| New Bar | New Coffee Shop | New Restaurant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andersonville and Edgewater |
Independent Spirits
No, not a bar. But this friendly craft liquor boutique is the perfect solution for the neighborhood’s nest-loving residents who want to join the cocktail craze by stirring up a batch of Negronis—at home. |
Ellipsis Coffeehouse
Replacing another café at a prime corner location on Devon Avenue, this airy room serves up everything you need: Counter Culture coffee, fresh pastries, weekly stacks of The Reader, and lots of tables. |
The Brixton
This restaurant and cocktail lounge hits the sweet spot for a night out: Kevin McMullen’s small menu is approachable but not boring (a successful burger, rabbit pappardelle), and the drinks shine. |
| Bucktown and Wicker Park |
The Revel Room
This unassuming stunner bears a strong resemblance to its handsome Ukie Village sibling, Bar DeVille. Cozy up on a tufted black leather couch and sip a carbonated draft cocktail du jour. |
La Colombe
The sunny, modern spot—the Philly-based microroaster’s second in Chicago—caffeinates Blue Line commuters with impeccably frothed lattes served in dainty black-and-white china, hold the Wi-Fi. |
Chop Shop
You’ll want to eat Joshua Marrelli’s deeply flavorful Butcher’s Burger and tender ricotta gnocchi (his grandmother’s special recipe) every night. And you can—both are available to go from the deli counter. |
| Humboldt Park and Ukrainian Village |
Sportsman’s Club
Not just another trend-baiting watering hole with taxidermy and a cassette player, this cozy cash-only spot has reasonably priced creative cocktails, conversational barkeeps, and hip eye candy. |
Asado Coffee Roasters
Roasting its own beans, Asado opened this second location to great, updated effect: Bright, modern decor meets artisanal pour-overs and buttery café con leches served by cheery baristas. |
The Winchester
This much-needed and unpretentious Ukrainian Village bistro uses local, organic ingredients in all its dishes, such as the bright salad with watermelon, radish, and popped amaranth. Weekend brunch. |
| Lincoln Square and North Center |
Monty Gaels
There’s nothing remotely Gaelic about this pub-concept bar near the busy intersection of Montrose and Lincoln. But the large patio, ample sports on view, and 20 beers on tap keep the crowds pouring in. |
Bad Wolf Coffee
Nestled under the Paulina Brown Line station, this punk-themed café may be the last place you’d think to find artisanal pastries of such high caliber. No Wi-Fi, and the communal table is standing only. |
Laughing Bird
Will Filipino food be the next cuisinal craze? Chef Chrissy Camba is making a go of it in this elegant cubbyhole that puts a modern spin on traditional fare. Ideal meal: chicken adobo and halo-halo. |
| Logan Square |
Analogue
The bar from former Violet Hour vets Robert Haynes and Henry Prendergast is no throwback dive. Need proof? Take a sip of your purl—bitters and beer in combos like strawberry, allspice, and quassia. |
Intelligentsia
Spend the perfect Sunday afternoon at Logan’s Intelligentsia outpost: perched at the sleek bar, savoring your pour-over coffee while reading one of the offbeat art mags from the rack. |
The Radler
To write off this modern German restaurant as a wurst fest would be a mistake. For starters, tear into the braised rabbit with roasted mushrooms or a pretzel with blackberry jam and malt butter. |
| Pilsen |
Punch House
The basement bar looks like a ’70s rec room reincarnated (complete with wood paneling), but the drinks are totally of-the-moment: classic and contemporary punches on draft. |
Beurrage
As residents wait for Bow Truss to open a location in the hood, this tiny bake house is filling the need with hot and iced coffees to drink with its impressive variety of gorgeous pastries and breads. |
Dusek’s
Walk upstairs from Punch House and— ta-da!—you’re in Jared Wentworth’s laid-back charmer. The high-end comfort food (prawns and grits, General Tso’s sweetbreads) is priced at a steal. |