Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Cheap and delicious coffee shop! The big sister to L'Cafecito which is much closer. Make the trek to Cafe Jumping Bean if you'd like to sit in the restaurant. They also have an expanded menu. The Mollettes (refried beans, cheese, house made pico on delicious fresh bread) is a fave, their Lox Bagel is amazing too and only $6!
134 locals recommend
Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StCheap and delicious coffee shop! The big sister to L'Cafecito which is much closer. Make the trek to Cafe Jumping Bean if you'd like to sit in the restaurant. They also have an expanded menu. The Mollettes (refried beans, cheese, house made pico on delicious fresh bread) is a fave, their Lox Bagel is amazing too and only $6!
Our absolute favorite spot in Pilsen! Get the tots with the sauces, trust us. So many beers on tap. Old School Photobooth and Pinball machine. Cash only (ATM inside)
73 locals recommend
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StOur absolute favorite spot in Pilsen! Get the tots with the sauces, trust us. So many beers on tap. Old School Photobooth and Pinball machine. Cash only (ATM inside)
Yummy authentic Szechuan Chinese restaurant, the spicy garlic eggplant is the best! In the heart of Chinatown, so it's a great place to park and walk around.
63 locals recommend
Lao Sze Chuan
2172 S Archer AveYummy authentic Szechuan Chinese restaurant, the spicy garlic eggplant is the best! In the heart of Chinatown, so it's a great place to park and walk around.
Drink a beer out on their patio and enjoy some solid bar grub. The interior is pinball themed and they always are playing some crazy b-films.
151 locals recommend
Simone's
960 W 18th StDrink a beer out on their patio and enjoy some solid bar grub. The interior is pinball themed and they always are playing some crazy b-films.
Taqueria Los Comales
1544 W 18th StGreat, cheap Maxican eats!
Too many tacos? Cleanse your system out with delicious Smoothies, Juices and Acai Bowls.
20 locals recommend
Belli's
1850 W 18th StToo many tacos? Cleanse your system out with delicious Smoothies, Juices and Acai Bowls.
Menu features specialty beer and cocktails, savory meat and veg Royal Pies, delicious British-inspired food, locally roasted coffee, and homemade pastries (these pastries are insane!) Just a couple of blocks away and open at 7am! Perfect morning walk for coffee and croissants.
60 locals recommend
Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StMenu features specialty beer and cocktails, savory meat and veg Royal Pies, delicious British-inspired food, locally roasted coffee, and homemade pastries (these pastries are insane!) Just a couple of blocks away and open at 7am! Perfect morning walk for coffee and croissants.
Our absolute go to coffee shop. They have great outdoor seating, but otherwise a take away spot. Really great coffee, baked good, and an AWESOME $6 lox bagel.
17 locals recommend
'L' Cafecito Jumping Bean
2010 S Damen AveOur absolute go to coffee shop. They have great outdoor seating, but otherwise a take away spot. Really great coffee, baked good, and an AWESOME $6 lox bagel.
Some of the best Pizza in the city! We're not big deep dish fans, we much prefer Bob's Pilsen Style (NYC style with a little thicker crust). The Pickle Pizza is a must try!
6 locals recommend
Bob’s Pizza
1659 W 21st StSome of the best Pizza in the city! We're not big deep dish fans, we much prefer Bob's Pilsen Style (NYC style with a little thicker crust). The Pickle Pizza is a must try!
Very hip spot to chill and hang with friends. Their patio is the best when its warm out. INCREDIBLE tacos, guac, queso, etc. Also have really good/ unique margaritas. Our go to post White Sox game spot.
23 locals recommend
Antique Taco
1000 W 35th StVery hip spot to chill and hang with friends. Their patio is the best when its warm out. INCREDIBLE tacos, guac, queso, etc. Also have really good/ unique margaritas. Our go to post White Sox game spot.
THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Definitely an elevated Mexican food kind of place. They have a giant menu of everything you could imagine, really authentic and delicious. little pricier than many other local taquerias, more of a sit down fancy dinner. Their margaritas are great too. They have a nice little patio when it's warm out. A great place to really get a feel for Pilsen.
43 locals recommend
5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StTHE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Definitely an elevated Mexican food kind of place. They have a giant menu of everything you could imagine, really authentic and delicious. little pricier than many other local taquerias, more of a sit down fancy dinner. Their margaritas are great too. They have a nice little patio when it's warm out. A great place to really get a feel for Pilsen.
THE BEST RESTAURANT IN CHICAGO (according to us). If you're looking for a special night out look no further. Their food is some of the best in the city, the vibes are very chill/ lowkey, cocktails are amazing. It's just the best. A bit of a hike (Logan Square), but it's in the heart of one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. They also have an amazing breakfast/ brunch. Can't recommend it enough!
936 locals recommend
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdTHE BEST RESTAURANT IN CHICAGO (according to us). If you're looking for a special night out look no further. Their food is some of the best in the city, the vibes are very chill/ lowkey, cocktails are amazing. It's just the best. A bit of a hike (Logan Square), but it's in the heart of one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. They also have an amazing breakfast/ brunch. Can't recommend it enough!
Pretty new and very delicious pizza spot, just one neighborhood over. It's all in the name- they do 3 things only and all of them are stellar. If they're doing their thick roman style pizza YOU MUST TRY IT OMG ITS SO GOOD> They do mostly take out/ delivery but have a great patio if the weather is nice.
Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream
964 West 31st StreetPretty new and very delicious pizza spot, just one neighborhood over. It's all in the name- they do 3 things only and all of them are stellar. If they're doing their thick roman style pizza YOU MUST TRY IT OMG ITS SO GOOD> They do mostly take out/ delivery but have a great patio if the weather is nice.
Shopping
The most charming bookstore! Cheap new titles, local artist zines, rare and collectible books, kids storytime on Sundays.
21 locals recommend
Pilsen Community Books
1102 W 18th StThe most charming bookstore! Cheap new titles, local artist zines, rare and collectible books, kids storytime on Sundays.
606 Records
1808 S Allport StKiller record shop with great DJs spinning most days
Essentials
Adorable neighborhood grocery. As much local Mexican ingredients as specialty vegan goods.
44 locals recommend
La Casa Del Pueblo Inc.
1810 S Blue Island AveAdorable neighborhood grocery. As much local Mexican ingredients as specialty vegan goods.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StThe closest Whole Foods in the neighborhood
Walkable, really solid very large grocery store. They've got everything you need, a big prepared foods area, mexican specialties.
200 locals recommend
Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StWalkable, really solid very large grocery store. They've got everything you need, a big prepared foods area, mexican specialties.
Arts & Culture
Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StBeautiful venue featuring live podcasts, live music, and comedy!
Mana Contemporary Chicago is a rapidly expanding art center set in an enormous landmark building in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The building is now home to dozens of artists studios, exhibition spaces, classrooms, a central cafe, a library and more.
9 locals recommend
Mana Contemporary
2233 S Throop StMana Contemporary Chicago is a rapidly expanding art center set in an enormous landmark building in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The building is now home to dozens of artists studios, exhibition spaces, classrooms, a central cafe, a library and more.
We'll provide you a FREE ticket for admission to the Art Institute for each guest who stays at our loft!
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveWe'll provide you a FREE ticket for admission to the Art Institute for each guest who stays at our loft!
Our fave local museum. We try to go once a month or whenever they have new exhibitions. They always have a local artist(s) exhibiting alongside internationally renowned contemporary artists. Their restaurant Marisol is run by arguably the best chef in the city, a little pricy but the food and drinks are AMAZING. It also has an amazing coffee shop on the ground floor (also run by Marisol), lots of big tables to get work done.
532 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveOur fave local museum. We try to go once a month or whenever they have new exhibitions. They always have a local artist(s) exhibiting alongside internationally renowned contemporary artists. Their restaurant Marisol is run by arguably the best chef in the city, a little pricy but the food and drinks are AMAZING. It also has an amazing coffee shop on the ground floor (also run by Marisol), lots of big tables to get work done.
Getting Around
Divvy
Bike station right around the corner!
CTA train station just a few blocks from the house, an easy 15-20 min ride to the heart of downtown.
14 locals recommend
Western Pink Line Station
CTA train station just a few blocks from the house, an easy 15-20 min ride to the heart of downtown.
Parks & Nature
Community Pool, great Nights in the Park entertainment including Shakespeare in the Park and movie screenings.
19 locals recommend
Dvorak (Anton) Park
1119 W Cullerton StCommunity Pool, great Nights in the Park entertainment including Shakespeare in the Park and movie screenings.
This is a dynamic park, with a fishing pond, interpretive wetlands, preserved quarry walls, trails, an athletic field, a running track, and a hill that offers dramatic views. Over 1.7 miles of paths, including recycled timber boardwalks, concrete walks, a crushed stone running path, and metal grating walkways traverse the park. These trails allow for a variety of experiences along the quarry wall, across the terracing wetlands, and down to the pond. Scenic overlooks provide dramatic overviews of the pond and wetlands, and spectacular city views can be seen from the mound.
38 locals recommend
Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park
2700 S Halsted StThis is a dynamic park, with a fishing pond, interpretive wetlands, preserved quarry walls, trails, an athletic field, a running track, and a hill that offers dramatic views. Over 1.7 miles of paths, including recycled timber boardwalks, concrete walks, a crushed stone running path, and metal grating walkways traverse the park. These trails allow for a variety of experiences along the quarry wall, across the terracing wetlands, and down to the pond. Scenic overlooks provide dramatic overviews of the pond and wetlands, and spectacular city views can be seen from the mound.
My favorite nearby park! The boat house offers kayak rentals during the summer season! The park has a children's playground, community gathering areas, and Chinese landscape design elements.
39 locals recommend
Ping Tom Memorial Park
1700 S Wentworth AveMy favorite nearby park! The boat house offers kayak rentals during the summer season! The park has a children's playground, community gathering areas, and Chinese landscape design elements.
Drinks & Nightlife
Like hanging out in your uncles basement in the 1970's! Amazing cocktails, fondue and a huge aquarium behind the bar (they feed the fish at midnight and the whole bar cheers) Incredible DJ nights!
78 locals recommend
Punch House
1227 W 18th StLike hanging out in your uncles basement in the 1970's! Amazing cocktails, fondue and a huge aquarium behind the bar (they feed the fish at midnight and the whole bar cheers) Incredible DJ nights!
Delicious BBQ & Soul food, nice cocktails and live music! Check out the Fat Babies every Sunday night, a swing big band.
141 locals recommend
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StDelicious BBQ & Soul food, nice cocktails and live music! Check out the Fat Babies every Sunday night, a swing big band.
Bridgeport is a cute neighborhood not far from Pilsen, Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar has been operating in Bridgeport since 1986 as a classic slashie – half liquor store, half neighborhood tavern. Simultaneously quaint and funky!
112 locals recommend
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StBridgeport is a cute neighborhood not far from Pilsen, Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar has been operating in Bridgeport since 1986 as a classic slashie – half liquor store, half neighborhood tavern. Simultaneously quaint and funky!
Our FAVE brewery, some of the best most unique beers in the city. Really solid/ interesting bar food as well. Really beautiful atmosphere, gets busy on the weekends. Always a good time.
34 locals recommend
Marz Community Brewing Company
3630 S Iron StOur FAVE brewery, some of the best most unique beers in the city. Really solid/ interesting bar food as well. Really beautiful atmosphere, gets busy on the weekends. Always a good time.
Our go to neighborhood brewery. Amazing food, lots of veg and vegan options- but meat eater stuff too. Their beer is incredible, but they also have great cocktails. A great local spot to hang and grab a drink/ dinner any night of the week.
29 locals recommend
Alulu Brewpub
2011 South Laflin StreetOur go to neighborhood brewery. Amazing food, lots of veg and vegan options- but meat eater stuff too. Their beer is incredible, but they also have great cocktails. A great local spot to hang and grab a drink/ dinner any night of the week.
Don't let the name fool you, if you're downtown this is THE SPOT to get a cocktail and some snacks, play some shuffleboard and chill in one of the moodiest most historic buildings in the city. We can't resist anytime we're downtown. It also doubles as a coffee shop during the day. Huge tables for working too. Don't bother with the rooftop bar, it's crowded and overpriced. Go for the game room or the library. Cherry Circle room is one of the best fine dining spots out there as well if you're looking for a proper sit down dinner.
53 locals recommend
Chicago Athletic Association
12 S Michigan AveDon't let the name fool you, if you're downtown this is THE SPOT to get a cocktail and some snacks, play some shuffleboard and chill in one of the moodiest most historic buildings in the city. We can't resist anytime we're downtown. It also doubles as a coffee shop during the day. Huge tables for working too. Don't bother with the rooftop bar, it's crowded and overpriced. Go for the game room or the library. Cherry Circle room is one of the best fine dining spots out there as well if you're looking for a proper sit down dinner.