Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
Market full of necessities and upscale grocery items, plus you can grab a sandwich here while you shop!
32 locals recommend
South Loop Market
1720 S Michigan AveMarket full of necessities and upscale grocery items, plus you can grab a sandwich here while you shop!
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StTrader Joe's
667 W Diversey PkwyMariano's
2021 W Chicago AveFood Scene
Small plate Mexican that keeps late hours - and has a great brunch on weekends
27 locals recommend
Barcocina
2901 N Sheffield AveSmall plate Mexican that keeps late hours - and has a great brunch on weekends
Established neighborhood bakery and cafe - grab a loaf of bread if you'll be staying a while, or just a sandwich. Cash only!
19 locals recommend
Panes Bread Cafe
3002 N Sheffield AveEstablished neighborhood bakery and cafe - grab a loaf of bread if you'll be staying a while, or just a sandwich. Cash only!
Sustainably sourced casual fish joint - just down the street, open for lunch and dinner.
39 locals recommend
Fish Bar
2956 N Sheffield AveSustainably sourced casual fish joint - just down the street, open for lunch and dinner.
Chicago institution serving up Swedish-American breakfast and **famous** cinnamon rolls - showing up on the wrong location on the map, but just north of us on Belmont
109 locals recommend
Ann Sather Restaurant
909 W Belmont AveChicago institution serving up Swedish-American breakfast and **famous** cinnamon rolls - showing up on the wrong location on the map, but just north of us on Belmont
Some of the best shortbread cookies you'll ever have, honestly
25 locals recommend
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
1114 W Belmont AveSome of the best shortbread cookies you'll ever have, honestly
Chicago outpost of an excellent Australian coffee brand - right around the corner from us
Social Affairs Coffee
800 W Diversey PkwyChicago outpost of an excellent Australian coffee brand - right around the corner from us
Igor's Pelmeni
2468 North Clark StreetRussian dumpling shop - worth the stop on the way to the Lake!
Unique blends of small batch, raw juices, cold pressed every day
8 locals recommend
CITY PRESS Juice & Bottle
2931 N BroadwayUnique blends of small batch, raw juices, cold pressed every day
Beautiful decor, French-American food, and some of the most incredible French pastries you'll find - don't skip this spot
12 locals recommend
Maison Marcel
3114 N BroadwayBeautiful decor, French-American food, and some of the most incredible French pastries you'll find - don't skip this spot
Andy's Thai Kitchen
950 W Diversey Pkwy(Cash only!) neighborhood Thai spot on the next block
Shopping
A small maze of books owned by a delightfully particular old guy - you'll stumble on gems here if you like to dig through stacks (just make sure to check your bag!)
6 locals recommend
Bookman's Corner
2959 N Clark StA small maze of books owned by a delightfully particular old guy - you'll stumble on gems here if you like to dig through stacks (just make sure to check your bag!)
The Lakeview location of a Chicago mini-chain of record stores - well-curated, and run by passionate people. You'll find that most records are labeled with descriptions, and probably find it hard to leave empty handed
111 locals recommend
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveThe Lakeview location of a Chicago mini-chain of record stores - well-curated, and run by passionate people. You'll find that most records are labeled with descriptions, and probably find it hard to leave empty handed
Stationery store with loads of small gifts and vintage items
28 locals recommend
Foursided Card + Gift
2958 N Clark StStationery store with loads of small gifts and vintage items
Drinks & Nightlife
Neighborhood bar with a dog-friendly back patio and extensive beer selection - also the best blue crab eggs benedict you can find off the east coast
7 locals recommend
George Street Pub
2858 N Halsted StNeighborhood bar with a dog-friendly back patio and extensive beer selection - also the best blue crab eggs benedict you can find off the east coast
Go inside if you want drinks (probably you do), but if you don't - WALK. UP. FRITES. WINDOW.
42 locals recommend
Wood
3335 N Halsted StGo inside if you want drinks (probably you do), but if you don't - WALK. UP. FRITES. WINDOW.
Long-running Boystown bar / nightclub with DJ and theme nights - be prepared to dance!
16 locals recommend
Scarlet Bar
3320 N Halsted StLong-running Boystown bar / nightclub with DJ and theme nights - be prepared to dance!
Arts & Culture
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon DrCatch the butterfly release every day at 2PM!
Entertainment & Activities
Theatre showing independent, foreign & avant-garde films
71 locals recommend
Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
2828 N Clark StTheatre showing independent, foreign & avant-garde films
Parks & Nature
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary