Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


Best Chicago Outdoor Dining


Enjoy dining al fresco?  Let yourself be romanced by the sidewalk sounds of a big city or pampered by the peacefulness of a patio garden. Flock to the terrace, deck or boulevard table and share a bite, under the sun, an oversized patio umbrella or the stars. Be it a brunch in the breeze, sunset supper or long lunch, all of it tastes best outside. Visit a few of these top airy hot spots for the best outdoor dining in Chicago.


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View the Top 10 Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Chicago.

Anteprima Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Anteprima, Chicago, IL 5316 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
773-506-9990 | Menu
Atypical Italian fare graces this Andersonville storefront with the makings for a great family supper. More...

Athena Greek Restaurant Greek
11/20
Dining Room at Athena Greek Restaurant, Chicago, IL 212 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60661
312-655-0000 | Menu
Great skyline views---and a nice patio---accompany traditional Greek fare at this go-to taverna. More...

Big Star Taqueria
13/20
1531 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-235-4039 | Menu
A buzzy whisky bar and taqueria from Paul Kahan in Wicker Park. More...

Boka Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at Boka, Chicago, IL 1729 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
312-337-6070 | Menu
A chic, stylish place---complete with a touted chef---for theater diners and hardcore food lovers. More...

C-House New American
14/20
Dining Room at C-House, Chicago, IL Affinia Chicago Hotel
166 E. Superior St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-523-0923 | Menu
This modern, sea-centric spot features a visible wine cellar and the rooftop C-View lounge. More...

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Spanish
12/20
2024 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-935-5000 | Menu
High-energy tapas bar that attracts a young, chatty crowd --- including during happy hour. More...

Chicago Cut Steakhouse Steakhouse
13/20
Dining Room at Chicago Cut Steakhouse, Chicago, IL 300 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-329-1800 | Menu | Photo
Business suits, sweeping views and sizzling filets set the scene at this boisterous River North steakhouse. More...

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse Steakhouse
14/20
Dining Room at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Chicago, IL 1028 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-266-8999 | Menu
Prime beef, generously portioned sides and first-rate martinis are the draw at this masculine steakhouse. More...

Hackney's on Harms Burgers
12/20
1241 Harms Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
847-724-5577 | Menu
Esteemed burger joint where juicy beef patties are ordered by the truckload. More...

Japonais Japanese
14/20
Dining Room at Japonais, Chicago, IL 600 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-822-9600 | Menu
Scenesters and sushi enthusiasts chill at this sleek, riverside Japanese lounge. More...

Kinzie Chophouse Steakhouse
13/20
Dining Room at Kinzie Chophouse, Chicago, IL 400 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-822-0191 | Menu
There’s a reason this longtime steakhouse has loyalists: the things it does, it does right. More...

Las Palmas Mexican
13/20
Dining Room at Las Palmas, Chicago, IL 1835 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-289-4991 | Menu
Creative Mexican cuisine in an artsy setting with a hidden-away feel. More...

Mon Ami Gabi French
13/20
Dining Room at Mon Ami Gabi, Chicago, IL The Belden-Stratford
2300 N. Lincoln Park W.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-348-8886 | Menu
French bistro that goes beyond the basics to deliver fine seafood and good steak frites. More...

Pegasus Restaurant & Taverna Greek
11/20
Dining Room at Pegasus Restaurant & Taverna, Chicago, IL 130 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60606
312-226-4666 | Menu
Ever-packed taverna with solid family-style dinners and, of course, all the greatest hits. More...

Perennial Virant American
15/20
Dining Room at Perennial Virant, Chicago, IL Hotel Lincoln
1800 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
312-981-7070 | Menu
An approachable, modern American bistro with green market sensibility from Paul Virant and the Boka boys. More...

Piccolo Sogno Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Piccolo Sogno, Chicago, IL 464 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60642
312-421-0077 | Menu
Ex-Coco Pazzo chef goes it alone with dazzling, and surprisingly affordable, results. More...

The Purple Pig Mediterranean
13/20
Dining Room at The Purple Pig, Chicago, IL 500 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-464-1744 | Menu | Photo
Cheese, wine and swine is the motto, but there's more to be found at this Michigan Avenue wine bar. More...

Rhapsody Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at Rhapsody, Chicago, IL 65 E. Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312-786-9911 | Menu
A popular place to dine pre-symphony, and a great spot to sip wine right after. More...

Riva Italian
13/20
Dining Room at Riva, Chicago, IL Navy Pier
700 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-644-7482 | Menu
Waterfront seafooder that’s an urbane respite amid tourist-ridden Navy Pier. More...

RL American
13/20
Dining Room at RL, Chicago, IL 115 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-475-1100 | Menu
If you've ever dreamt of appearing in a Ralph Lauren Polo ad, your wish has come true at this American classic. More...

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse
12/20
Dining Room at Smith & Wollensky, Chicago, IL Marina City
318 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-670-9900 | Menu
Suits snag steaks---and primo river views---at this prime meatery on the Chicago River. More...

Tavern at the Park Steakhouse
12/20
Dining Room at Tavern at the Park, Chicago, IL 130 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
312-552-0070 | Menu
Classic American cuisine---and then some---with high-end twists, plus choice views of downtown Chicago. More...

Tavern on Rush Steakhouse
11/20
Dining Room at Tavern on Rush, Chicago, IL 1031 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-664-9600 | Menu
Boisterous, steak-heavy pick-up joint with a view of the Rush Street scene. More...

Terzo Piano Italian
15/20
Dining Room at Terzo Piano, Chicago, IL Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago
159 E. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312-443-8650 | Menu
Tony Mantuano’s artsy Italian cuisine pleases luxe lunch-breakers and Modern Wing patrons alike. More...

ZED451 Brazilian
13/20
Dining Room at ZED451, Chicago, IL 739 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-266-6691 | Menu
Civilized churrascaria with an awesome rooftop deck, market-fresh cocktails and meat, meat, meat. More...

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