Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Starbucks
1 E Delaware PlHave you looked out the window?
A specialty coffee house with a hipster vibe, complete with a bicycle shop for fix-its. Exceptional coffee, good pastries and some food options.
36 locals recommend
Heritage Bicycles
2959 N Lincoln AveA specialty coffee house with a hipster vibe, complete with a bicycle shop for fix-its. Exceptional coffee, good pastries and some food options.
Small, basic but good coffee options and cookies. Ideal for a take out on the go.
6 locals recommend
Printer's Row Coffee Co.
2482 N Lincoln AveSmall, basic but good coffee options and cookies. Ideal for a take out on the go.
A half mile walk for good coffee and some french-inspired breakfasts and lunches. Not suited if you’re in a hurry, take your time with this local specialty and enjoy their savory, sweet and pastry options.
49 locals recommend
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
1220 W Webster AveA half mile walk for good coffee and some french-inspired breakfasts and lunches. Not suited if you’re in a hurry, take your time with this local specialty and enjoy their savory, sweet and pastry options.
Healthy food done well, for just a fraction above what most are happy to pay (but worth it). Cafe style and very casual. Weekdays it's flooded with moms, kids and local business people. Weekends it’s just full of everyone, but the wait is short and they churn out the food quickly.
17 locals recommend
Left Coast
2878 N Lincoln AveHealthy food done well, for just a fraction above what most are happy to pay (but worth it). Cafe style and very casual. Weekdays it's flooded with moms, kids and local business people. Weekends it’s just full of everyone, but the wait is short and they churn out the food quickly.
A local, family diner. Just order a skillet and trust us. If there’s a line to wait is goes quickly, and the skillets typically come out super fast. Old fashioned place, super friendly, fast-paced and much like your grandma’s kitchen. A weekend brunch favorite.
7 locals recommend
S&G Restaurant
3000 N Lincoln AveA local, family diner. Just order a skillet and trust us. If there’s a line to wait is goes quickly, and the skillets typically come out super fast. Old fashioned place, super friendly, fast-paced and much like your grandma’s kitchen. A weekend brunch favorite.
“Gastropub with creative American eats made from local ingredients plus craft cocktails & whiskeys”. That’s a pretty good description, courtesy of Google.
White Oak Tavern & Inn
“Gastropub with creative American eats made from local ingredients plus craft cocktails & whiskeys”. That’s a pretty good description, courtesy of Google.
Very casual italian institution offering the infamous Chicago deep dish pizza. Very family friendly and great bang for buck.
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StVery casual italian institution offering the infamous Chicago deep dish pizza. Very family friendly and great bang for buck.
Mexican casual restaurant serving your typical mexican cuisine and great drink options. The atmosphere is lively and you’re practically guaranteed a good time.
20 locals recommend
Broken English Taco Pub
2576 N Lincoln AveMexican casual restaurant serving your typical mexican cuisine and great drink options. The atmosphere is lively and you’re practically guaranteed a good time.
Local Japanese restaurant. A great place for lots of fun rolls and fast service. Never had a bad meal here and the price is pretty good too.
18 locals recommend
Nori Sushi Chicago-Lincoln Park
954 W Diversey PkwyLocal Japanese restaurant. A great place for lots of fun rolls and fast service. Never had a bad meal here and the price is pretty good too.
local farm-to-table option. They specialize in Midwest food (the entrees are mostly burgers, but worth it), and they have great salads, sides and cocktails. At peak times you will likely have a wait, but grab a drink and soak in the local vibes while you wait.
20 locals recommend
Farm Bar
1300 W Wellington Avelocal farm-to-table option. They specialize in Midwest food (the entrees are mostly burgers, but worth it), and they have great salads, sides and cocktails. At peak times you will likely have a wait, but grab a drink and soak in the local vibes while you wait.
More upmarket but still casual. Situated right on Lake Michigan at Fullerton Ave. During the day the views are incredible, all along the Lake and then into downtown. A slightly fancier menu; great for brunch (but try to book, or else wait and soak in the views).
8 locals recommend
The Lakefront Restaurant at Theater on the Lake
2401 North DuSable Lake Shore DriveMore upmarket but still casual. Situated right on Lake Michigan at Fullerton Ave. During the day the views are incredible, all along the Lake and then into downtown. A slightly fancier menu; great for brunch (but try to book, or else wait and soak in the views).
A local gem that provides superior food in a sharp interior, but still with a relaxed vibe. The food is always exceptional and the service is impeccable. A special occasion place, or a ‘splash out’ option because you can.
Entente
700 N Sedgwick StA local gem that provides superior food in a sharp interior, but still with a relaxed vibe. The food is always exceptional and the service is impeccable. A special occasion place, or a ‘splash out’ option because you can.
A Japanese restaurant that is high-class and offers some of the best Japanese food we’ve had with a local feel. Similar to Entente, upmarket food and service but not in a stuffy environment.
16 locals recommend
Juno Sushi Chicago
2638 N Lincoln AveA Japanese restaurant that is high-class and offers some of the best Japanese food we’ve had with a local feel. Similar to Entente, upmarket food and service but not in a stuffy environment.
Drinks & Nightlife
German bar meets casual sports bar. The beers are German-inspired and the food is exceptional (if you’re into German sausage, sauerkraut, pretzels as big as your head…). They play local and international sports and its suited for 2 people to a big group.
9 locals recommend
Prost!
2566 N Lincoln AveGerman bar meets casual sports bar. The beers are German-inspired and the food is exceptional (if you’re into German sausage, sauerkraut, pretzels as big as your head…). They play local and international sports and its suited for 2 people to a big group.
A newer ‘bar’ option for our locals. But, so far great food, great for sports watching, and friendly and quick service. A great casual sports bar option with a fun vibe.
Broken Barrel Bar
2548 North Southport AvenueA newer ‘bar’ option for our locals. But, so far great food, great for sports watching, and friendly and quick service. A great casual sports bar option with a fun vibe.
The Barrelhouse Flat
2624 N Lincoln AveAtmospheric cocktail bar
Sightseeing
Walk along the lakefront, enjoy some people watching, and take in the amazing view of the Chicago skyline.
16 locals recommend
Theatre on the Lake
2401 N Lake Shore DrWalk along the lakefront, enjoy some people watching, and take in the amazing view of the Chicago skyline.
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StHome of the Cubs
Do an architectural river cruise. A consistent #1 from all our family and friends who've visited Chicago as a tourist.
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrDo an architectural river cruise. A consistent #1 from all our family and friends who've visited Chicago as a tourist.
Parks & Nature
Small hub for our local community, and if you have little ones with you, the playground will keep you all entertained for hours!
9 locals recommend
Jonquil Park
1001 W Wrightwood AveSmall hub for our local community, and if you have little ones with you, the playground will keep you all entertained for hours!
Lincoln Park zoo is an ambitious walk away or a short taxi / uber drive. Admission to the Zoo is free and is a joy for both adults and children alike.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StLincoln Park zoo is an ambitious walk away or a short taxi / uber drive. Admission to the Zoo is free and is a joy for both adults and children alike.
Arts & Culture
Apollo Theater Chicago
2550 N Lincoln AveSteppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StThe Second City
230 W North AveImprov comedy mecca
A stay in Chicago wouldn’t be complete without visiting a blues bar. We have a great local option a half mile walk away: Kingston Mines. Its infamous, but shows its age. Go later in the night, order a bucket of beer, and soak in the crowd, the music and the history of this place. A great bar to finish your night at.
458 locals recommend
Kingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StA stay in Chicago wouldn’t be complete without visiting a blues bar. We have a great local option a half mile walk away: Kingston Mines. Its infamous, but shows its age. Go later in the night, order a bucket of beer, and soak in the crowd, the music and the history of this place. A great bar to finish your night at.
Essentials
7-Eleven
958 W Diversey PkwyPark West Liquor Wine And Beer
2570 N Lincoln AveWhole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StUltimate Dry Cleaning
1158 W Wrightwood AveGetting Around
Fullerton Red/Brown/Purple Line Station