Donna’s guidebook
Coffee
Mom & Pop coffee roaster. Local neighborhood favorite. Large selection of roasts from around the world.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Coffee & Tea Exchange
3311 N BroadwayMom & Pop coffee roaster. Local neighborhood favorite. Large selection of roasts from around the world.
Intelligentsia Coffee Broadway Coffeebar
3123 N BroadwayHip Chicago coffee bar.
Punk coffee bar serving Dark Matter coffee. On the weekends, DJs fill the coffee shop with music, and the steampunk art lining the walls give off the undeniable cool vibe.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Osmium Coffee Bar
1117 W Belmont AvePunk coffee bar serving Dark Matter coffee. On the weekends, DJs fill the coffee shop with music, and the steampunk art lining the walls give off the undeniable cool vibe.
Food scene
Detroit-style pizza. Casual atmosphere with full bar in heart of Wrigleyville.
Union Full Board, Wrigleyville
3473 N Clark StDetroit-style pizza. Casual atmosphere with full bar in heart of Wrigleyville.
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StDelicious chef-driven Mediterranean small plates.
Chef-driven Middle Eastern eatery with regular & sharing menus & creative cocktails in hip digs.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Galit
2429 N Lincoln AveChef-driven Middle Eastern eatery with regular & sharing menus & creative cocktails in hip digs.
Crisp
2940 N BroadwayKorean chicken wings. Enough said.
Cozy wine bar features New American eats, glasses of vino & champagne on tap.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bar Pastoral
2947 N BroadwayCozy wine bar features New American eats, glasses of vino & champagne on tap.
Rustic-chic, daytime eatery with globally accented, modern American breakfast, lunch & brunch fare.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mortar and Pestle
3108 N BroadwayRustic-chic, daytime eatery with globally accented, modern American breakfast, lunch & brunch fare.
Sleek spot for refined New American fare & cocktails in an airy space with an outdoor fireplace.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tied House
3157 N Southport AveSleek spot for refined New American fare & cocktails in an airy space with an outdoor fireplace.
Seasonal Mexican dishes, locally-sourced food, shared-plates, BYOB, in a cozy basement setting. On the Michelin Bib Gourmand list.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chilam Balam
3023 N BroadwaySeasonal Mexican dishes, locally-sourced food, shared-plates, BYOB, in a cozy basement setting. On the Michelin Bib Gourmand list.
The most delicious Italian food I've ever had. Fresh-made pasta and superb flavors.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
1020 W Madison StThe most delicious Italian food I've ever had. Fresh-made pasta and superb flavors.
Delicious, American fare in hip environment. Chef Stephanie Izzard is famous for winning Bravo's Top Chef.
496 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StDelicious, American fare in hip environment. Chef Stephanie Izzard is famous for winning Bravo's Top Chef.
Chef Rick Bayless makes delicious Mexican food. He has several restaurants, and this is just one of them. Try any. Rick Bayless is famous from his show on PBS, many cookbooks, and he is the first Master Chef winner from Bravo's Top Chef.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Frontera Grill
445 N Clark StChef Rick Bayless makes delicious Mexican food. He has several restaurants, and this is just one of them. Try any. Rick Bayless is famous from his show on PBS, many cookbooks, and he is the first Master Chef winner from Bravo's Top Chef.
The most delicious hot sauce is locally-made in Chicago. They have a little shop connected to a bakery called Crumb, where you can get lunch or breakfast and try all of the hot sauces.
Co-op Sauce
6338-40 N Clark StThe most delicious hot sauce is locally-made in Chicago. They have a little shop connected to a bakery called Crumb, where you can get lunch or breakfast and try all of the hot sauces.
Farm-to-table fixture with seasonally-changing menu. Has been one of my favorites since I moved to Chicago 12 years ago.
936 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdFarm-to-table fixture with seasonally-changing menu. Has been one of my favorites since I moved to Chicago 12 years ago.
Whiskey bar & farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on meat (but vegetarian options are available).
830 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveWhiskey bar & farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on meat (but vegetarian options are available).
Delicious brunch and lunch restaurant in Andersonville. I still dream about their vegetarian dagwood sandwich.
94 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
m.henry
5707 N Clark StDelicious brunch and lunch restaurant in Andersonville. I still dream about their vegetarian dagwood sandwich.
Girl & the goat's more casual little sister restaurant. Diner-inspired, but with Really high-quality food. I might even like it better than Girl and Goat. And, it is much easier to get into.
159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StGirl & the goat's more casual little sister restaurant. Diner-inspired, but with Really high-quality food. I might even like it better than Girl and Goat. And, it is much easier to get into.
My favorite sushi spot in Chicago. With a bar downstairs.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Booze Box
823 W Randolph StMy favorite sushi spot in Chicago. With a bar downstairs.
I didn't even know I liked pies until I tasted Hoosier Mama. Mmmm. You might notice I have a copy of her cookbook on the shelf. Her pies are so amazing, she inspired me to get into baking. And her recipes are top-notch!
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
1618 W Chicago AveI didn't even know I liked pies until I tasted Hoosier Mama. Mmmm. You might notice I have a copy of her cookbook on the shelf. Her pies are so amazing, she inspired me to get into baking. And her recipes are top-notch!
Music Venue & Bar
Housed in an old Schlitz brewery, this bar showcases a diverse lineup of bands, from indie to jazz. A Chicago staple.
83 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Schubas Tavern
3159 N Southport AveHoused in an old Schlitz brewery, this bar showcases a diverse lineup of bands, from indie to jazz. A Chicago staple.
Sister venue of Schubas. Midsize live music venue with an on-site restaurant & bar. Excellent sound quality.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lincoln Hall
2424 N Lincoln AveSister venue of Schubas. Midsize live music venue with an on-site restaurant & bar. Excellent sound quality.
Bar
Neighborhood bar serving BBQ, bar food & craft beers inside or in the large beer garden.
64 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sheffield's Wine & Beer Garden
3258 N Sheffield AveNeighborhood bar serving BBQ, bar food & craft beers inside or in the large beer garden.
European-inspired gastropub plates & seasonal house brews in a rustic, laid-back space.
96 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
DryHop Brewers
3155 N BroadwayEuropean-inspired gastropub plates & seasonal house brews in a rustic, laid-back space.
Creative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar. Hidden door on the street, but usually a line of people outside waiting to get in. Totally worth the wait!
355 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveCreative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar. Hidden door on the street, but usually a line of people outside waiting to get in. Totally worth the wait!
The BEST cocktails in Chicago, hands down. Small bar space, but large outdoor space that is open weather-permitting. I highly recommend!
185 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveThe BEST cocktails in Chicago, hands down. Small bar space, but large outdoor space that is open weather-permitting. I highly recommend!
Shows & Entertainment
High-quality plays with excellent actors and sets. Nationally-renowned.
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StHigh-quality plays with excellent actors and sets. Nationally-renowned.
Krypton VR Lounge
2828 N Clark StReserve a booth and play a variety of virtual reality games. BYOB.
Sports
Local baseball team in the neighborhood. Historic stadium.
1004 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StLocal baseball team in the neighborhood. Historic stadium.
Sightseeing
Lakeshore path & Lincoln Park. Vast public space with zoo, museums, and walking/biking path along the lakefront.
229 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailLakeshore path & Lincoln Park. Vast public space with zoo, museums, and walking/biking path along the lakefront.
Outdoor music venue. Beautiful structure and amazing sound quality in the heart of Millennium Park.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StOutdoor music venue. Beautiful structure and amazing sound quality in the heart of Millennium Park.