Best Trendy Restaurants in Lincoln Park (60614)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Galit
A James Beard–driven, Michelin-starred Middle Eastern tasting menu built around obsessive hummus and salatim.
Essential Picks
#1
Galit
9.1
Galit is a Michelin-starred Middle Eastern restaurant from chef Zachary Engel that turns hummus, salatim, and wood-fired meats into a structured tasting menu. Locals use it for special-occasion dinners where bold flavors, precise cooking, and a deep wine list justify the spend.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus Masabacha, Labneh with za'atar and olive oil, Bubbe's Brisket
What makes it special: A James Beard–driven, Michelin-starred Middle Eastern tasting menu built around obsessive hummus and salatim.
Notable Picks
#2
Boka
8.8
Opened in 2003, Boka is a Michelin-starred, candlelit dining room where Chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal American cooking and a polished service team anchor one of Lincoln Park’s most reliable date-night experiences. Couples come for the combination of refined plates, deep wine list, and a room that feels celebratory without being stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck, Dry Aged Beef Tartare, Duck Leg Ravioli
What makes it special: Michelin-starred neighborhood stalwart pairing seasonal tasting-style plates with warm polish.
8.8
John's Food and Wine is a Michelin-recognized neighborhood bistro where beef fat fries with leek aioli are treated like a signature course rather than a side. Since opening in 2023, it’s become a Lincoln Park destination for seasonal plates, natural wine, and impeccably crisp, deeply savory fries that regulars plan meals around.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Fat Fries with Leek Aioli, Dry-Aged Steak with Potato Pave, Lobster Salad with Leek Aioli
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized beef fat fries with leek aioli give this wine bar–bistro one of the city’s most talked-about fry plates.
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Chicago's original tapas bar since 1985, certified by Spain's Bureau of Tourism and celebrating 40 years of authentic Spanish cuisine. The sprawling Lincoln Park institution excels at crowd-pleasing classics—patatas bravas, bacon-wrapped dates, and live-fire paella—served alongside pitchers of sangria in a lively, labyrinthine space with an all-season patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chorizo-Wrapped Dates, Seafood Paella Valenciana, Beef Tenderloin Toro Skewer
What makes it special: Chicago's longest-running Spanish tapas bar with official certification from Spain's Bureau of Tourism
8.2
Summer House Santa Monica brings a SoCal brunch aesthetic to Lincoln Park with a greenhouse-like dining room, pastry counter, and all-day menu. It’s where groups go for sunny eggs, salads, pancakes, and cocktails in a space that feels engineered for daytime celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes, Mexican Hash Browns
What makes it special: A West Coast–themed brunch hall with a pastry counter, big-group tables, and a sunlit glass ceiling.
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Happy Hour Hotspots
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Parson’s Lincoln Park brings the brand’s fried chicken, fish sandwiches, and famous Negroni slushies to a full patio setup on Halsted. The menu leans casual—hush puppies, hot chicken, fries—backed by a bar program and layout designed for lingering outside with friends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken, Hush Puppies, Negroni Slushy
What makes it special: A fried-chicken-and-slushy patio built for long, casual sessions outside.