Looking for a Restaurant in Chicago’s Bucktown, Wicker Park, or West Town?

Today’s hipster renaissance in the area sprouts from streets where generations of immigrants and industries left their marks. Large areas of Wicker Park are designated as Chicago landmarks for the Victorian mansions built by beer magnates at the turn of the 20th century. Around the corner from these expensive homes are the bars and restaurants that bring new life to the area; the chefs we feature are notably green and serve healthy foods in handsome rooms.

1. Hot Chocolate
1747 N Damen Ave
773-489-1747
hotchocolatechicago.com

True to its name, Hot Chocolate excels at sweets. Just ask chef Mindy Segal, whom the James Beard Foundation nominated this year for Outstanding Pastry Chef. But the seasonal American dinner menu does not disappoint.

The design team, Olsen | Vranas, emphasized Segal’s focus with a rich palette of mochas, chocolates, and browns.

Segal is a regular at the Chicago Green City Market, where she is hoping to set up shop with pints of her homemade organic ice cream. Even though most of the ingredients come directly from the market, the product must stand up to the same stringent vetting process as those of all the other purveyors at the Green City Market to ensure organic standards.

2. West Town Tavern
1329 W Chicago Ave
312-666-6175
westtowntavern.com

You know you’re in Chicago when you walk into West Town Tavern. The traditional, rustic, cozy feeling that is so Midwestern is exuded by a space built in 1875. The original brick walls, wood floor, and tin ceilings have been preserved.

Chef Susan Goss’s passion for the heartland flavors every dish in every season. She’s developed relationships with farmers, promising to take the less beautiful but still delicious tomatoes off their hands; she uses these to make sauces that last through the long Chicago winters. In return, she gets first picks from their springtime crops. “To have a freezer full of summer tomatoes is so much more pleasurable than having canned ones come in off the U.S. Foodservice truck,” she says.

3. Spring
2039 W North Ave
773-395-7100
springrestaurant.net

Spring is located in a former bathhouse, which inspired its designer as much as the chef’s layers of fresh ingredients and Asian-influenced tastes. The result is a Zen motif that retains a sense of sensuous relaxation. It is the first of three establishments founded by acclaimed restaurateur Shawn McClain, each focusing on a different culinary subject, with the “field-to-plate” concept always at the heart. Spring specializes in seafood prepared with Asian influences according to the flavors of each season. The second location, Green Zebra, is vegetarian; the latest, Custom House, focuses on meat (see Downtown listings).

4. Crust
2056 W Division St
773-235-5511
crusteatreal.org

Michael Altenberg is a fanatic for organics, and his flat bread reflects that. Just opened this spring, Crust is the first certified organic restaurant in Chicago, an honor more typically bestowed on farms.

Joe Lambke’s design is a healthy mix between the purity of the food and the chaos of everyday life. It is uncomplicated, fresh, and fun—upholding the idea of healthy living in a playful space.

… MORE WICKER PARK EATS

Adobo Grill
(MEXICAN)
2005 W Division St
773–252–9990
adobogrill.com/wickerpark
Upscale Mexican in an upbeat atmosphere—guacamole is made fresh tableside in the traditional molcajate.

Bin Wine Café
(WINE BAR)
1559 N Milwaukee Ave
773-486-2233
bin36.com
Sister-space to Bin 36 offers a seasonably inspired menu including thin crust pizzas and flights of wine and cheese.

Blu Coral
(JAPANESE/SUSHI)
1254 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-2020
blucoralsushi.com
Newest sushi lounge in Wicker Park.

Bob San
(JAPANESE)
1805 W Division St
773–235–8888
bob-san.com
Authentic Japanese cuisine in a hip upscale environment with a cool warehouse feel.

Café Laguardia
(CUBAN)
2111 W Armitage Ave
773–862–5996
cafelaguardia.com
Originally opened in Cuba in 1950—try the house specialty paella valencia.

Club Lucky
(ITALIAN)
1824 W Wabansia Ave
773–227–2300
clubluckychicago.com
Club Lucky is a 1940s-style supper club and cocktail lounge serving handmade pastas and signature martinis.

Coast Sushi Bar
(SUSHI)
2045 N Damen Ave
773–235–5775
coastsushibar.com
Delicious sushi amid minimalist upscale décor—this intimate low-lit restaurant is BYOB.

del Toro
(SPANISH SMALL PLATES)
1520 N Damen Ave
773-252-1500
deltorocafe.com
Hip restaurant designed by Suhail.

Enoteca Roma
(ITALIAN)
2144–46 W Division St
773–342–1011
enotecaroma.com
Pair homemade pasta with wine from the extensive bottle menu.

Feast Restaurant & Bar
(GLOBAL)
1616 N Damen Ave
773–772–7100
feastrestaurant.com
A funky Wicker Park favorite with bohemian trimmings.

Flo
(SOUTHWESTERN)
1434 W Chicago Ave
312–243–0477
eatatflo.com
Urban cooking with a Latin twist based on the flavors and ingredients of Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Francesca’s Forno
(ITALIAN)
1576 N Milwaukee Ave
773-770-0184
miafrancesca.com
Newest opening of this Northern Italian small plates eatery.

Friendship Chinese Restaurant
(CHINESE)
2830 N Milwaukee Ave
773–227–0970
friendshiprestaurant.com
Top-notch traditional Chinese with French influences.

Le Bouchon
(FRENCH)
1958 N Damen Ave
773-862-6600
lebouchonofchicago.com
This cozy spot complete with green and white tile floor and lace curtains keeps the regulars coming back time and again for simple French classics.

Marrakech Cuisine
(MOROCCAN)
1413 N Ashland Ave
773–227–6451
marrakechcuisin.com
A taste of Morocco and live belly dancing Friday and Saturday nights.

Mas
(CONTEMPORARY LATIN)
1670 W Division St
773–276–8700
masrestaurant.com
Mas embraces the spirit and soul of the Latin lifestyle.

Lula
(NEW AMERICAN)
2537 N. Kedzie Blvd
773-489-9554
lulacafe.com
Delicious dishes from almost all local ingredients.

Meritage Café
and Wine Bar
(WINE BAR)
2118 N Damen Ave
773–235–6434
meritagecafe.com
A romantic, casual setting with an extensive menu of mainly California wines and an all-weather outdoor veranda for al fresco dining.

Mirai Sushi
(JAPANESE)
2020 W Division St
773–862–8500
Sip cocktails, eat sushi, and unwind in the futuristic upstairs lounge.

Parlor
(CONTEMPORARY
AMERICAN)
1745 W North Ave
773–782–9000
parlorchicago.com
Traditional steakhouse
fare is joined by creative interpretations.

Piece
(BREWERY & PIZZERIA)
1927 W North Ave
773–772–4422
piecechicago.com
A lively pizza joint and bar in a former garage.

Rodan
(SOUTH AMERICAN/
ASIAN FUSION)
1530 N Milwaukee Ave
773-276-7036
rodan.ws
Gallery, lounge, and restaurant named for the 1950s Japanese sci-fi classic
“Rodan! The Flying Monster.”

Salud Tequila Lounge
(CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN)
1471 N Milwaukee Ave
773-235-5577
Upscale favorite dishes and over 80 varieties of 100 percent agave tequila.

Schwa
(PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN)
1466 N Ashland Ave
773–252–1466
schwarestaurant.com
New on the Wicker Park dining scene, Schwa relies on local growers and sustainable production.

Scylla
(SEAFOOD MEDITERRANEAN)
1952 N Damen Ave
773–227–2995
scyllarestaurant.com
Low ceilings, pillowed banquettes, and ruby-colored walls.

Baccala
(FRENCH)
1540 N Milwaukee Ave
773-227-1400
New Italian eatery dedicated to cuisine from Piedmont.

Twisted Spoke
(CONTEMPORARY DINER)
501 N Ogden Ave
312–666–1500
twistedspoke.com
Enjoy a margarita on the rooftop deck, or try a Jim Beam on tap from the impressive bourbon menu.

Vintage Wine Bar
(WINE BAR)
1942 W Division St
773–772–3400
vintage-chicago.com
A sophisticated neighborhood spot with over 50 wines and champagnes plus a menu of cheeses, entrees, and appetizers.

ZKFood
(AMERICAN)
1633 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-278-9600
zkfood.com
Artful, fresh dishes with vegetarian options at this new Wicker Park eatery.