Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Café Colao
2638 W Division StNellie’s Restaurant
2458 W Division StDon't miss the coconut oatmeal!
Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveThe kale and grits tacos are an unexpectedly great choice, trust me
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Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveThe kale and grits tacos are an unexpectedly great choice, trust me
Rotating cakes, cookies, and pies - you never know what's gonna be in the display case here
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Bake
2246 W North AveRotating cakes, cookies, and pies - you never know what's gonna be in the display case here
Coffee shop and bakery by day, atmospheric bar by night (that still serves coffee and mini doughnuts) - on nice days they open up a big window out onto the nearby park
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Ipsento 606
1813 N Milwaukee AveCoffee shop and bakery by day, atmospheric bar by night (that still serves coffee and mini doughnuts) - on nice days they open up a big window out onto the nearby park
Butcher? Deli? Bar? Event space? Fine dining restaurant? Choose your own adventure here, you won't leave disappointed either way
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Chop Shop
2033 W North AveButcher? Deli? Bar? Event space? Fine dining restaurant? Choose your own adventure here, you won't leave disappointed either way
The Wicker Park outpost of a Chicago minichain, ours has fernet on tap and a chalkboard menu that'll tempt you inside from the street. Grab an alfajor for dessert!
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5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North AveThe Wicker Park outpost of a Chicago minichain, ours has fernet on tap and a chalkboard menu that'll tempt you inside from the street. Grab an alfajor for dessert!
The hot coffee here is pourover-only, so don't stop if you're in a hurry - but the quality can't be beat, and they have a variety of cold brews on tap, including matcha nitro. Their menu of elixers is seasonal, and always delicious
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Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
1620 N Milwaukee AveThe hot coffee here is pourover-only, so don't stop if you're in a hurry - but the quality can't be beat, and they have a variety of cold brews on tap, including matcha nitro. Their menu of elixers is seasonal, and always delicious
"Borderlands" menu that opens early - 7AM! - with coffee, juice, and breakfast tacos. Bring your laptop and post up at the bar; the atmosphere is great. If you come here later, there's a curated mezcal menu and delicious non-breakfast tacos too
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Lonesome Rose
2101 N California Ave"Borderlands" menu that opens early - 7AM! - with coffee, juice, and breakfast tacos. Bring your laptop and post up at the bar; the atmosphere is great. If you come here later, there's a curated mezcal menu and delicious non-breakfast tacos too
Drinks & Nightlife
A solid neighborhood bar with regular music nights - Monday is my favorite: BYOV (bring your own vinyl)
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EZ Inn
921 N Western AveA solid neighborhood bar with regular music nights - Monday is my favorite: BYOV (bring your own vinyl)
West on North
2509 W North AveGood bar food and cheap drinks!
Open all day! A restaurant that keeps bar hours (and has a hopping bar, especially on Mondays - $1 PBRs)
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Handlebar
2311 W North AveOpen all day! A restaurant that keeps bar hours (and has a hopping bar, especially on Mondays - $1 PBRs)
Music venue with regular open mic hip hop and reggae nights - plus a packed calendar of shows otherwise. A quick walk from my place
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Subterranean
2011 W North AveMusic venue with regular open mic hip hop and reggae nights - plus a packed calendar of shows otherwise. A quick walk from my place
Free music on Monday nights! Plus cheap drinks and a friendly bar staff. The attached restaurant is awesome too
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The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveFree music on Monday nights! Plus cheap drinks and a friendly bar staff. The attached restaurant is awesome too
Essentials
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveNearby bodega with a solid selection of everything you might need
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Mango Market
1458 N Western AveNearby bodega with a solid selection of everything you might need
Every Sunday between June and October, the farmer's market is in Wicker Park starting at 8AM - locally grown produce, bread, jams, even kombucha!
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Wicker Park Farmers Market
1425 N Damen AveEvery Sunday between June and October, the farmer's market is in Wicker Park starting at 8AM - locally grown produce, bread, jams, even kombucha!
Arts & Culture
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
3015 W Division StHeaven Gallery
1550 N Milwaukee AveParks & Nature
An uninspiring name but absolutely idyllic - a nearby entrance to the 606, right next to Ipsento 606. If you sit down here for lunch you'll probably catch a couple of rabbits playing on the small hill
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Park No. 567
1801-11 N Milwaukee AveAn uninspiring name but absolutely idyllic - a nearby entrance to the 606, right next to Ipsento 606. If you sit down here for lunch you'll probably catch a couple of rabbits playing on the small hill
Shopping
Bright and well-curated store selling modern wares and apothecary
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Gather Home + Lifestyle
2321 W North AveBright and well-curated store selling modern wares and apothecary
Moon Voyage
2010 W Pierce AveBoutique with women's clothing, apothecary, and home decor
Getting Around
Damen & Milwaukee/North Ave