Dining outdoors in Chicago is perhaps a little more special - mainly because we can't do it year round. So every chance we get, we take our meals al fresco! Rest assured though, most restaurants can go through September, and maybe a few weeks in October with heat lamps! You just can't beat the ambience, city scapes, and people watching! Most people know that Chicago is a major foodie town, but we're also a major outdoor foodie town!
Take a look at some of our favorite outdoor dining spots in the city . . . and we didn't just consider the view - the food had to be up to par too! Please note: Recommendations are not in any particular order!
1) Big Star
1531 N Damen
Big Star gets Big points for its casual high spirited outdoor patio with views that include enticing Mexican plates, award winning margs, and some of the best people watching. It's a local neighborhood place, but people rush from downtown to devour the west side haunt.
The only caveat - go early because the lines can get ridiculous, and it's well worth the wait! By the way, Fido is welcome - so feel free to bring him along. It's a quick 15 minute Uber from ACME.
2) Gibson's Italia
233 N Canal
Most visitors who know Chicago, know Gibsons - but they may not be as familiar with its cousin, Gibson's Italia, located smack dab on the Chicago river. THIS Gibson's doesn't feel anything like the original on Rush - It's sleek, and sparkly, modern, and bustling with real Chicago peeps. Of course, you can still get the $165 Tomahawk, and a highly respectable seafood selection, but you can also take a u-turn and go for freshly made pastas. The food, while high-key pricey, is right on, and the menu feels much deeper than the original.
Go for the meal, stay for the view - the view makes reconciling with the bill that much easier. It's gorgeous, and unique! You'll need a reservation for the best seats on the terrace.
And if you're starting and ending your night at ACME, it's definitely a scenic roundtrip stroll.
We'll see you for pre and post cocktails at Berkshire to hear all about you right!
3) Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted
This? Hands down, Piccolo Sogno is one of the most romantically on-point outdoor dining patios in the city. The patio is wreathed by foliage, and lit with amber lights that give it a certain shimmer - One might imagine they've been transported to a villa in Tuscany rather than at the edge of the hustle and bustle of the Fulton Market neighborhood. That's not to say it's only for romance . . . We've dined with friend groups, hosted business dinners, and the vibe remains organically whimsical, where conversations can flow with ease and distractions from the street are non-existent.
The Italian cuisine only goes to further the eclectic outdoor dining experience, and the martinis? Well, you'll want to Uber home.
4) Aba
302 N Green Street
Offering dinner, Friday lunch, and weekend brunch, this Fulton Market hot spot is the place to be seen, eat great food, and check out the bomb city views. From the kebabs, to the lamb & beef kefta, to the multiple versions of Hummus, Aba has nailed the whole Mediterranean vibe. Their menu is modern, delicious, and surprisingly, super reasonable! Who couldn't use a little chill Mediterranian vibe in their life?
Given it's location, there's plenty to do before and after dinner as well!
5) Castaways Beach Club
1603 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr
Some may remember Castaways as the old boathouse ON North Avenue Beach where one could steal away for a cold brew if the weather turned - but today, Castaways is a whole new ballgame. Renovated (with some of its old time clunky charm remaining) it offers a food menu and cocktails that has transformed it into a must do destination for out-door dining.
Castaway's also offers cabana rentals with curtains and soft seating, you know, for some private time! Check it out for dinner, for the weekly summer fireworks at Navy Pier, or just to hang. They also have a slew of events throughout the summer. Beach Blanket Bingo, anybody?
There are few places in the city to get a decent meal, literally ON the lakefront, with the lake and skyline as your back drop Your insta stories will explode!
6) Beatnik on the River
180 N Upper Wacker Drive
https://beatnikontheriver.com/
Perched on the edge of the Chicago River, this hip eclectic spot has a design described as a mashup between Morocco, Mediterranean and Italy offering opulent colors and accoutrements with stellar views of the downtown skyline and boats cruising by on the river. They feature an all-day menu featuring a culinary adventure into the Eastern Mediterranean, Northern Africa and Mexico - surely there's a bit of something for everyone!
You'll need to make a reso at Beatniks on the River of course - River walk seats are very hard to come by!
7) The Bellevue Chicago
1031N Rush St
The Gold Coast has always had this buzz about it, and always will. Sure, it's been given less than flattering nicknames in the past, but it continues to reinvent itself to stay relevant to today's young dining crowd. (Maple and Ash comes to mind - with a great outdoors btw). The Bellevue's outdoor wraps around the corner of Bellevue and Rush - and it's right across the street from Village Tavern, whose outdoor also does a cool wrap around. So if you're not seeing the crowd you want, take a gaze across the street! Anyway, the food is solid, the cocktails are on-point, and the people watching is off the chart!
Bonus: It's a10 minute walk down State street from ACME.
8) Las Fuentes
2558 N Halsted (Lincoln Park
Located in Lincoln Park, Las Fuentes is the OG of outdoor patios. The vibe is loose, friendly, energetic, and the crowd is out to have a good time. While weeknights are low key, Live music every Friday and Saturday turns it up a notch, but maintains a level where it's still still not too crazy to enjoy dinner and carry a conversation). The kicker is that Las Fuentes is definitely a no crumbs left joint. Try the mole (yes please - and the enchiladas verdes are top notch!
Bonus - It's steps away from Kingston Mines - one of Chicago's Best Blues clubs - so when your done with margarataville, stop in for a set.
9) North Pond
2610 N Cannon Dr.
For a meal that you'll remember for a life time, find yourself at North Pond. The location is at the furtherest north section of Lincoln Park - no, not on a street, IN the park . . . surrounded by beautiful trees and right on the pond. It's the bomb! And at $134 per person for an elevated five course tasting menu, it's probably meant more for "special occasions, optional wine pairings will set you back an additional 74 bucks. If you want to go, and have a bit left over for a metro card, go for the prix fixe Sunday Brunch for over half the cost!
The kitchen is helmed by executive Chef César Murillo - you may know him if you're a Top Chef fan - he appeared in season 22 in Milwaukee. Check him out on insta! @chef.cesarmurillo
Sound lofty? Well the view is impeccable, and so is the food! Not to mention the ridiculous creativity that goes into each and every plate (a foodies dream reel) If you're a die-hard foodie, or in love, you'll want to check it out!