Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveTrendy cocktails and small but good food menu.
One of only 22 restaurants in all of Chicago to receive a Michelin star (and more affordable than most, though not cheap). A mix of classics and adventurous new american. Also known for its cocktails.
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Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveOne of only 22 restaurants in all of Chicago to receive a Michelin star (and more affordable than most, though not cheap). A mix of classics and adventurous new american. Also known for its cocktails.
Cocktails and small plates in a quirky atmosphere. There is an amazing beer garden in the back open in the summers.
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Best Intentions
3281 W Armitage AveCocktails and small plates in a quirky atmosphere. There is an amazing beer garden in the back open in the summers.
There are lots of super hip places to go in Logan Square, but if you are looking for a more mature vibe, check out Cafe Mustache.
During the day it is a coffee shop, at night it is a bar/music venue/coffee shop. They have local bands, comedy groups, trivia, nerdy science talks almost every night of the week. If you are looking for a bar where you can sit down, have a conversation and see something interesting.
This is a really great place if you have adults in your group that don't drink alcohol. Even on a weekend night it is totally normal to order tea or coffee at the bar (or even soup!).
Events are usually donation based rather than cover and drinks are reasonably priced.
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Cafe Mustache
2313 N Milwaukee AveThere are lots of super hip places to go in Logan Square, but if you are looking for a more mature vibe, check out Cafe Mustache.
During the day it is a coffee shop, at night it is a bar/music venue/coffee shop. They have local bands, comedy groups, trivia, nerdy science talks almost every night of the week. If you are looking for a bar where you can sit down, have a conversation and see something interesting.
This is a really great place if you have adults in your group that don't drink alcohol. Even on a weekend night it is totally normal to order tea or coffee at the bar (or even soup!).
Events are usually donation based rather than cover and drinks are reasonably priced.
This is a great place to drink and play some games. There are two Emporium locations in Chicago, this one is more focused on table games and pinball.
There is a food truck built inside the venue that serves late night snacks.
This location tends to be a bit younger and rowdier than the Wicker Park location.
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Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveThis is a great place to drink and play some games. There are two Emporium locations in Chicago, this one is more focused on table games and pinball.
There is a food truck built inside the venue that serves late night snacks.
This location tends to be a bit younger and rowdier than the Wicker Park location.
This is a great place to drink and play some games. There are two Emporium locations in Chicago, this one is more focused on old arcade games (Burger Time, Tapper, Pac-Man etc.).
This location tends to have a bit more mature crowd compared to the Logan Square location and often has live music including famous bands like Gramps the Vamp (I am just kidding that is Kevin's band and they are not famous, but they do play there a lot).
If you are there, Emporium is BYOF (Bring Your Own Food). So it is totally normal to walk in there with a pizza or if you go next door to Antique Taco you can order to go and they will come next door to the bar and find you to deliver your food.
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Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveThis is a great place to drink and play some games. There are two Emporium locations in Chicago, this one is more focused on old arcade games (Burger Time, Tapper, Pac-Man etc.).
This location tends to have a bit more mature crowd compared to the Logan Square location and often has live music including famous bands like Gramps the Vamp (I am just kidding that is Kevin's band and they are not famous, but they do play there a lot).
If you are there, Emporium is BYOF (Bring Your Own Food). So it is totally normal to walk in there with a pizza or if you go next door to Antique Taco you can order to go and they will come next door to the bar and find you to deliver your food.
Food Scene
No frills fried chicken and fish with primo local ingredients, and an outdoor ice rink in the winter. Go early, it's a popular spot and there can be a long wait.
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveNo frills fried chicken and fish with primo local ingredients, and an outdoor ice rink in the winter. Go early, it's a popular spot and there can be a long wait.
Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveNice breakfast place
Nice BBQ sports lounge with plenty of TVs to watch any sporting events happening. Our favorite: Brisket!
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Boulevard Sports Lounge
2645 W North AveNice BBQ sports lounge with plenty of TVs to watch any sporting events happening. Our favorite: Brisket!
Like the name says...damn fine coffee and amazing baked goods too.
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Damn Fine Coffee Bar
3317 W Armitage AveLike the name says...damn fine coffee and amazing baked goods too.
Quick easy and delicious empanadas and Columbian food! Also the owner Juan is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
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ArePA George
1552 N Kedzie AveQuick easy and delicious empanadas and Columbian food! Also the owner Juan is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
On "America's best new restaurants list" https://www.bonappetit.com/story/giant
This place is pricy, but amazing...you do need reservations for large groups, but a little secret tip if you are looking for a table for 2-3...there is a back counter that is usually open/short wait even on the busy nights and a patio that they don't take reservations for so if it is nice out there will probably be open tables.
Also, order the onion rings.
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Giant
3209 W Armitage AveOn "America's best new restaurants list" https://www.bonappetit.com/story/giant
This place is pricy, but amazing...you do need reservations for large groups, but a little secret tip if you are looking for a table for 2-3...there is a back counter that is usually open/short wait even on the busy nights and a patio that they don't take reservations for so if it is nice out there will probably be open tables.
Also, order the onion rings.
Vegans/vegetarians love this place. Full disclosure...I haven't been there but I love the David Bowie theme and have heard lots of great things.
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GROUND CONTROL!
3315 W Armitage AveVegans/vegetarians love this place. Full disclosure...I haven't been there but I love the David Bowie theme and have heard lots of great things.
Roeser's Bakery
3216 W North AveGreat baked goods and quality coffee.
The service is super slow but the views are so nice you won't mind staying there for a bit.
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Boathouse Cafe
North Humboldt DriveThe service is super slow but the views are so nice you won't mind staying there for a bit.
They have a great huge patio/beer garden when the weather is nice and tons of TVs inside if you are looking to watch a game. Casual food, mostly burgers.
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The Moonlighter
3204 W Armitage AveThey have a great huge patio/beer garden when the weather is nice and tons of TVs inside if you are looking to watch a game. Casual food, mostly burgers.
Kimchi burgers, lamb burgers and more! Fancier casual food but still a relaxed atmosphere.
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The Shelby
2759 West Augusta BoulevardKimchi burgers, lamb burgers and more! Fancier casual food but still a relaxed atmosphere.
Great tacos and burgers that aren't too expensive. They also usually have great specials on Margaritas and cocktails.
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Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveGreat tacos and burgers that aren't too expensive. They also usually have great specials on Margaritas and cocktails.
We discovered this place when the owner's family stayed in our Airbnb. They have amazing french food if you are looking for a fancy brunch (with cocktails) and a small counter where you can grab coffee and pastries to go.
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Café Marie-Jeanne
1001 N California AveWe discovered this place when the owner's family stayed in our Airbnb. They have amazing french food if you are looking for a fancy brunch (with cocktails) and a small counter where you can grab coffee and pastries to go.
Handmade sodas, shakes pies, and pastries. They also have breakfast sandwiches and a lunch menu with sandwiches, soups and quiche.
BYOB- This establishment allows you to bring in your own liquor or beer.
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Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveHandmade sodas, shakes pies, and pastries. They also have breakfast sandwiches and a lunch menu with sandwiches, soups and quiche.
BYOB- This establishment allows you to bring in your own liquor or beer.
Great Cuban food and a fun atmosphere. This place is BYOB and sells mixers for mojitos and other drinks by the pitcher.
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90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveGreat Cuban food and a fun atmosphere. This place is BYOB and sells mixers for mojitos and other drinks by the pitcher.
This place lives up to its name, even the mild options still have some kick. Quality traditional Indian options and BYOB.
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The Spice Room
2906 W Armitage AveThis place lives up to its name, even the mild options still have some kick. Quality traditional Indian options and BYOB.
Entertainment & Activities
Nice little park with a big trampoline and play space for kids. Also the entrance for the 606 elevated park.
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Julia de Burgos Park
1805 N Albany AveNice little park with a big trampoline and play space for kids. Also the entrance for the 606 elevated park.
Essentials
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveA basic grocery store
A convenience store with like 2 aisles of a grocery store but they pack tons of organic items, produce and healthy quick meals in that small space. A little pricy but great selection.
Also, a 24 hour post office!
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Foodsmart
3415 W Diversey AveA convenience store with like 2 aisles of a grocery store but they pack tons of organic items, produce and healthy quick meals in that small space. A little pricy but great selection.
Also, a 24 hour post office!
No brand names (that is Aldi's thing) but great quality and great prices. Cash or debit only (they don't take credit cards). A great place to pick up essentials!
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Aldi
3363 N Milwaukee AveNo brand names (that is Aldi's thing) but great quality and great prices. Cash or debit only (they don't take credit cards). A great place to pick up essentials!
Everything Else
A massive park in Chicago, with plenty of space to run around, ride a bike, or go for a walk.
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Humboldt Park Boathouse
1301 North Humboldt DriveA massive park in Chicago, with plenty of space to run around, ride a bike, or go for a walk.
The North Ave bus (#72) runs straight to Lincoln Park and North Ave beach, or transfer to the train (blue, red, or brown lines) to go downtown.
North Ave & Albany station
The North Ave bus (#72) runs straight to Lincoln Park and North Ave beach, or transfer to the train (blue, red, or brown lines) to go downtown.
Shopping
Basic sandwich shop. Next door is a beer & liquor store with a surprisingly good selection.
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Humboldt Haus
2958 W North AveBasic sandwich shop. Next door is a beer & liquor store with a surprisingly good selection.
At one point this was the nation's busiest Target location (not sure if it still is). Don't worry there is almost always parking in the lot and it isn't usually too crazy unless it is a weekend afternoon.
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Target
4466 N BroadwayAt one point this was the nation's busiest Target location (not sure if it still is). Don't worry there is almost always parking in the lot and it isn't usually too crazy unless it is a weekend afternoon.
Parks & Nature
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrJust at the end of the block...you can't miss it!