Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Wonderful neighborhood pub with friendly bartenders, great beer selection, free peanuts and Jumbo Jenga!
10 locals recommend
River Shannon
425 W Armitage AveWonderful neighborhood pub with friendly bartenders, great beer selection, free peanuts and Jumbo Jenga!
Fun spot for watching sports and people watching. In warmer weather, they pull back the retractable roof so you can have a drink under the stars.
67 locals recommend
Benchmark
1510 N Wells StFun spot for watching sports and people watching. In warmer weather, they pull back the retractable roof so you can have a drink under the stars.
Old Town Pour House - Chicago
1419 N Wells StAbout 100 beers on tap in a gigantic space.
Food Scene
Stanley's is a Chicago institution. By day, it is known for its delicious weekend brunches and southern-influenced dinners. At night, it transforms into a bar that is action-packed 7 days a week.
14 locals recommend
Stanley's Kitchen & Tap
1970 North Lincoln AvenueStanley's is a Chicago institution. By day, it is known for its delicious weekend brunches and southern-influenced dinners. At night, it transforms into a bar that is action-packed 7 days a week.
Overlooking the pond between Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Farm, Cafe Brauer offers a wonderfully, relaxing setting to enjoy lunch or a glass of wine/beer.
15 locals recommend
Cafe Brauer
2021 N Stockton DrOverlooking the pond between Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Farm, Cafe Brauer offers a wonderfully, relaxing setting to enjoy lunch or a glass of wine/beer.
Three blocks to the nearest Starbucks and there is also a very large one with a fun crowd at North and Sedgwick (about 7 blocks southeast).
213 locals recommend
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveThree blocks to the nearest Starbucks and there is also a very large one with a fun crowd at North and Sedgwick (about 7 blocks southeast).
CityGrounds coffee bar
507 W Dickens AveCharming coffee shop
Delightful Pastries
1710 N Wells StSweets, savories & best macaroons
Subway
1101 W Bryn Mawr AveFor a quick bite to eat
They make a delicious sandwich and this happens to be the first Potbelly's location (started in 1996).
32 locals recommend
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
2264 N Lincoln AveThey make a delicious sandwich and this happens to be the first Potbelly's location (started in 1996).
We are surrounded by dessert shops and this is one of our favorites. They are open April-October.
19 locals recommend
Annette's Italian Ice
2009 N Bissell StWe are surrounded by dessert shops and this is one of our favorites. They are open April-October.
Nookies
1746 N Wells StBest diner in the city
Adobo Grill
215 W North AveDelicious Mexican
Best ribs in the city. While visiting, be sure to read the history of movies filmed here, Sinatra visits, etc. They do not take reservations and there is typically a wait (bar available, however)
71 locals recommend
Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern
1655 North Sedgwick StreetBest ribs in the city. While visiting, be sure to read the history of movies filmed here, Sinatra visits, etc. They do not take reservations and there is typically a wait (bar available, however)
Dickens Street Public House
2060 N Cleveland AveBetter pub and alfresco dining
GEMINI
2075 N Lincoln AveGourmet American & French cuisine
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted StSpanish tapas in a fun environment
Load up on the energy needed to check out this incredible city
60 locals recommend
The Original Pancake House
1358 E 47th StLoad up on the energy needed to check out this incredible city
Fresh, delicious pizza, cold beer and fun music. What more could you ask for?
12 locals recommend
Bricks Pizza & Barbecue
3832 North Lincoln AvenueFresh, delicious pizza, cold beer and fun music. What more could you ask for?
Kamehachi
1531 N Wells StOne of the best places for sushi in a very cool, modern environment.
Everything Else
CVS pharmacy is only a block away and provides forgotten toiletries, snack food, etc. And it also sells the Chicago CTA El train/bus passes (1/3/7 day passes as well as per-use fare cards).
135 locals recommend
CVS
2427 W Chicago AveCVS pharmacy is only a block away and provides forgotten toiletries, snack food, etc. And it also sells the Chicago CTA El train/bus passes (1/3/7 day passes as well as per-use fare cards).
Shopping
They have a great selection of spices including a few Chicago-themed blends. This area of Wells Street also has several other shops as well as restaurants and bars.
25 locals recommend
The Spice House Chicago
1512 N Wells StThey have a great selection of spices including a few Chicago-themed blends. This area of Wells Street also has several other shops as well as restaurants and bars.
Old Town Oil
1543 N Wells StOils & vinegars from around the world. Great gifts!
Kilwin's Chocolates
1405 N Wells StChocolates, fudges and ice cream! What diet?
GREERChicago
1013 W Webster AveA delightful stationary shop
Arts & Culture
Zanies Comedy Night Club
1548 N Wells StStandup comedy hilarity
The Second City
230 W North AveStandup and sketch comedy
Essentials
Urban Oasis
939 W North AveExcellent massages
They claim to be America's most European supermarket. Not sure about that but it is close-by and has a good selection!
132 locals recommend
Treasure Island Foods
1639 N Wells StThey claim to be America's most European supermarket. Not sure about that but it is close-by and has a good selection!
Carnival Foods
458 W Dickens AveThis neighborhood grocery has a good wine selection
Parks & Nature
Fun in the sun whether relaxing in the sand or jogging/biking on the path. This path stretches 6 miles north and 12 miles south.
338 locals recommend
North Avenue Beach
Fun in the sun whether relaxing in the sand or jogging/biking on the path. This path stretches 6 miles north and 12 miles south.
Lions and tigers and bears! Also check out the neighboring farm to get a taste of the country with skyscrapers in the background.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StLions and tigers and bears! Also check out the neighboring farm to get a taste of the country with skyscrapers in the background.