Skip to content
My Chicago list
My Chicago list
A comprehensive list that isn't nearly comprehensive enough. If it made the list - it's good and/or famous.
Tags
Neighborhood
MUST go
Search
Lardon
Awesome (in-house!) charcuterie & aperitifs
Pequod’s Pizza
THE place for deep dish in Chicago. Hands down. Alternately you can go to in Morton Grove if you’re in the burbs, which has similar origins (sort of the same place).
@Burt’s Place
Lou Malnati’s
If you’re in a pinch & can’t get to Pequod’s. In no circumstances should it be necessary to go to the other chain that starts with “G” and ends with “don’t go there”.
Jibaritos y mas
Jibaritos are a classicly Chicago (but Puerto Rican-inspired) sandwich with plantains instead of bread. if you don’t believe me.
Lula Cafe
Very popular brunch spot in Logan Square
Serai
Pretty good Malaysian spot (has Thai, etc. as well)
Small Cheval
Easier way to get one of Chicago’s best burgers — and while you’re at it, take a stroll on
@The 606
Dove’s luncheonette
Can’t remember if I’ve been here but it’s supposed to be good and a Wicker Park classic
Wormhole Coffee
I’ll ruin the surprise — it’s famous because there’s a Dolorean on the ceiling. Good coffee, very hipster despite Wicker being gentrified away from the hipsters.
Paulie Gee’s
LOVE their Detroit-style pizza. Do not get any other style of pizza here because that is sooooo good. There’s a comparable place in DC called Red Light. You should try their pizza too.
The Whale
Could be lit for brunch, fun to watch big groups who are all dressed up for brunch but you don’t need to be.
Emporium
In Fulton Market, this is a cool spot. The one in Logan is 🤷 — there are a lot cooler spots around.
I do have coins though 👀
Chicago Distilling Company
I’m really into their gin & they have great gin cocktails
Cafe con Leche
My sister likes this place
Beatnik
I’ve only been to the West Town location, so only going to add that to the list for now, but LOVE the vibes at this place. Really cool and interesting and makes for a very fun chill with friends to eat slowly and take in the atmosphere (pricey-ish).
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
Incredible pies — plan in advance so they aren’t sold out of what you want
Soulé
Awesome soul food — get shrimp and grits, jerk chicken wings, blackened catfish, etc
Kasama
Really excellent food & coffee & pastries — REALLY long line even if you come right at the opening, might not be worth the super long wait
Jeni’s
The OG. Any location is good.
En Hakkore Sushi Burrito & Poke Bowl
LOVE their sushi tacos 😍
Crumbl
I hate myself for putting this on here because it’s a huge national chain & a huge personal addiction.
The Delta
Pretty delish southern dishes
Crossroads
Some nice vintage pieces to be found, but not cheap for thrifting. But it’s fun to hit up all the thrift stores in Wicker Park! (there are a couple on the same block)
The Budlong Hot Chicken
Good spot for Nashville hot chicken
Jim’s Original
Classic Chicago polish. Polish = Polish sausage. The correct thing to do here is grab one & eat it in your car.
White Palace Grill
Only go here at 3-4am if everything else is closed. It’s great cheap simple diner food with INCREDIBLE people-watching, any time of day. You can get a great feel for Chicago in there.
Qiao Lin Hotpot
Hot pot & it’s sooo gooooood — expensive but worth it
Cà Phê Dá - Dang Good Wings
They have the fun Vietnamese coffee, including the egg custard one. Apparently the adjoining restaurant is good too.
Tahoora Sweets & Bakery
Devon Ave is “Little India” and there is no mistaking it. Sights smells & sounds of the real India here. This is one place on Devon where you can get snacks, but there are many and you can definitely enjoy an afternoon going into different stores and having different snacks etc.
Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant
Known Devon spot that’s 24/7
Bingo Tea
Personally think it’s one of the best milk teas in Chicago, but milk tea is all about one’s own preference. Either way, it’s fun to walk around this Chinatown plaza & go into all the shops etc. — I used to come here all the time when I was in high school, taking the water taxi from the Loop.
Summer House Santa Monica
Good place to pretend you’re not in Chicago & also good place to watch large flocks of white ladies brunching
Burt’s Place
Great option for deep dish if you’re in these parts. Excellent cheese curds.
Butcher & The Burger
Great Lincoln Park burger spot — BYOB which is pretty common in Chicago.
Dog Haus
Fun & tasty hot dogs — not necessarily Chicago style so maybe skip this if you’re trying to really experience Chicago
Johnnie’s Beef
Johnny’s Beef is my Italian beef of choice — there’s one out in the suburbs by me that’s a bi-weekly guilty pleasure. The proper order is dipped, with sweet & hot peppers on the side (so you can add them at your own pace).
Gene & Jude's
Very classic Chicago hot dog. Can’t go wrong.
Portillo’s
Classic Chicago chain for Italian beef, Polish sausages & hot dogs. If you don’t have time to go out to the serious spots for these things, Portillos is the place to try em. And you must try a chocolate cake shake while you’re at it.
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
Amazing biscuits!! Big line, though. Haven’t tried the pie but I’m sure it’s fantastic. Quality spot.
Split-Rail
Haven’t been but heard good things!
Fatso’s Last Stand
Don’t know if I’ve actually been here but it’s a thing
Big Jones
Andersonville is the neighborhood of middle aged gay men. You’ll see them out in droves & you may fee a little young. But there’s lots of cool stuff in that neighborhood that anyone can enjoy — including a DELICIOUS brunch at Big Jones.
Hopleaf
Good Belgian food & beer — would recommend if you’re in the neighborhood and enjoy Belgian beer
Tank Noodles
Don’t think I’ve been here but this area has a lot of good Vietnamese
Sprinkles
They’re legit & one of many Chicago cupcake spots — ask for more recs if you want em
Mercadito
Pretty good, bougie Mexican food
Firecakes Donuts
Incredible donuts & coffee
The Game Room at Chicago Athletic Association
If you’re at Millennium Park which you will inevitably be, this is a great place to stop by and maybe get a drink. Even if you don’t want anything, I’d still stop in, it’s really nice in there & there’s often some wedding photoshoot you can crash.
Bonci Pizzeria
SO GOOD — and you can get as much or as little as you want as they sell it by weight. The other weekend I treated myself to octopus & basil, blueberry sausage and also potato pizza.
McDonald’s Global Menu Restaurant
McDonalds is headquartered in the Chicago area, so there are a few fun Mickey D’s, including a huge one and this one which serves a rotating menu pulled from stores around the world.
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Fresh pasta, made directly in front of you when you sit at the bar. Need I say more? 🧑🍳👌
Au Cheval
Awesome burger but definitely find other stuff to do in Fulton Market while you’re waiting for a table — there will be a wait.
Girl & the Goat
Little Goat Diner
From celeb chef Stephanie Izard
Sawada Coffee
Hip coffee spot that’s big & good for groups
TimeOut Market
Great way to try different stuff out. Same concept as the Timeout markets in other cities like New York.
Kurumi
Earl grey tea soft serve is great. If you want, try the gold or silver leaf topping. All pretty pricey but good quality.
Xi’an cuisine
Pretty good Xi’an food
Elitea
I think it's pretty great but then again there's a location near me, and I go all the time.
Dolo
Apparently good for dim sum (made to order, no carts) — haven't been but seems really good
Lao Sze Chuan
Pretty good Sichuan in Chinatown
Greek Islands
Haven’t been here but it’s supposed to be a good spot in Greektown. At any Greektown restaurant definitely try the flaming Saganaki — I thought this was a thing everywhere but apparently it was invented in Chicago.
Athena Greek Restaurant
Nice patio in Greektown
Athenian Room
Uncle Mike's Place
Gaijin
Fun okonomiyaki restaurant
The 606
If you’re in the area for a stroll and it’s a nice day, it’s a great place to walk
Greetings from Chicago mural
Honestly never been here but might be a nice tourist pic if you’re in the neighborhood
Lincoln Park Zoo
One of the oldest in the country I think. I like to go and take pics & maybe stop by the ape house if I’m near Lincoln Park & down for a long walk.
Chicago Riverwalk
Beautiful place to walk on a sunny day — you can see all the different architecture & enjoy being in the city
Buckingham Fountain
This was the Grant Park structure to go take pics by until the Bean was built and everyone started ogling & taking selfies there instead
Millennium Park
Overrated but whatever it’s still nice. Walking around Lurie Gardens can be nice & maybe picnicking or hanging around in the grass in front of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is also nice.
Architecture tour
Myopic Books
Has the classic Wicker hipster bookstore vibe — nice to pop in if you’re strolling down Milwaukee to get a sense of what the neighborhood is all about
Subterranean
Used to go to this music venue all the time in high school <3 nice smaller place for music
The Metro
Where I went to my first concert — great place with notable artists that play here
Smartbar
Underneath Metro — many of my friends enjoy going here for house / electronic music. House music is from Chicago — this could be a good place to go enjoy it.
Green Mill
A big part of Chicago history is the blues! Green Mill is a great example — probably better to go earlier when there’s no cover & soak up the vibes, then leave before you get too sleepy
Buddy Guys Legends
Chicago blues classic place.
Second City
This is where Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Amy Poehler, Jordan Peele, Stephen Colbert, etc. etc. etc. got famous. Definitely fun to go to a show — check website for tickets & times.
Estereo
People really like to go here — I think it’s nice & great (pricey) drinks, but not worth a long wait it
The Whistler
On my friends’ list of their favorite bars. There’s always dancing but at the same time you can order fancy cocktails. That’s a fun night out. Hipsters & normal people alike, mostly all young, having a good time. This is Chicago.
Cafe Mustache
Now this is that Chicago hipster you’re lookin for — weird place with interesting characters. Might be a good place to try Malort. Could be empty, could be full, who could know.
Beauty Bar
Fun dancing, nice clubby night out without the fancy-ness of a club. I feel like there’s one in New York, not sure.
Sidetrack
Boystown is fun! This is one of the dance bars where you can go to have fun
Progress Bar Chicago
Boystown is fun! This is one of the dance bars where you can go to have fun
Roscoe’s Tavern
Boystown is fun! This is one of the dance bars where you can go to have fun
Berlin
Fun & casual place to end the night (closes around 4-5am)
Three Dots and a Dash
Pricey but really cool tiki bar — hot spot so come at an odd hour or make a reservation. The entrance is in an alleyway.
Celeste
One of my favorite clubs in Chicago — there are different floors with different kinds of music on each floor. The disco floor is always fun!
Blind Barber
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.