Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Great locally owned spot, gluten-free/vegan options, locally sourced coffee, and free wifi
8 residents recomanen
Dolce Casa Cafe
4947 N Damen AveGreat locally owned spot, gluten-free/vegan options, locally sourced coffee, and free wifi
Calo Ristorante
5343 N Clark StGreat local Italian food.
Best Sushi--do only Sushi Mike custom rolls. Little pricey but worth it!
36 residents recomanen
Tanoshii
5547 N Clark StBest Sushi--do only Sushi Mike custom rolls. Little pricey but worth it!
More sandwich combinations than you could think of--along with Gluten Free bread option, and a whole number of great, lcoal beers on tap, and American Whiskies on the shelf.
42 residents recomanen
Jerry's
5419 N Clark StMore sandwich combinations than you could think of--along with Gluten Free bread option, and a whole number of great, lcoal beers on tap, and American Whiskies on the shelf.
Support Independent Local Coffee shops. Serves Intelligentsia coffee. You get an hour of free wifi per purchase.
64 residents recomanen
The Coffee Studio
5628 N Clark StSupport Independent Local Coffee shops. Serves Intelligentsia coffee. You get an hour of free wifi per purchase.
Another local coffee shop with food, no wifi, and a very cute little shop in the back of eclectic independently made items, clothes, art, jewelry, etc.
53 residents recomanen
Kopi Cafe
5317 N Clark StAnother local coffee shop with food, no wifi, and a very cute little shop in the back of eclectic independently made items, clothes, art, jewelry, etc.
Do you love whisky and small plates? Then this is the place to go. Do a flight of whiskies, share some great food, and enjoy this beautiful wooden, gently lite bar & restaurant.
93 residents recomanen
Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant
5260 N Clark StDo you love whisky and small plates? Then this is the place to go. Do a flight of whiskies, share some great food, and enjoy this beautiful wooden, gently lite bar & restaurant.
Reza's Restaurant
5255 N Clark StWonderful Persian Food!
Great Mediterranean food - they even serve a sweeping brunch!
21 residents recomanen
Andies Restaurant
5253 N Clark StGreat Mediterranean food - they even serve a sweeping brunch!
Dutch-American food, gin specialty drinks, locally owned, and some amazing gastropub food! All locally sourced ingredients and in season food. I love the hanger steak, and lamb-mint burgers!
37 residents recomanen
Vincent
1475 W Balmoral AveDutch-American food, gin specialty drinks, locally owned, and some amazing gastropub food! All locally sourced ingredients and in season food. I love the hanger steak, and lamb-mint burgers!
Best brunch ever. No reservations allowed, so plan on 45 minutes on a Sunday or go a little early. Again organic, and locally sourced, seasonal menu.
94 residents recomanen
m.henry
5707 N Clark StBest brunch ever. No reservations allowed, so plan on 45 minutes on a Sunday or go a little early. Again organic, and locally sourced, seasonal menu.
Another great, popular brunch spot. Same deal--no reservations, so plan for a wait or go a little early.
52 residents recomanen
Over Easy Café
4943 N Damen AveAnother great, popular brunch spot. Same deal--no reservations, so plan for a wait or go a little early.
Known for its scones, coffee, free wifi, and amazing cake, along with pretty good salads and entrees.
42 residents recomanen
A Taste of Heaven
5401 N Clark StKnown for its scones, coffee, free wifi, and amazing cake, along with pretty good salads and entrees.
Venice Inspired Italian food all small plates style, great wine selection, reservations accepted, and really great interior design with open kitchen.
15 residents recomanen
Ombra
5310 N Clark StVenice Inspired Italian food all small plates style, great wine selection, reservations accepted, and really great interior design with open kitchen.
So Acre is about a low key, subtle sports bar meets nice dining, with a stunning full length built in bar. And where else will you get all you can eat oysters on the Northside!
12 residents recomanen
Acre
5308 N Clark StSo Acre is about a low key, subtle sports bar meets nice dining, with a stunning full length built in bar. And where else will you get all you can eat oysters on the Northside!
My favorite Ethopian joint in the area (and trust me when I saw there are at least 7 to choose from!). (Call ahead in the morning to order Gluten Free Injera for the evening).
65 residents recomanen
Demera Restaurant
4801 N BroadwayMy favorite Ethopian joint in the area (and trust me when I saw there are at least 7 to choose from!). (Call ahead in the morning to order Gluten Free Injera for the evening).
The best, locally WI sources Ice Cream! They also have sundaes, hot chocolate, baked delights, & sandwiches.
39 residents recomanen
George's Ice Cream & Sweets
5306 N Clark StThe best, locally WI sources Ice Cream! They also have sundaes, hot chocolate, baked delights, & sandwiches.
Pauline's
1754 W Balmoral AveAll around home style & comfy breakfast & lunch spot!
Right across the street, and my favorite Thai place in the city!
25 residents recomanen
Taste of Thai Town
4461 N Pulaski RdRight across the street, and my favorite Thai place in the city!
Drinks & Nightlife
Hamburger Mary's
Bar, Karaoke, Stage Shows, Drag Queens, Bingo
This historic dive bar is full of locals, hipsters, cash only, and a must stop in.
55 residents recomanen
Simon's Tavern
5210 N Clark StThis historic dive bar is full of locals, hipsters, cash only, and a must stop in.
Just up the way from Simon's, it's your next dive bar with a pool table, cash & credit card.
20 residents recomanen
Farraguts on Clark
5240 N Clark StJust up the way from Simon's, it's your next dive bar with a pool table, cash & credit card.
Best Gastropub on the North side! The beer selection is global, and there's something for everyone! Favorite dish: Mussels with fries.
251 residents recomanen
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StBest Gastropub on the North side! The beer selection is global, and there's something for everyone! Favorite dish: Mussels with fries.
Andersonville Brewing Co
5402 N Clark StBrewery, Bar, Sports on TVs, & Trivia Nights.
My favorite spot to grab a pint, and pick a board game off the wall of at least 30-50 games to pick from for the your enjoyment.
38 residents recomanen
Guthrie's Tavern
1300 W Addison StMy favorite spot to grab a pint, and pick a board game off the wall of at least 30-50 games to pick from for the your enjoyment.
Totally biased--this is my favorite bar downtown for amazing, unique crafted cocktails, and a gorgeous black and white marble bar. Their small plates dinner is also very excellent.
18 residents recomanen
Sable Kitchen & Bar
505 N State StTotally biased--this is my favorite bar downtown for amazing, unique crafted cocktails, and a gorgeous black and white marble bar. Their small plates dinner is also very excellent.
Don't miss the speakeasy The Library tucked away downstairs by the bathrooms!
66 residents recomanen
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StDon't miss the speakeasy The Library tucked away downstairs by the bathrooms!
Rooftop with year round indoor & outdoor patio. Very hip & trendy spot.
30 residents recomanen
Vertigo Sky Lounge
2 West Erie StreetRooftop with year round indoor & outdoor patio. Very hip & trendy spot.
Great wine & drinks spot. The lead bartender here is known for her ability to craft you a custom drink on the fly based on your preferences (when they aren't too busy and she has the time).
8 residents recomanen
Joie De Vine
1744 W Balmoral AveGreat wine & drinks spot. The lead bartender here is known for her ability to craft you a custom drink on the fly based on your preferences (when they aren't too busy and she has the time).
Leadway Liquors
5233 N Damen AveLocal, dive spot with a really great Manhattan!
Everything Else
Cheetah Gym
5248 N Clark StGym--they may have day passes for working out.
People come for miles to shop for sweets, and cakes at Swedish Bakery. Plan for a long line, and don't wait too late in the day as they close early.
18 residents recomanen
Swedish Bakery
5348 North Clark StreetPeople come for miles to shop for sweets, and cakes at Swedish Bakery. Plan for a long line, and don't wait too late in the day as they close early.
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveDo a brewery tour and tasting of course!
KOVAL Distillery
4241 North Ravenswood AvenueDo a distillery tour and tasting of course!
ATM (Chase Bank)
5134 N Clark StChase ATM & Branch
Chase Bank
2228 S Western AveChase ATM & Branch
Sightseeing
So the park runs around the High School. Has some great walking paths--fun to play in the snow, and lovely to picnic in the summer!
65 residents recomanen
Parc Winnemac
5100 N Leavitt StSo the park runs around the High School. Has some great walking paths--fun to play in the snow, and lovely to picnic in the summer!
It's the Cubs Stadium! Check it with or without a game. Some winter's they even have an ice skating rink!
1004 residents recomanen
Camp de Wrigley
1060 W Addison StIt's the Cubs Stadium! Check it with or without a game. Some winter's they even have an ice skating rink!
What city does not have a Chinatown! Take the CTA Redline all the way down and explore!
217 residents recomanen
Chinatown
What city does not have a Chinatown! Take the CTA Redline all the way down and explore!
This park is beautiful with the Pitzker Pavilion for picnicking in the summer and live music, the Bean, an Ice Skating Rink for the winter time, outdoor art work
1243 residents recomanen
Parc del Mil·leni
201 E Randolph StThis park is beautiful with the Pitzker Pavilion for picnicking in the summer and live music, the Bean, an Ice Skating Rink for the winter time, outdoor art work
L'Institut d'Art de Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThe new Modern Art Wing is just stunning!
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker DrIt will always be the Sears Tower to us in Chicago.
Walk the mile south, wander in the stores, and take lots of photos of the great buildings. I love walking this stretch at night with all the building lights, and especially with the winter lights.
598 residents recomanen
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Walk the mile south, wander in the stores, and take lots of photos of the great buildings. I love walking this stretch at night with all the building lights, and especially with the winter lights.
There is so much you can do here year round! Don't miss the indoor atrium, & art gallery. Catch a boat tour or the fireworks.
933 residents recomanen
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveThere is so much you can do here year round! Don't miss the indoor atrium, & art gallery. Catch a boat tour or the fireworks.
The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, & the Adler Planetarium...this is a win win day. Check out city passes & free days online.
65 residents recomanen
Museum Campus
The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, & the Adler Planetarium...this is a win win day. Check out city passes & free days online.
Arts & Culture
3.5 stories of locally made art, clothes, jewelry. Grab a coffee, and definitely walk around this great shop.
48 residents recomanen
Andersonville Galleria
5247 N Clark St3.5 stories of locally made art, clothes, jewelry. Grab a coffee, and definitely walk around this great shop.
A new theater in the area...great spot to catch some improv and staged shows.
14 residents recomanen
The pH Comedy Theater
1515 West Berwyn AvenueA new theater in the area...great spot to catch some improv and staged shows.
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayBest Jazz Bar in Chicago!
All sorts of live entertainment--boxing, music, staged shows, etc
123 residents recomanen
Aragon Ballroom
1106 W Lawrence AveAll sorts of live entertainment--boxing, music, staged shows, etc
Teatre Riviera
4746 North Racine AvenueAmazing Live Bands come through here all the time.
Not only can you take all kinds of music, dance, instrumental, and vocal classes here, but there are shows and performances all the time!
103 residents recomanen
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveNot only can you take all kinds of music, dance, instrumental, and vocal classes here, but there are shows and performances all the time!
This is a whole building and block of arts, classes, workshops, entertainment, salvaged pieces & furniture. Really great area to walk around and explore!
12 residents recomanen
Lillstreet Art Center
4401 N Ravenswood AveThis is a whole building and block of arts, classes, workshops, entertainment, salvaged pieces & furniture. Really great area to walk around and explore!
Double Door
Great, cheap, divy music venue!
Martyrs'
3855 N Lincoln AveGreat, cheap, divy music venue!
Shopping
Shopping, and the top of the Magnificent Mile for signt seeing and shopping. Catch the 146 or 147 bus from Sheridan & Berwyn south to get there quickly.
179 residents recomanen
McCormick Place
2301 S King DrShopping, and the top of the Magnificent Mile for signt seeing and shopping. Catch the 146 or 147 bus from Sheridan & Berwyn south to get there quickly.
You could not get more oddities and unique than this shop! Go and explore!
28 residents recomanen
Woolly Mammoth
1513 W Foster AveYou could not get more oddities and unique than this shop! Go and explore!
This is a family owned (father and 3 sons) liquor store with a great selection of beers, wines, and spirits. Any of the guys can make recommendations for you!
16 residents recomanen
Andersonville Wine & Spirits
5201 N Clark StThis is a family owned (father and 3 sons) liquor store with a great selection of beers, wines, and spirits. Any of the guys can make recommendations for you!
Great spot for a locally owned, small selection of spirits, and great selection of wines. The staff is wonderfully helpful in selecting wines for any occasion.
9 residents recomanen
In Fine Spirits
5418 N Clark StGreat spot for a locally owned, small selection of spirits, and great selection of wines. The staff is wonderfully helpful in selecting wines for any occasion.
Essentials
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayGrocery Store
Grocery Store right off the Berwyn Redline Stop & the Foster Bus (which stops by the apartment)
675 residents recomanen
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayGrocery Store right off the Berwyn Redline Stop & the Foster Bus (which stops by the apartment)
Edgewater Produce
5515 N Clark StLocal grocery store with greatly priced produce!