Savor Summer at Chicago’s Essential Waterfront Restaurants

Pretend like you’re vacationing on the coast.

Nothing beatssummer in Chicago . The al fresco dining is arguably what leads to the locals ’ winter amnesia . But thanks to the Chicago River and Lake Michigan , the city gives invitee the chance to ravish themselves to another mankind . Along the shimmer piddle , under a shaded corner , wintertime ( and the last two years spent inside ) feel like a distant memory . Take reward of the city ’s unique topography at one of the 15 good places to enjoy the water . Make a reservation whenever possible and plan around the fireworks .

Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co.

Streeterville$$Somehow the chaos of a noisy downtown evaporates when you make your way to the dining field for Robert ’s Pizza & Dough Co. Besides having one of the best pizzas in the city ( a brick oven - baked , lean - crust evolved from its owner ’s 20 year - honest-to-god obsession to fine tune his dough formula for the ultimate crust ) its subtle ambience will leave you want more . The restaurant is locate on a beautiful , tree - run along terrace and border by the Chicago River where boaters can pull up to to foot - up their nutrient . The eating house boosts great deal of indoor and outdoor seating . Its terrace is dog - favorable and if you dine in on Wednesday or Saturday evening in the summer , you ’ll trance the dazzle display of fireworks from Navy Pier .

Bar Mar by José Andrés

Loop$$$Located in the heart of Chicago ’s downtown business district , Bar Mar is the upscale din the orbit needs . Come with work workfellow , girlfriends or make it a trip to see and be seen . Its high , airy ceilings bring complimentary brightness level and energy to a modern carte focus on breaker and turf . Expect classics like fry calamari , lobster rolls and ceviche at Chef José Andrés ' newest eatery in Chicago .

Pizzeria Portofino

River North$$Don’t rent the name deceive you . Pizzeria Portofino is more than just a pizza place . It offers a number of seafood and pasta dishes , inspired by its Italian namesake . The restaurant is located on a busybodied stretchiness of real estate that ’s perfect for hoi polloi ascertain ( on terra firma and water ) . invitee go far via water can park their boat at the restaurant or pull up and carry out directly onto their boats from theMarina Menu .

Cielo Rooftop at Azul

Near North Side$$Cielo Rooftop at Azul is one of the metropolis ’s largest open - air rooftops and perfect for bounteous group . The Latin American inspired legal profession and eating house features views of the Chicago visible horizon on one side and sentiment of the Chicago River on the other . The waterfront saloon offers a seafood concentre carte by Chef Michael Hernandez that includes lobster empanadas , street wetback and ceviche .

The Kitchen

River North$$The Kitchen ’s expansive indoor and outdoor dining space offers Orcinus orca views of the Chicago River alongside an international - exhort menu by Chef Michael Bertozzi . Its farm - to - table options include a foie gras Warren Earl Burger , a mortadella thaw with pistachio nut gremolata and swiss fondu ; and tunny tiradito with yuzu kosho , avocado and coriander . Their drink carte is designed for dull case on a hot summer day and includes non - alcoholic options .

Theater on the Lake

Lincoln Park$$Enjoy a breezy and breathtaking position of the City at Theater on the Lake . The upscale bar has a number of indoor and outside option where you could watch runners , rockers and Alice Walker relish the lakefront way — while also keeping an eye on how well your favorite Chicago sports team is doing . Gaze directly east and you ’ll be hypnotized by the lake ’s pluck waves . Turn south and ascertain the sky modification behind a horizon that includes the iconic Hancock building . The menu let in Warren E. Burger , brisket and chicken tacos . Expect local guile beer , spirit and wine on the drink card .

Reggie’s on the Beach

Jackson Park$$Most of the metropolis ’s waterfront dining is concentrated on the Northside . However , Reggie ’s on the Beach is doing something about that . The Southside bar lend its seasonal offerings to the 63rd Street beach . The music venue and eating house serves up wing , burgers , and melanise siluriform fish salad alongside a telephone number of free shows . Every Thursday and Sunday nighttime , Edgar Guest are treated to the sounds of reggae , blue devil , nothingness , funk and jam . invitee can even rent a jet ski , kayak or paddleboard from the beachfront locale . Seating is first come , first serve well .

Small Cheval Riverside

Loop$$Au Chevalin the West Loop devote the metropolis one of its best burgers . Its babe restaurant , Small Chevall , allows more people to experience the juicy and decadent burger via its riverfront location . The no frill counter gives guests the opportunity to dine indoors , accomplished with perspective of the river , or take hold of and go where they can find their own informal speckle on the riverwalk to enjoy their repast . The tiny frontier settlement is quintessential Chicago — everything you need without the hassle . Reservations not assume .

River Roast

River NorthWhether you ’re out for a midweek terrace power luncheon or an alfresco date night , executive chef Cedric Harden ’s talkative riverside tap house is a must - assay out-of-door dining experience during the summer months . Small sting like buttery half-pint and crab brioche toast piled with ripe alligator pear and prawn mousse and pork barrel meatballs swimming in Lycopersicon esculentum sauce , spicy giardiniera , pillowy ricotta gnocchi set the stage for the main event : one of the restaurant ’s substantial roasts , carved table - side and dressed to impress .

Chicago Cut

River North$$$$Stop by this stylish chophouse for breathless riverfront views and perfectly seared USDA Prime steak ( or the vegan vegetable Italian rice ) to match . The timeless hideaway and adjoining open - air patio is a favorite among local celebrities and other big blastoff — if you ’re lucky , that spicy , juiceless - aged Delmonico might even come with a star topology sighting or two .

City Winery Chicago Riverwalk

LoopThis festive downtown outpost is set directly along Chicago ’s riverwalk and comes outfitted with plentiful umbrella - shaded seating for comfortable out-of-door dining and imbibition . Score wine-colored through the construct ’s unique water faucet system , and dine on a curated lineup of gourmet sandwich and salads and a rotating selection of sorbet and gelatos to help you continue nerveless .

Gibsons Italia

West LoopSleek contemporary stylings , cheffy housemade pastas , in high spirits - death chops flown in farm - fresh from Australia and Japan , and a postcard - perfect waterside setting combining to make this one of the Windy City ’s top upscale dining destination . Consider this date night gold .

RPM Seafood

River NorthLettuce Entertain You Enterprises ’ sprawling , multi - level seafood emporium debuted to much fanfare just before the pandemic and has flung open their gleaming riverside door yet again , receive Chicagoans back with safely spaced opened - aura seats and a superfluity of culinary delight . Look for a exquisitely stocked sensitive streak , sushi ground level tartare , and a surf and turf jazz group for the ages : hand - slew Creekstone fillet paired with plump Alaskan King Crab .

Beatnik on the River

LoopThe downtown offshoot of the popular West Town hangout mirrors its baby locating ’s bohemian - chic vibration with a bounty of plushy greenery , Mediterranean - accented world-wide fare , and vibrant , loungey decor . Add a sundrenched patio with plenty of elbow room , a shimmer riverbank backdrop , and a chill breeze and you ’ve get your Modern brunchtime no - brainer .

Metropolitan Brewing

AvondaleHead up north and grab a seat on this friendly neighborhood taproom ’s inviting terrace to receive house - brewed beer done right : crisp German - mode lager served along a quiet stretchability of the Chicago river with a side of good , one-time - fashioned smart atmosphere . Food is BYOB – takeout and deliverance choice abound – and adventurous drinkers are more than welcome to trench the wheel and paddle on over instead , hitch up their kayak to the adjoining pier before grab a well - deserved dusty one .

Pizzeria Portofino