Slices of Life: Exploring Lincoln Square’s Pizza Renaissance

In our neighborhood, pizza is more than a dish. It’s a story told in flour and fire, shaped by hands that know their craft and carry their histories. This is a neighborhood where dough rises with intention, where ovens are sacred, and where every slice is a conversation between tradition and invention.

Capriccio Artisan Pizza & Coffee is the latest chapter in this unfolding narrative. Chef Guillermo Paolisso, an Italian native with a pedigree rooted in Rome’s culinary rhythms, has brought Roman-style pizza al taglio to Chicago’s north side. His pizzas are rectangles of airy sourdough, fermented slowly and baked with care, topped with ingredients that speak of place and season. The mortadella focaccia sandwich - a delicate balance of pistachio-studded meat and creamy stracciatella—offers a quiet kind of indulgence that lingers. Paolisso’s journey from executive chef at Artango to Capriccio’s founder is a testament to his vision: to carve out a space where Italian pizza culture breathes freely, beyond the shadow of Chicago’s deep-dish obsession. The coffee program, featuring La Colombe roasts, rounds out the experience, making Capriccio a refuge for the morning rush and the evening unwind.

Spacca Napoli, a Ravenswood institution, carries the torch for Neapolitan pizza with a rigor that has earned it a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand and a place on many best-of lists. Jon Goldsmith, who trained in Naples, has crafted a menu where simplicity meets precision. The wood-fired oven imported from Italy produces pies with blistered crusts and toppings that never shout but always sing - the Bufalina, with its buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes, is a quiet masterpiece. Spacca Napoli’s acclaim is not accidental; it is the product of relentless attention to tradition and quality, a rare balance in a city enamored with reinvention.

Jimmy’s Pizza Café brings New York’s iconic slice to Lincoln Square with an authenticity that feels both familiar and fresh. Owner Jimmy Kang, a New York transplant, has built a loyal following by replicating the chewy, foldable slices of his hometown. The no-frills atmosphere lets the pizza speak for itself—a thin crust, tangy sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. Recognized by local food critics as essential, Jimmy’s is a reminder that sometimes the best pizza is the one that doesn’t try to be anything else.

Monti’s, run by Jim and Kathy August, offers a blend of Philly cheesesteaks and East Coast-style pizza that has quietly won over locals. While it doesn’t boast major awards, Monti’s is a neighborhood staple, known for its scratch-made ingredients and warm hospitality. Its pizzas are generous, hearty, and unapologetically straightforward, a comforting counterpoint to the more artisanal offerings nearby.

Pizza Art Cafe occupies a different corner of the scene, where creativity and community intersect. Its experimental toppings and artsy vibe make it a place for discovery, even if the reviews are a mixed bag. It is a reminder that pizza is also a playground, a space for pushing boundaries and inviting conversation.

Finally, Lou Malnati’s stands as the deep-dish monument of Lincoln Square. Since 1971, the Malnati family has perfected a buttery crust and rich tomato sauce that have become synonymous with Chicago itself. The Lincoln Square location carries that legacy forward, offering a family-friendly environment and a taste of the city’s culinary identity. Lou Malnati’s numerous local awards are a testament to its enduring place in Chicago’s pizza pantheon.

Lincoln Square’s pizza scene is a study in contrasts and complements: the light and lively Roman slices of Capriccio, the disciplined Neapolitan tradition at Spacca Napoli, the urban grit of Jimmy’s New York-style, the comforting heartiness of Monti’s, the creative spirit of Pizza Art Cafe, and the iconic deep dish of Lou Malnati’s. Together, they form a neighborhood mosaic - one where every pie is a story, every bite a connection, and every oven a hearth for community.

This is pizza as it should be: honest, rooted, and alive.