Hyde Park residents tell us their favorite neighborhood spots

We reached out to prominent Hyde Park residents to find out about their favorite neighborhood restaurants, parks and more

By Zach Long Posted: Tuesday June 2 2015

Photograph: Martha Williams
Ja' Grill Hyde Park

Speak to a Hyde Park resident and they'll tell you about all of the things that make the area a wonderful place to live. We think they're on to something: boasting beautiful parks, one of Chicago best museums and some great restaurants, there's a lot to explore in the South Side neighborhood. Take a peek at recommendations provided by some prominent Hyde Park residents and start planning your visit.

RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Hyde Park

Hyde Park residents' favorite places

Eric Williams

Owner, The Silver Room
1. Promontory Point
2. Rajun Cajun Restaurant
3. 57th Street Art Fair
4. Bonne Sante
5. Powell's Used Books
6. Hyde Park Records
7. Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
8. Frontline Books
9. Hyde Park Jazz Festival
10. A10

Hanna and Alex Donner

Lifelong Hyde Park residents
1. Open Produce
2. 57th Street Books
3. Plein Air Cafe
4. Promontory Point
5. University of Chicago quad
6. Bonjour Cafe
7. 61st Street Farmers' Market
8. Cornell florist
9. Medici
10. The Original Pancake House

Jackie Johnson

Owner, Kilwins
1. The Hyatt Place Hotel
2. Harper Theater
3. Porkchop
4. Akira
5. Frontline Books
6. Ja' Grill
7. The Promontory
8. Chant

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Jake Austen

Talent buyer, The Promontory; Producer, Chic-A-Go-Go
1. Valois
2. The Oriental Institute
3. WHPK record library
4. Kenwood Academy
5. Powell's Used Books
6. The Arts Incubator/Currency Exchange Café
7. Hyde Park Records
8. Museum of Science and Industry
9. Bootleg DVD vendors outside Italian Fiesta Pizzeria
10. The Promontory

Matthias Merges

Chef and owner, A10 and Yusho Hyde Park
1. Experimental Station
2. The Oriental Institute
3. The Promontory
4. Plein Air Cafe
5. Osaka Garden in Jackson Park
6. Robie House
7. Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
8. Hyde Park Arts Center
9. Promontory Point
10. Smart Museum of Art

Wendy Walker Williams

Executive Director, Southeast Chicago Commission
1. Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap
2. The Flamingo Apartments Pool
3. 57th Street Art Fair
4. Pizza Capri
5. Hyde Park Farmers' Market
6. The Promontory
7. Promontory Point
8. Chant