Guidebook for Oak Park
Food Scene
Great food and cocktails, modern vibe, awesome Saturday and Sunday brunch, walking distance, date-night spot, upscale
10
íbúar mæla meðThe Heritage
7403 Madison St10
íbúar mæla meðGreat food and cocktails, modern vibe, awesome Saturday and Sunday brunch, walking distance, date-night spot, upscale
Eclectic mix of New American and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Some veggie options. Great cocktails. Interior is beautifully decorated. Owner is friendly. Great Sunday brunch spot. Wide range of prices with small plates available. Great spot for a date or a dinner with your parents. My favorite restaurant in Oak Park.
10
íbúar mæla meðCitrine Café
100 S Oak Park Ave10
íbúar mæla meðEclectic mix of New American and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Some veggie options. Great cocktails. Interior is beautifully decorated. Owner is friendly. Great Sunday brunch spot. Wide range of prices with small plates available. Great spot for a date or a dinner with your parents. My favorite restaurant in Oak Park.
Awesome little bakery that specializes in pie. They also make a killer biscuit, towering breakfast sandwich, and a savory hand pie. Get there early, especially in the summertime, on your way to the farmer's market.
13
íbúar mæla meðSpilt Milk
103 S Oak Park Ave13
íbúar mæla meðAwesome little bakery that specializes in pie. They also make a killer biscuit, towering breakfast sandwich, and a savory hand pie. Get there early, especially in the summertime, on your way to the farmer's market.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1038 Lake Street21
íbúar mæla meðChicago style pizza; fun vibe; try the Chicago Classic Pizza
charming chef/owner who has been here for decades; great upscale Mexican food with a focus on moles; great margaritas, outdoor patio (reservations recommended for patio); very short walk
8
íbúar mæla meðNew Rebozo
1116 Madison Street8
íbúar mæla meðcharming chef/owner who has been here for decades; great upscale Mexican food with a focus on moles; great margaritas, outdoor patio (reservations recommended for patio); very short walk
Maya Del Sol
144 South Oak Park Avenue38
íbúar mæla meðThe best outdoor patio for warm weather; great brunch
FATDUCK Tavern & Grill
7218 Madison St8
íbúar mæla meðGreat pub with good food; outdoor seating; walking distance
Large Mexican restaurant with great food and drinks, walking distance
Mexican Republic Kitchen & Cantina
7404 Madison StLarge Mexican restaurant with great food and drinks, walking distance
Sugar Beet Food Co-op
812 Madison St11
íbúar mæla meðNice little coffee shop inside a lovely, locally run grocery
Counter Coffee
7324 Madison Street6
íbúar mæla meðGood coffee, walking distance, laptop vibe
Jerusalem Cafe Restaurant
1030 Lake Street7
íbúar mæla meðCheap eats, tastey food, counter-style service
The Little Gem Cafe
189 N Marion St10
íbúar mæla meðCocktails & live Jazz
THE burger place. They really only do one thing, and they do it amazing. Go early or do call ahead seating. There's always a wait.
172
íbúar mæla meðAu Cheval
800 West Randolph Street172
íbúar mæla meðTHE burger place. They really only do one thing, and they do it amazing. Go early or do call ahead seating. There's always a wait.
Good food with some fabulous Riverside views. Reservations recommended if you want to be outside. Great indoor space too. Happy Hour.
The Kitchen American Bistro
316 N Clark StGood food with some fabulous Riverside views. Reservations recommended if you want to be outside. Great indoor space too. Happy Hour.
Homestead On The Roof
1924 West Chicago Avenue13
íbúar mæla meðFabulous outdoor, roof top dining. Farm to table.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Reservations for a weekend (usually 4-8 weeks) are a must.
137
íbúar mæla meðGirl & The Goat
809 West Randolph Street137
íbúar mæla meðOne of the best restaurants in the city. Reservations for a weekend (usually 4-8 weeks) are a must.
Parks & Nature
Gorgeous indoor jungle worth a visit. Great for a rainy day activity. Conveniently located right off the Green Line.
14
íbúar mæla með
Garfield Park Conservatory - Administrative Office
300 N Central Park Ave14
íbúar mæla meðGorgeous indoor jungle worth a visit. Great for a rainy day activity. Conveniently located right off the Green Line.
My favorite beach in Chicago, very large and no where were as crowded as downtown beaches.
8
íbúar mæla meðLoyola Beach
8
íbúar mæla meðMy favorite beach in Chicago, very large and no where were as crowded as downtown beaches.
Lovely little park nearby with old trees and walking paths adjacent to the historic Pleasant Home Estate, which make another good stop.
Mills Park
217 Home AveLovely little park nearby with old trees and walking paths adjacent to the historic Pleasant Home Estate, which make another good stop.
Arts & Culture
Well, it's the big one. It can be pricey at $25 per person. Go on Thursday evenings from 5-8 for free admission.
410
íbúar mæla meðThe Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue410
íbúar mæla meðWell, it's the big one. It can be pricey at $25 per person. Go on Thursday evenings from 5-8 for free admission.
My favorite art museum in Chicago. Great contemporary shows. Cute little cafe in the ground floor. Free music on the garden on Tuesdays. Free admission with an Illinois zip code on Tuesdays.
169
íbúar mæla meðMuseum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 East Chicago Avenue169
íbúar mæla meðMy favorite art museum in Chicago. Great contemporary shows. Cute little cafe in the ground floor. Free music on the garden on Tuesdays. Free admission with an Illinois zip code on Tuesdays.
Museum of Contemporary Photography
600 South Michigan Avenue10
íbúar mæla meðGreat curators for these photo shows; always free
Historic Site for art and architecture lovers. Oak Park is a Frank Lloyd Wright town for sure.
75
íbúar mæla meðFrank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago Avenue75
íbúar mæla meðHistoric Site for art and architecture lovers. Oak Park is a Frank Lloyd Wright town for sure.
Gorgeous, gigantic public library on Scoville Park. Also has an art gallery and many free events.
12
íbúar mæla meðOak Park Public Library - Main Library
834 Lake Street12
íbúar mæla meðGorgeous, gigantic public library on Scoville Park. Also has an art gallery and many free events.
Sightseeing
The official place for an architecture River Cruise and architecture museum.
68
íbúar mæla meðChicago Architecture Center
111 South Michigan Avenue68
íbúar mæla meðThe official place for an architecture River Cruise and architecture museum.
If you want to be on the river to see the architecture, but don't want to pay $50 per person for a tour guide, just hop on the water taxi. A ticket is ~$7 and can be purchased on line.
18
íbúar mæla meðChicago Water Taxi
400 North Michigan Avenue18
íbúar mæla meðIf you want to be on the river to see the architecture, but don't want to pay $50 per person for a tour guide, just hop on the water taxi. A ticket is ~$7 and can be purchased on line.
Entertainment & Activities
(This is not located at Scratch and Sniff; I just needed a close address.) Live outdoor music every Thursday night during the summer in Oak Park, along N Marion St between Lake and N Blvd. All the shops and restaurants are open. Bring some friends and a bottle of wine.
Scratch 'n Sniff
120 N Marion St(This is not located at Scratch and Sniff; I just needed a close address.) Live outdoor music every Thursday night during the summer in Oak Park, along N Marion St between Lake and N Blvd. All the shops and restaurants are open. Bring some friends and a bottle of wine.
Check out the events page at Pleasant Home's website, for some great free local activities like ice cream socials, a monkey organ rally, holiday market, among other things. If you're here on a Friday night in August, I highly recommend the silent movies on the porch with live music accompaniment. It's the most charming thing around. Suggested donation of $5-10. They also do tours of the gorgeous historic home and sometimes have free admission in the winter.
10
íbúar mæla meðPleasant Home
217 Home Avenue10
íbúar mæla meðCheck out the events page at Pleasant Home's website, for some great free local activities like ice cream socials, a monkey organ rally, holiday market, among other things. If you're here on a Friday night in August, I highly recommend the silent movies on the porch with live music accompaniment. It's the most charming thing around. Suggested donation of $5-10. They also do tours of the gorgeous historic home and sometimes have free admission in the winter.
Shopping
The Book Table
1045 Lake Street9
íbúar mæla meðThe classic fave for a local bookstore.