Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Cafe Selmarie
4729 N Lincoln AveThe Rooftop has great views, a variety of grilled German sausages, and great beer. A bit of a hidden spot that is perfect on a beautiful day. Great place to find German and other European beers, wines, and liquors. Extensive selection of meats with a focus on outstanding sausage. If you want something delicious and quick to take home, grab one of their rotisserie chickens because they are out of this world.
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Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
4750 N Lincoln AveThe Rooftop has great views, a variety of grilled German sausages, and great beer. A bit of a hidden spot that is perfect on a beautiful day. Great place to find German and other European beers, wines, and liquors. Extensive selection of meats with a focus on outstanding sausage. If you want something delicious and quick to take home, grab one of their rotisserie chickens because they are out of this world.
Great place for pie! Also amazing place for breakfast with great coffee, some of the most outstanding biscuit dishes you will ever try, and fun takes on grits.
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Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits Ravenswood
4947 N Damen AveGreat place for pie! Also amazing place for breakfast with great coffee, some of the most outstanding biscuit dishes you will ever try, and fun takes on grits.
Great Thai restaurant that is open late! Definitely ask for their menu in Thai - it has items that aren't on the regular menu such as the absolutely delicious baby clams. BYOB and there is a liquor store across the street on Lawrence.
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Me Dee Cafe
4805 N Damen AveGreat Thai restaurant that is open late! Definitely ask for their menu in Thai - it has items that aren't on the regular menu such as the absolutely delicious baby clams. BYOB and there is a liquor store across the street on Lawrence.
Dante's Pizzeria - Ravenswood
1964 W Lawrence AveGreat pizza delivery joint - New York style
This place is not as recognized as it should be for outstanding burgers, a continuously changing large selection of beers on draft, and a really cool, rock and roll, metal sculpture, art vibe that should be experienced.
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The Bad Apple
4300 N Lincoln AveThis place is not as recognized as it should be for outstanding burgers, a continuously changing large selection of beers on draft, and a really cool, rock and roll, metal sculpture, art vibe that should be experienced.
This place cannot be beat for an upscale evening. Being the first Michelin starred brewpub, it is likely no surprise that it is the most upscale brewery in Chicago with botanical and cuisine inspired brews. It has an inventive and eclectic menu that begs to be explored.
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Band of Bohemia
4710 N Ravenswood AveThis place cannot be beat for an upscale evening. Being the first Michelin starred brewpub, it is likely no surprise that it is the most upscale brewery in Chicago with botanical and cuisine inspired brews. It has an inventive and eclectic menu that begs to be explored.
Great place to grab a drink and a sandwich outside in their beautiful outdoor seating area right on Lincoln.
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Daily Bar & Grill
4560 N Lincoln AveGreat place to grab a drink and a sandwich outside in their beautiful outdoor seating area right on Lincoln.
Wonderful napoletana style pizza! Thinnest of the thin crusts
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Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveWonderful napoletana style pizza! Thinnest of the thin crusts
Excellent place for indian food, especially their fish curries.
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Essence of India
4601 N Lincoln AveExcellent place for indian food, especially their fish curries.
Wednesdays around noon you'll find great food, vegetables, and artisan goods
Andersonville Farmers Market
1500 W Catalpa AveWednesdays around noon you'll find great food, vegetables, and artisan goods
Ravenswood Farmers' Market
4900 N Damen AveFarmers market every wednesday
Drinks & Nightlife
The Sixth
2202 W Lawrence AveAmazing and inventive cocktails. It is an experience!
Huettenbar
4721 N Lincoln AveGreat german brews in a classic german bar setting
Dovetail Brewery
1800 W Belle Plaine AveDelicious beers from this brewery, some with a german twist
Spiteful Brewing Tap Room
2024 West Balmoral AvenueThe Victor Bar
4011 N Damen AveExcellent cocktails in a darkly lit, romantic atmosphere
A CIDER BAR! This place is amazing and it easily gets addictive trying their ciders. Who knew cider came in so many variations from different styles and countries. Also, definitely recommend their mussels and pasties if you're hungry. Delicious!
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The Northman
233 East RiverwalkA CIDER BAR! This place is amazing and it easily gets addictive trying their ciders. Who knew cider came in so many variations from different styles and countries. Also, definitely recommend their mussels and pasties if you're hungry. Delicious!
The best blues venue in Chicago, period. Live blues every night in a bar that looks straight out of the 1920s.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayThe best blues venue in Chicago, period. Live blues every night in a bar that looks straight out of the 1920s.
Best place for mussels and beer in Chicago and likely the US. The amount of beers they have on tap is staggering and they also have wine on tap. And, of course, their mussels are out of this world.
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Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StBest place for mussels and beer in Chicago and likely the US. The amount of beers they have on tap is staggering and they also have wine on tap. And, of course, their mussels are out of this world.
Empirical Brewery
1801 W Foster AveSome great brews here
Begyle Brewing
1800 W Cuyler AveMore delicious brews
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveIf you like hoppy beers, you need to go here.
Sightseeing
Definitely recommend going on a brew of this distillery where you will see how they make and get a chance to try their excellent gin, vodka, and whiskey.
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KOVAL Distillery
4241 North Ravenswood AvenueDefinitely recommend going on a brew of this distillery where you will see how they make and get a chance to try their excellent gin, vodka, and whiskey.
Lincoln avenue between Leland and Lawrence is the block that is the epi-center of Lincoln Square. Do not miss it.
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Lincoln Square
Lincoln avenue between Leland and Lawrence is the block that is the epi-center of Lincoln Square. Do not miss it.
Parks & Nature
Big beautiful park where you will often see locals lounging on the grass when it is beautiful out. Weeping willows and flowers with heady aromas. It is clean with well-maintained trails. Tennis courts available for use.
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Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt StBig beautiful park where you will often see locals lounging on the grass when it is beautiful out. Weeping willows and flowers with heady aromas. It is clean with well-maintained trails. Tennis courts available for use.
Arts & Culture
Place where you can see pottery from artists across the country as well as locals. Hosts special events and workshops. Also has a large range of art classes.
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Lillstreet Art Center
4401 N Ravenswood AvePlace where you can see pottery from artists across the country as well as locals. Hosts special events and workshops. Also has a large range of art classes.
Go see a late night show here, especially The Infinite Wrench which is never the same twice. It is hard to describe because there is nothing really like it. It is an amazing mix of creativity, humor, thought, and weirdness.
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Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueGo see a late night show here, especially The Infinite Wrench which is never the same twice. It is hard to describe because there is nothing really like it. It is an amazing mix of creativity, humor, thought, and weirdness.
Entertainment & Activities
This movie theater has a few of current big box movies playing but is notable for its special showings and event. It also has an excellent cocktail bar next door.
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Davis Theater, Chicago
4614 N Lincoln AveThis movie theater has a few of current big box movies playing but is notable for its special showings and event. It also has an excellent cocktail bar next door.
Shopping
Multiple levels of art from locals. Clothing, jewelry, paintings, furniture, and more. Affordable and an absolutely memorable shopping experience walking through its maze-like setup. Too much fun.
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Andersonville Galleria
5247 N Clark StMultiple levels of art from locals. Clothing, jewelry, paintings, furniture, and more. Affordable and an absolutely memorable shopping experience walking through its maze-like setup. Too much fun.
The Brown Elephant
5404 N Clark StThe best second hand and antique store in the city