Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Good for those who need to WFH. Basic coffee and snacks. Free WiFi.
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Caffè Streets
1750 W Division StGood for those who need to WFH. Basic coffee and snacks. Free WiFi.
Both a bakery and a coffee shop - they excel at both yummy baked goods and awesome coffee. They have a lounge where you can WFH with free WiFi, or even outdoor seating when the weather is nice.
75 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alliance Bakery
1736 W Division StBoth a bakery and a coffee shop - they excel at both yummy baked goods and awesome coffee. They have a lounge where you can WFH with free WiFi, or even outdoor seating when the weather is nice.
Baked (read: healthy-ish) empanadas and really great coffee. Free Wifi. Good breakfast special - 2 empanadas and a big coffee for $6! Delicious and hard to beat.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
5411 Empanadas | Division
1659 W Division StBaked (read: healthy-ish) empanadas and really great coffee. Free Wifi. Good breakfast special - 2 empanadas and a big coffee for $6! Delicious and hard to beat.
Because breakfast. An extensive menu of pretty much anything you'd ever want to brunch on. Try the potato pancakes for a delectable treat!
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yolk - Wicker Park
1819 W Division StBecause breakfast. An extensive menu of pretty much anything you'd ever want to brunch on. Try the potato pancakes for a delectable treat!
All you can eat sushi for $25. Sounds sketch, but its actually quite good.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sushi Taku
1904 W Division StAll you can eat sushi for $25. Sounds sketch, but its actually quite good.
Pot Pan
1362 North Milwaukee AvenueGood for take out (or eat in) - Thai food.
Tacos + a big scene - enjoy the outdoor patio when the weather is nice!
1176 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTacos + a big scene - enjoy the outdoor patio when the weather is nice!
British Indian food in a pub setting with a respectable beer list.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pub Royale
2049 W Division StBritish Indian food in a pub setting with a respectable beer list.
Not your run-of-the-mill Thai food. Super fresh and always tasty - challenge yourself to a new kind of Thai you never knew existed. Enjoy food on the outdoor patio when the weather is nice!
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Silli Kori Restaurant
2053 W Division StNot your run-of-the-mill Thai food. Super fresh and always tasty - challenge yourself to a new kind of Thai you never knew existed. Enjoy food on the outdoor patio when the weather is nice!
Your standard giant sports bar - with a pretty decent kitchen. Grab a beer, eat some cheese curds, watch the game.
59 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker Park
2005 W Division StYour standard giant sports bar - with a pretty decent kitchen. Grab a beer, eat some cheese curds, watch the game.
Boundary Restaurant
1932 W Division StNice sports bar with a good beer list and giant TVs in a modern setting.
Awesome, cheap street tacos. Get the al pastor - you won't regret it.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taqueria Traspasada 2
811 N Ashland AveAwesome, cheap street tacos. Get the al pastor - you won't regret it.
Great for takeout Thai and the sushi isn't bad either. Get the pad see iew - one of the best in town!
Kin Japanese Cuisine
1132 North Milwaukee AvenueGreat for takeout Thai and the sushi isn't bad either. Get the pad see iew - one of the best in town!
Michelin starred and underrated. Call in advance for reservations. If you're lucky enough to get one, you won't be disappointed. BYOB - and bring some to share with the kitchen.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Schwa Restaurant
1466 N Ashland AveMichelin starred and underrated. Call in advance for reservations. If you're lucky enough to get one, you won't be disappointed. BYOB - and bring some to share with the kitchen.
Fantastic beers - both seasonal and year-round, with good food to boot.
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W Chicago AveFantastic beers - both seasonal and year-round, with good food to boot.
Delicious thin crust pizza. Flavors, sauce, and cheese are amazing. It is a bit droopy - so if that's not your thing, this ain't your spot. Otherwise, one of the highest rated pizza places in the neighborhood.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Craft Pizza
1252 N Damen AveDelicious thin crust pizza. Flavors, sauce, and cheese are amazing. It is a bit droopy - so if that's not your thing, this ain't your spot. Otherwise, one of the highest rated pizza places in the neighborhood.
Pizza + Scene. Play ping pong on the patio while munching on average pizza. Enjoy the extensive beer list, which makes up for the sub-par food.
73 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division StPizza + Scene. Play ping pong on the patio while munching on average pizza. Enjoy the extensive beer list, which makes up for the sub-par food.
Arguably the best pizza in Chicago? Try it and see what you think.
488 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveArguably the best pizza in Chicago? Try it and see what you think.
Cousin of Publican in West Loop, with a focus on seafood - this place will hit the spot and impress your friends. Enjoy.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Anker
Cousin of Publican in West Loop, with a focus on seafood - this place will hit the spot and impress your friends. Enjoy.
Mexican fusion cuisine served diner-style. Instagrammable food and finger-lickin' good.
113 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveMexican fusion cuisine served diner-style. Instagrammable food and finger-lickin' good.
Skip the Wicker Park location and come straight to the source of amazing ramen - the Logan Square location. Get the furious bowl for a spicy treat!
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Furious Spoon Logan Square
2410 N Milwaukee AveSkip the Wicker Park location and come straight to the source of amazing ramen - the Logan Square location. Get the furious bowl for a spicy treat!
If you're in the mood for a sushi burrito....
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
En Hakkore Sushi Burrito & Poke Bowl
1467 N Milwaukee AveIf you're in the mood for a sushi burrito....
Best bibimbap in town! And the parantha tacos will leave you breathless. Highly recommended.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
En Hakkore Bibimbap & Taco
1840 N Damen AveBest bibimbap in town! And the parantha tacos will leave you breathless. Highly recommended.
German-style steakhouse that has OMG good food. Make a reservation in advance.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
BoeufHaus
1012 N Western AveGerman-style steakhouse that has OMG good food. Make a reservation in advance.
Asian-fusion cuisine with a modern twist. Enjoy the patio when the weather is nice.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mott St
1401 N Ashland AveAsian-fusion cuisine with a modern twist. Enjoy the patio when the weather is nice.
Hands-down best burger in town. No reservations, so go at off peak times or be prepared to wait for a few hours. Pro tip: top your burger with bacon and a fried egg, or go home.
620 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StHands-down best burger in town. No reservations, so go at off peak times or be prepared to wait for a few hours. Pro tip: top your burger with bacon and a fried egg, or go home.
Local celebrity chef Stephanie Izard's flagship restaurant - not to be missed. If you didn't get a chance to make a reservation, try snagging a seat at the bar, where they still serve the full menu. Don't miss out on the chickpea fritters, or the pig face.
496 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StLocal celebrity chef Stephanie Izard's flagship restaurant - not to be missed. If you didn't get a chance to make a reservation, try snagging a seat at the bar, where they still serve the full menu. Don't miss out on the chickpea fritters, or the pig face.
Consistently one of the highest rated Italian spots in town - did someone say truffles?? Truffles galore.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
1020 W Madison StConsistently one of the highest rated Italian spots in town - did someone say truffles?? Truffles galore.
The best Argentinian place in Chicago - with some Italian and other cuisines thrown in. Delicious food and drinks.
El Che Bar
845 West Washington BoulevardThe best Argentinian place in Chicago - with some Italian and other cuisines thrown in. Delicious food and drinks.
Amazing Peruvian food in the heart of River North. Don't miss the beef empanadas (best I've had!) and the pork fried rice. They do octopus really, really well too.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tanta Chicago
118 W Grand AveAmazing Peruvian food in the heart of River North. Don't miss the beef empanadas (best I've had!) and the pork fried rice. They do octopus really, really well too.
Enjoy a dimly-lit, exquisitely furnished, old-Chicago-style steakhouse with new-age foods. Don't miss the elotes, bacon, or chocolate pie. Pro tip: this is hush hush BYOB - with the stipulation that you share 1 glass of wine with the table next to you. Make reservations well in advance.
79 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
218 W Kinzie StEnjoy a dimly-lit, exquisitely furnished, old-Chicago-style steakhouse with new-age foods. Don't miss the elotes, bacon, or chocolate pie. Pro tip: this is hush hush BYOB - with the stipulation that you share 1 glass of wine with the table next to you. Make reservations well in advance.
Perfect for a girls' night or fun date night. Loud atmosphere, chandeliers, and great food. Be prepared to talk 100 decibles louder than you're used to.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StPerfect for a girls' night or fun date night. Loud atmosphere, chandeliers, and great food. Be prepared to talk 100 decibles louder than you're used to.
Another michelin-starred and underrated restaurant. Perfect food. Requires advance reservations, though the setting is surprisingly casual.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Giant
3209 W Armitage AveAnother michelin-starred and underrated restaurant. Perfect food. Requires advance reservations, though the setting is surprisingly casual.
Micheline-starred, and boy do they deliver! Excellent food, perfect for a date night, decently priced too!
Entente
700 N Sedgwick StMicheline-starred, and boy do they deliver! Excellent food, perfect for a date night, decently priced too!
Upscale Japanese food - best you'll find in Chicago by a long shot. Pricey, but well worth it.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Juno Sushi Chicago
2638 N Lincoln AveUpscale Japanese food - best you'll find in Chicago by a long shot. Pricey, but well worth it.
Drinks & Nightlife
A unique, burlesque-style bar with great drinks and [sometimes] live entertainment.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bordel
1721 W Division StA unique, burlesque-style bar with great drinks and [sometimes] live entertainment.
Rooftop bar with sprawling views of the city. Drinks are basic but well-crafted.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Robey
1600 N Milwaukee AveRooftop bar with sprawling views of the city. Drinks are basic but well-crafted.
Enjoy tiki style drinks on the rooftop, but skip the overpriced and below average food.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mahalo
1501 North Milwaukee AvenueEnjoy tiki style drinks on the rooftop, but skip the overpriced and below average food.
For those who enjoy creative, craft cocktails in a dark, vampire-den setting. Truly a unique experience with well-balanced drinks.
355 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveFor those who enjoy creative, craft cocktails in a dark, vampire-den setting. Truly a unique experience with well-balanced drinks.
Getting Around
Blue line stop - take this straight to O'hare, or to the Loop. Also stops in Logan Square.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Milwaukee & Division station
Blue line stop - take this straight to O'hare, or to the Loop. Also stops in Logan Square.