I’ve always enjoyed immersing myself into the local business and food movements in our community – from enjoying the city’s localvore food scene, to shopping small neighborhood businesses, to serving on the Board of Directors for Chicago Market, a community co-op aiming to open on Chicago’s north side.
So, in addition to helping you with real estate questions, I’m also a good source of information for discovering local gems within Chicago’s diverse array of neighborhoods. Below are a few of my favorites – add yours in the comments!
Lincoln Square & Ravenswood
- Coffee shop: Groundswell Coffee Roasters, La Boulangerie
- Boutique: Homesoul, Chopping Block, Enjoy, Savory Spice Shop
- Bar: The Sixth, Gene’s Sausage
- Restaurant: Gather, Spacca Napoli,
- Bakery: Mekato’s Colombian Bakery
North Center, Roscoe Village
- Coffee shop: Ritual Coffee Shop
- Boutique: Scratch Goods
- Bar: Fountainhead (especially the summer-time rooftop!)
- Restaurant: Cafe El Tapatio
- Ice cream: Scooter’s frozen custard
Southport Corridor & Wrigleyville
- Coffee shop: Cafe Tola
- Boutique: US Apothecary
- Bar: Bodega Sur
- Restaurant: Coda di Volpe, Coalfire
- Best brunch: Southport Grocery
- Other Attractions/Events: Park at Wrigley, Music Box Theater
Edgewater, Uptown & Rogers Park
- Coffee shop: Kopi Cafe
- Boutiques: Transistor, Galleria
- Bar: Income Tax
- Restaurant: Appellation
- Grocery: Tai Nam Food Market
- Summertime Gardening fix: Peterson Garden Project & Gethsemane Garden Center
- Iconic tours: Frank Lloyd Wright Bach House
Avondale, Albany Park & Portage Park
- Coffee shop: Portage Grounds
- Bar: Nitehawk
- Restaurants: Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Old Irving Brewery
Bucktown, Wicker Park & Logan Square
- Coffee shop: La Colombe, Bang Bang Pie Shop
- Boutique: Meraki Room Salon
- Bar / Live Music: Rosa’s Lounge
- Restaurant: Piece Pizza, Lula Cafe, Longman & Eagle, Owen & Engine
Lincoln Park
- Coffee shop: Floriole Cafe & Bakery
- Bar: The Red Lion
- Restaurant: Ada Street; Lito’s Empanadas
- Other Attractions/Events: Green City Market; Local Foods
West Loop & Downtown
- Coffee shop: Little Goat Diner & Bakery
- Bar: Cindys at Chicago Athletic Association
- Theater/Dance: Hubbard St Dance Company at Harris Theater
- Restaurant/Food Stalls: Revival Food Hall, French Market
- Attractions: Crown Fountain
Gold Coast, Streeterville & Old Town
- Coffee / Sweets: Vanille Patisserie
- Restaurant: 3 Arts Club Cafe at Restoration Hardware
- Other Attractions/Events: iO Comedy Club
Other favorites & great for out of town guests:
- Water Taxi
- Architecture Tour
- Helicopter Tour
- Drive to Prairie Fruits Farm in Champaign, IL (see Sunday Dinner Club)
- Train to Milwaukee (must eat: La Merenda, Braise)
photo credits: 3 Arts Cafe, The Sixth, Cafe Tapatio, Blue Star Properties, Merkai Room, Eater, Chicago Reader
