Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveBest thin-crust pizza in Chicago.
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveReally close.
Flo
1434 W Chicago AveExcellent (and very popular) Mexican brunch.
Mostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
97 locals raden deze aan
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketMostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
A top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
87 locals raden deze aan
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StA top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
Great design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
53 locals raden deze aan
Soho House Chicago
113-125 N Green StGreat design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
Amazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
107 locals raden deze aan
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StAmazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
Tacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
1176 locals raden deze aan
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
Lunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
113 locals raden deze aan
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveLunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
57 locals raden deze aan
Mana Food Bar
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
If you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
116 locals raden deze aan
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StIf you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
Decent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
68 locals raden deze aan
Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago AveDecent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
New, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
37 locals raden deze aan
Charlatan
1329 West Chicago AvenueNew, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
Chicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
936 locals raden deze aan
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdChicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
Analogue
An (indie) rock bar/lounge- that serves amazing Cajun food.
Meats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
830 locals raden deze aan
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveMeats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
Cool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
47 locals raden deze aan
Yusho
2853 North Kedzie AvenueCool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
Jimmy John's
51 W Division StIn case you really need a sub.
Fried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
658 locals raden deze aan
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveFried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
Really good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.
468 locals raden deze aan
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveReally good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.
Shopping
CVS
771 N Ogden AveClosest pharmacy
Wicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
50 locals raden deze aan
Penelope's
1913 W Division StWicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
Cool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
Steven Alan
1659 N Damen AveCool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
Marc Jacobs
11 E Walton StIf you're into this kind of thing.
Looking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
diptyque
1645 N Damen AveLooking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
Nike Bucktown
1640 N Damen AveA small Nike store with just running gear.
Apple Michigan Avenue
401 N Michigan AveMichigan Ave shopping.
Nike Chicago
669 N Michigan AveMichigan Ave shopping.
Topshop Topman
830 N Michigan AveMichigan Ave shopping.
Bloomingdale's
900 North Michigan AvenueMichigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
40 locals raden deze aan
Nordstrom Wedding Suite - Michigan Avenue
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
Barneys New York, Chicago
15 E Oak StShopping.
Suitsupply Chicago
945 N Rush StIn case you need a killer (and affordable) suit.
Jack Spade
47 E Oak StShopping.
Very cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.
iD Chicago
2130 N Damen AveVery cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.
Drinks & Nightlife
Old school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
56 locals raden deze aan
Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee AveOld school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
Lots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
50 locals raden deze aan
Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden AveLots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
The original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
81 locals raden deze aan
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveThe original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
65 locals raden deze aan
The Charleston Bar Chicago
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
A Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
100 locals raden deze aan
Bangers and Lace
1670 W Division StA Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
Chicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
116 locals raden deze aan
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveChicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
An imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
37 locals raden deze aan
Lone Wolf
806 W Randolph StAn imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
Ultra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
77 locals raden deze aan
The Aviary
955 W Fulton MarketUltra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
Chicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
355 locals raden deze aan
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveChicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
Logan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
144 locals raden deze aan
Billy Sunday
3143 W Logan BlvdLogan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
A giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
139 locals raden deze aan
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveA giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
Logan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
101 locals raden deze aan
Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
3340 N Kedzie AveLogan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
The website says it best:
"DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
127 locals raden deze aan
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee AveThe website says it best:
"DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
The closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.
J Patrick's Irish Bar Grill
1367 W Erie StThe closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.
Essentials
Closest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
23 locals raden deze aan
The Noble Grape
802 N Bishop StClosest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
The other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
43 locals raden deze aan
Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W Chicago AveThe other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
Closest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
866 locals raden deze aan
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveClosest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
Huge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.
836 locals raden deze aan
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StHuge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.
Arts & Culture
Weird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be:
http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/
27 locals raden deze aan
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N Milwaukee AveWeird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be:
http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/
Sightseeing
Look these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
114 locals raden deze aan
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrLook these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveBecause.
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StWhere we keep The Bean.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StGotta see it to understand it.
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E Chicago AveArt. Sometimes good art.
Everything Else
Not as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
30 locals raden deze aan
Grand
502 N Milwaukee AveNot as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
65 locals raden deze aan
Chicago & Milwaukee station
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
Damen Blue Line Station
South Damen AvenueThe middle of Wicker Park. 2 stops away.
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
135 locals raden deze aan
Cta Blue Line - Logan Square station
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
Divvy
The closest Divvy Bike Share station.