Guidebook for Chicago/Oak Park

Jacob
Guidebook for Chicago/Oak Park

Food Scene

Go around Christmas time when the Zoo puts their Christmas lights up and you can see it from the restaurant.
30 locals recommend
Mon Ami Gabi
2300 N Lincoln Park W
30 locals recommend
Go around Christmas time when the Zoo puts their Christmas lights up and you can see it from the restaurant.
My favorite Sunday brunch stop
111 locals recommend
Tweet
5020 N Sheridan Rd
111 locals recommend
My favorite Sunday brunch stop
Amazing food, elegant ambience, its own vegetable garden, all locally sourced ingredients, excellent service
30 locals recommend
Inspiration Kitchens
3504 W Lake St
30 locals recommend
Amazing food, elegant ambience, its own vegetable garden, all locally sourced ingredients, excellent service
Very cozy and quaint atmosphere. Owner often escorts you to your table
19 locals recommend
Chez Joel Bistro Francais
1119 W Taylor St
19 locals recommend
Very cozy and quaint atmosphere. Owner often escorts you to your table
The best French food in Chicago!!
47 locals recommend
Bistro Campagne
4518 N Lincoln Ave
47 locals recommend
The best French food in Chicago!!
It is hands down the best Afghan restaurant in the country
11 locals recommend
Kabul House Restaurant
2424 Dempster St
11 locals recommend
It is hands down the best Afghan restaurant in the country
Great ambience. Gorgeous views. Personable service.
20 locals recommend
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
58 East W Oak St
20 locals recommend
Great ambience. Gorgeous views. Personable service.
When you arrive, you will ask, did he really want me to come here? It's a hole in the wall grocery store in front and a small restaurant in the back but they make the best gorditas in Chicago. It is a must for authentic Mexican.
6 locals recommend
Tey's Grocery Store
5400 West 31st Street
6 locals recommend
When you arrive, you will ask, did he really want me to come here? It's a hole in the wall grocery store in front and a small restaurant in the back but they make the best gorditas in Chicago. It is a must for authentic Mexican.
Another off the beat, local joint which is a must. Very simple, very crowded. Always busy. The Italian food here from Chicken Marsala to the arrancini balls are some of the best Italian fare I have had outside of Italy. Very family. Small eating area. Small Italian grocery store. Bring cash because they do not accept credit cards. Owner is almost always there orchestrating like a grand conductor. Very Chicago
12 locals recommend
Freddy's Pizza
1600 S 61st Ave
12 locals recommend
Another off the beat, local joint which is a must. Very simple, very crowded. Always busy. The Italian food here from Chicken Marsala to the arrancini balls are some of the best Italian fare I have had outside of Italy. Very family. Small eating area. Small Italian grocery store. Bring cash because they do not accept credit cards. Owner is almost always there orchestrating like a grand conductor. Very Chicago
Not the greatest food in the world, but the ambience cannot be beat. Right in the park. Right in front of a small lagoon. It is a very nice place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
15 locals recommend
Cafe Brauer
2021 N Stockton Dr
15 locals recommend
Not the greatest food in the world, but the ambience cannot be beat. Right in the park. Right in front of a small lagoon. It is a very nice place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
ok it is supposed to be a grocery store, but it is really like an indoor italian street market. Check it out!
140 locals recommend
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio St
140 locals recommend
ok it is supposed to be a grocery store, but it is really like an indoor italian street market. Check it out!
30 locals recommend
Homestead On The Roof
1924 W Chicago Ave
30 locals recommend
From Western to California is the city's "Little India". Blocks upon blocks of sari stalls, jewelry stores, sweet shops, fast food canteens, halal butchers, and of course restaurants, restaurants and more restaurants. If you have any penchant for South Asian culture and cuisine, it is worth a looksie
9 locals recommend
West Devon Avenue
West Devon Avenue
9 locals recommend
From Western to California is the city's "Little India". Blocks upon blocks of sari stalls, jewelry stores, sweet shops, fast food canteens, halal butchers, and of course restaurants, restaurants and more restaurants. If you have any penchant for South Asian culture and cuisine, it is worth a looksie
From Broadway to Sheridan is a collection of Vietnamese restaurants and stores in quaint and picturesque boutique locations.
7 locals recommend
West Argyle Street
West Argyle Street
7 locals recommend
From Broadway to Sheridan is a collection of Vietnamese restaurants and stores in quaint and picturesque boutique locations.
The cafe in the Restoration Hardware store is a wonderful treat for Chicago visitors. Brunch is served on weekends. There is usually a long line on the weekends and the restaurant does not take any reservations so be prepared for a long wait. The restaurant is the courtyard of the building. It is covered.
20 locals recommend
Restoration Hardware
1300 N Dearborn St
20 locals recommend
The cafe in the Restoration Hardware store is a wonderful treat for Chicago visitors. Brunch is served on weekends. There is usually a long line on the weekends and the restaurant does not take any reservations so be prepared for a long wait. The restaurant is the courtyard of the building. It is covered.
A new restaurant which has shot to the top of the Chicago food scene. Written up in Conde Nast magazine. I recently had dinner here. The cocktails are fantastic and the bartenders know their stuff down to the region.
21 locals recommend
Income Tax
21 locals recommend
A new restaurant which has shot to the top of the Chicago food scene. Written up in Conde Nast magazine. I recently had dinner here. The cocktails are fantastic and the bartenders know their stuff down to the region.
Awesome Ethiopian food and cocktails
25 locals recommend
Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant
5846 N Broadway
25 locals recommend
Awesome Ethiopian food and cocktails
It is close and good in a pinch, especially if you arrive late at night. Has Gyros, Shish-kebabs and is only a 2-minute walk. Open nightly until 10:30pm
10 locals recommend
Pete's Red Hot's
6346 Roosevelt Rd
10 locals recommend
It is close and good in a pinch, especially if you arrive late at night. Has Gyros, Shish-kebabs and is only a 2-minute walk. Open nightly until 10:30pm
About a mile west on Roosevelt Road. (almost near Harlem Ave). You will need a car, but it is open nightly until 12:30am for late arriving guests.
8 locals recommend
Salerno's Pizza of Oak Park
7128 Roosevelt Rd
8 locals recommend
About a mile west on Roosevelt Road. (almost near Harlem Ave). You will need a car, but it is open nightly until 12:30am for late arriving guests.

Drinks & Nightlife

Large selection of Belgian brews. Food served too in back.
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark St
251 locals recommend
Large selection of Belgian brews. Food served too in back.
Cool crowd. Martinis! Mostly gay, but friendly to all. Small place, usually pretty crowded.
63 locals recommend
Marty's
1511 W Balmoral Ave
63 locals recommend
Cool crowd. Martinis! Mostly gay, but friendly to all. Small place, usually pretty crowded.
hipster dive bar
81 locals recommend
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen Ave
81 locals recommend
hipster dive bar
Gay venue. Country music. Country dancing.
17 locals recommend
Charlie's Chicago
3726 North Broadway
17 locals recommend
Gay venue. Country music. Country dancing.
Local music venue
62 locals recommend
FitzGerald's
6615 Roosevelt Rd
62 locals recommend
Local music venue
Do not miss Showtunes night! Lot of fun. Primarily gay
79 locals recommend
Sidetrack
3349 N Halsted St
79 locals recommend
Do not miss Showtunes night! Lot of fun. Primarily gay
Sophisticated
11 locals recommend
Z Bar
108 E Superior St
11 locals recommend
Sophisticated
Sophisticated
173 locals recommend
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California Avenue
173 locals recommend
Sophisticated
Sophisticated
44 locals recommend
RM Champagne Salon
116 N Green St
44 locals recommend
Sophisticated
Sophisticated
8 locals recommend
The Press Room
1134 W Washington Blvd
8 locals recommend
Sophisticated
Cocktail bar
356 locals recommend
Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey Ave
356 locals recommend
Cocktail bar
Over 800 varieties of whisky
39 locals recommend
Delilah's Chicago
2771 North Lincoln Avenue
39 locals recommend
Over 800 varieties of whisky
Very fun place. Super gay. Super friendly. Mixed-ages.
70 locals recommend
Big Chicks
5024 N Sheridan Rd
70 locals recommend
Very fun place. Super gay. Super friendly. Mixed-ages.
Anglo-Indian cuisine and brewery
65 locals recommend
Pub Royale
2049 W Division St
65 locals recommend
Anglo-Indian cuisine and brewery

Essentials

47 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
7245 Lake St
47 locals recommend
183 locals recommend
Walgreens
1931 W Cermak Rd
183 locals recommend
9 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
7036 Roosevelt Rd
9 locals recommend
52 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
483 N Harlem Ave
52 locals recommend

Sightseeing

Formerly a country club, now a part of the Park District. Great golf course. Excellent restaurant inside. Call ahead to make reservations for either
37 locals recommend
South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S South Shore Dr
37 locals recommend
Formerly a country club, now a part of the Park District. Great golf course. Excellent restaurant inside. Call ahead to make reservations for either
One of the world's most celebrated architectural genius. Learn more about him and his contributions to Chicago and the world
184 locals recommend
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago Ave
184 locals recommend
One of the world's most celebrated architectural genius. Learn more about him and his contributions to Chicago and the world
A beautiful place of worship. Every Bahai temple in the world is a masterpiece and this one is no exception
120 locals recommend
Baha'i House of Worship
100 Linden Ave
120 locals recommend
A beautiful place of worship. Every Bahai temple in the world is a masterpiece and this one is no exception
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St
1243 locals recommend
A zoo in the park!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
1117 locals recommend
A zoo in the park!
The center of the free thinking world
122 locals recommend
The University of Chicago
5801 S Ellis Ave
122 locals recommend
The center of the free thinking world

Parks & Nature

If you have any interest in botany, the docents are very helpful and knowledgeable. My mother is a docent here.
147 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2430 N Stockton Dr
147 locals recommend
If you have any interest in botany, the docents are very helpful and knowledgeable. My mother is a docent here.
One of the best conservatories in the nation.
39 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory - Administrative Office
300 North Central Park Avenue
39 locals recommend
One of the best conservatories in the nation.
Great people watching!
338 locals recommend
North Avenue Beach
338 locals recommend
Great people watching!
Chicago's Gay Beach.
96 locals recommend
Kathy Osterman Beach House
5800 N Lake Shore Dr
96 locals recommend
Chicago's Gay Beach.
Trust me--it's a nice place to spend a day. Christmas season is very nice with lots of lights. Fall is great with their Pumpkin festival. There is a small restaurant (nothing fancy) also.
8 locals recommend
Lake-Cook Rd & Turnbull Woods Ct station
8 locals recommend
Trust me--it's a nice place to spend a day. Christmas season is very nice with lots of lights. Fall is great with their Pumpkin festival. There is a small restaurant (nothing fancy) also.

Arts & Culture

it does not get a lot of attention but deserves a lot of attention
149 locals recommend
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E 56th Pl
149 locals recommend
it does not get a lot of attention but deserves a lot of attention
Probably the largest collection of Mid-east ancient artefacts outside of the British Museum or the Cairo Museum. (Baghdad's Museum was pretty much destroyed). Small museum, with most artifacts packed in the basement and brought out in rotation.
62 locals recommend
Oriental Institute Museum
1155 E 58th St
62 locals recommend
Probably the largest collection of Mid-east ancient artefacts outside of the British Museum or the Cairo Museum. (Baghdad's Museum was pretty much destroyed). Small museum, with most artifacts packed in the basement and brought out in rotation.
Wonderful garden. Check out their website for their concert series in the park
532 locals recommend
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave
532 locals recommend
Wonderful garden. Check out their website for their concert series in the park
Concerts in a bucolic park atmosphere. Summer home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) but has a full summer concert schedule. A must to-do if you are in Chicago during the summer. You can choose to do lawn tickets and bring your own food to picnic in the park while watching the performance or you can buy the pavilion tickets to have a seat. Sort of like Wolftrap in WDC or Hollywood Bowl in LA.
14 locals recommend
Ravinia Festival Box Office
418 Sheridan Rd
14 locals recommend
Concerts in a bucolic park atmosphere. Summer home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) but has a full summer concert schedule. A must to-do if you are in Chicago during the summer. You can choose to do lawn tickets and bring your own food to picnic in the park while watching the performance or you can buy the pavilion tickets to have a seat. Sort of like Wolftrap in WDC or Hollywood Bowl in LA.

Entertainment & Activities

collegeofcomplexes.org Every Saturday eve at 6pm where all manner of Chicagoans give their schpeels on everything from the history of revolutions to the deep state. Sometimes crazy speakers, sometimes not so. Established 1951. Dappers East Restaurant, 2901 W Addison, Chicago. (Addison & California)
9 locals recommend
Dappers East
2901 W Addison St
9 locals recommend
collegeofcomplexes.org Every Saturday eve at 6pm where all manner of Chicagoans give their schpeels on everything from the history of revolutions to the deep state. Sometimes crazy speakers, sometimes not so. Established 1951. Dappers East Restaurant, 2901 W Addison, Chicago. (Addison & California)
Improv. The inspiration for Saturday Night Live and a host of cultural icons like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Ed Asner etc.
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North Ave
433 locals recommend
Improv. The inspiration for Saturday Night Live and a host of cultural icons like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Ed Asner etc.
The birthplace of the vibrant Chicago theater scene
109 locals recommend
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted St
109 locals recommend
The birthplace of the vibrant Chicago theater scene
Students from U of C are the actors
21 locals recommend
Court Theater
5535 S Ellis Ave
21 locals recommend
Students from U of C are the actors