If you are looking for a neighborhood to shop local from, Andersonville is it. Andersonville has been named the “shop local capital of Chicago” for its huge number of independent and local businesses! A neighborhood of Edgewater, on Chicago’s north side, Andersonville has Swedish roots and one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations. 

The community’s motto is “Andersonville is for everyone” and there’s definitely something for everyone between all the amazing food, artistry, and shopping. Here’s the CGL Guide to Andersonville! There are so many places, but here are just a few of my favs!

Coffee & Breakfast

• Svea (breakfast + lunch) – Svea is the ultimate Swedish restaurant with great food at reasonable prices!
• A Taste of Heaven Bakery & Cafe – American cafe with a great location that’s open 8 am-9 pm.
• Kopi Cafe & Boutique – an eclectic coffee shop with global food options.
• The Understudy Coffee & Books – Andersonville’s newest coffee shop is also a theatre lovers’ dream bookstore!
• Dollop Diner – fresh + delicious meals and great service!

Activities & Outings

• Swedish American Museum – this is a must-do for exploring Andersonville! 
• Chicago Magic Lounge – this swanky venue has three performance spaces and at least one magic show per day, a bar, and a restaurant.
• Shopping!
  • Gethsemane Garden Center – a fabulous nursery with a super cute gift shop.
  • Lilla Barn – handmade women’s and children’s clothes with Swedish influences and pops of color!
  • Rattleback Records – new and used vinyl plus vintage decor.
  • *play – a perfectly curated children’s toy store.
  • ENJOY, An Urban General Store – one of my favorite quirky gift boutiques.
  • Paper & Pencil – a tiny but mighty stationery shop for paper lovers.
  • Andersonville Galleria – this huge market has so many different levels with nooks and crannies filled with local artisan apparel, art, and housewares.
  • Women & Children First – a great family bookstore!
  • SCOUT – high-end vintage home furnishings.
  • Uncharted Books – a welcoming used bookstore with a resident Siberian Husky named Ramona.
  • Vase & Vessel – a gorgeous plant and vase store.
  • Foursided – another great gift boutique that specializes in funky art prints.

Lunch, Brunch, & Snacks

• m.henry – New American with lots of vegetarian and vegan options.
• Pizza Lobo – Pizza – new location here and it’s great!
• Defloured: A Gluten-Free Bakery
• First Slice Pie Cafe – a delicious bakery that gives back to the community all year.
• Andale Market – it’s small, but they carry some really unique brands. I found a really good spicy margarita mix here! 
• Lost Larson – Swedish Bakery – pastries are really good. 
• Andies Restaurant – Mediterranean Fusion
• Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria Andersonville – vegan tacos, and they are really good!
• Bongo Room – Traditional American with fun pancakes and mimosas.

Dinner

• Fireside Restaurant & Lounge – American, great for gatherings!
• Little Madrid Tapas Cafe – Spanish
• Little Bad Wolf – New American – one of the best burgers in the city, easily in the top 10!
• Big Jones – Southern Heirloom and Bar
• Lonesome Rose – Tex-Mex
• Lady Gregory’s – Irish Gastro Pub
• Bar Roma – Italian with a great happy hour!

Drinks

• Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room – get a wine tasting and small bites.
• Eli Tea Bar – a specialty tea shop and sober bar.
• Nobody’s Darling – Craft Cocktails –  they just expanded, and it’s even bigger now. They have award-winning cocktails! 
• Farraguts on Clark – no-frills dive bar with cheap drinks
• Simon’s Tavern – live music, large beer selection, classic neighborhood bar.
• Hopleaf – a great brewery date!

Fall Events

• Arts Weekend – October 4th – 6th
• Fall Wine Walk – October 6th
• Aville-O-Ween – October 26th
• Viking Pub Crawl – November 17

Their chamber of commerce is super active and you can find tons more info! I hope this is helpful and if I missed any of your Andersonville favorites, let me know! And if you want to explore more Chicago neighborhoods, read more here.

Christine