Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Delicious jibaritos (steak sandwich on fried plantain in lieu of bread, with fresh garlic sprinkled on top).
El Nuevo Borinquen
1720 N California AveDelicious jibaritos (steak sandwich on fried plantain in lieu of bread, with fresh garlic sprinkled on top).
Burger King
113 Roosevelt RdIf you're craving a burger!
Masada
2206 N California AveVery good middle eastern food. Interesting decor.
Rangoli Classic Indian Dining
I've actually never been but it looks nice!
Katakana Sushi Bar
I've never been but curious to try it!
If you're in the mood for a basic diner. I go if I'm in the mood for pancakes.
88 locals recommend
Cozy Corner Restaurant and Pancake House
2294 N Milwaukee AveIf you're in the mood for a basic diner. I go if I'm in the mood for pancakes.
El Cid
2645 N Kedzie AveMexican restaurant that I am curious to try!
This is a Spanish tapas place I haven't been to but am curious to try.
10 locals recommend
Azucar Tapas
2647 N Kedzie AveThis is a Spanish tapas place I haven't been to but am curious to try.
Argentine place with a dark sultry ambiance. Good place for both steak and pasta. I recommend the Gnocchi in meat sauce. Delish!
63 locals recommend
Folklore | Argentine Restaurant
2100 W Division StArgentine place with a dark sultry ambiance. Good place for both steak and pasta. I recommend the Gnocchi in meat sauce. Delish!
This is a newly opened restaurant in Humboldt Park that serves sort of classic American cuisine. I've been here several times and found the food excellent. I think they change the menu every so often so I can't recommend a specific dish, but check the website. It's a bit pricey but high quality.
21 locals recommend
The Shelby
2759 West Augusta BoulevardThis is a newly opened restaurant in Humboldt Park that serves sort of classic American cuisine. I've been here several times and found the food excellent. I think they change the menu every so often so I can't recommend a specific dish, but check the website. It's a bit pricey but high quality.
OMG I'm in love with this place! They are only open til 5 pm and sometimes close early if they run out of baked goods, but if you love cupcakes and croissants and cookies and things, you will LOVE this place. They have both an indoor and outdoor eating area if you want to stay to enjoy your sweets. I recommend the Nutella and chocolate cupcakes. To DIE for.
16 locals recommend
Bake
2246 W North AveOMG I'm in love with this place! They are only open til 5 pm and sometimes close early if they run out of baked goods, but if you love cupcakes and croissants and cookies and things, you will LOVE this place. They have both an indoor and outdoor eating area if you want to stay to enjoy your sweets. I recommend the Nutella and chocolate cupcakes. To DIE for.
Delicious sandwiches. Try the pulled pork, or the Ropa Vieja (typical Cuban dish).
20 locals recommend
1492 Cuban Fusion Café
2615 W North AveDelicious sandwiches. Try the pulled pork, or the Ropa Vieja (typical Cuban dish).
My favorite pizza place in Wicker Park. If you're a meat lover, try the Great Balls of Fire pizza. Other good ones are the Aunt Chilada and the Abe Froman. And you can't go wrong with a classic Margarita. It has a large outdoor seating area and the inside is spacious too. It gets crowded on the weekends but you probably won't have to wait too long given the size of the place.
73 locals recommend
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division StMy favorite pizza place in Wicker Park. If you're a meat lover, try the Great Balls of Fire pizza. Other good ones are the Aunt Chilada and the Abe Froman. And you can't go wrong with a classic Margarita. It has a large outdoor seating area and the inside is spacious too. It gets crowded on the weekends but you probably won't have to wait too long given the size of the place.
Delicious Latin cuisine, fabulous fruity cocktails and very cute and colorful mid-century modern decor. It's small but it doesn't usually get super crowded, even on weekends. Perhaps that's because it's off the beaten path in Roscoe Village, a neighborhood a few minutes north (by car) of Wicker Park/Humboldt Park. The menu is on the pricey side considering the small portion sizes, but it is very good and a good option if you want to avoid one of the super crowded neighborhoods on a Fri or Sat. night. It does close kind of early though.
Altiro Latin Fusion
2116 West Roscoe StreetDelicious Latin cuisine, fabulous fruity cocktails and very cute and colorful mid-century modern decor. It's small but it doesn't usually get super crowded, even on weekends. Perhaps that's because it's off the beaten path in Roscoe Village, a neighborhood a few minutes north (by car) of Wicker Park/Humboldt Park. The menu is on the pricey side considering the small portion sizes, but it is very good and a good option if you want to avoid one of the super crowded neighborhoods on a Fri or Sat. night. It does close kind of early though.
Asian fusion place with delicious ramen, sushi, potstickers and things like that. The food is great but the lines are long, so be prepared for a wait if you try going on a weekend night.
134 locals recommend
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveAsian fusion place with delicious ramen, sushi, potstickers and things like that. The food is great but the lines are long, so be prepared for a wait if you try going on a weekend night.
This is a casual lunch spot that opened up recently. Really delicious tacos that are more authentic Mexican than most but with a slightly fancy twist (it's higher quality than your average Mexican joint). Highly recommend!
6 locals recommend
El Metro Mexican Cantina
1959 W Chicago AveThis is a casual lunch spot that opened up recently. Really delicious tacos that are more authentic Mexican than most but with a slightly fancy twist (it's higher quality than your average Mexican joint). Highly recommend!
This place has great sushi - my favorite in the area. They have a number of specialty maki rolls that are really interesting and delicious. I think it's BYOB though.
111 locals recommend
Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill
1751 W Chicago AveThis place has great sushi - my favorite in the area. They have a number of specialty maki rolls that are really interesting and delicious. I think it's BYOB though.
New restaurant that opened up in Wicker Park that serves fancy-ish American cuisine. I ate here just once and thought the food was quite good.
11 locals recommend
Clever Rabbit
2015 W Division StNew restaurant that opened up in Wicker Park that serves fancy-ish American cuisine. I ate here just once and thought the food was quite good.
This restaurant is very popular with Logan Square hipsters, judging from the long waits to get a table on the weekends. They serve a fancy version of American pub food - I got a sloppy Joe here once, for example, and I must say it was delicious.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveThis restaurant is very popular with Logan Square hipsters, judging from the long waits to get a table on the weekends. They serve a fancy version of American pub food - I got a sloppy Joe here once, for example, and I must say it was delicious.
An unusual fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cuisine. Hard to get a table on the weekends, but the food is interesting. Not sure if it's worth the hype but the place is very popular.
126 locals recommend
Fat Rice
2957 W Diversey AveAn unusual fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cuisine. Hard to get a table on the weekends, but the food is interesting. Not sure if it's worth the hype but the place is very popular.
Knead
2101 W North AveBrand-new pizza place in Wicker Park I've been meaning to try!
This place is brand-new and I haven't eaten here, but the decor is beautiful and the menu looks good. I want to try it.
7 locals recommend
Angry Pig Tavern
2039 W North AveThis place is brand-new and I haven't eaten here, but the decor is beautiful and the menu looks good. I want to try it.
This place serves both Turkish and general Mediterranean cuisine. It's in Roscoe Village, a quiet neighborhood a few minutes north of Wicker Park. It's a good option if you want to go somewhere that's not crazy crowded on the weekends. There is a dish I really like here called "Manti" that is basically Turkish pasta - a tortellini-type pasta filled with lamb or pork or beef or something, in a yogurt sauce. Yum.
33 locals recommend
Turquoise Cafe & Restaurant
2147 W Roscoe StThis place serves both Turkish and general Mediterranean cuisine. It's in Roscoe Village, a quiet neighborhood a few minutes north of Wicker Park. It's a good option if you want to go somewhere that's not crazy crowded on the weekends. There is a dish I really like here called "Manti" that is basically Turkish pasta - a tortellini-type pasta filled with lamb or pork or beef or something, in a yogurt sauce. Yum.
Drinks & Nightlife
Really good pizza slices. They have a cheap deal that includes a slice of pizza, beer and a shot.
152 locals recommend
The Boiler Room
2210 North California AvenueReally good pizza slices. They have a cheap deal that includes a slice of pizza, beer and a shot.
Boulevard Sports Lounge
2645 W North AveCasual, unpretentious, friendly bartenders!
Awesome Southern-style food. Hipster joint with a fully stocked bar. This place is very popular on weekends.
658 locals recommend
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveAwesome Southern-style food. Hipster joint with a fully stocked bar. This place is very popular on weekends.
This is one of my favorite new Logan-Square bar/restaurants. Elegant decor, fantastic food and drinks, and a very hipster crowd. They serve free cupcakes at midnight!!
584 locals recommend
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveThis is one of my favorite new Logan-Square bar/restaurants. Elegant decor, fantastic food and drinks, and a very hipster crowd. They serve free cupcakes at midnight!!
Mitad del Mundo Restaurant
2833 W Armitage AveI've never been but curious to try it!
Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveGood tacos and drinks! Casual and unpretentious atmosphere.
Trendy bar and restaurant with a gourmet menu (with things like "dry-aged burgers with bacon aioli") for a fairly reasonable price.
173 locals recommend
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California AvenueTrendy bar and restaurant with a gourmet menu (with things like "dry-aged burgers with bacon aioli") for a fairly reasonable price.
Indie music club. I haven't actually been there (indie rock is not my scene) but it is a well-known live music place in Chicago.
208 locals recommend
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveIndie music club. I haven't actually been there (indie rock is not my scene) but it is a well-known live music place in Chicago.
I've never been, but according to Google it is a "hip cash-only bar with pinball and games".
18 locals recommend
Blind Robin
853 N Western AveI've never been, but according to Google it is a "hip cash-only bar with pinball and games".
I've never been, but anything with "Taquería" in the title seems like a good thing!
29 locals recommend
Taqueria Moran
2226 N California AveI've never been, but anything with "Taquería" in the title seems like a good thing!
Great wine and food, unpretentious vibe and friendly service.
73 locals recommend
Websters Wine Bar Chicago
2601 N Milwaukee AveGreat wine and food, unpretentious vibe and friendly service.
This is a bar in the heart of Wicker Park that features various types of live music.
14 locals recommend
Nick's Beer Garden
1516 N Milwaukee AveThis is a bar in the heart of Wicker Park that features various types of live music.
Subterranean
2011 W North AveEverything Else
Great Latino grocery store. Produce is cheap and high-quality. Excellent fresh bread. Good for all other basic groceries too. In the summer they sell fresh tacos in the parking lot!
111 locals recommend
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveGreat Latino grocery store. Produce is cheap and high-quality. Excellent fresh bread. Good for all other basic groceries too. In the summer they sell fresh tacos in the parking lot!
Arguably the best Italian restaurant in Wicker Park. Delicious pasta. Run by real Italians.
34 locals recommend
Via Carducci La Sorella
1928 W Division StArguably the best Italian restaurant in Wicker Park. Delicious pasta. Run by real Italians.
Parks & Nature
It's so big and beautiful, and it makes you forget you're in a big city. It has tennis courts, basketball courts, a lake and boathouse, and even a beach!
293 locals recommend
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrIt's so big and beautiful, and it makes you forget you're in a big city. It has tennis courts, basketball courts, a lake and boathouse, and even a beach!
It's a great way to people-watch, check out the city from a different angle (as the path is elevated, created from an abandoned railroad track), and get some exercise at the same time!
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueIt's a great way to people-watch, check out the city from a different angle (as the path is elevated, created from an abandoned railroad track), and get some exercise at the same time!