The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in Chicago

With dishes inspired by the markets of Oaxaca and the street food of Mexico City, Bocaditos brings a diverse array of Mexican flavors to the West Loop. Come to this bustling spot for bright, colorful tacos, mole-smothered enchiladas, and extra-crispy corn tortilla chips with punchy salsas. While the interior aesthetic leans jungle, thanks to an abundance of greenery hanging from the ceiling, the outdoor space is bright and airy, with plenty of seats to go around. Might we recommend dropping by for happy hour? Best enjoyed with the sun on your face, the daily specials include $11 margaritas, $2 oysters, $4 tacos, and more.

When weather permits, Argot’s 20 outdoor patio seats are some of the hottest spots in town. The charming French bistro has been delighting diners since it opened last year with Lucas DePerry’s playful take on French food with Midwestern sensibilities. Don’t leave without trying the gourmet pigs en croute, a croque madame with creamy truffle mornay, and mussels with fresno chili butter. And don’t forget that Argot is from Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson, so the wine list is large, exciting, and accessible, to boot. 

Open since 2007, Demera continues to be one of the city’s best destinations for Ethiopian cuisine. Dishes at chef-owner Tigist Reda’s Uptown spot are made to share, from crispy sambussas to spicy awaze tibs, plus lots of injera for scooping up colorful sides and sauces. The best part: You can enjoy your spread—along with housemade honey wine—on Demera’s covered patio. Come with a group (vegans very much included, as there’s a whole meatless menu), and dig in to a vibrant, family-style spread.

Ballyhoo Hospitality—the crew behind city staples like Gemini and Coda di Volpe—opened DeNucci’s last year, and the new Italian-American spot has been drawing crowds ever since with its huge chicken parm, homemade pasta, and charming service. There’s lots of outdoor seating here, including large tables for groups of six-plus, which means more space for New York-style pizzas by Salvatore “Sal” Lo Cascio and shareables like hot buttery garlic knots and pesto-smothered bruschetta pomodoro. Need something to sip as the summer gets going? The frozen Negroni will do just fine.  

Twinkle lights, disco balls, and neon signs make Homeslice the place to party—and with “patio” right there in the name, you can bet that there’s no shortage of space outside, whether you’re hanging on a cushy bench in the covered cabin or basking in the sun with a Chambong. Want to relive your college days? They’ve got beer pong and bottomless brunch. Prefer a more grown-up happy hour? There are great deals on cocktails and snacks from 3 to 6 p.m. every weekday.  Otherwise, bring your crew any old time for good drinks (like a Big Ass Lemonade) and pizzas made fresh with just about any topping you can think of.

Duck is the star of the show at The Duck Inn, a charming Bridgeport neighborhood gem housed in a historic pre-Prohibition-era tavern. On chef Kevin Hickey’s menu, you’ll find everything from rotisserie duck and a duck dog to duck wings and duck-fat fries. (It’s no wonder the spot was a James Beard semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurant in 2024.) While you could have your meal (which, it should be noted, also includes several excellent non-duck offerings) in the moody tavern, we recommend heading outside to the tree-lined garden to enjoy your plate beneath twinkle lights and shady red umbrellas.  

Even if you don’t care about baseball, it’s undeniably fun to camp out at Wrigleyville sports bar Happy Camper. Enjoy ample outdoor seating, glittering disco balls, and crowds of fellow Cubs fans alongside a dozen-plus pizzas pies, apps like pulled pork nachos and elote dip, and XXL vodka-spiked pink lemonade. Whether you’re a staunch sports fan or a fair-weather one, there’s no better place to celebrate the return of warm weather.

Stylish cocktails, panoramic views, and al fresco seating 18 floors above the city? Yes, please. Rooftop lounge Devereaux, perched atop the Viceroy Hotel, is ideal for a classy night on the town. Enjoy sprawling views of the lake and skyline in front of a blazing fire pit while sipping cocktails and snacking on small plates like prosciutto tartine and sliders, plus an always-enticing warm cookie plate.

With disco balls, neon lights, pink flamingos, and a full Winnebego, is Paradise Pizza and Patio a little kitschy? Yes. But is it also one of our favorite places to welcome the warm weather? Absolutely. From the team behind Homeslice and Happy Camper, this exuberant spot is a perfect place to bring a crew for happy hours that last long after sundown. Wash down your cheesy tavern-style slice with any number of powerful cocktails. Whether you go for the Arnold Palmer-inspired Trashy Tea or the sparkling Trailer Park Queen, expect bright, punchy flavors to match the mood. 

Even though chef Marcos Campos’ other restaurant, Porto, has the Michelin star, you still can enjoy an array of delicious conservas and Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico, and so much more on this patio set along vibrant Division Street. Whether you opt for seafood (tuna, octopus, anchovies) enhanced with Galician seaweed, XO sauce, and yuzu olive oil, or the more hearty meat dishes, don’t skip the rice (arroz negro with calamari and head-on prawn! Paella Valenciana with rabbit and chicken!). So do as the Spanish do and linger on the patio while enjoying a bottle of skin contact or natural wine from the Iberian Peninsula.

As one of the most beloved restaurants on the North Side, Gather is busy most nights and requests for its patio fill up quickly. And with good reason. Covered yet open-air, with beautiful plants and lights, the patio offers a respite from the city. And chef Ken Carter’s wholesome American fare continues to delight, whether you start with housemade whipped ricotta drizzled with honey and balsamic or a tropical Asian-inspired crispy cauliflower followed by seasonal pasta or a consistently kick-ass burger. There’s a reason people gather and keep gathering here.

During the pandemic, celebrated chef Carlos Gaytan created a sprawling all-season patio at this upscale Mexican restaurant — adding even more seats to enjoy his beautiful platings. Start with tlacoyo with blue corn masa and black bean puree; shrimp aguachile; or a bright tuna ceviche before moving into Gaytan’s succulent cochinita pibil or the tikinxic, achiote- and orange-marinated mahi-mahi wrapped in banana leaves. Don’t miss the agave spirit-heavy cocktail list highlighting fresh juices and Mexican ingredients.

There’s a lot to love about Testaccio, a Roman-inspired restaurant on a quaint corner in a cozy neighborhood. Sample porchetta with apple and pistachio, salt-cured Moroccan chicken, or fried artichokes — all kissed by the wood-fired grill. Chef Jacob Solomon’s handmade pastas (shout-out to the gooey cacio e pepe!) and an excellent selection of Italian wines round out the offerings. And you can love it all even more when sitting outside along the quiet sidewalk or beneath the covered nook around back.

Chef John Manion (of El Che Steakhouse fame) knows his way around a grill, and at this joint attached to iconic Berwyn music venue Fitzgerald’s, the barbecue almost steals the show. Manion does a pretty mean brisket and ribs, but there’s also po’boys that dare we say rival New Orleans? Come for the ‘cue, stay for the music — which even gets played on the patio at times.

What more can be said about the ironically named Giant that hasn’t already been bestowed on this beloved spot? How about: fabulous backyard patio? James Beard Award outstanding chef nominee Jason Vincent’s cookery shines in every dish (don’t miss the pastas and definitely splurge on the crab dishes) and partner Josh Perlman’s low-intervention wine list complements. It’s not easy to get a reservation here, so start planning.

This upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of Hyde Park feels so much more than a neighborhood restaurant. Yet, the level of comfort and service offered confirm it is, in fact, a neighborhood spot. The enclosed patio adds to the appeal, but it’s really the house meatballs, the handmade pasta, the ever-changing gnocchi and ravioli, the quality cocktails alongside an Italian-heavy wine list — and the $18 unlimited brunch mimosas — that beckon you to make it your new favorite.

If you’re looking for one of the most-romantic settings in the city, you almost can’t do better than this. The idyllic space has delighted diners for 20 years with classic French seasonal bistro fare with a focus on sustainably sourced ingredients. The exposed brick patio comes alive with vibrant flowers, ivy, and twinkling lights that make it feel miles from the city — yet is mere steps off Lincoln Avenue.

There’s something about eating Middle Eastern food on a patio during a hot summer night that just makes it taste that much more authentic. Fiya has a sizeable backyard set on a few different landscaped levels that gets filled with the scents of wood-oven pita, fresh green falafel, za’atar, kebabs, and other Levantine specialties. The sun- and star-filled patio makes a perfect spot to enjoy natural wines and even make-your-own gazoz, a spirit-free sparkling drink popular in Israel.

Operating since 1904 (!), this casual spot tucked away on Ravenswood is almost like three restaurants in one. There’s a lively bar, where you can dine next to regulars who will become friends. Next to it sits the main dining room, with everything from a great burger to a slab of house-smoked barbecue ribs to beer-battered fish and chips. And out back is the massive, all-season, tiered patio that feels like a welcoming garden to enjoy it all. Best of all? The kitchen is open until 2 a.m. nightly.

The Warbler always had a lovely side patio, but during the pandemic it became one of the best spots in Chicago to safely dine — and it continues to get better. Covered yet open with heat lamps and beautiful foliage, the 125-seat patio also features an outdoor bar. The bright-and-lively spot in the heart of Lincoln Square is open for lunch and dinner, serving seasonal American fare such as Korean-style boneless chicken wings in a tamari glaze; a section dedicated to charred and grilled veggies; slow-roasted beef barbacoa with pickled jalapeño flatbread; and butternut squash falafel with braised kale.

This red sauce Italian spot tucked into the quiet streets of Bucktown can best be described as a bona fide joint. With red leather booths and old school vibe, Club Lucky draws diners for classic dishes from fried calamari and bruschetta to linguine with clams and chicken Parm. Its welcoming awning-covered sidewalk patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a martini and watch the area come to life.

While the name evokes wide-open green space, Park & Field actually makes the most of its sprawling 6,000-square-foot space — and that’s just the outside (the interior features various rooms with a vintage athletic club vibe). With blue and white umbrellas that evoke the Greek isles, this place is all about Chicago summer: fire pits, boozy slushies, Adirondack chairs, an extensive craft beer list, and plenty of games to make the most of the warm weather (think bocce). The full menu ranges from shareables like a mezze platter and cheese board to composed plates such as a French dip sandwich and a citrus-glazed Caribbean pork shoulder with chipotle beans.

Whoever said the suburbs don’t have good food has clearly never been to Greenwood. Its light and airy all-season patio creates a coastal-meets-mountain lodge aesthetic that melds perfectly with chef Mark Newman’s lightly health-conscious dishes. Try the quinoa- and forbidden-rice-based ancient grain bowl, the turkey burger with pesto mayo, or the ahi tuna set atop edamame hummus. Co-owner Josh Kaplan, an industry veteran, has crafted a global wine list with a concentration from the Mediterranean to pair with the menu and beckon you to linger longer.

You may not realize Superkhana has a patio, but they very much do: behind the lively dining room, there’s a hidden interior courtyard with ivy-laden walls, tiled flooring, and charming apartments overhead. Chef-owners Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada describe their menu as “Indian-ish” for a reason: think butter chicken or paneer calzones; pizza topped with ginger chicken and chutney; cheese naan with salted jalapeños; eggplant and smoked cauliflower bao; and coconut brisket. Yes you can get chaat, seared lamb with peas and mint, mango lassi, and hot chai. But you can also have wine from France, Italy, and Germany and cleverly named cocktails. Modern indeed.

Set beneath the Morgan Green Line stop, chef Paul Virant’s okonomiyaki restaurant offers his spin on the savory Japanese pancakes, with the rumble of the trains above the patio seating. Virant is a longtime champion of local and seasonal ingredients, so expect toppings to include everything from tempura fried shrimp with corn; Amish chicken confit and bonito flakes; and Phoenix Bean tofu with River Valley mushrooms and togarashi. Stir-fried yakisoba and veggie dishes round out the menu, with kakigori (shaved ice) for dessert.

Yes, chef Sarah Grueneberg’s celebrity draws people into Monteverde, but it’s the fresh, regional Italian ingredients that keep them coming back. Don’t skip burrata e ham to start – warm rosemary buns with prosciutto and silky burrata — and the lightly crispy Roman eggplant parm. Then dive into pasta, handcrafted in the open kitchen for all to see: the anything-but-simple spaghetti al pomodoro; a less traditional “cacio whey pepe” with gooey Pecorino and peppercorn; and braised lamb ravioli with Roman-style crispy artichokes. Large plates like tomato-braised pork osso bucco and an Italian-heavy wine list complete the experience. While reservations fill up weeks in advance, Monteverde does accept walk-ins (especially for the patio and bar), and we have some other tips for snagging a seat, so don’t give up hope.

Whether you sit on the covered sidewalk patio with string lights and flower boxes or on the charming cobblestone patio out back, this quaint European-inspired spot is always solid for dinner and weekend brunch. The menu, with herb frites; mussels in a white wine, tomato, and chorizo sauce; seared porcini spaetzle; Czech flatbread with herbed creme fraiche; and, of course, a requisite pub burger with pepper jelly and goat cheese, is a perfect match for the cider-focused beverage list. A full bar with a condensed but well-appointed Mediterranean wine list rounds things out.

Do a little shopping along the Southport Corridor to work up an appetite for dinner on this tree-covered sidewalk patio, and settle in for a craft cocktail while you wait for the southern Italian-inspired fare. Yes, you’re here for the housemade pasta and cracker-thin wood-fired pizzas, but other dishes, like the bigeye tuna crudo with Calabrian chili; burrata and peaches; branzino with artichokes and wood-grilled olives; and grilled bistecca with arugula and balsamic are worthwhile orders, too.

If you’ve ever driven up through the North Shore, you know the beauty these idyllic towns have to offer. So why wouldn’t you want to sit out on a sprawling patio along Green Bay Road in the heart of Hubbard Woods eating fried artichokes; octopus salad with baby potatoes; juicy meatballs with ricotta and red sauce; cacio e pepe; or even a wood-grilled salmon with sauteed spinach? Take a spin up to the suburbs for this sophisticated Italian spot housed in a renovated ‘60s-era garage, and you won’t regret the trip.