Guidebook for Chicago
North SIde Eating
Our favorite places near our 'hood - Ravenswood.
CoCo Vietnamese Sandwiches & Pho
1613 W Lawrence AveExcellent bahn mi and pho
Taquería Primo Chuki's Uptown
1708 W Lawrence AveDelicious standard Mexican and oh-so convenient
Aroy Thai
4654 N Damen AveOur go-to local Thai place.
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits Ravenswood
4947 N Damen AveIt’s all in the name.
Delicious arepas and more. BYOB.
The servers offer great recommendations.
15 locals recommend
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant
1637 W Montrose AveDelicious arepas and more. BYOB.
The servers offer great recommendations.
Big Jones
5347 N Clark StPricier, but delicious southern comfort food.
Tasty and affordable sushi. The unusual rolls are better than the traditional. Beautiful outdoor dining area.
14 locals recommend
Fin Sushi Bar
1742 W Wilson AveTasty and affordable sushi. The unusual rolls are better than the traditional. Beautiful outdoor dining area.
Gather
4539 N Lincoln AveExcellent brunch and dinner.
Beautiful outdoor dining area in the back.
Small spot that makes delicious savory and sweet Dutch pancakes and crepes.
25 locals recommend
Famous Dutch Pancake Huis - Pannenkoeken Cafe
4757 N Western AveSmall spot that makes delicious savory and sweet Dutch pancakes and crepes.
Thin crust pizza. Not Andrea’s #1 pick in the city, but very good.
83 locals recommend
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveThin crust pizza. Not Andrea’s #1 pick in the city, but very good.
Jet's Pizza
3951 N Kimball AveOur go-to delivery. Detroit-style pizza. Get the butter crust.
Definitely a treat, but worth the splurge.
The first Michelin starred Brewpub.
30 locals recommend
Band of Bohemia
4710 N Ravenswood AveDefinitely a treat, but worth the splurge.
The first Michelin starred Brewpub.
Delicious baguettes, sandwiches, quiches, croissants, and macarons.
57 locals recommend
La Boulangerie
3129 W Logan BlvdDelicious baguettes, sandwiches, quiches, croissants, and macarons.
Uncommon Ground (lakeview)
3800 North Clark StreetReally delicious restaurant in Wrigleyville.
DELICIOUS ICE CREAM! Homemade waffle cones. Seasonal flavors.
131 locals recommend
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveDELICIOUS ICE CREAM! Homemade waffle cones. Seasonal flavors.
Cuba 312
2054 W Roscoe StDelicious Cuban food. Small space. Expect a wait on weekends.
Cafe Orchid
1746 W Addison StTurkish food. The Iskender is a wow.
La Michoacana Premium
1855 S Blue Island AvePaletas made from scratch. So many flavors!
If you are exploring Pilsen (murals, Mexican Museum of Art, Mexican food, fresh tortillas, a concert at Thalia Hall, etc.), you must stop at Kritoffer's for tres leches. It is not traditional. There are several flavors. Caramel is the best.
25 locals recommend
Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery
1733 S Halsted StIf you are exploring Pilsen (murals, Mexican Museum of Art, Mexican food, fresh tortillas, a concert at Thalia Hall, etc.), you must stop at Kritoffer's for tres leches. It is not traditional. There are several flavors. Caramel is the best.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston AveYou put butter on your fried chicken and you eat it.
Arts & Culture
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveConcerts plus classes (music, dance, and more)
I never visited this museum until I lived here, but it is a gem. Great size. Do-able in an afternoon. Free on Tuesdays with outdoor concerts in the summer.
532 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveI never visited this museum until I lived here, but it is a gem. Great size. Do-able in an afternoon. Free on Tuesdays with outdoor concerts in the summer.
Some of the best theatre in Chicago-land takes place in the charming village of Glencoe. An easy ride by metra.
8 locals recommend
Writers Theatre
325 Tudor CtSome of the best theatre in Chicago-land takes place in the charming village of Glencoe. An easy ride by metra.
Lovely outdoor concert space. Bring a picnic. An easy side on the metra.
6 locals recommend
Ravinia Festival Administration Office
418 Sheridan RdLovely outdoor concert space. Bring a picnic. An easy side on the metra.
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StGreat theatre.
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
5779 N Ridge AveLocal storefront theatre focusing on women's stories.
Classic Chicago theatre producing new plays and late night short skits.
66 locals recommend
Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueClassic Chicago theatre producing new plays and late night short skits.
Every Wednesday night and Saturday, this old haunt of Al Capone's hosts Papermachete - a variety show with music, comedy, etc. It is tied to the news and pop culture of the week. It is FREE with a cash bar. A great way to spend a rainy day. Get there an hour early on Saturday and a half hour on Wednesday. Otherwise, this is a great place for music.
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayEvery Wednesday night and Saturday, this old haunt of Al Capone's hosts Papermachete - a variety show with music, comedy, etc. It is tied to the news and pop culture of the week. It is FREE with a cash bar. A great way to spend a rainy day. Get there an hour early on Saturday and a half hour on Wednesday. Otherwise, this is a great place for music.
Shopping
Old-school pharmacy with unique and natural health, personal care and beauty products. So much fun to poke around.
52 locals recommend
Merz Apothecary
4716 N Lincoln AveOld-school pharmacy with unique and natural health, personal care and beauty products. So much fun to poke around.
Hazel
1835 W Montrose AveNice gifts, jewelry, etc.
Great Chicago themed items along with general gifts, etc.
21 locals recommend
ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE
4723 N Lincoln AveGreat Chicago themed items along with general gifts, etc.
Parks & Nature
Free to the public. You only pay for parking. Beautiful in every season. A 10 minute walk from the metra station.
167 locals recommend
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdFree to the public. You only pay for parking. Beautiful in every season. A 10 minute walk from the metra station.
Local Movie Theatres
Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveGreat indie movie theatre.
Local Landmark Theatre. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted. Go early for some ax throwing in the basement.
71 locals recommend
Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
2828 N Clark StLocal Landmark Theatre. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted. Go early for some ax throwing in the basement.
Local movie theatre with bar/restaurant attached. Hosts film festivals, drag bingo, and more. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted.
104 locals recommend
Davis Theater, Chicago
4614 N Lincoln AveLocal movie theatre with bar/restaurant attached. Hosts film festivals, drag bingo, and more. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted.
Treat Yourself
If you have a car, drive up to Niles to visit this massive Korean spa. The H-Mart next door has discounted tickets. Cash only. There are men/women areas with hot tubs, steam rooms, etc. then join together for saunas made of gold, amethyst, charcoal, and more plus a nap room, movie room, and cafeteria. Extra treatments are available for purchase, but the $20 entrance fee gets you access to the pools and saunas for 24 hours.
14 locals recommend
King Spa & Sauna
809 Civic Center DrIf you have a car, drive up to Niles to visit this massive Korean spa. The H-Mart next door has discounted tickets. Cash only. There are men/women areas with hot tubs, steam rooms, etc. then join together for saunas made of gold, amethyst, charcoal, and more plus a nap room, movie room, and cafeteria. Extra treatments are available for purchase, but the $20 entrance fee gets you access to the pools and saunas for 24 hours.
Go for the mask bar, the food grade face/body products, or yoga classes. This local, woman owned business is a gem and the co-founder is a chemist so she can explain more about your skin that your brain can process. Plus they have yoga and meditation classes.
Scratch Goods
847 W Randolph StGo for the mask bar, the food grade face/body products, or yoga classes. This local, woman owned business is a gem and the co-founder is a chemist so she can explain more about your skin that your brain can process. Plus they have yoga and meditation classes.