Pilsen / Chicago Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Pilsen is a vibrant, culturally rich community with murals and street art throughout. The bustling 18th Street area is filled with excellent authentic Mexican cuisine, vintage stores, the National Museum of Mexican Art, shops, art galleries, and music venue Thalia Hall. Or head to Oakley Avenue, home of Chicago’s ‘original Little Italy’ — a handful of quaint Italian restaurants with some of the best Italian food in the city.
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Pilsen
Pilsen is a vibrant, culturally rich community with murals and street art throughout. The bustling 18th Street area is filled with excellent authentic Mexican cuisine, vintage stores, the National Museum of Mexican Art, shops, art galleries, and music venue Thalia Hall. Or head to Oakley Avenue, home of Chicago’s ‘original Little Italy’ — a handful of quaint Italian restaurants with some of the best Italian food in the city.
Favorite Restaurants
From the Michelin Guide: "Located just a stone’s throw from the National Museum of Mexican Art, this south-of-the-border charmer boasts a colorful dining room peppered with artwork, thumping cumbia music, and a chill vibe that makes you want to linger forever. The deliciously authentic food just brings it all home. Chef Alfonso Sotelo worked for Rick Bayless and his accomplished resume comes to life in this kitchen."
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5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StFrom the Michelin Guide: "Located just a stone’s throw from the National Museum of Mexican Art, this south-of-the-border charmer boasts a colorful dining room peppered with artwork, thumping cumbia music, and a chill vibe that makes you want to linger forever. The deliciously authentic food just brings it all home. Chef Alfonso Sotelo worked for Rick Bayless and his accomplished resume comes to life in this kitchen."
One of the best and biggest patios in the city! Plus, vinyl DJs every weekend, great cocktails and a menu of Latin street food, from tacos to ceviche, to carne asada and a pretty damn good burger. Lots of veg-friendly options too!
Pilsen Yards
1163 West 18th StreetOne of the best and biggest patios in the city! Plus, vinyl DJs every weekend, great cocktails and a menu of Latin street food, from tacos to ceviche, to carne asada and a pretty damn good burger. Lots of veg-friendly options too!
Excellent tacos, hard to pick a favorite but we love the fish and al pastor. Also try the Elote, Guacamole with fruit and the Corn Salad. Bonus, it's just a couple blocks away! Great for a casual meal or take-out.
El Taco Azteca - Pilsen
2151 West Cermak RoadExcellent tacos, hard to pick a favorite but we love the fish and al pastor. Also try the Elote, Guacamole with fruit and the Corn Salad. Bonus, it's just a couple blocks away! Great for a casual meal or take-out.
Fantastic tamales and some of the best mole around. Plenty of vegan options too.
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Yvolina's Tamales
814 W 18th StFantastic tamales and some of the best mole around. Plenty of vegan options too.
As the name implies, go here, order the carnitas. You won’t regret it.
Not familiar with carnitas? It’s like pulled pork but better!
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Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant
1725 W 18th StAs the name implies, go here, order the carnitas. You won’t regret it.
Not familiar with carnitas? It’s like pulled pork but better!
They coined the phrase ‘Pilsen-style pizza”, which is kind of like NY style meets Neapolitan. It’s delicious.
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Bob’s Pizza
1659 W 21st StThey coined the phrase ‘Pilsen-style pizza”, which is kind of like NY style meets Neapolitan. It’s delicious.
Old school Italian spot serving excellent food and friendly vibes. Try the chicken parmigiana or vodka rigatoni. The roasted garlic and bread served at the beginning of the meal is amazing.
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Ignotz's
2421 S Oakley AveOld school Italian spot serving excellent food and friendly vibes. Try the chicken parmigiana or vodka rigatoni. The roasted garlic and bread served at the beginning of the meal is amazing.
Mexican restaurant with best breakfast in Pilsen. Try the Aztec coffee and chilaquiles.
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Frida Room
1454 W 18th StMexican restaurant with best breakfast in Pilsen. Try the Aztec coffee and chilaquiles.
Excellent Italian food with a patio and lively dining area. Great Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Vesuvio or Pasta Roger!
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Il Vicinato Ristorante
2435 South Western AvenueExcellent Italian food with a patio and lively dining area. Great Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Vesuvio or Pasta Roger!
Ghin Khao Eat Rice
2128 W Cermak RdExcellent Thai food just a couple blocks away!
Favorite Coffee Shops
The newest coffee shop from Dark Matter Coffee, one of the best coffee companies in the city. They make chocolate onsite in collaboration with La Rifa Chocolateria from Mexico City, so be sure to try one of the chocolate flavored coffees (Dolor de Oro is my go-to) and pick up a few specialty chocolate bars. Also be sure to try the chicken empanada or breakfast taco if available.
Sleep Walk Chocolateria & Cafe
1844 South Blue Island AvenueThe newest coffee shop from Dark Matter Coffee, one of the best coffee companies in the city. They make chocolate onsite in collaboration with La Rifa Chocolateria from Mexico City, so be sure to try one of the chocolate flavored coffees (Dolor de Oro is my go-to) and pick up a few specialty chocolate bars. Also be sure to try the chicken empanada or breakfast taco if available.
A staple in Pilsen since 1994, stop in for a cup of coffee before exploring 18th St.
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Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StA staple in Pilsen since 1994, stop in for a cup of coffee before exploring 18th St.
Cà Phê Dá
West 18th StreetLooking for a quick lunch and a pick me up? Try a Vietnamese iced coffee and a Bahn Mi.
Favorite Shops
Perfectly curated shop! Stop in to pick up a new plant, local handmade jewelry, a new candle or vintage clothes.
the SHUDIO
1152 W 18th StPerfectly curated shop! Stop in to pick up a new plant, local handmade jewelry, a new candle or vintage clothes.
If you like vintage clothes and housewares, this is your spot.
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Pilsen Vintage
1430 W 18th StIf you like vintage clothes and housewares, this is your spot.
Fantastic collection of vintage clothing for men and women.
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Knee Deep Vintage
1219 W 18th StFantastic collection of vintage clothing for men and women.
606 Records
1808 S Allport StGet your vinyl fix.
Favorite Bars
Dive bar with a great selection of craft beer and surprisingly good pub food.
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StGreat spot to grab a locally brewed beer in a cool space.
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Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom
2101 S Carpenter StGreat spot to grab a locally brewed beer in a cool space.
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StLive music and DJs on the weekends with a menu of BBQ.
Speakeasy style bar hidden away inside Pilsen Yards. If you fancy yourself a fancy cocktail, this place is for you.
The Alderman
1163 West 18th StreetSpeakeasy style bar hidden away inside Pilsen Yards. If you fancy yourself a fancy cocktail, this place is for you.
Hidden basement bar serving up creative & classic punches and DJs nightly.
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Punch House
1227 W 18th StHidden basement bar serving up creative & classic punches and DJs nightly.
Sightseeing
A museum which features Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture.
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Iziko Lomuzi Wokubaluleka Womzantsi Afrika Womzantsi Afrika
1852 W 19th StA museum which features Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture.
Music Venues
One of the best music venues in Chicago in a gorgeous historic building.
Fun Fact: When Thalia Hall was built, it was designed to pay tribute to the ornate opera houses of Prague. The influence extended to the interior of the building, where four opera boxes were constructed overlooking the stage. These premium seats are still available during select concerts at the venue.
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Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StOne of the best music venues in Chicago in a gorgeous historic building.
Fun Fact: When Thalia Hall was built, it was designed to pay tribute to the ornate opera houses of Prague. The influence extended to the interior of the building, where four opera boxes were constructed overlooking the stage. These premium seats are still available during select concerts at the venue.