things to do & see, eat & drink

(but mostly eat & drink)

daytime stuff

A handful of spots to start or spend your day on Friday & saturday

  • Our favorite coffee spot in Evanston. Newport has coffee and smoothie options with an eclectic variety of baked goods. Very chic, very Scandinavian.

  • In case you just NEED a bagel.

  • This all-day cafe has great coffee and pastries, as well as some light bites (quiches, sandwiches, etc.).

  • Coffee, baked goods, brunch, lunch, cocktails - Cupitol has a little bit of everything. A solid option for a group who wants different tabs (it’s counter service).

  • Lucky Platter is a delightful, colorful spot for breakfast (or lunch).

  • Housed in The Graduate, Homestead Room has breakfast, dinner and all-day fare. Seems like a nice spot for breakfast for guests staying at The Graduate who don’t want to travel far.

  • Good, greasy, casual burger spot if you happen to have a few too many martinis on friday.

  • Highly recommend if you’re looking to be on a rooftop on Saturday. *Pretty sure* you have the option to order not only from Five & Dime’s menu, as well as their sister restaurants’ menus (Taco Diablo, Blue Horse Tavern), all from the comfort of one patio.

  • A wonderful local brewery with all the trappings of your typical tap room: beers with long descriptions, picnic tables, snacks and the hook & ring toss game (this last one I’m just assuming).

  • There’s a few beaches scattered through Evanston, but we recommend Clark Street Beach above the others. It’s the biggest and has bathrooms! Daily beach passes ($12) can be purchased via the viply app or at the booth at the entrance to the beach.

  • Regardless of the Lollapalooza hoopla, Downtown Chicago has a lot to offer our out-of-towners. There’s no shortage of great food options, plenty of patios to post up on, AND the Cubs are in town. If you’re up for it, the architectural boat tour is a must-do.

  • If interested in roaming the grounds of the garden, guests can get in free a little before the ceremony starts.

nighttime stuff

A few recommendations for dinner or drinks before Friday’s welcome party

  • This coffee shop moonlights as a bar and is right around the corner from Union Pizzeria, where we’re hosting the welcome party. If you need a spot to loiter before go-time, this is it.

  • A Brand new cocktail bar!

  • Housed in the Graduate, Homestead Room is a nice, cozy option if you don’t want to travel far for dinner.

  • An Evanston institution! Dave’s Italian Kitchen is a humble little spot with very good pasta and pizza. No frills.

  • This place is the older, slightly more mature sister to Union Pizzaria (where the welcome party is). Simple, comfy Italian at it’s best.

  • The Big Star of the northern suburbs, La Principal is great for groups and great for tacos. They have a very good patio setup, too.

    (If you’ve made it this far, you get the reward of knowing they also serve breakfast tacos from their walk-up window).

  • Maybe you know Morton’s Steakhouse? This is the guy’s daughter. The Barn is a good meal guaranteed.

  • Lastly, for the Francophiles in the room, LeTour is a newer addition to Evanston and is also owned by Morton Jr. Can’t go wrong with either!