Guidebook for Chicago
Everything Else
Damen station
1558 N Damen AveBlue Line 'L' Stop to downtown and O'Hare Airport.
Divvy
Pick up a bike to ride around the city with Chicago's bike share program.
Classic Chicago pizza, and definitely a personal favorite. Thin or thick, it's all about the delicious crust. Convenient delivery/take-out location just around the corner.
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StClassic Chicago pizza, and definitely a personal favorite. Thin or thick, it's all about the delicious crust. Convenient delivery/take-out location just around the corner.
Entertainment & Activities
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveOur famous local park.
Essentials
Upscale grocery store featuring local goods, plus charcuterie, imported cheeses, wine & flowers.
64 locals recommend
Olivia's Market
2014 W Wabansia AveUpscale grocery store featuring local goods, plus charcuterie, imported cheeses, wine & flowers.
Probably the coolest Walgreens in the country...not kidding. A former bank that was beautifully restored and sells all of the normal stuff you want from Walgreens and upscale stuff too.
Historic Noel State Bank
1601 North Milwaukee AvenueProbably the coolest Walgreens in the country...not kidding. A former bank that was beautifully restored and sells all of the normal stuff you want from Walgreens and upscale stuff too.
Great small grocer -- more of a retail store for a great caterer. Pre-made and reheat-able meals. They also carry local favorites Black Dog gelato and pies from Bang-Bang Pie Shop!
69 locals recommend
The Goddess and Grocer
1649 N Damen AveGreat small grocer -- more of a retail store for a great caterer. Pre-made and reheat-able meals. They also carry local favorites Black Dog gelato and pies from Bang-Bang Pie Shop!
Food Scene
Trendy cafe serving house-brand artisanal coffee, pastries & snacks in a sleek space.
162 locals recommend
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StTrendy cafe serving house-brand artisanal coffee, pastries & snacks in a sleek space.
'80s-themed rustic coffee shop, complete with a DeLorean, pouring locally roasted coffee.
131 locals recommend
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee Ave'80s-themed rustic coffee shop, complete with a DeLorean, pouring locally roasted coffee.
Modern, multi-level space offering artisanal, fresh-roasted coffee, whole beans & related equipment.
26 locals recommend
Buzz Killer Espresso
Modern, multi-level space offering artisanal, fresh-roasted coffee, whole beans & related equipment.
Best tacos in town. One of the hottest spots in Wicker Park. Amazing Mexican street food, plus margaritas & whiskey -- GREAT SCENE. What happens when a Michelin-starred chef does street tacos!
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveBest tacos in town. One of the hottest spots in Wicker Park. Amazing Mexican street food, plus margaritas & whiskey -- GREAT SCENE. What happens when a Michelin-starred chef does street tacos!
Hip spot for modern American dining & craft cocktails in a former bathhouse with a vintage vibe.
59 locals recommend
Trench
2039 West North AvenueHip spot for modern American dining & craft cocktails in a former bathhouse with a vintage vibe.
Rustic, wood-accented spot serving BBQ meats, Southern fare & house-made moonshine cocktails.
34 locals recommend
Lillie's Q
417 North Ashland AvenueRustic, wood-accented spot serving BBQ meats, Southern fare & house-made moonshine cocktails.
Fantastic thin-crust pizza & brewery with live-band karaoke some nights. Not 'chicago-style' but excellent pizza!
488 locals recommend
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveFantastic thin-crust pizza & brewery with live-band karaoke some nights. Not 'chicago-style' but excellent pizza!
Best donuts in town...or is it Stan's directly across the street...?
12 locals recommend
Glazed and Infused
1576 North Milwaukee AvenueBest donuts in town...or is it Stan's directly across the street...?
Best donuts in town...or is it Glazed and Infused directly across the street...?
209 locals recommend
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveBest donuts in town...or is it Glazed and Infused directly across the street...?
What happens when a James Beard Award winning dessert chef opens a full restaurant? One of the hottest restaurants in Chicago for 10 years...one of the reasons Bucktown became the neighborhood it is!
108 locals recommend
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveWhat happens when a James Beard Award winning dessert chef opens a full restaurant? One of the hottest restaurants in Chicago for 10 years...one of the reasons Bucktown became the neighborhood it is!
Hip burger place by Brandon Sodikoff -- a hot restaurateur in Chicago. A mini-Au Cheval burger joint (a small version of his restaurant on Randolph St.)
Roxie's By the Slice
1732 N Milwaukee AveHip burger place by Brandon Sodikoff -- a hot restaurateur in Chicago. A mini-Au Cheval burger joint (a small version of his restaurant on Randolph St.)
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveBest pies in town!
One of the best breakfast spots in the city -- just plan on waiting in line...but it's worth it.
199 locals recommend
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveOne of the best breakfast spots in the city -- just plan on waiting in line...but it's worth it.
From famed celebrity chef Rick Bayless (a neighborhood resident). Great tortas and other Mexican favorites!
39 locals recommend
Fonda Frontera
1471 North Milwaukee AvenueFrom famed celebrity chef Rick Bayless (a neighborhood resident). Great tortas and other Mexican favorites!
Native Foods
1484 N Milwaukee AveGreat healthier fare.
A delicious restaurant -- one of the neighborhood originals.
16 locals recommend
Feast Restaurant + Bar
1616 North Damen AvenueA delicious restaurant -- one of the neighborhood originals.
Very hip and delicious healthy food -- a favorite of bike messengers in the area.
140 locals recommend
Handlebar
2311 W North AveVery hip and delicious healthy food -- a favorite of bike messengers in the area.
Friendship
2830 North Milwaukee AvenueThe best chinese for delivery! Not kidding -- the best!
One neighborhood over. Great brunch! Logan Square is also one of the hottest neighborhoods in America.
936 locals recommend
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdOne neighborhood over. Great brunch! Logan Square is also one of the hottest neighborhoods in America.
One of my favorites for a light breakfast -- famous for their homemade granola (can also buy at Goddess and Olivia's).
94 locals recommend
Milk & Honey
1920 W Division StOne of my favorites for a light breakfast -- famous for their homemade granola (can also buy at Goddess and Olivia's).
Jerry's Sandwiches
4739 N Lincoln AveOne of the best sandwiches in Chicago.
2 blocks from the building -- fantastic homemade Italian with a classic decor. Great dinner and drinks and outside seating.
54 locals recommend
Club Lucky
1824 W Wabansia Ave2 blocks from the building -- fantastic homemade Italian with a classic decor. Great dinner and drinks and outside seating.
Because sometimes you just need to know exactly what you're going to get and where it is.
213 locals recommend
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveBecause sometimes you just need to know exactly what you're going to get and where it is.
Delicious tacos. Cool vintage feel. Excellent margaritas and limited outdoor seating in nice weather.
113 locals recommend
Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AveDelicious tacos. Cool vintage feel. Excellent margaritas and limited outdoor seating in nice weather.
Very cool, urban diner (with a Latin flare) by the same people that did Big Star.
113 locals recommend
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveVery cool, urban diner (with a Latin flare) by the same people that did Big Star.
To satisfy all of your ramen needs in a great, casual spot with just the right soundtrack.
52 locals recommend
Furious Spoon Wicker Park
To satisfy all of your ramen needs in a great, casual spot with just the right soundtrack.
Incredible authentic home-style Italian in a cute casual spot, with a take-out deli and adorable restaurant in the back - like you imagine your grandma would have opened if your grandma was Italian!
13 locals recommend
Lucia's
1825 W North AveIncredible authentic home-style Italian in a cute casual spot, with a take-out deli and adorable restaurant in the back - like you imagine your grandma would have opened if your grandma was Italian!
Tarboush Mediterranean Grill
2815 West Diversey AvenueGreat casual Mediterranean fare. Incredible fast, fresh delivery.
A neighborhood classic for falafel and lentil soup (among other delicious things)!
99 locals recommend
Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveA neighborhood classic for falafel and lentil soup (among other delicious things)!
When in Chicago, eat pizza. My bet for best local pizza in the city? Pizano's, hands down (thin crust sausage). It's my weakness. Cute restaurant in the 'hood, or can certainly have delivered.
18 locals recommend
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
2056 West Division StreetWhen in Chicago, eat pizza. My bet for best local pizza in the city? Pizano's, hands down (thin crust sausage). It's my weakness. Cute restaurant in the 'hood, or can certainly have delivered.
Drinks & Nightlife
Owned by same group that did Big Star (across the street). Ultra-cool hidden speak-easy. You won't see a sign or the door...just know it's the building with graffiti on it...door is under the light.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveOwned by same group that did Big Star (across the street). Ultra-cool hidden speak-easy. You won't see a sign or the door...just know it's the building with graffiti on it...door is under the light.
Northside Bar & Grill
1635 N Damen AveGreat burgers and a good scene -- nice outdoor space.
Great brewery with great food! Just north of Bucktown in Logan Square -- also one of the hottest neighborhoods in the country!
724 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveGreat brewery with great food! Just north of Bucktown in Logan Square -- also one of the hottest neighborhoods in the country!
One neighborhood over. Cool bar/restaurant in Logan Square -- fantastic food and brunch
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveOne neighborhood over. Cool bar/restaurant in Logan Square -- fantastic food and brunch
Sightseeing
The main access point to the new '606' (also known as the Bloomingdale Trail). Chicago's latest project -- an elevated park on an abandoned train system...great for walking, biking, running.
7 locals recommend
Churchill Field Playlot Park
1825 N Damen AveThe main access point to the new '606' (also known as the Bloomingdale Trail). Chicago's latest project -- an elevated park on an abandoned train system...great for walking, biking, running.
Shopping
One of the original anchors of Wicker Park/Bucktown... (and the subject of the John Cusack/Jack Black movie High Fidelity). Will satisfy all of your vinyl needs...
111 locals recommend
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveOne of the original anchors of Wicker Park/Bucktown... (and the subject of the John Cusack/Jack Black movie High Fidelity). Will satisfy all of your vinyl needs...
Steven Alan
1659 N Damen AveGreat clothing/accessory store -- men and women.
Shinola Wicker Park / Bucktown Store
1619 N Damen AveGreat watch and leather goods (wallets, bags, etc.) store.
Store B
1472 N Milwaukee AveSmall but excellent vintage store.