Chicago’s Lincoln Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. I always love exploring and walking the neighborhood, particularly on the Lincoln Ave. pedestrian area between W. Lealand Ave. and W. Lawrence Ave. 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:
Merz Apothecary: At 4716 N. Lincoln Ave., this pharmacy was established in 1875. With a recreated, traditional decor, they sell homeopathic 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.
The Chopping Block: This is a great place to take a hands-on cooking class, see a cooking demonstration or take an outdoor grilling or wine class. I have taken several great classes in the past.. They just expanded to a new classroom downstairs leaving room for an expanded retail store upstairs. They are now only at 4747 N. Lincoln Ave. after closing their original Lincoln Park location and their Merchandise Mart location.
Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen: At 4750 N. Lincoln Ave. 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 at 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. is The Book Cellar. This is a popular independent bookstore, open daily, which also has a cafe for coffee, beer, wine sandwiches and pastries. They also host literary readings and other book-related events.
Nearby at 4619 N. Lincoln Ave. is Midwest Nice, a small gallery and gift shop featuring the work of 100 artists and makers. Here you can find prints, paintings, homegoods, jewelry, candles and more.
One of my favorite neighborhood spots was Cafe Selmarie at 4729 N. Lincoln Ave. The owners decided after forty years to retire and to close the restaurant in April 2024. Andrew Pillman took it over and opened his new restaurant, Willow Café and Bistro. They have a breakfast and lunch menu as well as a brunch menu on the weekends. There is also a bakery and coffee shop in addition to the dine-in dining room.
I went in August 2024 for Sunday brunch and found out that many of the servers and kitchen staff stayed and joined the new staff. I liked the upgrade and remodel of the interior space and the lovely outdoor patio. I thought that the smoked salmon, tomato and spinach eggs benedict along with breakfast potatoes was the perfect choice. My server was also excellent. I am so glad that I chose to come back.
Bistro Campagne at 4518 Lincoln Ave., is a traditional French bistro that has been a local’s favorite since 2002. I went back after several years and enjoyed the experience. 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, now The Northside Restaurant Week. While they normally have an à la carte menu, it featured a three course menu with wine pairings for a very reasonable price.
I also like Gather restaurant at 4539 N. Lincoln Ave. Both my friend and I loved the omelet when we went for brunch!! They are now only open for dinner along with family night dinners on Sunday evenings. They have a cozy interior space and great outdoor space for summer dining.
Next door at 4535 N. Lincoln Ave. 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. They are open for both lunch and dinner along with having family-supper club menus during the week.
Baker Miller moved from 4610 N. Western Ave. to 4655 North Lincoln Ave. B . Owners Dave and Megan Miller, have received two James Beard nominations for Outstanding Baker. They recently closed Baker Miller and opened the colorful cafe, Bagel Miller, a new concept, featuring a menu of bagels, bagel sandwiches and deli-style sides. There are also donuts, cookies, muffins and coffee drinks. I loved the caked donut.
I also enjoy Market Square (formerly Yogurt Square) for their many flavors of frozen yogurt at 4701 N. Lincoln Ave. I have been several times and always like sitting on their outside patio.
Geraldine’s Cafe & Bakery is a casual spot for coffee, pastries and breakfast items from the all day breakfast menu. 4743 N. Lincoln Ave.
Artango Bar & Steakhouse, formerly at 4217 N. Ravenswood is now at 4767 N. Lincoln in Lincoln Square. It specializes in Argentinian and South American cuisine for dinner. They also feature live music and teach tango classes during the week, so check the website for details.
Another favorite 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. Their lease is up in October 2024 and they will be moving to a new location nearby. I will keep you updated once I hear about the location and have a chance to try it.
Opened in August, 2016 is Oromo Cafe, which is a hip coffee shop with great coffee and a beautifully designed space. 4703 N. Lincoln.
Also great for coffee is City Skyline Chicago – Coffee Lounge at 4755 N. Lincoln Ave. Opened in 2023, this is a fun airplane themed coffee shop and lounge with a large menu of tea and coffee drinks. The menu also includes macha and horchata lattes. I really enjoyed the atmosphere.
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 Ave., 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 early October. I have been to Apple Fest in the past and enjoyed it.
From mid-June to mid-August there is a Summer Concert Series, where there are free music concerts by Chicago musicians at Giddings Plaza located at 4734 N. Lincoln Ave.
The Old School of Folk Music offers classes, concerts and events throughout the year at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
For movie lovers, make sure to attend a film at the Davis Theater, “originally known as the Pershing Theater, was built in 1918 and opened showing vaudeville and silent films. In the 1930s, the Pershing was converted to show talkies and was renamed the Davis Theater. Through the 1970s, the theater transitioned to showing a variety of entertainment including puppet shows, second run films, and revivals through. In January of 2016, the theater was brought back to life in its current state as a historical landmark and community center for cinema and events.” 4614 N. Lincoln Ave.
