Raj’s Guidebook
Food scene
Most of these recommendations are local to my neighborhood, but the few that aren't are what I really consider "must-try" places.
The best restaurant in America and the only three-star Michelin restaurant in Chicago. You can find same-day reservations on weekdays, but you’ll have to pay in advance, like for concert tickets.
97 recommandé par les habitants
Alinea
1723 N Halsted StThe best restaurant in America and the only three-star Michelin restaurant in Chicago. You can find same-day reservations on weekdays, but you’ll have to pay in advance, like for concert tickets.
One of my neighborhood favorites is this always- energetic and reasonably priced Spanish tapas joint. The sangria is some of the best in Chicago.
152 recommandé par les habitants
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted StOne of my neighborhood favorites is this always- energetic and reasonably priced Spanish tapas joint. The sangria is some of the best in Chicago.
A small, independent pasta shop that offers some amazing dishes, many of them handmade pasta. The jalapeño gnocchi is one of my favorite dishes in the city.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Pasta Palazzo
1966 N Halsted StA small, independent pasta shop that offers some amazing dishes, many of them handmade pasta. The jalapeño gnocchi is one of my favorite dishes in the city.
A very small unassuming joint that has nearly universal praise. Bebu doesn’t have traditional Chicago style deep dish pizza, but it does have fresh ingredients and insanely tasty pizza that won’t leave you in a food coma.
Pizzeria Bebu , Chicago, IL
1521 N Fremont StA very small unassuming joint that has nearly universal praise. Bebu doesn’t have traditional Chicago style deep dish pizza, but it does have fresh ingredients and insanely tasty pizza that won’t leave you in a food coma.
The best sushi in the neighborhood by a long shot, and quite possibly the best in the city. Their ingredients are fresh and simple, and they even have wonderful entrees like their ramen for the non-sushi lover in your family. Try their nigiri and sashimi samplers.
Kameya
806 W Webster AveThe best sushi in the neighborhood by a long shot, and quite possibly the best in the city. Their ingredients are fresh and simple, and they even have wonderful entrees like their ramen for the non-sushi lover in your family. Try their nigiri and sashimi samplers.
Good quality brunch in a traditional diner setting. They have everything from pancakes to omelets to skillets in an unpretentious atmosphere.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Nookies Too
2114 N Halsted StGood quality brunch in a traditional diner setting. They have everything from pancakes to omelets to skillets in an unpretentious atmosphere.
The best restaurant in the neighborhood that won't completely break the bank. The Boka Group is renowned in Chicago for their quality restaurants, and Boka is their flagship. Solo travelers or couples can enjoy a more casual setting by sitting at the bar and chatting up one of the always friendly and knowledgeable (but never stuffy) bartenders.
39 recommandé par les habitants
Boka
1729 N Halsted StThe best restaurant in the neighborhood that won't completely break the bank. The Boka Group is renowned in Chicago for their quality restaurants, and Boka is their flagship. Solo travelers or couples can enjoy a more casual setting by sitting at the bar and chatting up one of the always friendly and knowledgeable (but never stuffy) bartenders.
If there's ever a discussion about the best burger in Chicago, Au Cheval is in that discussion (I put it in the top three for sure). It even has smaller satellite locations around town called Small Cheval, where you'll get more of a traditional diner atmosphere as opposed to the main restaurants upscale diner feel.
620 recommandé par les habitants
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StIf there's ever a discussion about the best burger in Chicago, Au Cheval is in that discussion (I put it in the top three for sure). It even has smaller satellite locations around town called Small Cheval, where you'll get more of a traditional diner atmosphere as opposed to the main restaurants upscale diner feel.
The cupcake craze came and went, but Molly's survived because, quite simply, they're the best. Many of their cupcakes have a center filling, and all of them are moist, delicious, and creative. I can't recommend Molly's highly enough.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Molly's Cupcakes
2536 N Clark StThe cupcake craze came and went, but Molly's survived because, quite simply, they're the best. Many of their cupcakes have a center filling, and all of them are moist, delicious, and creative. I can't recommend Molly's highly enough.
Live Music
This is my favorite jazz spot, which is saying a lot in a city that regularly churns out famous jazz musicians. It’s just barely dingy enough to be taken seriously, but not even close to dingy enough that you question whether you should eat there. They’re open until at least 4 AM every night, cover is cheap (~$15), and it’s always lively and hoppin. Even the kitchen is open late! They got everything right at Kingston Mines.
458 recommandé par les habitants
Kingston Mines
2548 N Halsted StThis is my favorite jazz spot, which is saying a lot in a city that regularly churns out famous jazz musicians. It’s just barely dingy enough to be taken seriously, but not even close to dingy enough that you question whether you should eat there. They’re open until at least 4 AM every night, cover is cheap (~$15), and it’s always lively and hoppin. Even the kitchen is open late! They got everything right at Kingston Mines.
Polished, but not pretentious. Lincoln Hall is a beautiful venue with amazing acoustics that plays everything from small artists to about-to-make-it-big artists. Trying out a random artist you haven’t heard of isn’t a bad idea- you can hang out upstairs or in the lobby and get drinks and enjoy the evening even if the music doesn’t do it for you.
55 recommandé par les habitants
Lincoln Hall
2424 N Lincoln AvePolished, but not pretentious. Lincoln Hall is a beautiful venue with amazing acoustics that plays everything from small artists to about-to-make-it-big artists. Trying out a random artist you haven’t heard of isn’t a bad idea- you can hang out upstairs or in the lobby and get drinks and enjoy the evening even if the music doesn’t do it for you.
Theatre
This most prestigious theater company in Chicago is also one of the most respected in America. Alumni include Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, and Joan Allen, Feel free to let us know if you’d like to attend a show as one of our good friends is a marketing manager at the theater.
109 recommandé par les habitants
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StThis most prestigious theater company in Chicago is also one of the most respected in America. Alumni include Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, and Joan Allen, Feel free to let us know if you’d like to attend a show as one of our good friends is a marketing manager at the theater.
My personal favorite theater in Chicago. Jackalope pushes the boundaries of storytelling while still remaining accessible in virtually every way imaginable. They have a small theater at The Frontier, directly underneath the Thorndale Red Line stop, that puts on more exploratory work that is intimate and fascinating, as well as their more polished productions across the street at the Broadway Armory Park.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Jackalope Theatre Company
5917 N BroadwayMy personal favorite theater in Chicago. Jackalope pushes the boundaries of storytelling while still remaining accessible in virtually every way imaginable. They have a small theater at The Frontier, directly underneath the Thorndale Red Line stop, that puts on more exploratory work that is intimate and fascinating, as well as their more polished productions across the street at the Broadway Armory Park.
Bars and Taverns
The oldest continually operating pub in Chicago (since 1885), Marge’s is a small neighborhood gem. Cozy, wooden, and warm. The servers are kind and the food is actually fantastic. And, obviously, they have drinks. Look for their daily food and drink specials.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Marge's Still
1758 N Sedgwick StThe oldest continually operating pub in Chicago (since 1885), Marge’s is a small neighborhood gem. Cozy, wooden, and warm. The servers are kind and the food is actually fantastic. And, obviously, they have drinks. Look for their daily food and drink specials.
The closest thing to a dive bar that this part of the city can aspire to. The prices aren’t that divey, but the specials are great, and it definitely has the dive atmosphere inside. They also have a sizeable patio that’s perfect during the summer.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Weeds Tavern
1555 N Dayton StThe closest thing to a dive bar that this part of the city can aspire to. The prices aren’t that divey, but the specials are great, and it definitely has the dive atmosphere inside. They also have a sizeable patio that’s perfect during the summer.