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.
Set in the heart of Lincoln Square is Welles Park and it doesn’t cost a thing! Here you can hang out on a 15-acre lawn with big trees, ballfields, a gazebo, sand volleyball court, 2 playgrounds, 3 tennis courts, horseshoe pits and plenty of space to call your own. We like coming here to enjoy some time outdoors, lay on a blanket and watch the clouds go by or have a picnic and play cards with friends. People watching is at its best here, especially when the older gents have gathered for their weekly game of bocce ball. You might even see an outdoor concert, live storytelling or performances being held at the gazebo. There's a cute little crepe stand on the North end of the park, along Sunnyside Ave, open April-October, 7 days a week! The hot dog guy is sometimes there—you can find him on the South side of the park. along Montrose Ave. Welles Park is also home to the Square Roots festival, an annual summer outdoor/indoor music fest in July with all the things you look forward to like craft beer, corn dogs and snow cones.
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