Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Inexpensive Korean chicken wings, rice bowls, and burritos in Lakeview East
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Crisp
2940 N BroadwayInexpensive Korean chicken wings, rice bowls, and burritos in Lakeview East
Del Seoul
2568 N Clark StKorean tacos, dumplings, and poutine in Lincoln Park
2 Sparrows
553 W Diversey PkwySweet and savory brunch options in Lincoln Park
One of the best local roasters in Chicago, where they treat coffee like an art. Free wi-fi and great baked goods.
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Intelligentsia Coffee Broadway Coffeebar
3123 N BroadwayOne of the best local roasters in Chicago, where they treat coffee like an art. Free wi-fi and great baked goods.
Frog n Snail
3124 N BroadwayInventive American fair and great cocktail list. Good for brunch or dinner in Lakeview.
Most popular place for pho soup and banh mi sandwiches in the Little Vietnam neighborhood
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Tank Noodle
4953-55 N BroadwayMost popular place for pho soup and banh mi sandwiches in the Little Vietnam neighborhood
Cozy coffee shop with big tea selection, coffee (but no espresso), and yummy sandwiches
Looseleaf Lounge
2915 N BroadwayCozy coffee shop with big tea selection, coffee (but no espresso), and yummy sandwiches
River North restaurant of American fare with ingredients sourced exclusively from the Midwest. Also a great craft beer selection.
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Farmhouse Chicago
228 W Chicago AveRiver North restaurant of American fare with ingredients sourced exclusively from the Midwest. Also a great craft beer selection.
Wine bar with cheese and charcuterie plates and other entrees. One of my favorite places to dine and relax in Lakeview.
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Bar Pastoral
2947 N BroadwayWine bar with cheese and charcuterie plates and other entrees. One of my favorite places to dine and relax in Lakeview.
Hema's Kitchen 2411
2411 North Clark StreetExcellent Indian food
Chef Rick Bayless is a local celebrity specializing in Mexican street food. Tortas, caldos, churros, and aztec hot chocolate in River North.
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XOCO
65 N Clark StChef Rick Bayless is a local celebrity specializing in Mexican street food. Tortas, caldos, churros, and aztec hot chocolate in River North.
Big Chicks
5024 N Sheridan RdBrunch spot by day and LGBTQ bar by night
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveNeopolitan-style pizza in Ravenswood
Turquoise Cafe & Restaurant
2147 W Roscoe StTurkish food in Roscoe Village
Baker Miller - Berwyn
1107 W Berwyn AveCharming coffee spot in Uptown
Small plates with a beautiful outdoor patio in Bucktown
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Red Door Kitchen + Bar
2118 North Damen AvenueSmall plates with a beautiful outdoor patio in Bucktown
Filter Cafe
1373 North Milwaukee AvenueSpacious and funky coffee shop in Wicker Park
Asian fusion and gorgeous architecture along Restaurant Row in the West Loop
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bellyQ
1400 W Randolph StAsian fusion and gorgeous architecture along Restaurant Row in the West Loop
Best place to eat in O'Hare Airport, with locations in terminals 1 and 3. Tortas, molletes, chips, and margaritas.
Tortas Frontera
10000 W O'Hare AveBest place to eat in O'Hare Airport, with locations in terminals 1 and 3. Tortas, molletes, chips, and margaritas.
Swine and wine off Michigan Avenue in River North. No reservations -- arrive early or be ready to wait.
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The Purple Pig Restaurant
444 Michigan AveSwine and wine off Michigan Avenue in River North. No reservations -- arrive early or be ready to wait.
Curio
230 W Kinzie StGastropub fare with a great ambiance. Also check out The Library bar in the basement.
Mista Pizza
2921 N BroadwayPizza, lasagna, and BYOB in Lakeview
Wicker Park institution known for its cheap tacos and big outdoor patio
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveWicker Park institution known for its cheap tacos and big outdoor patio
Some of the best Spanish tapas in the city are here in River North
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Café Iberico
737 N LaSalle DrSome of the best Spanish tapas in the city are here in River North
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted StSpanish tapas in Lincoln Park
Naked Pizza
953 West Diversey ParkwayOrganic and healthy pizza in Lincoln Park
Trench
2039 West North AvenueContemporary restaurant in Bucktown. Get the pickle tater tots.
Buck's
1700 W Division StSouthern cuisine in Ukrainian Village
Nuevo Leon Restaurant
1515 West 18th StreetMexican food in Pilsen
Banh Mi & Co
3227 N BroadwayVietnamese banh mi sandwiches in Lakeview
Mercat a la Planxa
638 S Michigan AveSpanish tapas in the South Loop
Grab lunch here while visiting the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. Good food and beautiful skyline views of downtown.
Terzo Piano
159 E Monroe StGrab lunch here while visiting the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. Good food and beautiful skyline views of downtown.
Wrigley BBQ
3208 Forest Hill BoulevardPulled pork and cornbread in Lakeview
Wood
3335 N Halsted StSmall plates and cocktails in the heart of Boystown
The Gage
24 S Michigan AveGood brunch and dinner spot downtown next to Grant Park
Le Colonial Chicago
57 E Oak StUpscale French-Vietnamese in the Gold Coast
Nacional 27
325 W Huron StLatin food, sangria, and salsa dancing in River North
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
1220 W Webster AveDelicious pastries and baked goods In Lincoln Park
Carmela's Taqueria
1206 W Lawrence AveAl pastor burritos and horchata in Uptown
Popular gastropub and drinks in Logan Square. No reservations -- be prepared to wait.
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Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AvePopular gastropub and drinks in Logan Square. No reservations -- be prepared to wait.
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdBrunch with indoor and outdoor seating in Logan Square
Drinks & Nightlife
Famous jazz club in Uptown where the gangster, Al Capone, hung out during the 1920s. Live music every night and a poetry slam on Sundays.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayFamous jazz club in Uptown where the gangster, Al Capone, hung out during the 1920s. Live music every night and a poetry slam on Sundays.
Rooftop bar in Hotel Lincoln with beautiful views of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan
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The J. Parker
1816 N Clark StRooftop bar in Hotel Lincoln with beautiful views of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan
My favorite downtown rooftop bar in River North, located in the Dana Hotel. Usually spin house music on the weekend.
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Vertigo Sky Lounge
2 West Erie StreetMy favorite downtown rooftop bar in River North, located in the Dana Hotel. Usually spin house music on the weekend.
Market
1113 W Randolph StGorgeous skyline views from the rooftop bar
Speakeasy bar with cozy booths and craft cocktails in River North. Downstairs from Gilt Bar restaurant.
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Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StSpeakeasy bar with cozy booths and craft cocktails in River North. Downstairs from Gilt Bar restaurant.
Spybar
646 N Franklin StHouse music and dancing until 4 am
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveWell-known speakeasy bar in Wicker Park
Tumbao
3213 W Armitage AvePuerto Rican food and salsa dancing in Humboldt Park
Chicago's biggest salsa dance night on Tuesdays. Don't bother dining at this Moroccan restaurant; just go for the dancing.
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Alhambra Palace Restaurant
1240 W Randolph StChicago's biggest salsa dance night on Tuesdays. Don't bother dining at this Moroccan restaurant; just go for the dancing.
Sightseeing
I-Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StMy favorite non-art museum in the city
Trail running along most of the lakefront for walking, running, and biking. I often bike to and from downtown along the trail.
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North Lake Shore Drive
North Lake Shore DriveTrail running along most of the lakefront for walking, running, and biking. I often bike to and from downtown along the trail.
Their architectural boat tour along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan is one of the most popular activities for tourists and locals alike
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I-Center ye-Architecture ye-Chicago
111 E Wacker DrTheir architectural boat tour along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan is one of the most popular activities for tourists and locals alike
Frank Gehry-designed outdoor performance venue. Free concerts and dance festivals during the summer.
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Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StFrank Gehry-designed outdoor performance venue. Free concerts and dance festivals during the summer.
Arts & Culture
Beautiful museum located right off Michigan Avenue. After-hours night the first Friday of every month with cash bar, DJ, and hors d'oeuvre catered by the Wolfgang Puck restaurant in the museum.
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I-Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveBeautiful museum located right off Michigan Avenue. After-hours night the first Friday of every month with cash bar, DJ, and hors d'oeuvre catered by the Wolfgang Puck restaurant in the museum.
A must visit. Check out the Modern Wing, Impressionist exhibits, Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," and Grant Wood's "American Gothic."
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I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveA must visit. Check out the Modern Wing, Impressionist exhibits, Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," and Grant Wood's "American Gothic."
Highly recommend this little-known museum downtown
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Museum of Contemporary Photography
600 S Michigan AveHighly recommend this little-known museum downtown
Essentials
Year-round farmers market in Lincoln Park
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Green City Market - Office Location
3057 W Lawrence AveYear-round farmers market in Lincoln Park