Jasmine’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
Ukrainian Village is a neighborhood that holds a special place in my heart. It’s charming with its cafes, restaurants and classic dive bars. It’s walkable and family-friendly while remaining as popular with singles. It’s equally welcoming to artists, young professionals and the older generation.
30 locals recommend
Ukrainian Village
Ukrainian Village is a neighborhood that holds a special place in my heart. It’s charming with its cafes, restaurants and classic dive bars. It’s walkable and family-friendly while remaining as popular with singles. It’s equally welcoming to artists, young professionals and the older generation.
Church
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
1121 N Leavitt StMuseum/Art Gallery
A recent exhibit at this eccentric little gallery showcased works by people with neuropsychiatric disorders. Before going inside, pause to admire the curving façade by noted architect Stanley Tigerman.
38 locals recommend
Ukranian Institute of Modern Art
2320 W Chicago AveA recent exhibit at this eccentric little gallery showcased works by people with neuropsychiatric disorders. Before going inside, pause to admire the curving façade by noted architect Stanley Tigerman.
Get a dose of history at this jewel box of a museum featuring WWI helmets, old-time swords, and intricately decorated eggshells that, according to Ukrainian legend, protect their recipient from evil. Whew!
15 locals recommend
Ukrainian National Museum
2249 W Superior StGet a dose of history at this jewel box of a museum featuring WWI helmets, old-time swords, and intricately decorated eggshells that, according to Ukrainian legend, protect their recipient from evil. Whew!
What Vertical Gallery has done so beautifully is create an open space for national and international artists — influenced by pop culture, graphic design, illustration, and contemporary urban art — to showcase their work. Visit, peruse and take home an original piece of art. Return to see what’s new — new artists are highlighted at monthly exhibits.
14 locals recommend
Vertical Gallery
2006 N Western AveWhat Vertical Gallery has done so beautifully is create an open space for national and international artists — influenced by pop culture, graphic design, illustration, and contemporary urban art — to showcase their work. Visit, peruse and take home an original piece of art. Return to see what’s new — new artists are highlighted at monthly exhibits.
Home/Garden
Succulents, pots, terrariums—basically, the store’s got all things green for your place, inside and out. Its wares have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens and on HGTV. (Check out the sister kitchen store across the street, too.)
23 locals recommend
Sprout Home
745 N Damen AveSucculents, pots, terrariums—basically, the store’s got all things green for your place, inside and out. Its wares have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens and on HGTV. (Check out the sister kitchen store across the street, too.)
Food scene
a tavola
2148 W Chicago AveThis BYOB serves comfort food with a twist, such as grilled cheese with tomato-fennel soup.
128 locals recommend
Bite Cafe
1039 N Western AveThis BYOB serves comfort food with a twist, such as grilled cheese with tomato-fennel soup.
Everyone from Bill Clinton to Martha Stewart has come to this corner joint, where you can get fluffy pierogi, thick borscht, and the best damn Polish sausage you’ve ever had.
29 locals recommend
KASIA'S DELI, INC.
2101 W Chicago AveEveryone from Bill Clinton to Martha Stewart has come to this corner joint, where you can get fluffy pierogi, thick borscht, and the best damn Polish sausage you’ve ever had.
At this spot, with its flawless Rosie the Riveter aesthetic and crazy-strong coffee, pies of all sorts are on rotation: savory, fruit, cream, chocolate. Don’t miss the chicken pot pie.
76 locals recommend
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
1618 W Chicago AveAt this spot, with its flawless Rosie the Riveter aesthetic and crazy-strong coffee, pies of all sorts are on rotation: savory, fruit, cream, chocolate. Don’t miss the chicken pot pie.
Fatso's Last Stand serves up homemade mac n’ cheese, burgers, fried shrimp and char dogs at all hours, with late nights extending to 4 a.m. on the weekends.
62 locals recommend
Fatso's Last Stand
2258 W Chicago AveFatso's Last Stand serves up homemade mac n’ cheese, burgers, fried shrimp and char dogs at all hours, with late nights extending to 4 a.m. on the weekends.
Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen serves up traditional Ukrainian fare in an art-filled colorful space. You can order take-away items through the quick-service coffee window, like handmade Ukrainian-style pierogies, potato pancakes, goulash and belly-filling crepes.
22 locals recommend
Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen
2201 W Chicago Ave
Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen serves up traditional Ukrainian fare in an art-filled colorful space. You can order take-away items through the quick-service coffee window, like handmade Ukrainian-style pierogies, potato pancakes, goulash and belly-filling crepes.
Arami is a contemporary sushi gem, in a light-filled red brick building. The menu is complete with small and large plates, sashimi, nigiri, maki and robata (Japanese charcoal grill). The miso soup is delicious. Dine-in, carry-out or sip a sake — or a Japanese beer — while figuring out your next move.
37 locals recommend
Arami
1829 W Chicago AveArami is a contemporary sushi gem, in a light-filled red brick building. The menu is complete with small and large plates, sashimi, nigiri, maki and robata (Japanese charcoal grill). The miso soup is delicious. Dine-in, carry-out or sip a sake — or a Japanese beer — while figuring out your next move.
Roots Handmade Pizza is, of course, a favorite for any Chicagoan — we love our red sauces and Roots makes theirs with a little kick. Plus, the crust is made with dark-roasted malt.
126 locals recommend
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveRoots Handmade Pizza is, of course, a favorite for any Chicagoan — we love our red sauces and Roots makes theirs with a little kick. Plus, the crust is made with dark-roasted malt.
Whisk, a local favorite, is a colorful American restaurant with Mexican roots, owned and operated by brothers Rick and David Rodriguez. This pair of talented chefs serves up favorites like Breakfast Sopes, Chicken & Corn Cakes and house-made Veggie Burgers
63 locals recommend
WHISK
2018 W Chicago AveWhisk, a local favorite, is a colorful American restaurant with Mexican roots, owned and operated by brothers Rick and David Rodriguez. This pair of talented chefs serves up favorites like Breakfast Sopes, Chicken & Corn Cakes and house-made Veggie Burgers
Nightlife/Club
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveBeloved bar home to musicians of all eras and reputations.
Coffee Shops
The Dark Matter Coffee company, a tried-and-true Chicago brand, has shops across the city, including a location in Ukrainian Village called Star Lounge Coffee Bar. Local art is hung on burnt-orange walls and there’s a long bar that you can belly-up to and order a Unicorn Blood blended roast. In the warmer months the patio is open, and you can bring your four-legged friend to join you in the sun. This is a great place to go to meet friends or to sit for a spell with a good book. And, if you get hungry, there are little nibbles and noshes to satiate you.
135 locals recommend
Star Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveThe Dark Matter Coffee company, a tried-and-true Chicago brand, has shops across the city, including a location in Ukrainian Village called Star Lounge Coffee Bar. Local art is hung on burnt-orange walls and there’s a long bar that you can belly-up to and order a Unicorn Blood blended roast. In the warmer months the patio is open, and you can bring your four-legged friend to join you in the sun. This is a great place to go to meet friends or to sit for a spell with a good book. And, if you get hungry, there are little nibbles and noshes to satiate you.