By Bob Glaze
Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s best neighborhoods with wonderful restaurants, great shopping and home to some of the best theater in the city. Here you can find casual taverns to three starred Michelin restaurants. There are several residential streets with historic architecture, which are well worth a visit. Summer is a great time to walk and explore and to eat on some lovely outdoor patios. I have loved living there for 45 years. My top recommendations include:
Trattoria Gianni: This is a small neighborhood trattoria across from the Steppenwolf Theatre, at 1711 N. Halsted, that is always good. Their large outdoor patio is perfect during the summer months. I recommended the calamari fritti or fried calamari with a marinara dipping sauce, the chicken marsala with sauteed spinach and their yummy tiramisu.
A short walk from North Pond is the traditional French Bistro, Mon Ami Gabi at 2300 N. Lincoln Park West. It is a neighborhood favorite. The outdoor dining area in the summer is a highlight. I have been many times and have always enjoyed the experience. I was recently back for Sunday brunch and loved the smoked salmon eggs benedict.
The Lakefront Restaurant is located at the Theater on the Lake. It is a wonderful spot for lunch or dinner along the lake with a sleek decor and great views. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. I thought the service and the food were excellent. I really loved the pulled pork sandwich for lunch and highly recommend it! I went back and loved their shrimp roll sandwich. You can make reservations online, which I recommend particularly when the weather is great. The Theater on the Lake hosts events throughout the year. Valet Parking is available. 2401 N. Lakeshore Drive at Fullerton.
The Hotel Lincoln is directly across from the Lincoln Park Zoo. There is a local coffee bar, Elaine’s Coffee Call, on the first floor and the J Parker Rooftop Bar which is one of the most popular in the city with the best views.1816 N. Clark.
Close to the Hotel Lincoln is Mesa Urbana at 1935 N. Lincoln Park West. I went last year for the first time and enjoyed the experience. It is an attractive restaurant, with a creative menu of Mexican inspired cuisine, an extensive cocktail list and excellent service. I enjoyed meeting Ash the owner. They have a large outdoor seating area during the warmer months. I thought the salmon entree with a tamarind glaze, mango, papaya and an avocado puree was really outstanding.
At 2075 N Lincoln, Gemini Bistro has been relaunched as Gemini Lincoln Park. This is a casual neighborhood bar and restaurant with modern American bistro dishes. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and they have great outdoor seating. It is open for brunch on weekends and for dinner. I have been back several times with friends and have enjoyed it.
Across the street, Ballyhoo Hospitality, who owns Gemini and several others in Chicago, opened DeNucci’s in August 2023, at 503 W. Dickens, in the former Four Farthings Tavern & Grill space. DeNucci’s is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria with a large menu of starters, pastas, salads, pizzas and entrees. I recently went for the first time and really enjoyed the experience. The tomato & buffalo mozzarella salad was excellent along with the Maine lobster ravioli and a perfect tiramisu for dessert. They have a lovely outdoor patio during the warmer months. I went back for the second time and loved the lobster ravioli and the tiramisu again on the patio.
Before or after your meal at Gemini or DeNucci’s walk around the corner to see the historic Bellinger Home at 2121 N. Hudson. I recently saw a documentary about the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871 on the PBS Station, WTTW in Chicago where it said that this was one of the few structures out of 17,450 that survived the fire. This was the home of Chicago policeman Richard Bellinger which he saved from destruction while virtually all other buildings in the area were burned down. Built in the late 1860s, it was designed by W.W. Boyington who was also the architect of the Court House, the Water Tower and other pre-fire buildings.
While you are in this area of Lincoln Park, make sure to wander through some of the side streets of the Arlington Deming Historic District to see some of the beautiful buildings. Start by walking down W. Arlington Pl. to the corner at 2466 N. Lakeview. Ave. Here you will find the Wrigley Mansion, an Italian Renaissance-style mansion that commissioned by Joseph Theurer, owner of the Schoenhofen Brewing Company, and purchased in 1911 by Chicago’s Wrigley family.
West of Clark St. on Deming is an historic district with several beautiful mansions.
To the north is the Elks National Memorial with its massive dome at 2750 N. Lakeview Ave. It is open to visit. The interior is stunning and not to be missed.
To the west there are two beautiful mansions in Beaux-Arts style, owned by two brothers. The Francis J. Dewes House was built for this wealthy brewer in 1896 at 503 W. Wrightwood Ave. and the August Dewes house at 509 W. Wrightwood Ave. which was built from 1894 to 1896.
Green City Market: Located in Lincoln Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer months. This is a fun spot to buy local produce, have a bite from a local cart, listen to music or attend a cooking demonstration. In the winter it moves to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
My favorite farmers market is The Lincoln Park Farmers Market. It is open on Saturdays from May through mid-November in the parking lot of the Lincoln Park High School at 2001 N. Orchard. Open for over 43 years, it is now run privately and has a larger number of quality vendors selling fruits, vegetables, coffee, cheese, flowers, pastries, tamales and more. There is ample parking in the lot. I try going every Saturday when I am in town.
Two Summer events not to be missed include the Old Town Art Fair in early June and the Sheffield Garden Walk in late July with music, food and a chance to visit local gardens. The Old Town Art Fair, celebrating 75 years in 2025, is open today from 10am until 6pm. The Garden Walk will be on July 19th and 20th.
The Lincoln Park Zoo: The Lincoln Park Zoo is a 35-acre zoo in Lincoln Park. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in North America. It is also one of a few free admission zoos in the United States. They have special events throughout the year including Craft Brews at the Zoo at the end of the month.
The Patio at Café Brauer: Located along the lagoon in Lincoln Park just outside the Lincoln Park Zoo, this is a lovely café that is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch from April to October. It is the perfect spot after visiting the park, the Nature Boardwalk, the lakefront, the zoo or the Green City Market. I was back last year for lunch on a gorgeous day in May and enjoyed lunch on the patio looking at the lagoon and the Chicago skyline in the distance. After lunch you can walk across to the Ice Cream Shoppe for dessert! I highly recommend it during the week on a beautiful day.
The highlight of the nearby Nature Boardwalk is the contemporary pavilion by well-known Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, and Studio Gang. I just heard her talk where she described that the design came from nature and that the purpose of the entire project was to improve the biodiversity and habitat of the South Pond of Lincoln Park. It has been very successful as there has been a huge increase in birds and mammals along with improved water quality.
A short walk from the Nature Boardwalk is the Chicago Landmark, the Carlson Cottage from 1888.
Just outside the zoo is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The Conservatory is a conservatory and botanical garden located at 2391 North Stockton. Built between 1890 and 1895, it has a large selection of exotic plants and flowers from around the world in four display houses – The Palm House, Orchid House, Fern Room, and Show House. I always enjoy going to see the display of spring flowers.
Just to the north of the Conservatory is a hidden garden named the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. It was developed from 1936-38 and is an important example of Prairie School landscape architecture by Alfred Caldwell. It earned status as both a National Historic Landmark and a Chicago Historic Landmark. You can follow the stone walk encircling the pool and the pavilion. Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence can be seen in the organic architecture of the shelter or pavilion.
When you are in the area, you might check out the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, across from the Lilly Pool, at 2430 N. Cannon Dr. My favorite spot is the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven home to 1000 free-flying butterflies of 40 species!
The museum sits along the North Pond Nature Sanctuary which I enjoy walking around. I lived across the street for 17 years.
When you are near DePaul University, make sure to walk through the historic McCormick Row House District across from the Music School performance hall. They were built between 1884-89 to provide rental income for the McCormick Theological Seminary which located nearby. They were built in the Queen Anne Style.
To the south is another historic row of homes, the Bissell Street District, centered along the 2100 block of North Bissell St. The brick row houses from the late 1800s are beautifully preserved and were designated a Chicago Landmarks District. Make sure to notice the fact that the home designs mirror the designs of the homes directly across the street.
Nearby is St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 1010 W. Webster. I always love seeing the beautiful German Baroque style stained glass windows. The church was dedicated on May 2, 1897. You can attend a mass or concerts in the church.
Another beautiful church to visit is St. James Lutheran Church at 2050 N. Fremont. It has a beautiful sanctuary with stained glass windows by the John J. Kinsella Co. They feature some cultural events and concerts that are free and open to the public. I went to one of their monthly Friday Night Concerts which featured four talented singers from the Chicago Summer Opera. Last month I saw that they performed the Bizet’s opera Carmen.
I hope you enjoy your time exploring Lincoln Park.
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