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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
วิกเกอร์ พาร์ค
1425 N Damen AveWicker 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveCannot 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Paradise Park
1913 West North AvenueParadise 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Lottie's Pub
1925 W Cortland StLottie'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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveIf 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveBig 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Amaru
1904 W North AveWe 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 AvenueCebu 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 StThings 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 AveIron 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.
Lucia's
1825 W North AveBest 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Mott St
1401 N Ashland AveOne 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 AvenueIf 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveBongo 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
etta
1840 W North AveEtta 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveThis 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 AvenueRooftop 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Up Room
2018 W North AveUp 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Cindy's
12 S Michigan AveThe 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Kokorokoko
1323 N Milwaukee AveThis 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 AveShelves & 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Ragstock
1459 N Milwaukee AveTrendy 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Gallery Cafe
1760 W North AveThe 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee Ave'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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Brü Chicago
1562 N Milwaukee AveEasygoing 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StTrendy cafe serving house-brand artisanal coffee, pastries & snacks in a fashionable space.
Volumes Bookcafe
1373 N Milwaukee AveAn 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 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Damen Access Point, The 606
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.