Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic Chicago bar. Fun blend of locals, bands on the weekends. A great place to pop in and get a cold one. Anthony Bourdain visited on his last jaunt through town as well.
55 locals recommend
Simon's Tavern
5210 N Clark StClassic Chicago bar. Fun blend of locals, bands on the weekends. A great place to pop in and get a cold one. Anthony Bourdain visited on his last jaunt through town as well.
One of the best selection of Belgian beers in CHI. Lovely back patio. Bar up front, larger dining room in the back, and special brewers visit nights too. Get the frites! One of our fav places in town.
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StOne of the best selection of Belgian beers in CHI. Lovely back patio. Bar up front, larger dining room in the back, and special brewers visit nights too. Get the frites! One of our fav places in town.
LEGENDARY Chicago jazz club with varying artists every night of the week. 1930's art deco interior and steeped in history. Deep Blue Organ Trio every Tues night (Hammond B3 organ). A must visit.
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayLEGENDARY Chicago jazz club with varying artists every night of the week. 1930's art deco interior and steeped in history. Deep Blue Organ Trio every Tues night (Hammond B3 organ). A must visit.
A great neighborhood pub; nothing fancy. Outside sidewalk tables & umbrellas, decent tap list. Last I was there a guy w/thick, CHI accent was regaling stories about his tow truck business. Love it!
6 locals recommend
Edgewater Lounge
5600 N Ashland AveA great neighborhood pub; nothing fancy. Outside sidewalk tables & umbrellas, decent tap list. Last I was there a guy w/thick, CHI accent was regaling stories about his tow truck business. Love it!
secret squirrel rooftop deck! Just completed this summer, lovely brick accents and a fireplace up there too. Solid tap list and menu.
72 locals recommend
Fountainhead
1970 W Montrose Avesecret squirrel rooftop deck! Just completed this summer, lovely brick accents and a fireplace up there too. Solid tap list and menu.
tasty suds, and good food too! Both and upstairs & downstairs bar - head up the stairs to the right if the main level is too crowded.
724 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee Avetasty suds, and good food too! Both and upstairs & downstairs bar - head up the stairs to the right if the main level is too crowded.
Hidden amongst a more industrial part of town: The Hideout is aptly named and stays in business due to it's long and storied history. Classic CHI. Robbie Fulks plays most Mon nights.
64 locals recommend
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia AveHidden amongst a more industrial part of town: The Hideout is aptly named and stays in business due to it's long and storied history. Classic CHI. Robbie Fulks plays most Mon nights.
Food Scene
Andersonville was historically a Swedish enclave. Ann Sathers is a staple in CHI for swedish pancakes and great breakfasts.
109 locals recommend
Ann Sather Restaurant
909 W Belmont AveAndersonville was historically a Swedish enclave. Ann Sathers is a staple in CHI for swedish pancakes and great breakfasts.
Authentic German deli, European market, rooftop beer garden w/house made sausages. Recommended by many a travel list, Bon Appetit, food shows, and CHI "best of" lists. Great place to nibble & sip.
91 locals recommend
Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
4750 N Lincoln AveAuthentic German deli, European market, rooftop beer garden w/house made sausages. Recommended by many a travel list, Bon Appetit, food shows, and CHI "best of" lists. Great place to nibble & sip.
Solid breakfast & lunch menu; bakery. Garden dining. A neighborhood favorite.
94 locals recommend
m.henry
5707 N Clark StSolid breakfast & lunch menu; bakery. Garden dining. A neighborhood favorite.
The Coffee Studio
5628 N Clark StWifi, fresh roasts and nice tea selection.
Said to be the first Korean BBQ in town, many love this place. Dish upon dish of sides & kimchee. Waits can be long (it's tiny), service abrupt, but it is delicious. I dream about the dumplings. BYOB
21 locals recommend
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant
4200 N Lincoln AveSaid to be the first Korean BBQ in town, many love this place. Dish upon dish of sides & kimchee. Waits can be long (it's tiny), service abrupt, but it is delicious. I dream about the dumplings. BYOB
Truly an Italian family-run restaurant. Italian accents abound. Interior is nothing fancy, but wood-fired pizzas are delish. Pies are on the small side, but you do save $$ with BYOB.
Antica Pizzeria
5663 North Clark StreetTruly an Italian family-run restaurant. Italian accents abound. Interior is nothing fancy, but wood-fired pizzas are delish. Pies are on the small side, but you do save $$ with BYOB.
All vegetarian cafe, all delicious. Expect long wait lines, but for good reason.
87 locals recommend
Chicago Diner
3411 N Halsted StAll vegetarian cafe, all delicious. Expect long wait lines, but for good reason.
tucked away in a postage-stamp sized park, the Waterfront Cafe is housed in a formal carriage house of a h20 front mansion. Lovely yard, feet from the crashing surf, a sliver of a beach. Perfect!
Dawghaus Cafe
6219 N Sheridan Rdtucked away in a postage-stamp sized park, the Waterfront Cafe is housed in a formal carriage house of a h20 front mansion. Lovely yard, feet from the crashing surf, a sliver of a beach. Perfect!
New Orleans style food: delicious beignets, a super tasty crab cake benedict, attentive staff, and charming space. I've only had brunch, but dinner menu looks great too! Small patio out back too.
78 locals recommend
Big Jones
5347 N Clark StNew Orleans style food: delicious beignets, a super tasty crab cake benedict, attentive staff, and charming space. I've only had brunch, but dinner menu looks great too! Small patio out back too.
Sightseeing
White sand, crashing waves, and the 'the Dock' pub & food. Wed night is an authentic Jamaican rasta MC for reggae beats. Music on the deck with a view of the lake - what more could you ask for?
297 locals recommend
Montrose Beach
White sand, crashing waves, and the 'the Dock' pub & food. Wed night is an authentic Jamaican rasta MC for reggae beats. Music on the deck with a view of the lake - what more could you ask for?
Everything Else
One of the best microbrews in town. Tastings & growler fills, bottles to go. Saturday am brewery tours. They are building a tap room, but presently still in construction.
103 locals recommend
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveOne of the best microbrews in town. Tastings & growler fills, bottles to go. Saturday am brewery tours. They are building a tap room, but presently still in construction.
Bryn Mawr stop on the Red Line is closest to our house. You can purchase 3-day unlimited passes for $15 which is more economical if you'll be jumping on & off the El to tour Chicago.
36 locals recommend
Bryn Mawr Red Line Station
Bryn Mawr stop on the Red Line is closest to our house. You can purchase 3-day unlimited passes for $15 which is more economical if you'll be jumping on & off the El to tour Chicago.
A MUST SEE for everyone visiting Chicago. The Lurie gardens are beautiful, the Gehry designed Pritzker Pavilion and pedestrian walkway are gorgeous, and of course "the Bean" and "face fountains".
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StA MUST SEE for everyone visiting Chicago. The Lurie gardens are beautiful, the Gehry designed Pritzker Pavilion and pedestrian walkway are gorgeous, and of course "the Bean" and "face fountains".
Arts & Culture
Solid bookings of a large variety of bands. Pretty venue with an upstairs balcony and stand-alone bar apart from the music.
55 locals recommend
Lincoln Hall
2424 N Lincoln AveSolid bookings of a large variety of bands. Pretty venue with an upstairs balcony and stand-alone bar apart from the music.