If you're in the Armitage-Halsted-Webster district and hankering for sushi, try Dee's (1114 W. Armitage Ave.), Sai Café (2010 N. Sheffield Ave.), and Shine (756 W. Webster Ave.).
2100 N. Sheffield Ave.
Athenian Room
Greek
The Athenian Room has served up classic Greek food from an inexpensive unchanged menu since 1971. It's a neighborhood staple that offers simple and consistently good food.
Certified by the Austrian consulate as an authentic Austrian bakery, there is no denying the superb quality and immaculate presentation of these pastries. Try out the traditional apple strudel or the Sacher torte. We promise you will not be disappointed.
This popular two story café serves Metropolis coffee, Metropolitan Tea Company teas, a large selection of unique sandwiches, plus salads, breakfast items, and desserts. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
738 W. Fullerton Pkwy. | 773.883.5282
Breakfast and Brunch on Clark Street
Breakfast & Brunch
If you're in the mood for breakfast or brunch, there are many great options to choose from. Sarks in the Park (444 W. Fullerton Pkwy.) offers great outdoor seating, tasty omelets, and their signature Loretta sandwiches. Step into Deli Boutique (2318 N. Clark St.) for a taste of European pastries, breads, chocolates, and cheeses. Organic One Cafe (2301 N. Clark St.) serves sandwiches, salads, breakfast items and more, and best of all it is very close to the zoo. Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact sites for more information.
Café Ba Ba Reeba, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, specializes in Spanish tapas, paella, and dozens of fun sangria options. Don't miss out on the live Flamenco music that happens once month.
Chef-owner Bernard LeCoq opened Café Bernard in 1972 and has served dishes from his French homeland ever since. You'll find traditional French seafood and fish dishes at Café Bernard. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Located on North Avenue Beach Castaways is a scenic and convenient place to grab a seasonal bite or drink outdoors. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Charlie Trotter's is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the world. For 22 years, the restaurant has dedicated itself to excellence in the culinary arts. Chef Trotter is the author of 14 cookbooks, and is the host of the nationally aired, award winning PBS cooking series, The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter.
816 W. Armitage Ave. | 773.248.6228
Cheap Eats on Clark Street
Hawaiian
Lincoln Park is known for some of the finest dining in the city, but that doesn't mean diners can't also find delicious food for less. Check out Aloha Eats (2534 N. Clark St.) for an authentic Hawaiian Plate lunch, Lito's Empanadas (2566 N. Clark St.) for sweet and savory Colombian style empanadas with an American twist, or the Pasta Bowl (2434 N. Clark St.) for a variety of noodle dishes.
Since 1972 this legendary Chicago pizza must has served their pizza pot pies and oven grinders, and they are unlike any pizza you have ever tasted. The restaurant has not changed since its conception, promising a real Chicago experience.
Dirk's is Chicago's premier fish and seafood shop, offering a huge selection of fresh fish as well as gourmet prepared items like soups, seafood salads and sauces. If you need inspiration you can look through the recipe box and pick from dozens of Dirk's own recipes.
Family owned since 1938, this Jewish deli has a huge menu filled with classics like their "Triple Deckers" sandwiches, matzah ball soup, potato pancakes, and skillets, all among their most popular items.
The European-style Fritz Pastry is owned by a trio of restaurant mavens, including one of Time Out Chicago's 12 Most Important Chef's, Nathaniel Meads. Try one of their 100 French macaroon flavors for a treat. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Open since 1965, Geja's is one of the best places for fondue in the city. Their romantic setting results in frequent wedding engagements, enhanced by the live Flamenco classical guitarist during the weekend. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Opened in 1937, Glascott’s remains in the family and is a popular neighborhood bar for both young and old. Although Glascott’s doesn’t serve food, you can bring in your own or order from The Athenian Room next door. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
The Clybourn Brewery is the perfect spot to sample all Goose Island's specialty beers, including 20 beers on tap and even more in bottles. Pair their award-winning beer with delicious lunch or dinner selections. On Sundays, reserve your spot for the Goose Island Brewery tour for $7 to see the brewing process in action.
In the summertime, enjoy John's popular weekend brunch while soaking up the sun in their lovely sidewalk café. In the colder months, let their hearty comfort foods and fireplace warm you up. In any season, John's Place satisfies with delicious food and an inviting atmosphere. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
1200 W. Webster Ave. | 773.525.6670
Lincoln Park Ethnic Favorites
Indian
For a taste of global flavors, dine at the Lincoln Park locations of Hai Yen (2723 N. Clark St.) for authentic Vietnamese, or try the popular Indian restaurant Hema's Kitchen (2411 N. Clark St.). For North African crepes, stop by Icosium Kafe (2433 N. Clark St.).
Molly's is one of Chicago's favorite bakeries, making everything homemade, from the cupcakes to the ice cream. You can enjoy a best selling "Ron Bennington" while sitting on the swings that double as seats at the counter. Note: the sprinkle station is for all ages.
Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park is one of the city's most popular late night destinations. Partiers have many different bar and club options to choose from centered around the intersection of Lincoln and Fullerton avenues. Someone looking for a laid-back dive bar experience might want to check out the recently remodeled Sterch's (2238 N. Lincoln Ave.), a one-time favorite of Hunter S. Thompson. For great daily drink deals, try Halligan Bar (2274 N. Lincoln Ave.), started by a Southside Irish fireman ten years ago, or Wise Fools Pub (2270 N. Lincoln Ave.), where you can also catch a live band playing. Make sure to dress in your clubbing best to to go MaxBar (2247 N. Lincoln Ave.), a dance club where local radio stations B96 and Kiss FM broadcast live on the weekends. Or if you can't decide if you want to dance, watch sports, or just hang out, the Apartment is a dance club designed to mimic an apartment, right above the Lion's Head Pub (2251 N. Lincoln Ave.), where you can play pool, darts and other bar games and also grab a bite to eat. Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact sites for more information.
Noble Tree is a three-story brownstone converted into a cozy and creative coffee shop. Each floor provides eclectic décor you can enjoy while sipping your Metropolis coffee or tea. Their pie (from Hoosier Mama Pie Co.) earns rave reviews, as do their outdoor tables. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Taking its name after the adjacent pond, this fine dining restaurant sits in the middle of the Lincoln Park grounds, allowing diners to enjoy a magnificent view with their meal focused on the freshest local and seasonal ingredients.
Named after the ship in Moby Dick, Pequod's is known for its deep dish pizza, baked in cast iron pans with overflowing cheese that creates a caramelized crust.
R.J.Grunts, the first ever Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, opened in 1971 and has been a favorite Lincoln Park restaurant ever since. Black and white portraits of waitresses that have worked at the restaurant over the years layer the walls. This is a fun, laid back place within close walking distance to the waterfront, park and zoo.
Riccardo Trattoria is an authentic Italian restaurant tucked away in Lincoln Park, offering a great atmosphere along with simple but delicious food and a good range of wines by the glass or bottle.
This new Chicago-themed sub shop serves Chicago-based food brands like Vienna Beef, Gonnella bread and Bobtail Ice Cream amidst décor showing off the owner’s love for Chicago. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
2146 N. Halsted St. | 773.549.8710
Sweet Mandy B's
Food Retail: Bakeries
Created for the whole family, Sweet Mandy B's bright and cheerful shop provides all the classic treats you loved to make at home when growing up. Make sure to try out the cupcakes, bars, and cookies; your tastebuds will not be disappointed. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
1208 W. Webster Ave. | 773.244.1174
Sweets on Armitage Avenue
Food Retail: Desserts
Dessert options abound in Lincoln Park, and in the summertime you can cool off with homemade Italian ice and ice cream from Annette's Italian Ice (924 W. Armitage Ave.) or Tom and Wendee's Italian Ice (1136 W. Armitage Ave.). The chocolate lover has another option in Vosges: Haut-Chocolat (951 W. Armitage Ave.), the gourmet chocolate retailer. Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact sites for more information.
Dine Italian style at this slow food proponent that prepares authentic dishes fresh daily with sustainably grown ingredients. If you're lucky you can catch Terragusto's specialty, pasta, being handmade in the storefront window. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
The Meatloaf Bakery serves up a modern twist on sweet and savory and your favorite comfort food, baking meatloaf in the forms of pastries and pies. Their meatloaf varieties are served in a fun, creative and memorable way.
A wine shop and art gallery featuring artisanal wines and local art, the Poison Cup has wine clubs, wine and painting classes, and blind tasting competitions regularly. Other events include artist openings and wine maker receptions. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Opened by the owner of adjoining Cafe Bernard, the Red Rooster is an intimate wine bar serving great provincial French cuisine. Accessibility limitations. Please conact site for more information.
Toast is a very popular brunch spot, known for its eggs benedict, mascarpone stuffed French toast, and morning cocktails like their wasabi Bloody Mary. Be forewarned - they do not take reservations and the wait on weekends can last well over an hour.
Not enough time or money to go to Charlie Trotter's? Stop by Trotter's To Go and check out Chef Trotter's options for fresh, quality and healthy food on-the-go. Pick from a wide selection of wines, gourmet dishes, cheeses and cookbooks to eat in the shop or take home to enjoy.
At this local sandwich haven, you can taste Thanksgiving everyday with their popular Pilgrim sandwich (freshly baked bread filled with oven-roasted turkey breast, raisin herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo), or try any of their other delicious sandwiches.
Vanille Patisserie is a French pastry shop that sells tartes, mousse cakes, chocolates, croissants, and other French pastries. Pair one of their 16 macaroon flavors with a hot Illy espresso or Intelligentsia coffee. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Webster's Wine Bar serves over 35 wines by the glass and over 500 wines by the bottle from around the world, in addition to fine beers and sprits, and a variety of appetizers, small entrees, and pizzas tailored to match. They offer classes and wine tastings for beginners and "experts" alike.
1480 W. Webster Ave. | 773.868.0608
Wiener Circle
American (Traditional)
Known primarily for the mutual verbal abuse between the employees and the customers during the late-night/early-morning hours, the Wiener Circle is a popular place to grab a bite after the bars close. It was featured in a 2007 episode of This American Life and in a 2010 episode of The Colbert Report.
Alinea, consistently rated—5-stars by Forbes Travel Guide and highest in North America by Restaurant Magazine's World's 50 Best—as one of the best restaurants in the country and the world, delivers a fine dining experience.
