birthday cake from here, and they may still make Chance the Rapper cookies to support Chicago Public Schools.
75 locals recommend
Alliance Bakery
1736 W Division StIt's an old school local favorite! Chance the Rapper got his birthday cake from here, and they may still make Chance the Rapper cookies to support Chicago Public Schools.
World famous butchery has a seafood-focused restaurant here. Great drinks, too. Always packed.
28 locals recommend
Anker
World famous butchery has a seafood-focused restaurant here. Great drinks, too. Always packed.
Part cafe restaurant and part grocery store, this is a budget friendly place to pick up a sandwich or salad. In the vicinity, there are high-end retail stores.
69 locals recommend
The Goddess and Grocer
1649 N Damen AvePart cafe restaurant and part grocery store, this is a budget friendly place to pick up a sandwich or salad. In the vicinity, there are high-end retail stores.
Really great Indian and Nepalese food. If you want some silky saag paneer and fresh naan, this is the best place to go. It's one of the oldest restaurants in the neighborhood. Try the off-the-menu Kashmiri naan with nuts and cherries!
46 locals recommend
Cumin
1414 N Milwaukee AveReally great Indian and Nepalese food. If you want some silky saag paneer and fresh naan, this is the best place to go. It's one of the oldest restaurants in the neighborhood. Try the off-the-menu Kashmiri naan with nuts and cherries!
A little off the beaten path, but if you like amazing Asian fusion, I highly recommend Mott St. They have amazing brunches, too. Try the fluffy gluten-free pancakes with pink peppercorns!
84 locals recommend
Mott St
1401 N Ashland AveA little off the beaten path, but if you like amazing Asian fusion, I highly recommend Mott St. They have amazing brunches, too. Try the fluffy gluten-free pancakes with pink peppercorns!
Are you in the mood for amazing sushi? Yuzu is amazing and very creative. Their signature rolls are beautiful and delicious. Not budget friendly, but stomach friendly. YUM. It's a local favorite.
111 locals recommend
Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill
1751 W Chicago AveAre you in the mood for amazing sushi? Yuzu is amazing and very creative. Their signature rolls are beautiful and delicious. Not budget friendly, but stomach friendly. YUM. It's a local favorite.
Are you really hungry? This all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant will really hit the spot if you want to chow-down. Really high-quality. It gets busy, but if you go before 7 pm, you'll get a seat. There are no reservations.
21 locals recommend
Sushi Taku
1904 W Division StAre you really hungry? This all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant will really hit the spot if you want to chow-down. Really high-quality. It gets busy, but if you go before 7 pm, you'll get a seat. There are no reservations.
This hole-in-wall has a secret: it has the BEST BURGERS in town. They use Slagel Farms beef, which is used by many of the high-end restaurants, but for a much more reasonable price. If you want to watch some sports and experience the casual neighborhood vibe, this is the place. We've had guests who claim Mac's burgers are better than Au Cheval's.
7 locals recommend
Mac's American Food & Drink
1801 West Division StreetThis hole-in-wall has a secret: it has the BEST BURGERS in town. They use Slagel Farms beef, which is used by many of the high-end restaurants, but for a much more reasonable price. If you want to watch some sports and experience the casual neighborhood vibe, this is the place. We've had guests who claim Mac's burgers are better than Au Cheval's.
Drinks & Nightlife
This place is a secret cabaret-style speakeasy with music and entertainment as well as great egg-foamy drinks. You can get inside by entering Black Bull and opening the door with vintage posters upon your entrance.
38 locals recommend
Bordel
1721 W Division StThis place is a secret cabaret-style speakeasy with music and entertainment as well as great egg-foamy drinks. You can get inside by entering Black Bull and opening the door with vintage posters upon your entrance.
It offers the best selection of beer and snacks. Their beer menu is rotating. Expect a lot of people inside and outside.
100 locals recommend
Bangers and Lace
1670 W Division StIt offers the best selection of beer and snacks. Their beer menu is rotating. Expect a lot of people inside and outside.
Speakeasy! You have to look for the secret door behind the wall of graffiti. You can also look for the line across the street from Big Star.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveSpeakeasy! You have to look for the secret door behind the wall of graffiti. You can also look for the line across the street from Big Star.
Queen Mary
2125 W Division StLots of great drinks and lively.
Only available in the summer. Rooftop bar with view of the city. The bar is meh, but the views are great! You can also go swimming here.
24 locals recommend
Cabana Club
2018 W North AveOnly available in the summer. Rooftop bar with view of the city. The bar is meh, but the views are great! You can also go swimming here.
If you want to play some arcade games and drink great craft beer, then go here. On weekend, they have concerts and events, so it usually fills up in the late evening hours. Pro tip: it's BYOF, so you can order tacos from Antique Taco next door and get them delivered.
158 locals recommend
Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveIf you want to play some arcade games and drink great craft beer, then go here. On weekend, they have concerts and events, so it usually fills up in the late evening hours. Pro tip: it's BYOF, so you can order tacos from Antique Taco next door and get them delivered.
Getting Around
Division station
Go to and from O'Hare or take the Blue Line downtown. It's easy!
Divvy
Nearby Divvy Station.
Another nearby bike station. You can book online or at the kiosk.
6 locals recommend
Divvy Station: Wood St & Division St
Another nearby bike station. You can book online or at the kiosk.
Essentials
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayHigh-end convenience store with great, local coffee by Metric. It's kind of expensive, but if you want artisanal to-go food, this is the way to do it.
30 locals recommend
Foxtrot Market
1722 W Division StHigh-end convenience store with great, local coffee by Metric. It's kind of expensive, but if you want artisanal to-go food, this is the way to do it.
Parks & Nature
It's Chicago's version of the Greenway. Car-free running, cycling and/or walking that connects you to small parks within the neighborhood. You can enter the 606 from many different spots including Wood at Bloomingdale.
133 locals recommend
Bloomingdale Trail
Bloomingdale TrailIt's Chicago's version of the Greenway. Car-free running, cycling and/or walking that connects you to small parks within the neighborhood. You can enter the 606 from many different spots including Wood at Bloomingdale.
Arts & Culture
Chances are that you'll be the only person at this museum, but that's ok! The staff is really friendly, and you'll see some rare artwork that was featured at the New York World's Fair.
11 locals recommend
Polish Museum of America
984 N Milwaukee AveChances are that you'll be the only person at this museum, but that's ok! The staff is really friendly, and you'll see some rare artwork that was featured at the New York World's Fair.