Guidebook for Chicago

Emmie
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Favorite brunch in the city. $8 bottomless mimosas (during brunch on Sat / Sun). Excellent brunch food. Great neighborhood
21 locals recommend
LOKaL
2500 North Ashland Avenue
21 locals recommend
Favorite brunch in the city. $8 bottomless mimosas (during brunch on Sat / Sun). Excellent brunch food. Great neighborhood
Great brunch food. Walking distance from apartment.
65 locals recommend
Beatrix
519 N Clark St
65 locals recommend
Great brunch food. Walking distance from apartment.
-Chicago style hot dogs -Italian beef -Cheese fries -Chopped salad -Chocolate cake -Need I say more?
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario St
270 locals recommend
-Chicago style hot dogs -Italian beef -Cheese fries -Chopped salad -Chocolate cake -Need I say more?
-Amazing BBQ food -Long line that winds around the bar, so you can drink & socialize while you wait -Great atmosphere
107 locals recommend
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green St
107 locals recommend
-Amazing BBQ food -Long line that winds around the bar, so you can drink & socialize while you wait -Great atmosphere
Best burger in the U.S. (at least in my opinion, and the opinion of one show on Food Network), Be sure to get the egg with it (and bacon if you are feeling ambitious), Fave cocktail: Flapper
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St
620 locals recommend
Best burger in the U.S. (at least in my opinion, and the opinion of one show on Food Network), Be sure to get the egg with it (and bacon if you are feeling ambitious), Fave cocktail: Flapper
In my opinion, best pizza in Chicago - but don't go there for deep dish (I dislike deep dish)
488 locals recommend
Piece Brewery
1927 W North Ave
488 locals recommend
In my opinion, best pizza in Chicago - but don't go there for deep dish (I dislike deep dish)
As deep dish pizza goes, many swear by this
536 locals recommend
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
536 locals recommend
As deep dish pizza goes, many swear by this
Open til 5AM
Sarpino's Pizzeria Gold Coast
158 W Division St
Open til 5AM
Everything here is good. Especially like the twisted noodle salad.
Doc B's Restaurant + Bar (Gold Coast)
100 E Walton St
Everything here is good. Especially like the twisted noodle salad.
Especially good for hot chocolate on cold Chicago days
11 locals recommend
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop
400 N Michigan Ave
11 locals recommend
Especially good for hot chocolate on cold Chicago days
1.5 blocks away, for your convenience
215 locals recommend
Starbucks
1 E Delaware Pl
215 locals recommend
1.5 blocks away, for your convenience
Amazing tacos, amazing margaritas, amazing patio, amazing place.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
1176 locals recommend
Amazing tacos, amazing margaritas, amazing patio, amazing place.
Fusion Mexican & Korean food. Ramen (pretty sure it is instant ramen) is for some reason amazing, along with everything else here
La Tacorea
847 W Belmont Ave
Fusion Mexican & Korean food. Ramen (pretty sure it is instant ramen) is for some reason amazing, along with everything else here
~1.5 blocks away. Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (Guy Fieri ate here). Recommend you follow the recommendation of the guys who work there for ordering
76 locals recommend
BIG & little's Restaurant
1034 W Belmont Ave
76 locals recommend
~1.5 blocks away. Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (Guy Fieri ate here). Recommend you follow the recommendation of the guys who work there for ordering
Cute restaurant, good food. A bit pricey, but I think it is worth it (and super convenient - 1.5 blocks away)
32 locals recommend
Farmhouse Chicago
228 W Chicago Ave
32 locals recommend
Cute restaurant, good food. A bit pricey, but I think it is worth it (and super convenient - 1.5 blocks away)
Yes, this is a chain. But good location, good food, and good margaritas within walking distance
9 locals recommend
Cantina Laredo
508 N State St
9 locals recommend
Yes, this is a chain. But good location, good food, and good margaritas within walking distance
My favorite all you can eat Brazilian-style steakhouse. Beautiful interior, walking distance from the apartment. Come hungry, leave happy (albeit full)
21 locals recommend
ZED451
739 N Clark St
21 locals recommend
My favorite all you can eat Brazilian-style steakhouse. Beautiful interior, walking distance from the apartment. Come hungry, leave happy (albeit full)
Delicious Italian food. Very friendly staff. Recommended meal (not on menu): Chicken Limone
8 locals recommend
Club Lago
331 W Superior St
8 locals recommend
Delicious Italian food. Very friendly staff. Recommended meal (not on menu): Chicken Limone
Ridiculous brunch place - bottomless mimosas + 2 Bloody Marys + entree for like $30. They also have a beer pong table...
23 locals recommend
D.S. Tequila Company
3352 N Halsted St
23 locals recommend
Ridiculous brunch place - bottomless mimosas + 2 Bloody Marys + entree for like $30. They also have a beer pong table...
For those who like sweet brunch. If you aren't going to order something sweet, probably don't go.
199 locals recommend
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee Ave
199 locals recommend
For those who like sweet brunch. If you aren't going to order something sweet, probably don't go.
Good for those who like sweet brunch (e.g., nutella crepes, red velvet french toast). I do not like sweet brunch and think their savory offerings are just so-so
27 locals recommend
Yolk - River North
747 N Wells St
27 locals recommend
Good for those who like sweet brunch (e.g., nutella crepes, red velvet french toast). I do not like sweet brunch and think their savory offerings are just so-so

Sightseeing

-Corny touristy must see, but also Millenium Park is beautiful -Great for selfies
473 locals recommend
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph St
473 locals recommend
-Corny touristy must see, but also Millenium Park is beautiful -Great for selfies

Shopping

-Classic Chicago landmark -Great stores and restaurants - try Food Life
25 locals recommend
Chicago
835 North Michigan Avenue
25 locals recommend
-Classic Chicago landmark -Great stores and restaurants - try Food Life
Amazing Anthro store
32 locals recommend
Anthropologie
3532 N Southport Ave
32 locals recommend
Amazing Anthro store
1.5 blocks away; carries alcohol
202 locals recommend
Walgreens
4801 N Lincoln Ave
202 locals recommend
1.5 blocks away; carries alcohol

Drinks & Nightlife

-Amazing views of Chicago -Good cocktails
111 locals recommend
360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan Ave
111 locals recommend
-Amazing views of Chicago -Good cocktails
-Brews their own beers -You can order 'flights' of beer, so you can try a wide variety of different beers rather than having to choose one -Inexpensive -Caution: Food here is not great
47 locals recommend
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
737 W Randolph St
47 locals recommend
-Brews their own beers -You can order 'flights' of beer, so you can try a wide variety of different beers rather than having to choose one -Inexpensive -Caution: Food here is not great
Super fun atmosphere, Great cocktails, Recommend ordering a shared cocktail like "The Blood of Kapu Tiki"
125 locals recommend
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark St
125 locals recommend
Super fun atmosphere, Great cocktails, Recommend ordering a shared cocktail like "The Blood of Kapu Tiki"
Often has live music, Back Porch Iced Tea is amazing (and strong), Pretty good food. Try the fried pickles
34 locals recommend
Bub City
435 N Clark St
34 locals recommend
Often has live music, Back Porch Iced Tea is amazing (and strong), Pretty good food. Try the fried pickles
Speakeasy. Amazing cocktails, amazing atmosphere. Must go here
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 locals recommend
Speakeasy. Amazing cocktails, amazing atmosphere. Must go here
Open late (4AM all days except Saturday, when it is 5AM), basement is all 80s/90s music which is very fun
17 locals recommend
The Hangge-Uppe
14 W Elm St
17 locals recommend
Open late (4AM all days except Saturday, when it is 5AM), basement is all 80s/90s music which is very fun
Open late. 4AM Wednesday-Sunday, except Saturday when open till 5AM. Slightly clubbier than the Hanggee Uppe
6 locals recommend
Social Twenty-Five
25 W Hubbard St
6 locals recommend
Open late. 4AM Wednesday-Sunday, except Saturday when open till 5AM. Slightly clubbier than the Hanggee Uppe
Dueling pianos & fishbowls
24 locals recommend
Howl at the Moon Chicago
26 W Hubbard St
24 locals recommend
Dueling pianos & fishbowls
Karaoke
90 locals recommend
Blue Frog Bar & Grill
676 N LaSalle Dr
90 locals recommend
Karaoke
Good tacos, great margaritas
¡AY CHIWOWA - Tequila. Tacos. Tavern.
311 W Chicago Ave
Good tacos, great margaritas
Literally across the street. Play unlimited free video games while drinking delicious beer & cocktails. Favorite cocktail: South Side
40 locals recommend
Headquarters Beercade
213 W Institute Pl
40 locals recommend
Literally across the street. Play unlimited free video games while drinking delicious beer & cocktails. Favorite cocktail: South Side
Features skee-ball, excellent dance floor, adorable drinks. Highly recommended
127 locals recommend
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee Ave
127 locals recommend
Features skee-ball, excellent dance floor, adorable drinks. Highly recommended
Excellent dance floor. Get your nails done if you'd like (I have never done this here)
82 locals recommend
Beauty Bar
1444 W Chicago Ave
82 locals recommend
Excellent dance floor. Get your nails done if you'd like (I have never done this here)
Excellent dance floor. Go to the back room (past the pool tables)
57 locals recommend
Bar Deville
57 locals recommend
Excellent dance floor. Go to the back room (past the pool tables)

Essentials

Heaven on earth
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
866 locals recommend
Heaven on earth
1.5 blocks away, for anything quick you need to pick up grocery, toiletry, etc.-wise
7 locals recommend
Walmart Express
225 West Chicago Avenue
7 locals recommend
1.5 blocks away, for anything quick you need to pick up grocery, toiletry, etc.-wise
Great alcohol store
9 locals recommend
Binny's Beverage Depot
213 W Grand Ave
9 locals recommend
Great alcohol store