Food Scene
Best spot in the neighborhood for food, drinks and a great atmosphere. The staff is amazing and the outdoor patio is great on a nice night. They also have brunch on the weekends. 1/2 off food on Mondays, burger special on Tuesdays :)
24 locals recommend
G & O
459 N Ogden AveBest spot in the neighborhood for food, drinks and a great atmosphere. The staff is amazing and the outdoor patio is great on a nice night. They also have brunch on the weekends. 1/2 off food on Mondays, burger special on Tuesdays :)
If you smell delicious bread baking while walking down Grand, it's coming from D'Amato's. You can make a meal out of their focaccia, but they also have pizza by the slice. The variety of Italian cookies is hard to resist, but my favorite sweets are the chocolate dipped cannoli.
21 locals recommend
D'Amato's Bakery
1124 W Grand AveIf you smell delicious bread baking while walking down Grand, it's coming from D'Amato's. You can make a meal out of their focaccia, but they also have pizza by the slice. The variety of Italian cookies is hard to resist, but my favorite sweets are the chocolate dipped cannoli.
Best Neapolitan pizza around and they serve many of them with whipped ricotta or pesto whipped ricotta....yum!
97 locals recommend
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveBest Neapolitan pizza around and they serve many of them with whipped ricotta or pesto whipped ricotta....yum!
Our favorite breakfast spot with anything you could want on the menu. There is typically a short wait at peak times (late morning on a weekend).
31 locals recommend
Windy City Cafe
1062 W Chicago AveOur favorite breakfast spot with anything you could want on the menu. There is typically a short wait at peak times (late morning on a weekend).
Bakery/diner. They have a counter where you can walk up and take away tempting treats or you can sit down and eat in the diner. They also have outdoor seating.
72 locals recommend
West Town Bakery & Diner
1916 W Chicago AveBakery/diner. They have a counter where you can walk up and take away tempting treats or you can sit down and eat in the diner. They also have outdoor seating.
Restaurant and brewery (Cruz Blanca next door). Can't go wrong with anything Rick Bayless (of Frontera Grill) does! Cruz Blanca has great beer and more casual food, Leña Brava has delicious upscale Mexican cuisine.
9 locals recommend
Leña Brava
900 W Randolph StRestaurant and brewery (Cruz Blanca next door). Can't go wrong with anything Rick Bayless (of Frontera Grill) does! Cruz Blanca has great beer and more casual food, Leña Brava has delicious upscale Mexican cuisine.
Amazing costal Mexican with ample outdoor seating. Their signature seafood platter is a ridiculous amount of food, but delicious.
32 locals recommend
El Barco Mariscos
1035 N Ashland AveAmazing costal Mexican with ample outdoor seating. Their signature seafood platter is a ridiculous amount of food, but delicious.
Delicious pastas hand made in-house. Amazing food/cocktails and beautiful space for a surprisingly reasonable price.
20 locals recommend
Nellcôte
833 W Randolph StDelicious pastas hand made in-house. Amazing food/cocktails and beautiful space for a surprisingly reasonable price.
Amazing food on restaurant row. They have great pizza and all of their dishes are great for sharing.
47 locals recommend
Bar Siena
832 W Randolph StAmazing food on restaurant row. They have great pizza and all of their dishes are great for sharing.
Shopping
Adorable shop that makes soap in house. Their beautiful packaging makes great gifts and they have plenty of Chicago-themed items for souvenirs.
Abbey Brown Soap Artisan
1162 W Grand AveAdorable shop that makes soap in house. Their beautiful packaging makes great gifts and they have plenty of Chicago-themed items for souvenirs.
Toffee in a wide variety of flavors and package sizes. They make great gifts. Ask for samples :)
Terry's Toffee
1853 W Armitage AveToffee in a wide variety of flavors and package sizes. They make great gifts. Ask for samples :)
Unique and welcoming home decor shop with everything from small accessories to large furniture pieces. The staff is so friendly and sometimes there is an added treat of seeing the adorable Golden retriever that hangs out in the store.
The Painted Lady
1822 W Grand AveUnique and welcoming home decor shop with everything from small accessories to large furniture pieces. The staff is so friendly and sometimes there is an added treat of seeing the adorable Golden retriever that hangs out in the store.
Salvaged decor and construction warehouse/party venue. I rarely buy anything, but love to walk around and check out the unique items they have inside of their beautiful industrial space. They actually host weddings and events with the antique furniture that is also for sale. It is a sight to see. Especially the fountain out back created from a claw foot tub!
8 locals recommend
Salvage One
1840 W Hubbard StSalvaged decor and construction warehouse/party venue. I rarely buy anything, but love to walk around and check out the unique items they have inside of their beautiful industrial space. They actually host weddings and events with the antique furniture that is also for sale. It is a sight to see. Especially the fountain out back created from a claw foot tub!
Amazing spot for unique Chicago gifts. I actually purchased several items for the apartment from here (mugs, cutting board, coasters, playing cards, etc.). They are known for their CTA-themed gifts, but offer much more.
11 locals recommend
Transit Tees
1371 N Milwaukee AveAmazing spot for unique Chicago gifts. I actually purchased several items for the apartment from here (mugs, cutting board, coasters, playing cards, etc.). They are known for their CTA-themed gifts, but offer much more.
Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W Chicago AveNice selection of wine and spirits.
Essentials
Small Italian grocery story that not only has the basics you might need, but also some amazing subs you can order and take away from the counter in the back of the shop. The meatball and the turkey are our favorites.
42 locals recommend
Bari
1120 W Grand AveSmall Italian grocery story that not only has the basics you might need, but also some amazing subs you can order and take away from the counter in the back of the shop. The meatball and the turkey are our favorites.
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayStandard grocery, but has ample parking and anything you might need.
CVS
771 N Ogden AveNearest drug store with a decent selection of essentials.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great beer, beautiful space. Food trucks typically hang out front as well.
16 locals recommend
On Tour Brewing Company
1725 W Hubbard StGreat beer, beautiful space. Food trucks typically hang out front as well.
Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W Chicago AveGreat beer, but even better food.
Great dive bar with live music. The restaurant next door (Bite Cafe) is also very good.
208 locals recommend
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveGreat dive bar with live music. The restaurant next door (Bite Cafe) is also very good.
Bottom Lounge
1375 W Lake StGreat dive bar with live music.
The restaurant is a beautiful space inside and out (huge patio). Great wine selection of course and delicious food. Music venue is very unique, but most shows sell out quickly, so book in advance. Note that the restaurant is separate so you can still visit without seeing a show.
70 locals recommend
City Winery
1200 W Randolph StThe restaurant is a beautiful space inside and out (huge patio). Great wine selection of course and delicious food. Music venue is very unique, but most shows sell out quickly, so book in advance. Note that the restaurant is separate so you can still visit without seeing a show.
Entertainment & Activities
Don't wait in a long line with crying kids...check out JAZZIN AT THE SHED if you are in town on a Wednesday night in the summer. Tickets are $20 and should be purchased in advance. Here is a C&P from the website...www.sheddaquarium.org/Jazzin
Every Wednesday evening during the summer, enjoy live jazz, cool drinks and a relaxed visit with 32,000 animals. Take in the Chicago skyline while listening to some of our area's top jazz musicians. It's the perfect way to savor the summer!
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrDon't wait in a long line with crying kids...check out JAZZIN AT THE SHED if you are in town on a Wednesday night in the summer. Tickets are $20 and should be purchased in advance. Here is a C&P from the website...www.sheddaquarium.org/Jazzin
Every Wednesday evening during the summer, enjoy live jazz, cool drinks and a relaxed visit with 32,000 animals. Take in the Chicago skyline while listening to some of our area's top jazz musicians. It's the perfect way to savor the summer!