Guidebook for Chicago

Julie
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Best Indian food around without the longer trip up to Devon St. Everything is delicious, but our favorites are the gobi manchurian, the chicken chettinad, and the butter masala. They're also great for pick-up or delivery, if you don't want to eat out.
68 residents recomanen
Rangoli Classic Indian Dining
68 residents recomanen
Best Indian food around without the longer trip up to Devon St. Everything is delicious, but our favorites are the gobi manchurian, the chicken chettinad, and the butter masala. They're also great for pick-up or delivery, if you don't want to eat out.
Closest coffee shop to the unit. Their homemade poptarts are tasty and they do a good hot/iced latte.
26 residents recomanen
Cup & Spoon
2415 W North Ave
26 residents recomanen
Closest coffee shop to the unit. Their homemade poptarts are tasty and they do a good hot/iced latte.
This place has THE best pies we've found in Chicago. They also make killer baked goods (scones, cookies, savory stratas). They also have an old school ice cream fountain and can make floats/sodas/etc.
78 residents recomanen
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California Ave
78 residents recomanen
This place has THE best pies we've found in Chicago. They also make killer baked goods (scones, cookies, savory stratas). They also have an old school ice cream fountain and can make floats/sodas/etc.
Best coffee in the neighborhood. The classics are amazing and they also do some fun takes on lattes, like nutella and a spicy coconut flavored "ipsento" latte.
109 residents recomanen
Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western Ave
109 residents recomanen
Best coffee in the neighborhood. The classics are amazing and they also do some fun takes on lattes, like nutella and a spicy coconut flavored "ipsento" latte.
Hip spot for vegan/vegetarian food, just a short walk away from the unit. Also has an outdoor patio in back.
140 residents recomanen
Handlebar
2311 W North Ave
140 residents recomanen
Hip spot for vegan/vegetarian food, just a short walk away from the unit. Also has an outdoor patio in back.
Awesome pies and incredible buttery, flakey biscuits. Large outdoor seating area and a cozy indoor area for cooler or rainy days.
468 residents recomanen
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California Ave
468 residents recomanen
Awesome pies and incredible buttery, flakey biscuits. Large outdoor seating area and a cozy indoor area for cooler or rainy days.
Fun BYOB Costa Rican restaurant, about a 10 minute walk from the unit. Good food, lively atmosphere. The batidos (http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/food/fruit-batido-refresco/) are very fruity and delightful.
109 residents recomanen
Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee Ave
109 residents recomanen
Fun BYOB Costa Rican restaurant, about a 10 minute walk from the unit. Good food, lively atmosphere. The batidos (http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/food/fruit-batido-refresco/) are very fruity and delightful.
Killer donuts and right next to the Damen el stop. Their glazed donuts are perfection, but they also have a variety of other flavors as well as some "gluten-less" options.
209 residents recomanen
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen Ave
209 residents recomanen
Killer donuts and right next to the Damen el stop. Their glazed donuts are perfection, but they also have a variety of other flavors as well as some "gluten-less" options.
Hearty and delicious baked hand pockets of amazing goodness. Plenty of veggie and meat-based options.
19 residents recomanen
5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North Ave
19 residents recomanen
Hearty and delicious baked hand pockets of amazing goodness. Plenty of veggie and meat-based options.
Hip taco joint with margaritas; great for people watching and taking in the scene in Wicker Park. You can also do take-away or get food at the side bar if you don't want to sit down in the restaurant.
1176 residents recomanen
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
1176 residents recomanen
Hip taco joint with margaritas; great for people watching and taking in the scene in Wicker Park. You can also do take-away or get food at the side bar if you don't want to sit down in the restaurant.
Super hip cocktails and bar, they also have a good menu and even mussels!
584 residents recomanen
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage Ave
584 residents recomanen
Super hip cocktails and bar, they also have a good menu and even mussels!
Long time restaurant in Lula Cafe; everything there is wonderful. Brunch is always a treat and so are the other meals. You might have to wait if you try to go on a weekend, but it's worth it.
936 residents recomanen
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie Blvd
936 residents recomanen
Long time restaurant in Lula Cafe; everything there is wonderful. Brunch is always a treat and so are the other meals. You might have to wait if you try to go on a weekend, but it's worth it.
Slightly further away than Ipsento, but also excellent coffee. They also have tea and do a real good hot chocolate. Consistently solid baked goods....I really like the cookies.
114 residents recomanen
Intelligentsia Coffee - Logan Square
2642 N Milwaukee Ave
114 residents recomanen
Slightly further away than Ipsento, but also excellent coffee. They also have tea and do a real good hot chocolate. Consistently solid baked goods....I really like the cookies.
Hot hipster restaurant, bone marrow dishes, etc. Plan to wait a little, but you'll be rewarded.
830 residents recomanen
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie Ave
830 residents recomanen
Hot hipster restaurant, bone marrow dishes, etc. Plan to wait a little, but you'll be rewarded.
Incredible sushi and also has a super cozy, romantic vibe. You can either watch the chefs or ask for a booth that is enclosed and feels private.
87 residents recomanen
KAI ZAN
2557 W Chicago Ave
87 residents recomanen
Incredible sushi and also has a super cozy, romantic vibe. You can either watch the chefs or ask for a booth that is enclosed and feels private.
Off the hook Malaysian restaurant. So good and also about a 10-15 minute walk from the unit.
19 residents recomanen
Serai
2169 N Milwaukee Ave
19 residents recomanen
Off the hook Malaysian restaurant. So good and also about a 10-15 minute walk from the unit.
Large pizza joint, a local favorite. Quick delivery or nice to go eat there. The Hot Doug's Atomic Sausage pizza uses sausage from the iconic Hot Doug's sausage maker. They also have their own brews available.
488 residents recomanen
Piece Brewery
1927 W North Ave
488 residents recomanen
Large pizza joint, a local favorite. Quick delivery or nice to go eat there. The Hot Doug's Atomic Sausage pizza uses sausage from the iconic Hot Doug's sausage maker. They also have their own brews available.
Excellent deep dish! Best for delivery or take-out since it's a small spot for eating-in.
22 residents recomanen
My Pi Pizza
2010 N Damen Ave
22 residents recomanen
Excellent deep dish! Best for delivery or take-out since it's a small spot for eating-in.
Short walk or quick delivery and some great authentic Thai food.
Sweet Rice
1904 North Western Avenue
Short walk or quick delivery and some great authentic Thai food.
Delicious Southwestern/Mexican fare with good strong drinks. This place is open all day long and has lots of natural lighting and a chill vibe. Good for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just to go to the bar for some drinks.
55 residents recomanen
Lonesome Rose
2101 N California Ave
55 residents recomanen
Delicious Southwestern/Mexican fare with good strong drinks. This place is open all day long and has lots of natural lighting and a chill vibe. Good for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just to go to the bar for some drinks.
Incredible brunch----french toast never disappoints! Also lots of pastries and some standard breakfast dishes. This place is pretty busy on the weekends but worth the wait if you're up for it.
108 residents recomanen
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen Ave
108 residents recomanen
Incredible brunch----french toast never disappoints! Also lots of pastries and some standard breakfast dishes. This place is pretty busy on the weekends but worth the wait if you're up for it.
Hot Chicago brewery, hip brewpub. The beet burger is an excellent veggie burger and almost everything else there has been good! The beers are pretty good, too, and can be found all over Chicago.
724 residents recomanen
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee Ave
724 residents recomanen
Hot Chicago brewery, hip brewpub. The beet burger is an excellent veggie burger and almost everything else there has been good! The beers are pretty good, too, and can be found all over Chicago.

Drinks & Nightlife

So many beers! Walkable from the unit and a great place to grab a drink or two.
119 residents recomanen
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne Ave
119 residents recomanen
So many beers! Walkable from the unit and a great place to grab a drink or two.
Sleek lounge-y feel, delicious cocktails, and a secret entrance door.
355 residents recomanen
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 residents recomanen
Sleek lounge-y feel, delicious cocktails, and a secret entrance door.

Parks & Nature

This park has it all; ice skating rink/ribbon in the winter, climbing walls in the summer. A massive playground for kids of all ages. A garden for strolling....definitely worth checking out if you like city parks.
175 residents recomanen
Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph St
175 residents recomanen
This park has it all; ice skating rink/ribbon in the winter, climbing walls in the summer. A massive playground for kids of all ages. A garden for strolling....definitely worth checking out if you like city parks.
Chicago's best conservatory; this is a wonderful place in the winter when you're feeling like everything is gray outside. Easy way to spend a couple of hours enjoying beautiful flowers and plants and come away rejuvenated.
258 residents recomanen
Conservatori de Garfield Park
300 N Central Park Ave
258 residents recomanen
Chicago's best conservatory; this is a wonderful place in the winter when you're feeling like everything is gray outside. Easy way to spend a couple of hours enjoying beautiful flowers and plants and come away rejuvenated.
2.7 mile elevated bike/running/walking trail just two blocks north of our unit. Makes for easy trips to Wicker Park or for some exercise.
241 residents recomanen
El 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue
241 residents recomanen
2.7 mile elevated bike/running/walking trail just two blocks north of our unit. Makes for easy trips to Wicker Park or for some exercise.

Everything Else

Consistently solid massages and spa treatments available here. They also do nice manis/pedis if desired.
Spa Soak
1733 N Milwaukee Ave
Consistently solid massages and spa treatments available here. They also do nice manis/pedis if desired.
Beautiful aquarium on the lake front with a wide variety of aquatic life to see. Easily combined with a trip downtown for the day!
673 residents recomanen
Aquari Shedd
1200 S Lake Shore Dr
673 residents recomanen
Beautiful aquarium on the lake front with a wide variety of aquatic life to see. Easily combined with a trip downtown for the day!
Chicago's free zoo by the lake front----great for walking around on nice days and checking out some wildlife!
1117 residents recomanen
Zoo de Lincoln Park
2001 N Clark St
1117 residents recomanen
Chicago's free zoo by the lake front----great for walking around on nice days and checking out some wildlife!
Large city park a couple blocks west of the unit; great for walking around and enjoying the weather. In the summer, there's a "natural pool/beach" available for splashing around in. You can also often catch a local baseball game to watch during the Spring/Summer months.
293 residents recomanen
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt Dr
293 residents recomanen
Large city park a couple blocks west of the unit; great for walking around and enjoying the weather. In the summer, there's a "natural pool/beach" available for splashing around in. You can also often catch a local baseball game to watch during the Spring/Summer months.

Arts & Culture

These guys do an amazing river tour of the Chicago architecture. Very informative and also a cool way to see the city. They also have non-boat tours if you prefer to be on land.
114 residents recomanen
Centre d'Arquitectura de Chicago
111 E Wacker Dr
114 residents recomanen
These guys do an amazing river tour of the Chicago architecture. Very informative and also a cool way to see the city. They also have non-boat tours if you prefer to be on land.
Museu d'Art Contemporani de Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave
532 residents recomanen
Fantastic shows!
44 residents recomanen
Òpera Lírica de Chicago
20 N Upper Wacker Dr
44 residents recomanen
Fantastic shows!
Chicago's iconic art museum with the lion statues in front. Excellent permanent exhibits as well as rotating ones. Right next to Millennium park, making it a nice place to enjoy a few hours during a day downtown.
1159 residents recomanen
L'Institut d'Art de Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 residents recomanen
Chicago's iconic art museum with the lion statues in front. Excellent permanent exhibits as well as rotating ones. Right next to Millennium park, making it a nice place to enjoy a few hours during a day downtown.
This is where "The Bean" statue is and the Pritzker Pavilion, home of the summer music series (https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html)
1243 residents recomanen
Parc del Mil·leni
201 E Randolph St
1243 residents recomanen
This is where "The Bean" statue is and the Pritzker Pavilion, home of the summer music series (https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html)