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.
It's true. This is the best deep dish pizza in all of Chicago. Not Gino's East or Giordano's like tourists tend to think. Located right on the edge of Lincoln Square and North Center, Lou Malnati's opened their 42nd location here in May 2015, and we couldn’t be happier! The walls are retractable and open during the warmer days. We love both their thin crust and deep dish, but they're known for their deep dish. It has a buttery crust, cheese layered in the middle and sweet chunky tomato sauce piled on top. They have a big bar and plenty of seating, both inside and out. Eat in or take it to-go and eat it in Welles Park right across the street. After, walk over to Tiny Lounge for a cocktail or two. Tip: If you order sausage, there are two different types they use. 'Sausage Pieces' which is crumbled sausage that's sprinkled all over or 'Sausage' which is a thick solid sheet of sausage that's laid on top.
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