Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Amazing, affordable rotisserie chicken from a real wood fired oven. This Columbian gem also serves up steaks and other meats, including rabbit.
15 locals recommend
Brasa Roja Montrose
3120 W Montrose AveAmazing, affordable rotisserie chicken from a real wood fired oven. This Columbian gem also serves up steaks and other meats, including rabbit.
Brews locally roasted Metropolis coffees. Try the mocha made with Abuelito hot chocolate or order a delicious hot panini.
15 locals recommend
Cafe Urbano
4176 N Elston AveBrews locally roasted Metropolis coffees. Try the mocha made with Abuelito hot chocolate or order a delicious hot panini.
Amazing farm-to-table restaurant in Irving Park that offers a seasonal gourmet menu and specially selected wines to pair with entrees.
27 locals recommend
Bread & Wine
Amazing farm-to-table restaurant in Irving Park that offers a seasonal gourmet menu and specially selected wines to pair with entrees.
24/7 bakery serving delicious (and inexpensive) Latin treats. Just grab a pair of tongs and a serving tray and load up!
Markellos Baking Company
3520 W Lawrence Ave24/7 bakery serving delicious (and inexpensive) Latin treats. Just grab a pair of tongs and a serving tray and load up!
Delish Filipino cafeteria with a small fixed menu. Large portions for small budgets.
Ruby's Fast Food
4551 W Montrose AveDelish Filipino cafeteria with a small fixed menu. Large portions for small budgets.
Wonderful Moroccan place that serves flavorful tagines (meat cooked in clay pot). Grab it to-go or get it delivered.
Zebda
4344 N Elston AveWonderful Moroccan place that serves flavorful tagines (meat cooked in clay pot). Grab it to-go or get it delivered.
Authentic Peruvian restaurant that has a nice atmosphere for dine-in service (there are two rooms, one with counter service and one with table service). BYOB.
7 locals recommend
D'Candela Restaurant
3449 W Irving Park RdAuthentic Peruvian restaurant that has a nice atmosphere for dine-in service (there are two rooms, one with counter service and one with table service). BYOB.
Parachute
3500 N Elston AveMichelin star rated Korean-American restaurant. Yum!
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveGreat for brunch, if that's your thing. Michelin star rated.
Joong Boo Market
3333 N Kimball AveAsian market with Korean fast food restaurant.
Mmm... as the name implies, delicious honey butter fried chicken served here.
99 locals recommend
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston AveMmm... as the name implies, delicious honey butter fried chicken served here.
Yusho
2853 North Kedzie AvenueDelish ramen!
Drinks & Nightlife
Local brewery serves up fresh brews in a cool space where you can play an indoor game of bags.
31 locals recommend
Old Irving Brewing Co.
4419 W Montrose AveLocal brewery serves up fresh brews in a cool space where you can play an indoor game of bags.
Paddy Mac's
4157 N Pulaski RdOld-school Chicago bar with a kitchen and great weekly specials.
This longstanding Chicago neighborhood tavern is a classic dive bar and is open only whenever Sarah, the owner, decides to be open.
T & A Two
4156 N St Louis AveThis longstanding Chicago neighborhood tavern is a classic dive bar and is open only whenever Sarah, the owner, decides to be open.
Great bar and even better burgers. Their website list beers on tap (there's a lot).
152 locals recommend
Kuma's Corner
2900 W Belmont AveGreat bar and even better burgers. Their website list beers on tap (there's a lot).
Hopewell Brewing Company
2760 N Milwaukee AveLaid back Logan Square brewery.
Kingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StHear the blues 7 nights a week. Great BBQ.
Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W Chicago AveHip brewery in even hipper neighborhood.
Parks & Nature
Home to the Michelin Guide noted Independence Park Farmer's Market, this neighborhood park has four tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and a historic field house which contains a swimming pool, basketball court, and gym.
21 locals recommend
Independence Park
3945 N Springfield AveHome to the Michelin Guide noted Independence Park Farmer's Market, this neighborhood park has four tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and a historic field house which contains a swimming pool, basketball court, and gym.
This nature center is a hidden gem and offers trails across a variety of habitats, including wetland and forest. It is located at the site of an old TB sanitarium.
12 locals recommend
North Park Village Nature Center
5801 N Pulaski RdThis nature center is a hidden gem and offers trails across a variety of habitats, including wetland and forest. It is located at the site of an old TB sanitarium.
Horner Park
2741 W Montrose AveHuge 55 acre park that is great for running.
Our favorite Chicago beach is clean and beautiful. Easy walk to Montrose Beach along the waterfront trail.
101 locals recommend
Foster Beach
Our favorite Chicago beach is clean and beautiful. Easy walk to Montrose Beach along the waterfront trail.
You can rent bikes (including those 4 and 6 seater bikes) here and ride up and down the lakefront trail. There's also a beachfront dog park here.
297 locals recommend
Montrose Beach
You can rent bikes (including those 4 and 6 seater bikes) here and ride up and down the lakefront trail. There's also a beachfront dog park here.
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveGreat place to beat the winter blues.
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrBeautiful park with lagoons and historic buildings.
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueCool linear park / multi-use trail that opened in the past couple years.
Essentials
Great fresh produce selection. We do 90% of our grocery shopping here.
128 locals recommend
Tony's Fresh Market
3607 W Fullerton AveGreat fresh produce selection. We do 90% of our grocery shopping here.
Our local pharmacy. Free parking. Close to the Irving Park Blue Line station.
202 locals recommend
Walgreens
4801 N Lincoln AveOur local pharmacy. Free parking. Close to the Irving Park Blue Line station.
Getting Around
Quick ride to either O'Hare or the Loop downtown. You can take the Blue Line all the way to Oak Park, IL!
7 locals recommend
Irving Park Blue Line Station
Quick ride to either O'Hare or the Loop downtown. You can take the Blue Line all the way to Oak Park, IL!
Take the Brown Line for the views, not the speed! It provides an excellent aerial "tour" of Chicago neighborhoods and the Loop!
24 locals recommend
Kimball station
Take the Brown Line for the views, not the speed! It provides an excellent aerial "tour" of Chicago neighborhoods and the Loop!
Take the #80 Irving Park bus to Wrigley Field and see the Cubbies play on their home turf.
Irving Park & Hamlin station
Take the #80 Irving Park bus to Wrigley Field and see the Cubbies play on their home turf.
3945 N Springfield Ave
3945 North Springfield AvenueEnterprise CarShare location.
Arts & Culture
One of Chicago's newest theatre's is walking distance away. Great cocktails.
11 locals recommend
Windy City Playhouse
3014 W Irving Park RdOne of Chicago's newest theatre's is walking distance away. Great cocktails.
Local liberal arts university founded by Chicago's Swedish immigrants.
7 locals recommend
North Park University
3225 W Foster AveLocal liberal arts university founded by Chicago's Swedish immigrants.
Mind-blowing performances from a world-class theatre ensemble.
109 locals recommend
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StMind-blowing performances from a world-class theatre ensemble.
Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StGet a sense for Chicago's historical context here.
World-class art museum that leaves you feeling inspired.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveWorld-class art museum that leaves you feeling inspired.
Free art museum that specializes in exhibiting Chicago-born artists.
14 locals recommend
DePaul Art Museum
935 W Fullerton AveFree art museum that specializes in exhibiting Chicago-born artists.
Shopping
Great neighborhood spot for retail therapy with a wide variety of bars and restaurants to boot.
104 locals recommend
Lincoln Square
Great neighborhood spot for retail therapy with a wide variety of bars and restaurants to boot.
140 year-old apothecary. Find cool products you didn't know you needed!
52 locals recommend
Merz Apothecary
4716 N Lincoln Ave140 year-old apothecary. Find cool products you didn't know you needed!
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveClassic Chicago used bookstore with incredible selection.