Guidebook for Evanston
Food Scene
Hewn has been recognized nationally for its excellence. Ellen and Julie have a beautiful shop and make incredible bread and pastries! But be early... they close when they sell out. They have outdoor seating in the warmer months.
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Hewn
1733 Central StHewn has been recognized nationally for its excellence. Ellen and Julie have a beautiful shop and make incredible bread and pastries! But be early... they close when they sell out. They have outdoor seating in the warmer months.
Our pal, Brian Kim, owns this neighborhood landmark. He and his older brother transformed it from a sleepy coffee shop to the hub of southeast Evanston. They're serving Metropolis Coffee and a variety of sweet & savory treats from local bakeries.
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Brothers K Coffeehouse
500 Main StOur pal, Brian Kim, owns this neighborhood landmark. He and his older brother transformed it from a sleepy coffee shop to the hub of southeast Evanston. They're serving Metropolis Coffee and a variety of sweet & savory treats from local bakeries.
PIE-ALERT!!! Paula's shop always has great desserts, but they're also serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sweets to-go! Everything is handmade and from scratch and she sources her ingredients from local farmers. An Evanston favorite. Don't forget to pick up her cookbook while you're there!
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Dollop Coffee & The Hoosier Mama Pie Company
749 Chicago AvePIE-ALERT!!! Paula's shop always has great desserts, but they're also serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sweets to-go! Everything is handmade and from scratch and she sources her ingredients from local farmers. An Evanston favorite. Don't forget to pick up her cookbook while you're there!
Mark and Renee's restaurant is a mainstay of the Evanston restaurant scene. They've been serving delicious, thoughtful, classic yet inventive food since 1989. They have a wonderful bar, and a fabulous wine list, and an excellent dessert cart. This is a special occasion place!
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Oceanique
505 Main StMark and Renee's restaurant is a mainstay of the Evanston restaurant scene. They've been serving delicious, thoughtful, classic yet inventive food since 1989. They have a wonderful bar, and a fabulous wine list, and an excellent dessert cart. This is a special occasion place!
Trattoria DOC has all the classics of Italian food, and everything is well-prepared. They have a good wine list. The owners, Lucia and her sister Giuliana, are lovely and generous; they are very accommodating for families with kids. They've been in this spot since 2006.
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Trattoria D.O.C.
706 Main StTrattoria DOC has all the classics of Italian food, and everything is well-prepared. They have a good wine list. The owners, Lucia and her sister Giuliana, are lovely and generous; they are very accommodating for families with kids. They've been in this spot since 2006.
Get ready for tacos... these are among our favorites! In warm weather, the front windows of the lounge open onto Main Street, and you can enjoy a short-rib taco and a margarita in style!
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La Principal
700 Main StGet ready for tacos... these are among our favorites! In warm weather, the front windows of the lounge open onto Main Street, and you can enjoy a short-rib taco and a margarita in style!
The best French pastries in town and Julius Meinl coffee... no extra explanation needed! It's fantastic for an afternoon meet-up or a dessert to-go.
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Pâtisserie Coralie
600 Davis StThe best French pastries in town and Julius Meinl coffee... no extra explanation needed! It's fantastic for an afternoon meet-up or a dessert to-go.
The newer outpost of Patisserie Coralie, this shop has more seating with the same incredible menu of pastry, sweets, and savory items. Pascal is doing something VERY right here. It's a lovely shop and the staff is so friendly.
Cafe Coralie
633 Howard StThe newer outpost of Patisserie Coralie, this shop has more seating with the same incredible menu of pastry, sweets, and savory items. Pascal is doing something VERY right here. It's a lovely shop and the staff is so friendly.
Excellent sushi for years! Kuni himself is still making plates behind the sushi bar, and his wife greets you at the door. An Evanston classic!
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Kuni's Japanese Restaurant
511 Main StExcellent sushi for years! Kuni himself is still making plates behind the sushi bar, and his wife greets you at the door. An Evanston classic!
Brian Houston, an alum of the One-Off Hospitality Group, opened his own place in Evanston, and the food is amazing. He's also bringing up the next generation of cooks by teaching them the ropes of running a kitchen properly, the correct techniques, and how to have a full & fun atmosphere in the dining room of this popular spot.
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Boltwood
804 Davis StBrian Houston, an alum of the One-Off Hospitality Group, opened his own place in Evanston, and the food is amazing. He's also bringing up the next generation of cooks by teaching them the ropes of running a kitchen properly, the correct techniques, and how to have a full & fun atmosphere in the dining room of this popular spot.
Argentine-style gelato that should not be missed! Their method and flavor profiles are on-point, and they supply to many local restaurants.
FRÍO Gelato - Evanston
1301 Chicago AveArgentine-style gelato that should not be missed! Their method and flavor profiles are on-point, and they supply to many local restaurants.
This fast-casual sushi & Japanese grocery is one of the best-kept secrets in town. The food is excellent; it's very low-maintenance as a guest; street parking is plentiful around the corner.
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Sea Ranch Sushi Evanston
518 Dempster StThis fast-casual sushi & Japanese grocery is one of the best-kept secrets in town. The food is excellent; it's very low-maintenance as a guest; street parking is plentiful around the corner.
Union Pizza has terrific and simple food. Woodfired pizzas and small plates to share. It's very popular, so go early! There's music in the adjacent space--called SPACE. Check out their website for the performance schedule.
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Union Pizza
1307 Chicago AveUnion Pizza has terrific and simple food. Woodfired pizzas and small plates to share. It's very popular, so go early! There's music in the adjacent space--called SPACE. Check out their website for the performance schedule.
We love Lucky Platter for breakfast and lunch. This spot has been around since the 90s, and those Swedish pancakes hit the spot every time! They also have a full bar and a phenomenal collection of garage sale art & paint-by-numbers scenes.
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Lucky Platter
514 Main StWe love Lucky Platter for breakfast and lunch. This spot has been around since the 90s, and those Swedish pancakes hit the spot every time! They also have a full bar and a phenomenal collection of garage sale art & paint-by-numbers scenes.
Very good tacos and pitchers of margaritas; a sister restaurant to Lulu's with rooftop seating in nice weather.
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Taco Diablo
1026b Davis StVery good tacos and pitchers of margaritas; a sister restaurant to Lulu's with rooftop seating in nice weather.
Lulu's has been a part of Evanston for decades. In this new location, the food is as good as ever. Bento boxes, salads, dim sum, and sushi; a sister restaurant to Taco Diablo with rooftop seating in nice weather
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Lulu's
1026 Davis StLulu's has been a part of Evanston for decades. In this new location, the food is as good as ever. Bento boxes, salads, dim sum, and sushi; a sister restaurant to Taco Diablo with rooftop seating in nice weather
Sol Cafe
1615 W Howard StGreat food at this little gem of a neighborhood cafe.
The Heartland Cafe
7006 N Glenwood AveMidnight Mac and Cheeserie
6979 N Sheridan RdSweet Temptations Bake Shop
607 W Howard StGluten-free bakery!
Charmers Cafe
1500 W Jarvis AveDiners, Drive-Thrus, & Dives featured this great burger spot.
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bopNgrill
6604 N Sheridan RdDiners, Drive-Thrus, & Dives featured this great burger spot.
Tomate Fresh Kitchen
914 Noyes StIncredible take-out empanadas and other Mexican street food.
Hecky's Barbecue
1902 Green Bay RdOld-school Evanston BBQ at its best!
Arts & Culture
Louise runs a hidden gem of a plant shop/art gallery/gift emporium. She always has something beautiful in the windows, and there are treasures to explore all around her shop. She features local artists in her gallery shows, and she has a wealth of knowledge about all kinds of unusual plants.
Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery
704 Main StLouise runs a hidden gem of a plant shop/art gallery/gift emporium. She always has something beautiful in the windows, and there are treasures to explore all around her shop. She features local artists in her gallery shows, and she has a wealth of knowledge about all kinds of unusual plants.
Ice House Gallery
609 South BlvdBlock Museum of Art, Northwestern University
40 Arts Cir DrBienen School of Music
70 Arts Cir DrPiccolo Theatre
600 Main StLifeline Theatre
6912 N Glenwood AveCharles Gates Dawes House
225 Greenwood StFrances Willard House Museum
1730 Chicago AveEvanston History Center
225 Greenwood StEvanston Public Library South Branch
900 Chicago AveNoyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes StShopping
This is one of the coolest spots in South Evanston since 1970. There are so many sparkly things! Dave's sells rocks, fossils, gemstones for lapidary work, ready-made jewelry, books about everything in the geology-to-archaeology spectrum, and supplies to make your own treasures. There's also a museum of Illinois Fossils that will amaze you if you're into dinosaur-era goodies!
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The Olive Mountain
610 Davis StThis is one of the coolest spots in South Evanston since 1970. There are so many sparkly things! Dave's sells rocks, fossils, gemstones for lapidary work, ready-made jewelry, books about everything in the geology-to-archaeology spectrum, and supplies to make your own treasures. There's also a museum of Illinois Fossils that will amaze you if you're into dinosaur-era goodies!
The Mexican Shop has been around FOREVER (or at least since the late 80s), and it's a source for great jewelry and clothing finds. The owners travel early each spring to select merchandise, and the shop has a well-curated visual appeal.
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The Mexican Shop
801 Dempster StThe Mexican Shop has been around FOREVER (or at least since the late 80s), and it's a source for great jewelry and clothing finds. The owners travel early each spring to select merchandise, and the shop has a well-curated visual appeal.
Oh, the chocolate... Piron makes their own molded chocolates to purchase by the pound. Their focus is on the traditional methods and flavors, and they're experts at what they do. They also sell varietal chocolates and specialty bars.
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Belgian Chocolatier Piron, Inc.
509-A Main StOh, the chocolate... Piron makes their own molded chocolates to purchase by the pound. Their focus is on the traditional methods and flavors, and they're experts at what they do. They also sell varietal chocolates and specialty bars.
Our ABSOLUTE #1 FAVORITE TACO STAND is located at the back of this Mexican grocery store. You will not be disappointed... everything is unbelievably delicious, authentic, and very inexpensive. Head into the store, go all the way back and head to your right to place on order. Guacamole is in the fridge right behind you if you're standing at the counter.
Supermercado Chapala
7117 N Clark StOur ABSOLUTE #1 FAVORITE TACO STAND is located at the back of this Mexican grocery store. You will not be disappointed... everything is unbelievably delicious, authentic, and very inexpensive. Head into the store, go all the way back and head to your right to place on order. Guacamole is in the fridge right behind you if you're standing at the counter.
Third Coast Comics
6443 N Sheridan RdGreat independent comic book shop.
Booked
506 Main StA wonderful kids' bookshop, new in 2018.
Comix Revolution
606 Davis StDowntown Evanston comic book shop
This liquor store carries a wide variety of all kinds of alcohol and mixers.
Binny's Beverage Depot - Evanston
1111 Chicago AveThis liquor store carries a wide variety of all kinds of alcohol and mixers.
Open from May through November, the best produce of the region comes on Saturday mornings.
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Evanston Farmers' Market
1800 Maple AveOpen from May through November, the best produce of the region comes on Saturday mornings.
Drinks & Nightlife
Vintage cocktails and a small menu of snacks are on offer at Ward 8. The atmosphere is very Chicago Speakeasy. Cody and his barmen make great cocktails, and the vibe is strong on the weekends. Sunday evenings there's live music, too.
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Ward Eight
629 W Howard StVintage cocktails and a small menu of snacks are on offer at Ward 8. The atmosphere is very Chicago Speakeasy. Cody and his barmen make great cocktails, and the vibe is strong on the weekends. Sunday evenings there's live music, too.
Peckish Pig has an enormous menu of beer and whiskey. Their food menu has many options, too. If you visit in warmer months, the back patio is amazing for groups... outdoor tables, but also outdoor couches?!? It's a lot of fun for groups.
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Peckish Pig
623 W Howard StPeckish Pig has an enormous menu of beer and whiskey. Their food menu has many options, too. If you visit in warmer months, the back patio is amazing for groups... outdoor tables, but also outdoor couches?!? It's a lot of fun for groups.
The Sketchbook Tap Room is a newer addition to the Brewing Co. You can taste the different products of this nano-brewery that is a subscription-based & community-supported brewery. They're winning competitions locally and starting to hit to the national beer scene. We love this place!
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Sketchbook Brewing Co.
821 Chicago AveThe Sketchbook Tap Room is a newer addition to the Brewing Co. You can taste the different products of this nano-brewery that is a subscription-based & community-supported brewery. They're winning competitions locally and starting to hit to the national beer scene. We love this place!
Celtic Knot is a fantastic Irish Pub, and their food is outstanding. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable; there is often live music on the weekends. They also offer High Tea for groups.
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Celtic Knot Public House
626 Church StCeltic Knot is a fantastic Irish Pub, and their food is outstanding. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable; there is often live music on the weekends. They also offer High Tea for groups.
SPACE is a terrific small venue for music. The acoustics are excellent, and they have no shortage of top-billed performers playing there. It's adjacent to Union, and the food & drinks are also fantastic.
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Evanston SPACE
1245 Chicago AveSPACE is a terrific small venue for music. The acoustics are excellent, and they have no shortage of top-billed performers playing there. It's adjacent to Union, and the food & drinks are also fantastic.
Rogers Park Social
6920 N Glenwood AveTerrific cocktails and often live music.
The Glenwood
6962 N Glenwood AveBruno's Lounge
6562 N Sheridan RdThe Oasis Tavern
6809 N Sheridan RdParks & Nature
Probably the quietest beach in Evanston, and it's right along the Evanston Parks bike trail.
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South Boulevard Beach
525 Sheridan SquareProbably the quietest beach in Evanston, and it's right along the Evanston Parks bike trail.
Lee Street Beach
Baker Park
Vera Megowen Park
Ridgeville Park District
908 Seward StBasketball in the warm months; ice skating in the cold months! Lots of room to run around and get those ya-ya's out!
Kamen West Park
Basketball in the warm months; ice skating in the cold months! Lots of room to run around and get those ya-ya's out!
Loyola Beach
Northwestern Beach
Huge and shallow beach adjacent to campus.
Sightseeing
The campus is beautifully landscaped, and there are many different points of interest: ponds, architecture, the observatory, the libraries, and the chapels. The campus aligns along the lakefront and offers beautiful views from the walking paths.
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Northwestern University
633 Clark StThe campus is beautifully landscaped, and there are many different points of interest: ponds, architecture, the observatory, the libraries, and the chapels. The campus aligns along the lakefront and offers beautiful views from the walking paths.
Lovely campus in this East Rogers Park neighborhood.
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Loyola University Chicago
1032 W Sheridan RdLovely campus in this East Rogers Park neighborhood.
Entertainment & Activities
This indoor rec center for kids is a great rainy-day destination. They have basketball, soccer, floor hockey, ping-pong, an obstacle course and climbing wall for bigger kids--including a zip-line and foam pit--and a smaller play area restricted for the little kids. Their cafe offers a full menu, and they have a walk-up window for coffee! They serve Intelligentsia Coffee.
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Little Beans Cafe & Playspace - Evanston
430 Asbury AveThis indoor rec center for kids is a great rainy-day destination. They have basketball, soccer, floor hockey, ping-pong, an obstacle course and climbing wall for bigger kids--including a zip-line and foam pit--and a smaller play area restricted for the little kids. Their cafe offers a full menu, and they have a walk-up window for coffee! They serve Intelligentsia Coffee.
Ice skating rinks and athletics spaces available for basketball, gymnastics, etc.
Robert Crown Center
1801 Main StIce skating rinks and athletics spaces available for basketball, gymnastics, etc.
Marcus Brown is running a dance party in this space several times a week for kids and adults! The tunes are hot and the music is hotter!!
DIME (Dance Is My Everything)
1904 Greenwood StMarcus Brown is running a dance party in this space several times a week for kids and adults! The tunes are hot and the music is hotter!!
Century 12 Evanston / CinéArts 6 and XD
1715 Maple AveThe New 400 Theater
6746 N Sheridan Rd