Food Scene
Next Restaurant
953 W Fulton Marketfancy!
Chef Bill Kim is amazing. This place is delicious for take out or sit down.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
bellyQ
1400 W Randolph StChef Bill Kim is amazing. This place is delicious for take out or sit down.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StMy FAVORITE coffee in the city.
Moto-bar/restaurant. The food is pretty heavy, but hit the roof on a nice day.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden AveMoto-bar/restaurant. The food is pretty heavy, but hit the roof on a nice day.
Lovely wine bar and Spanish tapas. The owners are sweet and informative.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vera Chicago
1023 West Lake StreetLovely wine bar and Spanish tapas. The owners are sweet and informative.
Cute local coffee hangout with art gallery above. Also serve salads and sandwiches.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jupiter Outpost
1139 W Fulton MarketCute local coffee hangout with art gallery above. Also serve salads and sandwiches.
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StBBQ.... hmmm
Another cute coffee place within walking distance.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sip Coffee House
1223 W Grand AveAnother cute coffee place within walking distance.
Funky place for ceviche & creative Nuevo Latino small & large plates plus margaritas & craft beers.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bar Takito
201 N Morgan StFunky place for ceviche & creative Nuevo Latino small & large plates plus margaritas & craft beers.
Hot spot where Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard serves up innovative small plates from an open kitchen. Make reservations or show up early.
496 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StHot spot where Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard serves up innovative small plates from an open kitchen. Make reservations or show up early.
Attached to Belly Q, hearty Asian fusion grub in straightforward digs with communal tables.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Urbanbelly
1542 N Damen AveAttached to Belly Q, hearty Asian fusion grub in straightforward digs with communal tables.
DONUTS- Chicago is really into creative donuts right now. This is one of many places to try.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Glazed and Infused
813 W Fulton MarketDONUTS- Chicago is really into creative donuts right now. This is one of many places to try.
Specialty Poblano sandwiches and Tacos. People go nuts for this place. I still need to try it myself.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cemitas Puebla
817 W Fulton MarketSpecialty Poblano sandwiches and Tacos. People go nuts for this place. I still need to try it myself.
Sushi- this place is upscale and a big hot spot in the neighborhood right now. Very delicious.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Momotaro
820 W Lake StSushi- this place is upscale and a big hot spot in the neighborhood right now. Very delicious.
Delicious Sandwiches (and more). This is one of my favs for a relaxing brunch or lunch. Coffee/beer/bloody marys. There is a small store and great deli if you want to grab and go.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Publican Quality Meats
825 W Fulton MarketDelicious Sandwiches (and more). This is one of my favs for a relaxing brunch or lunch. Coffee/beer/bloody marys. There is a small store and great deli if you want to grab and go.
Stephanie Izard's diner serving a huge menu of creative, gourmet takes on comfort food classics. Come hungry.
159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StStephanie Izard's diner serving a huge menu of creative, gourmet takes on comfort food classics. Come hungry.
Famous Chicago Food: Al's Italian Beef started selling the first Italian Beef Sandwich in 1938. Classic Chicago Style food items.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Al's Beef
1079 W Taylor StFamous Chicago Food: Al's Italian Beef started selling the first Italian Beef Sandwich in 1938. Classic Chicago Style food items.
Cheeseburger Cheeseburger. The original dive bar from the classic Saturday Night Live sketch. It's below Michigan Avenue. There is a Billy Goat within walking distance of the loft- but not the same.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Billy Goat Tavern
Michigan AvenueCheeseburger Cheeseburger. The original dive bar from the classic Saturday Night Live sketch. It's below Michigan Avenue. There is a Billy Goat within walking distance of the loft- but not the same.
Delicious Brick Oven Pizza. Eat it there or pick up and eat it fast.
97 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveDelicious Brick Oven Pizza. Eat it there or pick up and eat it fast.
Across from the Sohohouse... my favorite is the "burrata be kidding me" and the nachos are crack too.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
108 N Green StAcross from the Sohohouse... my favorite is the "burrata be kidding me" and the nachos are crack too.
Part of Chicago's Chicken craze, this is a fun place to play ping-pong, have a negroni and eat some chicken.
658 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AvePart of Chicago's Chicken craze, this is a fun place to play ping-pong, have a negroni and eat some chicken.
Deep Dish Pizza - If you're gonna do it, do it here.
513 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StDeep Dish Pizza - If you're gonna do it, do it here.
More Tacos- If you're going to do the taco tour, this is a must.
113 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AveMore Tacos- If you're going to do the taco tour, this is a must.
Drinks & Nightlife
La Sirena Clandestina
954 W Fulton Markettasty tapas and delicious drinks
Neighborhood watering hole with more upscale bar food. Great outdoor seating.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
G & O
459 N Ogden AveNeighborhood watering hole with more upscale bar food. Great outdoor seating.
A favorite local pub. You can eat/drink outside or hang at the bar and catch up on sports.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Aberdeen Tap
440 N Aberdeen StA favorite local pub. You can eat/drink outside or hang at the bar and catch up on sports.
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StBest Burger in World.
The Goose just opened a tasting room this summer. Swing on by Thursday-Saturday for a taste - but go early as it closes at 8pm sharp.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Goose Island Taproom
1800 W Fulton StThe Goose just opened a tasting room this summer. Swing on by Thursday-Saturday for a taste - but go early as it closes at 8pm sharp.
This is a totally unique experience and all focused on cocktails. Definitely try this one night if you feel like getting dressed up and being a cool person. Lavender air in a bag... I mean...
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Aviary
955 W Fulton MarketThis is a totally unique experience and all focused on cocktails. Definitely try this one night if you feel like getting dressed up and being a cool person. Lavender air in a bag... I mean...
Delicious Tacos and a big scene, especially on a nice day/evening. Mexican street food, plus margaritas & other drinks - this cash-only hangout.
1176 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveDelicious Tacos and a big scene, especially on a nice day/evening. Mexican street food, plus margaritas & other drinks - this cash-only hangout.
Hipster hangout- great dive bar. Classic Wicker Park fixture.
81 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveHipster hangout- great dive bar. Classic Wicker Park fixture.
GOLD STAR BAR
1755 West Division StreetHipster hangout- classic dive bar for Wicker Park.
Hipster spot with modern farm-to-table fare & nose-to-tail eats plus whiskey & craft cocktails. It's delicious and a great place to start a night out bar hopping Logan Square.
830 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveHipster spot with modern farm-to-table fare & nose-to-tail eats plus whiskey & craft cocktails. It's delicious and a great place to start a night out bar hopping Logan Square.
Awesome chill neighborhood night club. Dive bar in front and dj/dancing in back.
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dannys
Awesome chill neighborhood night club. Dive bar in front and dj/dancing in back.
Everything Else
This place is a music venue sometimes, but typically just a bar/brewery and serves food. It's the closest place near the loft.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cobra Lounge
235 N Ashland AveThis place is a music venue sometimes, but typically just a bar/brewery and serves food. It's the closest place near the loft.
If you're in town to see the Bulls, Hawks or a big show you can walk!
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
United Center
If you're in town to see the Bulls, Hawks or a big show you can walk!
Medical Campus is a quick walk and quicker bus ride. If you're a medical student, resident or visiting somebody, the loft is perfectly close.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rush University Medical Center
1620 W Harrison StMedical Campus is a quick walk and quicker bus ride. If you're a medical student, resident or visiting somebody, the loft is perfectly close.
Private club with 3 public restaurants on ground level. This street is hopping with activity.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Soho House Chicago
113-125 N Green StPrivate club with 3 public restaurants on ground level. This street is hopping with activity.
Belmont Army Wicker Park
1318 N Milwaukee AveShop for cool clothes, vintage and army supplies.
Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage AveBlues as well- the one nobody tells you about.
Chef Mario Batali's sprawling, modern outpost featuring a range of Italian eateries & food markets.
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StChef Mario Batali's sprawling, modern outpost featuring a range of Italian eateries & food markets.
Kathy Osterman Beach House
5800 N Lake Shore DrGreat part of the beach. Check it out!
Montrose Beach
Great Beach Destination.
Essentials
We call it the mini-Whole Foods. It's a 10 minute walk from the loft.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Green Grocer Chicago
1402 W Grand AveWe call it the mini-Whole Foods. It's a 10 minute walk from the loft.
Cool little Italian market. Be sure to head to the back deli and get a sub.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bari
1120 W Grand AveCool little Italian market. Be sure to head to the back deli and get a sub.
Natural Foods Market: This is a great place to pick up ready made food from their deli and salad bars. Great produce, meat/cheese and booze. There is a parking lot.
836 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StNatural Foods Market: This is a great place to pick up ready made food from their deli and salad bars. Great produce, meat/cheese and booze. There is a parking lot.
Great supermarket as well, just across the street and down the block from Whole Foods. There is a parking lot.
866 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveGreat supermarket as well, just across the street and down the block from Whole Foods. There is a parking lot.
Entertainment & Activities
Union Park
1501 W Randolph StIt has a great playground and gigantic swimming pool.
Shopping
An old classic- this book store has survived the gentrification of Wicker Park.
118 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveAn old classic- this book store has survived the gentrification of Wicker Park.
Indie bookstore offering offbeat titles, graphic novels & magazines, plus readings & special events. Another classic fixture to Wicker Park/Bucktown.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North AveIndie bookstore offering offbeat titles, graphic novels & magazines, plus readings & special events. Another classic fixture to Wicker Park/Bucktown.
John Fluevog Shoes
1551 N Milwaukee AveAwesome shoes
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveRecord Store- if you want some vinyl.
Arts & Culture
Classic Chicago cocktail bar- Swinging sounds are on tap nightly, from big-name artists to local late-night jam sessions.
471 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayClassic Chicago cocktail bar- Swinging sounds are on tap nightly, from big-name artists to local late-night jam sessions.
B.L.U.E.S.
2519 N Halsted StYou guessed it- blues.
Buddy Guy's Legends
700 S Wabash AveMore blues!
THE BEST art museum in the world, according to people who decide those types of things. It is good.
1159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveTHE BEST art museum in the world, according to people who decide those types of things. It is good.
Amazing Museum. If you have a car, cruise down Lake Shore Drive to Hyde Park and absorb some Chicago history.
483 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko Lomhlaba Wamaphupha Nokusebenza
5700 S Lake Shore DrAmazing Museum. If you have a car, cruise down Lake Shore Drive to Hyde Park and absorb some Chicago history.