Lincoln Square is neighborhood where you can still experience the community’s rich history and culture. Founded by German immigrants in the 1840s and is known for its modest homes and leafy streets. The area features German restaurants, Bavarian-style bakeries, and more on Lawrence, Lincoln, and Western avenues, offering traditional food and beer.
While Lincoln Square, Chicago has changed over the decades, it still has managed to retain much of its German heritage, including its distinguished German restaurants. Here is a guide of the best things to do in Lincoln Square, Chicago
1. Brunch at Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Almost everything on this list is located on the quaint street of Lincoln Avenue, starting with the fine southern spot, Luella’s Southern Kitchen. While Luella’s Southern Kitchen deviates from the German roots of Lincoln Square, it embraces a different origin—the South. Conceived by Chef and Owner Darnell Reed, the kitchen reflects the southern influence of places like New Orleans, Georgia, and Charleston.
The menu is filled with hearty, satisfying choices, and while they serve dinner nightly, we’re here to talk about the special brunch on the weekends. From the Seasonal French Toast to Buttermilk Fried Chicken with smoked honey and collard greens to ordering a side of delicate, powdered beignets—you can’t go wrong.
2. Shop at the Lincoln Square Farmers Market
After indulging in the beignets, you might want to walk off the hefty southern meal. You can stroll through the street and inhale the scenery of Lincoln Square, or if it’s a Tuesday morning, you can head to the Farmer’s Market. With over 50 vendors, the market connects local farmers, artisans, and food purveyors to the Northside of Chicago. It occurs on Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon in the heart of Lincoln Square, running through November 19, 2024.
3. Lunch at Gene’s Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
After you’ve finished your grocery shopping for the week, you can unwind in Gene’s new European-style rooftop beer and wine garden, surrounded by flowers, grapes, tomatoes, and herbs. It’s the quintessential place for lunch in Lincoln Square, Chicago, between the seasonal menu, which includes preservative-free smoked sausages and bratwurst cooked on an open wood sausage grill, rotating beers on tap, and a selection of wines by the glass from around the world.
4. Sip drinks at Gideon Welles Craft Beer Bar & Kitchen
If you’ve been waiting for us to mention a German place on a Lincoln Square, Chicago neighborhood guide, you’ll be delighted about our next place. Keep the beverages spilling as you head to Gideon Welles Craft Beer Bar & Kitchen.
The flag of Germany is blowing in the wind outside Gideons, and the beer listed is filled with German specialties. Order a Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest or the Hofbrau “Oktoberfest.” The neighborhood gastropub is a local spot that is casual yet cozy, an ideal spot that you can come to by yourself or with friends.
5. Dine at Atelier or the Warlber
We have two dinner spots on the list, depending on what you’re in the mood for and how much you’re willing to spend.
The first is the Michelin-starred Atelier, conceptualized by Christian Hunter. Atelier’s origins go back to Hunter’s Southern heritage and interest in global flavors, sustainable food production, and nutritional anthropology. The dishes at Atelier reflect his signature style—infusing New American fare with unexpected global flavors. He adds zing to locally sourced products such as chermoula, freekeh, berbere, house-made garam masala, salsa macha, locally made miso, and many more.
The other restaurant is Lincoln Square’s The Warbler. The spot is a more casual joint; however, it’s delicious. The vibrant outdoor dining spot fuses sprawling foliage and artsy murals, giving us a substantial patio option with 125 seats and an outdoor bar. The veggie-heavy menu serves all seasonal American fare, from Korean-style boneless chicken wings to butternut squash falafel with braised kale courtesy of Chef Ken Carter’s skill with elevated comfort food.
6. Grab dessert at Vacas Creamery
For dessert, you must visit this place. Located in Giddings Plaza, Vacas Creamery is a vegan soft-serve spot that has gained a cult following for serving creamy oat-milk-based treats. As Chicago’s first vegan ice cream shop, it offers absolutely delicious options. Our favorite order is the Candy Bar in a gluten-free waffle cone—the combination of miso caramel drizzle, chocolate shell, and peanuts is sensational.
7. End the night sipping cocktails at The Getaway
Make sure to end your night at The Getaway, located in the heart of Lincoln Square, Chicago. The Getaway is a relaxed, welcoming, and familiar bar and lounge, a friendly oasis away from the hustle and bustle and stresses of everyday life. Even better, it’s now home to “Welcome to the Show,” a live talk and variety show held bi-weekly on Mondays at 8 p.m. Hosted by Chicagoan Derek Bish, “Welcome to the Show” is a free Chicago-centric DIY talk show with a classic late-night show format a la Conan O’Brien.