Kuma's Corner is said to serve some of the best burgers in Chicago, like their Pantera or Plague Burgers! Get the Jack cheese on a pretzel bun while you wait and listen to the killer metal music. Read more.
Superdawg, which has been in business since 1948, sports two curiously dressed, 12-foot winking weenies on its roof (named Maurie and Flaurie after the owners), and provides car-hop service. Read more.
Uncle Fun is a one-of-a-kind toy store that has been established for over two decades. This whimsical shop features one of the widest selections of vintage finds, knick knacks and hilarious oddities.
This unique bookstore features unusual and underground material such as self-published, small and independent press books, magazines, zines, body art, and underground comics.
If you order a bagel sandwich to go, be sure to grab some extra napkins. The sandwiches are delicious but can create a mess if you're eating on the go.
The caramelized onion and parmesan is surprisingly sweet. You should try each one at least once.
Our two recommendations: try the french toast and order the strawberry-orange juice. (Bring champagne if you want!)
The stretch of Wentworth Avenue will give you so many authentic dining choices. Make sure to try Seven Treasure’s authentic Cantonese noodle soup, and Spring World Restaurant's tea-smoked duck!
Try the delicately thin-skinned pelmini, Russian dumplings stuffed w/ a ground mix of beef & lots of onions. Or any of the Ukrainian vareniky, dumplings filled with pumpkin, asparagus or potato. Read more.
Reckless Records is a diggers’ paradise, where music geeks can flip through thick stacks of booklets to find used and out-of-print discs.
Somehow, this Ukrainian Village dive has managed to remain an underground favorite. The local artists and musicians who frequent it hold on to terra firma with cheap drink in hand.
Chicago based fashion label AKIRA caters to all sizes, shapes, and their Andersonville location has offerings for women and men. Free personal styling makes it easy to navigate the latest fashions.
Andersonville's Ann Sather restaurant is known locally for its delicious and hearty Swedish American brunch options, and for its cinnamon rolls, which are generously drizzled with sweet icing. Read more.
Since 1981, this well-located family-owned Middle Eastern grocery and bakery has been a neighborhood mainstay, selling breads, dips, savory pies, sweets, and a global selection of groceries. Read more.
Lingonberries are the type of fruit that are served with Swedish pancakes. Come before 2:30pm if you'd like to try them! Read more.
Erickson's has been supplying Swedish cheeses, herring and meatballs to locals' smorgasbords since 1925. "It's one the last in the neighborhood," says Ann Nilsson, whose mother owns the place. Read more.
For old-time charm and movies that aren't the usual blockbusters, no place beats the Music Box.
On Sundays, the venerable music venue delivers the best of Chicago's rockin' kids' music scene to little scenesters, with names like Jeanie B and the Jelly Beans and Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies.
An eclectic musical appetite, commitment to community building and friendly staff keep this cozy bar in a class of its own. Don't leave without ordering a Wooden Leg.
While cute, this new space is by no means hip. Should you care? Not really—the sandwiches (serviceable), chili (robust) and shakes (heavenly) taste the same no matter where you have them.
This jazz institution is legendary for three things: it was once a Capone hangout, it’s haunted, and the no-nonsense staff will shush you and the friends who dragged you in during jazz sets.
Our favorites are Chengdu dumplings, Chinese eggplant with ground pork, twice-cooked pork, mapo tofu, Szechuan prawns and dry chile chicken. Trust us or choose at random—you won’t be disappointed.
Not only has iO churned out legendary folk like Mike Meyers and Amy Poehler, but it consistently puts the art of improv first. The shows are cheap and the classes a must for budding improvisers.
If the special green-tea filling is on offer, get it—if you don't, a horde of fanatics will soon snatch it from under you.
A perfect place to find those tricky ingredients for your sushi recipe, and to reward yourself with the surprisingly good ramen in the food court.
Highlights of the menu include hamachi tartare in delicate little taro-root tacos, tan tan men ramen weighted with herb-packed pork meatballs, and joyful desserts like softball-sized cream puffs.
In addition to actual music, the store stocks a selection of turntables and music tchotchkes. Stop by on the weekend, and you’re sure to catch an in-store performance from local or touring acts.
Generic name for the former Beachstro, but the food is decent and thebeer list much expanded under Levy.
The market specializes in all things mission, Art Deco, midcentury and mod. Furniture and art is the main focus upstairs, while downstairs you’ll find a variety of lighting, jewelry and more.
The Clipper is a photo booth away from exhibiting the same shabby hipster cool as Goldstar. Slide into one of the gorgeous old booths on a Friday or Saturday for no-cover live rockabilly groups.
Fans of the old Tiny Lounge will find plenty at the new spot that’s familiar: those cushy, circular booths, the martini list, the conspicuous lack of a television and even many of the bartenders.
It doesn’t require a trip across any ocean to guess that the signatures—like pulled-pork-and-plantain and “Cuban style”–tofu sandwiches—are a welcome addition to this neighborhood.
With musicians and dancers performing in the galleries, artists getting bigger shows, and young curators infusing fresh programming ideas, the MCA is doing the most to attract a new audience: you.
Great services, nice ambiance! Try the Shrimp Pad Thai and the Mongolian beef, bit spicy but great flavors. fortune cookie at the end is the best
The Tom Kha and the Pad Cha Mock Duck were extremely flavorful and filling. The Orange chicken and Pad Thai were delicious classics. Everything was fairly cheap and would definitely come back
Excellent bottomless mimosa brunch. Fun atmosphere, reasonable price, and good food
Bottomless mimosas and french toast flight is the bomb.com.....well everything here tastes amazing!
Get the Little Goat coffee (large) - its made w goat's milk, cinnamon, spices & topped with whipped cream. Delicious!
Pssst.. One of the top venues for mixology in Chicago! This is a treasured secret in wicker park.
Everything here is delicious, especially the pancakes! Try the cinnamon roll and signature berry bliss pancakes! No regrets!!!
Go with friends and get the Zombie Punch. When you are drinking booze out of a giant glass skull, all of your problems melt away.
Such a fun quirky place! Love the drinks and instant noodles were a surprisingly good snack.
Super cute market with tons of stores selling every type of food, juice, snack you could ever want. Great place to grab lunch. Reminds me of Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.
Their Buddha bowls are awesome and very large portions! Don't forget to put their "Allison" sauce on it!
Pad Thai rocks. Soups also hit the spot on a cold day. Drink menu is very appealing, but so far I've only dined here for lunch, so I haven't tried it.
The most delicious cortadito (espresso with milk) and lots of vegetarian options. I picked the Jardin. The service is very fast and the food is delicious!!
This rooftop bar atop the Chicago Athletic Association hotel boasts incredible cocktails, a gorgeous design and a view of Millennium Park unmatched by any other bar in Chicago. Read more.
An up-top colorful bar will make for a relaxing, summertime experience. It will get crowded in a hurry, but there is a reason for that. It's a place to experience. Whiskey drinks hit the spot here.
Dark Matter Coffee spot in the Lakeview nieghborhood. Get the iced coffee brew on draught. Grab a bag of coffee beans to go. Relaxed atmosphere inside, grab a seat at a picnic tables out back.
Love the coffee, lattes, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches here. Taking your dog for a walk and decide you want a cup of coffee? They allow dogs in the front cash register area and have dog treats!
Flat bread is amazing. The tahini sauce they use is so good. The herb fries are delicious.
This creative pie shop serves savory pot pies, sweet dessert pies and the absolute best biscuits in town. We recommend enjoying them with a dab of butter and a spoonful of their house-made jam. Read more.
Wow. Fantastic meal. The pork belly buns and the pork belly & kimchi spring rolls are both amazing small plates. And the ramen? Omg. Best ramen I've had in Chicago.
A Chicago institution, Margie's is worth all the hype. The house specialty--"heaven in a white clamshell dish"-- combines three scoops of ice cream, nuts, whipped cream and hot fudge. Read more.
The fried rice and the Portuguese Chicken were both phenomenal. Chicken fat croutons are diabolical.
You can't go wrong here. Both the burgers and the bop are amazing, but definitely get the kimchi fries!
The pineapple fried rice served in a pineapple and the coconut curry serve in the coconut as both great for taste and presentation.
Everything I've tried so far is great. Love the Asian Paella and the donuts especially.
Interactive (cook-you-own) Japanese BBQ. The higher floors (yes, it's more than the first level) offer fun seating arrangements.
Most Thursday afternoons, visitors can take a free tour led by the museum curator, Rolf Achilles. Read more.
For the first 10 minutes of each hour during the day, Centennial Fountain at the east end shoots water in a great arc across the river. Read more.
