Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
The closest grocery store. Open until 10 pm most days, 9 pm Sundays.
132 locals recommend
Treasure Island Foods
1639 N Wells StThe closest grocery store. Open until 10 pm most days, 9 pm Sundays.
Open until 8 pm most days, 6 pm Sundays. Least expensive local option for produce and some dairy and deli products, friendly local staff.
81 locals recommend
Hyde Park Produce Market
1226 E 53rd StOpen until 8 pm most days, 6 pm Sundays. Least expensive local option for produce and some dairy and deli products, friendly local staff.
Crams a ton of stuff into a small space, including local and organic produce, some harder to find foreign food, as well as prepared food options. Open until 2 am (!) every day. If you miss the farmer's market, you can also buy local organic eggs here (they stock on saturdays and often sell out in a few days). And if you're going to one of the restaurants in this area of 55th street, they're all BYOB and you can pick up beer or wine here.
13 locals recommend
Open Produce
1635 E 55th StCrams a ton of stuff into a small space, including local and organic produce, some harder to find foreign food, as well as prepared food options. Open until 2 am (!) every day. If you miss the farmer's market, you can also buy local organic eggs here (they stock on saturdays and often sell out in a few days). And if you're going to one of the restaurants in this area of 55th street, they're all BYOB and you can pick up beer or wine here.
Just opened. Better cheese and fresh fish and meat selection than Treasure Island, in my opinion.
118 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
5118 S Lake Park AveJust opened. Better cheese and fresh fish and meat selection than Treasure Island, in my opinion.
CVS
1228 E 53rd St24 hour
Walgreens
1554 E 55th St24 hour
Best wine selection locally, good sales on other things too. Closes at 7 pm most days, 6 pm Sundays.
7 locals recommend
Binny's Express
4700 South Lake Park AvenueBest wine selection locally, good sales on other things too. Closes at 7 pm most days, 6 pm Sundays.
This liquor store is a little more college-oriented than Binny's -- less of a wine selection, more kegs. But it's open later, and has some good deals.
11 locals recommend
Kimbark Beverage Shoppe
1214 E 53rd StThis liquor store is a little more college-oriented than Binny's -- less of a wine selection, more kegs. But it's open later, and has some good deals.
Food Scene
Small but reliable farmers' market, open on Saturdays in the summer from 9 am to 2 pm. The "Lucky Duck" eggs are my favorite. Local and organic meat from Mint Creek farms, some good fruit and vegetable options, Pleasant House Bakery bread (often).
61st Street Farmers' Market
6100 S Blackstone AveSmall but reliable farmers' market, open on Saturdays in the summer from 9 am to 2 pm. The "Lucky Duck" eggs are my favorite. Local and organic meat from Mint Creek farms, some good fruit and vegetable options, Pleasant House Bakery bread (often).
Great coffee, great food, friendly staff and management. Lots of outdoor seating makes this a busy spot in warm months. Sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, Pleasant House Bakery pot pies.
44 locals recommend
Plein Air Cafe
5751 S Woodlawn AveGreat coffee, great food, friendly staff and management. Lots of outdoor seating makes this a busy spot in warm months. Sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, Pleasant House Bakery pot pies.
Good sandwiches and paninis, salads, breakfast fare. Some outdoor seating in front, more outdoor seating on the back patio, which can be reached through the alley on the side.
9 locals recommend
Zaleski & Horvath MarketCafe
1323 East 57th StreetGood sandwiches and paninis, salads, breakfast fare. Some outdoor seating in front, more outdoor seating on the back patio, which can be reached through the alley on the side.
My favorite of the local Thai food options. Super friendly. Closed Mondays. Delivers (or you can pick up). BYOB.
15 locals recommend
Snail Thai Cuisine
1649 E 55th StMy favorite of the local Thai food options. Super friendly. Closed Mondays. Delivers (or you can pick up). BYOB.
Cafe Corea
1603 E 55th StKorean eat-in or take-out. BYOB
Inexpensive, cute Japanese place, with sushi, udon, and lots of other options too. BYOB.
7 locals recommend
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant
1601 E 55th StInexpensive, cute Japanese place, with sushi, udon, and lots of other options too. BYOB.
My favorite upscale restaurant in Chicago. Takes reservations, though you can also try your luck sitting at the bar.
29 locals recommend
Blackbird Restaurant
619 W Randolph StMy favorite upscale restaurant in Chicago. Takes reservations, though you can also try your luck sitting at the bar.
Restaurant and wine bar, small plates to share (though this is the Midwest, so "small" isn't that small!). No reservations, so there's often a wait, but it moves fairly quickly and is always worth it. Younger scene and less formal than its sister restaurant Blackbird.
87 locals recommend
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StRestaurant and wine bar, small plates to share (though this is the Midwest, so "small" isn't that small!). No reservations, so there's often a wait, but it moves fairly quickly and is always worth it. Younger scene and less formal than its sister restaurant Blackbird.
Restaurant and shop for meat lovers. Helps if you love pork in particular (though the shared roast chicken is also delicious). Popular brunch spot. Takes reservations.
60 locals recommend
Publican Quality Meats
825 W Fulton MarketRestaurant and shop for meat lovers. Helps if you love pork in particular (though the shared roast chicken is also delicious). Popular brunch spot. Takes reservations.
Amazing, spicy, late-night Chinese food. Part of a larger "Lao" empire -- Lao Hunan and Lao Beijing are also favorites.
63 locals recommend
Lao Sze Chuan
2172 S Archer AveAmazing, spicy, late-night Chinese food. Part of a larger "Lao" empire -- Lao Hunan and Lao Beijing are also favorites.
My favorite taco place, I think it's far better than Antique Taco (their primary rival, around the corner). Open patio, big bar, no reservations. The Big Star margaritas and the al pastor, panza, and pescado tacos are their classics. Expect a wait on weekend nights, especially if it's nice out. If you can make your way into the bar, you can also order there -- and they treat the large barrels by the bar as standing tables, with table service, though they're first-come-first-serve (ie you can sometimes skip the wait this way).
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveMy favorite taco place, I think it's far better than Antique Taco (their primary rival, around the corner). Open patio, big bar, no reservations. The Big Star margaritas and the al pastor, panza, and pescado tacos are their classics. Expect a wait on weekend nights, especially if it's nice out. If you can make your way into the bar, you can also order there -- and they treat the large barrels by the bar as standing tables, with table service, though they're first-come-first-serve (ie you can sometimes skip the wait this way).
The potstickers are great, per the name, as are the soup dumplings ("shanghai style"), pancake northern style, the eggplant with garlic sauce, green beans with garlic, cilantro cucumber and chili salad, lamb with cumin...BYOB (from the walgreen's around the corner) or order there.
16 locals recommend
Potsticker House
3139 S Halsted StThe potstickers are great, per the name, as are the soup dumplings ("shanghai style"), pancake northern style, the eggplant with garlic sauce, green beans with garlic, cilantro cucumber and chili salad, lamb with cumin...BYOB (from the walgreen's around the corner) or order there.
Cheeseburger place, more or less. No reservations, expect a wait on weekend nights.
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StCheeseburger place, more or less. No reservations, expect a wait on weekend nights.
Drinks & Nightlife
Known as "Jimmy's," this is the main campus bar, with a good contingent of non-university-related regulars too. Kitchen turns out fries and very-flat-patty cheeseburgers, etc, until 12:30 am. Also serves lunch. Cash only (has an ATM).
58 locals recommend
Woodlawn Tap
1172 E 55th StKnown as "Jimmy's," this is the main campus bar, with a good contingent of non-university-related regulars too. Kitchen turns out fries and very-flat-patty cheeseburgers, etc, until 12:30 am. Also serves lunch. Cash only (has an ATM).
The other main local dive bar. With darts and foosball, Obama mural, no food (but you can order delivery to the bar). Also cash only.
18 locals recommend
Cove Lounge
1750 E 55th StThe other main local dive bar. With darts and foosball, Obama mural, no food (but you can order delivery to the bar). Also cash only.
The Promontory
5311 S Lake Park Ave WRestaurant, bar, music venue.
http://promontorychicago.com/
Bar and restaurant, probably the best cocktails in the neighborhood. Bar closes relatively early, check hours.
37 locals recommend
A10
1462 East 53rd StreetBar and restaurant, probably the best cocktails in the neighborhood. Bar closes relatively early, check hours.
Local Bridgeport "slashie," store in the front and bar in the back. Great cocktails, large beer selection, plus a newly opened food venture, connected to the bar, called "Kimski" and featuring Korean-Polish street food.
112 locals recommend
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StLocal Bridgeport "slashie," store in the front and bar in the back. Great cocktails, large beer selection, plus a newly opened food venture, connected to the bar, called "Kimski" and featuring Korean-Polish street food.
Parks & Nature
The place to be in the summer. Beautiful views of the skyline and lake. Running / biking path, firepits for grilling (arrive early if you want to claim one). Sandy beach to the south (with lifeguard), or you can get in the water from the rocks on the north side of the Point.
112 locals recommend
Promontory Point
5491 S Shore DrThe place to be in the summer. Beautiful views of the skyline and lake. Running / biking path, firepits for grilling (arrive early if you want to claim one). Sandy beach to the south (with lifeguard), or you can get in the water from the rocks on the north side of the Point.
The Indiana Dunes are pretty stunning -- white sand beaches, blue water, giant sand dunes, deciduous forest growing out of the sand, and a post-industrial wasteland on the horizon. I recommend driving; there's a fee to park but otherwise it's free. Several walking / hiking trails, as well as the beaches.
36 locals recommend
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
The Indiana Dunes are pretty stunning -- white sand beaches, blue water, giant sand dunes, deciduous forest growing out of the sand, and a post-industrial wasteland on the horizon. I recommend driving; there's a fee to park but otherwise it's free. Several walking / hiking trails, as well as the beaches.
This is a day trip, if not a two-day trip, but pretty beautiful.
90 locals recommend
Starved Rock State Park
2678 E 875th RdThis is a day trip, if not a two-day trip, but pretty beautiful.
Arts & Culture
UChicago art museum, part teaching museum and part local exhibits. Nice little cafe.
37 locals recommend
Smart Museum of Art
5550 S Greenwood AveUChicago art museum, part teaching museum and part local exhibits. Nice little cafe.
A little pricey, but a landmark. People seem to like the U-Boat...
483 locals recommend
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrA little pricey, but a landmark. People seem to like the U-Boat...
A Theaster Gates project: https://rebuild-foundation.org/site/stony-island-arts-bank/
18 locals recommend
Stony Island Arts Bank
6760 S Stony Island AveA Theaster Gates project: https://rebuild-foundation.org/site/stony-island-arts-bank/
Art gallery hidden inside a university classroom building.
http://www.renaissancesociety.org/
10 locals recommend
The Renaissance Society
5811 S Ellis AveArt gallery hidden inside a university classroom building.
http://www.renaissancesociety.org/
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E 56th Plhttp://www.dusablemuseum.org/
Frank Lloyd Wright prarie-style home. Frequent tours.
http://cal.flwright.org/tours/robie
66 locals recommend
Frederick C. Robie House
5757 S Woodlawn AveFrank Lloyd Wright prarie-style home. Frequent tours.
http://cal.flwright.org/tours/robie
Bond Chapel
1050 East 59th StreetBeautiful little chapel, lots of stained glass, tucked away in the middle of campus.
This one's obvious, but always worth it. Enter on the north side (on Monroe, through the modern wing) for far shorter lines than the Michigan Ave entrance. The restaurant on the top floor, terzo piano, has some reasonable lunch options, coffee and wine, and lots of seating with great views of the lake and city.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThis one's obvious, but always worth it. Enter on the north side (on Monroe, through the modern wing) for far shorter lines than the Michigan Ave entrance. The restaurant on the top floor, terzo piano, has some reasonable lunch options, coffee and wine, and lots of seating with great views of the lake and city.
Entertainment & Activities
Student-run movie theater, open to the public. $5 tickets. Daily selections of quirky and classic older movies and some recent releases. http://docfilms.uchicago.edu/dev/calendar/index.shtml
8 locals recommend
Doc Films
1212 E 59th StStudent-run movie theater, open to the public. $5 tickets. Daily selections of quirky and classic older movies and some recent releases. http://docfilms.uchicago.edu/dev/calendar/index.shtml
Harper Theater
5238 S Harper AveLocal movie theater playing new releases.
Yoga, pilates, meditation, etc. You can buy a two-week unlimited intro pass if you're going for the first time, or pay by the class. I like Keom's classes best -- but I also like yoga more for the exercise, less for the spiritual or meditative side, so take that as you will. They have mats there, and you can change in the bathroom though it's close enough that I usually change at home and just walk over.
http://chaturangafitness.com/
Chaturanga Holistic Fitness
1525 East 55th StreetYoga, pilates, meditation, etc. You can buy a two-week unlimited intro pass if you're going for the first time, or pay by the class. I like Keom's classes best -- but I also like yoga more for the exercise, less for the spiritual or meditative side, so take that as you will. They have mats there, and you can change in the bathroom though it's close enough that I usually change at home and just walk over.
http://chaturangafitness.com/
LA Fitness
2828 N Clark StI don't use this gym, but it's one of the local options. Has a pool.
CorePower Yoga
945 W George StAnother yoga option.
Shopping
Legendary book store, now in new location. Frequent readings and events.
http://www.semcoop.com/
10 locals recommend
Seminary Co-op Bookstores
5751 S Woodlawn AveLegendary book store, now in new location. Frequent readings and events.
http://www.semcoop.com/
Powell's Books Chicago
1501 E 57th StWell-loved used book store.
Bikes and bike repairs. This is a non-profit that trains local high school students to do bike repairs and run a business, and is staffed by a mix of expert bike-mechanic volunteers and the kids they have trained or are training.
Blackstone Bicycle Works
6100 S Blackstone AveBikes and bike repairs. This is a non-profit that trains local high school students to do bike repairs and run a business, and is staffed by a mix of expert bike-mechanic volunteers and the kids they have trained or are training.
Elston Ace Hardware #3120
5422 S Lake Park AveHas all the basics. Also stocks SodaStream refill canisters.
Closest thing to a NYC clothing boutique I've found in Chicago -- with more reasonable prices, too. Men's and Women's.
50 locals recommend
Penelope's
1913 W Division StClosest thing to a NYC clothing boutique I've found in Chicago -- with more reasonable prices, too. Men's and Women's.