Map 31 • Old Town / Near North image

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Old Town / Near North

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Map 31

With its narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with Queen Anne-style homes and rehabbed cottages, Old Town’s appropriate moniker perfectly encapsulates its nineteenth century charms. Only a few blocks to the south, the vast land where the Cabrini Green housing project stood waits for development.

image Nightlife

• Burton Place • 1447 N Wells St

312-664-4699

Great late night; good bar food.

• Old Town Ale House • 219 W North Ave

312-944-7020

Crusty old-timers meet performing arts crowd.

• UP Comedy Club • 230 W North Ave

312-662-4562

Stand-up and improv seven nights a week.

• Weeds • 1555 N Dayton St

312-943-7815

Pinball, bras, shoes, poetry, and tequila.

• Zanies Comedy Club • 1548 N Wells St

312-337-4027

After a few drinks, everything is funny. Well, almost.

image Restaurants

• Big & Little’s • 860 N Orleans St

312-943-0000 • $

Fish-and-chips shack run by Hell’s Kitchen contestant.

• Dining Room at Kendall College •

900 N North Branch St

312-752-2328 • $$

When students cook: Gourmet food, layman price!

• Dinotto Ristorante • 215 W North Ave

312-202-0302 • $$

Everyone’s a regular at this neighborhood Italian joint.

• The Fireplace Inn • 1448 N Wells St

312-664-5264 • $$$

Popular spot to watch sports.

• Garlic and Chili • 1232 N La Salle Dr

312-255-1717 • $

Off the beaten track and located next to the transient motel, it’s a hidden gem.

• The Goddess and Grocer • 901 N Larrabee St

312-988-9870 • $

Newest installment of the gourmet to-go food shop.

• Kamehachi • 1531 N Wells St

312-664-3663 • $$$

Sushi favorite with upstairs lounge.

• Kiki’s Bistro • 900 N Franklin St

312-335-5454 • $$$$

Stylish French.

• MK • 868 N Franklin St

312-482-9179 • $$$$

Very stylish.

• O’Brien’s • 1528 N Wells St

312-787-3131 • $$$

Best outdoor in Old Town.

• Old Jerusalem • 1411 N Wells St

312-944-0459 • $$

Cheap, good food.

• Old Town Pour House • 1419 N Wells St

312-477-2800 • $$

A beer lover’s dream come true.

• Old Town Social • 455 W North Ave

312-266-2277 • $$

Large selection of specialty beers, meats, and cheeses.

• Salpicon • 1252 N Wells St

312-988-7811 • $$

Colorful Mexican with tequila tastings.

• Sammy’s Red Hots • 238 W Division St

312-266-7290 • $

The seediness only makes it better.

• Topo Gigio • 1516 N Wells St

312-266-9355 • $$$

Crowded, reliable Italian. Big outdoor area.

Wells Street provides the neighborhood’s main drag with an array of new and old restaurants, shops, and stores. The Spice House, The Fudge Pot and Up Down Cigar have been providing Old Town with their specialty items for over half a century, while new entries like Old Town Social keep the vibe fresh. Second City’s UP Comedy Club breathes new life into the city’s historic comedy scene.

image Shopping

• Bike and Roll Chicago- Oak St Beach •

N Lake Shore Dr & E Oak St

312-729-1000

Bike rentals.

• Design Within Reach • 755 W North Ave

312-585-9600

North side outpost for the hip modern design studio.

• The Fudge Pot • 1532 N Wells St

312-943-1777

A chocolate institution.

• Judy Maxwell Home • 1363 N Wells St

312-787-9999

Joan Cusack’s funhouse of hyperbolic gifts, art, and, ahem, more.

• La Fournette • 1547 N Wells St

312-624-9430

Pitch-perfect French bakery.

• Old Town Gardens • 1555 N Wells St

312-266-6300

Beautiful plants and flowers.

• REI • 1466 N Halsted St

312-951-6020

This co-op gets Chicago outdoors.

• The Spice House • 1512 N Wells St

312-274-0378

Spice up your cooking.

• Up Down Cigar • 1550 N Wells St

312-337-8025

One stop shopping for the cigar enthusiast.

• Village Cycle Center • 1337 N Wells St

312-751-2488

Good urban cycling store.