Old Town and the Gold Coast sit side by side between Lincoln Park and downtown. You'll find old taverns and bakeries on Wells, Division Street saloons, and quiet tree-lined blocks off Rush. The best food here is less about trends and more about places that have been doing one thing well for decades.
Old Town
- Twin Anchors: slow-cooked baby back ribs since 1932, in an 1881 corner tavern that Sinatra used to frequent. The room is as much of a draw as the ribs. More BBQ →
- La Fournette: a French bakery on Wells with flaky croissants and baguettes that taste like the real thing.
- Nookies on Wells: a no-frills neighborhood diner with big plates and a line of locals. Get the cornflake-crusted French toast.
Gold Coast
- Butch McGuire's: the Division Street saloon that opened in 1961 and calls itself Chicago's original singles bar. It's a proper Irish pub with a solid burger and famously over-the-top Christmas decorations.
- The Original Pancake House: a diner-style standby on a quiet side street off Rush. Order the baked apple pancake.
Just east, toward the lake
Where the Gold Coast meets Michigan Avenue, two old-school spots are worth the short walk:
- Coq d'Or at The Drake: a wood-paneled hotel bar that opened in 1933, right after Prohibition ended. It's the classic place for a martini.
- Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafter: a tiny Belgian bakery with croissants and crusty country loaves.
Just north
Walk north into Lincoln Park for Pequod's caramelized-crust pizza and a late-night char dog at The Wiener's Circle. See our Lincoln Park guide →
Thinking about living in Old Town or the Gold Coast? Browse apartment buildings in the Gold Coast and Old Town →