Reader Best of Chicago 2025 - 48th Ward Winners!

40,000 Chicagoans have voted in over 200 categories for the Best of Chicago 2025! Check out our 35 winning businesses and organizations in the 48th Ward below!

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48th Ward Winners - Best of Chicago 2025

• ARTS & CULTURE

  Best storefront theater company

  • RUNNER UP: Redtwist Theatre Co.

  Best new theater company

  • WINNER: Bramble Arts Loft

  Best film festival

  • RUNNER UP: Reeling - The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival (Chicago Filmmakers)

  Best venue to see drag

  • RUNNER UP: Hamburger Mary’s

  Best open mic

  • RUNNER UP: Eli Tea Bar Friday Open Mic

  Best art gallery

  • WINNER: Andersonville Galleria

  Best mural

  • RUNNER UP: Go Ask the Flowers - Ryan Tova Katz (5225 N Clark)

• BUY LOCAL

  Best shoe store

  • WINNER: Alamo Shoes

  Best local clothing designer

  • RUNNNER UP: Bergen Anderson, Lilla Barn Clothing

  Best t-shirt shop

  • RUNNER UP: Raygun

  Best place to buy men’s clothing

  • WINNER: Cowboys and Astronauts

  Best kids clothing

  • WINNER: Lilla Barn Clothing

  Best vintage store

  • RUNNER UP: Broadway Antique Market

  Best home furnishings

  • RUNNER UP: Broadway Antique Market

  Best place to buy local wares

  • WINNER: Andersonville Galleria

  Best bicycle shop

  • WINNER: IGOR does my bike

  Best garden supply

  • WINNER: Gethsemane Garden Center

  Best independent bookstore

  • WINNER: Women and Children First

  Best board game store

  • WINNER: Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo

  Best record store

  • RUNNER UP: Rattleback Records

• CITY LIFE

  Best north side neighborhood

  • RUNNER UP: Andersonville

  Best networking community/organization

  • RUNNER UP: Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

• FOOD & DRINK

  Best beer shop

  • RUNNER UP: Andersonville Wine & Spirits

  Best liquor store

  • RUNNER UP: Andersonville Wine & Spirits

  Best coffee shop

  • WINNER: Loaves & Witches

  • RUNNER UP: The Understudy Books and Coffee

  Best coffee roaster

  • RUNNER UP: Metropolis Coffee Roasters

  Best desserts

  • RUNNER UP: deFloured

  Best bakery

  • WINNER: Lost Larson

  Best pizza by the slice

  • WINNER: Pizza Lobo

  Best vegan restaurants

  • RUNNER UP: Alice & Friends Vegan Kitchen

  Best Mexican restaurant

  • RUNNER UP: Edgewater Tacos

  Best Chinese restaurant

  • WINNER: Sun Wah BBQ

  Best outdoor dining

  • WINNER: Pizza Lobo

• MUSIC & NIGHT LIFE

  Best gay bar

  • RUNNER UP: Hamburger Mary’s

See all 48th Ward nominees here. See all Best of Chicago 2025 winners here.