Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Ethiopian food is flavorful, savory and spicy, communal and delicious. This is one of our favorite restaurants nearby. A nice walk on from our place, or an easy drive.
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Ethiopian Diamond
6120 N BroadwayEthiopian food is flavorful, savory and spicy, communal and delicious. This is one of our favorite restaurants nearby. A nice walk on from our place, or an easy drive.
Wonderful place for dessert, serving mixed with all sorts of ingredients, or make your own combination...also offers cupcakes, cookies, and EVERY kind of retro candy you can possibly imagine.
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Lickity Split Frozen Custard
6056 N BroadwayWonderful place for dessert, serving mixed with all sorts of ingredients, or make your own combination...also offers cupcakes, cookies, and EVERY kind of retro candy you can possibly imagine.
Local institution serving locally sourced, veg-friendly meals. Great local hangout, outdoor seating in nice weather. Within walking distance of our place. Good breakfast on the weekends.
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Heartland Cafe
7000 N Glenwood AveLocal institution serving locally sourced, veg-friendly meals. Great local hangout, outdoor seating in nice weather. Within walking distance of our place. Good breakfast on the weekends.
Great selection of baked goods, gluten free available. Tasty, tasty! Small seating area outdoors.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Smack Dab Chicago
6730 N Clark StGreat selection of baked goods, gluten free available. Tasty, tasty! Small seating area outdoors.
Right at the end of our block. Chicago style pizza. Need I say more?
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Giordano's Pizza Rogers Park
6836 N Sheridan RdRight at the end of our block. Chicago style pizza. Need I say more?
Our favorite for carryout or delivery. Great thin crust and pan pizza, plus they're great neighbors to the Rogers Park neighborhood.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
J.B. Alberto's Pizza
1326 W Morse AveOur favorite for carryout or delivery. Great thin crust and pan pizza, plus they're great neighbors to the Rogers Park neighborhood.
Easy walk to a great selection of spirits, cheeses, sauces, spices and so much more. A lovely shop for gifts, picnic supplies and conversation with the shop owners.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Rogers Park Provisions
6928 N Glenwood AveEasy walk to a great selection of spirits, cheeses, sauces, spices and so much more. A lovely shop for gifts, picnic supplies and conversation with the shop owners.
A favorite vegetarian restaurant in nearby Evanston. A wonderful meal! Out of town visitors who aren't vegetarians still talk about going there. Some really tasty vegan desserts too.
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Blind Faith Cafe
525 Dempster StA favorite vegetarian restaurant in nearby Evanston. A wonderful meal! Out of town visitors who aren't vegetarians still talk about going there. Some really tasty vegan desserts too.
Vegetarian and vegan comfort food. This is a great place to eat, and our non-vegetarian friends rave about it too. "We use local, seasonal ingredients and produce. All cleaning products are eco-friendly and our to-go containers are bio-degradable. We also use only FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified office paper. We practice bio-diesel conversion of our waste oil."
87 abantu bendawo batusa
Chicago Diner
3411 N Halsted StVegetarian and vegan comfort food. This is a great place to eat, and our non-vegetarian friends rave about it too. "We use local, seasonal ingredients and produce. All cleaning products are eco-friendly and our to-go containers are bio-degradable. We also use only FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified office paper. We practice bio-diesel conversion of our waste oil."
Irish pub in Ravenswood--chips with curry, bangers and mash, Smithwicks, guinness, great staff, good food, nice atmosphere.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
O'Shaughnessy's Public House
4557 N Ravenswood AveIrish pub in Ravenswood--chips with curry, bangers and mash, Smithwicks, guinness, great staff, good food, nice atmosphere.
Original Soul Vegetarian
203 E 75th StGreat vegetarian soul food on the South Side!
Thai food, sticky rice, great people. Oh my. So good.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Siam Noodle & Rice Restaurant
4142 N BroadwayThai food, sticky rice, great people. Oh my. So good.
Fresh pita and falafel, plus a wide selection of hummus, tzatziki and other great carry out foods. Connected to a restaurant, also a grocery store with a wide variety of middle eastern foods.
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Middle East Bakery & Grocery
1512 W Foster AveFresh pita and falafel, plus a wide selection of hummus, tzatziki and other great carry out foods. Connected to a restaurant, also a grocery store with a wide variety of middle eastern foods.
More than a coffee shop- nice menu with salads, sandwiches, great breakfast options and more. Cushion seats on the floor at the front of the place. For the traveller at heart, there are guide books to cities and countries all over the world available for purchase. Also has a small gift shop area with clothing items, artisinal jewelry, incense, soaps and other items.
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Kopi Cafe
5317 N Clark StMore than a coffee shop- nice menu with salads, sandwiches, great breakfast options and more. Cushion seats on the floor at the front of the place. For the traveller at heart, there are guide books to cities and countries all over the world available for purchase. Also has a small gift shop area with clothing items, artisinal jewelry, incense, soaps and other items.
Brunch, sandwiches, coffee and PIE!
37 abantu bendawo batusa
Dollop Coffee & The Hoosier Mama Pie Company
749 Chicago AveBrunch, sandwiches, coffee and PIE!
Twisted Tapas
1146 W Pratt BlvdWalking distance, by the beach, local restaurant
Charmers Cafe
1500 W Jarvis AveMoody's Pub
5910 N BroadwayOrganic, locally sourced dishes, with some ingredients locally sourced from their rooftop garden! Local artists' work on display, and big fireplace in cold months create an inviting ambience. Great vegetarian options. Nice bar area in addition to seating for meals. Live music and open mic. Probably requires a reservation at busy times. Room available for private functions.
70 abantu bendawo batusa
Uncommon Ground
1401 W Devon AveOrganic, locally sourced dishes, with some ingredients locally sourced from their rooftop garden! Local artists' work on display, and big fireplace in cold months create an inviting ambience. Great vegetarian options. Nice bar area in addition to seating for meals. Live music and open mic. Probably requires a reservation at busy times. Room available for private functions.
Right around the corner- coffee, tea, milk shakes and frozen yogurt, plus quiche, and baked goods. A great local RP spot.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Common Cup
1501 W Morse AveRight around the corner- coffee, tea, milk shakes and frozen yogurt, plus quiche, and baked goods. A great local RP spot.
El Pueblito
6712 N Clark StOne of many small taquerias on Clark street, open late.
"Hip bakery/cafe serving coffee, creative sandwiches & housemade pastries in spare, rustic-chic digs." Order off the funky chalkboard at the counter. Start with housemade bread at what they call the “bread bar” and pick the kind of spread you’d like on it—pimento, whipped feta, maple butter, etc.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Mash Kitchen
4535 N Lincoln Ave"Hip bakery/cafe serving coffee, creative sandwiches & housemade pastries in spare, rustic-chic digs." Order off the funky chalkboard at the counter. Start with housemade bread at what they call the “bread bar” and pick the kind of spread you’d like on it—pimento, whipped feta, maple butter, etc.
Mediterranean/Persian menu (much of it vegetarian) & lunch buffet served in a bright, airy space.
54 abantu bendawo batusa
Reza's Restaurant
5255 N Clark StMediterranean/Persian menu (much of it vegetarian) & lunch buffet served in a bright, airy space.
Traditional Irish pub offering signature burgers, a big whiskey menu & Irish-American folk music. Fireplace in the back room, friendly service, good food.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
The Grafton Pub & Grill
4530 N Lincoln AveTraditional Irish pub offering signature burgers, a big whiskey menu & Irish-American folk music. Fireplace in the back room, friendly service, good food.
m.henry offers globally inspired, new american style cooking. we prepare all our food from the finest natural and seasonal
94 abantu bendawo batusa
m.henry
5707 N Clark Stm.henry offers globally inspired, new american style cooking. we prepare all our food from the finest natural and seasonal
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to hang out for a drink and good times with friends.
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Rogers Park Social
6920 N Glenwood AveGreat place to hang out for a drink and good times with friends.
Taproom with great beer and a cool setting- worth the drive to get there!
125 abantu bendawo batusa
Lagunitas Brewing Company
2607 W 17th StTaproom with great beer and a cool setting- worth the drive to get there!
The Glenwood
6962 N Glenwood AveEmpirical Brew Pub
1330 West Morse AvenueSports bar, pool table. Right next to the Morse Red Line stop. Usual bar food. Nice place to watch a game.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Pub 626
1406 W Morse AveSports bar, pool table. Right next to the Morse Red Line stop. Usual bar food. Nice place to watch a game.
Evanston based Smylie Brothers Brewing Co. is a local brewery serving Texas-inspired BBQ, wood-fired pizza, & Midwestern comfort food. Beer brewed on site
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.
1615 Oak AveEvanston based Smylie Brothers Brewing Co. is a local brewery serving Texas-inspired BBQ, wood-fired pizza, & Midwestern comfort food. Beer brewed on site
Brewery with a taproom pouring house beers & offering growlers to go, with occasional food trucks.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Temperance Beer Co.
2000 Dempster StBrewery with a taproom pouring house beers & offering growlers to go, with occasional food trucks.
Parks & Nature
Just a beautiful place to be. Accessible by car, train, or even bike if you want a longer ride.
167 abantu bendawo batusa
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdJust a beautiful place to be. Accessible by car, train, or even bike if you want a longer ride.
Beach house, summer time restaurant, and sometimes a public piano, parks for kids, and plenty of space to walk, play frisbee, picnic, grill, play tennis...and so on!
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Tobey Prinz Beach Park
1050 W Pratt BlvdBeach house, summer time restaurant, and sometimes a public piano, parks for kids, and plenty of space to walk, play frisbee, picnic, grill, play tennis...and so on!
"The Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre living museum, champions trees throughout the world via scientific study, conservation, and advocacy."
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The Morton Arboretum
4100 IL-53"The Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre living museum, champions trees throughout the world via scientific study, conservation, and advocacy."
Spectacular view of the city skyline, right on the water, beautiful parks and places to picnic, walk, run, ride a bike, swim etc etc.
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Promontory Point
5491 S Shore DrSpectacular view of the city skyline, right on the water, beautiful parks and places to picnic, walk, run, ride a bike, swim etc etc.
Great for running, bike riding, walking, exploring the lake front.
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Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailGreat for running, bike riding, walking, exploring the lake front.
Arts & Culture
Local theater that uses a small space to great effect. 5 minute walk from our house.
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Lifeline Theatre
6912 N Glenwood AveLocal theater that uses a small space to great effect. 5 minute walk from our house.
"A global theatrical force, CST is known for vibrant productions that reflect Shakespeare’s genius for storytelling, musicality of language, and empathy for the human condition."
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
800 E Grand Ave"A global theatrical force, CST is known for vibrant productions that reflect Shakespeare’s genius for storytelling, musicality of language, and empathy for the human condition."
Striking architectural building in a beautiful setting.
120 abantu bendawo batusa
Indlu yokuphila kaBaha'i
100 Linden AveStriking architectural building in a beautiful setting.
Chicago Historical Society
1601 N Clark StI-DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E 56th PlMusic venue, "The Bean", ice skating in the winter, public fountain, gardens, near public transportation.
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Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StMusic venue, "The Bean", ice skating in the winter, public fountain, gardens, near public transportation.
The Atrium is a beautiful place to read, rest, drink coffee while you're exploring State Street and downtown sites
Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren station
The Atrium is a beautiful place to read, rest, drink coffee while you're exploring State Street and downtown sites
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 E Randolph StI-Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveEssentials
Locally owned grocery store- small but still well-stocked!
53 abantu bendawo batusa
Morse Fresh Market
1430 W Morse AveLocally owned grocery store- small but still well-stocked!
CVS
771 N Ogden Ave24 hour pharmacy
Walgreens
4801 N Lincoln Ave24 hour walgreens
Jewel-Osco
9449 Skokie BlvdMariano's
2021 W Chicago AveTrader Joe's
1211 Chicago AveWhole Foods Market
6020 N Cicero AveDevon Market
1440 W Devon AveGetting Around
Buy tickets online or on the train. Best way to get to Ravinia Park, or easy trip downtown.
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Ravenswood station
4800 N Ravenswood AveBuy tickets online or on the train. Best way to get to Ravinia Park, or easy trip downtown.
Sightseeing
Boat tours, walking tours, building tours, lake tours. Go see the city!!
114 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Center ye-Architecture ye-Chicago
111 E Wacker DrBoat tours, walking tours, building tours, lake tours. Go see the city!!
Willis Tower Skydeck
875 North Michigan Avenue
875 N Michigan Ave