How to Spend a Sunday In Chicago’s Lincoln Park
Welcome to the first of our Lettuce Locals series, where we share our tips on how to best spend a Sunday in Chicago. Whether you live in the area or you’re playing tourist in a new part of town, we guarantee the below neighborhood itinerary will cure the Sunday Scaries.
Since our first restaurant was established in Lincoln Park more than 50 years ago (looking at you R.J. Grunts) – there’s no better place to start than this neighborhood known for its charming restaurants, locally-owned shops, Lincoln Park Zoo and scenic parks.
But first, brunch…at Mon Ami Gabi or RJ Grunts
If you don’t know, now you know: Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park serves brunch exclusively on Sundays. Grab your partner or your crew and toast to the good life with La Peche, one of our favorite brunch cocktails in town. We recommend the Cheddar & Mushroom Quiche and a cup of the signature Onion Gratin Soup to warm up on a chilly day. End your meal with profiteroles and a cappuccino. Tres Chic!
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For more Lettuce brunch inspo in Chicago, click here.
Another great brunch option located steps away from the Lincoln Park Zoo is RJ Grunts. Don’t sleep on the Breakfast Burrito, loaded with bacon, some cheeses, scrambled eggs and pico de gallo. Got a picky eater on your hands? Build your own omelette with 3-5 ingredients of your choosing. Plus, the house bloody mary comes complete with a chicken wing garnish!
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Pro tip: Every Thursday – Saturday, check out RJ Grunts’ Late-Night Happy Hour from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM—recently named the best happy hour in the city by Chicago magazine!—where you can enjoy a dozen classic cocktails for only $5 each, plus tax (gratuity not included).
Take a Stroll
Time to walk off brunch. Lincoln Park is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Chicago, so we suggest you explore it on foot. Have a choose-your-own adventure moment below:
If you’d prefer a quiet stroll in nature, hit up the Nature Boardwalk – a gorgeous trail around a lake in Lincoln Park with some of the best views of the city. Snap photos with the skyline on the bridge over South Pond or at the Honeycomb structure right beneath it. Fun fact: the Honeycomb was inspired by the natural design of a tortoise shell. If you’re there at the right time of year, you’ll see real tortoises swimming under the bridge. Other amazing spots to explore with the kiddos include the Lincoln Park Zoo or the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
If you’re more of an architecture fan, we suggest you walk the opposite way to check out the beautiful historical homes in the neighborhood. Walk west down Fullerton and take a left down Orchard St. until you hit Oz Park.
Grab a cookie and a coffee at Summer House
Stop by The Market at Summer House to choose from an epic selection of cookies and a boost of energy provided by La Colombe coffee. Pick up one of their legendary cold drafts (we love the Black & Tan) and pair it with the Rice Krispy Chocolate Chip Cookie. You can thank us later. View the menu at Summer House in Lincoln Park.
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Shop ’til you drop
Now that you’re sailing on a sugar rush AND a caffeine boost, head to Armitage Avenue to do some shopping. Dig through the shoe racks at Lori’s for some great designer finds, pick up gifts for your loved ones at Art Effect, and maybe treat yourself to a cashmere sweater at Jenni Kayne or a fun accessory at Clare V. If you’re looking for a Chicago-based boutique with quality Chicago merch, walk up a little farther north to check out Alice & Wonder.
Happy Hour at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Here’s the part where we tell you Lincoln Park’s best kept secret: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! offers happy hour seven days a week! Sundays are no exception, and you and your friends deserve a pitcher of sangria after all that shopping. From 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, you can enjoy $1.50 pintxos, $22 sangria pitchers, $4 Estrella Damm beer bottles, and select tapas from $3-$5, plus tax (gratuity not included). View Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!’s Happy Hour Menu.
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Looking for more Happy Hour deals near you, click here.
Dinner at Sushi-san or Ramen-san
The sleekest new addition to Halsted Street, Sushi-san – Lincoln Park is now open for dinner daily, serving up all the San signatures including San-Sets, maki, nigiri, robata grilled and sizzling rice dishes, along with a few new options such as Chilled Soba Noodles, Spanish Bluefin Tuna Sashimi with dill and Castelvetrano olives and a kids’ Bento Box. Plus the street-side patio is the perfect place to sip a glass of sake (there are 16 options available by-the-glass!), frosty Asahi beer, handcrafted cocktail or creative NA drinks.
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Our favorite way to warm up a cool evening? A warm bowl of Kimchi & Fried Chicken Ramen! Located steps away from Sushi-san – Lincoln Park, Ramen-san is not only known for its ramen, but also for its dessert. Trust us when we say the Hot Donuts are the perfect nightcap to a perfect Lincoln Park day.
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