Megan’s Chicago favorites
My favorite coffee shops near home
A quick walk from the apartment! A new café on the scene, run by youth getting valuable job training and their first job experiences. A really diverse staff that provides great service. The place is filled with sunlight, has locally made gluten free pastries, and always plays great dancehall/r&b/soul music.
Helix Cafe
6237 N Clark StA quick walk from the apartment! A new café on the scene, run by youth getting valuable job training and their first job experiences. A really diverse staff that provides great service. The place is filled with sunlight, has locally made gluten free pastries, and always plays great dancehall/r&b/soul music.
Famous Chicago coffee. Grab an affordable americano and walk to the lakefront.
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Metropolis Coffee Company
1039 W Granville AveFamous Chicago coffee. Grab an affordable americano and walk to the lakefront.
Go for a good place for a meeting, to work for a bit, or just for a solid bite to eat with a delicious pour of coffee.
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Colectivo Andersonville
5425 N Clark StGo for a good place for a meeting, to work for a bit, or just for a solid bite to eat with a delicious pour of coffee.
Northside food scene faves
Vincent
1475 W Balmoral AveGreat cocktails, cozy atmosphere, really amazing burgers.
Delicious light fare and pastries. Vegan friendly options! Community dinners on Wednesday nights. Solid coffee and espresso pours.
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Smack Dab Chicago
6730 N Clark StDelicious light fare and pastries. Vegan friendly options! Community dinners on Wednesday nights. Solid coffee and espresso pours.
One of my two fave Ethiopian restaurants in this zone. Cozy interior. Call ahead for gluten free injera (teff only). They take reservations.
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Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant
5846 N BroadwayOne of my two fave Ethiopian restaurants in this zone. Cozy interior. Call ahead for gluten free injera (teff only). They take reservations.
Other fave Ethiopian food spot. Soooo amazing. They also take reservations and have an outdoor patio.
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Demera Restaurant
4801 N BroadwayOther fave Ethiopian food spot. Soooo amazing. They also take reservations and have an outdoor patio.
Argyle Night Market
1000 W Argyle StAmazing street food and culture fest in the summers. Don't miss it!
Local, independent groceries near apt.
My fave grocery with Latin American favorites. Also a solid restaurant in the back, always playing soccer on the TVs, great food from all over Latin America.
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La Unica Food Mart
1515 W Devon AveMy fave grocery with Latin American favorites. Also a solid restaurant in the back, always playing soccer on the TVs, great food from all over Latin America.
My local grocery store. Food from all over the world. Fresh Chicago-made tortillas delivered daily near meat counter (35 cents a pack!). Pick up some housemade chorizo or cecina for a quick meal of tacos.
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Devon Market
1440 W Devon AveMy local grocery store. Food from all over the world. Fresh Chicago-made tortillas delivered daily near meat counter (35 cents a pack!). Pick up some housemade chorizo or cecina for a quick meal of tacos.
Edgewater Produce
5515 N Clark StAnother great local grocery.
North Shore Cider Company
707 Howard StSolid craft beer selection. Wine and liquor.
Bakeries near the apartment
defloured: A Gluten Free Bakery
1477 W Balmoral AveA bakery that even gluten-lovers frequent.
One of the best bakeries in the city. Don't miss their pastries and their americanos are the best.
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Lost Larson
5318 N Clark StOne of the best bakeries in the city. Don't miss their pastries and their americanos are the best.
Bars near'ish the apartment
Has been in the 'hood since the 1970s if not before. Pool table, jukebox, historic Chicago wood bar, great vibes. Don't miss it. 4-5 blocks from the apt.
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Cunneen's
1424 W Devon AveHas been in the 'hood since the 1970s if not before. Pool table, jukebox, historic Chicago wood bar, great vibes. Don't miss it. 4-5 blocks from the apt.
One of my favorite northside cocktail spots. Often have vermouth or cognac on draft (!) and solid cocktail options.
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Income Tax
One of my favorite northside cocktail spots. Often have vermouth or cognac on draft (!) and solid cocktail options.
Old and kinda grungy bar with stunning outside patio and cozy indoor fireplaces. Only a few options of house-brewed beer or a pitcher of sangria. One of my go-to spots to just hang out. Definitely a place if you like old/divey bars. Has a parking lot and food!
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Moody's Pub
5910 N BroadwayOld and kinda grungy bar with stunning outside patio and cozy indoor fireplaces. Only a few options of house-brewed beer or a pitcher of sangria. One of my go-to spots to just hang out. Definitely a place if you like old/divey bars. Has a parking lot and food!
Rogers Park Social
6920 N Glenwood AveNeighborhoods
Go for incredible Indian or Pakistani food. Find Indian groceries, fabric shops, and more. Great vegetarian options and most places are very affordable for incredible food.
West Devon Avenue
West Devon AvenueGo for incredible Indian or Pakistani food. Find Indian groceries, fabric shops, and more. Great vegetarian options and most places are very affordable for incredible food.
Sightseeing outdoors -- beaches and gardens
Beautiful beach, running path, natural area, and pier. 0.8 miles from the apartment. Go for a picnic, a walk or a run.
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Loyola Park
1230 W Greenleaf AveBeautiful beach, running path, natural area, and pier. 0.8 miles from the apartment. Go for a picnic, a walk or a run.
One of my fave local beaches. Pretty quiet during week days. Hoppin' on the weekends. Has a bar, patio, and food stand. Also has paid parking and bathrooms. (Park a little farther south and go running/walking/biking on the lakefront trail!)
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Kathy Osterman Beach House
5800 N Lake Shore DrOne of my fave local beaches. Pretty quiet during week days. Hoppin' on the weekends. Has a bar, patio, and food stand. Also has paid parking and bathrooms. (Park a little farther south and go running/walking/biking on the lakefront trail!)
Loyola Beach
One of the most diverse beaches in the city. Always poppin' with activity. Can rent kayaks here. Great beach area for swimming. Great green space for picnics and frisbees.
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Montrose Beach
One of the most diverse beaches in the city. Always poppin' with activity. Can rent kayaks here. Great beach area for swimming. Great green space for picnics and frisbees.
Free entrance, pay for car to enter. One of the top ten botanic gardens in the U.S. Absolutely stunning in any season. Definitely worth the trip!
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Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdFree entrance, pay for car to enter. One of the top ten botanic gardens in the U.S. Absolutely stunning in any season. Definitely worth the trip!