Chicago's Best Restaurants Restaurants near Cultivate by Forbidden Root restaurant

Bongo Room (Andersonville)

The duo behind the popular breakfast nook opens a third location in Andersonville. Expect the same menu of offbeat pancakes, waffles and overstuffed sandwiches.

The Warbler

Gather is one of the biggest dining success stories in Lincoln Square, so it didn't come as a surprise when its owners decided to open a sequel next door. The Warbler is situated in a much larger space that includes an open kitchen, round bar and spacious patio for 120 guests.

Caro Mio

Candlelit BYOB restaurant serving homestyle Italian fare in a cozy, art-filled space.

Margie's Candies (Montrose)

Since 1921, Margie's chocolatiers and confectioners have been producing luscious house-made candies, including hand-dipped chocolates, fudge, toffee and mints, as well as 18-percent-butterfat ice cream, famous fudge sauce and sundaes that even The Beatles raved about.

Phosphates are mixed with soda water and fresh fruit; only the chocolate uses a syrup — and even that's made from scratch.

Spacca Napoli

The Creation of Spacca Napoli: Spacca Napoli came out of Jonathan Goldsmith’s profound love for Italy, a cherished place that he, partner Ginny Sykes and daughter Sarah have considered a second home for many years.

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits - Ravenswood

Logan Square's famed Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits has branched out with a new location on the north side. The Ravenswood outpost carries over the beloved pies and biscuits that made the original such a hit, but with a few additions and twists in regards to rotating flavors and biscuit sandwiches.

Chicago's Pizza - Ravenswood

Chicago style pizza and Italian grub.

Me dee Cafe

Glenn's Diner

Despite the downmarket moniker, blackboards at this reinvented diner list unusually sophisticated fare, usually including at least 10 fresh seafood choices. The dressed-up diner decor features glossy wooden tables, stained a deep red, and heavy oaken chairs replacing the usual Formica and chrome.

First Slice Pie Cafe

Casual cafe serves sandwiches, soup and, yes, pie, with proceeds benefiting the needy.

Byron's Hot Dog Haus - Ravenswood

Chicago-style hot dogs plus burgers, subs & salads served in a no-frills, counter-serve spot.

Over Easy Cafe

Over Easy offers a wide variety of unique breakfast, lunch and brunch options each with their own delicious twist.

Munno Pizzeria & Bistro

Carol's Pub

Honky-tonk bar featuring live country-western music, line dancing & karaoke since 1973.

O'Shaughnessy's Public House

Authentic Irish Bar in the northside of Chicago serving full menu and a great selection of domestic and import beers

Amy's Candy Bar

Ravenswood sweets shop specializing in all things candy. Amy's Candy Bar is an homage to nostalgic confections as well as housemade snacks, international goodies, and offbeat treats such as gummy turkey feet.

The Sixth

Lincoln Square is the epitome of a great Chicago neighborhood, offering plenty of personality, charm and a number of notable dining and drinking establishments. But what was missing was the sort of craft cocktail lounge one would typically find in Logan Square, River North or the West Loop.

Cultivate by Forbidden Root

Cultivate by Forbidden Root is a restaurant with a brewery attached, taking up residence in the space vacated by Band of Bohemia in Ravenswood.

Mixteco Grill

Chicago Magic Lounge

Upon entering Chicago Magic Lounge, guests are greeted by a small room filled with “active” laundry machines which concealed a hidden door.

O’Shaughnessy’s Public House

Upscale Irish tavern featuring bar food, multiple TVs, weekly live music & a patio.

Himmel's

Located in the former Lincoln Square space for Pizza D.O.C., this Bavarian-accented restaurant fits right into the very German-focused neighborhood. The owners have wisely kept the wood-burning pizza oven to use for meats, veggies and pizzas, of course. The pizza offerings are actually quite overwhelming, with 20 to choose from.

Pick Me Up Cafe

Around-the-clock coffeehouse caters to Lakeview's lounge lizards.

Koval Distillery

The city of Chicago's first boutique distillery produces vodka, whiskey and other specialty spirits. They offer public weekly tours, tastings and whiskey workshops.

Golden Nugget Pancake House - Ravenswood

Breakfast, American eats & soda-fountain favorites served around the clock in basic diner digs.

Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts. The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center includes a 299-seat main stage theater and a150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work.

Gather

An alum of Levy Restaurants, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises and NoMI decides to go out on his own with his first venture in the space deserted by the original LM Restaurant. David Breo has hired former Charlie Trotter’s, Cibo Matto chef Ken Carter to create an American contemporary menu with all ingredients made from scratch. It's set to open mid-December 2012.

Urban Vegan

Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant · Thai Restaurant · Asian Fusion Restaurant

Aroy Thai Restaurant

Great neighborhood traditional authentic Thai restaurant. Intimate and relax atmosphere with dishes full of flavor and spices! BYOB