Is Avondale the Coolest Neighborhood in the World?
No. It’s not even the coolest neighborhood in Chicago. But here are some 10/10 spots you should check out before or after your nail appointment.
Much like how I describe the suburb I grew up in by its proximity to another, much more well-known suburb, Avondale is a neighborhood that people mostly know because of what it’s next to: Logan Square.
Avondale is what some might call an “up-and-coming” neighborhood (read: my rent keeps going up and up). In 2022, Time Out ranked it the 16th coolest neighborhood in the world. A truly overblown accolade, in my opinion. Avondale is FINE. It’s a perfectly fine neighborhood. But coolest in the world it is not.
Now, though, in 2025, it’s been named the FIFTH coolest—and while it is not even the fifth coolest neighborhood in this city, I do really like it here.
I’ve lived in Avondale for about 10 years now. I love the block I live on, I love how friendly everyone is here, I love that my dog is a little bit of a local celebrity around here (okay, maybe not, but people DO recognize her!), I love how walkable it is, and I love that I’m close to the train and a few bus lines.
If you’ve come to me for nails, you’ve experienced a tiny sliver of Avondale and have met the mayor (Roxanne), but there’s more to Avondale than just Nails With One N. In the past several years, a handful of spots have opened up and it’s begun to feel less like a flyover neighborhood—one you pass by on the Milwaukee bus on your way to Logan or Wicker Park, for instance. Some of my clients have asked where a good spot to get dinner is, where they can grab a coffee before or after their appointment, or where they can get a great cocktail (patio optional).
With that in mind, I’ve put together a small round-up—not a “Best of Avondale” list, but a “Jena’s Favorite Spots” list that I hope you’ll enjoy.
These are the places I visit most in my area. This is NOWHERE near an exhaustive list of things to do or places to go in this neighborhood, just a list of my most-frequented places that are located within walking distance of your nail appointment, and as such, are convenient to visit before or after you see me)—and why I think they’re worth it for you to check out, too.
Believe Cafe (3901 W Belmont Ave)
It feels like they’ve been around much longer, but Believe Cafe only just had their one-year anniversary, and I hope they never, ever leave. They’re a standing-room only coffee shop (so plan to grab-and-go), but I can’t overstate how much I love this place. Every drink is phenomenal (my personal favorites are the Real Horchata Latte (housemade horchata and espresso), the Pistachio Drip (drip coffee with pistachio syrup and pistachio milk) and the Abuelita hot cocoa (add a couple of espresso shots to this if you’re feeling saucy). Beyond the drinks, they also sell biscuit-dough empanadas that I get every Friday morning for what I like to call “Friday Treat Breakfast.” Every single one of those is good, too. You truly cannot miss at this spot. The staff could not be friendlier, and I always leave in a better mood than when I walked in. 10/10.
Deep Red Wine Merchant (2901 N Milwaukee Ave)
I have to preface this one by saying I am in no way a wine connoisseur. I like drinking it, I prefer red, but I really don’t know anything about it. That’s where Deep Red comes in. A horror-themed (fear not, it’s subtle) wine bar and bottle shop, Deep Red is a cozy space where I’ve never felt dumb asking “what is this one like” about every glass I have ever tried. The owners are passionate about what they’re selling and are happy to steer you in the direction of something you’d like. I like to read here a lot, and if you get a window seat, it’s good people-watching, too. Bonus points for the happy hour deals from 3 to 5 p.m.—who doesn’t love half-priced glasses of wine in the middle of the afternoon? They’ve got a few non-wine options, as well as N/A wine, too! 10/10.
Central Park Bar (2924 N Central Park Ave)
Since 2021, Central Park Bar has been a staple answer for the “where should we go?” question. They have a spacious patio (dog-friendly and with a fire pit and heaters when it’s chilly out), a cozy interior, and a very chill vibe overall. I’ve been there for birthday parties, I’ve been there on random weeknights, I’ve been there on first dates, and when I launched Nails With One N as a full-time thing, I celebrated with friends there. There’s no real need to wax too poetic about a comfortable neighborhood bar, but it’s popular for a reason. 10/10.
The Brewed (2843 N Milwaukee Ave)
We’ve already covered my favorite to-go coffee shop in the area, but if you’re looking for a place that you can linger a bit longer, The Brewed has you covered. Lots of seating, great decor, good drinks—this spot hits all the marks of what I want in a coffee shop to do work at. Now that I don’t have an office job or writing deadlines, I don’t frequent it as much, but a little bit of Nails With One N lore is that it was at a window seat at this cafe (if you’re noticing a trend, yes, I love a window seat) where I wrote a pros/cons list and decided to (mostly) abandon my corporate career to do nails instead, and for that, I’ll always have a soft spot for it.
El Gallo Bravo 2 (3909 W Belmont Ave)
As Chicagoans, we have no shortage of great Mexican food to choose from. I could list about five places within spitting distance that I like, but this place gets top billing for a few reasons. One, it’s very close by, so it makes for an ideal spot for a quick dinner or a last stop after a night out. Two, everything on the menu rules. How much can one say about an al pastor taco, really? Probably a lot, if you’re a food writer or restaurant critic, but you didn’t come here for that, did you? If so, my apologies. There are people who do this better than I do and there’s probably a more thorough review out there should you want that. Just trust me on this one. If you’re hungry after your 3-hour nail appointment where we used 20 colors, this place will hit the spot. 10/10.
Sleeping Village (3734 W Belmont Ave)
It feels, to me, that SV opening was the tipping point for when the neighborhood started really ramping up. It opened in 2018 and for a while, offered coffee during the daytime before being a regular ol’ bar in the evenings. Nowadays, it’s a bar and music venue with a solid patio. When I had a dog that knew how to behave in public (sorry Roxanne, it’s true and you know it; we’re working on it) I used to bring him here. Nowadays, it’s a chill neighborhood hang for me (sans dog, because Roxanne is more of a homebody). They often have pop up markets, and the show space is great, too—some standouts in my own experience have been seeing Caleb Hearon, Laura Jane Grace/Sincere Engineer and Maddie Diaz. Their forte is beer, though they have some other options on the menu. Anyways, it’s worth a visit. 10/10.
Joong Boo Market (3333 N Kimball Ave)
Yes, I’m putting a grocery store on my list. I think Time Out did, too, in 2022, and it’s warranted. Joong Boo is a Korean market where you’ll find many pantry staples for Asian cooking (sauces, specialty produce, noodles, rice, etc.), but it’s also where you’ll find what I tell anyone who will listen is the best tofu around—Phoenix Bean tofu. You may have seen the brand at local farmers markets, but if you haven’t tried it yet, and you like tofu even a little, you need to get yourself some Phoenix Bean. Other standouts include the snack section (honey butter almonds and churro flavored ‘turtle chips’ are my go-tos), the home goods room and the wall of kimchi. Do not skip the dumpling stand outside, either. For something like four dollars, you’ll get to enjoy a softball-sized, pillowy-soft bun stuffed with your choice of pork, kimchi or red bean. 10/10.
Void (2937 N Milwaukee)
Void is a newer one in the area. It’s a little more upscale than many of the places on this list, which makes it a good spot if you’re looking for something more than a burger or tacos. They also make a non-alcoholic Malort, and if you’re thinking, “Why would I drink non-alcoholic Malort?” you’re not alone—their menu reads “We have successfully removed Malort’s only redeeming feature.” I haven’t tried it—maybe someday (maybe not). Their menu changes from time to time, and when a friend and I went a while back, everything was excellent. Great cocktails, great vibe. 10/10.
Chicago Pickle (3055 N Milwaukee Ave)
At the time I’m writing this, this sandwich spot is temporarily closed due to a fire. My fingers are crossed that it reopens, though. You know what a sandwich is, so I don’t really need to explain that. They make very good ones—hot or cold—and if you want leftovers, get a whole sandwich (no worries, though, a half will be *plenty* to fill you up). They also have a great “fun drink” cooler (I love a fancy soda), an extensive selection of chips and snacks, and a little bakery case should you require a sweet treat. Like I said, fingers very crossed it reopens! 10/10.
Consignment Lounge (3520 W Diversey Ave)
Part vintage store, part bar, if you’re prone to shopping after you’ve had a few drinks, this place may be a little dangerous for you. Everything on the walls and shelves here is for sale, ranging from glassware to found photos to vintage clothing. It’s a cute little spot to visit and I really enjoy seeing what new knickknacks will be there, plus the drinks are great. Bonus points for having solid N/A options. 10/10.
A few honorable mentions:
Tacos Tequilas (great tacos + margs); Cermak Produce (another grocery store, I know, boring! But it’s a good one!); Mother’s Ruin (cocktail bar with great food); Avondale Tap (chill casual neighborhood restaurant); Record Breakers (record store); Brew Brew (more great coffee drinks and pastries); Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club (a perfect brunch, IMO); DiVita’s Pizza (10/10 tavern style).
Okay, now you know my favorite spots in the area.
Maybe it’s cooler than I’m giving it credit for. But coolest in the world? Nah. I’d like to have a word with whatever property management company is funding that campaign.
