Guidebook for Evanston

Stacy And Scott
Stacy And Scott
Guidebook for Evanston

Food Scene

GREAT burgers and sandwiches-portions are HUGE so plan to share or bring home.
10 locals recommend
Bat 17
1709 Benson Ave
10 locals recommend
GREAT burgers and sandwiches-portions are HUGE so plan to share or bring home.
Consistently very good food in a classy atmosphere. Great for special occasions (graduation) or romantic date nights.
9 locals recommend
The Stained Glass
1735 Benson Ave
9 locals recommend
Consistently very good food in a classy atmosphere. Great for special occasions (graduation) or romantic date nights.
More casual version of The Stained Glass-same kitchen.
The Cellar at The Stained Glass
820 Clark St
More casual version of The Stained Glass-same kitchen.
Great in house brews, BBQ and burgers. Fun, large food hall atmosphere with tvs for the game. Fireplace in winter, outdoor dining in summer.
20 locals recommend
Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.
1615 Oak Ave
20 locals recommend
Great in house brews, BBQ and burgers. Fun, large food hall atmosphere with tvs for the game. Fireplace in winter, outdoor dining in summer.
Upscale steak house owned by the daughter of famous Morton's Steakhouse in Chicago. Located in renovated Milk house in central Evanston. Expensive.
8 locals recommend
The Barn Steakhouse
1016 Church St
8 locals recommend
Upscale steak house owned by the daughter of famous Morton's Steakhouse in Chicago. Located in renovated Milk house in central Evanston. Expensive.
Same owner as The Barn-upscale and unique small plates menu. Great, cozy and eclectic atmosphere (we especially like the bar by the wood burning stoves in the winter). Expensive.
23 locals recommend
Found Kitchen and Social House
1631 Chicago Ave
23 locals recommend
Same owner as The Barn-upscale and unique small plates menu. Great, cozy and eclectic atmosphere (we especially like the bar by the wood burning stoves in the winter). Expensive.
Upscale thai-not your pad thai street food here. Very tasty and "gourmet" in presentation.
NaKorn - Urban Thai (Evanston)
1622 Orrington Ave
Upscale thai-not your pad thai street food here. Very tasty and "gourmet" in presentation.
In house brewery with broad and delicious menu-something for everyone. Great outdoor in back during nice weather. Lamb burger is a favorite, as is the Deep Fried Jam Butty (think fried PB&J). Also great for brunch.
66 locals recommend
Peckish Pig
623 W Howard St
66 locals recommend
In house brewery with broad and delicious menu-something for everyone. Great outdoor in back during nice weather. Lamb burger is a favorite, as is the Deep Fried Jam Butty (think fried PB&J). Also great for brunch.
Dim Sum and then some...very casual and great for take out. We always order the sesame noodles and the ginger salad with either chicken or shrimp, but everything is very fresh and tasty.
8 locals recommend
Lulu's
1026 Davis St
8 locals recommend
Dim Sum and then some...very casual and great for take out. We always order the sesame noodles and the ginger salad with either chicken or shrimp, but everything is very fresh and tasty.
Mexican shared kitchen of LuLu's...casual and yummy.
15 locals recommend
Taco Diablo
1026b Davis St
15 locals recommend
Mexican shared kitchen of LuLu's...casual and yummy.
Bright, inexpensive Asian diner
11 locals recommend
Joy Yee Noodle
533 Davis St
11 locals recommend
Bright, inexpensive Asian diner
Casual diner like.
45 locals recommend
Lucky Platter
514 Main St
45 locals recommend
Casual diner like.
Café with very good food-order at counter and it's brought to table. Usually crowded.
13 locals recommend
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery
812 Grove St
13 locals recommend
Café with very good food-order at counter and it's brought to table. Usually crowded.
Great food in easy going atmosphere right across the street from NU's Ryan Field. BBQ, salads, flat breads, etc. Try the grilled romaine salad.
13 locals recommend
Ten Mile House
1700 Central St
13 locals recommend
Great food in easy going atmosphere right across the street from NU's Ryan Field. BBQ, salads, flat breads, etc. Try the grilled romaine salad.
Yummy Mexican on the south side of town.
20 locals recommend
La Principal
700 Main St
20 locals recommend
Yummy Mexican on the south side of town.
Homemade Italian, but expect slow service.
La Macchina Cafe PERMANENTLY CLOSED
1620 Orrington Ave
Homemade Italian, but expect slow service.
Great pizza (thin from wood burning oven) in front area of Space music venue. Always busy. Hip atmosphere.
50 locals recommend
Union Pizza
1307 Chicago Ave
50 locals recommend
Great pizza (thin from wood burning oven) in front area of Space music venue. Always busy. Hip atmosphere.
FAMOUS Chicago style deep dish or regular pizza-located just a few blocks from our house-can eat there or do take out.
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State St
513 locals recommend
FAMOUS Chicago style deep dish or regular pizza-located just a few blocks from our house-can eat there or do take out.
8 locals recommend
Whiskey Thief Tavern
616 Davis St
8 locals recommend
Steak and Jazz-good for large groups
7 locals recommend
Pete Miller's Seafood & Prime Steak
1557 Sherman Ave
7 locals recommend
Steak and Jazz-good for large groups
Delicious custard-always a line during the warm weather, but worth it and you can walk to our house to burn off a few of the calories.
12 locals recommend
Andy's Frozen Custard
719 Church St
12 locals recommend
Delicious custard-always a line during the warm weather, but worth it and you can walk to our house to burn off a few of the calories.
Within walking distance to house. Always busy.
135 locals recommend
Starbucks
6738 N Sheridan Rd
135 locals recommend
Within walking distance to house. Always busy.
Old school coffee cafe where the anti-Starbucks people go.
Unicorn Cafe
1723 Sherman Ave
Old school coffee cafe where the anti-Starbucks people go.
Gorgeous to look at and delicious to eat breads and pastries in a space originally built by your host, Scott! Parklette for enjoying outdoors in warmer months.
20 locals recommend
Hewn
1733 Central St
20 locals recommend
Gorgeous to look at and delicious to eat breads and pastries in a space originally built by your host, Scott! Parklette for enjoying outdoors in warmer months.
Old school bakery-part of Evanston since 1918. Go here for donuts, bread, danish, cookies by the pound, coffee cakes, celebration cakes, etc.
24 locals recommend
Bennison's Bakery
1000 Davis St
24 locals recommend
Old school bakery-part of Evanston since 1918. Go here for donuts, bread, danish, cookies by the pound, coffee cakes, celebration cakes, etc.
A newer favorite-more upscale but not stuffy. Menu changes seasonally. Great wine deals on Thursdays.
Next of Kin Restaurant & Cafe
625 Davis St
A newer favorite-more upscale but not stuffy. Menu changes seasonally. Great wine deals on Thursdays.

Drinks & Nightlife

We love Five & Dime for a drink and appetizer because of it's awesome outdoor on the roof of LuLu and Taco Diablo. Fun view of downtown Evanston from up there. Games to distract the younger kids, too.
10 locals recommend
Five & Dime
1026 Davis St
10 locals recommend
We love Five & Dime for a drink and appetizer because of it's awesome outdoor on the roof of LuLu and Taco Diablo. Fun view of downtown Evanston from up there. Games to distract the younger kids, too.
Intimate venue to see well known and lesser known musicians-order tickets before you come to town as it usually sells out. A gem to have in Evanston. We've seen Johnny Swim, English Beat, Peter Himmelman, The Wind and the Wave, to name just a few.
57 locals recommend
Evanston SPACE
1245 Chicago Ave
57 locals recommend
Intimate venue to see well known and lesser known musicians-order tickets before you come to town as it usually sells out. A gem to have in Evanston. We've seen Johnny Swim, English Beat, Peter Himmelman, The Wind and the Wave, to name just a few.
Did you know Evanston was the home of the Woman's Temperance Union which started Prohibition? This is one of our hometown breweries, located on west side of town about a 10 minute drive from our house...great tap room with snacks or bring in your own food. Great outdoor with games. Kids allowed until 8 pm.
21 locals recommend
Temperance Beer Co.
2000 Dempster St
21 locals recommend
Did you know Evanston was the home of the Woman's Temperance Union which started Prohibition? This is one of our hometown breweries, located on west side of town about a 10 minute drive from our house...great tap room with snacks or bring in your own food. Great outdoor with games. Kids allowed until 8 pm.
Small taproom with great, hometown beer. Selection changes frequently.
23 locals recommend
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
821 Chicago Ave
23 locals recommend
Small taproom with great, hometown beer. Selection changes frequently.
Vinic Wine Co
1509 Chicago Ave
Fun Friday night wine tastings and some special events.
7 locals recommend
The Wine Goddess
702 Main St
7 locals recommend
Fun Friday night wine tastings and some special events.

Entertainment & Activities

From our front door you can see the neon sign of the Century movie theater-multiple screens showing all the currently released films. Bar in theater to enjoy a drink with your popcorn.
38 locals recommend
Century 12 Evanston / CinéArts 6 and XD
1715 Maple Ave
38 locals recommend
From our front door you can see the neon sign of the Century movie theater-multiple screens showing all the currently released films. Bar in theater to enjoy a drink with your popcorn.
Rent paddle boards, kayaks within walking distance of our house! Great way to get out onto Lake Michigan and see Evanston and Chicago skyline from the water.
Northwestern Sailing Center
1823 Campus Dr
Rent paddle boards, kayaks within walking distance of our house! Great way to get out onto Lake Michigan and see Evanston and Chicago skyline from the water.
Home of Northwestern University Football and Graduation Ceremony!
16 locals recommend
Ryan Field
1501 Central St
16 locals recommend
Home of Northwestern University Football and Graduation Ceremony!
Public Beach closet to us is NU/Clark Street. Fee charged between Memorial and Labor Day, otherwise free.
102 locals recommend
Lake Michigan
102 locals recommend
Public Beach closet to us is NU/Clark Street. Fee charged between Memorial and Labor Day, otherwise free.

Everything Else

Great library in the center of downtown.
10 locals recommend
Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Ave
10 locals recommend
Great library in the center of downtown.

Essentials

This is where I go for my no-chip or regular manicure and pedicures. Very clean, friendly and relaxing.
Evans Nails & Spa Corporation
821 Noyes St
This is where I go for my no-chip or regular manicure and pedicures. Very clean, friendly and relaxing.
20 locals recommend
CVS
3333 Central St
20 locals recommend

Shopping

Great gift shop featuring many local artists. Artsy Evanston and Chicago souveniers.
Stumble & Relish
1312 Chicago Ave
Great gift shop featuring many local artists. Artsy Evanston and Chicago souveniers.
Artsy clothing, jewelry and household items.
Dragonfly-Df
1501 Chicago Ave
Artsy clothing, jewelry and household items.
GREAT selection on hand ground spices and blends. Try a gift box of Chicago neighborhood blends as a souvenir.
11 locals recommend
The Spice House
1941 Central St
11 locals recommend
GREAT selection on hand ground spices and blends. Try a gift box of Chicago neighborhood blends as a souvenir.
Saturday mornings May-October...just a few blocks south of our house. Large array of midwest farmers (Wis,, IL, Michigan) and food vendors. Great place for breakfast!
8 locals recommend
Evanston Farmers' Market
1800 Maple Ave
8 locals recommend
Saturday mornings May-October...just a few blocks south of our house. Large array of midwest farmers (Wis,, IL, Michigan) and food vendors. Great place for breakfast!
Small neighborhood market for groceries or prepared foods.
D&D Finer Foods
825 Noyes St
Small neighborhood market for groceries or prepared foods.
61 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
6020 N Cicero Ave
61 locals recommend

Parks & Nature

Great walking path along the lake front on the NU campus...just head due east from our house and you'll find it!
80 locals recommend
Northwestern University
633 Clark St
80 locals recommend
Great walking path along the lake front on the NU campus...just head due east from our house and you'll find it!
One of the world's best Botanic Gardens (honors many int'l Garden memberships) only 20-30 minute drive north of our house. Great cafe for breakfast or lunch and gift shop.
167 locals recommend
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd
167 locals recommend
One of the world's best Botanic Gardens (honors many int'l Garden memberships) only 20-30 minute drive north of our house. Great cafe for breakfast or lunch and gift shop.