Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Caffè Streets
1750 W Division St Top notch coffee
Dollop Bakeshop
1000 N Damen AveGreat, easy brunch. It's about 4 minute walk from our place, so we go here often! They have good coffee and pastries too!
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West Town Bakery & Diner
1916 W Chicago Ave Great, easy brunch. It's about 4 minute walk from our place, so we go here often! They have good coffee and pastries too!
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveAmazing pizza and huge midwest beer selection
Intelligentsia Coffee Wicker Park Coffeebar
1609 W Division StLocal favorite for coffee
Probably the best sushi in Chicago...no joke. So actually, it is the best sushi in Chicago.
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Arami
1829 W Chicago AveProbably the best sushi in Chicago...no joke. So actually, it is the best sushi in Chicago.
Super hip vegetarian option. It might be Chicago's best spot for vegetarian/vegan food (along with Chicago Diner). Our favorite is the Fried Avocado Tacos. Yes, they are ridiculous.
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Handlebar
2311 W North AveSuper hip vegetarian option. It might be Chicago's best spot for vegetarian/vegan food (along with Chicago Diner). Our favorite is the Fried Avocado Tacos. Yes, they are ridiculous.
Awesome outdoor seating, crazy cool atmosphere, and amazing tacos. Tacos. Tacos.
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveAwesome outdoor seating, crazy cool atmosphere, and amazing tacos. Tacos. Tacos.
Maybe our favorite brunch spots. Small menu, so might want to check it out online beforehand, but the restaurant is super cute, super hip, and if you go for dinner, it's BYOB.
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Bite Cafe
1039 N Western AveMaybe our favorite brunch spots. Small menu, so might want to check it out online beforehand, but the restaurant is super cute, super hip, and if you go for dinner, it's BYOB.
New brewery with great small bites! Unique beers!
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Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W Chicago AveNew brewery with great small bites! Unique beers!
Urbanbelly
1542 N Damen AveRamen!!!
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveBecause donuts.
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveOne of Chicago's longtime popular Breakfast/Brunch spots!
Amazing outdoor space -- super popular, so get there early! Fried chicken & a ridiculously good Negroni slushi!
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveAmazing outdoor space -- super popular, so get there early! Fried chicken & a ridiculously good Negroni slushi!
Cool, trendy, pizza spot with awesome outdoor seating. It's fun!
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Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division StCool, trendy, pizza spot with awesome outdoor seating. It's fun!
Upton's Breakroom
2054 W Grand AveVegan lovers rejoice! This place rocks!
Dark Matter's main coffee shop. It's definitely Chicago's most hip coffee spot. If you're a coffee lover, it's worth a visit. They have some unique roasting styles, that's for sure!
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Star Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveDark Matter's main coffee shop. It's definitely Chicago's most hip coffee spot. If you're a coffee lover, it's worth a visit. They have some unique roasting styles, that's for sure!
Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago AveAnother local roaster!
Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveProbably Chicago's best shawarma and falafel. SUPER cheap!
Chop Shop
2033 W North AveGreat sandwiches!
Blue Frog Bar & Grill
676 N LaSalle DrBecause...Gelato
The best ice cream you can get in our area. It's originally from Ohio, but the two locations in Chicago have made quite a splash. Summer lines at 9 PM are out-of-control.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveThe best ice cream you can get in our area. It's originally from Ohio, but the two locations in Chicago have made quite a splash. Summer lines at 9 PM are out-of-control.
Coast Sushi Bar
2045 North Damen AvenueLongtime Chicago favorite -- almost iconic at this point.
Super close to our place, super popular spot. Can't go wrong here!
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Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill
1751 W Chicago AveSuper close to our place, super popular spot. Can't go wrong here!
When you hear Chicago-style hot dogs, this is probably the most famous restaurant. Their chocolate shakes have chocolate cake in it. Amazing!
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Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StWhen you hear Chicago-style hot dogs, this is probably the most famous restaurant. Their chocolate shakes have chocolate cake in it. Amazing!
If you're exploring downtown and want to grab a quick bite to eat, this place is perfect. So many awesome food options -- seriously, there is something for everyone!
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Revival Food Hall
125 S Clark StIf you're exploring downtown and want to grab a quick bite to eat, this place is perfect. So many awesome food options -- seriously, there is something for everyone!
Great tacos, cool atmosphere & ambiance. The drinks are also quite solid and did I say, tacos? Yes please.
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Bar Takito
201 N Morgan StGreat tacos, cool atmosphere & ambiance. The drinks are also quite solid and did I say, tacos? Yes please.
Fantastic Mexican-inspired breakfast & brunch spot. It's super reasonably priced too! We highly recommend heading here on your way downtown via #66 bus!
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Flo
1434 W Chicago AveFantastic Mexican-inspired breakfast & brunch spot. It's super reasonably priced too! We highly recommend heading here on your way downtown via #66 bus!
Don't let this small diner-esque spot fool you. This Mexican fusion diner is cool and delicious. Limited seating though!
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Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveDon't let this small diner-esque spot fool you. This Mexican fusion diner is cool and delicious. Limited seating though!
Shopping
Study Hall
2016 W Chicago AveLocal boutique
Essentials
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveDrinks & Nightlife
Probably Chicago's "coolest" drink spot. The drinks are amazing x 10. You can't go wrong here...it's so cool there's no signage out front :-)
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveProbably Chicago's "coolest" drink spot. The drinks are amazing x 10. You can't go wrong here...it's so cool there's no signage out front :-)
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark St
Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey AveHip, but not too hip. Small, fun, drinking establishment. $5 Lyft ride away!
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EZ Inn
921 N Western AveHip, but not too hip. Small, fun, drinking establishment. $5 Lyft ride away!
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveHip, of course.
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StAmazing food. Amazing drinks. Cool spot.
Cool new bar with a rooftop as well. It's contemporary, cool, and a touch fancy. It's not THAT fancy, lol. Great drinks too!
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Ace Hotel Chicago
311 N Morgan StCool new bar with a rooftop as well. It's contemporary, cool, and a touch fancy. It's not THAT fancy, lol. Great drinks too!
Getting Around
Milwaukee & Division station
One of the nearest BLUE LINE stations.
Another nearby BLUE LINE station w/ a ton of food/bars/restaurants/coffee/donuts nearby!
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Damen Blue Line Station
South Damen AvenueAnother nearby BLUE LINE station w/ a ton of food/bars/restaurants/coffee/donuts nearby!
Arts & Culture
I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveSightseeing
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr