Neon Gardens, a new destination for New York-style pizza, has opened its doors in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Located near Replay Lincoln Park, known for its classic arcade games and beer, Neon Gardens offers not only pizza but also unique cocktail concepts and entertainment.
The venue features a lush, open-air space filled with greenery, murals, and street-style art created by local Chicago artists. It houses four different concepts under one roof: Neon Gardens for restaurant/patio dining, Neon Gardens after Dark with two full bars, The Slice Hut for a quick grab-and-go pizza slice, and the Game Room, which includes nostalgic 90’s arcade games like Pac-Man, darts, and more.
For pizza lovers, Neon Gardens serves New York-style pizza with large slices, a thick, crispy crust, and a thin, foldable center. The current menu includes options like NYC cheese, carne sausage, buffalo chicken, Mike’s hot honey with charred pepperoni, and Sicilian. There is also a build-your-own pizza option with various toppings. While the pizzas are flavorful, those who prefer less crust may find the doughy edges less appealing. For those who like a lighter crust, other menu items might be more satisfying.
The bar offers a wide selection of craft beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, martinis, ciders, and sours. In addition to pizza, the menu includes sandwiches, pizza rolls, and pinwheels. For small bites, options include chicken tenders, meatballs, buffalo wings, sweet chili wings, and a variety of dipping sauces. Lighter options include fresh salads such as the classic romaine Caesar salad and the champagne vinaigrette salad with mixed greens, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries.
Dessert offerings include a selection of gelato flavors like vanilla, strawberry, Chicago pothole, Cookie Monster, chocolate, pistachio, sea salt caramel, strawberry cheesecake, and lemon sorbet.
Overall, Neon Gardens offers a promising new hangout in Chicago with its diverse menu and vibrant atmosphere. While the pizzas are popular, the salads and other dishes, like the crispy fried calamari with marinara sauce, are particularly noteworthy. For a fun and tasty new experience in Lincoln Park, Neon Gardens is worth a visit. However, a lighter crust option might enhance the pizza experience for some.