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.
Tiny Lounge is a really well-designed neighborhood bar/restaurant who serves up craft cocktails and upscale pub food in a low-lit, relaxed setting. We love their patio and open air dining in the summer or sitting at the bar for dinner during the cooler nights. It’s somewhat hidden from the main strip of go-to restaurants on Lincoln Ave., which is what we love about it. It’s become our date night spot when we don’t feel like going too far from home or a great place to cheers to happy hour. They also serve a tasty brunch on Sundays. If you go, you MUST get the Tiny Burgers and fries—they come topped with bacon and with magical dipping sauces that will have you dreaming about them the next day. Another favorite is the Pizzetta Margherita and the daily specials are usually fantastic. For drinks, we’re whiskey lovers so the Suburban and Wyatt Earp are our favorites, hands down.
