Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveAmazing food, burgers, and desserts!
Over Easy Café
4943 N Damen AveProbably the best breakfast/brunch place in Chicago!
Angel's Restaurant .
230 S Ashland AveGreat place for an authentic Mexican breakfast or dinner!
Little hole in the wall of sorts coffee shop. Super hipster. Super great!
131 abantu bendawo batusa
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee AveLittle hole in the wall of sorts coffee shop. Super hipster. Super great!
Mexique
1529 West Chicago AvenueMexican-french food. Amazing!
Nellcôte
833 W Randolph StFrench / Italian tapas-like. Extremely good!
Very popular New American style restaurant in Chicago. Make sure to book reservations weeks in advance if you want to eat here!
496 abantu bendawo batusa
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StVery popular New American style restaurant in Chicago. Make sure to book reservations weeks in advance if you want to eat here!
Balena - Temporarily Closed
3600 North Clark StreetInteresting Italian place.
One of my fav Italian restaurants in Chicago! Expensive, and you need to book ahead!
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Riccardo Trattoria
2119 N Clark StOne of my fav Italian restaurants in Chicago! Expensive, and you need to book ahead!
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveA great local place for breakfast or brunch!
Cumin
1414 N Milwaukee AveFor Indian food fans - this is a must stop!
If you have about 600+ dollars to drop on dinner for two, do not miss this 4th top restaurant in the world! Note: requires WELL in advance reservations!
97 abantu bendawo batusa
Alinea
1723 N Halsted StIf you have about 600+ dollars to drop on dinner for two, do not miss this 4th top restaurant in the world! Note: requires WELL in advance reservations!
Coast Sushi Bar
2045 North Damen AvenueAmazing Sushi!
Bob San - Sushi Bar
1805-1809 W Division StEven more amazing sushi - and very close by! (Walking distance!)
People little flip over this taco place. Super good and interesting!
113 abantu bendawo batusa
Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AvePeople little flip over this taco place. Super good and interesting!
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveThe best deep dish in town IMO.
OMG this pizza. It's so good I can't even describe it!
83 abantu bendawo batusa
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveOMG this pizza. It's so good I can't even describe it!
Bricks Pizza & Barbecue
3832 North Lincoln AvenueAgain another AWESOME pizza place!
Great haven-style pizza and they are also a micro-brewery! Long lines so call ahead!
488 abantu bendawo batusa
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveGreat haven-style pizza and they are also a micro-brewery! Long lines so call ahead!
O'Donovan's
2100 W Irving Park RdFun bar with a great outdoor patio!
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueGreat deep dish pizza!
Really good New American food. There is usually a long wait so make reservations a day or two ahead!
97 abantu bendawo batusa
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketReally good New American food. There is usually a long wait so make reservations a day or two ahead!
Lovely Kitchen & Cafe
1130 North Milwaukee AvenueGreat bakery and coffee stop!
Usagi Ya Sushi & Pan-Asian
1178 N Milwaukee AveGreat little sushi place within walking distance.
Flash Taco Wicker Park
1570 N Damen AveAnother amazing Taco place you can walk to!
Bistro Voltaire
226 West Chicago AvenueFrench food fans should stop by - but ONLY if you've already tried Nellcote!
TWO
1132 W Grand AveNew American restaurant.
Super expensive Italian place - Upper Scale - but well worth it!
26 abantu bendawo batusa
Nico Osteria
1015 N Rush StSuper expensive Italian place - Upper Scale - but well worth it!
Must. Try. YUM! They have a food truck you might be able to catch as well!
17 abantu bendawo batusa
5411 Empanadas | Lakeview
2850 N Clark StMust. Try. YUM! They have a food truck you might be able to catch as well!
Sapori Trattoria
2701 N Halsted StGreat Italian place and decently priced!
Asian fusion that's really good and literally blocks away! Give it a try!
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Mott St
1401 N Ashland AveAsian fusion that's really good and literally blocks away! Give it a try!
Filippo's Restaurant
2211 N Clybourn AveItalian and very yummy!
Starbucks
210 W North AveCloset starbucks to my place!
Shopping
iCream Cafe
Really good homemade froyo! Try the 'Mom's Favorite' flavor mixing - it ROCKS!
francesca's
5301 N Clark StFun little dress and jewelery shop.
I get all my pupps treats from here! Wide selection with very reasonable prices!
Doggy Style Pet Shop
2023 W Division StI get all my pupps treats from here! Wide selection with very reasonable prices!
Pastoral
131 N Clinton StBest cheese place ever. EVER!
If you don't have one of these near you, stop in for some unique groceries!
360 abantu bendawo batusa
Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey PkwyIf you don't have one of these near you, stop in for some unique groceries!
Aldo Outlet
1212 N Ashland AveAldo outlet/discount store! A must-stop for shoe lovers :)
Drinks & Nightlife
Really good BBQ place within walking distance.
116 abantu bendawo batusa
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StReally good BBQ place within walking distance.
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveYummy and interesting pizza!
Geja's Cafe
340 W Armitage AveRomantic fondu place. Couples should DEF go! Super fun.
evilOlive
1551 W Division StCheck out this local bar and nightclub! Super fun.
It's exactly how it sounds! They specialize in fish and drinks ;) They don't take reservations so head there early!
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Fish Bar
2956 N Sheffield AveIt's exactly how it sounds! They specialize in fish and drinks ;) They don't take reservations so head there early!
Frontier
1072 N Milwaukee AveNew American food and bar within walking distance!
Not my fav place ever - but worth it if you want to dance and here some 'OK' EDM.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
The Mid
306 N Halsted StNot my fav place ever - but worth it if you want to dance and here some 'OK' EDM.
The Apartment
My favorite small bar/night club!
Rio Chicago
2200 N Ashland AveCheck out this very close night club with multiple rooms and DJ's on the weekends!
Another nightclub to check out :D The place is HUGE. They call it Castle b/c it looks like one!
Castle Chicago
632 North Dearborn StreetAnother nightclub to check out :D The place is HUGE. They call it Castle b/c it looks like one!
Beauty Bar
1444 W Chicago AveGet your nails done and a drink. Really fun bar/dance club!
Spybar
646 N Franklin StIf you're looking for underground techno vibe - check it out!
Estate
1177 North Elston AvenueEstate bar - fancy, schmancy, and a short walk away!
If you've never done this - and have a small group of friends - it's hilarious and fun! A Chicago must!
30 abantu bendawo batusa
WhirlyBall Chicago
1825 W Webster AveIf you've never done this - and have a small group of friends - it's hilarious and fun! A Chicago must!
Everything Else
Pinky Nail
1508 N Damen AveGreat place to get your nails done!
Best spray tan money can buy - period! Very natural/brown looking tan. Not orange!
Ortanic Lincoln Park
939 W North AveBest spray tan money can buy - period! Very natural/brown looking tan. Not orange!
If you need hair or makeup done before a special event - head here! Ask for Farra for hair, Nicole for facials, and Anjelie for eyebrows!
Salon 1800
1133 W Armitage AveIf you need hair or makeup done before a special event - head here! Ask for Farra for hair, Nicole for facials, and Anjelie for eyebrows!
Smartbar
3730 N Clark StGreat stop for EDM fans. This is a club/bar.
Grab a bike rental from this nearby Divvy station and explore the city! $7 for the day! Doesn't get better than that!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Divvy Station: Wood St & Division St
Grab a bike rental from this nearby Divvy station and explore the city! $7 for the day! Doesn't get better than that!
If you plan to get bottle service, then get reservations here! Great nightclub, super expensive!
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Studio Paris Nightclub
59 W Hubbard StIf you plan to get bottle service, then get reservations here! Great nightclub, super expensive!
I-Grant Park
337 E Randolph StLollapalooza!
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StTHE BEAN! :D Also great ice skating venue in the winter!
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveYou're staying here - might as well check out the actual park!
Fun little indie theatre. Does amazing 'The Room' and 'TRHPS' screenings for fans of bad horror movies ;)
152 abantu bendawo batusa
Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveFun little indie theatre. Does amazing 'The Room' and 'TRHPS' screenings for fans of bad horror movies ;)
Arts & Culture
This is probably the most epic Theater I've ever been to! Do VIP - so worth!
95 abantu bendawo batusa
I-ShowPlace ICON Theatres ku-Roosevelt Collection nge-ICON•X
1011 S Delano CtThis is probably the most epic Theater I've ever been to! Do VIP - so worth!
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N Upper Wacker DrIf you want to catch a show - check out Lyric!
For great improv comedy shows - head here! I wouldn't suggest the student shows though o.O
433 abantu bendawo batusa
The Second City
230 W North AveFor great improv comedy shows - head here! I wouldn't suggest the student shows though o.O
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph StGreat venue to see a show!
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago AveGet tickets to tour his home!
Essentials
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayGrocery store within walking distance!
Entertainment & Activities
Cute little park with a pool right across the street from my place!
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Pulaski Park
1419 W Blackhawk StCute little park with a pool right across the street from my place!