Hermosa is a small neighborhood on Chicago’s northwest side that’s home to a close-knit Hispanic population, local eateries, vintage warehouses, and lots of hidden gems.
Start your day in Hermosa at one of the neighborhood’s eclectic coffee shops. The Latina-owned Tasa Coffee Roasters is dedicated to roasting and brewing sustainable coffees sourced from women-owned farms. Try creative drinks like the coconut lavender latte or the horchata cold brew, plus bites like empanadas and Cubanos.
As you traverse the neighborhood, keep your eyes peeled for classic Chicago bungalows. Hermosa is filled with this distinctive style of residential architecture — in fact, the Hermosa Bungalow Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
The Hermosa neighborhood first started to form in the 1880s, when immigrants began to settle in the area. One of these early residents was Walt Disney’s father, who built a cottage where his son would eventually be born. Today, you can take tours inside the lovingly restored Walt Disney birthplace.
For lunch, don’t miss the viral birria options at Tacotlán (visited by TikTok-famous restaurant critic Keith Lee). Order the classic quesabirria tacos with a side of savory consomme for dipping or try creative options like the birria fries, birria grilled cheese, and birria ramen.
Next, hunt for antique treasures at a neighborhood vintage store. Antiques on Old Plank Road is a sprawling warehouse of European finds, including furniture, lighting, decor, and more. Another local favorite is Beyond Grandma’s House, where you’ll find endless rooms filled to the brim with collectibles, jewelry, toys, and more.
Your visit to Hermosa isn’t complete without a stop at Right Bee Cider, owned and operated by a local husband and wife team. Located in an old Schwinn bike factory, this urban cidery creates small-batch ciders with American-grown apples and honey from their rooftop hives.
If you’re looking for even more to do in the area, the Klairmont Kollections is located near the north end of the neighborhood. This sprawling museum is home to one of the largest collections of automobiles in the Midwest, featuring more than 300 classic and antique automobiles.
Also nearby, the western trailhead of The 606 lies on the east end of Hermosa. This elevated pedestrian trail, a reclaimed public space built atop an old railway line, is a popular spot for walking and connects to other cool neighborhoods like Logan Square, Bucktown, and Humboldt Park.
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