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Harper’s Incomplete Chicago Guide

I have lived in Chicago for 25 years and every time someone is like “I am in Chicago where should I go??” I always fail to recommend good spots. So here is my running list of spots.

Let me know if you have additions or suggestions. As with everything on the internet, YMMV.

Places denoted with a ⭐ are friends

Some favorite spots and such

Attractions Bakeries Bars Cafes Desserts Galleries Markets Museums Restaurants Shops Venues Friends

Attractions

  • Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise — The best boat tour in the city. Docent-led cruise down the Chicago River covering 50+ buildings across architectural styles from Art Deco to modern glass towers. Buy tickets in advance — it sells out. — Riverwalk — Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise
  • Garfield Park Conservatory — One of the largest conservatories in the nation, 'landscape art under glass' since 1908. Designed by Jens Jensen. Eight indoor gardens spanning 12 acres with palms, ferns, cacti, koi ponds, and turtles. Free admission. — East Garfield Park — Garfield Park Conservatory

Bakeries

  • Bird Bird ⭐ — Weekend bakery and cafe next door to Noodlebird by the same team. Portuguese egg tarts, ube sticky buns, and a signature breakfast sandwich. No fluff, just good stuff. — Logan Square — Bird Bird
  • Publican Quality Bread ⭐ — Bakery by Paul Kahan with naturally leavened breads and heritage grains. James Beard Award-winning baker Greg Wade. Try the buckwheat chocolate croissants. — West Town — Publican Quality Bread
  • Steingold's Bakehouse — Jewish deli and bagel shop since 2017. Takeout-only Humboldt Park location opened 2024. Classic bagels, sandwiches with pastrami and lox, gourmet spreads. — Humboldt Park — Steingold's Bakehouse

Bars

  • Kumiko — Japanese dining bar by Julia Momosé. Four consecutive years named Best Bar in Midwest USA. World's 50 Best Bars. Seasonal tasting menu with cocktail, sake, or spirit-free pairings. — West Loop — Kumiko
  • Life on Marz Community Club ⭐ — Brewery taproom and cafe since 2021 inspired by Eastern European workers' clubs. Marz beers, nitro coffee, CBD seltzers, sausages from Makowski's. Dog-friendly. — Logan Square — Life on Marz Community Club
  • Rainbo Club — Iconic dive bar since 1936. Former burlesque stage, featured in High Fidelity and on Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville cover. Open 365 days, 4pm-2am. — Wicker Park
  • Sportsman's Club — Neighborhood tavern since 2013 in original 1900s Polish immigrant bar. Spirit-forward cocktails that change daily, Art Deco bar, taxidermy, amaro machine. — Ukrainian Village — Sportsman's Club

Cafes

  • Bingo Tea — Bubble tea shop in Chinatown since 2018. Fresh fruit teas, yogurt drinks, classic milk teas. Famous for pistachio milk tea and jujube tea. — Chinatown — Bingo Tea
  • Cafe Tola — Chicago-born, Latina-owned cafe since 2014. Specializing in crispy hand-rolled empanadas and signature horchata lattes. Four Chicago locations. — Lakeview — Cafe Tola
  • Metric Coffee — Certified B Corporation coffee roaster since 2013. Roasted on a self-restored '61 Probat UG 15 for exceptionally balanced, sweet, and clean coffees. — Fulton Market — Metric Coffee
  • Muse Coffee Studio — Coffee studio combining specialty coffee, photography, and community. Curated art on the walls, book club, and collaborations with local businesses like Justice of the Pies. — Pilsen — Muse Coffee Studio
  • Star Lounge Coffee Bar — Dark Matter Coffee's flagship cafe. Long wood bar, outdoor patio with local artist installations, diverse brewing options. — Ukrainian Village — Star Lounge Coffee Bar

Desserts

  • Ava's Italian Ice — Healthiest Italian ice in Chicago since 2018. Made from fresh organic fruit with no artificial colors or flavors. Dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free. — Bucktown — Ava's Italian Ice
  • Black Dog Gelato — Artisanal gelato and sorbet since 2007 by former Scylla pastry chef Jessica Oloroso. Chicago-style Northern gelato made fresh daily with local dairy, seasonal produce, high-quality chocolate. — Ukrainian Village — Black Dog Gelato
  • Miko's Italian Ice — Family-owned Italian ice since 1997. Made with real fruit, 30+ rotating flavors. Two locations in Logan Square and Irving Park. — Logan Square — Miko's Italian Ice
  • Andrew Rafacz Gallery — Contemporary art gallery in West Loop. Founded 2004 as Bucket Rider Gallery. Shows emerging and mid-career artists. NADA member. — West Loop — Andrew Rafacz Gallery
  • Richard Gray Gallery — Established 1963, one of Chicago's most prominent galleries. Specializes in modern and contemporary art with an international roster of artists. — Chicago — Richard Gray Gallery

Markets

  • Logan Square Farmers Market — Only weekly year-round farmers market in Chicago since 2005. Named 'Best Farmers Market in Chicago' by Chicago Magazine in 2016. Sundays 8:30am-3pm. — Logan Square — Logan Square Farmers Market

Museums

  • Art Institute of Chicago — Founded 1879, one of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S. Home to 260,000+ artworks including American Gothic, Nighthawks, and A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. — Grant Park — Art Institute of Chicago
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago — Founded 1967, one of the world's largest contemporary art venues. 2,500+ pieces of post-WWII art. Free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays 5-9pm. — Streeterville — Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
  • Wrightwood 659 — Non-commercial exhibition space designed by Tadao Ando. Focuses on architecture and socially engaged art. Reservations required. — Lincoln Park — Wrightwood 659

Restaurants

American

  • Fatso's Last Stand — Elevated hot dog stand serving char dogs, burgers, and late-night eats. Won 'Best Burger Champion' at Roscoe Village Burger Fest 2019. — Ukrainian Village — Fatso's Last Stand
  • Lula Cafe — Inventive farm-to-table restaurant since 1999 by Jason Hammel. Three-time James Beard nominee. Famous for brunch (no reservations), Monday farm dinners $38. Spans three storefronts. — Logan Square — Lula Cafe
  • Publican Quality Meats ⭐ — Butcher shop, cafe, and market in Fulton Market. Responsibly raised meats, house-cured charcuterie, and artisanal provisions. Part of One Off Hospitality. — Fulton Market — Publican Quality Meats
  • Small Cheval — Little sibling of Au Cheval serving the same legendary cheeseburgers at a fraction of the wait. Dijonnaise, pickles, and perfectly smashed patties. Multiple locations across Chicago. — Wicker Park — Small Cheval
  • The Gage — Gastropub since 2007, flagship of Gage Hospitality Group. Michelin Plate 2022, OpenTable Top 100 Restaurant in America. Across from Millennium Park. Vintage atmosphere inspired by Irish pubs. — Theater District — The Gage
  • Virtue — Southern American restaurant by James Beard Award-winning Chef Erick Williams. Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2018. Contemporary take on cuisine from the great migration. — Hyde Park — Virtue

Chinese

  • Dongpo Impression — Authentic Sichuan cuisine since 2017. Specializes in Chuan Chuan Xiang (street style skewers) and Meishan-style food. Sister restaurant to Chengdu Impression. — Chinatown — Dongpo Impression
  • Ed's Potsticker House — Northern Chinese restaurant in Bridgeport. Specializes in authentic dumplings and mandarin cuisine. BYOB. — Bridgeport — Ed's Potsticker House
  • Golden Bull — Traditional Cantonese restaurant since 1992. Famous for claypot rice and authentic Cantonese dishes. BYOB. — Chinatown — Golden Bull
  • Lao Peng You — Northern Chinese restaurant by brothers Eric and Daniel Wat. Handmade dumplings and noodles daily. 'Old friend' in Chinese. BYOB, first-come, first-served. — Ukrainian Village — Lao Peng You
  • Noodlebird ⭐ — A really wonderful Macanese restaurant. Super tasty. — Logan Square — Noodlebird

Croatian

  • Rose Mary — Chef Joe Flamm's debut restaurant blending Italian heritage with Croatian cuisine. Named for his grandmothers. Michelin Guide. 'Adriatic drinking food.' — Fulton Market — Rose Mary

Ethiopian

  • Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant & Bar — Oldest Ethiopian restaurant in Chicago since 1996. Two locations, Edgewater is the original. Famous for smoky 'Diamond berbere' sauce, beef tartar, and shimbra asa. — Edgewater — Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant & Bar

Italian

  • A Tavola — Authentic Northern Italian since 1995 by Chef Daniel Bocik. Signature gnocchi with browned butter sage. Half-price wine Tuesdays. Charming patio. — Ukrainian Village — A Tavola
  • Tufano's Vernon Park Tap ⭐ — Classic red-sauce Italian joint since 1930. No sign on the door, no menus (chalkboard only). Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. — University Village — Tufano's Vernon Park Tap

Japanese

  • Akahoshi Ramen ⭐ — Named one of Bon Appétit's 2024 best new restaurants. Everything made in-house including noodles. Run by Reddit's 'Ramen_Lord'. — Logan Square — Akahoshi Ramen
  • Kai Zan — Creative omakase-style sushi by the legendary Vizconde twins. Michelin Bib Gourmand, named Best New Sushi 2013 by TimeOut Chicago. — Humboldt Park — Kai Zan
  • Kura Revolving Sushi Bar — Innovative tech-interactive Japanese restaurant with revolving sushi since 2024. Robot service, all plates $3.40. Prize capsules after 15 plates. — Skokie — Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
  • Omakase Room by Kanemaru — Traditional edomae sushi by Chef Shinichiro Kanemaru, a 30-year veteran who spent 17 years at Tokyo's legendary Ginza Kyubey. Intimate 10-seat counter, 16-course omakase. No frills, just impeccable technique. — River North — Omakase Room by Kanemaru
  • Omakase Shoji ⭐ — High-end omakase with 20-course kaiseki menu. Intimate 10-seat dining room with fish flown in from Japan multiple times a week. — West Town — Omakase Shoji
  • Summertime Japanese Restaurant — Authentic izakaya-style cuisine with private karaoke rooms and live entertainment. Fresh sashimi, grilled skewers, ramen, and traditional small plates. — Mount Prospect — Summertime Japanese Restaurant
  • Tensuke Market & Food Court — Japanese market with food court serving fresh sushi, ramen, tonkatsu, and curry. Family-owned for over 20 years with daily deliveries. — Elk Grove Village — Tensuke Market & Food Court
  • Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill ⭐ — Japanese restaurant since 2011 by former journalist Yut Vong. Creative sushi rolls and robata focusing on young urban diners. — West Town — Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

Korean

  • Amitabul — Buddhist Korean vegan cuisine since 1995. Prepared without salt, sugar, or oil. Try the 'Dark Side of the Moon' rice noodle dish. — Norwood Park — Amitabul
  • Cho Sun Ok ⭐ — Authentic Korean BBQ and traditional cuisine since 1980. Michelin-recommended. Famous for tabletop bulgogi, naengmyeon cold buckwheat noodles, and japchae. Chicago Reader favorite 2015. BYOB. — Lincoln Square — Cho Sun Ok
  • Kimski ⭐ — Korean-Polish fusion street food by chef Won Kim and Ed Marzewski. Famous for krautchi (kimchi/sauerkraut hybrid) and bulgogi cheese sandwiches. — Bridgeport — Kimski

Mediterranean

  • Avec ⭐ — Original West Loop location since 2003. Tiny, cramped Mediterranean restaurant by Paul Kahan. Still going strong after 20+ years. — West Loop — Avec

Mexican

  • 5 Rabanitos — Authentic Mexican by Chef Alfonso Sotelo since 2016. Flavors from Mexico City, Yucatán, and Oaxaca. BYOB. One block from National Museum of Mexican Art. — Pilsen — 5 Rabanitos
  • Big Star ⭐ — Honky tonk-themed taco bar housed in a defunct 1940s gas station. Authentic Mexican street food by Paul Kahan, bourbon and beer focused. — Wicker Park — Big Star
  • Mariscos San Pedro — Mexican seafood in the iconic former Dusek's space at Thalia Hall by the James Beard-nominated team behind Taqueria Chingón. Named for the San Pedro fish (John Dory). Costa Y Brasa 14-course chef counter on weekends. — Pilsen — Mariscos San Pedro
  • Taqueria Chingón — Mexico City-inspired taqueria in Fulton Market by Marcos Ascencio and Oliver Poilevey. Michelin Guide 2024. Signature al pastor and creative tacos. — Fulton Market — Taqueria Chingón

Middle eastern

  • Al Bawadi Grill — Premier Middle Eastern and Palestinian restaurant since 2008. Everything made from scratch including hand-formed kebabs on steel skewers. 50+ mezze items. Zabiha Halal certified. — Bridgeview — Al Bawadi Grill
  • Taste of Lebanon — Family-owned Lebanese street food since 1996 by Ali Faraj. Cash-only takeout spot famous for falafel, shawarma, and lamb kofta wraps. Many vegan/vegetarian options. — Andersonville — Taste of Lebanon

Persian

  • Noon O Kabab — Family-owned Persian restaurant since 1997. Authentic Persian kabobs and traditional dishes. Four locations, Albany Park is the original. — Albany Park — Noon O Kabab

Pizza

  • Dicey's Pizza & Tavern — Tavern-style thin-crust pizza with unique toppings. Named by Esquire as one of the best places for Chicago tavern-style pizza in the U.S. — Ukrainian Village — Dicey's Pizza & Tavern
  • Pequod's Pizza — Legendary deep dish pizza since 1970, famous for its caramelized crust. I don't like deep dish, but this isn't horrible — Lincoln Park — Pequod's Pizza

Polish

  • Kasia's Deli — Ukrainian Village tradition since 1982. Award-winning pierogi named 'Chicago's Best' every year since 1999. Featured in '1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die.' — Ukrainian Village — Kasia's Deli

Vegetarian

  • Handlebar ⭐ — Vegetarian & vegan comfort food served until midnight. Been going since 2003. — Wicker Park — Handlebar

Vietnamese

  • HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen — Refined Vietnamese cuisine since 2017 by Chef Thai Dang. Five-time Michelin Bib Gourmand, four James Beard nominations. Famous caramelized fish sauce wings. — Pilsen — HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen
  • Pho Loan — Authentic Vietnamese in Uptown's Little Vietnam. Known for bánh khọt rice pancakes and excellent bún cá trà vinh. — Uptown — Pho Loan
  • Pho Nam Lua — Family-owned Vietnamese restaurant since 2014. Ranked #1 on Steve Dolinsky's Chicago Pho Crawl for best pho in the city. — North Park — Pho Nam Lua

Shops

Art

  • You Are Beautiful ⭐ — Public art project turned store since 2018. Founded by Matthew Hoffman in 2002. Meaningful gifts, stickers, gallery exhibitions, and workshops. — Avondale — You Are Beautiful

Audio

  • Saturday Audio Exchange — Chicago's audio specialist since 1982. New and pre-owned hi-fi equipment, turntables, digital and streaming. No commission sales staff. Dog friendly. — Lakeview — Saturday Audio Exchange

Design

  • Moth — Nordic and Japanese design boutique since 2015. Featuring emerging artists and designers from Scandinavia, Finland, and Japan. — Bucktown — Moth

Electronics

  • Micro Center — Computer and electronics retailer since 1996. 25,000+ products, custom PC building, Apple-certified repairs. Chicagoland's tech destination. — Bucktown — Micro Center

Eyewear

  • Lab Rabbit Optics ⭐ — Luxury eyewear shop since 2010. Named 'Best Eyewear Shop in Chicago' by Chicago Reader. 400+ handmade frames, in-house lens cutting. By appointment. — Ukrainian Village — Lab Rabbit Optics

Fashion

  • Mildblend Supply Co ⭐ — Menswear boutique since 2011. Specializes in raw and dry denim, American-made boots. Free hemming with denim purchases, chain stitch hemming available. — Wicker Park
  • Robin Richman ⭐ — Boutique since 1997 in Bucktown. Concept apparel, accessories, and home goods from specialty designers. Wed-Fri by appointment, Sat 12-6. — Bucktown — Robin Richman

Photography

  • CA Film Lab — Woman- and Latina-owned film lab since 2022. C41, B&W, E6, and ECN2 processing. First storefront opened 2025 with retail, photo studio, and darkroom. — Logan Square — CA Film Lab
  • Dodd Camera — Family-owned camera shop since 1891, Chicago location since 2008. Buy/sell/trade gear, film developing, printing, rentals, repairs, and free workshops. — Logan Square — Dodd Camera

Toys

  • Rotofugi — Designer toy store and gallery since 2004. Ten-time Designer Toy Award winner. Vinyl figures, blind boxes, plush, and monthly art exhibits. — Lincoln Park — Rotofugi

Venues

  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra — One of America's 'Big Five' orchestras since 1891. 65 Grammy Awards. Based at Symphony Center, summer season at Ravinia Festival. 150+ concerts per year. — Grant Park — Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  • Empty Bottle — Iconic music venue since 1992. Named one of 'Best Rock Clubs in America' by Rolling Stone. 400-capacity space hosting indie, punk, experimental, jazz. Open 7 nights a week. — Ukrainian Village — Empty Bottle

Friends’ Guides

Thanks to Hiromi, Jordan, and a lot of others over the years for taking me out to amazing places in Chicago