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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Business suits, sweeping views and sizzling filets set the scene at this boisterous River North steakhouse. More...

Coco Pazzo Cafe Italian
13/20
Dining Room at Coco Pazzo Cafe, Chicago, IL 636 N. St. Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-664-2777
The menu changes often at this rustic Italian trattoria, a casual sib to Coco Pazzo. 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
Prime beef, ridiculously large 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
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
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
There’s a reason this longtime steakhouse has loyalists: the things it does, it does right. More...

Mon Ami Gabi French
13/20
Dining Room at Mon Ami Gabi, Oak Brook, IL Oakbrook Shopping Center
260 Oakbrook Ctr.
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-472-1900
Never mind its mall setting: this real-deal French eatery is all about serving bistro-style seafood and steak frites. 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
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
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 Park View Hotel
1800 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
312-981-7070
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
Ex-Coco Pazzo chef goes it alone with dazzling, and surprisingly affordable, results. More...

The Purple Pig Mediterranean
14/20
Dining Room at The Purple Pig, Chicago, IL 500 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-464-1744
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
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
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
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
Suits snag steaks---and primo river views---at this prime meatery on the Chicago River. More...

SushiSamba Rio Asian
13/20
Dining Room at SushiSamba Rio, Chicago, IL 504 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-595-2300
See and be seen fusion spot that also has a pretty people-populated rooftop patio. 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
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
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
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
Civilized churrascaria with an awesome rooftop deck, market-fresh cocktails and meat, meat, meat. More...

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