What’s Local? Nearby Food & Drinks
Looking for a brunch, lunch, or pre/post-class hangout spot nearby? Options abound! Here are a few of our favorites that are nearby. Don’t see your favorite listed? Send us a note!
ON DAMEN AVE
Amy's Candy Bar
4704 N Damen
Enjoy classic candies and familiar favorites in attractive and giftable to-go bags, decadent ice cream, and caramels, chocolate bars and more handcrafted by confectioner and owner Amy Hansen, a graduate of the French Pastry School in Chicago. We particularly love it for its homemade ice cream sandwiches, custom chocolate concoctions, and friendly, creative and hardworking owner who really is named Amy.
Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club
4747 N Damen
This is the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood outpost of the popular North Park brunch spot, with a menu of creative twists on classic brunch fare, created by Chef Manny Mejia, formerly of M Henry and Ju. We particularly love it for its hearty, often Mexican-infused dishes, and creative pancake and french toast items.
Del Sur Bakery & Cafe
4639 N Damen
The latest edition (as of March 2025) to the Damen retail area, Del Sur unifies the flavors of the Philippines with timeless Midwestern techniques, creating memorable pastries and specialty beverages in a space where tradition, creativity, and community thrive. We particularly love it…we’ll let you know as soon as we’re able to try it!
The Perfect Cup
4700 N Damen
This cozy, locally owned and long-running coffee shop is one of the area's best for working, conversing and relaxing. We particularly love it for its often quiet/chill atmosphere (a great place to get some work done) and super friendly, caring, and community-engaged owner, Anne.
Platform 47
4709 N Damen
A neighborhood spot run by food and beverage veterans, it’s where locals go for a quick bite and brew. We love it for its casual atmosphere and bar food menu with some interesting and welcome twists.
ON MONTROSE
La Amistad
1914 W Montrose
Serving familiar favorites like burritos, tortas, enchiladas and many others, La Amistad is both cost effective and a tasty cut above your typical neighborhood taqueria. We particularly love it for its hearty burritos, tasty tortas (our favorite is with carne asada) and casual, neighborhood vibe.
Anna's Thai Kitchen
1828 W Montrose
With recipes derived from family favorites featuring unexpected accents, Anna's brings fresh and distinctive flavors to familiar Thai dishes. We particularly love it for its dishes that are a step above typical Thai fare and slightly different than the norm.
Bayan Ko Diner
1820 W Montrose
Offering Filipino and Cuban takes on breakfast classics like their Ube Pancakes and Cubano Breakfast Burrito made with Ropa Vieja, Bayan Ko serves one of the tastiest and most unique brunches in the area, along with delicious dinner options. We particularly love it for its east-west fusion cuisine that puts a new spin on brunch classics.
BIen Me Sabe
1637 W Montrose
Bien Me Sabe serves delicious, traditional Venezuelan food in a comfortable and fashionable space. Try their signature arepas, a flatbread made from ground maize dough, and stuffed with fillings like black beans, plantains, cheese, braised beef, or stewed pork. A great option for gluten free individuals and families. We particularly love it for its bell-filing arepas, tostone appetizer, and chicha (think a drinkable rice pudding).
Spoken Café
1812 W Montrose
Spoken serves some of the city's tastiest and most distinctive sandwiches and soups, often with a Cajun inflection, along with hosting a retail section stocked with some of their favorite house-made sauces, pickles and preserves. We particularly love it for its homemade soups (seasonal only) that, no matter the type, are always delicious, as well as for their bagels and daily and often creative sandwich specials.
ALSO NEARBY
Colectivo Coffee
1825 W Lawrence
Offering a selection of pastries and food items, in addition to a variety of coffee and tea options, this relatively new location (2025) is one of several around Chicago and has quickly become popular. We particularly love it for its seasonal items and its cozy mezzanine seating area that is a great place for settling in for an afternoon.
Fin Sushi Bar (& Thai Restaurant)
1742 W Wilson
Fin is the second closest restaurant to the studio and a popular neighborhood spot offering a wide selection of sushi and Thai dish options. We particularly love it for its lunch menu and, in the summer, pleasant outdoor seating.
O’Shaughnessy’s Public House
4557 N Ravenswood
The closest restaurant to the studio, O’Shaughnessy’s is an authentic Irish pub with a broad selection of tasty food and drink options for lunch or dinner. (Not being a drinker) we particularly love it for its hearty pub food items, including salads, and warm atmosphere.
Spacca Napoli Pizzaria
1769 W Sunnyside
Celebrated, classy yet casual lunch and dinner spot serving authentic, Neopolitan-style thin crust pizza with fresh, carefully sourced ingredients in an oven built by artisans from Napoli. We particularly love it for its delicious, top notch appetizers and pizzas, including daily specials, that provided a welcome contrast to Chicago’s deep dish monoculture.