North Center Guide

North Center Guide

Located between Lake View and Lincoln Square, North Center offers a vibrant, fascinating place to enjoy a wide variety of activities. In this North Center guide, you will see some of the more popular shops and places to eat in the area.

Bellybum Boutique: For those with young children, particular children with special needs you will discover many hard to find toys in this shop. In addition, there are also very stylish baby clothes as well made in large part from Finn and Emma’s organic line of clothes and Aden and Anais blankets.

The Big Cheese: Enjoy classics from a large menu, including wonderful combos such as chicken with Gorgonzola, raisin puree, and apple slices. You can order the famous Classic American that comes complete with American cheese, cheddar, bacon, and tomato.

Cho Sun OK Restaurant: A Korean barbecue joint with a reputation so strong that customers line up around the corner to enjoy their food.

Glunz Bavarian Haus: The German beer hall that has it all, you can enjoy great sauerbraten spaetzel, and schnitzel all washed down by the 16 drafts of German beer available. The all-wood décor of the Haus combined with a German band on Saturday creates a Teutonic feel that you will never forget.

Half Acer Beer Company: All you’ll find here are celebrated craft beers such as Over Ale, Daisy Cutter Ale, and Gossamer Golden Ale plus many seasonal beers that are fermenting in the 19 large tanks for your enjoyment.

Katerina’s: You’ll find a wonderful combination of jazz and world music café books that sport a celebrated cast of regulars. You can listen to legends such as Erwin Helfer on piano, saxophonist John Brumbach, and blue singer Katherine Davis among others.

The Lincoln Lodge: It may sound like a place dedicated to Illinois’ most famous son, but instead you’ll find some of the best standup comedy in all of Chicago.

Smokin’ Woody’s: You’ll feast on the tangy baby back ribs that have been smoked for hours with applewood and hickory. This Chicago establishment is one of the highlights of the North Central guide.

Tiny Lounge: The name is more indicative of the small plates used for the delicious treats such as sliders, mussels, and sweet potato empanadas. Of course, you can wash it down with the famed bourbon martini that makes it the star attraction of the cocktail stopover.

Welles Park: This large park sports an indoor swimming pool, five baseball diamonds, a European Gazebo perfect for picnicking, and 15 acres of park that you can easily lose your thoughts when strolling through on a warm spring day.

In addition to the many features listed in the North Center guide, you can also take advantage of the annual Ribfest Chicago on the corner of Lincoln and Damen Avenues in early June that offers over 30 vendors for the rib lovers that come from all parts of the country. Plus, you can take in the free shows from local bands every Wednesday night during the Summer Concert Series in July and August. North Center is one of the most happening places in all of Chicago year-round.