Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Heartland Cafe
7000 N Glenwood AveIt's a neighborhood institution, and it has a great patio
The best Ethiopian food in Chicago. Plus they have gluten-free injera (bread). There is a sister restaurant at Clark and Howard, closer by, but this one has a better atmosphere and more people
41 locals recommend
Ethiopian Diamond
6120 N BroadwayThe best Ethiopian food in Chicago. Plus they have gluten-free injera (bread). There is a sister restaurant at Clark and Howard, closer by, but this one has a better atmosphere and more people
El Famous Burrito
7047 N Clark StLegendary taco/burrito place
m.henry
5707 N Clark StWell known for brunch - yum!
Vincent
1475 W Balmoral AvePricey but delicious new American food
Drinks & Nightlife
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StAwesome bar with upscale food, gets super packed
Evanston SPACE
1245 Chicago AveHas great live acts. Very well-respected place to see music
They have global music at this cute little bar tucked away on a side street
64 locals recommend
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia AveThey have global music at this cute little bar tucked away on a side street
Entertainment & Activities
Newest closest movie theater with a bajillion movies, and it's surrounded by restaurants so you can get something to eat before or after
38 locals recommend
Century 12 Evanston / CinéArts 6 and XD
1715 Maple AveNewest closest movie theater with a bajillion movies, and it's surrounded by restaurants so you can get something to eat before or after
Essentials
Freshest produce around, and really inexpensive. A short walk from home
8 locals recommend
Rogers Park Fruit Market
7401 N Clark StFreshest produce around, and really inexpensive. A short walk from home
Closest Whole Foods if you're driving.
If you are on public transportation, there's one on Broadway just south of the Granville El stop.
61 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
6020 N Cicero AveClosest Whole Foods if you're driving.
If you are on public transportation, there's one on Broadway just south of the Granville El stop.
Good, inexpensive produce, right next to the Morse Red Line stop
53 locals recommend
Morse Fresh Market
1430 W Morse AveGood, inexpensive produce, right next to the Morse Red Line stop
Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak RdClosest big grocery store
Getting Around
Morse is the closest El stop, it's on the Red line, 6 blocks east from the apartment.
If you get a pass, you can enter and exit on Lunt, which cuts a block off the walk.
The #96 Lunt bus will take you to the Morse stop - the bus stop is literally in front of the building. It only runs during rush hour.
Download a Ventra ap to get schedules. Also, look up the CTA Bus Tracker - it will tell you when the bus is arriving. I had a roommate who was always sprinting down the three flights of stairs to catch the bus, because he waited until it was one minute away to run downstairs.
30 locals recommend
Morse station
Morse is the closest El stop, it's on the Red line, 6 blocks east from the apartment.
If you get a pass, you can enter and exit on Lunt, which cuts a block off the walk.
The #96 Lunt bus will take you to the Morse stop - the bus stop is literally in front of the building. It only runs during rush hour.
Download a Ventra ap to get schedules. Also, look up the CTA Bus Tracker - it will tell you when the bus is arriving. I had a roommate who was always sprinting down the three flights of stairs to catch the bus, because he waited until it was one minute away to run downstairs.
Shopping
There are a ton of little shops to walk around to in this neighborhood, which is on Clark Street roughly between Foster and Bryn Mawr
154 locals recommend
Andersonville
There are a ton of little shops to walk around to in this neighborhood, which is on Clark Street roughly between Foster and Bryn Mawr
Parks & Nature
Best beach in Chicago, unless you actually like the crowds of North Avenue beach
47 locals recommend
Loyola Beach
Best beach in Chicago, unless you actually like the crowds of North Avenue beach