Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Popular historic diner. Affordable good food. Great for breakfast.
22 locals recommend
Daley's Restaurant
6257 S Cottage Grove AvePopular historic diner. Affordable good food. Great for breakfast.
Peach's Restaurant
4652 S King DrAmazing local breakfast spot. Try the duck bacon!
Recently opened BBQ spot. Great for take out. Really good food. Call ahead with your order.
The Slab Bar-B-Que
1918 E 71st StRecently opened BBQ spot. Great for take out. Really good food. Call ahead with your order.
Fabiana's Bakery
1658 E 53rd StAmazing baked goods. Baked Fresh everyday!
Great Vegan restaurant. Daily specials priced well. Must try the BBQ cauliflower.
10 locals recommend
Majani Restaurant
7167 S Exchange AveGreat Vegan restaurant. Daily specials priced well. Must try the BBQ cauliflower.
Locally owned coffee shop. Great coffee and other drinks. Amazing sandwiches. Try the "Herbie"
41 locals recommend
Robust Coffee Lounge
6300 S Woodlawn AveLocally owned coffee shop. Great coffee and other drinks. Amazing sandwiches. Try the "Herbie"
International Restaurant chain founded in South Africa. Great chicken with different levels of "heat"
17 locals recommend
Nando's PERi-PERi
1447 E 53rd StInternational Restaurant chain founded in South Africa. Great chicken with different levels of "heat"
If you come to Chicago, you gotta have deep dish. Lou Malnati's has some of the best. We love the "Lou"
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StIf you come to Chicago, you gotta have deep dish. Lou Malnati's has some of the best. We love the "Lou"
Jamaican Restaurant with amazing Jerk Chicken - you will not be disappointed. Great drinks as well - the rum punch is strong as it should be. They sometimes have music and/or karaoke on the weekends.
Their original location is at 2301 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. They offer $9 Jerk Chicken Dinners on Tuesday Nights!
This is one of our favorites.
16 locals recommend
Mr. Brown's Lounge
2301 W Chicago AveJamaican Restaurant with amazing Jerk Chicken - you will not be disappointed. Great drinks as well - the rum punch is strong as it should be. They sometimes have music and/or karaoke on the weekends.
Their original location is at 2301 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. They offer $9 Jerk Chicken Dinners on Tuesday Nights!
This is one of our favorites.
Drinks & Nightlife
Popular bar and restaurant. Good drinks and eats. They also have a venue with local performing artists!
172 locals recommend
The Promontory
5311 S Lake Park Ave WPopular bar and restaurant. Good drinks and eats. They also have a venue with local performing artists!
Brewery and Restaurant. Tons of beers on tap, great pizzas.
14 locals recommend
Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery
5215 S Harper AveBrewery and Restaurant. Tons of beers on tap, great pizzas.
Intimate Blues Bar. Great music. Favorite Spot for Blues without the crowds.
101 locals recommend
Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage AveIntimate Blues Bar. Great music. Favorite Spot for Blues without the crowds.
Essentials
ALDI
6621 S Cottage Grove AveGreat close location for quick items
Jewel-Osco
87 W 87th StFull service Grocery Store.
Hyde Park Produce Market
1226 E 53rd StGrocery store with a great fruit and produce section!
Parks & Nature
Japanese Garden. Less known than other attractions. "Secret Spot"
32 locals recommend
Garden of the Phoenix
6300 S Cornell AveJapanese Garden. Less known than other attractions. "Secret Spot"
Popular Local Park on summer days and nights. Great Views of Downtown
112 locals recommend
Promontory Point
5491 S Shore DrPopular Local Park on summer days and nights. Great Views of Downtown
63rd Street Beach
Close local beach. Parking available as well.
Perfect Hideaway for a walk through nature. There is also a beach nearby as well, and the Cultural Center.
South Shore Nature Sanctuary
7059 S South Shore DrPerfect Hideaway for a walk through nature. There is also a beach nearby as well, and the Cultural Center.
Arts & Culture
The DuSable Museum of African American History is dedicated to the study and conservation of African American history, culture, and art.
149 locals recommend
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E 56th PlThe DuSable Museum of African American History is dedicated to the study and conservation of African American history, culture, and art.
South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S South Shore DrHistorical building. Great Architecture and history.
You could spend the entire day here. Tons of exhibits for kids and adults alike!
204 locals recommend
Museum of Science & Industry station
You could spend the entire day here. Tons of exhibits for kids and adults alike!
Professional Theatre by the University of Chicago. They host a diverse set of productions.
21 locals recommend
Court Theater
5535 S Ellis AveProfessional Theatre by the University of Chicago. They host a diverse set of productions.
Getting Around
About a 7 minute walk to the 63rd Street South Shore Line. Quick ride to McCormick Place and Downtown (less than 20 minutes). Be sure to check the schedules!
https://metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/ME/stations/SOUTHSHORE
8 locals recommend
63rd St. station
East 63rd StreetAbout a 7 minute walk to the 63rd Street South Shore Line. Quick ride to McCormick Place and Downtown (less than 20 minutes). Be sure to check the schedules!
https://metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/ME/stations/SOUTHSHORE
6 Jackson Park Express Bus - take it to the heart of downtown if you miss the Metra.
https://www.transitchicago.com/bus/6/
Stony Island & 63rd/64th
6 Jackson Park Express Bus - take it to the heart of downtown if you miss the Metra.
https://www.transitchicago.com/bus/6/
Sightseeing
Skip the Sears Tower "Willis Tower" and go to the John Hancock Center for Amazing city views. You can go to the observatory OR go to the "Signature Lounge" on the 95th. There is a bar, where you can have a nice drink and dessert. Go on a weeknight, after happy hour. The night views are amazing.
157 locals recommend
John Hancock Center
875 North Michigan AvenueSkip the Sears Tower "Willis Tower" and go to the John Hancock Center for Amazing city views. You can go to the observatory OR go to the "Signature Lounge" on the 95th. There is a bar, where you can have a nice drink and dessert. Go on a weeknight, after happy hour. The night views are amazing.