Guidebook for Evanston
Food Scene
GREAT burgers and sandwiches-portions are HUGE so plan to share or bring home.
10 residents recomanen
Bat 17
1709 Benson AveGREAT burgers and sandwiches-portions are HUGE so plan to share or bring home.
Consistently very good food in a classy atmosphere. Great for special occasions (graduation) or romantic date nights.
9 residents recomanen
The Stained Glass
1735 Benson AveConsistently very good food in a classy atmosphere. Great for special occasions (graduation) or romantic date nights.
The Cellar at The Stained Glass
820 Clark StMore casual version of The Stained Glass-same kitchen.
Great in house brews, BBQ and burgers. Fun, large food hall atmosphere with tvs for the game. Fireplace in winter, outdoor dining in summer.
20 residents recomanen
Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.
1615 Oak AveGreat in house brews, BBQ and burgers. Fun, large food hall atmosphere with tvs for the game. Fireplace in winter, outdoor dining in summer.
Upscale steak house owned by the daughter of famous Morton's Steakhouse in Chicago. Located in renovated Milk house in central Evanston. Expensive.
8 residents recomanen
The Barn Steakhouse
1016 Church StUpscale steak house owned by the daughter of famous Morton's Steakhouse in Chicago. Located in renovated Milk house in central Evanston. Expensive.
Same owner as The Barn-upscale and unique small plates menu. Great, cozy and eclectic atmosphere (we especially like the bar by the wood burning stoves in the winter). Expensive.
23 residents recomanen
Found Kitchen and Social House
1631 Chicago AveSame owner as The Barn-upscale and unique small plates menu. Great, cozy and eclectic atmosphere (we especially like the bar by the wood burning stoves in the winter). Expensive.
Upscale thai-not your pad thai street food here. Very tasty and "gourmet" in presentation.
NaKorn - Urban Thai (Evanston)
1622 Orrington AveUpscale thai-not your pad thai street food here. Very tasty and "gourmet" in presentation.
In house brewery with broad and delicious menu-something for everyone. Great outdoor in back during nice weather. Lamb burger is a favorite, as is the Deep Fried Jam Butty (think fried PB&J). Also great for brunch.
66 residents recomanen
Peckish Pig
623 W Howard StIn house brewery with broad and delicious menu-something for everyone. Great outdoor in back during nice weather. Lamb burger is a favorite, as is the Deep Fried Jam Butty (think fried PB&J). Also great for brunch.
Dim Sum and then some...very casual and great for take out. We always order the sesame noodles and the ginger salad with either chicken or shrimp, but everything is very fresh and tasty.
8 residents recomanen
Lulu's
1026 Davis StDim Sum and then some...very casual and great for take out. We always order the sesame noodles and the ginger salad with either chicken or shrimp, but everything is very fresh and tasty.
Taco Diablo
1026b Davis StMexican shared kitchen of LuLu's...casual and yummy.
Joy Yee Noodle
533 Davis StBright, inexpensive Asian diner
Lucky Platter
514 Main StCasual diner like.
Café with very good food-order at counter and it's brought to table. Usually crowded.
13 residents recomanen
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery
812 Grove StCafé with very good food-order at counter and it's brought to table. Usually crowded.
Great food in easy going atmosphere right across the street from NU's Ryan Field. BBQ, salads, flat breads, etc. Try the grilled romaine salad.
13 residents recomanen
Ten Mile House
1700 Central StGreat food in easy going atmosphere right across the street from NU's Ryan Field. BBQ, salads, flat breads, etc. Try the grilled romaine salad.
La Principal
700 Main StYummy Mexican on the south side of town.
La Macchina Cafe PERMANENTLY CLOSED
1620 Orrington AveHomemade Italian, but expect slow service.
Great pizza (thin from wood burning oven) in front area of Space music venue. Always busy. Hip atmosphere.
50 residents recomanen
Union Pizza
1307 Chicago AveGreat pizza (thin from wood burning oven) in front area of Space music venue. Always busy. Hip atmosphere.
FAMOUS Chicago style deep dish or regular pizza-located just a few blocks from our house-can eat there or do take out.
513 residents recomanen
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StFAMOUS Chicago style deep dish or regular pizza-located just a few blocks from our house-can eat there or do take out.
Whiskey Thief Tavern
616 Davis StPete Miller's Seafood & Prime Steak
1557 Sherman AveSteak and Jazz-good for large groups
Delicious custard-always a line during the warm weather, but worth it and you can walk to our house to burn off a few of the calories.
12 residents recomanen
Andy's Frozen Custard
719 Church StDelicious custard-always a line during the warm weather, but worth it and you can walk to our house to burn off a few of the calories.
Starbucks
6738 N Sheridan RdWithin walking distance to house. Always busy.
Unicorn Cafe
1723 Sherman AveOld school coffee cafe where the anti-Starbucks people go.
Gorgeous to look at and delicious to eat breads and pastries in a space originally built by your host, Scott! Parklette for enjoying outdoors in warmer months.
20 residents recomanen
Hewn
1733 Central StGorgeous to look at and delicious to eat breads and pastries in a space originally built by your host, Scott! Parklette for enjoying outdoors in warmer months.
Old school bakery-part of Evanston since 1918. Go here for donuts, bread, danish, cookies by the pound, coffee cakes, celebration cakes, etc.
24 residents recomanen
Bennison's Bakery
1000 Davis StOld school bakery-part of Evanston since 1918. Go here for donuts, bread, danish, cookies by the pound, coffee cakes, celebration cakes, etc.
A newer favorite-more upscale but not stuffy. Menu changes seasonally. Great wine deals on Thursdays.
Next of Kin Restaurant & Cafe
625 Davis StA newer favorite-more upscale but not stuffy. Menu changes seasonally. Great wine deals on Thursdays.
Drinks & Nightlife
We love Five & Dime for a drink and appetizer because of it's awesome outdoor on the roof of LuLu and Taco Diablo. Fun view of downtown Evanston from up there. Games to distract the younger kids, too.
10 residents recomanen
Five & Dime
1026 Davis StWe love Five & Dime for a drink and appetizer because of it's awesome outdoor on the roof of LuLu and Taco Diablo. Fun view of downtown Evanston from up there. Games to distract the younger kids, too.
Intimate venue to see well known and lesser known musicians-order tickets before you come to town as it usually sells out. A gem to have in Evanston. We've seen Johnny Swim, English Beat, Peter Himmelman, The Wind and the Wave, to name just a few.
57 residents recomanen
Evanston SPACE
1245 Chicago AveIntimate venue to see well known and lesser known musicians-order tickets before you come to town as it usually sells out. A gem to have in Evanston. We've seen Johnny Swim, English Beat, Peter Himmelman, The Wind and the Wave, to name just a few.
Did you know Evanston was the home of the Woman's Temperance Union which started Prohibition?
This is one of our hometown breweries, located on west side of town about a 10 minute drive from our house...great tap room with snacks or bring in your own food. Great outdoor with games. Kids allowed until 8 pm.
21 residents recomanen
Temperance Beer Co.
2000 Dempster StDid you know Evanston was the home of the Woman's Temperance Union which started Prohibition?
This is one of our hometown breweries, located on west side of town about a 10 minute drive from our house...great tap room with snacks or bring in your own food. Great outdoor with games. Kids allowed until 8 pm.
Small taproom with great, hometown beer. Selection changes frequently.
23 residents recomanen
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
821 Chicago AveSmall taproom with great, hometown beer. Selection changes frequently.
Vinic Wine Co
1509 Chicago AveThe Wine Goddess
702 Main StFun Friday night wine tastings and some special events.
Entertainment & Activities
From our front door you can see the neon sign of the Century movie theater-multiple screens showing all the currently released films. Bar in theater to enjoy a drink with your popcorn.
38 residents recomanen
Century 12 Evanston / CinéArts 6 and XD
1715 Maple AveFrom our front door you can see the neon sign of the Century movie theater-multiple screens showing all the currently released films. Bar in theater to enjoy a drink with your popcorn.
Rent paddle boards, kayaks within walking distance of our house! Great way to get out onto Lake Michigan and see Evanston and Chicago skyline from the water.
Northwestern Sailing Center
1823 Campus DrRent paddle boards, kayaks within walking distance of our house! Great way to get out onto Lake Michigan and see Evanston and Chicago skyline from the water.
Ryan Field
1501 Central StHome of Northwestern University Football and Graduation Ceremony!
Public Beach closet to us is NU/Clark Street. Fee charged between Memorial and Labor Day, otherwise free.
102 residents recomanen
Lake Michigan
Public Beach closet to us is NU/Clark Street. Fee charged between Memorial and Labor Day, otherwise free.
Everything Else
Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington AveGreat library in the center of downtown.
Essentials
This is where I go for my no-chip or regular manicure and pedicures. Very clean, friendly and relaxing.
Evans Nails & Spa Corporation
821 Noyes StThis is where I go for my no-chip or regular manicure and pedicures. Very clean, friendly and relaxing.
CVS
3333 Central StShopping
Great gift shop featuring many local artists. Artsy Evanston and Chicago souveniers.
Stumble & Relish
1312 Chicago AveGreat gift shop featuring many local artists. Artsy Evanston and Chicago souveniers.
Dragonfly-Df
1501 Chicago AveArtsy clothing, jewelry and household items.
GREAT selection on hand ground spices and blends. Try a gift box of Chicago neighborhood blends as a souvenir.
11 residents recomanen
The Spice House
1941 Central StGREAT selection on hand ground spices and blends. Try a gift box of Chicago neighborhood blends as a souvenir.
Saturday mornings May-October...just a few blocks south of our house. Large array of midwest farmers (Wis,, IL, Michigan) and food vendors. Great place for breakfast!
8 residents recomanen
Evanston Farmers' Market
1800 Maple AveSaturday mornings May-October...just a few blocks south of our house. Large array of midwest farmers (Wis,, IL, Michigan) and food vendors. Great place for breakfast!
D&D Finer Foods
825 Noyes StSmall neighborhood market for groceries or prepared foods.
Whole Foods Market
6020 N Cicero AveParks & Nature
Great walking path along the lake front on the NU campus...just head due east from our house and you'll find it!
80 residents recomanen
Northwestern University
633 Clark StGreat walking path along the lake front on the NU campus...just head due east from our house and you'll find it!
One of the world's best Botanic Gardens (honors many int'l Garden memberships) only 20-30 minute drive north of our house. Great cafe for breakfast or lunch and gift shop.
167 residents recomanen
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdOne of the world's best Botanic Gardens (honors many int'l Garden memberships) only 20-30 minute drive north of our house. Great cafe for breakfast or lunch and gift shop.