Guidebook for Chicago
Shopping
Publican Quality Meats
825 W Fulton MarketGroceries, breakfast, coffee and gifts
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveWhole Foods quality with Trader Joes prices. Great Beer selection too.
Food Scene
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StBest coffee shop in the neighborhood
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StPhenomenal breakfast
Best BBQ spot in the city, craft beer and amazing cocktails too. Very reasonably priced and good for outdoor seating. My recommendations are the sliced brisket, hotlink, broccoli salad and the elote. This is a place you can go when everywhere else is already booked for reservations. You an ALWAYS get in here.
107 locals recommend
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StBest BBQ spot in the city, craft beer and amazing cocktails too. Very reasonably priced and good for outdoor seating. My recommendations are the sliced brisket, hotlink, broccoli salad and the elote. This is a place you can go when everywhere else is already booked for reservations. You an ALWAYS get in here.
Glazed and Infused
813 W Fulton MarketCoffee and Donuts. Mmmm please stop here at least once.
Great place to watch a game! Nice outdoor patio and a great craft brew selection and good pizza.
66 locals recommend
Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
108 N Green StGreat place to watch a game! Nice outdoor patio and a great craft brew selection and good pizza.
City Winery
1200 W Randolph StGreat place to see live music, good food and better wine.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StYou must have authentic deep dish pizza.
Chicago style hot dogs and Italian beef. This is a very casual lunch spot
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StChicago style hot dogs and Italian beef. This is a very casual lunch spot
de cero
816 W Randolph StGreat little taco joint up the street if you want a bite to eat.
Ramen Takeya
819 W Fulton MarketGreat ramen and its right downstairs.
Latin food and it is YUMMY! Get a Pisco Sour, they are authentic.
28 locals recommend
La Sirena Clandestina
954 W Fulton MarketLatin food and it is YUMMY! Get a Pisco Sour, they are authentic.
If you're craving a burger, this place is the best. They don't take reservations and you will probably wait so plan to grab a beer across the street.
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StIf you're craving a burger, this place is the best. They don't take reservations and you will probably wait so plan to grab a beer across the street.
Enter at the red arrow in the alley behind the restaurant, this will take you down to Sushi Dokku's underground bar. It is the same menu downstairs but a more intimate and unique experience.
21 locals recommend
Booze Box
823 W Randolph StEnter at the red arrow in the alley behind the restaurant, this will take you down to Sushi Dokku's underground bar. It is the same menu downstairs but a more intimate and unique experience.
I haven't been here yet, it just opened! But I have several friends that work here and they say that the mezcal and tequila drinks are amazing! Who isn't always in the mood for tacos and a sunny patio!!?
33 locals recommend
Federales
180 N Morgan StI haven't been here yet, it just opened! But I have several friends that work here and they say that the mezcal and tequila drinks are amazing! Who isn't always in the mood for tacos and a sunny patio!!?
The modern take on Chineese food is amazing. This is Stephanie Izzards new restaurant and difficult to get into so walk downstairs (directly below) and put your name in while youre getting ready - they will text you! Beautiful decor but I recommend going with a bigger group, you will want to order as many share plates as possible!
30 locals recommend
Duck Duck Goat
857 W Fulton MarketThe modern take on Chineese food is amazing. This is Stephanie Izzards new restaurant and difficult to get into so walk downstairs (directly below) and put your name in while youre getting ready - they will text you! Beautiful decor but I recommend going with a bigger group, you will want to order as many share plates as possible!
Very unique coffee shop located inside Green Street Smoked Meats. You enter off of Green Street, just pull hard on the door - its heavy. If you like Matcha Tea you must try a Military Latte. It's not so pretty, but is delicious.
31 locals recommend
Sawada Coffee
112 N Green StVery unique coffee shop located inside Green Street Smoked Meats. You enter off of Green Street, just pull hard on the door - its heavy. If you like Matcha Tea you must try a Military Latte. It's not so pretty, but is delicious.
Sightseeing
This is a new addition to Chicago, it is a beautiful walk on a nice day.
273 locals recommend
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker DrThis is a new addition to Chicago, it is a beautiful walk on a nice day.
Arts & Culture
You will find The Bean here for your pictures. And free concerts/movies at Pritzker Pavilion on a nice summer evening.
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StYou will find The Bean here for your pictures. And free concerts/movies at Pritzker Pavilion on a nice summer evening.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveBecause art. Free on Thursdays.
Free on:
September: 8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29
October: 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
November: 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrFree on:
September: 8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29
October: 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
November: 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrFree on:
September: 14-25
October: 5-9, 12
November: 11
My favorite Boat and Architecture tour and its really a must do. The tours that goes on the lake/river is the best one to go take - it's the little lady boat or the queen. Ladies if its after 5pm bring a sweater - our lake really cools this city down at night.
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrMy favorite Boat and Architecture tour and its really a must do. The tours that goes on the lake/river is the best one to go take - it's the little lady boat or the queen. Ladies if its after 5pm bring a sweater - our lake really cools this city down at night.
Everyone wants to visit Navy Pier. Its pretty but I suppose there's not a lot to do. Head over for a drink or a ride on the giant ferris wheel.
Michigan Avenue Bridge, IL - Navy Pier, IL
Everyone wants to visit Navy Pier. Its pretty but I suppose there's not a lot to do. Head over for a drink or a ride on the giant ferris wheel.
If you want to make the trek up here, its worth it. Amaaazing Jazz bar.
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayIf you want to make the trek up here, its worth it. Amaaazing Jazz bar.
This is THE Chicago Blues bar. You might see Vince Vaughn sitting at the bar, its his favorite spot in town.
458 locals recommend
Kingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StThis is THE Chicago Blues bar. You might see Vince Vaughn sitting at the bar, its his favorite spot in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a bar/restaurant at the top of the Hancock. You MUST go up (just for a drink, cause its $$$) but the view on a clear evening is outstanding.
525 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveThis is a bar/restaurant at the top of the Hancock. You MUST go up (just for a drink, cause its $$$) but the view on a clear evening is outstanding.
My fav neighborhood bar. Order something from 3 Floyds, its a wonderful brewery from Munster Indiana and there beer is hard to find.
37 locals recommend
Lone Wolf
806 W Randolph StMy fav neighborhood bar. Order something from 3 Floyds, its a wonderful brewery from Munster Indiana and there beer is hard to find.
This is an underground bar in Chicago. We are known for those. You will feel like you stepped into the Caribbean when you enter this tiki lounge. The cocktails are amazing but you really only need one
125 locals recommend
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StThis is an underground bar in Chicago. We are known for those. You will feel like you stepped into the Caribbean when you enter this tiki lounge. The cocktails are amazing but you really only need one
This is a hole in the wall neighborhood bar that is dear to my heart. If you go here ask for Dave, Ing or Gigi and tell them Meg sent you. :)
*You can order tacos from Mercadito and take them in
13 locals recommend
Clark Street Ale House - River North
742 N Clark StThis is a hole in the wall neighborhood bar that is dear to my heart. If you go here ask for Dave, Ing or Gigi and tell them Meg sent you. :)
*You can order tacos from Mercadito and take them in
Awesome Blues bar and across the street from Kingston mines. There's a cover...maybe $10? But it covers both Kingston and Blues and always a great time. Try to get here around 9 if you want to sit down.
44 locals recommend
B.L.U.E.S.
2519 N Halsted StAwesome Blues bar and across the street from Kingston mines. There's a cover...maybe $10? But it covers both Kingston and Blues and always a great time. Try to get here around 9 if you want to sit down.
The rooftop at London House (a Hilton Hotel Bar) is worth checking out if you're doing some shopping on Michigan. Drinks are completely overpriced - so go for one, but the view is phenomenal. This place just opened up so its going to a popular spot.
38 locals recommend
London House Rooftop Bar
85 E Wacker DrThe rooftop at London House (a Hilton Hotel Bar) is worth checking out if you're doing some shopping on Michigan. Drinks are completely overpriced - so go for one, but the view is phenomenal. This place just opened up so its going to a popular spot.
Everything Else
This is where I get my pedicures if you need a day to relax. The ladies are really sweet but make an appointment if you're heading over on a weekend.
West Loop Nail Salon
212 N Halsted StThis is where I get my pedicures if you need a day to relax. The ladies are really sweet but make an appointment if you're heading over on a weekend.
This is your Green/Pink line stop. Its the closest el stop to the loft. If you ride two stops to Clark/Lake you can transfer to all other lines. Also the Divvy station is here. Whoot!
14 locals recommend
Morgan
958 W Lake StThis is your Green/Pink line stop. Its the closest el stop to the loft. If you ride two stops to Clark/Lake you can transfer to all other lines. Also the Divvy station is here. Whoot!