Chicago Favorites

Chicago Favorites

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Created by Maureen • Updated On: January 3, 2019

A pocket guide to the best little coffee shops, bars, galleries, bookstores, parks, theaters, eateries and more in the Chicago area.

Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q is one of Chicago Favorites.

1. Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q

9.3
11570 Research Blvd (at Duval Rd), Austin, TX
BBQ Joint · Northwest Austin · 145 tips and reviews
Music Box Theatre is one of Chicago Favorites.

2. Music Box Theatre

9.4
3733 N Southport Ave (btwn Grace St & Waveland Ave), Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · Lakeview · 88 tips and reviews

MaureenMaureen: $5 Mondays are tops. If you want to see a movie in their big theater, your best bet is to catch the show the first week it's out.

Dusty Groove is one of Chicago Favorites.

3. Dusty Groove

8.6
1120 N Ashland Ave (btwn W Division St & W Cortez St), Chicago, IL
Record Store · East Ukrainian Village · 12 tips and reviews
Guaranteed Rate Field is one of Chicago Favorites.

4. Guaranteed Rate Field

8.8
333 W 35th St (at Wentworth Ave), Chicago, IL
Baseball Stadium · Armour Square · 299 tips and reviews
The Wormhole Coffee is one of Chicago Favorites.

5. The Wormhole Coffee

9.2
1462 N Milwaukee Ave (at N Honore St), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · Wicker Park · 249 tips and reviews

MaureenMaureen: The iced latte is the best in the city. WARNING: ADDICTING

Gene Siskel Film Center is one of Chicago Favorites.

6. Gene Siskel Film Center

9.0
164 N State St (btwn Lake & Randolph), Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · The Loop · 32 tips and reviews
Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar is one of Chicago Favorites.

7. Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar

9.1
960 W 31st St (at S Morgan St), Chicago, IL
Speakeasy · Bridgeport · 73 tips and reviews
Co-Prosperity Sphere is one of Chicago Favorites.

8. Co-Prosperity Sphere

7.7
3219 S Morgan St (at 32nd St), Chicago, IL
Art Gallery · Bridgeport · 6 tips and reviews
Doc Films (Max Palevsky Cinema) is one of Chicago Favorites.

9. Doc Films (Max Palevsky Cinema)

6.9
1212 E 59th St (at Woodlawn, in Ida Noyes Hall), Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · Hyde Park · 7 tips and reviews
Lula Café is one of Chicago Favorites.

10. Lula Café

9.3
2537 N Kedzie Blvd (btwn Linden & Logan Sq.), Chicago, IL
Café · Logan Square · 256 tips and reviews
Mildblend is one of Chicago Favorites.

11. Mildblend

8.1
1342 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
Clothing Store · Wicker Park · 7 tips and reviews
Quimby's is one of Chicago Favorites.

12. Quimby's

8.4
1854 W North Ave (at N Wolcott Av), Chicago, IL
Bookstore · Bucktown · 32 tips and reviews
New York Bagel & Bialy is one of Chicago Favorites.

13. New York Bagel & Bialy

8.8
4714 W Touhy Ave (at Kilpatrick Ave), Lincolnwood, IL
Bagel Shop · 51 tips and reviews
Laurie's Planet of Sound is one of Chicago Favorites.

14. Laurie's Planet of Sound

7.7
4639 N Lincoln Ave (at W Eastwood Ave), Chicago, IL
Record Store · Ravenswood · 16 tips and reviews
Hoosier Mama Pie Co. is one of Chicago Favorites.

15. Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

8.6
1618 W Chicago Ave (at N Ashland Ave), Chicago, IL
Pie Shop · East Ukrainian Village · 67 tips and reviews
Lab Rabbit Optics is one of Chicago Favorites.

16. Lab Rabbit Optics

8.0
1104 N Ashland Ave (btwn Thomas St. & Haddon Ave.), Chicago, IL
Eyecare Store · East Ukrainian Village · 3 tips and reviews
Permanent Records is one of Chicago Favorites.

17. Permanent Records

1914 W Chicago Ave (btwn Winchester Ave. & Wolcott Ave.), Chicago, IL
Record Store · East Ukrainian Village · 8 tips and reviews
The Map Room is one of Chicago Favorites.

18. The Map Room

8.6
1949 N Hoyne Ave (at W Armitage Ave), Chicago, IL
Beer Bar · Bucktown · 108 tips and reviews
Garfield Park Conservatory is one of Chicago Favorites.

19. Garfield Park Conservatory

9.4
300 N Central Park Ave (at Lake St), Chicago, IL
Garden · East Garfield Park · 74 tips and reviews
Joong Boo Market is one of Chicago Favorites.

20. Joong Boo Market

8.9
3333 N Kimball Ave (at Kennedy Expy), Chicago, IL
Supermarket · Northwest Side · 44 tips and reviews
Odd Obsession is one of Chicago Favorites.

21. Odd Obsession

1822 N Milwaukee Ave (btwn Bloomingdale Ave & Moffat), Chicago, IL
Video Store · Bucktown · 8 tips and reviews
Facets Multi-Media is one of Chicago Favorites.

22. Facets Multi-Media

8.1
1517 W Fullerton Ave (N Ashland Ave), Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · North Side · 6 tips and reviews
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of Chicago Favorites.

23. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

8.7
220 E Chicago Ave (at Mies van der Rohe Way), Chicago, IL
Art Museum · Streeterville · 154 tips and reviews
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of Chicago Favorites.

24. The Art Institute of Chicago

9.5
111 S Michigan Ave (btwn Monroe St & Jackson Dr), Chicago, IL
Art Museum · Grant Park · 685 tips and reviews
Chicago Public Library is one of Chicago Favorites.

25. Chicago Public Library

8.8
400 S. State St. (btwn Van Buren & Congress), Chicago, IL
Library · The Loop · 78 tips and reviews
Lincoln Park Conservatory is one of Chicago Favorites.

26. Lincoln Park Conservatory

9.3
2391 N Stockton Dr (at Fullerton Pkwy), Chicago, IL
Garden · Lincoln Park · 57 tips and reviews
Ipsento Coffee House is one of Chicago Favorites.

27. Ipsento Coffee House

2035 N Western Ave (at W McLean Ave), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · Bucktown · 120 tips and reviews
Penelope's is one of Chicago Favorites.

28. Penelope's

8.2
1913 W Division St (btwn N Winchester Ave & N Wolcott), Chicago, IL
Boutique · Wicker Park · 7 tips and reviews
Black Dog Gelato is one of Chicago Favorites.

29. Black Dog Gelato

9.2
859 N Damen Ave (at Iowa), Chicago, IL
Ice Cream Parlor · East Ukrainian Village · 87 tips and reviews
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge is one of Chicago Favorites.

30. Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

8.6
4802 N Broadway St (at W Lawrence Ave), Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · Uptown · 133 tips and reviews
Powell's Bookstore is one of Chicago Favorites.

31. Powell's Bookstore

8.3
1501 E 57th St (at Harper), Chicago, IL
Bookstore · Hyde Park · 20 tips and reviews
California Clipper is one of Chicago Favorites.

32. California Clipper

1002 N California Ave (at Augusta Blvd.), Chicago, IL
Bar · Humboldt Park · 48 tips and reviews
Original Soul Vegetarian is one of Chicago Favorites.

33. Original Soul Vegetarian

8.4
205 E 75th St (S Indiana Ave), Chicago, IL
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant · Chatham · 42 tips and reviews
Empty Bottle is one of Chicago Favorites.

34. Empty Bottle

8.8
1035 N Western Ave (at W Cortez St), Chicago, IL
Music Venue · Ukrainian Village · 84 tips and reviews
Flying Saucer is one of Chicago Favorites.

35. Flying Saucer

8.5
1123 N California Ave (at Haddon Ave.), Chicago, IL
Breakfast Spot · Humboldt Park · 34 tips and reviews
North Avenue Beach is one of Chicago Favorites.

36. North Avenue Beach

9.0
1600 N Lake Shore Dr (btwn Fullerton Pkwy & North Ave), Chicago, IL
Beach · Lincoln Park · 81 tips and reviews
The Field Museum is one of Chicago Favorites.

37. The Field Museum

9.0
1400 S Lake Shore Dr (at McFetridge Dr), Chicago, IL
History Museum · Museum Campus · 357 tips and reviews
Landmark Century Centre Cinema is one of Chicago Favorites.

38. Landmark Century Centre Cinema

8.2
2828 N Clark St (at Diversey Pkwy), Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · Lake View East · 75 tips and reviews
Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern is one of Chicago Favorites.

39. Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern

7.8
2600 W Iowa St (at Rockwell), Chicago, IL
Bar · Humboldt Park · 23 tips and reviews
Comrade Cycles is one of Chicago Favorites.

40. Comrade Cycles

8.6
1908 W Chicago Ave (at N Wolcott Ave), Chicago, IL
Bicycle Store · East Ukrainian Village · 19 tips and reviews
57th Street Books is one of Chicago Favorites.

41. 57th Street Books

9.1
1101 E 57th St (at S Kimbark Ave), Chicago, IL
Bookstore · Hyde Park · 16 tips and reviews
The Hideout is one of Chicago Favorites.

42. The Hideout

8.6
1354 W Wabansia Ave (btwn Elston Ave & Throop St), Chicago, IL
Rock Club · Bucktown · 56 tips and reviews
Skylark is one of Chicago Favorites.

43. Skylark

8.4
2149 S Halsted St (at Cermak Rd), Chicago, IL
Dive Bar · East Pilsen · 63 tips and reviews
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of Chicago Favorites.

44. Lincoln Park Zoo

9.1
2001 N Clark St (btwn Fullerton Pkwy & LaSalle Dr), Chicago, IL
Zoo · Lincoln Park · 283 tips and reviews
Chinatown Square is one of Chicago Favorites.

45. Chinatown Square

8.3
2100 S Wentworth Ave (Archer Ave and Cermak Rd), Chicago, IL
Plaza · Armour Square · 23 tips and reviews
Logan Theatre is one of Chicago Favorites.

46. Logan Theatre

9.0
2646 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · Logan Square · 71 tips and reviews
Calumet Fisheries is one of Chicago Favorites.

47. Calumet Fisheries

8.5
3259 E 95th St (at Calumet River), Chicago, IL
Fish Market · 56 tips and reviews
Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Chicago Favorites.

48. Chicago Botanic Garden

9.4
1000 Lake Cook Rd (btwn Green Bay Rd & Skokie Hwy), Glencoe, IL
Botanical Garden · 128 tips and reviews
The Nightingale is one of Chicago Favorites.

49. The Nightingale

1084 N Milwaukee Ave (at W Thomas St), Chicago, IL
Indie Movie Theater · Noble Square · 2 tips and reviews
Mitsuwa Marketplace is one of Chicago Favorites.

50. Mitsuwa Marketplace

9.0
100 E Algonquin Rd (at Arlington Heights Rd), Arlington Heights, IL
Supermarket · 130 tips and reviews
Davis Theater is one of Chicago Favorites.

51. Davis Theater

7.5
4614 N Lincoln Ave (Wilson Avenue), Chicago, IL
Movie Theater · Ravenswood · 58 tips and reviews
Bernice's Tavern is one of Chicago Favorites.

52. Bernice's Tavern

8.5
3238 S Halsted St (btwn 32nd St & 33rd St), Chicago, IL
Bar · Bridgeport · 6 tips and reviews
deciBel Audio is one of Chicago Favorites.

53. deciBel Audio

8.1
1429 N Milwaukee Ave (at Wood), Chicago, IL
Electronics Store · Wicker Park · 2 tips and reviews
Aji Ichiban is one of Chicago Favorites.

54. Aji Ichiban

7.4
2117A Archer Ave, Chicago, IL
Candy Store · Armour Square · 12 tips and reviews
Millennium Park is one of Chicago Favorites.

55. Millennium Park

9.5
201 E Randolph St (btwn Columbus Dr & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Park · Grant Park · 619 tips and reviews
Lao Beijing is one of Chicago Favorites.

56. Lao Beijing

2138 S Archer Ave (at W Cermak Rd), Chicago, IL
Chinese Restaurant · Armour Square · 25 tips and reviews
Medici on 57th is one of Chicago Favorites.

57. Medici on 57th

8.6
1327 E 57th St (btwn S Kimbark Ave & S Kenwood Ave), Chicago, IL
Bakery · Hyde Park · 111 tips and reviews
Humboldt Park is one of Chicago Favorites.

58. Humboldt Park

8.5
1400 N Humboldt Dr (off of Luis Munoz Marin Dr), Chicago, IL
Park · Humboldt Park · 41 tips and reviews
Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House is one of Chicago Favorites.

59. Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House

8.8
5757 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL
History Museum · Hyde Park · 31 tips and reviews
Women & Children First is one of Chicago Favorites.

60. Women & Children First

8.6
5233 N Clark St (at Farragut Ave.), Chicago, IL
Bookstore · Andersonville · 12 tips and reviews
Nana is one of Chicago Favorites.

61. Nana

3267 S Halsted St (W 33rd St), Chicago, IL
Café · Bridgeport · 82 tips and reviews
Neo-Futurists is one of Chicago Favorites.

62. Neo-Futurists

8.7
5153 N Ashland Ave (at W Foster Ave), Chicago, IL
Indie Theater · Ravenswood · 38 tips and reviews
Nellcôte is one of Chicago Favorites.

63. Nellcôte

833 W Randolph St (at N Green St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Town · 97 tips and reviews
Seminary Co-op Bookstore is one of Chicago Favorites.

64. Seminary Co-op Bookstore

8.4
5751 S Woodlawn Ave (at 58th St.), Chicago, IL
Bookstore · Hyde Park · 13 tips and reviews
Smoque BBQ is one of Chicago Favorites.

65. Smoque BBQ

9.2
3800 N Pulaski Rd (at Grace St), Chicago, IL
BBQ Joint · Old Irving Park · 232 tips and reviews
Reckless Records is one of Chicago Favorites.

66. Reckless Records

3126 N Broadway St (at W Briar Pl.), Chicago, IL
Record Store · Lake View East · 20 tips and reviews
Hyde Park Records is one of Chicago Favorites.

67. Hyde Park Records

7.6
1377 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL
Record Store · Hyde Park · 8 tips and reviews
Hyde Park Art Center is one of Chicago Favorites.

68. Hyde Park Art Center

8.7
5020 S Cornell Ave (at 51st Street), Chicago, IL
Art Gallery · East Hyde Park · 9 tips and reviews
Dat Donut is one of Chicago Favorites.

69. Dat Donut

8.5
8249 S Cottage Grove Ave (at E. 83rd St.), Chicago, IL
Donut Shop · East Chatham · 47 tips and reviews
Merz Apothecary is one of Chicago Favorites.

70. Merz Apothecary

8.8
4716 N Lincoln Ave (at W Leland Ave), Chicago, IL
Pharmacy · Ravenswood · 18 tips and reviews
Gene’s Sausage Shop is one of Chicago Favorites.

71. Gene’s Sausage Shop

9.3
4750 N Lincoln Ave (btwn Lawrence Ave & Leland Ave), Chicago, IL
Butcher · Ravenswood · 70 tips and reviews
Fireside Bowl is one of Chicago Favorites.

72. Fireside Bowl

7.8
2648 W Fullerton Ave (btwn Washtenaw Ave & Talman Ave), Chicago, IL
Bowling Alley · Logan Square · 19 tips and reviews
Chicago Public Library — Sulzer Regional Library is one of Chicago Favorites.

73. Chicago Public Library — Sulzer Regional Library

8.3
4455 N Lincoln Ave (at Sunnyside Ave.), Chicago, IL
Library · Ravenswood · 20 tips and reviews
Chipp Inn is one of Chicago Favorites.

74. Chipp Inn

7.3
832 N Greenview Ave (at W Fry St), Chicago, IL
Pub · Noble Square · 21 tips and reviews
Half Acre Beer Company is one of Chicago Favorites.

75. Half Acre Beer Company

4257 N Lincoln Ave (btwn Cullom & Hutchinson), Chicago, IL
Brewery · North Center · 119 tips and reviews
Taqueria Traspasada is one of Chicago Favorites.

76. Taqueria Traspasada

7.1
3144 N California Ave (a W Belmont Ave), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Northwest Side · 7 tips and reviews
Ruxbin Kitchen is one of Chicago Favorites.

77. Ruxbin Kitchen

851 N Ashland Ave (at Pearson St), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Noble Square · 53 tips and reviews
Girl & The Goat is one of Chicago Favorites.

78. Girl & The Goat

9.0
809 W Randolph St (at Halsted St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Town · 552 tips and reviews
Hopleaf Bar is one of Chicago Favorites.

79. Hopleaf Bar

9.2
5148 N Clark St (at W Foster Ave), Chicago, IL
Beer Bar · Andersonville · 334 tips and reviews
Fischman Liquors & Tavern is one of Chicago Favorites.

80. Fischman Liquors & Tavern

4780 N Milwaukee Ave (at Lawrence), Chicago, IL
Bar · Jefferson Park · 21 tips and reviews
Forest Park Emporium is one of Chicago Favorites.

81. Forest Park Emporium

7345 Madison St, Forest Park, IL
Antique Store · No tips or reviews
United Center is one of Chicago Favorites.

82. United Center

9.2
1901 W Madison St (btwn Wood St & Damen Ave), Chicago, IL
Stadium · Near West Side · 467 tips and reviews
Village Tap is one of Chicago Favorites.

83. Village Tap

8.1
2055 W Roscoe St (at N Hoyne Ave), Chicago, IL
Beer Garden · Roscoe Village · 48 tips and reviews
Independence is one of Chicago Favorites.

84. Independence

7.6
47 E Oak St Fl 2 (btwn N Rush St & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Men's Store · Streeterville · 6 tips and reviews
Begyle Brewing is one of Chicago Favorites.

85. Begyle Brewing

9.2
1800 W Cuyler Ave (at Ravenswood), Chicago, IL
Brewery · North Center · 29 tips and reviews
Jackalope Coffee & Tea is one of Chicago Favorites.

86. Jackalope Coffee & Tea

9.0
755 W 32nd St (at S Halsted St), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · Bridgeport · 30 tips and reviews
Chicago Public Library is one of Chicago Favorites.

87. Chicago Public Library

6.9
3400 S Halsted St (at 34th St.), Chicago, IL
Library · Bridgeport · 2 tips and reviews
The Joseph Regenstein Library is one of Chicago Favorites.

88. The Joseph Regenstein Library

7.4
1100 E 57th St, Chicago, IL
Library · Hyde Park · 15 tips and reviews
Currency Exchange Café is one of Chicago Favorites.

89. Currency Exchange Café

305 E Garfield Blvd (at S Prairie Ave), Chicago, IL
Currency Exchange · Washington Park · 18 tips and reviews
Jackson Park is one of Chicago Favorites.

90. Jackson Park

7.9
6401 S Stony Island Ave (btwn 56th St & 67th St), Chicago, IL
Park · 19 tips and reviews
Harper Theater is one of Chicago Favorites.

91. Harper Theater

6.0
5238 S Harper Ave (at 53rd St), Chicago, IL
Movie Theater · Hyde Park · 34 tips and reviews
Pot Sticker House - Traditional Mandarin Cuisine is one of Chicago Favorites.

92. Pot Sticker House - Traditional Mandarin Cuisine

7.5
3139 S Halsted St (at W 31st St), Chicago, IL
Restaurant · Bridgeport · 32 tips and reviews
Pilsen Community Book Shop is one of Chicago Favorites.

93. Pilsen Community Book Shop

8.3
1102 W 18th St (Carpenter), Chicago, IL
Bookstore · Pilsen · 4 tips and reviews
Marz Community Brewery is one of Chicago Favorites.

94. Marz Community Brewery

9.3
3630 S Iron St, Chicago, IL
Brewery · Bridgeport · 16 tips and reviews
McKinley Park is one of Chicago Favorites.

95. McKinley Park

8.3
2210 W Pershing Rd (btwn S. Damen Ave. and S. Western Blvd.), Chicago, IL
Park · McKinley Park · 11 tips and reviews
Huck Finn Restaurant is one of Chicago Favorites.

96. Huck Finn Restaurant

7.4
3414 S Archer Ave (at Damen), Chicago, IL
Diner · McKinley Park · 32 tips and reviews
Video Strip DVD & Video Game Rental is one of Chicago Favorites.

97. Video Strip DVD & Video Game Rental

7.8
3307 S Archer Ave (at 33rd St.), Chicago, IL
Video Games Store · McKinley Park · 5 tips and reviews
Lo-Rez Brewing is one of Chicago Favorites.

98. Lo-Rez Brewing

2101 S Carpenter St, Chicago, IL
Brewery · Pilsen · 7 tips and reviews