Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StGreat food, reserve early!
Whether you are on your own and want to engage a group at a community dinner table, or sit at the bar for a more exclusive experience with a friend, the food here never disappoints.
87 locals recommend
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StWhether you are on your own and want to engage a group at a community dinner table, or sit at the bar for a more exclusive experience with a friend, the food here never disappoints.
Salero Restaurant
621 W Randolph StGreat restaurant with Spanish Influence, haven't had a bad meal here either.
Arguably, the best burger in the city. Expect a wait, however, but well worth it!
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StArguably, the best burger in the city. Expect a wait, however, but well worth it!
If you're looking for something more simple, but still upscale from your typical diner, this is your place. It is also owned by the renowned chef and owner of Girl & The Goat located just across.
159 locals recommend
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StIf you're looking for something more simple, but still upscale from your typical diner, this is your place. It is also owned by the renowned chef and owner of Girl & The Goat located just across.
Arguably the best sushi restaurant in Chicago owned and operated by Iron Chef Morimoto.
18 locals recommend
Japonais by Morimoto
600 W Chicago AveArguably the best sushi restaurant in Chicago owned and operated by Iron Chef Morimoto.
If you like Margherita's and formal Mexican dining, this is probably a good place to be.
12 locals recommend
de cero
816 W Randolph StIf you like Margherita's and formal Mexican dining, this is probably a good place to be.
Vivo
838 West Randolph StreetGreat Italian dining venue in the neighborhood that I would recommend.
If you like community dining experiences, here is another good one in the neighborhood with a great menu as well. Brunch on the weekends is also served here.
97 locals recommend
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketIf you like community dining experiences, here is another good one in the neighborhood with a great menu as well. Brunch on the weekends is also served here.
Book you reservation early -- several months early. These pre-fix offerings book fast, but well worth the cost if your pallet has a taste for one of the top rated restaurants in the world.
20 locals recommend
Next Restaurant
953 W Fulton MarketBook you reservation early -- several months early. These pre-fix offerings book fast, but well worth the cost if your pallet has a taste for one of the top rated restaurants in the world.
Great new(er) European inspired restaurant a close walk from the condo.
79 locals recommend
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
218 W Kinzie StGreat new(er) European inspired restaurant a close walk from the condo.
Great menu here, be sure to check out the cocktail lounge downstairs as well.
66 locals recommend
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StGreat menu here, be sure to check out the cocktail lounge downstairs as well.
Themed after the East Cost Hamptons, this new(er) bar and restaurant has a great atmosphere including impressive menu.
14 locals recommend
The Hampton Social
164 E Grand AveThemed after the East Cost Hamptons, this new(er) bar and restaurant has a great atmosphere including impressive menu.
One of the best Italian Restaurants in Chicago, also within walking distance.
45 locals recommend
La Scarola
721 W Grand AveOne of the best Italian Restaurants in Chicago, also within walking distance.
Great burgers. While these don't compare to Au Cheval, as they're a different approach, if you're looking to fulfill a larger appetite with an eclectic scene, this is the place for you.
9 locals recommend
Kuma's Corner West Loop
852 W Fulton MarketGreat burgers. While these don't compare to Au Cheval, as they're a different approach, if you're looking to fulfill a larger appetite with an eclectic scene, this is the place for you.
Located just a few hundred feet from La Scarola, Piccolo Sogno is also a great Italian neighborhood spot to choose from.
48 locals recommend
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted StLocated just a few hundred feet from La Scarola, Piccolo Sogno is also a great Italian neighborhood spot to choose from.
Take a walk down Randolph from Des Plaines or Halsted and you'll see plenty of nightlife along the way when heading to Formento's for a meal. Great Italian faire including some steaks too.
12 locals recommend
Formento's
925 W Randolph StTake a walk down Randolph from Des Plaines or Halsted and you'll see plenty of nightlife along the way when heading to Formento's for a meal. Great Italian faire including some steaks too.
More upscale restaurant than bar, it's a nice walk along the river to get here and enjoy a cocktail and dinner.
7 locals recommend
Erie Cafe
536 W Erie StMore upscale restaurant than bar, it's a nice walk along the river to get here and enjoy a cocktail and dinner.
There are not enough options to choose here. The City Winery includes event space often bringing local and national talent to perform for its guests whether in the dining room or the concert hall.
Tickets for shows often sell out fast so if you'd like to visit, check out which performers are in town performing.
70 locals recommend
City Winery
1200 W Randolph StThere are not enough options to choose here. The City Winery includes event space often bringing local and national talent to perform for its guests whether in the dining room or the concert hall.
Tickets for shows often sell out fast so if you'd like to visit, check out which performers are in town performing.
If you plan on going to Pritzker Pavilion for a concert, or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, you can't go wrong with The Gage for dinner and drinks prior.
49 locals recommend
The Gage
24 S Michigan AveIf you plan on going to Pritzker Pavilion for a concert, or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, you can't go wrong with The Gage for dinner and drinks prior.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great food menu, and also nice atmosphere including beer garden during the warmer months.
63 locals recommend
The Dawson
730 W Grand AveGreat food menu, and also nice atmosphere including beer garden during the warmer months.
This is a great local microbrewery that has a good food menu as well. If you're into pizza with a bit of bite, try 'The Riot' pizza.
47 locals recommend
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
737 W Randolph StThis is a great local microbrewery that has a good food menu as well. If you're into pizza with a bit of bite, try 'The Riot' pizza.
If you like upscale niche cocktails, this is located right next to 'NEXT', a world renowned Michelin rated restaurant by Grant Achatz.
77 locals recommend
The Aviary
955 W Fulton MarketIf you like upscale niche cocktails, this is located right next to 'NEXT', a world renowned Michelin rated restaurant by Grant Achatz.
Local watering hole with decent food and drink, and is a nice place to watch a game in a social setting.
15 locals recommend
Jefferson Tap & Grille
325 N Jefferson StLocal watering hole with decent food and drink, and is a nice place to watch a game in a social setting.
This is the second City Winery location in Chicago, the primary one being West on Randolph Street. Light appetizers are served here including their wines on the riverwalk. The extension of the riverwalk was completed in the spring of 2017 and you can enter from the East side of the Lake Street bridge.
Lot's of great people watching and a great place to spend some time when the whether isn't humid.
28 locals recommend
City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk
11 W. Riverwalk SouthThis is the second City Winery location in Chicago, the primary one being West on Randolph Street. Light appetizers are served here including their wines on the riverwalk. The extension of the riverwalk was completed in the spring of 2017 and you can enter from the East side of the Lake Street bridge.
Lot's of great people watching and a great place to spend some time when the whether isn't humid.
Everything Else
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayThe local grocery store a block and a half away.
A bit further and a bit more of a non-mainstream selection. Mariano's is just on the northern end of Greektown. If you prefer a more specialized grocery store, this is the one for you. At the same time, you'll get a look of some of Greektowns best restaurants located along Halsted to the South.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveA bit further and a bit more of a non-mainstream selection. Mariano's is just on the northern end of Greektown. If you prefer a more specialized grocery store, this is the one for you. At the same time, you'll get a look of some of Greektowns best restaurants located along Halsted to the South.
Entertainment & Activities
Less movie theater, more outdoor concert hall. This is one of the gem's of Chicago that offers complimentary entertainment. Lot's of greats perform here and it's a great spot to bring a blanket and grab some space on the grass to share a glass of wine and some cold appetizers.
52 locals recommend
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StLess movie theater, more outdoor concert hall. This is one of the gem's of Chicago that offers complimentary entertainment. Lot's of greats perform here and it's a great spot to bring a blanket and grab some space on the grass to share a glass of wine and some cold appetizers.
Ravinia has become world famous for the talent that it brings to Chicago's Highland Park area year after year. While it may seem a bit extreme to travel 40 miles or so to get there, it's really quite seamless.
The Metra Northline is about a ten minute walk from the condo and the train ride is enjoyable -- and you can also enjoy a glass or wine or beer on the train (bring your own from home or buy it at the station before you depart). It's a great escape and the Ravinia schedule link can be found below:
https://www.ravinia.org/calendar
33 locals recommend
Ravinia Festival West Lot
200 Ravinia Park RdRavinia has become world famous for the talent that it brings to Chicago's Highland Park area year after year. While it may seem a bit extreme to travel 40 miles or so to get there, it's really quite seamless.
The Metra Northline is about a ten minute walk from the condo and the train ride is enjoyable -- and you can also enjoy a glass or wine or beer on the train (bring your own from home or buy it at the station before you depart). It's a great escape and the Ravinia schedule link can be found below:
https://www.ravinia.org/calendar
Chicago is known as having one of the most world famous symphony's. If you see a performance that you feel you would enjoy, be it Yo Yo Ma, Beethoven's 5th, or a director performance by Gustavo Dudamel (I'm partial as I saw him there when very young), this is a great spot to visit.
79 locals recommend
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S Michigan AveChicago is known as having one of the most world famous symphony's. If you see a performance that you feel you would enjoy, be it Yo Yo Ma, Beethoven's 5th, or a director performance by Gustavo Dudamel (I'm partial as I saw him there when very young), this is a great spot to visit.
Parks & Nature
Some may call this artificial nature, and I would agree with them. The fact of the matter is that Chicago has parks all around the city and has protected it's lakefront's parks to remain public land.
If you're looking for a change, the zoo isn't a bad spot, especially if you're looking to keep the kid entertained.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StSome may call this artificial nature, and I would agree with them. The fact of the matter is that Chicago has parks all around the city and has protected it's lakefront's parks to remain public land.
If you're looking for a change, the zoo isn't a bad spot, especially if you're looking to keep the kid entertained.