The reopening of restaurant patios and beer gardens citywide as we reach peak Chicago summer brings a sense of near normalcy. Of course, it’s not like any other Chicago summer: Restaurants are navigating a slew of health and safety measures in response to the pandemic, from spacing tables six feet apart to enacting time limits and equipping staff with personal protective equipment.
To stay on top of reservation requirements and other changes, check their social accounts or call ahead. And as a gesture of hospitality in turn, a few rules: Be sure to wear a mask as often as possible (especially when interacting with servers), stay informed of specific restaurant protocols, and tip well! Oh, and bring a raincoat, just in case.
And if you don’t see your favorite restaurant open yet, you can always use My Hit List to stay notified about when it plans to reopen.
New on 7/29: Sportsman’s Club, Truth Italian Restaurant, The Long Room, Outside Voices, Gaijin, Galit.
Ukrainian Village
Tucked behind this cozy, taxidermy-filled watering hole lies, without doubt, one of the city’s best patios. It’s a roomy, stone-paved urban backyard with a firepit and mobile bar, beneath a canopy of twinkly lights. Drinkers are limited to an hour and a half, just enough to sip one or two of the four daily-rotating cocktails, like the bittersweet and boozy, Sportsman’s cocktail, with amaro and bourbon. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Southport Corridor
Sunny southern Italian fare shines at this Southport Corridor spot, with its inviting patio set beneath leafy trees and strings of twinkle lights. Think blistered pizzas with ‘nduja, wild oregano, and calabrian chile oil; or Amalfi shrimp spaghetti and ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms — while you can get ‘em. As part of a citywide pilot program cordoning off street sections to create more space for outdoor dining during COVID-19, Coda di Volpe joined several West Lakeview restaurants participating in Dine Out West Lakeview. Functioning like an outdoor food hall, customers grab to-go orders and eat at designated open-air locations, which house about 30 tables spaced six feet apart and offer drink service.
Logan Square
This Midwestern tavern’s serene sidewalk patio is back open after a brief hiatus. Book a table online or join a mobile waitlist if you live within a five-mile radius. Just don’t show up till your table is ready. When you do, we’d suggest the excellent crispy whitefish sandwich with cheddar, pickles and tartar sauce. Wash it down with a Buffalo Trace old fashioned for a proper taste of Wisconsin.
Classic Italian fare like calamari fritti, glistening tomato bruschetta, and grilled chicken alfredo await at this Black-owned Bronzeville staple. A roomy side terrace offers plenty of seating and ample overhead covering in case of rain. More info here, or call (312) 715-8796.
Logan Square
This chill, spacious L-shaped patio sports picnic tables and Adirondack chairs on squishy Astroturf. Grab one of an oft-changing series of very cool, low-intervention red, white, orange and fizzy wines — most of which are low octane enough to share a bottle on a lazy summer afternoon. There’s snacks, too, of the tinned-fish, charcuterie and bread-and-butter variety.`
Lincoln Park
For just three more weekends, through Aug. 16, enjoy your Middle Eastern-tinged brunch or dinner right in the middle of Lincoln Ave. for Galit on the Street. As part of the neighborhood’s Feast on Lincoln dine-out event, held on Lincoln between Fullerton and Wrightwood Aves., Galit on the Street — walk-ins only, by the way — features dedicated menus that (hint, hint) both include salatim: salads, lush spreads and pickles with warm pita.
River North
This stylish, French-tinged steakhouse offers twists on traditional steakhouse classics — think baked crab cakes with preserved lemon, and bone-in ribeyes with blue-cheese creamed spinach — on a quiet sidewalk patio in the shadow of the Merchandise Mart. You’ll find some of our fave cocktails in the city here, too. The Champagne smash — with gin, Lillet rosé, mint and lemon — was made for warm summer evenings.
West Loop
You can’t catch a show at this stalwart venue yet, but Bottom Lounge has opened its rooftop for al fresco drinks and excellent bar food. Enter through the parking lot and follow the signs up the rear stairs for a cold beer (Marz Jungle Boogie American pale wheat, please) and house cheeseburger on brioche bun. More info here.
Logan Square
Jason Vincent’s nostalgic American-Chinese bar is back six nights a week, offering up potstickers and sticky kung pao chicken on a five-table, 20-seat sidewalk patio. There’s a handful of summer-approved newcomers to the menu: sesame pea tips, coconut custard with strawberry and peanut, and a no-brainer lemongrass-tinged gin gimlet with lime leaf and chile. Note: there’s a two-hour limit on tables. Reservations strongly recommended.
West Loop
Gaijin debuted a casual walk-up window in June, where you can grab savory bites like mini okonomiyaki, summery desserts like kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), and playful drinks like highball cans and syrup-soaked kaki-tails to go — or to stay on their petite, lovely patio adjacent to the Morgan St. Green Line station. Reservations recommended.
Ravenswood
We love the peaceful, under-the-radar patio tucked off the back of this North Center all-day bar. It’s a spacious yet intimate plant-filled spot for morning coffee, a beer or two from the oft-rotating draft list at lunch, or evening cocktails with friends. Pro tip: They mix an excellent Manhattan. More info here.
Chicago Riverwalk
We can think of few better ways to while away a summer afternoon than enjoying cold cider in a European-style beer garden in the heart of Chicago’s Riverwalk. Drafts, bottles, and cans from local and European breweries and cideries are on hand, plus a full menu of cocktails, wine, & spirits. Also sandwiches and sausages to accompany. Reservations are limited to 90 minutes.
Andersonville
This lauded Southern eatery has reopened with front sidewalk and back patio seating for walk-ins. Its “Little Jones” menu of popcorn shrimp and okra, crispy catfish, and fried chicken sandwiches is available alongside seasonal and brunch offerings. Call ahead at (773) 275-5725 to check availability for the patio.
Ravenswood
If you’re looking to enjoy a solid pour of whiskey in the summer sun, this neighborhood tavern’s lush roofdeck garden is the place to be. Pick from 100 bottles — from bourbon to rye, scotch (no “e” in that one) to Irish (with an “e”). If you’re aiming for lower octane, Fountainhead offers plenty of canned beer and cider, and easy-drinking wines, plus plenty of hearty dishes to match, like the three-meat doner kebab wrap. Be sure to book online, as Fountainhead holds most seating for reservations.
Chatham
Rooftop and sidewalk patio dining are available at this BYO Chatham newcomer, with its rotating pop-up restaurant. Right now Brothers On the Wall is serving up salads, burgers, and flatbreads with inventive toppings like jerk chicken with red onions and pineapple. Call (773) 902-2470 for details.
Lincoln Square
This easygoing neighborhood eatery offers plenty of awning-covered high-top seats on its patio. Come for a refreshing Robin cocktail, with tequila, mezcal, jalapeno, cilantro, and a pilsner topper. Stay for chef Ken Carter’s upmarket Midwestern comforts, including baby back ribs with blueberry barbecue sauce, and an excellent double cheeseburger with American cheese and arugula.
Lakeview
Because nothing says Chicago summer like a burger and a cold beer on the patio, Farm Bar has you covered. This easygoing Midwestern gastropub has patio seating open at both this and its Edgewater location. We love the Michigan harvest burger, piled high with caramelized onions, herbed goat cheese, arugula and lettuce, and smeared with sour cherry cider jam, all washed down with a local Domaine Dupage red ale from Two Brothers Artisan Brewing.
Pilsen
If you miss the joyful bustle of Cafe Jumping Bean’s tiny, ever-packed interior, consider heading about a mile southwest to this longtime Pilsen cafe’s sibling outpost at the Pink Line el stop, which boasts a spacious patio for up to 25. Sip an iced coffee beneath a colorful umbrella, with a vibrant mosaic mural backdrop for an instant mood (end energy) lift. More info here.
Ravenswood
This excellent organic grocer and café boasts a tranquil, roomy sidewalk patio, and one of our favorite brunches in the city. Don’t miss the Creole-seasoned deviled eggs topped with crawfish, or nostalgic strawberry pancakes with strawberry-rhubarb jam and vanilla butter. On your way out, pick up a few groceries and a bottle of wine in the shop. It’s best to book a reservation.
Bronzeville
Sip your morning cuppa on this sprawling enclosed deck in the heart of Bronzeville. Fair-trade coffee and espresso hailing from Africa and Costa Rica are amped with over a dozen inventive flavorings, from coconut to white and dark chocolate syrups (we’re partial to the honey latte). Round things out with a danish or breakfast sandwich. More info here.
Ukrainian Village
This all-day eatery and bottle shop opened its sidewalk patio for first-come, first-served picnic-style eating. Stop by for sandwiches, spreads (ahem: creamed trout!), cheese and charcuterie boards, and wines by the glass. Or pick up an ultimate picnic basket to go and meet three (or so) friends in the park.
Fulton River District
This modern Korean barbecue’s roomy back deck set beneath a custom mural of First Lady Michelle Obama was already high on our list for al fresco musts this summer. Then they created a Korean fried chicken pop-up especially for the patio (and carryout): Sir Chicken, as they’ve dubbed it, slings crackly-skinned hot chicken spiced with Korean flavorings and a choice of sauce, alongside seasoned fries and house slaw. Add orders of Korean kimchi pancakes and corn cheese (trust us) from the regular menu, and wash it all down with a bracing An Old Friend cocktail, with tart yuzu, soju, honey and citron tea.
Bridgeport
With limited indoor seating, this cheery minichain is focused on outdoor dining at its Bridgeport and Wicker Park locations. With ample space and a quintessential summer-in-the-city vibe at Bridgeport, you’ll find us there till September, washing down our garlic shrimp tacos with rosemary-tinged margaritas. First come, first served, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Call (773) 823-9410 for availability.
River North
Chef Carlos Gaytan opened Tzuco’s 40-seat patio with a tight menu of favorite dishes, including pulpo (guajillo-roasted octopus) with fingerling potato, salsa macha and tunatto aioli; and chicharron de pescado (fried red snapper) with salsa cruda, pickled vegetables, chile de árbol and peanut aioli. Reservations are required.
Old Town
The neverending rooftop party high above longtime comedy club The Second City is back for groups of six or less. Lounge over traveling tacos (Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with pepper jack, chile and taco fixings) and rounds of strawberry limeade shots. Note: Table and yard games are on hold for now, due to sanitation concerns. Best to book a spot ahead online, although Utopian Tailgate saves a few tables for walk-ins.
Collingswood
This cozy Italian eatery slings homemade pasta, like tender gnocchi with pesto and chicken, and soulful, hearty main courses like veal osso bucco, on a sidewalk patio that’s first-come, first-served. You can also reserve one of a small handful of window seats online.
West Loop
This buzzy West Loop cantina is back, slinging wood-fired Baja dinners like oven-roasted chicken and blue shrimp with anchovy-chipotle butter, plus quenching mezcal cocktails. (We also love the house daiquiri with aquavit and persimmon liqueur). Its sidewalk patio is sectioned off with elegant planters.
Logan Square
This Midwestern pasta restaurant reopened its secluded back patio along with a pair of indoor window seats. Expect pasta favorites like pappardelle with mushroom ragu, seasonal produce, and new specials including blue Hopi cornmeal fritters, and drinks like the beguiling Inland Seas, with rum, parsnip, saffron and lime.
Lincoln Park
This Midwest-tinged neighborhood bistro slings approachable date-night fare — from a roasted lamb gyro feast for two, to Wisconsin trout meunière with capers and brown butter. With a paloma-inspired Squirstky Draft in hand, diners (and their four-legged friends) will find the pergola-topped sidewalk patio creates a bucolic escape.
Logan Square
Did we already use the phrase “nothing says Chicago summer like…”? Because we’d like to add a postscript: Nothing (also) says Chicago summer like a Negroni slushy on Parson’s patio. With a beer-battered fish sandwich in hand beneath a signature red-and-white striped umbrella, this is a welcome respite. Book ahead online, and wait for your table offsite. Same with the Lincoln Park location.
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