Natasha’s Guidebook
My favorite restaurants
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StOne of the deep dish pizza classics in Chicago!
Easygoing, wood-accented Japanese spot where diners barbecue their own food at in-table grills.
1364 W Randolph St
35 locals recommend
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
210 E Ohio StEasygoing, wood-accented Japanese spot where diners barbecue their own food at in-table grills.
1364 W Randolph St
Ryo Sushi
62 E Madison StJust one block away from the apartment! Great food.
62 E Madison S
Hip little Japanese lounge with raw & cooked fare, cocktails & sake in a sleek, futuristic setting. It is located in the River North neighborhood.
710 N Rush St
8 locals recommend
Friends Sushi
710 N Rush StHip little Japanese lounge with raw & cooked fare, cocktails & sake in a sleek, futuristic setting. It is located in the River North neighborhood.
710 N Rush St
Neapolitan pies, homemade pastas, mozzarella bar & wine in an upscale space with bar & lounge.
51 W Kinzie St
25 locals recommend
Siena Tavern
51 W Kinzie StNeapolitan pies, homemade pastas, mozzarella bar & wine in an upscale space with bar & lounge.
51 W Kinzie St
Upscale, regional Mexican cuisine offered in a stylish setting with a pastry chef & craft cocktails.
720 N State St
8 locals recommend
Tzuco
720 N State StUpscale, regional Mexican cuisine offered in a stylish setting with a pastry chef & craft cocktails.
720 N State St
Upscale destination for elevated Mediterranean fare & cocktails, plus a lounge-style rooftop patio.
302 N Green St 3rd Floor
28 locals recommend
Aba
302 N Green StUpscale destination for elevated Mediterranean fare & cocktails, plus a lounge-style rooftop patio.
302 N Green St 3rd Floor
Stylish spot serving refined, contemporary Italian fare such as fresh pastas, plus global wines.
1020 W Madison St
29 locals recommend
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
1020 W Madison StStylish spot serving refined, contemporary Italian fare such as fresh pastas, plus global wines.
1020 W Madison St
Rustic ramen joint for noodle soups, buns & chicken wings plus cocktails, sake & lots of whisky.
59 W Hubbard St #2
34 locals recommend
RAMEN-SAN
219 N Green StRustic ramen joint for noodle soups, buns & chicken wings plus cocktails, sake & lots of whisky.
59 W Hubbard St #2
Pasta, steaks & seafood served in a sleek, group-friendly eatery backed by Giuliana & Bill Rancic.
52 W Illinois St, Chicago
41 locals recommend
RPM Italian
52 W Illinois StPasta, steaks & seafood served in a sleek, group-friendly eatery backed by Giuliana & Bill Rancic.
52 W Illinois St, Chicago
My favorite brunch places
Delicious brunch dishes that will never disappoint. It is a very popular spot in the River North area, and it is always recommended!
519 N Clark St
834 W Fulton Market
65 locals recommend
Beatrix
519 N Clark StDelicious brunch dishes that will never disappoint. It is a very popular spot in the River North area, and it is always recommended!
519 N Clark St
834 W Fulton Market
Good for family breakfast! Cafe chain serving creative breakfast dishes & sandwiches in a cheery, contemporary atmosphere. Located within a 5-minute walk from our apartment.
340 N State St
Yolk - Marina City
340 N State StGood for family breakfast! Cafe chain serving creative breakfast dishes & sandwiches in a cheery, contemporary atmosphere. Located within a 5-minute walk from our apartment.
340 N State St
If you love pancakes, this is the place. Signature pancakes & other American breakfast classics all day in a casual setting.
22 E Bellevue Pl
60 locals recommend
The Original Pancake House
1358 E 47th StIf you love pancakes, this is the place. Signature pancakes & other American breakfast classics all day in a casual setting.
22 E Bellevue Pl
One of the most popular brunch places in the city, so make sure you get there early or it will be hard to get a spot as they do not take reservations. It is absolutely delicious. It is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
2748 N Lincoln Ave
52 locals recommend
Batter & Berries
2748 N Lincoln AveOne of the most popular brunch places in the city, so make sure you get there early or it will be hard to get a spot as they do not take reservations. It is absolutely delicious. It is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
2748 N Lincoln Ave
My favorite grocery stores
Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey PkwyLocated in the River North neighborhood.
44 E Ontario St
Target
4466 N BroadwayRight next to the building: one block south, one block west!
1 State St
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave8-minute walk from the apartment.
333 E Benton Pl Suite 206.
Walgreens Pharmacy
30 North Michigan AvenueMy favorite rooftop bars
Three chic levels of hotel rooftop drinking & dining with indoor/outdoor seats & sweeping views.
38 locals recommend
London House Rooftop Bar
85 E Wacker DrThree chic levels of hotel rooftop drinking & dining with indoor/outdoor seats & sweeping views.
Cindy's
12 S Michigan AveAmazing view of Milennium Park!
RAISED | An Urban Rooftop Bar
1 W Wacker DrThe J. Parker
1816 N Clark StUtopian Tailgate
1608 N Wells StChic hotel rooftop for chef-driven Peruvian sharing plates & ceviche with craft cocktails & views.
200 N Green St
8 locals recommend
Cabra
200 N Green StChic hotel rooftop for chef-driven Peruvian sharing plates & ceviche with craft cocktails & views.
200 N Green St
My favorite cafés
Caffe Umbria
346 N Clark St
Sawada Coffee
112 N Green StStarbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveClosest location is less than a minute walk.
8 N Michigan Ave
Right inside the lobby in our building! Great spot for breakfast dishes and lunchtime sandwiches
Pittsfield Cafe
Right inside the lobby in our building! Great spot for breakfast dishes and lunchtime sandwiches
Neighborhoods
Lincoln Park is a community area on the North Side of Chicago that borders Lake Michigan on its eastern border. It is two miles north of our apartment.
This picturesque neighborhood is a nature lover’s dream — manicured gardens, a hidden lily pond, a historic indoor botanical garden, and tons of lakefront green space with sweeping city views.
It also happens to be home to one of the country’s oldest free zoos, and an acclaimed dining scene that includes one of the best restaurants on the planet in Alinea.
The Lakefront Trail, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, North Avenue Beach, and the North Pond are must-see.
Lincoln Park is also a shopper’s paradise. The charming area around Armitage and Halsted is where you’ll find tons of beautiful boutiques lined up in historic row homes.
34 locals recommend
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a community area on the North Side of Chicago that borders Lake Michigan on its eastern border. It is two miles north of our apartment.
This picturesque neighborhood is a nature lover’s dream — manicured gardens, a hidden lily pond, a historic indoor botanical garden, and tons of lakefront green space with sweeping city views.
It also happens to be home to one of the country’s oldest free zoos, and an acclaimed dining scene that includes one of the best restaurants on the planet in Alinea.
The Lakefront Trail, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, North Avenue Beach, and the North Pond are must-see.
Lincoln Park is also a shopper’s paradise. The charming area around Armitage and Halsted is where you’ll find tons of beautiful boutiques lined up in historic row homes.
With roots dating back to the mid-19th century, Old Town is historically “old,” but still young at heart. The community, just north of downtown, thrives on its myriad shops, restaurants, bars, and theaters.
Old Town is an active and eclectic neighborhood with a diverse history. Originating as a home and trade center for Native American nations, the area was founded in the 1850s by German settlers.
Today, Old Town is a very hip and fun urban neighborhood and is home to some of the best shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the city.
Old Town springs to life with specialty shops full of handmade goods, music and books, spices, and cigars; coffee shops and family-owned restaurants; and a mix of seasoned taverns like Old Town Ale House and newer bars like Old Town Pour House. The Second City and Zanies Comedy Club also regularly welcome notable acts to the stage, so there are always new shows to catch for belly laughs.
49 locals recommend
Old Town
With roots dating back to the mid-19th century, Old Town is historically “old,” but still young at heart. The community, just north of downtown, thrives on its myriad shops, restaurants, bars, and theaters.
Old Town is an active and eclectic neighborhood with a diverse history. Originating as a home and trade center for Native American nations, the area was founded in the 1850s by German settlers.
Today, Old Town is a very hip and fun urban neighborhood and is home to some of the best shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the city.
Old Town springs to life with specialty shops full of handmade goods, music and books, spices, and cigars; coffee shops and family-owned restaurants; and a mix of seasoned taverns like Old Town Ale House and newer bars like Old Town Pour House. The Second City and Zanies Comedy Club also regularly welcome notable acts to the stage, so there are always new shows to catch for belly laughs.
The former warehouse district of Fulton Market is now a hip corporate and entertainment area known for creative global and modern American restaurants around West Fulton Market Street. There are also cafes serving house-roasted coffee and buzzing breweries and cocktail bars, some with live music. Venues like House of Vans and the Bottom Lounge stage live music, while boutiques sell indie fashion and furnishings.
54 locals recommend
Fulton Market
The former warehouse district of Fulton Market is now a hip corporate and entertainment area known for creative global and modern American restaurants around West Fulton Market Street. There are also cafes serving house-roasted coffee and buzzing breweries and cocktail bars, some with live music. Venues like House of Vans and the Bottom Lounge stage live music, while boutiques sell indie fashion and furnishings.
River North is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Chicago in terms of dining, nightlife, and cultural activities. It boasts luxe shops and eateries, plus upscale nightclubs and cocktail bars, and it hosts the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States outside of Manhattan.
Once an old manufacturing and warehouse area, River North is only steps away to the city’s premiere shopping along Michigan Avenue. Historic architecture is beautifully melded with modern design and industrial looks.
Cultured by day, River North shifts into high gear by night. The dining scene is always buzzing, from authentic Italian restaurants to high-end steakhouses, to award-winning restaurants.
68 locals recommend
River North
River North is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Chicago in terms of dining, nightlife, and cultural activities. It boasts luxe shops and eateries, plus upscale nightclubs and cocktail bars, and it hosts the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States outside of Manhattan.
Once an old manufacturing and warehouse area, River North is only steps away to the city’s premiere shopping along Michigan Avenue. Historic architecture is beautifully melded with modern design and industrial looks.
Cultured by day, River North shifts into high gear by night. The dining scene is always buzzing, from authentic Italian restaurants to high-end steakhouses, to award-winning restaurants.
My favorite drink spots
Hip, lofty lounge where intricate, globally inspired cocktails pair with eclectic small plates.
112 W Grand Ave
8 locals recommend
Arbella
112 W Grand AveHip, lofty lounge where intricate, globally inspired cocktails pair with eclectic small plates.
112 W Grand Ave
A funky, shave-&-a-haircut shop opens to a '70s-themed bar with cocktails & grilled cheese.
16 locals recommend
Blind Barber
948 W Fulton MarketA funky, shave-&-a-haircut shop opens to a '70s-themed bar with cocktails & grilled cheese.
Creative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar.
1520 N Damen Ave
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveCreative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar.
1520 N Damen Ave