Outdoor Dining

Updated: May 07, 2008

The harsh winter keeps locals counting down the days to spring. When warm weather finally settles in, it's like a whole new city--people smiling, dogs walking, beer flowing. We've scouted out the top spots where you can enjoy your pints and eats alfresco.

On this page:Downtown, North Side, South Side, West Side, More Outdoor Dining.

Downtown

  1. 1 3.5 Star Rating: Average Zed 451
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    739 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Sodded seating areas and private booths make for unusually chic spots to lounge with fancy cocktails at this River North Brazilian steakhouse.

  2. 2 3.5 Star Rating: Average Sushi Samba Rio
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    504 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  3. 3 3 Star Rating: Average Fulton's on The River
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    315 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Diners on the outdoor patio enjoy fresh seafood and views of the Chicago River and cityscape.

  4. 4 3.5 Star Rating: Average Bistro 110
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    110 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

    Mag Mile tourists take a break from shopping at this French bistro's outdoor patio within feet of the Water Tower.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Dinotto
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    215 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Cozy Old Town spot dishes up great Italian at cheap-date prices

  6. 6 3.5 Star Rating: Average The Kerryman
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    661 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Colorful flowers spill over planters set up next to several outdoor tables at this authentic Irish pub in River North.

  7. 7 4 Star Rating: Recommended Tavern on Rush
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    1031 North Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

    Big steaks and clubby atmosphere draw after-work crowds to this heavy-hitting Rush Street restaurant.

  8. 8 C-View
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    166 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

North Side

  1. 9 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cullen's Bar & Grill
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    3741 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)

  2. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Moody's
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    5910 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60660 (map)

  3. 11 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Mystic Celt
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    3343 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

    Irish-inflected dining meets upscale pub atmosphere at this lively Southport spot.

  4. 12 3 Star Rating: Average Bad Dog Tavern
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    4535 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (map)

  5. 13 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Kaze Sushi
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    2032 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)

    When weather's warm, a patio table beckons at this sleek Roscoe Village sushi spot.

  6. 14 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Galway Arms
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    2442 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

    In the winter, patrons gather round the fireplace; in the summer, the draw is the outdoor patio on Clark.

  7. 15 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Volo Restaurant Wine Bar
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    2008 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)

    The cozy Roscoe Village small-plates eatery keeps it intimate with its outdoor garden.

  8. 16 4 Star Rating: Recommended Vines on Clark
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    3554 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

South Side

  1. 17 3.5 Star Rating: Average Zapatista
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    1307 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 (map)

  2. 18 4 Star Rating: Recommended Chez Joel Bistro
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    1119 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

  3. 19 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cork & Kerry
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    10614 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643 (map)

    South Side locals favor the outdoor beer garden at this friendly Irish pub.

  4. 20 3.5 Star Rating: Average Hashbrowns
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    731 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

  5. 21 3.5 Star Rating: Average Medici
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    1327 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637 (map)

    A picturesque dining patio and budget-friendly prices draw students to this Hyde Park pizzeria.

  6. 22 3.5 Star Rating: Average Haro
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    2436 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 (map)

    Summer nights beckon diners to the sidewalk patio at this tapas restaurant in the heart of Little Italy.

West Side

  1. 23 3.5 Star Rating: Average Motel Llc
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    600 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  2. 24 3.5 Star Rating: Average Dragonfly Mandarin
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    832 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

    Swanky Gold Coast transplant adds regional Chinese to the menu on Randolph Street's restaurant row.

  3. 25 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended La Piazza
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    410 Cir Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130 (map)

    Fresh Italian cooking packs 'em into the bustling piazza setting of this West suburban gem.

  4. 26 4 Star Rating: Recommended Pegasus
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    130 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 (map)

  5. 27 3 Star Rating: Average Athena Restaurant
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    212 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 (map)

    The largest patio in bustling Greektown features a menu packed with appetizers.

More Outdoor Dining

  1. 28 3 Star Rating: Average Japonais
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    600 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  2. 29 4 Star Rating: Recommended Mon Ami Gabi
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    2300 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)