The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in Chicago

Galit

Lincoln Park

For three more weekends, through Labor Day, book 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, on Lincoln between Fullerton and Wrightwood Aves, Galit on the Street features dedicated menus that — hint, hint — both include salatim (salads, lush spreads and pickles with warm pita). Galit saves a handful of spots for walk-ins; otherwise book online, as spots are filling up.

Testaccio

Logan Square

Aldo Zaninotto’s new Italian restaurant features one of Logan Square’s most serene sidewalk patios, tucked off of bustling California Ave. on tree-lined Altgelt St. Inspired by the Roman neighborhood whence the restaurant takes its name, Testaccio’s menu offers plenty of al fresco-friendly fare by chef Jacob Soloman. Think za’atar focaccia with a trio of spreads, wood-fired lamb or swordfish skewers, and creamy tajarin carbonara — matched with crisp, bright Mediterranean wines.

Kimski

Bridgeport

Chef Won Kim’s funky counter-serve spot opens its roomy, concrete paradise of a patio from Thursday to Sunday with adjacent bar/bottle shop Maria’s Packaged Goods. Inventive Polish-Korean mashup fare includes pierogies with tamari sour cream and a Ko-Po bulgogi beef sandwich with muenster, gochujang butter, shishito peppers and caramelized onions on a brioche bun. Plus there are plenty of local beers to choose from, including one of our all-time faves, Marz Community Brewing’s Jungle Boogie, a vibrant pale wheat ale spiked with rooibos tea. More info here.

Tzuco

River North

Carlos Gaytan’s acclaimed Mexican eatery features a 40-seat covered patio beneath strings of bulb lights and outlined with big copper planters. The focused menu packs vibrant, creative dishes like cactus-dotted hamachi ceviche and fried red snapper with salsa cruda, peanut aioli and handmade tortillas, and quenching drinks like the Zamora, with spiced raspberry shrub, lemon and Topo Chico (we like adding a measure of mezcal). Reservations are recommended.

Sportsman's Club

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.

Daisies

Logan Square

This Midwestern pasta spot’s serene, light-filled back patio is one of our favorites in the city for date night. Summer means a bounty of peak produce from local farms shines alongside chef Joe Frillman’s expert handmade pastas. Feast on herb salads studded with charred corn and blueberries and toothsome chitarra pasta enrobed in sungold pomodoro. Farm-fresh produce extends to the cocktail menu, with drinks like Pretty Rad, with mezcal, Cocchi Americano, celery liqueur and radish tincture.

Coda di Volpe

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.

Moody’s Pub

Edgewater

A hidden tree-lined beer garden sits adjacent to this longtime neighborhood eatery, which by the way serves excellent thick, charred cheeseburgers (we’re partial to the Moody Bleu), plus easy-drinking beers and sweet, no-nonsense cocktails. More info here.

Dusek's Board & Beer

Pilsen

Dusek’s features a limited food and drink menu on their patio, including an excellent tomato panzanella salad, and a deliciously monstrous cheddar bacon cheeseburger with Duke’s mayo, butter lettuce, red onion and dill pickles, alongside fat steak fries. Seating is first come, first served at this little covered oasis, set beneath hanging plants and sectioned off from the sidewalk with tall wood planters. 

Truth Italian Restaurant

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.

Lone Wolf

West Loop

This easygoing, lowlit tavern reopened its sidewalk patio with 40 seats — and excellent people watching down Randolph St.’s Restaurant Row. Expect fun, bracing cocktails, like the frozen Miami Vice, which comes in strawberry margarita and pina colada flavors. (Or swirl ‘em.) There’s also a slew of local drafts and tasty blistered pepperoni pizzas by the slice, and corn dogs from Heisler partner Pizza Lobo. FYI: Lone Wolf has switched to Resy Waitlist only, so check the app day-of to nab your spot.

Outside Voices

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.`

Chant

Hyde Park

The snug sidewalk patio at this fun-loving Hyde Park restaurant and bar is a favorite for globetrotting big and small plates, and a veritable rainbow of expert signature martinis (we love the refreshing pineapple-sake). Grab a seat beneath a red umbrella, and feast on lobster tails with shrimp and angel hair pasta, or the market salad with avocado and succulent charred lamb loin while watching Hyde Park bustle by. Call ahead at 773-324-1999 to check availability.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Chicago

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.

Yoshi’s Cafe

Lakeview

Yoshi Katsumura’s East Lakeview institution offers delightfully inventive French-Asian fusion on its expanded, partially covered patio outlined with temporary fencing and cheery summer blooms. Right now we’re especially loving chef Ken Katsumura’s DIY tuna temaki sushi with bone marrow cracklins, and specials like BBQ spare ribs sprinkled with Egyptian dukkah and sided by Carolina gold jollof rice. Call (773) 248-6160 or book your seat on their website, or at 773-248-6160.

Bottom Lounge

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.

Chef's Special Cocktail Bar

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.

Sea and Olive

Wicker Park

This Wicker Park newcomer boasts a spacious sidewalk patio and summer-ready, Mediterraneanish menu of confited garlic hummus, generous salads like Greek with cucumber and tomato, stone-oven flatbreads and grilled meat skewers with yogurt dip. Wash it down with refreshing cocktails like the crowd-pleasing blueberry mule.

Gaijin

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.

The Long Room

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.

The Northman Beer and Cider Garden

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.

Big Jones

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.

Fountainhead

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.

The Woodlawn

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.

The Warbler

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.

Farm Bar Lakeview

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.

River Valley Farmer's Table

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.

Sip & Savor

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.

All Together Now

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.

Perilla Korean American Fare

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.

Antique Taco

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.

Utopian Tailgate

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.

Sapori Trattoria

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.

Leña Brava

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.

Daisies

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.

Gemini

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.

Parson's Chicken & Fish - Logan Square

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.