Northwest side (old Irving Park, Avondale, Albany Park, portage Park, Mayfair)
Lincoln Park/Old Town
Loop
Edgewater/Lincoln square
Breakfast/brunch in Chicago
Bucktown/Wicker Park/Logan Square
Northwest side (old Irving Park, Avondale, Albany Park, portage Park, Mayfair)
My hood, so you're gonna get restaurants and things to do
Great specialty drinks (and just normal coffee). Rotating art from local artists. Really nice spot.
Backlot Coffee
Delicious bbq on the north side! Don't sleep on the tacos, they are great
Smoque BBQ
Fantastic food, drinks and atmosphere. Deceivingly large, and has a GREAT outdoor area, completely sheltered from the mess of the city. Decorated amazingly for most holidays - definitely go for Christmas and st. Paddy's day!!! Really a magical place ...
Chief O'Neill's Pub Restaurant Beer Garden
Super fun, drop in and free play sessions every day, also have classes, instruction and leagues
Pickleball Clubhouse
Best plant shop in the area!
Plant Shop Chicago
Best pizza delivery in the area. Great place to have a birthday party!
La Villa
Eat fantastic French silk pie and give to the poor at the same time
First Slice Pie Cafe Manor
Really nice atmosphere. And sweet plant store right across the street.
Casa Cactus
Lincoln Park/Old Town
Good pizza, great outdoor area, right by Wrigley field. Great for families
D'Agostino's Pizza and Pub Wrigleyville
Our favorite Argentinian steakhouse. Not too expensive, but be prepared to wait a while, I don't think they take reservations. Cute places to grab a drink before nearby.
Tango Sur
A local favorite. Go see "The Room" here, you won't be disappointed. They also have regular showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show. And of course just your standard Indy fair. Love this place!
Music Box Theatre
Free! Worth it. Also they have paid "zoo at night" events for adults with adult beverages. Best resource in the city!
Lincoln Park Zoo
Great brunch spot!
Experience the Best of Wrigleyville at Happy Camper
Our spot for gigantic steamed bagel sandwiches when we're in the area. Truly a locals experience. A few different locations exist so if you're ordering online make sure you're sending to the right one!
Chicago Bagel Authority - Belmont
Great ramen
Strings Ramen Shop Lakeview
A Chicago pizza staple. Regular pizza, not deep dish. Native Chicagoans aren't just out here eating deep dish all the time. Honestly I mostly just take the tourists to the deep dish places.
Pequod's Pizza
Take in a show or two and participate in the history that is Chicago improv comedy. Cheap shows all the time. Fun bars and restaurants inside. You can even drop in a class if you want to!
The Second City
Another Chicago improv favorite. Check out a show or two. Comedy is in Chicagos blood for a reason!
The iO Theater
Holy crap this chicken is to die for. We come here every time we are in the area. And sometimes make a trip just to come here.
Crisp
Great empanadas
Cafe Tola
Better than au cheval in my opinion... But maybe I just don't like to wait. Great burgers.
Small Cheval - Logan Square
Loop
All the places in this section are going to be kind of pricey - the loop is for tourists and finance bros. But there are some really good restaurants down there.
Our go-to for a fancy steak night in the loop. Be prepared to drop a few bills!
RPM Steak
Family style, bring friends! Slightly pricey
RPM Italian
This is the souvenir you bring home to people. I don't even really like popcorn and I love this stuff.
Garrett Popcorn Shops
The Chicagoans "architecture tour". Great way to get around the city if you have some time to kill. Take it all the way to Chinatown and get some delicious food!
Chicago Water Taxi
I try to stroll down this any chance I get. Lots of restaurants and wine bars along the way and you get to take in the beauty of the Chicago River and architecture without being annoyed by traffic and city sounds. A calm oasis in the city.
Welcome to the Chicago Riverwalk
Cool vibe, great french onion soup
Petit Pomeroy
Great seafood, outdoor area to sit, good happy hour
Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House
Good happy hour, great margaritas
Bar Mar
Old Chicago style pasta
Torchio Pasta Bar
Edgewater/Lincoln square
Our favorite beach on the north side. A little less intense than north Ave Beach. Still has a cute little beach side bar that usually has entertainment.
Montrose Beach
Breakfast/brunch in Chicago
Because breakfast and brunch deserve their own section!
Dessert for breakfast, my favorite. But in all seriousness, the breakfast offering is substantial. They just also have a churro waffle with ice cream...
The Churro Waffle
Love this place, a local favorite. Outdoor dining area. Vegan/vegetarian options.
Breakfast House & Coffee Bar
Brand new but quickly becoming one of our favorites. Fluffy omelettes, and the showstopper is their spicy sweet breakfast sandwich!
Cozy Corner Restaurant & Pancake House
A nice hipster delish for this place. Fantastic breakfast. Try the quiche.
m.henry
Fantastic food, great little outdoor area, be prepared to wait unless you get there early. It's a pretty small place. But a great place to get some cool grocery souvenirs.
Southport Grocery and Cafe
Great brunch buffet on the weekends, but not on game days!
Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern
Bucktown/Wicker Park/Logan Square
This chicken and all sides are to die for. They should call it crack chicken...
The Art of Chicken
Cute little place with a walk up window for coffee and breakfast
Red June Cafe
Great burgers, great location. Abundant outdoor seating available. Cute little neighborhood place.
The Leavitt Street Inn & Tavern
I love ramen
Ramen Wasabi - Logan Square
West Town
Fantastic Brazilian food NOT A STEAKHOUSE
Brasero
South loop
OMG so freaking good. I make trips here just for this place. Been here forever.
