Lincoln Square is like being in a small town within the city. It's a blend of people from all cultures, ages and walks of life. A pedestrian-friendly strip brings a great mix of casual eateries and upscale restaurants, European-style cafes, independent stores and fun things to do like touring Half Acre Brewery, catching a new release at Davis Theater or laying on a blanket in Welles Park. We love it for its chill vibe, tree-lined streets and plenty of things to see, do, taste and try. Here are some of our favorites.
Great little BYOB Italian restaurant whose known for their wood-fired brick oven pizzas (they made the oven themselves!) and pasta dishes.
A casual and cozy authentic indian restaurant with great cocktails.
The best Banh Mi sandwiches around. Fresh-baked bread, crunchy vegetables and slow cooked meat.
Old Chicago neighborhood movie theater with 3 screens in the heart of Lincoln Square.
Sushi, ramen and maki served traditional-style in a beautifully designed space.
Our favorite restaurant in Lincoln Square. Can't say enough good things about it.
An independent, curated home goods store with a focus on plants, scents and home accessories.
15 acres of grass, trees, tennis courts, sand volleyball, ballfields, horseshoe pits, a gazebo and great people watching.
Gelato. Gelato. Gelato. And coffee. Do we really need to say more?
Best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Ask any local and they'll agree.
Novelty and humorous gifts for just about any occasion. We go here for their great selection of greeting cards and random buys.
A quaint and quiet yoga and massage studio on a tree-lined street just off the beaten path. The perfect place to get your zen on.
A curated collection of well-designed, Mid-Century style home goods and artwork by local artists. You can't walk out of here without something calling your name.
An independent coffee house with house-made nut milks, simple syrups and interesting concoctions.
A sophisticated piercing studio with a unique jewelry gallery.
New American restaurant with great food and cocktails at prices that won't make you gasp.
Around the corner from the main strip, this little bar is new to Lincoln Square and a great addition to the area. The bar feels dark and upscale, but the vibe is relaxed, perfect for small groups or duos out on the town. During the week, it's like a modern day version of Cheers where everyone knows your name, and you can usually get in with no wait. The weekends are packed from open til close, and a great little spot for a drink before or after dinner in the hood. The cocktails, all $12 each, balance whimsy with familiarity. The menu was conceived by beverage director Benjamin Schiller, where he combines some unexpected ingredients like wheat bourbon with Dark Matter’s Unicorn Blood coffee and pipe tobacco or a mescal-based drink with grilled pineapple and hazelnut with swirls of cedar smoke. Our personal opinion—don't be tempted by the pizza next door at Roots. It's not the best in town. If pizza is what you want, go the extra mile to Pizza Art Cafe or Lou Malnati's down the street.
