Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Exceptional coffee, al freso seating, wonderful pastries and sandwiches. Cupping sessions also offered!
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western AveExceptional coffee, al freso seating, wonderful pastries and sandwiches. Cupping sessions also offered!
Excellent Costa Rican fare; BYO (and can make mixed drinks for you as long as you chose your spirit well); outdoor seating, oatmeal batidos! P.S.: explore Red and White Wines across the street!
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee AveExcellent Costa Rican fare; BYO (and can make mixed drinks for you as long as you chose your spirit well); outdoor seating, oatmeal batidos! P.S.: explore Red and White Wines across the street!
BYO, casual but elevated Asian-inspired dining; cash only; reservations strongly recommended; small space, and incredible food!
19 abantu bendawo batusa
The Bento Box
BYO, casual but elevated Asian-inspired dining; cash only; reservations strongly recommended; small space, and incredible food!
Incredible selection of pies, also excellent biscuits and brunch menu. Outdoor seating available.
468 abantu bendawo batusa
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveIncredible selection of pies, also excellent biscuits and brunch menu. Outdoor seating available.
Iconic Cuban fare. BYO. Sunday's typically feature a pig roast.
182 abantu bendawo batusa
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveIconic Cuban fare. BYO. Sunday's typically feature a pig roast.
Fried chicken is the focus. Excellent drinks, outdoor seating, ping pong, people watching. Expect to wait!
658 abantu bendawo batusa
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveFried chicken is the focus. Excellent drinks, outdoor seating, ping pong, people watching. Expect to wait!
Great date spot, excellent New American cuisine with cocktail lounge on second floor. Also offers good brunch menu. RSVP!
62 abantu bendawo batusa
The Bristol
2152 N Damen AveGreat date spot, excellent New American cuisine with cocktail lounge on second floor. Also offers good brunch menu. RSVP!
Notable low country (Carolinas) fare. Heavy and meat-centric. Excellent brunch.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Buck's
1700 W Division StNotable low country (Carolinas) fare. Heavy and meat-centric. Excellent brunch.
Contemporary Polish: extremely unique to Chicago's restaurant landscape.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
LOKaL
2500 North Ashland AvenueContemporary Polish: extremely unique to Chicago's restaurant landscape.
Excellent burgers with nice char on the outside while retaining a tender core. Limited outdoor seating.
36 abantu bendawo batusa
Butcher & The Burger
1021 W Armitage AveExcellent burgers with nice char on the outside while retaining a tender core. Limited outdoor seating.
Traditional Argentinian empandas. Fernet on tap.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North AveTraditional Argentinian empandas. Fernet on tap.
Incredible fried chicken and biscuits. Great patio space.
99 abantu bendawo batusa
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston AveIncredible fried chicken and biscuits. Great patio space.
Contemporary Central European cuisine. Monday nights are industry nights: i.e. $5 burgers and more!
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Table, Donkey and Stick
2728 W Armitage AveContemporary Central European cuisine. Monday nights are industry nights: i.e. $5 burgers and more!
En Hakkore Bibimbap & Taco
1840 N Damen AveCasual Korean fare and well priced.
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
2385 N Milwaukee AveSuperb espresso!
Dante's Pizzeria
3028 W Armitage AveClassic New-York pizza. BYO
Cozy traditional American fare. Notable brunch and dessert menu.
108 abantu bendawo batusa
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveCozy traditional American fare. Notable brunch and dessert menu.
Great brunch/lunch spot. Chill & cozy vibes. Hands down the BEST quiche in Chicago!
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Cellar Door Provisions
3025 W Diversey AveGreat brunch/lunch spot. Chill & cozy vibes. Hands down the BEST quiche in Chicago!
Serai
2169 N Milwaukee AveWell priced BYO Malaysian / Asian Fusion.
Elevated Mexican cuisine. Great mezcal cocktails. Great place to stop for a drink or a meal.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Dos Urban Cantina
2829 W Armitage AveElevated Mexican cuisine. Great mezcal cocktails. Great place to stop for a drink or a meal.
No frills local pizza joint. Crispy thin crust pizza. This place probably hasn't changed in the last 30 years. Well priced. Go for the food not the service.
John's Pizzeria Ristorante & Lounge
2104 N Western AveNo frills local pizza joint. Crispy thin crust pizza. This place probably hasn't changed in the last 30 years. Well priced. Go for the food not the service.
Authentic Chicago style hot-dogs and polishes. Great for a quick cheap lunch or late night (open until 4 AM (5AM on weekends))
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Redhot Ranch
2449 W Armitage AveAuthentic Chicago style hot-dogs and polishes. Great for a quick cheap lunch or late night (open until 4 AM (5AM on weekends))
Fat Rice
2957 W Diversey AveNotable ramen, but offers some sashimi, sushi and yakitori, BYO, reservations not accepted: anticipate a wait on the weekends or cold days.
134 abantu bendawo batusa
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveNotable ramen, but offers some sashimi, sushi and yakitori, BYO, reservations not accepted: anticipate a wait on the weekends or cold days.
Essentials
Local grocer with good variety of international items; fresh tamales on weekends!
62 abantu bendawo batusa
Fresh Market Place
2134 N Western AveLocal grocer with good variety of international items; fresh tamales on weekends!
Locally-sourced, primarily sustainable, organic, seasonal items. Limited selection of produce but highly recommended!
Local Foods
1427 W Willow StLocally-sourced, primarily sustainable, organic, seasonal items. Limited selection of produce but highly recommended!
Drinks & Nightlife
Paladar Restaurant and Rum Bar
2252 N Western AveNotable rum selection.
Well priced cocktails and small plates. Excellent cocktail menu that focuses on gin.
584 abantu bendawo batusa
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveWell priced cocktails and small plates. Excellent cocktail menu that focuses on gin.
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveExcellent selection of international beer!
Good neighbourhood bar with live music and strong Manhattans.
65 abantu bendawo batusa
The Charleston Bar Chicago
Good neighbourhood bar with live music and strong Manhattans.
The harbinger of the craft cocktail movement in Chicago. Live music during most of the week.
185 abantu bendawo batusa
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveThe harbinger of the craft cocktail movement in Chicago. Live music during most of the week.
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia AveEclectic crowd, cheap beer and cocktails, good dance floor.
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee AveGreat DJs and dance floor.
East Room
2354 N Milwaukee AveHip dance spot
Great local brewery, stand out IPA's. A food menu that's sure to please everyone.
724 abantu bendawo batusa
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveGreat local brewery, stand out IPA's. A food menu that's sure to please everyone.
Shopping
Vin Chicago
1826 N Elston AveExcellent wine selection at affordable prices.
Artisanal confections with an emphasis on chocolates and caramels. Drinking chocolate offered.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Katherine Anne Confections
2745 W Armitage AveArtisanal confections with an emphasis on chocolates and caramels. Drinking chocolate offered.
Local Thrift Shop, you never know what you might find!
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Village Discount Outlet Store 03
2032 N Milwaukee AveLocal Thrift Shop, you never know what you might find!
Everything Else
I-Palmer Square Park
2200 N Kedzie AveNice park to run, play and relax.
Another harbinger of the curated, artisanal cocktail wave. No cellphone allowed. Expect a wait.
355 abantu bendawo batusa
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveAnother harbinger of the curated, artisanal cocktail wave. No cellphone allowed. Expect a wait.
Parks & Nature
Holstein Park
2200 N Oakley AveGreat place to read a book.
Arts & Culture
I-Concord Music Hall
2047 N Milwaukee AveLocal Concert Venue