Chicago, Illinois – Lakeview/Wrigleyville/Southport/Roscoe Village Posts

Intimate and seductive spot for refined cocktails. Unexpected find in this neighborhood.

Ever crave sucuk, homemade breads, Turkish has browns, meatballs, three kinds of cheese, Nutella crepes, salami and fresh fruit… all at the same time? Enter this unassuming Roscoe Village spot for brunch, sit back and relax, and watch the endless buffet come to your table.

Premier designer toys from all over the world. Adjacent gallery has ever-changing though-provoking exhibitions. Bright, vintage, high ceilinged spectacular space will make you linger.

Food dehydrators, experimentation and creativity create small patch popcorn snacks in unconventional flavors. Think about strawberry balsamic, s’mores, birch caramel, poblano cheddar, homemade marshmallows and asylum mix. Have an open tastebud mind and you will smile.

Chicago’s oldest Chinest restaurant is not in Chinatown but Lakview. Serving classic chop suey; war mein and egg foo young from expansive dining room, with office in the rear, since 1932. Look for the welcoming beacon of neon.

Counter culture thrives on the small stage; extraordinary jazz performers in relaxed intimate bar room.

Homemade empanadas and chordates served in tiny cafe full of energy.

Coffeebars located throughout the city serving freshly roasted coffee blends. All of the cafes feature striking design and light snacks.

Fine independent toy store.

Friendly neighborhood bicycle shops with expert service and repairs. Urban, road, cyclocross and mountain bikes for everyone.

Bari Zaki has been a bookbinder since 1988. Every book, box and card is made by Bari Zaki personally. Browse the lovely shop; enroll in a class or worshop.

Hip Wrigleyville spot for winter and water sports apparel.

Organic whole food ingredients combined in ways that are both nutritionally balanced and delicious. Among the tastiest liquid beverages ever. Served in charming modern storefront.

Yes, you might be lucky enough to capture this event, or better yet, participate in it. It moves all over town so the chances you will see it are slim… and only once a month! Celebrate your bike and explore neighborhoods of Chicago you never knew existed. Grab some Dew&JD and your favorite candy to share with this vibrant community. Plan to attend the last Friday of every month at Daley Plaza for an energy-charged ride. “Happy Friday!”

Former Black Wolf is now Loba serving “adventurous pastries and artisan coffee.”

Kouign-Amann, Canele and other French delicacies made by the proprietor in small bathces daily. Arrive early. Spectacular coffee service in this smart, chill cafe in a coffee starved neighborhood.

Reliable good vibe cafes, lots of natural woods, hipsters galore and local coffee roasts. Many locations; conveniently located.

Well edited selection of English and Irish groceries, candies and cookies. Homemade sausages, black pudding and bangers. Serving “civilised” sandwiches and proper afternoon tea in the cafe. Order a Pimm’s cup and relax.

Underground music; great sound; open very late and super late.

Nine holes on Lake Michigan; tight greens and many bunkers.  Great course for non-golfers as well.

“French country house” decor at this small inn just off Lake Michigan and just north of Lincoln Park. Convenient bus service will take you downtown quickly. Alternative to the downtown hotels.

52-rooms just off the lake in the middle of Lakeview residential neighborhood. Boutique hotel alternative to the downtown hotels. Bus to downtown one block away.

Vaguely art deco feel at this alternative to the downtown hotels.  Located on bustling Belmont Avenue; adjacent to redline el station.

Intimate highly styled secretive Chinese bar.

Premier venue showing foreign and independent films. Midnight movie, matinees and sing-a-longs too. Originally opened in 1929, large theatre of Italian and Spanish fantasy design with twinkling stars and live organ performance. Small theatre adjacent.

Yes; an archery range on the lake. Home of the Lincoln Park Archery Club.

Bowling with lots of cosmic theme nights. Billiards, food and bar service.

Old school bowling on eight wood lanes with manual scoring. Full bar service.

“Equal parts art gallery, bookstore, record shop, audio electronics boutique.” Live performance space as well.

Lovely shop specializing in cheese and wines. Pastoral bakes their own bread and carries an edited selection of groceries and sandwiches to takeaway. Ask for a taste and raid the counter filled with tapenades, meats and spreads. The adjacent Bar Pastoral serves house-made charcuterie, cured meats and cheeses along with craft cocktails and entrees. Andersonville location called Appellation.

Nice selection of books since 1980, be sure to visit the children’s room and the basement, a haven for travelers.

Premium quality candles each made by hand. All sizes, shapes and scents from beeswax and buddhas to tapers and eight balls. Shop is a gallery of candles.

Long before the roasting coffee craze re-emerged. Coffee & Tea Exchange was doing their thing. Large selection of affordably priced bulk coffees. Scoop into the wooden barrels and start filling. Nice selection of herbs, spices, tea and accessories. Grab a cup of freshly brewed to take away.

Solid beer and wine list at the North Center neighborhood spot.

A loyal following truly appreciate this great bar which feels out of place for the streets cape, but once inside, Ms. Pacman, pinball, beer garden and a super mellow vibe will make you never want to leave.

Well known in Vienna, Austria, now in Chicago. Homemade pastries, Opera Torte, Topfenstrudel and Viennese specialties served three meals. Favorites include Austrian breakfast with Melange, Goulash, Kasepatzle and Tartine.

Beautifully designed coffee house and bike shop full of action and bustle but super-chill. Stumptown coffee, interesting bicycles and accessories and get a flat fixed with a cup o’ joe included.

Tiny unassuming space to pick up some of Chicago’ s most interesting roasts or a cup.

Convenient spot to pick up a coffee, espresso and freshly made taco inside the Sheridan red line station.

Fresh roasted beans of the highest quality. Minimally designed shop with large communal table, a little food, archery feathers and lp’s spinning.

One of the few spots in Chicago to enjoy frozen custard, a mainstay in Milwaukee. Open seasonally.

Always bustling spot, indoors or out, for  large portions of outer skirt, flap meat, black sausage, short ribs, sweetbread and other Argentinian specialties. Huge waits at this carnivore and well-priced BYOB palace. El Mercado Food Mart next door is under the same proprietorship.

Charming Italian storefront on a stretch of Broadway that lacks charm. Approachable, reliable and hearty foods served in romantic dining rooms.

Two vintage el cars put together; small and intimate. 24 hours known for the Slinger. Greasy spoon perfection.

Bakery of the highest quality where everything is delectable. Raspberry scones, cookies, and flourless chocolate cake are standouts. Cafe lunch and homemade ice cream as well.

Small and high energy quirky Thai foods served to make you smile! Pez dispensers, vehicles, robots, stuffed animals and trains line the walks and ceilings. Top notch spring rolls, crispy Pad Thai and smoothies are winners.

Red hots, polish, fresh cut fries, shakes and other classic Chicago char broiled delights.

Large and varied Asian menu with exceptional seafood and vibe. Atmosphere changes regularly and is always delightful.

Exceptional sushi served in a dark and vibe filled room. Connected and sneaky Wang’s is not to be missed.

Classic diner in the heart of Lakeview serving a diverse clientele 24 hours.

Formerly Hamburger King, neighborhood diner serving grilled cheese sandwiches, triple-decker clubs and julienne salads, along with chop chae, chop suey, bi bim bop, yet ca main, teriyaki and wheat noodles. Akutasawa (hamburger, egg, green pepper, onion, bean sprouts) is a requirement.

Vegetarian foods served in an uplifting and peaceful place. Known mostly for fabulous breakfasts and scrambles, all those who work at the cafe are students of meditation.

Endeared by the communities they serve, Swedish restaurants serving decadent homemade cinnamon rolls; lingonberry pancakes and Swedish meatballs. Several city locations but the original was located on Belmont Avenue a few storefronts away.

Original location of quickly expanding self-serve yogurt franchise. This one makes the list because it feels like you are on the “el” train.

Ever-changing selection of previously CDs, DVDs and Records. Witty t-shirts as well. Always buying.