Neighborhood Tour! Lincoln Park Edition
Hi, everyone, I told you that you’d be hearing from me soon, and oh, how I love a Sunday! This week I’ve got the first edition of a new series ‘round these parts, Neighborhood Tours! I’ve lived in Chicago for going on five years now, and as the anxious girl I am, I feel I’ve been sticking to what I know a little too much lately, and I’m ready to explore. I already know that Chicago is the greatest city on Earth, but it is my personal 2026 goal to learn and see more of all this city has to offer. This series will feature vlog-style writing as I spend the day in neighborhoods I’m not entirely familiar with. Of course, I am looking for all the recommendations I can get. I would absolutely love to hear from people who live/d in different neighborhoods than me. So, I’m going to include a Google Form at the end of this article where you can give me any recommendations you may have. However, what I would love even more than a recommendation is a personal tour from someone who loves their neighborhood as much as I love mine. Even just a coffee date at your favorite coffee shop would be amazing. I really hope to meet new people and get the full experience of each neighborhood out of this series.
This article will be a little different than what I hope for them to be in the future. I know a little too much about Lincoln Park, and it might just be impossible for me to narrow down my recommendations to one day's worth of activities. So, I’m just going to go right ahead and give you all of my recommendations so you can choose your character this round.
Coffee & Breakfast
The Bagelers Coffeehouse: Bagelers is one of the very first places I tried upon moving to Chicago, and she is, and always will be, a staple in my life. When I go, I have three orders and three orders only. If I’m feeling sweet bagel vibes, it’s always going to be a blueberry bagel with honey nut cream cheese, yes, I can repeat that- honey nut cream cheese. If I’m feeling a savory breakfast sandwich, it’s The Hashy B. Bacon, egg, muenster, a hashbrown patty, homemade chipotle mayo, and Mike’s hot honey. Are you serious? Ultimate hangover cure. Finally, if I’m going for lunch, it’s going to be The Butcher. Salami, mortadella, hot coppa, muenster, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and homemade garlic mayo. Oh my goodness gracious, I’m gasping for air just thinking about it.
Beacon Doughnuts: I am not even a doughnut person, and I love Beacon Doughnuts. However, once they run out, that’s it, you’re done, so get there early. My go-to has to be their Vanilla Bean Cronut, which I believe is a staple on their ever-changing menu because it simply has to be. Looking at their menu now, I’m seeing Cold Brew Crunch, Blueberry Pancake, Maple Bourbon Crunch, and Oreo Old Fashioned doughnuts, so it looks like I’ll be going this week!
Floriole: This is the best hot vanilla latte I’ve ever had in my life, hands down, and the Maple, Bacon, Cheese, and Chive savory scone lives absolutely rent-free in my dreams. They also have a Salted Tahini Caramel Latte right now, which is just fantastic, of course, and such a unique flavor for the season.
Batter & Berries: Okay, Lakeview people don’t come for me too much now, I’m going to claim this as Lincoln Park. I mean, it’s South of Diversey, no? Anyways! This spot is known for their French Toast and rightfully so. That French Toast Flight cannot be beat, strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel? That’s enough, close the menu.
Shopping
Art Effect: This is my go-to store for a gift someone will actually love. They have such a range of items from clothes, to cookingware, to home goods, to jewelry, to Baggus, to drinkware, to gardening gear, you name it!
Left on Thread: On Halsted, this women’s-wear store is so trendy in a very cool girl type of way. It’s also not overly expensive, and they have great, stylish basics.
Armitage in general: Both of the previously mentioned stores are the ones I find myself going into most, but Armitage has great window shopping for a budget-friendly queen looking for some inspiration. Plus, you can stop by Beacon for a little doughnut snack along the way!
Alice & Wonder: Basic, I know, but it just has to be on this list because 1. I find myself in there for gifts far too much, and 2. The sweatshirts are so cute and incredibly comfortable.
Meals
Red Light Chicken: The best chicken sandwich without a doubt. My order is always a honey sandwich with mayo and pickles, a side of truffle fries, and, of course, a whole bunch of their house-made spicy mayo. I dressed up as Red Light Chicken for Halloween my junior year of college, that is how much I love this place.
Ranallis: You know her, you love her, there’s a reason for that. I need it to be nice out again so I can find myself on that patio with a filthy martini and either a dill pickle, hot honey soppressata, or sausage and giardiniera pizza in front of me.
Ramen - San: Oh my goodness, their 10 Hour Tonkatsu Ramen, it’s nothing to joke about. Until 3 pm daily, just $17.95 gets you one ramen, one rice plate, a salad-san, and edamame hummus, it’s my favorite lunch deal around. And to make matters even better, their playlist has to be my favorite restaurant playlist to date.
Athenian Room: Oh, Athenian Room in the Summer, how I miss you so! This cash-only, Greek restaurant is a go-to for pretty much everyone I know. This Greek girl loves their Taramosalata, Greek Salad, and Gyro, obviously.
The Wiener’s Circle: As a hot dog lover myself, I could not make this list without including Wiener’s Circle, an absolutely iconic Chicago spot, and one of my favorite dogs in the city. I know this place has a reputation for a silly-goofy time, but, honestly, in my experience, it’s always a kiki in there. Have I witnessed them yell at a man? Well, of course, several times actually. Did I feel like he deserved it every time? Well, yes!
Bird’s Nest: Now, I debated putting this spot under the ‘For a Drink’ section because I do always happen to have a drink here, but really- I’m here for the wings, and so is everyone else. I’m a teriyaki or honey BBQ kind of girl, but you really can’t go wrong here, I mean, they are the best wings in Chicago for a reason!
Cafecito: One thing about me is that I love a Cuban sandwich. Unfortunately, due to that fact, I can’t say I’ve ordered anything besides their Cubano, but I have had bites of friends’ sandwiches, of course, because sharing is caring. I can confidently say every bite I’ve had has been 10/10. On top of amazing sandwiches, the service here is amazing; it just has such a warm, welcoming, neighborhood vibe.
Other Activities to Fill Your Day/Night
Lincoln Park/the Lakefront: I feel like this is so obvious, but it’s just so core Lincoln Park, I mean, it is kind of the entire point. My absolute favorite Lincoln Park activity is grabbing a bagel from Bageler’s or a Cubano from Cafecito and heading to the lake to picnic and listen to music with the Chicagoans I love. Does life get any better than that? I’m not really sure.
Kingston Mines: If you take one thing from this list, let it be Kingston Mines. At this point, you all know I’m partial to live music, and Kingston Mines is an incredible spot for live blues. I could include it in the next section because it is definitely a nighttime activity, but I cannot pigeonhole Kingston Mines into a place to grab a drink because it’s just not. Even if you’re not looking to drink, you will still enjoy the live music at Kingston Mines. And if you don’t? I’m gonna say something mean, okay? That’s a taste issue.
Lincoln Hall: Continuing the live music theme here, Lincoln Hall! This concert venue hosts such an array of artists, I definitely recommend checking out who might be playing when you’re in my neck of the woods. I mean, who wouldn’t want to discover a new artist that way? Oh? Like a lot of people? Okay, yeah, no, for sure.
A Walk Through the Neighborhood: One of my favorite things to do in LP is grab a coffee or a matcha, put my headphones in, and take myself on a walking tour through the neighborhood. I love looking at all the unique brownstones and glaring at all the new builds. There’s nothing better than walking around with a friend going “Oh, I love that one, I would so put a unique wallpaper in that foyer,” “Oh, that’s just terrible, I can’t afford it for sure, but wow that’s terrible,” or “Oh my gosh imagine that brick with a navy trim, just imagine.” Seriously, someone get me and my people on a Lincoln Park brownstone project, I promise we’ll do you right.
For a Drink
Off Color Brewing: If you’re looking for a dog-friendly patio with unique beers, look no further, you’ve found your spot! I’m half here for the beer and half here for the cute dogs. Does it get any better than that?
Charoen Krung by Sathorn: Five words- seven-dollar martini happy hour. I thought about gatekeeping this happy hour, but I just couldn’t do that to you guys, or them. Their Thai Basil Martini is the perfect, refreshing Summer beverage, and I love sitting at the bar, looking out the window, and people watching.
The Store: What is a Chicago list without a dive bar? Not one I’m reading that is for sure. Sometimes you can catch live music here, which is, clearly, a favorite activity of mine. Otherwise, they have touch tunes, which I will always spend way too much money on because that’s my God-given right as a woman.
Rose’s Lounge: Yes, another dive bar, and this one is truly that, with couches, a pool table, and all. This is a great spot to catch up with friends and meet fun characters, especially when there is, once again, live music!
Love Street: Switching the vibe a bit here and giving you an absolutely adorable cocktail bar. The lighting is moody, the cocktails are unique, and the aesthetic is cozy yet refined. I think this is a great first date spot. I say that because every time I’m here, I notice first dates happening all around me, and I love it because I just love love!
Lincoln Park, you know I love you, right? I think I’ve made that pretty clear. Yet, it’s time for something new, it’s time to get to know my city more. Here is the link to the Google Form to send me your recommendations! I can’t wait to check out your favorite places, and I hope you check out a few of mine, too!
Write you soon!
Beth
