Cafe Nova

With its mismatched furniture, sakura tree decal stickers, and a grass wall with neon signs that say “good vibes” and “be happy”, it’s hard to pinpoint the vibe Cafe Nova is going for. But, despite this casual Rogers Park spot’s eclectic design, the Sri Lankan menu is fairly cohesive. There are zesty curries like saag paneer and a fragrant one with fish and coconut milk, plus some pretty good dosas. But the best thing here is the kothu paratha: tiny chopped-up pieces of crispy yet chewy flatbread and plenty of spice and flavor from garam masala, vegetables, and fried egg, which is perfect for a quick lunch or take-out dinner.