Logan Square is one of the city’s more trendy restaurant districts, continuing a wave that started in Lincoln Park in the ‘90s, and then into Wicker Park in the ‘00s. As the population moves west, nearby Avondale is ready to take the mantle. But that doesn’t mean folks should sleep on Logan Square, home to one of the city’s biggest farmers markets, and long home of places like Lula Cafe which subverted the restaurant world with a DIY attitude that’s scared off many chains. Check out some of the best restaurants in the neighborhood in the map below.
Logan Square’s Best Restaurants
One of Chicago’s strongest dining neighborhoods keeps getting better
Logan Square’s Best Restaurants
One of Chicago’s strongest dining neighborhoods keeps getting better
Logan Square is one of the city’s more trendy restaurant districts, continuing a wave that started in Lincoln Park in the ‘90s, and then into Wicker Park in the ‘00s. As the population moves west, nearby Avondale is ready to take the mantle. But that doesn’t mean folks should sleep on Logan Square, home to one of the city’s biggest farmers markets, and long home of places like Lula Cafe which subverted the restaurant world with a DIY attitude that’s scared off many chains. Check out some of the best restaurants in the neighborhood in the map below.
Sugar Moon
Sugar Moon takes the city by storm with its splendid chocolate chip cookies, Roman-style pizza, and creative savory dishes like the limited-time Italian beef croissant (you snoozed, you lost). Sugar Moon is a one-stop shop for brilliant cakes, cookies, and more. But did we mention those chocolate chip cookies? Pure bliss.
Friendship Chinese
A longtime staple on Milwaukee Avenue, this Chinese American stalwart offers a thoughtful and thorough menu of dim sum, noodles, and fried rice that will likely be familiar to most local diners. It’s hard to go wrong, but many of the lesser-seen items are also among the best. Keep an eye out for options like bon bon wonton noodles and “Barbarian” steak with five-spice crispy onions. It’s their take on Mongolian beef with a more truthful description.
Jibaritos y Mas
Jibaritos — Chicago’s famous Puerto Rican-inspired sandwiches that feature steak or beef, tomatoes, lettuce, and garlicky mayo sandwiched between fried green plantains — are among the city’s greatest food inventions; Jibaritos y Mas is one of its foremost local purveyors. Owner Jesus Arrieta adds his own spin by offering proteins such as pork, octopus, and chicken, and adding minced garlic to the top of each sandwich for extra zing.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Giant
Prized among Logan Square residents since its founding in 2016, Giant — helmed by chef Jason Vincent, a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2022 Outstanding Chef award — continues to pump out big, bold flavors in a narrow neighborhood space. Vincent is also behind Chinese American restaurant Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar in Bucktown.
Lula Café
Chef-owner Jason Hammel opened up this neighborhood favorite back in 1999, bringing with it a meticulous commitment to local fare a la new American plates. In the years since, the restaurant has become an all-day institution, knocking out delights like pastries and breakfast burritos in the morning to an ever-changing dinner menu and deep, thoughtful wine list. Lula Cafe won Chicago’s only James Beard Award in 2024 for Outstanding Hospitality.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Andros Taverna
Lettuce Entertain You vet Doug Psaltis (the “P” in the sceney RPM restaurants) and wife Hsing Chen have formed a formidable duo with a Greek American restaurant with ace pastries. The dining room is chic and tends to get busy on weekends. But the restaurant serves delicious meats prepped on a wood-burning grill, plus roasted vegetables that get kissed by smoke. Chen’s pastry skills are apparent on the savory side with classics like katafi cheese pie. The spreads aren’t to be missed. The Sparta Octopus is a scene stealer. Andros also serves a killer brunch, great to bring parents. Chen’s weekend pastry boxes are also can’t miss.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Superkhana International
This colorful spot for modern Indian cusine made a big splash when it opened in 2019, and has continued to mature and flourish. Fans come back again and again for fluffy, chewy “Indian-ish” calzones (stuffed with either butter chicken or aloo matar (peas, potatoes, amul cheese, methi dust), achaari pulled pork sandwiches (tamarind chutney), and more.
Nick Fochtman/Eater Chicago
BiXi Beer
This two-floor brewpub features a mix of items from China, Korea, and Japan that are boosted by chef Bo Fowler’s dedication to sourcing fine ingredients. There are incredible banh mi, ridiculous crab rangoons, and some of the best noodles in town. On some nights, look for food from Fowler’s shuttered restaurant, Owen & Engine, known for one of the city’s best burgers.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Cellar Door Provisions
Cellar Door Provisions remains one of the most underrated restaurants in Chicago, one that manages to connect a farm-to-table ethos with delicious wine. It’s only open for dinner service, constantly switching menus in a casual, yet elegant setting. Sample items include lamb shoulder tartare, pork leg rilettes, and roasted Maine monkfish tail. This is a restaurant that features clean and simple flavors with good sourcing and a lot of technique.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Paulie Gee's Logan Square
This iconic Brooklyn-based pizzeria first landed in Chicago in 2016 and quickly garnered a loyal following. The shop is best known for its unique toppings and saucy names, including the “Lady Lola” (Italian tomatoes, kimchi, serrano peppers, green onions, guanciale, black and white sesame seeds, soy chili glaze), yet also makes a popular variation on Detroit-style pizza. The space features a full bar and two domed Stefano Ferrera ovens imported from Napoli, Italy. Local operator Derrick Tung also runs a second outpost in Wicker Park and a third inside District Brew Yards in suburban Wheeling.
Daisies
Find pastries and coffee in the mornings, sandwiches in the afternoon, and plates of Midwestern-style pasta at night at this all-day machine in Logan Square. Daisies is a friendly spot where customers can linger, providing three different experiences depending on the time of day. The pastas are creative and the veggies from from local farmers. The restaurant also earned a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to the environment.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Bungalow by Middle Brow
Middle Brow Bungalow is more than just a brewpub. The restaurant as evolved into a delightful West Coast-inspired bakery with thin-crust pizzas and pastries and a cozy neighborhood feel. Look for breakfast sandwiches in the morning and find the operation’s breads at retail stores across the city.
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Gretel
Gretel is the sibling to Little Bad Wolf, a boisterous space in Logan Square good for groups. The signature burgers and french fried shrimp are here, as are a selection of baos and tacos.
Akahoshi Ramen
Mike Santinover grew a fanbase on Reddit, sharing is love of Japanese food, and trying different ramen recipes. His fanatical approach to perfection manifested into Akahoshi Ramen, a shop that often gets so busy that you’ll need a reservation. The menu is unique, it’s not just the generic pork or miso broth and Sun Noodles; that’s not a knock — but sometimes diners want something unique. The noodles are made onsite, and the varous specials — including truffle shoyu, spicy garlic paitan, and buttercorn crab — are worth seeking out.
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Mi Tocaya Antojería
Food fanatics have been racing to this popular spot, where chef and owner Diana Dávila has gained quick fandom for her clever riffs on antojos — traditional Mexican-style small plates (think tacos filled with beer can chicken or fried chicken and churros). For on point pairings, opt for any of the venue’s draft cocktails, including the Chicana with hibiscus, mezcal, gin, citrus chartreuse and maraschino.
Mi Tocaya Antojeria
Lardon
Meadowlark Hospitality has a hit on its hands with Lardon — the all-day corner spot that exudes Old World butcher shop charm. Chef and partner Christopher Thompson (Coda di Volpe) graces the neighborhood with handmade Saucisson de Campagne, Genoa Salame, ‘Nduja, and much more — all aged in its unusual “charcuterie cave” curing room with a window so patrons can ogle the meats.
Barry Brechesien/Eater Chicago
Bang Bang Pie Shop
Bang Bang Pie Shop is one of the city’s most influential restaurants, a small shop with a huge backyard for patio enjoyment. The pies are spoken for — some of the best in town. The biscuits are underrated for breakfast, big and fluffy served with thick-cut bacon. Be on the lookout for an occassional pop-up.
Bang Bang Pie
El Nandu Restaurant
Chicago is known for Argentinian food outside of steakhouse fare, which makes El Nandu’s empanadas and other items worth ordering. Yes, there’s plenty of chicken and steak on the menu, well seasoned and bundled with hospitality befitting for a family-owned restaurant that’s been open for decades.
Beautiful Rind
Specialty food shops, like Beautiful Rind — which specialize in gourmet cheese — aren’t abundant in Chicago, which is disappointing for a city this size. Beyond a great selection of cheeses, meats, and snacks, Beautiful Rind has a menu of wonderful sandwiches, wines, and cocktails. This gives it a wine bar feel, and an escape from Milwaukee Avenue’s hustle and bustle.
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Kyōten
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