Neapolitan pizza, cocktails, and drag brunches on patio










3132 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618 Get directions
$30–50
"The team behind Union, Lardon, and Meadowlark has entered the pizza game. Located inside Guild Row in Avondale, they’re serving classic Neapolitan-style pies, as well as ones with more creative topping combinations like sweet corn, fermented tomatoes, and chilis. Aside from pizzas, they also have Roman pinsas and sandwiches. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists. RESERVE A TABLE" - John Ringor

"After a year and a half in the making, this latest Meadowlark Hospitality project anchors Guild Row with a casual dining room and a spacious patio, serving neo‑Neapolitan, wood‑fired pies from an Italian Fiero oven alongside sandwiches, small plates, and easy‑drinking cocktails. Chef Will Conner, most recently chef de cuisine at Elina’s, builds artisan sourdough pizzas with classics like margherita and pepperoni plus toppings like ’nduja and salumi from Lardon. Weekend lunch brings Roman‑style sandwiches on focaccia and a selection of starters and salads, while Mondays feature pinsas—airy Roman‑style flatbreads made with lower‑gluten dough that’s easier to digest. The beverage program highlights light, crushable sippers such as a spicy peach spritz and a limoncello margarita, rounded out by a tight roster of beers and wines (including natural options) by the glass or bottle. The main room preserves Guild Row’s industrial character—high ceilings, exposed brick, and garage doors that open onto a courtyard—and the patio, which seats 70 to 75 and has its own dedicated bar, is perfect for summer; as Steve Lewis puts it, “At the end of the day, we’re just going to be making really good wood‑fired pizzas… We want to keep it simple … just do a handful of things really, really well,” aiming for a fun, welcoming neighborhood hub where folks can drop in anytime for a bite or drink." - Jeffy Mai
"A single-malt whisky distillery housed in a series of historic buildings amid farmland; visitors can book tours and sample award-winning whiskies straight from the cask while learning about the distillation process." - Regan Stephens Regan Stephens Regan Stephens is an award-winning freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She covers travel, food, and culture for outlets like Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, People, and Fortune. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"The casual Northalsted spot offers 90 minutes of bloody marys, mimosas, bellinis, sangria, and canned cocktails from Nutrl for $29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends during its drag brunches, which feature themed music such as ‘90s bubblegum pop or Taylor Swift tunes. A drink and entree purchase is required, with options including chilaquiles made with red or green salsa and Nashville hot fried chicken served over pancakes. Or, take the party home and order takeout online." - Sam Nelson

"Lark in Northalsted has a fantastic plant-filled back patio, and on the weekends hosts drag brunches or has live DJ’s spinning themed soundtracks like “‘90s” or “girl groups.” You can get bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, sangria, and bellinis for 90 minutes. And oh yeah, there’s food too—eggs, biscuits and gravy, breakfast pizza—you get the idea. The Deal: Bottomless mimosas, bellinis, Bloody Marys, sangria, and select canned cocktails for $32" - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor