Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
A variety of tasty cuisine with fresh-squeezed juices in the morning and well-portioned meals. We no everyone has avocado toast, but this is southwest inspired version with black beans and jalapeno, we recommend getting a side of scrambled eggs to go with it. Plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
52 locals recommend
Meli Cafe
301 S Halsted St A variety of tasty cuisine with fresh-squeezed juices in the morning and well-portioned meals. We no everyone has avocado toast, but this is southwest inspired version with black beans and jalapeno, we recommend getting a side of scrambled eggs to go with it. Plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
A versatile restaurant that we recommend for their brunch but is equally suitable for a light dinner or post-meal cocktail. Also equipped with a coffee bar with pastry options, Beatrix is an easy option for a quick bite to go or a sit-down meal. Their brunch is very popular, we recommend a reservation.
65 locals recommend
Beatrix
519 N Clark StA versatile restaurant that we recommend for their brunch but is equally suitable for a light dinner or post-meal cocktail. Also equipped with a coffee bar with pastry options, Beatrix is an easy option for a quick bite to go or a sit-down meal. Their brunch is very popular, we recommend a reservation.
Killer grinders, fresh but basic salads, and other inexpensive Chicago staples. Spot it from across the street by the ice cream cone sign above the door.
Steves Place
230 W Chicago Ave Killer grinders, fresh but basic salads, and other inexpensive Chicago staples. Spot it from across the street by the ice cream cone sign above the door.
Open since 1952, Club Lago offers Northern Italian favorites with good portions. Head there in the afternoon and sit up at the bar to test your Jeopardy knowledge with their regular patrons. Check out their daily lunch specials or enjoy one of their 13 or so different panini.
8 locals recommend
Club Lago
331 W Superior StOpen since 1952, Club Lago offers Northern Italian favorites with good portions. Head there in the afternoon and sit up at the bar to test your Jeopardy knowledge with their regular patrons. Check out their daily lunch specials or enjoy one of their 13 or so different panini.
An Asian-fusion spot that we recommend for lunch for better portions and prices. The brussel sprout salad is great to share and a refreshing way to start your meal. From there, you can build a Bento box with a protein of your choice or go with the Chef’s Lucky 8s special and enjoy their selection of seasonal dishes.
58 locals recommend
Sunda
110 W Illinois StAn Asian-fusion spot that we recommend for lunch for better portions and prices. The brussel sprout salad is great to share and a refreshing way to start your meal. From there, you can build a Bento box with a protein of your choice or go with the Chef’s Lucky 8s special and enjoy their selection of seasonal dishes.
Modern take on the traditional steakhouse features a contemporary, chef-driven menu, an award-winning wine list and a well-curated craft cocktail program.
35 locals recommend
RPM Steak
66 W Kinzie StModern take on the traditional steakhouse features a contemporary, chef-driven menu, an award-winning wine list and a well-curated craft cocktail program.
Pizza for thin crust and deep dish lovers alike, this Chicago chain delivers until 4 AM
32 locals recommend
Pizano's Pizza & Pasta
61 E Madison StPizza for thin crust and deep dish lovers alike, this Chicago chain delivers until 4 AM
The mission of this restaurant is to source delicious ingredients from farms around the Midwest, including their own Brown Dog Farm. Try a flight of their Farmhouse Proprietary Cider or choose from their selection of craft beers on tap.
32 locals recommend
Farmhouse Chicago
228 W Chicago AveThe mission of this restaurant is to source delicious ingredients from farms around the Midwest, including their own Brown Dog Farm. Try a flight of their Farmhouse Proprietary Cider or choose from their selection of craft beers on tap.
A Mediterranean restaurant showcasing lighter California style of cooking. Signature dishes include Spicy Hummus, House-Made Stracciatella with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes and Lamb Kefta Kebabs.
13 locals recommend
Ema
74 W Illinois StA Mediterranean restaurant showcasing lighter California style of cooking. Signature dishes include Spicy Hummus, House-Made Stracciatella with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes and Lamb Kefta Kebabs.
This River North hot spot brings the warmth and authenticity of California farms and Artisans to the heart of downtown Chicago
6 locals recommend
Pacific Standard Time
141 W Erie StThis River North hot spot brings the warmth and authenticity of California farms and Artisans to the heart of downtown Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Below The Green Door Tavern, knock on a door to reveal The Drifter for specialty cocktails (displayed on tarot cards) & live Burlesque entertainment. There’s limited seating, so get here early to claim your spot.
12 locals recommend
The Drifter
676-8 N Orleans StBelow The Green Door Tavern, knock on a door to reveal The Drifter for specialty cocktails (displayed on tarot cards) & live Burlesque entertainment. There’s limited seating, so get here early to claim your spot.
Bohemian-inspired interiors with views of the Chicago River gives an other-worldly feel. The beverage program at Beatnik pairs a cocktail list full of fun, creative, beautiful, and unstuffy drinks that come in three varieties: shaken, stirred and frozen. Their wine list is varied and unique with bottles from emerging regions and countries, representing sustainably farmed indigenous varietals.
17 locals recommend
Beatnik On The River
180 North Wacker DriveBohemian-inspired interiors with views of the Chicago River gives an other-worldly feel. The beverage program at Beatnik pairs a cocktail list full of fun, creative, beautiful, and unstuffy drinks that come in three varieties: shaken, stirred and frozen. Their wine list is varied and unique with bottles from emerging regions and countries, representing sustainably farmed indigenous varietals.
Tiki drinks (flaming options included), 200+ rums & luau bites in a retro Polynesian-island setting.
125 locals recommend
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StTiki drinks (flaming options included), 200+ rums & luau bites in a retro Polynesian-island setting.
Sightseeing
The 1.25 mile long path along the Main Branch of the Chicago River was completed in 2016 to transform the Chicago River into a recreational destination and weave the life of the River into the urban fabric of the city. Since its opening, the Riverwalk has been a bustling hub of activity, offering a variety of venues and spaces for residents and visitors to eat, drink and play. The riverwalk has grown to 10 vendors this year, each providing new and innovative food and beverages showcasing the best of the City.
273 locals recommend
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker DrThe 1.25 mile long path along the Main Branch of the Chicago River was completed in 2016 to transform the Chicago River into a recreational destination and weave the life of the River into the urban fabric of the city. Since its opening, the Riverwalk has been a bustling hub of activity, offering a variety of venues and spaces for residents and visitors to eat, drink and play. The riverwalk has grown to 10 vendors this year, each providing new and innovative food and beverages showcasing the best of the City.
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StNavy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long (1,010 m) pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The Navy Pier currently encompasses more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibition facilities and is the top leisure destination in the Midwestern United States ("Midwest"), drawing nearly nine million visitors annually
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveNavy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long (1,010 m) pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The Navy Pier currently encompasses more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibition facilities and is the top leisure destination in the Midwestern United States ("Midwest"), drawing nearly nine million visitors annually
Parks & Nature
Lincoln Park Zoo is a 35-acre zoo located in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it among the oldest zoos in North America. It is also one of a few free admission zoos in the United States.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StLincoln Park Zoo is a 35-acre zoo located in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it among the oldest zoos in North America. It is also one of a few free admission zoos in the United States.
Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois, US, and originally intended to celebrate the third millennium. It is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers a 24.5-acre section of northwestern Grant Park
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StMillennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois, US, and originally intended to celebrate the third millennium. It is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers a 24.5-acre section of northwestern Grant Park
Popular lakeside sands with stores, informal dining, a parking lot & a beach house with city views.
338 locals recommend
North Avenue Beach
Popular lakeside sands with stores, informal dining, a parking lot & a beach house with city views.
Shopping
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Arts & Culture
Chicago History Museum was founded in 1856 to study and interpret Chicago's history. It is located in Lincoln Park at 1601 North Clark Street at the intersection of North Avenue in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood.
241 locals recommend
Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark StChicago History Museum was founded in 1856 to study and interpret Chicago's history. It is located in Lincoln Park at 1601 North Clark Street at the intersection of North Avenue in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood.
The Adler Planetarium is a public museum dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics. It was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. It is located on the northeast tip of Northerly Island at the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois
393 locals recommend
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrThe Adler Planetarium is a public museum dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics. It was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. It is located on the northeast tip of Northerly Island at the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois
Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois in the United States that opened on May 30, 1930. The aquarium contains 32,000 animals, and was for some time the largest indoor aquarium in the world with 5,000,000 US gallons of water.
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrShedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois in the United States that opened on May 30, 1930. The aquarium contains 32,000 animals, and was for some time the largest indoor aquarium in the world with 5,000,000 US gallons of water.
Essentials
A convenient corner store with an added layer of ease – the ability to order wine, beer, spirits, and snacks from your mobile device. Download the app or visit foxtrot.co for a full list of their offerings. Headed to a dinner party and need a quick gift? Foxtrot has you covered with their curated gift boxes.
30 locals recommend
Foxtrot Market
1722 W Division StA convenient corner store with an added layer of ease – the ability to order wine, beer, spirits, and snacks from your mobile device. Download the app or visit foxtrot.co for a full list of their offerings. Headed to a dinner party and need a quick gift? Foxtrot has you covered with their curated gift boxes.
Eco-minded chain with natural and organic grocery items, housewares, and other products.
836 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StEco-minded chain with natural and organic grocery items, housewares, and other products.
Grocery chain with a variety of signature items plus produce, dairy, and more.
360 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey PkwyGrocery chain with a variety of signature items plus produce, dairy, and more.
Trendy neighborhood shop offering high-end European & American dry goods as well as deli sandwiches. Robust wine selection from across the globe.
10 locals recommend
Galleria Market
340 W Superior StTrendy neighborhood shop offering high-end European & American dry goods as well as deli sandwiches. Robust wine selection from across the globe.