Edgewater, a Chicago lakefront neighborhood, has more than a few perks for its residents. The neighborhood is home to a stretch of beaches including Hollywood Beach (formally known as Kathy Osterman Beach), Lane Beach, and Foster Beach. Plus, the neighborhood has a median sale price of $230,000 with a wide variety of price points for homebuyers. If you settle down in Edgewater, you can look forward to warm beach days in the summer and revel in the neighborhood’s vibrant restaurant scene. Eat your way through Edgewater with this guide made for anyone who appreciates good food.

Coffee

Photo courtesy of The Coffee Studio

Edgewater has no shortage of spots to fill up on coffee. Allegro Coffee Company is a small-batch coffee roaster with multiple locations around the city—the Edgewater one is located in a Whole Foods. The Coffee Studio, located on Clark Street in the smaller neighborhood Andersonville within Edgewater, specializes in espresso but serves up everything from doughnuts and bagels to craft beer and loose leaf tea. Also, just down the street on Clark, coffee drinkers can sample the caffeinated beverages of TrueNorth.

Brunch

Brunch is big in Chicago. A loaded bloody mary, pancakes as big as a dinner plate, Belgian waffles, eggs any way you want—you name it. Edgewater has plenty of spots for the dedicated brunch goer. Nookies, a Chicago breakfast staple, has an Edgewater location where you’ll find classic diner food. Take your pick of pancakes, French toast, crepes, eggs, and grits. The Growling Rabbit on North Broadway Street serves as a brunch pub and a supper club. Look for hearty dishes like biscuits and gravy and chorizo omelets on this menu. Sauce and Bread Kitchen serves breakfast all day, and most of the food is crafted with local ingredients.

Asian Cuisine

Dak's Wings photo courtesy of Christopher Bain

Edgewater is a little further north than Asia on Argyle in Uptown, but the neighborhood still has a solid selection of restaurants featuring Asian cuisine. Discover Thai and Japanese dishes at Indie Cafe. On Granville Avenue, you can satisfy your craving for wings and Korean food at Dak. For beautifully presented dishes, head over to the Michelin-starred, BYOB Thai restaurant Herb on Broadway Street. Edgewater also caters to diners with dietary restrictions at Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen, a Pan-Asian restaurant that creates gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, sugar-free, and vegan dishes.

Ethiopian

Edgewater has not one but two Ethiopian restaurants, both located on North Broadway. Ethiopian Diamond is run by and named for executive chef Almaz Yigizaw. Come in person to the restaurant for brunch, lunch, and dinner, or order delivery right to your doorstep. Within walking distance, you’ll also find Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant owned by Zenash Beyene. Look for savory, classic Ethiopian dishes made with spices like garlic, ginger, and berbere. Ras Dashen does vegetarian meals as well as meals made with beef, lamb, and chicken. The smell wafting from the kitchen is always intoxicating.

Casual Cafes

Photo courtesy of pHlour Bakery & Cafe

If you aren’t in the mood for a heavy sit down meal, Edgewater has a number of cafes that offer quick bites on the go and a place to linger over small treats and conversation. No mention of food in Edgewater would be complete without Zanzibar Cafe. Not far from Hollywood Beach, Zanzibar does sandwiches, salads, and baked goods, but most importantly ice cream. The Waterfront Cafe is a scenic spot for a bite to eat. The cafe, located in the Berger Park Cultural Center, has an outdoor patio overlooking the lake. Catch live music while you enjoy the casual menu and cocktails. If carbs are the key to your heart, pHlour Bakery & Cafe is everything you could want in an eatery. The cafe makes its bread fresh and in-house every day.

Sweets

Practically next door to the Ethiopian Diamond on North Broadway, dessert fanatics will find their go-to ice cream spot in Lickity Split Frozen Custard. This confectionary serves frozen custard, concretes, cupcakes, and candy. The custard and concrete flavors rotate monthly, but you can always count on the frozen treats being thick, creamy, and decadent. The pastries come from local bakeries, and the shop’s coffee is brewed by Metropolis Coffee. The store’s candy selection is designed with retro flavors in mind.