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.
Gather is our favorite restaurant in Lincoln Square. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love it. If you’re not a foodie, you’ll love it. Great food, great cocktails, huge wine list, great atmosphere and excellent service. Dine inside or outside on their terrace. The food can be a family-style experience where you order small plates and share. But if you don’t want to share, you can go solo and get a larger plate. We’ve never had a bad dish here, so anything is up for grabs. If you listen to mom and eat your leafy greens, we highly recommend the crispy brussel sprouts as a side to any dish. The tagliatelle and grilled sirloin are both really great. They also have a great brunch on Sundays and are known for their sticky buns. Tip: Make sure you have a reservation before you go. They're booked 1-2 weeks in advance at normal dinner times. Also, their dishes are pretty, but they taste their best when you stir everything together on the plate. Enjoy—we know you will!
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