By Bob Glaze
In my opinion, Armitage Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood has one of the best collections of restaurants, bars and cafes in the city. I am glad that I live two blocks north. There are many options to choose from while you explore the neighborhood and the great shops. Starting from N. Racine Ave. and going east to N. Clark St, my top recommendations include:
A fun Lincoln Park spot is Tripoli Tap at 1147 W. Armitage Ave. I recently went for the first time with friends who live across the street. It is a casual, neighborhood tavern with a menu of beer, cocktails, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and salads. It has a fun casual atmosphere with a large outdoor patio in the rear. It is a place that features Boston sports and food favorites. Thus, the meaning of the sign on the front “GOOD BAH FOOD!” I went back a second time and enjoyed their fried fish sandwich on the outdoor patio for lunch.
Down the street is Klein’s Bakery & Cafe at 1134 W. Armitage Ave. This is the third location of this cafe that offers custom cakes, a coffee and breakfast menu and pastries inspired from Venezuela. I went in May 2025, after I saw a newsletter showing that it had recently opened. I walked down and bought a wonderful Nutella tart and some great dulce de leche cookies with coconut. They also have coffee and tea drinks. I then went back and had the best lox and bagel sandwich and a matcha latte.
In January 2024, Sai Café moved to a new location at 1114 W. Armitage Ave., two blocks away from their old spot. Their lease was up, and the owner was able to move into the former Dee’s Restaurant space which is owned by his sister. This is a favorite sushi restaurant for many locals with great fresh items. It is my go-to place for sushi in Chicago. I am lucky that it is now two blocks from my house. I always order the six-piece sushi combo which is the best! The food and service are always excellent. I love the quality and the friendly staff. I also like the new space which has a great design and a beautiful outdoor patio. Dee’s Restaurant is still available for carryout and delivery only. It has a menu of Mandarin and Szechuan Chinese specialties that I have enjoyed many times in the past.
My favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant was Tarantino’s at 1112 W. Armitage Ave. Unfortunately, it closed in March 2025 after 30 years in business. It was recently taken over by new restaurant, dimmi dimmi Corner Italian. It officially opened last Wednesday on August 13th. I am excited to try it when I am back in town. The menu looks very good and the staff that I met were very friendly when I walked by twice to inquire.
Butcher & The Burger: Located at 1021 W. Armitage Ave., this is a good casual, local’s spot for burgers including turkey, salmon and bison. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. My favorite is the salmon burger while sitting on the outdoor patio on a beautiful summer or fall day.
Armitage Ale House had been on my list to try since it opened in 2021 in the former Pan Quotidien space at 1000 W. Armitage Ave. It is listed as one of the hardest spots to get a reservation in town. Now open for lunch and weekend brunch from Wednesday through Sunday, I was finally able to book a lunch reservation and enjoyed the experience. I loved the warm, atmosphere of this old-world gastropub with a “rich, eclectic decor, spacious booths, warm lights and hand-carved woodwork.” It has a large menu of British and Indian food. I enjoyed the steamed mussels and fries with an aioli sauce. I highly recommend that you try it. They also have outdoor patio seating during the warmer months.
Nearby is CBA – Chicago Bagel Authority. Located at 953 W. Armitage Ave., this is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches. You can choose from several types of bagels along with fresh meats, cheeses, spreads, veggies, fruits, sauces, jams and jellies. They also have pretzel rolls, wraps and subs. I recently went for the first time and enjoyed the everything bagel with the homemade lox spread.
I also recommend Annette’s Homemade Italian Ice which specializes in Italian ice, traditional ice cream, frozen yogurt, shakes, smoothies, sundaes, banana splits and ice cream sandwiches. Every time I walk by there is a long line outside waiting to be served. It only has a takeout window with limited outdoor seating. I finally went when there was no line, and I thought the carrot cake ice cream was really delicious. I have been back two more times. Make sure to visit when you are in the area. It is located at 2009 N. Bissell St. around the corner from 924 W. Armitage Ave.
Located at 901 W. Armitage Ave. is the third Maison Parisienne French Café. They have a great selection of pastries, croissants, baguettes, macarons, sandwiches, quiche Lorraine or croque-Monsieur. You can dine in, take out as well as buy French products including jams, jellies and mustard. The tomato goat cheese quiche was excellent as was the almond and pear tart. I just went back for the almond and pear tart and a great latte.
Across the street is Hotel Chocolat at 900 W. Armitage Ave. Opened in April 2025, this is an attractive store with a Wall of Chocolate featuring more than 100 varieties of chocolates. There is the Velvetiser Café which offers 18 flavors of hot chocolate in addition to pastries from Publican Quality Bread, coffee from Metric Coffee and tea from Sprit Tea. Hotel Chocolat is a U.K.-based chocolatier. It has a second location in Chicago at 3334 N. Southport Ave. The company has 150 locations in the U.K., Japan, Ireland, St. Lucia, and Gibraltar. I really enjoyed my salted caramel hot chocolate on my first visit, a month after it opened.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters now has five locations in Chicago. I am glad they opened in my neighborhood at 858 W. Armitage Ave. I was very impressed with the quality. I went back for another great latte on a cold Sunday in February. Just be prepared for long lines on weekends.
At 844 W. Armitage Ave. is Don Pez Fish Tacos. Opened in 2020, this is a small restaurant offering fish (and beef) tacos, nachos, ceviche, salads, fajitas, burritos and breakfast items. I really enjoyed meeting the owner and trying the mahi-mahi tacos. It recently underwent a renovation and now has a better interior and a new bar. The menu has also been expanded.
If you need a snack while shopping, make sure to head to Beacon Doughnuts in the alley at 810 W. Armitage Ave. This is a popular spot so you may have to wait in line. They have a daily menu of close to 12 small batch hand-made doughnuts. I loved the rich and tasty double chocolate cake doughnut with sea salt!!
At 723 W. Armitage Ave. is Spoko. The owners originally had Ella’s BBQ but decided to close it and replace it with a restaurant featuring modern Polish street food. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it has both indoor and outdoor patio seating. They also have a brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday. They feature zapi handheld baguette sandwiches, kebabs which are served on lavash like a sandwich, sausages, smoked meat platters, pierogi, and maczanka sandwiches. The chicken kebab sandwich with cabbage, onion, tomatoes, feta and a garlic-dill sauce was very tasty. They also serve beer, wine and cocktails.
A block east is another favorite, Cedar Palace at 655 W. Armitage Ave. This is a casual, neighborhood restaurant featuring Mediterranean dishes including kebabs and hummus plates. I enjoyed my chicken shawarma sandwich and tasty tabbouleh salad. I went back again with friends and enjoyed the chicken shawarma sandwich, lentil soup and rice pudding. I also enjoyed meeting Silvana, the owner!! They also have a lovely, colorful patio in the rear for outside dining. I love supporting local businesses.
Across the street is my favorite farmers market, 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, flowers, pastries, bagels, coffee, cheese, tamales and more. There is ample parking in the lot.
Further east is Geja’s Café at 340 W Armitage Ave. Established in 1965 this is Chicago’s classic fondue restaurant. I went back after many years and loved the warm, candle-lit atmosphere. It was named America’s Most Romantic Restaurant in 2015 by USA Today. You feel like you are dining in a fine wine cellar. Their four course premier dinners include a salad, cheese fondue, the main course with a choice of meat, fish or vegetables that you cook yourself and a flaming chocolate dessert fondue. We opted for the salad; a lovely cheese fondue where you dip grapes, apples and assorted breads into a creamy gruyere and the dessert fondue where you can roast marshmallows over a flamed pot of Belgium chocolate and dunking various types of fruits including strawberries, bananas and pineapple, pound cake and Rice Krispie treats. I found this was plenty of food and loved it with a good glass of Argentinian Malbec.
I hope you enjoy these restaurants as much as I do.
For more travel destinations and recommendations, visit globalphile.com.
