Find Nearby

---
name: find-nearby
description: Find nearby places (restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, etc.) using OpenStreetMap. Works with coordinates, addresses, or zip codes. No API keys needed.
---

# Find Nearby — Local Place Discovery

Find restaurants, cafes, bars, pharmacies, and other places near any location using OpenStreetMap (free, no API keys).

## Quick Start

### By Coordinates

```bash
# Search for restaurants near coordinates
curl "https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/search?q=restaurant&format=json&lat=40.7128&lon=-74.0060&radius=1500"

# Using Overpass API
curl -X POST https://overpass-api.de/api/interpreter   -d '[out:json];
  node["amenity"="restaurant"](around:1500,40.7128,-74.0060);
  out;'
```

### By Address/Place Name

```bash
# Geocode address first
curl "https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/search?q=Times+Square,New+York&format=json&limit=1"

# Then search nearby
# (use lat/lon from geocode result)
```

## Place Types

Common amenity types:

| Type | Description |
|------|-------------|
| restaurant | Full-service restaurants |
| cafe | Coffee shops, cafes |
| bar | Bars and pubs |
| fast_food | Fast food restaurants |
| pharmacy | Drugstores |
| hospital | Medical facilities |
| bank | Banks and ATMs |
| supermarket | Grocery stores |
| convenience | Convenience stores |
| fuel | Gas stations |
| parking | Parking lots |
| hotel | Hotels |

## Overpass API Query

```bash
# Restaurants within radius
curl -X POST https://overpass-api.de/api/interpreter   -d '[out:json];
  (
    node["amenity"="restaurant"](around:RADIUS,LAT,LON);
    way["amenity"="restaurant"](around:RADIUS,LAT,LON);
    relation["amenity"="restaurant"](around:RADIUS,LAT,LON);
  );
  out center;
  >;
  out skel qt;'
```

Replace:
- RADIUS: meters (e.g., 1500)
- LAT: latitude (e.g., 40.7128)
- LON: longitude (e.g., -74.0060)

## Output Format

```json
{
  "places": [
    {
      "name": "Joe's Restaurant",
      "distance": 450,
      "address": "123 Main St, New York, NY",
      "type": "restaurant",
      "lat": 40.7123,
      "lon": -74.0055,
      "directions_url": "https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=40.7123,-74.0055"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Location Input Formats

| Format | Example |
|--------|---------|
| Coordinates | "40.7128,-74.0060" |
| Address | "123 Main St, New York" |
| City | "Austin" |
| Zip Code | "90210" |
| Landmark | "Times Square" |
| Airport Code | "JFK" |

## Python Script

```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import requests
import json
import sys

def find_nearby(lat, lon, place_type="restaurant", radius=1500, limit=15):
    overpass_query = f'''
    [out:json];
    (
      node["amenity"="{place_type}"](around:{radius},{lat},{lon});
      way["amenity"="{place_type}"](around:{radius},{lat},{lon});
    );
    out center {limit};
    '''
    
    response = requests.post(
        'https://overpass-api.de/api/interpreter',
        data=overpass_query
    )
    
    data = response.json()
    places = []
    
    for element in data['elements']:
        if 'tags' in element:
            lat_val = element.get('lat') or element.get('center', {}).get('lat')
            lon_val = element.get('lon') or element.get('center', {}).get('lon')
            
            place = {
                "name": element['tags'].get('name', 'Unknown'),
                "type": place_type,
                "lat": lat_val,
                "lon": lon_val,
                "address": element['tags'].get('addr:street', ''),
                "directions_url": f"https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination={lat_val},{lon_val}"
            }
            places.append(place)
    
    return {"places": places}

if __name__ == "__main__":
    # Parse arguments and run
    pass
```

## Error Handling

- Coordinates out of range: Validate lat (-90 to 90) and lon (-180 to 180)
- No results: Suggest widening radius or different place type
- API rate limits: Cache results, retry with backoff
- Geocoding failures: Try alternative address formats

## Integration

Perfect for:
- Finding restaurants while traveling
- Locating pharmacies near you
- Discovering cafes in new neighborhoods
- Planning routes with stops
- Finding healthy dining options