17 Local Favorites in Lincoln Park That Tourists Never Hear About

Often described as a touristy neighborhood of Chicago, Lincoln Park has its hidden gems. Although visitors come to the zoo and the waterfront trail, residents quietly enjoy the less talked about treasures that give the region its real personality. These are places where you’ll find locals chowing down, unwinding, and absorbing the neighborhood’s soul.

This article is your cheat sheet if you’ve ever wished for a local friend to show you the good stuff. Whether you’re in the mood for secret gardens or neighborhood diners with pancakes ready to make you cry with joy — without the crowd — Lincoln Park is filled with places that feel like a warm hug. So let’s get into gems that locals love, but won’t tell to strangers.

Armitage Avenue Boutiques

This is a stretch of boutiques that feel delightfully personal. These shops offer quirky home goods and clothing apparently meant to kickstart conversations with strangers wanting to know, ‘Where did you get that?’. Spontaneous purchases are pretty much a given, and window shopping here is an art form.

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

The Lily Pool is technically part of Lincoln Park, but because it’s tucked away, it’s pretty quiet. This serene space, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a favorite among locals desperately seeking a little Zen. Trickling water and birds chirping is just the antidote to nearby hustle and bustle.

J9 Wine Bar

Step into this little wine bar and you’ll feel like you’re in your friend’s living room (if your friend just so happens to be a wine connoisseur). Locals come to J9 for small-batch wines, intimate ambiance, and conversation that doesn’t need to be yelled. It’s the perfect date night or catching up with an old friend.

DePaul Art Museum

If you want a quieter, more contemplative art experience, forget about crowded galleries downtown, and head to the DePaul Art Museum. Often hosting emerging artists, the exhibitions also show thought-provoking works that make you stop and think. Admission is free so you can drop in whenever you have a hankering for some creativity with no obligation to spend your whole day there.

Green City Market Finds

Though technically within Lincoln Park proper, the Green City Market is more than just a farmers’ market. For locals in the know, it’s a weekly ritual for fresh, ripe produce, artisanal cheeses, and farm-fresh bread. Here, the vendors know their regulars on a first-name basis and, if you’re lucky, you may even get tipped as to how best to prepare that seasonal squash you impulsively bought.

The Pasta Bowl

This cozy Italian spot won’t show up in glossy travel guides, but it’s been a neighborhood staple for years. It’s where huge portions of comforting no-frills Italian food are dished out. Their vodka sauce would be easily mistaken for a warm hug in edible form. Pro tip: Take friends so you can share a few dishes and still have leftovers for days.

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.

The “pizza pot pie” featured here is so indulgent it might make your cardiologist wince. Locals keep coming back for its unmatched comfort food appeal. This is the kind of place you hope everything comes baked in a bowl of cheese—and saucy goodness.

Geja’s Café

A fondue restaurant? In 2024? Yes, and it’s absolutely glorious. Locals head to Geja’s for dinner, and fun that is almost as important as the food. Here, it’s cozy and romantic and the place for a leisurely meal where it’s not only okay but encouraged to dip bread into some molten cheese.

Big Apple Finer Foods

At first glance, you might mistake this for your run-of-the-mill grocery store, but Big Apple is the type of neighborhood market to pop into for more specialty items or fresh produce. The staff are friendly, and the selection is surprisingly extensive – there’s always something interesting tucked away on the shelves. For those who love to cook, think of it as a local secret.

Lincoln Station Bar

This bar isn’t going to win any design awards, and that’s exactly why it’s loved. Locals make for Lincoln Station where they get cheap drinks, big meals, and talk without the tourist fanfare. Think: Chicken wings that slap, TVs turned to the game, and a relaxed atmosphere where everyone knows someone’s cousin. It’s like Cheers, but with better beer.

Oz Park’s Shakespeare Garden

While Oz Park isn’t a secret, have you checked out the Shakespeare Garden hidden on its quieter edges? With its intimate feel, lushness, and just a little overgrown in the best way, this garden feels like somewhere out of a poetry reading. It’s a perfect place for a slow stroll or just some peace with your thoughts. Take a book to the park, sit on a bench, and forget the world.

Dave’s Records

Dave’s Records is a treasure trove for music lovers, and vinyl enthusiasts know it. The store’s tagline—“No CDs, Never Had ‘Em, Never Will”—is something to boast about. Whether you’re after a rare jazz LP or simply keen to lose yourself flipping through crates of records, this is a bit of an analog heaven. You don’t need to be a hardcore collector to love the vibe.

Lincoln Avenue’s Quiet Coffee Spots

There’s nothing wrong with big coffee chains but the real magic happens on Lincoln Avenue’s indie cafes. At places like Floriole Café & Bakery, locals linger over lattes and pastries that look like they’ve been handmade by someone’s grandma over the course of the entire day. Rushing isn’t the idea here—slow mornings and heart-to-hearts are where these coffee nooks belong.

Lillstreet Art Center

Lillstreet Art Center is hidden slightly off the beaten path and offers creative workshops from pottery to photography. This isn’t a touristy art class where you paint a sunflower for two hours and then you’re done. It’s a place to get your hands dirty, tap into your inner artist, and possibly walk away with a piece of pottery that doesn’t look like a second-grader made it.

Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya

On a cold day, locals flock to Kizuki because a bowl of ramen there is like a blanket on a cold day. The toppings… on point, the noodles have the perfect mouth feel, and these broths are rich. If you’re not sure what to order, their friendly staff are happy to steer you right.

Barrelhouse Flat

Here, classy drinks are served in an atmosphere that simply isn’t pretentious. The bartenders are more like drink wizards, churning everything from Prohibition-era classics to some wizardry concoctions. Slow down over your drink—this isn’t a joint for quick rounds. Stories are swapped here and time slows down.

Pequod’s Pizza

It’s no secret, but somehow Pequod’s remains a pizza place that most visitors don’t know about. Locals say the caramelized crust on their deep-dish pies brings a whole new dimension of flavor to the Chicago classic. Unless you reach out and call ahead, you might expect to wait – but trust us, it’s utterly worth it.

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