Guidebook for Chicago
Everything Else
Board the El train here to travel to either "the Loop" (downtown Chicago) or O'Hare Airport
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Western station
1900 N Western AveBoard the El train here to travel to either "the Loop" (downtown Chicago) or O'Hare Airport
Sightseeing
Holstein Park
2200 N Oakley AvePublic park with large pool and playground
This elevated pedestrian/cycling trail is great for a bike ride or early evening walk. Connects several nearby parks. Entry spots at Damen and Wabansia or Leavitt and Milwaukee.
241 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueThis elevated pedestrian/cycling trail is great for a bike ride or early evening walk. Connects several nearby parks. Entry spots at Damen and Wabansia or Leavitt and Milwaukee.
Food Scene
More upscale brunch. Warning: long waits on Saturday and Sunday. $$
98 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
toast
2046 N Damen AveMore upscale brunch. Warning: long waits on Saturday and Sunday. $$
Upscale restaurant started by famed pastry chef. Excellent brunch. Warning: long waits on Saturday and Sunday. $$$
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveUpscale restaurant started by famed pastry chef. Excellent brunch. Warning: long waits on Saturday and Sunday. $$$
Good, non-fancy breakfast. Shorter wait-times on weekends. $
88 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cozy Corner Restaurant and Pancake House
2294 N Milwaukee AveGood, non-fancy breakfast. Shorter wait-times on weekends. $
Bar/Mexican restaurant with lively outdoor seating. Excellent place to people-watch. Long waits on nice days, but take-out counter is available for quick fix. $$
1176 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveBar/Mexican restaurant with lively outdoor seating. Excellent place to people-watch. Long waits on nice days, but take-out counter is available for quick fix. $$
Nice, but not too expensive, Indian/Nepalese food. Lively atmosphere without the long wait times. $$
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cumin
1414 N Milwaukee AveNice, but not too expensive, Indian/Nepalese food. Lively atmosphere without the long wait times. $$
The BEST deep dish pizza in Chicago. Well worth the walk or a short cab ride. Long waits on weekends, but there's a bookstore nearby for browsing. $
536 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueThe BEST deep dish pizza in Chicago. Well worth the walk or a short cab ride. Long waits on weekends, but there's a bookstore nearby for browsing. $
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee Ave80s-themed hipster coffee shop.
Starbucks
1 E Delaware PlFor a quick, close-by caffeine fix.
Very affordable and yummy middle-eastern food. Try the Kafta kabob. $
99 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveVery affordable and yummy middle-eastern food. Try the Kafta kabob. $
2311 W North Ave
2311 West North AvenueLow-key, mostly vegetarian restaurant with great courtyard and beer list. $
Old-school ice cream parlor. Feels like a trip back in time. The Beatles ate here back in the day. $
179 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveOld-school ice cream parlor. Feels like a trip back in time. The Beatles ate here back in the day. $
1846 N Damen Ave
1846 North Damen AvenueItalian ice stand - great to visit on a warm night - try the traditional lemon. $
Great BBQ restaurant with tasty pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, brisket, and sauces. $$
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lillie's Q
417 North Ashland AvenueGreat BBQ restaurant with tasty pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, brisket, and sauces. $$
Cozy coffee and pastry shop just up the street. A good place to start your day or to stop by at lunch for a sandwich. $
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Red June Cafe
2020 N Leavitt StCozy coffee and pastry shop just up the street. A good place to start your day or to stop by at lunch for a sandwich. $
Great place just around the corner for Japanese tapas, sashimi, tempura, and noodle soup. $$
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Izakaya Mita
1960 N Damen AveGreat place just around the corner for Japanese tapas, sashimi, tempura, and noodle soup. $$
Excellent corner deep-dish pizza place. A little less decadent than Pequod's, our favorite, but also a little easier on the stomach. We've got it on speed dial. Take out only. $
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
My Pi Pizza
2010 N Damen AveExcellent corner deep-dish pizza place. A little less decadent than Pequod's, our favorite, but also a little easier on the stomach. We've got it on speed dial. Take out only. $
This place doesn't look like much. But they have some seriously tasty french fries. They come piping hot, wrapped in a paper bag. The hot dogs are solid, too. Outdoor seating only. Open til 4am. $
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vienna Beef Factory Store & Cafe
2501 N Damen AveThis place doesn't look like much. But they have some seriously tasty french fries. They come piping hot, wrapped in a paper bag. The hot dogs are solid, too. Outdoor seating only. Open til 4am. $
Killer bibimbop for a good price. Walking distance. Casual order-at-the-counter. $$
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
En Hakkore Bibimbap & Taco
1840 N Damen AveKiller bibimbop for a good price. Walking distance. Casual order-at-the-counter. $$
As featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: Warm, festive BYOB that makes you feel like you're in Cuba. Our favorites are the empanadas, ropa vieja, and puerco rostizado. $$
182 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveAs featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: Warm, festive BYOB that makes you feel like you're in Cuba. Our favorites are the empanadas, ropa vieja, and puerco rostizado. $$
We love this place for its homemade chicken soups and Italian deli: Lucia's Famous Sub and Yale Special are delicious. Great place to pick up food for a picnic in Wicker Park. $
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lucia's
1825 W North AveWe love this place for its homemade chicken soups and Italian deli: Lucia's Famous Sub and Yale Special are delicious. Great place to pick up food for a picnic in Wicker Park. $
Tasty fried chicken, fried fish, hushpuppies, and slushy cocktails. Hipster central. Sit outside on a warm day and do some people watching. $$
658 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveTasty fried chicken, fried fish, hushpuppies, and slushy cocktails. Hipster central. Sit outside on a warm day and do some people watching. $$
Great new coffee bar under the El. No wifi, which can be a good thing.
162 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StGreat new coffee bar under the El. No wifi, which can be a good thing.
They aren't good for you, but, boy, are they good. The straight-up glazed is something special. And they deliver, which should be outlawed. $
209 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveThey aren't good for you, but, boy, are they good. The straight-up glazed is something special. And they deliver, which should be outlawed. $
Drip coffee and a beautifully lit, lofted second floor. Buttery, flaky croissants. Good WiFi signal for the working traveler.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Buzz Killer Espresso
Drip coffee and a beautifully lit, lofted second floor. Buttery, flaky croissants. Good WiFi signal for the working traveler.
Nice little writerly cafe to grab a cup, sit in lamplight, and chat or work.
109 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western AveNice little writerly cafe to grab a cup, sit in lamplight, and chat or work.
Good neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Not the nicest ambiance, but the carne asada and shrimp dishes are tasty. $
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Arturo's Tacos
2001 N Western AveGood neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Not the nicest ambiance, but the carne asada and shrimp dishes are tasty. $
Don't let the unglamorous location fool you. This place has our favorite thai food in the area. BYOB. $$
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sticky Rice Chiang Mai
1746 North Western AvenueDon't let the unglamorous location fool you. This place has our favorite thai food in the area. BYOB. $$
Rick Bayless's latest Mexican street-food inspired casual spot. The soups, tortas, and churros are fantastic. $$
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fonda Frontera
1471 North Milwaukee AvenueRick Bayless's latest Mexican street-food inspired casual spot. The soups, tortas, and churros are fantastic. $$
We like the signature Umami Burger with truffle fries. $$
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Umami Burger Wicker Park
1480 N Milwaukee AveWe like the signature Umami Burger with truffle fries. $$
Delicious farm-to-table brunch, lunch, and dinner. Well worth the trip. $$$
936 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdDelicious farm-to-table brunch, lunch, and dinner. Well worth the trip. $$$
Classic French bistro just a short walk away. Great for special occasions and celebrations. Cozy, boisterous, with a great wine list. For a treat, we like the hanger steak and bouillabaisse. $$$
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen AveClassic French bistro just a short walk away. Great for special occasions and celebrations. Cozy, boisterous, with a great wine list. For a treat, we like the hanger steak and bouillabaisse. $$$
We just discovered this place, and we're already disciples. Imaginative Southern-inspired Mexican food. 60s and 70s Chicago soul records. Mezcal and tequila cocktails. $$
113 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveWe just discovered this place, and we're already disciples. Imaginative Southern-inspired Mexican food. 60s and 70s Chicago soul records. Mezcal and tequila cocktails. $$
Ridiculously delicious small-batch ice creams. This place will haunt your dreams.
131 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveRidiculously delicious small-batch ice creams. This place will haunt your dreams.
Drinks & Nightlife
A dark, chill bar in the early evening, a hipster dance party in the late evening.
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dannys
A dark, chill bar in the early evening, a hipster dance party in the late evening.
Delightfully low-key beer garden. Note: outdoor seating closes at 11:00pm.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Happy Village
1059 N Wolcott AveDelightfully low-key beer garden. Note: outdoor seating closes at 11:00pm.
Well-known bar with excellent international beer selection
119 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveWell-known bar with excellent international beer selection
Video games and beer. If that's your thing-- or even if its not--it's a fun place to peek inside.
158 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveVideo games and beer. If that's your thing-- or even if its not--it's a fun place to peek inside.
Handcrafted, artisanal cocktails. Low-lit private tables and a disguised speakeasy entrance. James Beard Outstanding Bar Program nominee. $$$
355 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveHandcrafted, artisanal cocktails. Low-lit private tables and a disguised speakeasy entrance. James Beard Outstanding Bar Program nominee. $$$
Shopping
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveFor the vinyl enthusiast
Essentials
2014 W Wabansia Ave
2014 West Wabansia AvenueLittle market / grocery store - excellent cheese and charcuterie selection.
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayPharmacy
2200 W Armitage Ave
2200 West Armitage AvenueConvenience store - for gum, beer, toothpaste, etc.