Restaurants & Cafes
You simply cannot stay here without getting a snack at Mina’s World. It’s right around the corner of Hazel Ave on 52nd Street. This cafe opened just before the pandemic, and immediately had to adapt when the city went into lockdown. They absolutely kill it every week with an inventive rotating menu of treats from Okie Dokie Donuts, Crust Vegan Bakery and Oui Pastries, and seasonal beverage specials. The menu is greatly informed by one of the owner’s Indian heritage, so you’ll find standard coffee shop fare infused with Cardamom, Rose and Tahini flavors, and other spices. Lots of gluten free and vegan options. They take extra care to work with independent coffee roasters who support equitable conditions for farmers, which translates to quality coffee with a variety flavors.
If you only go once, you have to get the iced Pink Drink (their signature Chai Tea Latte with Rose Syrup), and a samosa with coriander mint chutney. Who would have thought that samosas pair perfectly with coffee? Breakfast of champions.
Mina's World
511 S 52nd StYou simply cannot stay here without getting a snack at Mina’s World. It’s right around the corner of Hazel Ave on 52nd Street. This cafe opened just before the pandemic, and immediately had to adapt when the city went into lockdown. They absolutely kill it every week with an inventive rotating menu of treats from Okie Dokie Donuts, Crust Vegan Bakery and Oui Pastries, and seasonal beverage specials. The menu is greatly informed by one of the owner’s Indian heritage, so you’ll find standard coffee shop fare infused with Cardamom, Rose and Tahini flavors, and other spices. Lots of gluten free and vegan options. They take extra care to work with independent coffee roasters who support equitable conditions for farmers, which translates to quality coffee with a variety flavors.
If you only go once, you have to get the iced Pink Drink (their signature Chai Tea Latte with Rose Syrup), and a samosa with coriander mint chutney. Who would have thought that samosas pair perfectly with coffee? Breakfast of champions.
Excellent Margaritas and reasonably priced delicious Mexican food. A good option for Happy Hour. They also sell margarita pitchers to go. I recommend the Coupe De Ville — tequila, blood orange puree, lime, $7 or $35 for a pitcher.
167 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Loco Pez
2401 E Norris StExcellent Margaritas and reasonably priced delicious Mexican food. A good option for Happy Hour. They also sell margarita pitchers to go. I recommend the Coupe De Ville — tequila, blood orange puree, lime, $7 or $35 for a pitcher.
Great brick-oven pizzas, salads/sides, and wine. They have a wine shop too if that’s all you’re looking for. Their seating is sort of limited. It’s my go-to for delivery, or takeout to eat in Clark Park. I recommend the cauliflower salad.
39 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Clarkville
4301 Baltimore Ave Great brick-oven pizzas, salads/sides, and wine. They have a wine shop too if that’s all you’re looking for. Their seating is sort of limited. It’s my go-to for delivery, or takeout to eat in Clark Park. I recommend the cauliflower salad.
Spacious outdoor seating area, good vibes, great menu around the clock for brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour. I recommend the shrimp cocktail — spiced and seasoned to perfection.
91 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Cedar Park Cafe
4914 Baltimore AveSpacious outdoor seating area, good vibes, great menu around the clock for brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour. I recommend the shrimp cocktail — spiced and seasoned to perfection.
A deli with amazing Banh Mi sandwiches. The tofu banh mi is especially good, and it’s vegan. Cash only.
66 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Fu-Wah Mini Market
810 S 47th StA deli with amazing Banh Mi sandwiches. The tofu banh mi is especially good, and it’s vegan. Cash only.
Mutual Aid
“Take what you need, Leave what you don’t.” The People’s Fridge is a community mutual aid initiative to get free food to those in need, and reduce food waste. It’s an alternative to food pantries, which only stock non-perishable items. For example, you might get Mac & cheese from a food pantry, but no milk or butter to help you make it. The People’s Fridge helps those in need get fresh produce and other perishable food that is otherwise hard to find.
Please drop off any produce or other food you may have bought during your stay, so that it doesn’t go to waste. Only donate fresh, non-expired, un-opened food that is safe to eat. (Ideas: Fruit, Veggies, Bread, Lunch Meat, Protein Bars, Milk, Tofu, Pre-packaged sandwiches, Juices, Kids snacks). Likewise, if you’re in need yourself, you can shop at the fridge. The People’s Fridge is for everyone. It’s not charity, it’s solidarity.
For more info check out their Instagram: @thefridgeon52nd
Can’t drop anything off but want to support? Donate on Venmo: thepeoplesfridge215
The People's Fridge
125 South 52nd Street“Take what you need, Leave what you don’t.” The People’s Fridge is a community mutual aid initiative to get free food to those in need, and reduce food waste. It’s an alternative to food pantries, which only stock non-perishable items. For example, you might get Mac & cheese from a food pantry, but no milk or butter to help you make it. The People’s Fridge helps those in need get fresh produce and other perishable food that is otherwise hard to find.
Please drop off any produce or other food you may have bought during your stay, so that it doesn’t go to waste. Only donate fresh, non-expired, un-opened food that is safe to eat. (Ideas: Fruit, Veggies, Bread, Lunch Meat, Protein Bars, Milk, Tofu, Pre-packaged sandwiches, Juices, Kids snacks). Likewise, if you’re in need yourself, you can shop at the fridge. The People’s Fridge is for everyone. It’s not charity, it’s solidarity.
For more info check out their Instagram: @thefridgeon52nd
Can’t drop anything off but want to support? Donate on Venmo: thepeoplesfridge215
Parks
Park tal-Malcolm X
5100 Pine StA big communal park nearby, good for group gatherings, picnics, a walk or sitting by yourself. Dog friendly. You might just see someone riding horseback through the center field…
188 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Clark Park
4300-4398 Baltimore AveA big communal park nearby, good for group gatherings, picnics, a walk or sitting by yourself. Dog friendly. You might just see someone riding horseback through the center field…
Food scene
Saturday morning farmer’s market with a great produce selection, fresh flowers and various bakeries, local kombucha + goods from various vendors (jewelry, bath & body products). Get there early if there is a special kind of produce you want because they tend to sell out of hard to find fruits or veggies by 10am.
188 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Clark Park
4300-4398 Baltimore AveSaturday morning farmer’s market with a great produce selection, fresh flowers and various bakeries, local kombucha + goods from various vendors (jewelry, bath & body products). Get there early if there is a special kind of produce you want because they tend to sell out of hard to find fruits or veggies by 10am.
Shops
Great used bookstore! Small, hole-in-the-wall place with good selection of new and classic books, plenty of radical topical texts plus fiction.
Bindlestiff Books
4530 Baltimore AveGroceries
Small cooperatively run grocer with a selection of fancier/organic foods, snacks and pantry items, as well as envirofriendly toiletries, prepared “to-go” foods, and dairy & produce staples. Some produce is seasonal so if there is a specific fruit or vegetable you’re looking for they might not have it if it’s out of season, but they usually have the basics. The prices are not that bad - Applegate Farms lunch meat is $1 cheaper here than at other stores. I recommend trying the purple sweet potatoes which seem to be in stock year round. You can cook them any way (baked, boiled or sautéed) and they are so flavorful you can eat them plain.
146 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Mariposa Food Co-op
4824 Baltimore AveSmall cooperatively run grocer with a selection of fancier/organic foods, snacks and pantry items, as well as envirofriendly toiletries, prepared “to-go” foods, and dairy & produce staples. Some produce is seasonal so if there is a specific fruit or vegetable you’re looking for they might not have it if it’s out of season, but they usually have the basics. The prices are not that bad - Applegate Farms lunch meat is $1 cheaper here than at other stores. I recommend trying the purple sweet potatoes which seem to be in stock year round. You can cook them any way (baked, boiled or sautéed) and they are so flavorful you can eat them plain.