COME WHEN IT'S NICE
Skip the winter if you can! When the weather is nice in Chicago it's a magical place
TRAVELS●
Good trips / zero filler
75 CLICKABLE PINS
EAT DRINK MUSIC SEE + SHOP
CITY MAP / ILLINOIS / 75 SAVED PLACES
CHICAGO
This is my home city. I might be biased but I think it's the prettiest city with the best skyline in the United States. Don't get me wrong, I love NYC— nothing can compete with the energy... but Chicago is like the less chaotic friendlier prettier version. There really is no place like it.Every active place from the saved list is pinned above. Click a number for the short version, then jump straight to the full recommendation.THE CITY / QUICKLY
Chicago gets a bad wrap. Most people don't even know that we have beaches. Come explore our town.
EAT MORE THAN PIZZA
Chicago is an amazing food city. There is so much more here than deep dish pizza. Locals hardly eat the stuff. Do it if you must, but we have much better on offer.
GO BEYOND THE LOOP
Chicago is a city of amazing neighborhoods. If you have the time go and explore a few of them. And if the time of the year is right, definitely check out our beautiful beaches and parks. A bike works, or rent a boat if you have the money for it.
LOCAL RESOURCES / CHICAGOCHECK THE
CHECK THE
LOCAL BOARDS.
For things happening while you're in town, these are useful local calendars to check alongside the map.
01 / CHICAGO EVENTS
Without Plans
Current Chicago events from the Without Plans calendar.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗02 / BROAD + CURRENTDo312
Concerts, parties, pop-ups, comedy, and the useful middle of the Chicago calendar.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗03 / CLUBS + ELECTRONICResident Advisor
DJs, house, techno, warehouse nights, and club listings.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗04 / ARTS + ODDITIESEverOut Chicago
A wide calendar for music, film, art, food, readings, and smaller events.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗05 / FESTIVALS + CITYWIDEChoose Chicago
The broad city calendar, especially useful for festivals and large public events.
OPEN CALENDAR ↗
Chicago Riverwalk
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEDefinitely take a stroll here if it’s warm! Lot’s of bars, very nice views. Can be crowded on the weekends.
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
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Lakefront Trl
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEThis is one of my favorite things about Chicago. 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. 23 swimmable sandy beaches and so much more. Get yourself a Divvy bike and hit the coast. The activity pairs well with the river walk as the start or ending.
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
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Lilly's Bar
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEWonderfully wierd. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
GOOD FORLive music
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Skylark
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEOne of my favorite bars in the city. Also they have a photo booth that uses real black and white chemistry
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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The California Clipper
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTERight next to Rootstock. It's not what it once was, but it's still a nice time-- especially when they have live music going on.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEMy favorite restaurant in Chicago! Laid back and serves late. First come first serve so it’s a nice option when you do not have a reservation anywhere. Get a drink next door at the clipper while you wait. This place feels like really cool friends have invited you over for dinner.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Boeufhaus
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEA wonderful steakhouse that's very removed from what you usually get. Very laid back for how high the quality is. Also, the short rib beignets are amazing and come with a demi-glaze for dipping.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Martyrs'
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEThey have various live music throughout the week, but From 3-6 every Sunday the Hoyle Brothers play and the place turns into a honky tonk.
GOOD FORLive music
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Publican Quality Meats
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAwesome lunch place! It's also a butcher shop, so not a place to bring your vegan friends :)
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Coda di Volpe
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAmazing Neapolitan style pizza!! In my opinion it is wayyy better than Chicago style :) I like the mortadella y pistachio pesto. Also don't forget to ask for the Calabrian chili oil
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Ada Street
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEA really nice place somewhat hidden. It's near the Hideout so it makes a great combination for a show and a meal.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Logan Arcade
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBest arcade bar in the city! Games are not free though like other barcades. Awesome pinball selection and all the games are in great shape.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Dorian’s
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat bar that often has live music. It's set up as a speakeasy inside a record store. More of a sit down music place.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Honey Butter Fried Chicken
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEOne of the original hipster chicken spots. Good food, nice patio.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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KAI ZAN CHICAGO
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEVery inventive omakase place in Humboldt park.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBest Carnitas. They sell out early every day.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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The Duck Inn
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAn awesome spot on the south side! Always good food and a nice time.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Birrieria Zaragoza
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEINCREDIBLE birria. (Traditional Mexican dish— Spiced and slow roasted goat with trimmings and consommé)
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat jazz, but go early or during the set break! Cash only. On Saturdays during the da they have a free variety show called paper machete that's very funny.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Beatnix
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAwesome clothing store right in boys town with all kinds of wacky stuff. The basement is all vintage with lots of nice finds.
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Armitage Alehouse
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBeautiful inside, hard reservation to get. The food is decent, but its gotta be one of the most beautiful rooms in the city.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Raisu
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat sushi! Highly recommend their Omakase. Not too expensive and you do not need to put it in ahead of time. Their version is priced dependent on when you say stop.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Gilt Bar
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat choice for a nice dinner downtown without being crazy expensive. Note that there are two other restaurants right next door, owned by the same folks. All 3 are are good if one has too long of a wait. Sometimes all of the places have a wait, but you can usually steal a seat at the bar if there's only one or two of you.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Johnnie's Beef
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBest Italian beef in Chicago. Eat it there if you can.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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The Drop In
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBest smash burger in town. There is also a high end omakase place in the basement.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Osteria Langhe
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEA much more modern Italian restaurant than what you usually get.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat place for soup dumplings in China Town.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Kasama
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAmazing breakfast/lunch and pastries. At night they transform into a high end tasting menu with 2 michelin stars. Have not been for dinner but it looks incredible and we loved breakfast. Note that there is now a massive line to get the breakfast sandwich every day.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Oiistar
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEMy favorite ramen in Chicago. The buns are also great. Get the Umami Ramen.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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The Original Nottoli & Son
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTECLASSIC Italian deli/supermarket spot. Favorite version of this in the city, even beats barri. Really a wonderful stop.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Little Bad Wolf
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAwesome green curry muscles, and their fish taco is wonderful as a lettuce wrap.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat little grocery store with a roof top beer garden thats open in the summer.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Piccolo Sogno
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEOne of the best patios in the city. Very nice Italian place. Like the brighter and fresher version of La Scarola next door
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
La Scarola
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat Italian place. Huge portions, classic mob vibes inside.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Lost Larson (Andersonville)
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGet the princess cake. Best cake ever.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Small Bar
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat lil neighborhood bar tucked into a super residential area. Also famous for it's smash burger.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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North Pond
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEThe nicest brunch I’ve ever been to. Also nice for dinner but the Sunday brunch is unique.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Bistro Campagne
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEWonderful patio! Super cozy french place in a very cute neighborhood
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
En Hakkore Sushi Burrito & Poke Bowl
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGet the sushi tacos! Sounds strange but they are amazing. They even hold up well for delivery.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
The Alley Chicago
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEClassic chicago punk/metal clothing store.
GOOD FORSight, shop, or activity
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Hala Kahiki Lounge
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAwesome tiki bar. Super historic. It’s not close to the city.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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The Dock at Montrose Beach
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEWhile not the best bar in Chicago, it might be the best beach bar. Live music every night of the summer and the grilled fish tacos are fantastic. (As are the shrimp tacos) sometime it’s a dad band, sometimes it’s a hipster band playing yacht rock— but it’s usually a nice time on the biggest, sandiest beach in chicago. After a stop, if the sun is still up, I HIGHLY recommend you follow the coast south along the bird sanctuary. Beautiful.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Lemon
West Town cocktail bar and performance space serving classic and seasonal drinks. It hosts local music, art, and other live shows; the venue is 21 and over.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater Chicago ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Taqueria Chingon
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAmazing duck carnitas taco (among other things)
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBeautiful room, very nice everything, expensive. Get a reservation or it could be a long wait.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Estereo
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEHip lil’ spot in Logan for a draft cocktail. Nice vibes.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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The Aviary
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEDestination cocktail bar. It’s from the Alinia Group (Grant Achatz) Really inventive cocktails, quite expensive and hard to get in. I reccomend coming early, putting in your name, and coming back a few hours later when they call you. If you plan for this you won’t be sad and you might even get lucky!
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Lula Cafe
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEOne of my favorites. Great brunch, and great dinner. Right in the heart of Logan square with other nice things around. If you go on a Sunday there is also a farmers market next door. You will want to order from their extensive specials/seasonal menu as it’s always the best stuff.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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PLANTA Chicago
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat vegan/veggie friendly restaurant.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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The Spice Room
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEThe best delivery Indian food. Probably good there too, but I’ve never had it that way 😂
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
avec Restaurant
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAwesome restaurant. If you can’t find a table here, there is a larger version in river north that should have availability. This is the original, but both are good.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Ella Elli
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTECute place up north, nice dinner, nice drinks— try a pink squirrel for dessert.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Consignment Lounge
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTELovely bar, great place for a hang. Also, everything in the bar is for sale.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Table, Donkey and Stick
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEVery cozy place, wonderful staff. Best version of charcuterie I’ve ever head and they also have the most extensive amari collection in the city.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Q Sushi Bar & Omakase
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat Omakase place. The kitchen staff will get you drunk if you let them.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Itoko
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTETrendy sushi place. Same team as momotaro but this concept is more playful and unconventional.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Mi Tocaya Antojería
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat upscale Mexican food.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Chief O'Neill's Pub Restaurant Beer Garden
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTELegit Irish place, very pretty inside, great beer garden, family friendly— live Irish music on certain nights— huge buffet Sunday. THE place for st. patty’s day
GOOD FORBar or drinks
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
AJI
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEFantastic Omakase in a very intimate setting. $$$$
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Tweet
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEJust the friendliest brunch spot there ever was. Super accommodating to kids, great for a large or small group with no reservation, good food, awesome brunch cocktail menu. Turns into a gay bar at night.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Replay Lincoln Park
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAnother good pinball bar. Games are free here and they usually have some kind of pop up in the back bar
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Sun Wah BBQ
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGet the Peking duck service! Incredible— feeds 4. The best duck you will ever eat.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Evette's Lincoln Park
Quick-service Lincoln Park restaurant combining Lebanese and Mexican flavors in shawarma, wraps, tacos, halloumi, and loaded fries. It also offers vegetarian options.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Eater Chicago ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Sochi Saigonese Kitchen
Lakeview restaurant serving traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes, including pho, spring rolls, and shareable plates. Reservations, pickup, and delivery are available.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT / Michelin Guide ↗FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
CHICAGO RAMEN
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEOut in the burbs, but known to have some of the best Ramen you can get anywhere.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square)
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat patio with hipster chicken and negroni slushies
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
The Hideout
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat place to see a show. It’s like a log cabin inside.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Momotaro
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEAwesome sushi. Fairly expensive. Great place to bring clients, celebrate something, etc.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Il Porcellino
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTENice bar for a drink and a snack if you are in the area. Awesome happy hour specials too. The dining itself is pretty straightforward and could be a great option for folks that like huge portions of Italian food without anything too adventurous going on.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
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Cindy's Rooftop
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTECome up here for a drink during the day. Beautiful view. Food is very expensive. Be sure to check out the second floor as well. It’s like a beautiful museum you can drink in!
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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The Gage
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTERight across from millennium park. Not my favorite city wide but it’s probably the best option in the area for a nice dinner. It’s a little spendy, but actually good— unlike the other stuff that is just expensive.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Three Dots and a Dash
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEVery cool tiki bar downtown. Go early or make a reservation for a seat, otherwise you will have to wait in a little line and stalk bar seats.
GOOD FORBar or drinks
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Batter & Berries
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEIncredible brunch. Incredibly long lines too. Go early and plan to do something else till they call.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Cabra
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEBeautiful rooftop with great food and drink! Hard to get a table, but the bar is first come first serve.
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
MY GOOGLE MAPS NOTEGreat stop for breakfast!
GOOD FORMeal or food stop
FIND ON GOOGLE MAPS ↗