The Best Outdoor Dining Spots in Chicago

There’s just something about eating outside in Chicago in the summer. Whether your view is of the city below, of the Chicago River, or just of the throngs of people rushing by, it seems that eating outside just makes the food taste better, the beer a little more refreshing. From Millennium Park and the Riverwalk to River North, Fulton Market and Wicker Park, here are some of the top outdoor dining options in Chicago.

City Winery at the Riverwalk
City Winery’s wine garden sits on the south bank of the Chicago River, between Dearborn and State. Order a glass and some seasonal small plates and watch the boats go by. A retractable enclosure keeps the tables open when the weather turns.

Millennium Hall
Millennium Hall took over the old Park Grill space below Cloud Gate in Millennium Park. The menu runs to Neapolitan pizzas, burgers and nachos, and from May through October the beer garden outside, which it bills as the largest in Chicago, is the place to be.

Sunda
River-North celeb hot-spot Sunda offers Asian fusion small and large plates for dinner (plus weekend brunch). The sidewalk patio is perfect for people watching, especially on weekend nights as the club-goers begin to take to the streets.

The Publican
Located in Fulton Market, the Publican is all about the meat….and oysters….and beer. If these three things are among your loves, and you don’t mind paying more for hard-to-find quality items like suckling pig, the freshest oysters, and imported beers, this is the place for you. Dine inside at the lively communal seating or outside on the intimate patio.

Big Star (1531 North Damen Avenue)
Chef Paul Kahan goes super-casual with this taco joint in an old filling station. The space is sparse and the patio is first-come, first-served (Big Star now takes reservations, but only for indoor tables), but the food, and the sprawling outdoor patio are worth the wait.

Just drinking? Check out this list of best rooftop bars.

Photos by Bucky Skeel, jmenard48