Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StThe most famous little dive bar in Chicago.
The bar that started the recycled materials aesthetic (old pinball tables mounted on the walls, great bar space).
151 locals recommend
Simone's
960 W 18th StThe bar that started the recycled materials aesthetic (old pinball tables mounted on the walls, great bar space).
A biker Italian restaurant? Come here for the billiards and the drinks, but be sure to try the food too.
22 locals recommend
Three Aces
1321 W Taylor StA biker Italian restaurant? Come here for the billiards and the drinks, but be sure to try the food too.
You'll have trouble finding it, but when you do, you'll be glad you did. Great cocktails and bar food (the dinner is a little overrated).
31 locals recommend
Acadia
1639 S Wabash AveYou'll have trouble finding it, but when you do, you'll be glad you did. Great cocktails and bar food (the dinner is a little overrated).
Food Scene
Italian small plates. A top five Yelp spot for the last two years.
47 locals recommend
Davanti Enoteca
1359 W Taylor StItalian small plates. A top five Yelp spot for the last two years.
Try the tres leches cake or the flan. Rick Bayless-approved.
25 locals recommend
Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery
1733 S Halsted StTry the tres leches cake or the flan. Rick Bayless-approved.
Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StGreat coffee, great atmosphere, great black bean burgers
Sweet Maple Cafe
1339 W Taylor StThe greatest biscuits around. A wonderful brunch spot.
Amazing food. This is Chicago's best known Chinese restaurant, the one that started Tony Hu's empire.
63 locals recommend
Lao Sze Chuan
2172 S Archer AveAmazing food. This is Chicago's best known Chinese restaurant, the one that started Tony Hu's empire.
Joy Yee
2139 S China PlBubble tea.
Make sure to order a meat pie and ask to have it brought into Maria's
60 locals recommend
Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StMake sure to order a meat pie and ask to have it brought into Maria's
Everything Else
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StOur favorite bar in the city.
The best movie theater in Chicago
95 locals recommend
ShowPlace ICON Theatres at Roosevelt Collection with ICON•X
1011 S Delano CtThe best movie theater in Chicago
One of the two yoga studios we go to. Be prepared to get your ass kicked.
73 locals recommend
CorePower Yoga
945 W George StOne of the two yoga studios we go to. Be prepared to get your ass kicked.
My favorite yoga studio. 90 minute classes, drop-ins are welcome. Expect to be both challenged but come out relaxed at the end of your practice. Not your formulaic power vinyasa instruction at all.
Tejas Yoga
141 S Michigan AveMy favorite yoga studio. 90 minute classes, drop-ins are welcome. Expect to be both challenged but come out relaxed at the end of your practice. Not your formulaic power vinyasa instruction at all.
Essentials
Conte Di Savoia
1438 W Taylor StFantastic Italian deli
The best Mexican grocery store around. It's not often a grocery store carry Fage and cactus. Make sure to try out their taqueria on the other side of the parking lot.
32 locals recommend
Taqueria Casa Del Pueblo
1834 S Blue Island AveThe best Mexican grocery store around. It's not often a grocery store carry Fage and cactus. Make sure to try out their taqueria on the other side of the parking lot.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StA Whole Foods that takes up multiple city blocks.
Shopping
Like a liquor store out of High Fidelity. A great selection and even better staff.
Gentile's Bottle Shop
1160 W Taylor StLike a liquor store out of High Fidelity. A great selection and even better staff.
Knee Deep Vintage
1219 W 18th StThrift store galore