Alliance Bakery in Wicker Park has lots of good stuff, including a fantastic vegan cupcake.

Neon Wilderness is a bar in Wicker Park.

Chef’s Special is a very good Chinese restaurant from the team behind Giant.

Lao Peng You is a busy BYOB spot in Ukrainian Village with great handmade noodles and dumplings.

Cafe Instanbul is a Mediterranean restaurant in Wicker Park with great grilled meats and housemade bread.

Phodega is a small counter-service spot with great pho that also sells corner store essentials.

Amaru is a fun and casual Latin American restaurant in Wicker Park.

Bella Notte is a small Italian restaurant in Wicker Park.

Little Victories is a bar in Wicker Park that’s great for an early-in-the-game date

Tortello is a pricey Italian counter-service spot in Wicker Park with perfectly fine pasta.

The Flat Iron is a divey 4am bar in Wicker Park with plenty of activities.

Rainbo Club is a historic dive that’s great for a late night of cheap drinks.

Cebu is a Filipino restaurant in Wicker Park.

Rakki is a Japanese soft serve shop in Wicker Park.

Cabana Club is a rooftop bar in the Robey in Wicker Park.

Danny’s is a bar in Bucktown that feels like a house party.