April's Wicker Park Guidebook

April And Lia
April And Lia
April's Wicker Park Guidebook

Neighborhoods

Wicker Park is one of Chicago's hippest and most eclectic neighborhoods. With award-winning eateries, trendy noodle joints, world-class bars, cozy coffee houses, bookstores, art galleries, vintage stores, record shops on just about every corner, there's endless ways to spend your time in this bustling neighborhood. If you're looking for something nearby, the neighborhood has tons of options. Here are a few that are all within a 1-mile walk.
371 moradores locais recomendam
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen Ave
371 moradores locais recomendam
Wicker Park is one of Chicago's hippest and most eclectic neighborhoods. With award-winning eateries, trendy noodle joints, world-class bars, cozy coffee houses, bookstores, art galleries, vintage stores, record shops on just about every corner, there's endless ways to spend your time in this bustling neighborhood. If you're looking for something nearby, the neighborhood has tons of options. Here are a few that are all within a 1-mile walk.

Wicker Park Restaurants

Cannot recommend this place highly enough. Au Cheval (nationally recognized, award-winning burgers) is their parent restaurant out in West Loop. While you won't be able to get much beyond a cheeseburger with the standard toppings, I can almost guarantee this is the best cheeseburger you'll eat in Chicago. Not a bad selection of beer on tap, a few spirits, and specialty drinks--all at a good price. The small menu focused on what they do best. Burgers & Fries. On a nice day, enjoy your burger on their large patio. In more inclement weather order ahead and enjoy at home.
161 moradores locais recomendam
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee Ave
161 moradores locais recomendam
Cannot recommend this place highly enough. Au Cheval (nationally recognized, award-winning burgers) is their parent restaurant out in West Loop. While you won't be able to get much beyond a cheeseburger with the standard toppings, I can almost guarantee this is the best cheeseburger you'll eat in Chicago. Not a bad selection of beer on tap, a few spirits, and specialty drinks--all at a good price. The small menu focused on what they do best. Burgers & Fries. On a nice day, enjoy your burger on their large patio. In more inclement weather order ahead and enjoy at home.
Paradise Park has a fun atmosphere and will remind you of your favorite college bar. Great pizza and drinks with plenty of TVs for catching a game.
31 moradores locais recomendam
Paradise Park
1913 West North Avenue
31 moradores locais recomendam
Paradise Park has a fun atmosphere and will remind you of your favorite college bar. Great pizza and drinks with plenty of TVs for catching a game.
Lottie's is regularly featured on the show Chicago Fire and is a great local dive bar with great food and plenty of drink options. If you're looking for a place to catch a game or grab a drink, this place is always packed!
50 moradores locais recomendam
Lottie's Pub
1925 W Cortland St
50 moradores locais recomendam
Lottie's is regularly featured on the show Chicago Fire and is a great local dive bar with great food and plenty of drink options. If you're looking for a place to catch a game or grab a drink, this place is always packed!
If you're looking for something fast that still offers a quality meal, our favorite middle eastern restaurant is Sultans! Can be in and out with a to-go order in 5 min or enjoy your meal on their patio.
99 moradores locais recomendam
Sultan's Market
2057 W North Ave
99 moradores locais recomendam
If you're looking for something fast that still offers a quality meal, our favorite middle eastern restaurant is Sultans! Can be in and out with a to-go order in 5 min or enjoy your meal on their patio.
Big Star is a Chicago staple and their Wicker Park location has one of the best patios in the area. Their tacos can't be beat and their service is fast. Also a great bar to grab a margarita as their drink menu never disappoints.
1176 moradores locais recomendam
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
1176 moradores locais recomendam
Big Star is a Chicago staple and their Wicker Park location has one of the best patios in the area. Their tacos can't be beat and their service is fast. Also a great bar to grab a margarita as their drink menu never disappoints.
We like to go to this fun Latin American spot on a weeknight when it can help to break up the monotony of a boring week. All the dishes usually have some element that ends up surprising us - like the chicken skewers that come in a spicy huancaina sauce and have the unexpected addition of choclo (large chewy pieces of Peruvian corn), and ceviche that’s hiding sweet potato puree under the leche de tigre. As a bonus, almost everything on the menu is between $6-$15, making it a great option for a reasonably priced date night, too.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Amaru
1904 W North Ave
7 moradores locais recomendam
We like to go to this fun Latin American spot on a weeknight when it can help to break up the monotony of a boring week. All the dishes usually have some element that ends up surprising us - like the chicken skewers that come in a spicy huancaina sauce and have the unexpected addition of choclo (large chewy pieces of Peruvian corn), and ceviche that’s hiding sweet potato puree under the leche de tigre. As a bonus, almost everything on the menu is between $6-$15, making it a great option for a reasonably priced date night, too.
Cebu is a small, slightly upscale Filipino restaurant in the neighborhood. The menu features dishes like kinilaw, sisig, chicken adobo, and some fantastic halo halo. In fact, all of their desserts are great, so if not the halo halo, at least a slice of ube cheesecake or a cookie needs to be on the table. The space is good for a quiet date night or catching up with one or two friends over drinks.
Cebu
2211 West North Avenue
Cebu is a small, slightly upscale Filipino restaurant in the neighborhood. The menu features dishes like kinilaw, sisig, chicken adobo, and some fantastic halo halo. In fact, all of their desserts are great, so if not the halo halo, at least a slice of ube cheesecake or a cookie needs to be on the table. The space is good for a quiet date night or catching up with one or two friends over drinks.
Things are usually off to a good start at a restaurant when the server puts (free) fresh bread down in front of you. That’s the case at Cafe Istanbul, an upscale Mediterranean place where most things carb-adjacent are made in-house—lahmacun, pita, even the rigatoni with veal sausage. But the main things you should focus on here are the meats. The best way to do this is by ordering the mixed grill that has a bit of everything, including doner, chicken, beef, shrimp, and lamb kebabs with fluffy basmati rice. The space is loud (the kitchen is semi-open, and there’s a TV in the dining room), but white tablecloths and the full bar make it feel nice enough for a celebratory group dinner.
Cafe Istanbul
2014 W Division St
Things are usually off to a good start at a restaurant when the server puts (free) fresh bread down in front of you. That’s the case at Cafe Istanbul, an upscale Mediterranean place where most things carb-adjacent are made in-house—lahmacun, pita, even the rigatoni with veal sausage. But the main things you should focus on here are the meats. The best way to do this is by ordering the mixed grill that has a bit of everything, including doner, chicken, beef, shrimp, and lamb kebabs with fluffy basmati rice. The space is loud (the kitchen is semi-open, and there’s a TV in the dining room), but white tablecloths and the full bar make it feel nice enough for a celebratory group dinner.
Iron Age is a KBBQ spot worth visiting because it's AYCE. Though the cuts of meat may not be the best on this list, $29 for unlimited KBBQ is a fantastic deal, especially when paired with a packed dining room and pulsating K-Pop soundtrack. There are plenty of meat and seafood options, but some of our favorites are the spicy chicken, unmarinated pork belly, and Iron Age steak which comes with a tangy soy marinade. We also like to get some spicy rice cakes and japchae involved, but don’t get overly ambitious since Iron Age charges for leftovers.
Iron Age Korean Steakhouse
1265 N Milwaukee Ave
Iron Age is a KBBQ spot worth visiting because it's AYCE. Though the cuts of meat may not be the best on this list, $29 for unlimited KBBQ is a fantastic deal, especially when paired with a packed dining room and pulsating K-Pop soundtrack. There are plenty of meat and seafood options, but some of our favorites are the spicy chicken, unmarinated pork belly, and Iron Age steak which comes with a tangy soy marinade. We also like to get some spicy rice cakes and japchae involved, but don’t get overly ambitious since Iron Age charges for leftovers.
Best hot Italian beef sandwich
13 moradores locais recomendam
Lucia's
1825 W North Ave
13 moradores locais recomendam
Best hot Italian beef sandwich
One of the most exciting new restaurants is Mott Street, serving up a creative selection of Asian-style small plates and one of the city’s best cheeseburgers. From the kimchi and Oaxaca empanadas to the whole branzino fried in coconut fat, the menu is equal parts inventive and decadent.
84 moradores locais recomendam
Mott St
1401 N Ashland Ave
84 moradores locais recomendam
One of the most exciting new restaurants is Mott Street, serving up a creative selection of Asian-style small plates and one of the city’s best cheeseburgers. From the kimchi and Oaxaca empanadas to the whole branzino fried in coconut fat, the menu is equal parts inventive and decadent.

Brunch places

If you're looking for a boozy brunch on the weekend, Taquizo has an amazing patio and atrium that gives you the best atmosphere and also offers bottomless mimosas and bloody mary's. Service can be a bit slow if they are busy, but it's very much were the wait. Be sure to try the esquites!
Taquizo
1835 West North Avenue
If you're looking for a boozy brunch on the weekend, Taquizo has an amazing patio and atrium that gives you the best atmosphere and also offers bottomless mimosas and bloody mary's. Service can be a bit slow if they are busy, but it's very much were the wait. Be sure to try the esquites!
Bongo Room is like the Candy Land of breakfast and brunch restaurants. The menu is filled with absolute ridiculousness, including items from the breakfast, brunch, and specials menu. If white chocolate and caramel pretzel pancakes don't sound crazy enough, opt for chocolate tower french toast, which is in fact a respectable-sized tower. And if you still don't think Bongo Room is pushing the edge, we're not sure how you can argue with Oreo and praline flapjacks, complete with crushed Oreo cookies, warm praline sauce, and chocolate creme anglaise.
199 moradores locais recomendam
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee Ave
199 moradores locais recomendam
Bongo Room is like the Candy Land of breakfast and brunch restaurants. The menu is filled with absolute ridiculousness, including items from the breakfast, brunch, and specials menu. If white chocolate and caramel pretzel pancakes don't sound crazy enough, opt for chocolate tower french toast, which is in fact a respectable-sized tower. And if you still don't think Bongo Room is pushing the edge, we're not sure how you can argue with Oreo and praline flapjacks, complete with crushed Oreo cookies, warm praline sauce, and chocolate creme anglaise.
Etta is another local favorite with a great weekend brunch menu. The atmosphere is great and their second level offers great views from their semi-open rooftop.
43 moradores locais recomendam
etta
1840 W North Ave
43 moradores locais recomendam
Etta is another local favorite with a great weekend brunch menu. The atmosphere is great and their second level offers great views from their semi-open rooftop.
This charming Tex-Mex diner from One Off Hospitality (Publican, Big Star) has become a popular standby for Wicker Park residents with a hankering for breakfast and brunch indulgences like burnt ends hash and chicken fried chicken.
113 moradores locais recomendam
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen Ave
113 moradores locais recomendam
This charming Tex-Mex diner from One Off Hospitality (Publican, Big Star) has become a popular standby for Wicker Park residents with a hankering for breakfast and brunch indulgences like burnt ends hash and chicken fried chicken.

Rooftop Dinning/Bars

Rooftop bars are relatively uncommon in Wicker Park, so the Kennedy’s opening last July on the seventh floor of the newish Hyatt Place Hotel on North and Ashland avenues was a big deal for the neighborhood. It’s ideally positioned for panoramic views of the Willis Tower, and pairs food and drink with a retractable awning, fire pits, lounge chairs, and more outdoor toys.
Kennedy Rooftop
1551 West North Avenue
Rooftop bars are relatively uncommon in Wicker Park, so the Kennedy’s opening last July on the seventh floor of the newish Hyatt Place Hotel on North and Ashland avenues was a big deal for the neighborhood. It’s ideally positioned for panoramic views of the Willis Tower, and pairs food and drink with a retractable awning, fire pits, lounge chairs, and more outdoor toys.
Up Room has one of the best views of Chicago. It's located north of the loop so you get a great view of the whole skyline.
37 moradores locais recomendam
The Up Room
2018 W North Ave
37 moradores locais recomendam
Up Room has one of the best views of Chicago. It's located north of the loop so you get a great view of the whole skyline.
The best place to view Millenium park. Very stylish in decoration, the food and drinks served at Cindy's are just about as delightful.
139 moradores locais recomendam
Cindy's
12 S Michigan Ave
139 moradores locais recomendam
The best place to view Millenium park. Very stylish in decoration, the food and drinks served at Cindy's are just about as delightful.

Vintage Shops

This colorful vintage-wear shop is packed with clothing & accessories from the '80s & '90s.
15 moradores locais recomendam
Kokorokoko
1323 N Milwaukee Ave
15 moradores locais recomendam
This colorful vintage-wear shop is packed with clothing & accessories from the '80s & '90s.
Shelves & racks packed full of gently used clothing, costume jewelry & antique gift items.
Vintage Underground
1507 N Milwaukee Ave
Shelves & racks packed full of gently used clothing, costume jewelry & antique gift items.
Trendy clothing chain stocking hip new, used, vintage & one-of-a-kind pieces for men & women.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Ragstock
1459 N Milwaukee Ave
11 moradores locais recomendam
Trendy clothing chain stocking hip new, used, vintage & one-of-a-kind pieces for men & women.

Coffee Shops

The coffee shop closest to our unit and featuring house-roasted beans, patio seating & a selection of breakfast & lunch food.
20 moradores locais recomendam
Gallery Cafe
1760 W North Ave
20 moradores locais recomendam
The coffee shop closest to our unit and featuring house-roasted beans, patio seating & a selection of breakfast & lunch food.
'80s-themed rustic coffee shop, complete with a DeLorean, pouring locally roasted coffee.
131 moradores locais recomendam
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee Ave
131 moradores locais recomendam
'80s-themed rustic coffee shop, complete with a DeLorean, pouring locally roasted coffee.
Easygoing coffeehouse with organic java, raw juices, pastries & sandwiches, plus yoga & film nights.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Brü Chicago
1562 N Milwaukee Ave
6 moradores locais recomendam
Easygoing coffeehouse with organic java, raw juices, pastries & sandwiches, plus yoga & film nights.
Trendy cafe serving house-brand artisanal coffee, pastries & snacks in a fashionable space.
162 moradores locais recomendam
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark St
162 moradores locais recomendam
Trendy cafe serving house-brand artisanal coffee, pastries & snacks in a fashionable space.
An independent bookstore serving up local coffee
13 moradores locais recomendam
Volumes Bookcafe
1373 N Milwaukee Ave
13 moradores locais recomendam
An independent bookstore serving up local coffee

Sightseeing

For a laidback afternoon walk. Formerly an abandoned railway, the elevated recreational trail is now bursting with green space and public art for runners, walkers, and bikers to enjoy.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Damen Access Point, The 606
7 moradores locais recomendam
For a laidback afternoon walk. Formerly an abandoned railway, the elevated recreational trail is now bursting with green space and public art for runners, walkers, and bikers to enjoy.