Wicker Park & Bucktown

WP’s hipster/starving artist vibe is the perfect antidote to Bucktown’s yuppie/stroller-pushing crowd. The three corners (North, Milwaukee, Damen) bustle with veggie-friendly restaurants, sceney clubs, high-end boutiques, and vintage shops.

EXPLORE ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD:

Bongo Room

1470 N Milwaukee Ave 773-489-0690

Best. brunch. on. the. planet. French toast towers, Banana Nestle Crunch pancakes, lemon ricotta flapjacks, and eggs cooked to perfection. Brave the line — you won’t be sorry.

Photo: nutmeg / Flickr

The Bristol

2152 N Damen Ave 773-862-5555

The ever-changing chalkboard menu at this farm-to-table haunt is a foodie favorite. Small, shareable plates are the best way to sample the menu. Don’t miss the monkey bread with dill butter.

Photo: Courtesy of The Bristol

Violet Hour

1520 N Damen Ave 773-252-1500

If you had one more day to live (and were smart), you’d spend it at the Violet Hour. Don’t be fooled by the lack of signage: dusty blue hues, a speakeasy vibe, and cocktails you’d never be able to mimic if you tried.

Photo: Michelle Litvin / Courtesy of Restaurant Intelligence Agency

Robin Richman

2108 N Damen Ave 773-278-6150

Robin carries designers no other boutique carries, has a stellar shoe selection, and never fails to surprise you. It ain’t cheap, but everything in the store is an investment piece well worth the price.

Photo: Courtesy of Robin Richman

Tangerine

1719 N Damen Ave 773-772-0505

This sweet Bucktown spot set the stage for what the neighborhood is today. Find an ever-changing selection of great lines, denim, hot shoes, bags, and jewelry.

Photo: Jack Hollingsworth / Getty Images