Guidebook for Chicago
Everything Else
Andersonville
Charming neighborhood nearby to explore onfoot
Hipster before the term. It's like eating at an antique lamp museum or garden statue outlet. Very interesting experience and the pizza is perfect.
7 locals recommend
Gullivers Pizza
2727 W Howard StHipster before the term. It's like eating at an antique lamp museum or garden statue outlet. Very interesting experience and the pizza is perfect.
Wonderful local storefront/small-scale theater specializing in literary adaptations. Strong acting and production quality.
16 locals recommend
Lifeline Theatre
6912 N Glenwood AveWonderful local storefront/small-scale theater specializing in literary adaptations. Strong acting and production quality.
Beautiful restored factory building, housing many artist's work spaces and a few galleries
Greenleaf Art Center
1806 W Greenleaf AveBeautiful restored factory building, housing many artist's work spaces and a few galleries
Charming local dive bar. They have live music from local and national acts and good drink specials. All sorts of people. Right next door to Heartland Cafe.
21 locals recommend
The Heartland Cafe
7006 N Glenwood AveCharming local dive bar. They have live music from local and national acts and good drink specials. All sorts of people. Right next door to Heartland Cafe.
antiques oddities and resale, very unique; you'll see animal skulls, stuffed animals, ancient dentistry tools, Victorian jewelry made from the hair of the deceased...collected by friendly married pair
28 locals recommend
Woolly Mammoth
1513 W Foster Aveantiques oddities and resale, very unique; you'll see animal skulls, stuffed animals, ancient dentistry tools, Victorian jewelry made from the hair of the deceased...collected by friendly married pair
$$ Greek Mediterranean with all the favorites: gyros, lamb, falafel, salads, and good hummus.
21 locals recommend
Andies Restaurant
5253 N Clark St$$ Greek Mediterranean with all the favorites: gyros, lamb, falafel, salads, and good hummus.
Creators of "Too Much Light Makes the Baby go Blind," 30 skits in 60 minutes. Half of the tickets are available for purchase online and the other half on first come first serve basis.
66 locals recommend
Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueCreators of "Too Much Light Makes the Baby go Blind," 30 skits in 60 minutes. Half of the tickets are available for purchase online and the other half on first come first serve basis.
Engaging takes on American classics, readings & children's performances are staged in 2 theaters.
18 locals recommend
Raven Theatre
6157 N Clark StEngaging takes on American classics, readings & children's performances are staged in 2 theaters.
Celebrating Nordic culture & history with various programs including exhibits, tours & a kids' area.
71 locals recommend
Swedish American Museum
5211 N Clark StCelebrating Nordic culture & history with various programs including exhibits, tours & a kids' area.
Indy-minded all-around bookshop known for its feminist & kid focus, with regular author appearances.
48 locals recommend
Women & Children First
5233 N Clark StIndy-minded all-around bookshop known for its feminist & kid focus, with regular author appearances.
Circa-1920s bake shop for Swedish treats such as marzipan cakes, cardamom coffeecake & cookies
18 locals recommend
Swedish Bakery
5348 North Clark StreetCirca-1920s bake shop for Swedish treats such as marzipan cakes, cardamom coffeecake & cookies
Busy bakery offering an array of cakes, scones & cupcakes as well as serving breakfast & light eats.
42 locals recommend
A Taste of Heaven
5401 N Clark StBusy bakery offering an array of cakes, scones & cupcakes as well as serving breakfast & light eats.
Legendary Chicago jazz club in Uptown. Has reopened with an outdoor space since the pandemic.
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayLegendary Chicago jazz club in Uptown. Has reopened with an outdoor space since the pandemic.
Food Scene
Classic Indian cuisine, clay-oven-fired dishes & a lunch buffet in a simple but spacious venue
16 locals recommend
Tiffin The Indian Kitchen
2536 W Devon AveClassic Indian cuisine, clay-oven-fired dishes & a lunch buffet in a simple but spacious venue
Corner eatery specializing in vegetarian provisions from Northern & Southern India.
21 locals recommend
Uru-Swati
2629 W Devon AveCorner eatery specializing in vegetarian provisions from Northern & Southern India.
Arty neighborhood bar and restaurant with a lovely patio, open in the summertime
54 locals recommend
Heartland Cafe
7000 N Glenwood AveArty neighborhood bar and restaurant with a lovely patio, open in the summertime
Taste of Peru
6545 N Clark StSome of the best Peruvian food in Chicago
Casual American spot with organic eats (some from the rooftop farm) plus coffee, brews & live music
70 locals recommend
Uncommon Ground
1401 W Devon AveCasual American spot with organic eats (some from the rooftop farm) plus coffee, brews & live music
Old-school local chain offering homestyle Italian & American standards & a kids' menu
25 locals recommend
Leona's Pizzeria & Restaurant
1236 E 53rd StOld-school local chain offering homestyle Italian & American standards & a kids' menu
Breakfast and brunch is the specialty of this homey spot that also dishes up creative American lunch & dinner.
8 locals recommend
m.henrietta
1133 West Granville AvenueBreakfast and brunch is the specialty of this homey spot that also dishes up creative American lunch & dinner.
injera, many vegetarian offerings, lamb, honey wine. helpful staff.
41 locals recommend
Ethiopian Diamond
6120 N Broadwayinjera, many vegetarian offerings, lamb, honey wine. helpful staff.
Little known delight of a place with classy live music on a stage steps from the water. Picnic tables right on sand, string lights, and tiki torches. Perfect ambiance.
35 locals recommend
The Waterfront Cafe
6219 N Sheridan RdLittle known delight of a place with classy live music on a stage steps from the water. Picnic tables right on sand, string lights, and tiki torches. Perfect ambiance.
Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant
2032 W Devon AvePakistani fast food, open 24/7!
Best coffee in town right in nearby Edgewater; arty, lots of students, free wi-fi, close to el stop, friendly hipsterish staff
54 locals recommend
Metropolis Coffee Company
1039 W Granville AveBest coffee in town right in nearby Edgewater; arty, lots of students, free wi-fi, close to el stop, friendly hipsterish staff
Absolute gem of a breakfast and brunch place. Top notch food and service.
91 locals recommend
The Bongo Room
5022 N Clark StAbsolute gem of a breakfast and brunch place. Top notch food and service.
Tasty, authentic homestyle Japanese food--small, cozy, BYOB, inexpensive
6 locals recommend
Sunshine Café
5449 North Clark StreetTasty, authentic homestyle Japanese food--small, cozy, BYOB, inexpensive
Breakfast+Brunch/Gastropub;
Newish place with good food and casual atmosphere. Great patio in back.
66 locals recommend
Peckish Pig
623 W Howard StBreakfast+Brunch/Gastropub;
Newish place with good food and casual atmosphere. Great patio in back.
Warm BYOB featuring Persian cuisine with vegetarian options plus baklava & ice cream for dessert.
10 locals recommend
Masouleh
6653 North Clark StreetWarm BYOB featuring Persian cuisine with vegetarian options plus baklava & ice cream for dessert.
Indie cafe serving up coffee, baked goods, wine & craft beers in a stylish, modern space.
64 locals recommend
The Coffee Studio
5628 N Clark StIndie cafe serving up coffee, baked goods, wine & craft beers in a stylish, modern space.
Highly recommended: bohemian, travel-themed cafe with breakfast, sandwiches & other light fare served. Boutique in the rear.
53 locals recommend
Kopi Cafe
5317 N Clark StHighly recommended: bohemian, travel-themed cafe with breakfast, sandwiches & other light fare served. Boutique in the rear.
Breakfast/brunch place, newish, that has been embraced by the neighorhood.
12 locals recommend
Honeybear Cafe
7036 N Clark StBreakfast/brunch place, newish, that has been embraced by the neighorhood.
Sightseeing
Leone Beach Park
1222 W Touhy AveGreat walk north up to Loyola Beach
Shopping
Any Indian herb or spice you could possibly imagine is stocked by this store...no joke. It is awesome! There are some fresh veggies and herbs...but this place is better for it's packaged
Patel Brothers
2610 W Devon AveAny Indian herb or spice you could possibly imagine is stocked by this store...no joke. It is awesome! There are some fresh veggies and herbs...but this place is better for it's packaged
Magnificent, comfortable, friendly, welcoming game store--definitely best in this city. Immense wall of board games. Be prepared for a seriously nerdy time. Open game nights and tournaments weekly.
8 locals recommend
Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo
5550 N BroadwayMagnificent, comfortable, friendly, welcoming game store--definitely best in this city. Immense wall of board games. Be prepared for a seriously nerdy time. Open game nights and tournaments weekly.
Drinks & Nightlife
Creative, Belgian-focused food
+ best beer selection in the city; Try the house specialty - Mussels in white wine sauce served with frites & aioli
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StCreative, Belgian-focused food
+ best beer selection in the city; Try the house specialty - Mussels in white wine sauce served with frites & aioli
Neighborhood staple; delicious burger, fries, and onion rings. Their outdoor patio is like non other. Its larger and seats more people than inside. Lots of trees, great for spring and summer.
41 locals recommend
Moody's Pub
5910 N BroadwayNeighborhood staple; delicious burger, fries, and onion rings. Their outdoor patio is like non other. Its larger and seats more people than inside. Lots of trees, great for spring and summer.
Great selection of cocktails, small plates, and whiskey. Caring bartenders.
42 locals recommend
Ward Eight
629 W Howard StGreat selection of cocktails, small plates, and whiskey. Caring bartenders.