Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
The asian-fusion food is always new, exotic and delicious with an ever changing design. The staff is nice, Pingpong however is often crowded and expensive, but worth it!
37 locals recommend
Pingpong
3322 N BroadwayThe asian-fusion food is always new, exotic and delicious with an ever changing design. The staff is nice, Pingpong however is often crowded and expensive, but worth it!
I'll keep it short: WORLD'S BEST CINNAMON ROLES! This is a popular Swedish brunch spot with the world's friendliest staff.
52 locals recommend
Ann Sather Restaurant & Catering
3415 N BroadwayI'll keep it short: WORLD'S BEST CINNAMON ROLES! This is a popular Swedish brunch spot with the world's friendliest staff.
The authentic gelato is simply delicious, there are hundreds of classic and contemporary flavors, as well as warm drinks and great waffle cones. If you want authentic, this is the place.
14 locals recommend
Paciugo Chicago Broadway
3241 North BroadwayThe authentic gelato is simply delicious, there are hundreds of classic and contemporary flavors, as well as warm drinks and great waffle cones. If you want authentic, this is the place.
Head on over for traditional ice cream and tons of candy. Nicknamed "Jerry's" after the friendly owner. If you want a American candy store, this is it.
8 locals recommend
Windy City Sweets
3308 N BroadwayHead on over for traditional ice cream and tons of candy. Nicknamed "Jerry's" after the friendly owner. If you want a American candy store, this is it.
An elegant Italian restaurant with exceptional food, perfect for dates, in the summer they have outdoor seating. Most of the waiters are exceedingly nice. I recommend for sure! Yum!
43 locals recommend
Angelina Ristorante
3561 North BroadwayAn elegant Italian restaurant with exceptional food, perfect for dates, in the summer they have outdoor seating. Most of the waiters are exceedingly nice. I recommend for sure! Yum!
A popular restaurant among vegans and vegetarians, and the winner of multiple awards. The beer garden is great in the summer and their foo-meat; you can't tell the difference!
87 locals recommend
Chicago Diner
3411 N Halsted StA popular restaurant among vegans and vegetarians, and the winner of multiple awards. The beer garden is great in the summer and their foo-meat; you can't tell the difference!
A kid-friendly diner delighting kids with balloons, jelly beans and mickey mouse pancakes, plenty of seating with a patio. This a typical diner in Lakeview, fun for the whole family.
19 locals recommend
Melrose Diner
3233 North BroadwayA kid-friendly diner delighting kids with balloons, jelly beans and mickey mouse pancakes, plenty of seating with a patio. This a typical diner in Lakeview, fun for the whole family.
The winner of "Cupcake Wars" Molly's cupcakes are mouthwatering, certainly the best of the best. The staff is friendly and creative, and have decorated the shop with drawings and swings.
65 locals recommend
Molly's Cupcakes
2536 N Clark StThe winner of "Cupcake Wars" Molly's cupcakes are mouthwatering, certainly the best of the best. The staff is friendly and creative, and have decorated the shop with drawings and swings.
The aromic shop has teas from far and wide, stored in barrels so you can smell it all. Each bean and tea is great, everything is natural, there isn't a lot of seating, but it's worth standing.
22 locals recommend
The Coffee & Tea Exchange
3311 N BroadwayThe aromic shop has teas from far and wide, stored in barrels so you can smell it all. Each bean and tea is great, everything is natural, there isn't a lot of seating, but it's worth standing.
If you like sushi, this is the place to be. Zagat rated there isn't a dish not worth trying. A small room leads to a bar where the drinks are also excellent. It's defiantly worth trying!
42 locals recommend
Wakamono
3313 N BroadwayIf you like sushi, this is the place to be. Zagat rated there isn't a dish not worth trying. A small room leads to a bar where the drinks are also excellent. It's defiantly worth trying!
Named after a picture book about hot dogs, this tucked away basement holds Chicago's delicacies. The genuine Chicago Hot Dog. In the summer time, it has outdoor seating.
12 locals recommend
Flub A Dub Chub's
3021 N BroadwayNamed after a picture book about hot dogs, this tucked away basement holds Chicago's delicacies. The genuine Chicago Hot Dog. In the summer time, it has outdoor seating.
While the price is expensive and the staff rude, the bento boxes and sherbet is delish, in there is outdoor seating in the summer. If you want Japanese food, this is the place to go.
9 locals recommend
New Tokyo
3139 N BroadwayWhile the price is expensive and the staff rude, the bento boxes and sherbet is delish, in there is outdoor seating in the summer. If you want Japanese food, this is the place to go.
If you want to order take-out this is the place. Try the chicken satay and miso soup. The food is completely authentic with a Thai-somewhat English staff. The food is great!
12 locals recommend
Jitlada Thai House
3715 North Halsted StreetIf you want to order take-out this is the place. Try the chicken satay and miso soup. The food is completely authentic with a Thai-somewhat English staff. The food is great!
The real-deal while coffee is served across the country, this coffee shop is great to work at, the coffee and food is delectable. The staff and customers are respectful and nice.
95 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Broadway Coffeebar
3123 N BroadwayThe real-deal while coffee is served across the country, this coffee shop is great to work at, the coffee and food is delectable. The staff and customers are respectful and nice.
Chicago small soda fountain, they have board games, and you can draw an ice-cream flavor, and it might become a flavor (they pick one each week!) Everything is out of this world flavor!
23 locals recommend
Bobtail Ice Cream
2951 N BroadwayChicago small soda fountain, they have board games, and you can draw an ice-cream flavor, and it might become a flavor (they pick one each week!) Everything is out of this world flavor!
Korean fried chicken is incredible! If you haven't tried it, I would defiantly recommend it! It's one of those places you'll always remember!
98 locals recommend
Crisp
2940 N BroadwayKorean fried chicken is incredible! If you haven't tried it, I would defiantly recommend it! It's one of those places you'll always remember!
This is more American-Thai food, it's more mild and less-authentic than the real stuff. But if you want to get younger kids to eat Thai, this is the place to start. The staff is very friendly.
50 locals recommend
Joy's Noodles & Rice
3257 North BroadwayThis is more American-Thai food, it's more mild and less-authentic than the real stuff. But if you want to get younger kids to eat Thai, this is the place to start. The staff is very friendly.
The friendliest staff in the world, with some of the best pizza too. Normally, you wouldn't connect Brazil to pizza, but Fogo 2 Go did, and they did a remarkable job. Yum!
Fogo2go
926 West Diversey ParkwayThe friendliest staff in the world, with some of the best pizza too. Normally, you wouldn't connect Brazil to pizza, but Fogo 2 Go did, and they did a remarkable job. Yum!
The 'we make it one-way' burger and fries are great. Kids especially love the soda touch-screen machine. If your allergic to peanuts, stay away they have ballpark style nuts everywhere.
19 locals recommend
Five Guys
6477 N Sheridan RdThe 'we make it one-way' burger and fries are great. Kids especially love the soda touch-screen machine. If your allergic to peanuts, stay away they have ballpark style nuts everywhere.
Entertainment & Activities
Wendt Playlot (or as my kids and I call it Roscoe Park) is sweet, and better fitting for younger children. There is are toys, a sandbox and a wooden playgrounds! Kids love it!
Wendt Playlot Park
667 W Roscoe StWendt Playlot (or as my kids and I call it Roscoe Park) is sweet, and better fitting for younger children. There is are toys, a sandbox and a wooden playgrounds! Kids love it!
My kids go to school there, and there are two brand new playgrounds! The front is better for youngsters and the back has a bigger playground, basketball hoops and kickball diamond.
The Nettelhorst School
3252 N BroadwayMy kids go to school there, and there are two brand new playgrounds! The front is better for youngsters and the back has a bigger playground, basketball hoops and kickball diamond.
Kids really enjoy this museum, especially the butterfly garden and the water works area, where they can make their own waves. It's nearby (a long walk or short bus ride) and a great weekend activity!
140 locals recommend
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon DrKids really enjoy this museum, especially the butterfly garden and the water works area, where they can make their own waves. It's nearby (a long walk or short bus ride) and a great weekend activity!
A smaller version of Netthorst's playlots but still a ton of fun. A new playground that kids will enjoy!
Evergreen Park
631 W Belmont AveA smaller version of Netthorst's playlots but still a ton of fun. A new playground that kids will enjoy!
Shopping
The staff writes the best reviews, so you can't walk out without an excellent book. This family-owned bookstore has a homey feeling, that your sure to love.
18 locals recommend
Unabridged Bookstore
3251 N BroadwayThe staff writes the best reviews, so you can't walk out without an excellent book. This family-owned bookstore has a homey feeling, that your sure to love.
Inkling is corky store that sells local artsy items; everything from earrings to notebooks to wrapping paper, this small store is an excellent boutique. This is my daughter's favorite.
Inkling
2917 1/2 N BroadwayInkling is corky store that sells local artsy items; everything from earrings to notebooks to wrapping paper, this small store is an excellent boutique. This is my daughter's favorite.
All funds go to Howard Brown, and it's not hard to donate. It has everything from furniture to clothing (even designer) electronics and much more. The staff is nice and everything is inexpensive.
Brown Elephant Resale Store
3651 N Halsted StAll funds go to Howard Brown, and it's not hard to donate. It has everything from furniture to clothing (even designer) electronics and much more. The staff is nice and everything is inexpensive.
The kids store is filled with cute apparel and toys, the for her and CRAM store is like a better quality, more expensive version of Forever 21.
13 locals recommend
CRAM Fashion
3331 N BroadwayThe kids store is filled with cute apparel and toys, the for her and CRAM store is like a better quality, more expensive version of Forever 21.
Who needs iTunes when a great hipster record store is so close by? They have records, cds, t-shirts, dvds, and vhs. You can also sell them your music. The staff gives great suggestions too!
111 locals recommend
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveWho needs iTunes when a great hipster record store is so close by? They have records, cds, t-shirts, dvds, and vhs. You can also sell them your music. The staff gives great suggestions too!
Arts & Culture
The home of the lovable losers, with ivy, die-hard fans, inexpensive tickets, Wrigley field cannot be imitated. Tradition still extends here, this is the real deal. Go Cubs!
1004 locals recommend
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StThe home of the lovable losers, with ivy, die-hard fans, inexpensive tickets, Wrigley field cannot be imitated. Tradition still extends here, this is the real deal. Go Cubs!
Everything Else
Beautiful trail along the lake, great for bikers, skaters and runners. Give yourself a tour of Chicago the views are breathtaking and the trails are well taken care of.
229 locals recommend
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailBeautiful trail along the lake, great for bikers, skaters and runners. Give yourself a tour of Chicago the views are breathtaking and the trails are well taken care of.
I try to go here as often as I can. I always come back happy and relaxed, if you haven't tried Bikram yet, it's yoga in a room that is about 100 degrees. People of all levels will enjoy it.
17 locals recommend
105F Chicago's Original Hot Yoga
1344 N Milwaukee AveI try to go here as often as I can. I always come back happy and relaxed, if you haven't tried Bikram yet, it's yoga in a room that is about 100 degrees. People of all levels will enjoy it.
Local family owned has a excellent staff, and high quality cuts and salon, you won't leave without loving your hair.
Robert Jeffrey Hair Studio
Local family owned has a excellent staff, and high quality cuts and salon, you won't leave without loving your hair.
While they are technically softball fields they are great to play baseball at. It gives you the impression of being a real baseball player! Plus, they're never crowded!
Waveland Park Softball Fields
3650 N Recreation DrWhile they are technically softball fields they are great to play baseball at. It gives you the impression of being a real baseball player! Plus, they're never crowded!
If you play tennis, this is where to go. When Chicago was in the running for the Olympics there were rumors that they would play tennis there! So much fun!
19 locals recommend
Waveland Park Tennis Courts
3650 N Recreation DrIf you play tennis, this is where to go. When Chicago was in the running for the Olympics there were rumors that they would play tennis there! So much fun!
I'm not much of a boxer, but if you are or want to burn off steam or calories, this is where to go. They have a ring, punching bags and mats. They have classes to (for kids and adults.)
LA Boxing
3215 N BroadwayI'm not much of a boxer, but if you are or want to burn off steam or calories, this is where to go. They have a ring, punching bags and mats. They have classes to (for kids and adults.)
Drinks & Nightlife
Simply put, the neighborhood bar, the bartenders are friends with everyone outside the bar as well. Perfect place to watch the game.
Jacqueline's
3420 N BroadwaySimply put, the neighborhood bar, the bartenders are friends with everyone outside the bar as well. Perfect place to watch the game.
Essentials
Friendly staff makes up this reasonably priced slightly run down Chicago grocery. They have all the name brands with plenty of discounts.
63 locals recommend
Treasure Island Foods
Friendly staff makes up this reasonably priced slightly run down Chicago grocery. They have all the name brands with plenty of discounts.
This is a chain with amazing produce and food, everything is organic and tasty. The staff is beyond friendly, but the price is expensive.
836 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StThis is a chain with amazing produce and food, everything is organic and tasty. The staff is beyond friendly, but the price is expensive.
The regular Jewel, some good and bad food, but plenty of sales and discounts. If you want to get the most for your dollar this is where to go.
675 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayThe regular Jewel, some good and bad food, but plenty of sales and discounts. If you want to get the most for your dollar this is where to go.