Exploring Lincoln Square in Chicago | Classic Chicago Magazine (2024)

Exploring Lincoln Square in Chicago | Classic Chicago Magazine (1)

By Bob Glaze

Chicago’s Lincoln Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. I always love exploring and walking the neighborhood. It has some great entertainment venues as well as some excellent shops, coffee bars and restaurants. There is usually ample parking on the street and in nearby lots, or you can easily take the Brown Line train to Western on the CTA “L.”

My favorite spots include:

Café Selmarie: A great brunch or lunch spot in the center of the pedestrian area of the square with outdoor seating. It is also open for dinner. Since 1983, they havebeen serving excellent European style pastries, an eclectic menu of gourmet food, espresso, coffee, beer and wine. I recently went back and loved the pulled pork sandwich on a pretzel roll served with an apple slaw on top. 4729 N. Lincoln Ave.

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Café Selmarie

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Café Selmarie

Merz Apothecary: At 4716 N. Lincoln, this pharmacy was established in 1875. With a recreated, traditional decor, they sellhomeopathic remedies, vitamins, supplements, other natural medicines, natural skin care, bath, aromatherapy, and other personal care products from around the world. They also have a huge selection of natural and luxury soaps.

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Merz Apothecary

The Chopping Block: A great place to take a hands-on cooking glass, see a cooking demonstration or take an outdoor grilling or wine class. 4747 N. Lincoln.

Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen:At 4750 N. Lincoln this is a great spot for sausages, meats and gourmet foods. You might check the rooftop beer and wine garden, from Friday to Sunday, that features smoked sausages and bratwurst cooked on an open wood grill. Nearby is Book Cellar at 4736 N. Lincoln for books and a snack.

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Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen

Bistro Campagne at 4518 Lincoln, is a traditional French bistro that has been a local’s favorite since 2002. I recently went back after several years. They have expanded and added on to the dining room. They have several cozy dining rooms inside along with great outdoor patio seating. I was very impressed with the food and extensive wine list. I went with friends during Lincoln Square and Ravenswood Restaurant Week in October. It featured a three-course menu with wine pairings for a very reasonable price. I will definitely go back!

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Bistro Campagne

I also like Gather restaurant which is perfect for Sunday brunch at 4539 N. Lincoln. Both my friend and I loved the omelette! They have a cozy interior space and great outdoor space for summer dining.

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Gather

Next door at 4535 N. Lincoln is The Warbler, opened by the same team behind Gather. They have a great menu of American comfort food and vegetarian dishes. I thought the food was excellent. I enjoyed the baked mussels long with the cauliflower and asparagus sides. They have outdoor seating for the warmer months. I thought the service and the sleek contemporary design also helped make it a great experience.

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The Warbler

One of the hot new spots in town is Baker Miller has moved from 4610 N. Western Ave. to 4655 North Lincoln Ave. They source their own grains, then mill them into their own flours and bake them into wonderful breads and pastries. They also have a cafe serving breakfast and lunch. For lunch they have wonderful salads, sandwiches and sides. On my first trip I enjoyed a vegetarian pot pie with curry, a side of dressed greens and wonderful pear and cherry tart. On my second, I loved the sandwich on a fresh baguette with roasted beets and goat cheese plus a perfect piece of blueberry pie. Owners Dave and Megan Miller have received two James Beard nominations for Outstanding Baker.

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Baker Miller

I also enjoy Yogurt Square for frozen yogurt, sorbet and gelato at 4701 N. Lincoln. I have been several times and always like sitting on their outside patio.

Other recent additions to the neighborhood include a new location for Hoosier Mama Pie Co. and Dollop Coffee at 4613 N. Lincoln. Geraldine’s Cafe & Bakery is a casual spot for coffee, pastries and breakfast items. 4743 N. Lincoln. I also just read about Cobblestone Restaurant at 4337 N. Lincoln which is open for dinner as well as weekend brunch. It opened in 2020. The menu looks excellent.

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Geraldine’s Cafe & Bakery

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Geraldine’s Cafe & Bakery

West of Lincoln Square is Arun’s at 4156 N. Kedzie. This is a wonderful Thai restaurant in a very elegant setting that features beautiful art, artifacts and craft work from Thailand. The menu features a 9-course prix fixe, degustation tasting menu with incredible food as well as an à la carte menu. It is featured in the book “1000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz. I have been twice in the past and it never disappoints.

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Arun’s

Artango, formerlyat 4217 N. Ravenswood, is now at 4767 N. Lincoln in Lincoln Square. It specializes in Argentinian and South American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner. The brunch dishes were really excellent, particularly the crab cake benedict. They also feature live music and teach tango classes during the week, so check the website for details.

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Artango Bar & Steakhouse

Not to be missed is Luella’s Southern Kitchen at 4609 N. Lincoln. Chef Darnell Reed named the restaurant after his Grandmother Luella. Her influences can be seen in his traditional southern dishes from shrimp to chicken gumbo.

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Luella’s Southern Kitchen

Opened in August 2016 is Oromo Cafe, which is a hip coffee shop with great coffee and a beautifully designed space. 4703 N. Lincoln.

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Oromo Cafe

Fans of the famed architect Louis Sullivan should make sure to walk by and visit the Krause Music Store building, an historic landmark building from 1922. Located at 4611 N. Lincoln, it was one of Sullivan’s last projects from late in his life. The interior of the building has been totally renovated but the exterior remains the same.

Local events throughout the year include the Lincoln Square Farmers Market, held Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings from May through November and Apple Fest in October.

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Lincoln Square

The Old School of Folk Music offers classes, concerts and events throughout the year at 4544 N. Lincoln.

For more travel destinations and recommendations, visitglobalphile.com.

Exploring Lincoln Square in Chicago | Classic Chicago Magazine (2024)

FAQs

Is Lincoln Square Chicago a good neighborhood? ›

Lincoln Square is a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois with a population of 42,271. Lincoln Square is in Cook County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Lincoln Square offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes.

What is the zip code for Lincoln Square? ›

Lincoln Square, Chicago
Lincoln Square
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codesparts of 60625, 60640
Median household income 2019$81,149
25 more rows

Is Lincoln Square a good place to live? ›

Lincoln Square is a lively, historic neighborhood bordering Central Park overlooking the Hudson River. Its unbeatable proximity to Manhattan's most iconic green space, along with its beautiful riverfront views, make this neighborhood a one-of-a-kind urban destination for renters.

What is the toughest neighborhood in Chicago? ›

What are some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago? Based on crime rates, some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago include West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Englewood, West Englewood, Austin, South Shore, Riverdale, and Washington Park.

What is the safest part of Chicago? ›

Q: What is the safest area in Chicago? A: If you're wondering, “Where is the safest area in Chicago?,” and are looking to stay in one of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago, you can't go wrong living in Edison Park, Lincoln Park, Forest Glen, Lakeview, or Norwood Park.

Is postal code the same as ZIP Code? ›

A postal code (also known locally in various English-speaking countries throughout the world as a postcode, post code, PIN or ZIP Code) is a series of letters or digits or both, sometimes including spaces or punctuation, included in a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail.

What county is 02865 in? ›

What ZIP Code is Central Park? ›

Central Park | Manhattan, NY 10019.

Is Lincoln Square walkable? ›

Lincoln square is a great location for shopping, dinning and have a walk. There is a bunch of stores where you can spent hours of checking out things that you dont see in the big stores.

Is Lincoln Square expensive? ›

Lincoln Square housing market

In July 2024, the median listing home price in Lincoln Square was $2M, trending up 8% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $1.8K. The median home sold price was $999K.

What is the median income in Lincoln Square? ›

What are the median and average incomes in Lincoln Square? The average annual household income in Lincoln Square is $112,343, while the median household income sits at $83,527 per year. Residents aged 25 to 44 earn $92,478, while those between 45 and 64 years old have a median wage of $93,575.

Is Lincoln Square, Chicago wealthy? ›

Lincoln Square

It's a quaint, walkable community that is home to many upper-middle-class and wealthy families with a median household income of $80,700 and an average home price of $423,990.

What kind of neighborhood is Lincoln Square? ›

Lincoln Square is considered by many to be one of Manhattan's most vibrant, bustling, and navigated neighborhoods. Rich with history and based in the Performing Arts epicenter of NYC, Lincoln Square is a world-renowned locale on the Upper West Side cradled between the Hudson River and Central Park.

Is Lincoln Square considered Upper West Side? ›

Lincoln Square is the name of both a square and the surrounding neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City.

What is a fun fact about Lincoln Square? ›

Lincoln Square is the location of the last work of famous Chicago School architect Louis Sullivan, known for designing the Carson Pirie Scott building and the Auditorium Theatre.

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