Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Old school Italian restaurant that serves authentic food like no others. Fresh seafood such as calimaris, octopus and fresh caught fish.
45 locals recommend
La Scarola
721 W Grand AveOld school Italian restaurant that serves authentic food like no others. Fresh seafood such as calimaris, octopus and fresh caught fish.
Get the best Italian Beef sandwich in the city! Bari is a compact deli and a grocery store. The owner are second generation from the port city, Bari, Italy. Our friends from Italy love coming here as they sell authentic Italian products that can't be found anywhere else in the city.
42 locals recommend
Bari
1120 W Grand AveGet the best Italian Beef sandwich in the city! Bari is a compact deli and a grocery store. The owner are second generation from the port city, Bari, Italy. Our friends from Italy love coming here as they sell authentic Italian products that can't be found anywhere else in the city.
One of the best Italian restaurans in the city. Has a rustic charm with a beautiful garden patio, great selection of food and wines.
48 locals recommend
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted StOne of the best Italian restaurans in the city. Has a rustic charm with a beautiful garden patio, great selection of food and wines.
A good modern Mexican restaurant. Generous portion and they make amazing margaritas and homemade chips and salsa. Hence why this place is a go to happy hour spot for many.
21 locals recommend
Blue Agave Tequila Bar & Restaurant
1050 N State StA good modern Mexican restaurant. Generous portion and they make amazing margaritas and homemade chips and salsa. Hence why this place is a go to happy hour spot for many.
Best southern style chicken biscuit you'll find in Chicago.
9 locals recommend
The Roost Carolina Kitchen
457 N Milwaukee AveBest southern style chicken biscuit you'll find in Chicago.
Topo Gigio Ristorante
1516 N Wells StHappy Camper Pizzeria
1209 N Wells StModern hipster atmosphere with good wood-burning pizza
Great margaritas and tacos. Come here for $2 Taco Tuesdays
20 locals recommend
Broken English Taco Pub
2576 N Lincoln AveGreat margaritas and tacos. Come here for $2 Taco Tuesdays
Best deep dish pizza place in Chicago. Crust is way better than Giordano's
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StBest deep dish pizza place in Chicago. Crust is way better than Giordano's
Located on the historic Greek town, this authentic Mediterranean restaurant imported their own olive oil, spices, seafood from Greece. They have been around since 1971 and offer valet parking.
50 locals recommend
Greek Islands
200 S Halsted StLocated on the historic Greek town, this authentic Mediterranean restaurant imported their own olive oil, spices, seafood from Greece. They have been around since 1971 and offer valet parking.
A great Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. RPM Italian is one of our favorite restaurants due to their immaculate service, high quality food and ambiance. Food portion is not large but that's common in most upscale restaurants.
41 locals recommend
RPM Italian
52 W Illinois StA great Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. RPM Italian is one of our favorite restaurants due to their immaculate service, high quality food and ambiance. Food portion is not large but that's common in most upscale restaurants.
The Aberdeen Tap
440 N Aberdeen StFilter Cafe
1373 North Milwaukee AvenueGreat coffee
Caffe Umbria
346 N Clark StItalian roast coffee
The Goddess and Grocer
1649 N Damen AveGreat hot breakfast sandwich and fresh brewed coffee
Drinks & Nightlife
This restaurant lounge/bar is a must visit. Great selection of food and cocktails with great ambiance. They know how to make Old Fashioned and Cosmo right. If you're looking for a speakeasy type of bar, check this place out. Downstairs there is a bar called "the library," always a long wait to get in there but it's worth the experience.
66 locals recommend
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StThis restaurant lounge/bar is a must visit. Great selection of food and cocktails with great ambiance. They know how to make Old Fashioned and Cosmo right. If you're looking for a speakeasy type of bar, check this place out. Downstairs there is a bar called "the library," always a long wait to get in there but it's worth the experience.
The gold standard for a divebar with a good atmosphere, jukebox music, and cheap drinks. Also the only bar in the city where smoking is permissible.
25 locals recommend
Richard's Bar
491 N Milwaukee AveThe gold standard for a divebar with a good atmosphere, jukebox music, and cheap drinks. Also the only bar in the city where smoking is permissible.
Headquarters Beercade
213 W Institute PlDrinks, live DJ and free arcade games.
Famous Irish pub as it has been in many TV shows (Chicago PD, Fire) and movies (like Ocean's 11). On weeknight, the place is quiet and lowkey. They have decent appetizers too. On weeknight, just like many Irish pub, this place can be very lively and jam-packed.
15 locals recommend
Emmit's Irish Pub
495 N Milwaukee AveFamous Irish pub as it has been in many TV shows (Chicago PD, Fire) and movies (like Ocean's 11). On weeknight, the place is quiet and lowkey. They have decent appetizers too. On weeknight, just like many Irish pub, this place can be very lively and jam-packed.
The Dawson
730 W Grand AveVery cute and romantic patio
Sightseeing
Willis Tower Skydeck
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrJohn Hancock Center
875 North Michigan AvenueNavy Pier
600 E Grand AveMillennium Park
201 E Randolph StGo here to take a picture with the bean/cloud gate.
Arts & Culture
This museum is an iconic tourist attraction in Chicago. Try to spend at least the whole day here as you'll find out real fast that there are thousands of amazing artwork. People of all ages will find something to appreciate. The giftshop is also worth checking out, they have amazing collection of gifts, accessories and collection of art books.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThis museum is an iconic tourist attraction in Chicago. Try to spend at least the whole day here as you'll find out real fast that there are thousands of amazing artwork. People of all ages will find something to appreciate. The giftshop is also worth checking out, they have amazing collection of gifts, accessories and collection of art books.
High quality comedy and improv entertainment. As a matter of fact, Second City is very well known for their cast members who later on became famous with SNLs.
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North AveHigh quality comedy and improv entertainment. As a matter of fact, Second City is very well known for their cast members who later on became famous with SNLs.
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrParks & Nature
Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place to visit in any seasons. Plenty of exhibits and just overall a clean, well-maintained zoo. Head down to the south side part of the zoo for a scenic stroll around the garden and pond.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StLincoln Park Zoo is a great place to visit in any seasons. Plenty of exhibits and just overall a clean, well-maintained zoo. Head down to the south side part of the zoo for a scenic stroll around the garden and pond.