Best & Cool Bars in Merrionette Park

"The avocado toast is one veggie highlight at Beatrix|© Jeff Marini. Now with three locations, Beatrix continues to serve the Chicago community with vegetable-centric fare. Whether you come for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, there’s always something for non-meat eaters."

"Before you even walk into Sun Wah, crisp-skinned poultry beckons from hooks behind the front window display. A massive, open floor plan with room for well over a hundred diners declares its status as a Chicago institution for Hong Kong–style Chinese barbecue. The menu is immense, with more than 150 items."

"West LoopThis long-revered Mediterranean-influenced fixture from One Off Hospitality has held it down as one of the area’s go-to date night spots since opening its minimalist doors back in 2003, well before many of us could even define romance. And not much has changed -- the wine list is still spectacular, the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates are still iconic, and a reservation for the intimate front patio is still highly coveted."

"Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space has seating for only 48 people, and it's a tight fit....Read More"

"At this sunny icon, heaping platters of taverna-style classics appear to be immune to inflation: A three-course meal of loukaniko sausage, a pastitsio and chicken riganati combo, and Greek yogurt remains a steal. All this comes with knowledgeable service and free valet parking.L & D daily. Free dinner parking, wheelchair accessible, child friendly, outdoor dining, will seat past 11 p.m.$"

"Logan SquareThis iconic dog-friendly Logan Square patio from the crew at Scofflaw Group is synonymous with lazy summer days wiled away with abandon. Settle into one of the trademark shady yellow and black picnic tables to explore the burger- and wings-heavy menu and toss in a beer cheese pretzel for good measure. The beer collection is deep, the “taco party” comes complete with a can of High Life and a shot of Old Grand-Dad, and the chocolate caramel turtle cake is alarmingly addictive.How to book: Reserve via Resy."

"Empty Bottle is known as a West Town music venue, but you’ll feel like you’re at a dive bar that happens to have a stage for bands in the back. You’ll mainly get a heavy dose of punk rock, but on any given night you might catch some jazz, metal, or country music. The Empty Bottle has as much character as any place we’ve ever been, which comes from the random array of decorations like a photo of Ice Cube hanging over the door, broken-off police car doors, and a wall plastered with toy baby heads."

"Locals still tell friends to meet them at “Jimmy’s” the name of the the bar’s former owner (Jimmy Wilson died in 1999). Regardless, this tried and true dive bar has provided a meeting point for generations of college students, professors, and Hyde Park residents. Pitchers of beer are popular here as are the burgers."

"Indulge in some shopping, veer off a couple blocks to grab an espresso at the beloved Italian market Eataly, or continue to the DuSable Bridge for a fantastic photo-op of the emerald green Chicago River surrounded by sparkling skyscrapers. The most iconic spot in the entire city is just a couple blocks further: Millennium Park, a sprawling downtown green space that’s home to Cloud Gate, more commonly known as ‘The Bean.’ The stainless steel plates reflect the surrounding city skyline which makes for some epic shots–especially if you make it there first thing in the morning before the throngs of tourists arrive. Be sure to walk below Cloud Gate’s 12-foot-high arch to snap some cool perspective pics from underneath."

"Start off your morning with a beautiful cruise down the Chicago River. This cruise only runs during the warmer months (and can be a bit too chilly during the early spring and late fall, even if it is running), so we recommend reserving this attraction for the warmest times of year"

"Known to many as QXY, this Chinatown mainstay is the dumpling authority of Chicago. Why we love it: When it comes to dumplings, we're of the mindset that more is always better. It's why we flock to QXY for the seemingly endless menu that details dozens of fillings that are sorted by protein—from pork and pickled cabbage to scallop and lotus root."

"The Chinatown restaurant won the Readers' Choice Award for Best Chinese Takeout. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). “Before the pandemic, we were not really focused on takeout,” says Jesse Li, general manager at QXY Dumplings in Chinatown."

"This Andersonville favorite might be on Clark Street, but let the truly global menu here unmoor you a bit from your surroundings. No matter your palate, you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy on chef Rolf Pederson’screative menus. At brunch, that might mean the Indian-inspired Fried Potatoes with tamarind, chaat masala crema, and cilantro, or the Japanese-style Shrimp Okonomiyaki, a large cabbage pancake topped with spicy mayo, furikake, pickled ginger, and bonito flakes."