Chicago Guidebook
Food Scene
The original Chicago deep dish!
In the Gold Coast neighborhood near the Magnificent Mile shopping district.
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Pizzeria Uno
29 E Ohio StThe original Chicago deep dish!
In the Gold Coast neighborhood near the Magnificent Mile shopping district.
Celebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s first restaurant. Outstanding small plates! Make a reservation months in advance if you can, or try your luck as a walk-in at 4-5pm.
In the West Loop neighborhood on Randolph Street, aka “Restaurant Row”.
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Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StCelebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s first restaurant. Outstanding small plates! Make a reservation months in advance if you can, or try your luck as a walk-in at 4-5pm.
In the West Loop neighborhood on Randolph Street, aka “Restaurant Row”.
Classy & romantic American restaurant with live jazz every night starting at 7pm.
In the Gold Coast neighborhood on Michigan Avenue, along the Magnificent Mile.
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Bandera
535 N Michigan AveClassy & romantic American restaurant with live jazz every night starting at 7pm.
In the Gold Coast neighborhood on Michigan Avenue, along the Magnificent Mile.
Fondue with live flamenco guitar. Moody, romantic spot.
In the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
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Geja's Cafe
340 W Armitage AveFondue with live flamenco guitar. Moody, romantic spot.
In the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Tiny, hidden ramen spot in an underground space beneath Green Street Smoked Meats in the West Loop. Have a drink at the bar upstairs while you wait for a table!
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High Five Ramen
112 N Green StTiny, hidden ramen spot in an underground space beneath Green Street Smoked Meats in the West Loop. Have a drink at the bar upstairs while you wait for a table!
Super popular little spot since 1972. Go early (4-5pm), and order their famous Pizza Pot Pie and Mediterranean Bread!
In the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
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Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company
2121 North Clark StreetSuper popular little spot since 1972. Go early (4-5pm), and order their famous Pizza Pot Pie and Mediterranean Bread!
In the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Popular cafe and bakery with large breakfast and lunch menu and creative coffee beverages.
There are several locations, but the biggest one is in the Loop at LaSalle / Wacker.
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Goddess and the Baker
33 S Wabash AvePopular cafe and bakery with large breakfast and lunch menu and creative coffee beverages.
There are several locations, but the biggest one is in the Loop at LaSalle / Wacker.
Trendy tacos & margaritas joint with a huge outdoor patio on busy Damen Ave in the hipster Wicker Park neighborhood.
Big Star
1531 North Damen AvenueTrendy tacos & margaritas joint with a huge outdoor patio on busy Damen Ave in the hipster Wicker Park neighborhood.
A cafeteria-style place with booths housing a wide variety of Chicago’s trendiest restaurants. A neat way to experience several popular spots in one fell swoop. In The Loop.
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Revival Food Hall
125 S Clark StA cafeteria-style place with booths housing a wide variety of Chicago’s trendiest restaurants. A neat way to experience several popular spots in one fell swoop. In The Loop.
Treat yourself to a traditional high tea service in the regal Palm Court at the historic Drake Hotel! Dignitaries from Princess Diana to Queen Elizabeth to the Empress of Japan have taken tea around the lavish marble fountain. An in-house harpist accompanies the service that includes finger sandwiches and custom-blended teas. 11am - 5pm, $45
In the Gold Coast neighborhood at the north end of the Magnificent Mile.
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The Drake
140 E Walton PlTreat yourself to a traditional high tea service in the regal Palm Court at the historic Drake Hotel! Dignitaries from Princess Diana to Queen Elizabeth to the Empress of Japan have taken tea around the lavish marble fountain. An in-house harpist accompanies the service that includes finger sandwiches and custom-blended teas. 11am - 5pm, $45
In the Gold Coast neighborhood at the north end of the Magnificent Mile.
Big Jones
5347 N Clark StSouthern-style brunch spot. In the Andersonville neighborhood.
Drinks & Nightlife
Old-fashioned cabaret with good cocktails, food, and magic performances 7 nights a week. Tucked away behind a fake laundromat in the Andersonville neighborhood.
Come here for a cocktail and enjoy the most stunning view over Millennium Park!
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Cindy's
12 S Michigan AveCome here for a cocktail and enjoy the most stunning view over Millennium Park!
Come here for dinner, drinks, and a show! Check their website for current showings. Their Sunday brunch is also supposed to be quite good. Can’t beat the view of the lake!
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Theatre on the Lake
2401 N Lake Shore DrCome here for dinner, drinks, and a show! Check their website for current showings. Their Sunday brunch is also supposed to be quite good. Can’t beat the view of the lake!
Chicago Magic Lounge
5050 N Clark StThe Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayHistoric jazz joint.
Fun tiki bar tucked away in a hidden alley with elaborate cocktails.
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Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StFun tiki bar tucked away in a hidden alley with elaborate cocktails.
Parks & Nature
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StNorth Avenue Beach
Grab a bike and head to the Lakefront anywhere in Chicago for a ride (or walk!) along the lake. Awesome views of the skyline between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street, and even better views from the south side.
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Lakefront Trail Start
900 Lakefront TrailGrab a bike and head to the Lakefront anywhere in Chicago for a ride (or walk!) along the lake. Awesome views of the skyline between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street, and even better views from the south side.
Shopping
Old-fashioned apothecary shop with tonics and potions of all sorts! Ultimate resource for natural skincare, beauty, and fragrances. Visit the original location in Lincoln Square if you are able.
Merz Downtown
17 E Monroe StOld-fashioned apothecary shop with tonics and potions of all sorts! Ultimate resource for natural skincare, beauty, and fragrances. Visit the original location in Lincoln Square if you are able.
Macy's
111 North State StreetThe historic Marshall Field’s building. A must-see! Have lunch or dinner in the Walnut Room.
An Italian food lovers’ wonderland! Shop the gourmet groceries with a wine glass in hand, and dine at one of several full-service restaurant options.
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Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StAn Italian food lovers’ wonderland! Shop the gourmet groceries with a wine glass in hand, and dine at one of several full-service restaurant options.
Garrett Popcorn Shops
173 Michigan AveIndoor mall, if that's what you're looking for. Also try Watertower Place Mall, a bit further north on Michigan Ave.
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The Shops at North Bridge
520 N Michigan AveIndoor mall, if that's what you're looking for. Also try Watertower Place Mall, a bit further north on Michigan Ave.
Located inside the landmark Medinah Temple, a colorful Islamic-looking Moorish Revival building that is a former Shriner’s auditorium, once the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and where the score of Disney’s Fantasia was recorded!
Bloomingdale's Home + Furniture
600 N Wabash AveLocated inside the landmark Medinah Temple, a colorful Islamic-looking Moorish Revival building that is a former Shriner’s auditorium, once the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and where the score of Disney’s Fantasia was recorded!
Sightseeing
Kayak Chicago
1603 North DuSable Lake Shore DriveThe yellow water taxis stop at various neighborhoods along the Chicago River, and you can get on and off as you please for just $6. Goes from Michigan Avenue to Chinatown and back.
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Chicago Water Taxi
400 N Michigan AveThe yellow water taxis stop at various neighborhoods along the Chicago River, and you can get on and off as you please for just $6. Goes from Michigan Avenue to Chinatown and back.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan AvenueThe Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore DriveShedd Aquarium
1200 South DuSable Lake Shore DriveNeighborhoods
Hipster neighborhood populated by trendy 20 and 30-somethings. Great place to explore by foot with tons of shopping, cafes, and restaurants. The shopping is really diverse here, as you'll find big-name brands like Levis and Lululemon mingling amongst local clothiers, beauty boutiques, vintage shops, and quirky book and record stores. Main drags are Milwaukee Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Division Street.
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Wicker Park
1425 N Damen AveHipster neighborhood populated by trendy 20 and 30-somethings. Great place to explore by foot with tons of shopping, cafes, and restaurants. The shopping is really diverse here, as you'll find big-name brands like Levis and Lululemon mingling amongst local clothiers, beauty boutiques, vintage shops, and quirky book and record stores. Main drags are Milwaukee Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Division Street.
The architecture of the buildings in Lincoln Park really sets it apart from other neighborhoods! Take the Brown Line train to Armitage. Main shopping / restaurant drags are Armitage Ave and Halsted Street.
In actuality, Lincoln Park is a humongous neighborhood which also includes Lincoln Park proper (meaning the park itself), the Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, North Avenue Beach, and so much more. Rent a Divvy bike and head towards the lake to check out the park and all the above!
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Lincoln Park
500-5700 N Lake Shore DrThe architecture of the buildings in Lincoln Park really sets it apart from other neighborhoods! Take the Brown Line train to Armitage. Main shopping / restaurant drags are Armitage Ave and Halsted Street.
In actuality, Lincoln Park is a humongous neighborhood which also includes Lincoln Park proper (meaning the park itself), the Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, North Avenue Beach, and so much more. Rent a Divvy bike and head towards the lake to check out the park and all the above!
Historically a Swedish neighborhood, a large portion of Chicago's LGBTQ community now calls this area home. Fun gay bars along Clark Street mingle amongst wonderful restaurants and a significant vintage home decor shopping district!
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Andersonville
Historically a Swedish neighborhood, a large portion of Chicago's LGBTQ community now calls this area home. Fun gay bars along Clark Street mingle amongst wonderful restaurants and a significant vintage home decor shopping district!
Known for "Restaurant Row" on Randolph Street, this historically industrial meatpacking district is now booming with restaurants, bars, cafés, art galleries, and more restaurants! Corporations are moving their headquarters here (Google just converted a humongous old meatpacking warehouse), and more and more buildings are being converted to residential lofts. Make a dinner reservation in this area, because every single restaurant is very very good, and very very popular!
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West Loop
Known for "Restaurant Row" on Randolph Street, this historically industrial meatpacking district is now booming with restaurants, bars, cafés, art galleries, and more restaurants! Corporations are moving their headquarters here (Google just converted a humongous old meatpacking warehouse), and more and more buildings are being converted to residential lofts. Make a dinner reservation in this area, because every single restaurant is very very good, and very very popular!