Chicago is magical in spring and summer, and there's nothing better than enjoying a meal or drink outside. Here are the 17 best spots for a patio lunch or sunset drinks to enjoy the warm weather while it lasts.
Aba
Lushly decorated and with prime location in the buzzy Fulton Market District, Aba specializes in Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and spirits. Chef CJ Jacobson derives inspiration from Israel, Greece, Lebanon and Turkey to create tempting signature dishes, such as crispy short rib hummus and skirt steak shawarma. 302 N. Green St., 773.645.1400
With breathtaking city views in the heart of the loop, AIRE is an ideal place to unwind over shareable small plates that range from grass-fed beef sliders with horseradish aioli to sweet chili shrimp, wings and flatbread, perfectly paired with cocktails like the Smoke on the Water, spiked with mezcal, watermelon, jalapeno, agave and lime. 100 W. Monroe St., 312.236.1234
Avli on The Park
The Greek hot spot’s newest location is strategically placed in Lakeshore East and aims to evoke feelings of the coastal towns of Greece. Featuring traditional fare like seafood platters and gyros on mini pitas with Greek fries and tzatziki, Avli also gives the classic cheeseburger a Mediterranean twist by making it with lamb shoulder, herbs and spicy feta spread. Enjoy your meal with a drink from the Avli team’s curated list of Greek wines while taking in the romantic surroundings of two-sided stone fireplaces and cabanas on the outdoor rooftop. 180 N. Field Blvd.
Bar Avec
Inspired by seaside boîtes in Portugal and Spain, Bar Avec offers a wide variety of Mediterranean food in the form of brunch, small plates and full course meals (don’t miss the wild halibut a la plancha, served alongside potatoes, charred olives and fava bean salsa verde). A rare rooftop patio in the heart of River North, the intimate setting offers guests an opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city over cocktails like the refreshing ibisco d’amorita, made with hibiscus-infused tequila, Mallorca melon, urfa pepper and lime. 640 N. LaSalle Drive, 8th floor, 312.736.1740
The Cabana Club on the sixth floor of the Robey showcases a sceney, action-packed poolside bar that has plenty of couches and lounge chairs for idly hanging around in the sun and people watching. Frozen drinks and spritzers are the move here, as well as light bites like guacamole and chips and jalapeño cheese fritters. 2018 West North Ave., 872.315.3083
Inspired by owner Stephanie Izard’s travels throughout Peru, the menu at Cabra is filled with bold and enticing flavor combinations. The rooftop, located on the top floor of the Hoxton Hotel, embodies a lighthearted, playful energy perfect for a relaxing summer moment. To better set the scene, indulge in a Golden Hour cocktail, created with a unique blend of Glenmorangie Highland scotch, grapefruit, mango, lime and ginger ale. 200 N. Green St., 312.761.1717
Cerise
This Virgin Hotels destination offers everything from drinks to dinner to DJs, perfect for spring and summer nights out on the town. Known for craveable nibbles garlic aioli fries and fried chicken sandwiches, Cerise also tempts with cocktails like the Purple Reign (gin, lavender syrup, bitters, tonic, cucumber) and incredible views of the Willis Tower and the Chicago River. 203 N. Wabash Ave., 312.940.4400
Step into the French Riviera on the rooftop of the historic Carbide & Carbon building, in existence since 1929. Formerly a private event space, Chateau Carbide is now a fully-functioning public establishment that offers lounge seating, an absinthe-inspired cocktail bar, small bites including wood-fired pizza and clubby French house music after 5 p.m., thanks to talented DJs. 230 N Michigan Ave., 24th Floor, 312.777.9000
Cindy’s Rooftop
Serving locally sourced, New American style cuisine, Cindy’s caters to family-style comfort food on its awe-inspiring open air terrace, which offers sweet views of Millennium Park, Lake Michigan and The Art Institute of Chicago. Stop in for brunch to try the decadent buttermilk pancakes topped with whipped mascarpone, macerated blueberries and smoked maple syrup. If savory is more your style, dig into the pastrami smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraîche. 12 S. Michigan Ave., 312.792.3502
On the 18th floor of Viceroy Chicago near Michigan Avenue lies a swanky rooftop lounge with prime public access to a sleek reflective pool. This means you can freely pop in for a sunset viewing and toe dip, minus the commitment overnight. Delight in small New American plates and craft signature cocktails like the Chandon X Devereaux, and let the sights and sounds of Chicago’s skyline consume you. 1112 N State St., 18th floor, 312.632.9316
Open year-round—unique among the city’s rooftop patios—the I|O Godfrey invites hotel guests, visitors and locals to enjoy an indoor/outdoor lounge concept. The retractable roof showcases stunning skyline views for guests to dine alongside and serves globally inspired fare and handcrafted cocktails that elevate the experience of downtown lounging. Stop in for happy hour Monday-Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. for half-priced bar snacks, such as wagyu beef sliders and house-made hummus, perfect to pair with Ketel One cocktails and frosé. 127 W. Huron St., 312.374.1830
The J. Parker sits atop Hotel Lincoln and boasts spectacular views of Lincoln Park Zoo, Lake Michigan and the Gold Coast. With a retractable roof, the J. Parker is a hotspot year-round, but there’s still no better time to visit than the summer season when fresh air is coveted. The cocktail list changes seasonally, and the food menu is open for breakfast on weekdays and for dinner every night. 1816 N Clark St., 13th floor, 312.254.4747
LondonHouse
With gorgeous views overlooking the Chicago River from the 22nd floor, LondonHouse’s intimate, sophisticated atmosphere serves as the perfect spot to enjoy a drink and meal. Chef Elizabeth Sweeney tempts a crowd of in-the-know locals and visitors with signature dishes like Cajun lobster rolls and mochiko chicken bao with caramelized pineapple and kimchi. 85 E. Wacker Drive, 312.357.1200
Known for its world-class contemporary Japanese cuisine from iconic chef Nobu Matsuhisa, this stunning special occasion spot is the latest gem in the West Loop’s famed Restaurant Row. With unmatched views of the Willis Tower, guests are invited to experience an extensive bar menu that includes wines by the bottle expertly paired with hot dishes like rock shrimp tempura and Nobu’s famous black cod with miso. 155 N. Peoria St., 312.779.8800
Offshore
Beckoning with a massive 56,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, Navy Pier dining and drinking destination Offshore is the world’s largest rooftop deck and boasts incredible panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline. Bites like pork carnitas nachos, hickory-smoked chicken wings and pizza with smoked salmon and caviar are complemented by refreshing signature cocktails like the Sparkling Sapphire, a libation of gin, lychee liqueur, cucumber, ginger and lemon. 1000 E. Grand Ave., 312.535.6660
Upstairs at The Gwen
On the fifth floor of the chic Gwen Hotel just steps from the Mag Mile, this stylish oasis is studded with outdoor fire pits and serves classic and modern cocktails (Creole maple Old Fashioned, anyone?), bites of mussels and grilled octopus, plus a weekend Tipsy Tea Party, which features the savory and sweet Tipsy Tea Tower charcuterie board and boozy tea in antique teapots. 521 N. Rush St., 312.768.9606
Z Bar at The Peninsula
Perched above Michigan Avenue, this Peninsula Hotel hangout scores with a combination of scenery, spirits and luxuriously stylish surroundings. The carefully crafted cocktail list includes traditional favorites like Old fashioneds and Palomas plus intriguing fare like the Patagonia Cooler, made with Träkál (pear and crabapple liqueur), cider, lime, apple and thyme. To nibble, guests will find upscale bites like daikon frites, mini Wagyu beef sliders and jumbo prawn cocktail. 108 E. Superior St., 312.573.6888
Photography by: Jeff Marini; Doug Hill; Chuck Emery; Cindy's Rooftop; Kailley Lindman; Nicholas James Photography; Offshore
