Chicago has some truly gorgeous scenery, a turn of good fortune that’s always enhanced by dining and drinking opportunities. In turn, local hospitality operators have capitalized on the lure of the sweeping cityscape by creating plenty of restaurants and bars with exemplary views. Draw inspiration from modern and historic structures, not to mention the grey-blue depths of Lake Michigan, by exploring Eater Chicago’s lineup of the top spots for food, cocktails, and a stunning city backdrop.
Read MoreBest Places to Dine With Gorgeous Views of the Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan
Everything tastes better with a spectacular backdrop
North Pond
One of Chicago's most picturesque dining experiences is at this spot next to a pond in Lincoln Park. The farm-to-table restaurant feels like taking a trip to the country while downtown skyscrapers rise in the distance. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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The Lakefront Restaurant at Theater on the Lake
Chicago’s venerable Theater on the Lake, right off the Fullerton exit on Lake Shore Drive, has been repurposed into a restaurant. Find New American fare inside a large venue ideal for private events. This is good for picky eaters, but with burgers, tacos, and sandwiches the food’s not the star — it’s the view and historic venue. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
The J. Parker
This rooftop draw atop Hotel Lincoln gives bird’s-eye views of the lakefront and downtown, along with excellent cocktails and small plates. Drop in for daily lunch, weekend brunch or weekday happy hour. A retractable roof makes it comfortable year-round. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Utopian Tailgate
Head to the rooftop above the Second City complex and discover a sprawling adult playground full of colorful furniture, picnic tables, lush plants, lawn games, hanging chairs, and more. The views only add to the fun while the menu features tailgate-themed foods like burgers, wings, and nachos, plus large-format cocktails and house shots. Sports fans will appreciate that there are numerous TVs showing the games throughout the space. Make a reservation here.
The Robey
The Wicker Park hotel the Robey has multiple options for a good time. Cabana Club, a Mediterranean-inspired day club on the building’s sixth floor, features a pool, two bars (serving frozen drinks), and unobstructed 360-degree views. For those seeking a more intimate setting, saunter over to the Up Room, the midcentury modern lounge on the 13th floor, to enjoy creative craft cocktails and dazzling sights.
Kennedy Rooftop
The Hyatt Place Chicago, on the corner of North and Ashland, sports a unique view of the city that overlooks the Kennedy Expressway. The Kennedy is a rooftop bar and restaurant with skyline views that are unobstructed thanks to the proximity to I-90/94. The roof offers a plant-filled space to have a charcuterie plate and a cocktail, with fire tables to keep things toasty. It’s a low-key spot for a nice view. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Azul
In an ideal situation for view-seekers, Latin seafood spot Azul offers a look at the Chicago River on one side and the downtown skyline on the other. The restaurant houses multiple levels, including a lounge and a spacious rooftop bar. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Z Bar
At Z Bar, the contemporary cocktail lounge on the Peninsula hotel’s sixth floor, one can sip a Manhattan served over ice that’s laced with 24-karat gold flakes and garnished with black truffle or saffron bitters. The cocktail list spans the globe in terms of flavors and spirits, while the terrace provides glowing views of the Mag Mile. Book a table through Tock.
Sifr
This Mediterranean restaurant comes from chef Sujan Sarkar, who also came up with the Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant Indienne has cooked around the world. Sifr takes up a corner block in River North for a unique view of the city. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Bar Avec
One Off Hospitality opened a second location of its popular Mediterranean-inspired wine bar Avec in River North in 2021. With it also came a rooftop patio, dubbed Bar Avec, on the eighth floor of the same building. Complementing the stunning views is a menu that channels the Iberian Peninsula. Folks can enjoy items like schawarma fried chicken thights, smoked salmon tartine with avocado hummus, chorizo-stuffed medjool dates, gin and tonics, and cava. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Caffè Oliva
The views from this seasonal lakefront spot on the Ohio Street Beach are nearly unparalleled. Sit in the shadows of some of the city’s tallest buildings and dine on sandwiches, burgers, light starters, accompanied by a solid selection of libations, including fish bowls. Pups are welcome to join the fun, too.
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Offshore Rooftop
The nation’s largest rooftop venue gives locals an enticing reason to visit Navy Pier. The all-seasons bar and lounge spans 36,000 square feet and is decked out with fire pits, a DJ stage, lots of cozy seats, and a glass-enclosed area so visitors can still admire the unmatched views of the skyline from the east when the temperature dips. The menu ranges from smoked chicken wings and sliders to sushi and steak frites. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Chef Art Smith’s Reunion
Get a great view of the skyline and the lake from the base of Navy Pier on the shady 200-seat patio at Chef Art Smith’s Reunion. The celebrity chef offers a family-friendly spot for Southern comfort food including his celebrated fried chicken, jambalaya and shrimp & grits. Visit on Sunday for live music, bottomless mimosas, and brunch fare including biscuits & gravy and fried green tomato benedict. Make a reservation at OpenTable.
Tetto
Have a pizza party on the seasonal rooftop above Tabú, which regularly hosts DJs and offers a variety of pies from Professor Pizza along with towers of negronis. There’s plenty of room for big groups in the flower-lined space, whether lingering around the bar or ordering bottle service and chilling on couches. Take in the sweet skyline views while snacking on a Pretty Cool Ice Cream bar.
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Chicago Cut Steakhouse
Chicago Cut charges top dollar, which not only gets its customers the finest cuts of beef and possible celebrity sightings, but also sterling skyline views from the River North side of the Chicago River. Bonus points in the summertime for al fresco dining on the elevated riverside patio. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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LondonHouse Chicago
LondonHouse Chicago has arguably the city’s most prominent outdoor terrace and there’s no denying the appeal. The tri-level rooftop on the 22nd floor is a bucket-list-worthy destination that offers panoramic views of towering skyscrapers and the Chicago River. The kitchen rounds out the experience with re-imagined American fare highlighting fresh seasonal ingredients and global influences. Book a table through Tock.
River Roast
The large restaurant that specializes in roasted protein carved tableside has an elevated outdoor patio that offers one of the best downtown riverside views in Chicago. Diners can even take a water taxi right to the door. Catch live music from 5-7pm Thursdays during the summer while sipping a negroni or espresso martini made with house-infused coffee vodka. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Tre Dita
Chef Evan Funke serves Tuscan pasta and wood-fired steak at Tre Dita, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ new restaurant on the second floor of the St. Regis Chicago. The 40-foot windows offer panoramic views from the rounded booths that have quickly become a draw for actors and politicians. Soak it all in with one of the 700 options on the all-Italian wine list. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Miru
Miru sits on the 11th floor of the St. Regis Chicago, one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers, The all-day restaurant run by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises serves some ace sushi during the day and more izakaya-inspired dishes at night. There are two decks that overlook Navy Pier and the Chicago River, delivering sweet views of the city. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Aba
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ Aba serves as the counterpart to Ēma, both of which are helmed by chef C.J. Jacobson and explore the flavors of the Mediterranean. Aba spans 4,000 square feet, including a lush rooftop patio stamped with greenery and killer views, all the better to enjoy both boozy and zero-proof cocktails. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Gibsons Italia
The newest member of the Gibsons family stands in the West Loop with a view of the Chicago River that faces east. There’s more of a focus on pasta and more modern cocktails compared to the original Gold Coast steakhouse concept. The perch is small, but worth it even if just for a drink. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Château Carbide
Perched atop the Loop’s gorgeous and historic Carbide & Carbon Building, Chateau Carbide treats patrons to a lovely bird’s-eye view of downtown Chicago in sleek, Art Deco digs. Reopening for the season in June, the bar focuses on absinthe served in traditional drip fountains and cocktails alongside light bites. Catch live music every Friday and Saturday through September. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Raised
This indoor/outdoor lounge on the third floor of the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel overlooking the Chicago River has one of the city’s most scenic backdrops. There are also heat lamps on the patio to help keep things comfortable.
Cabra
When the chic London-based lifestyle hotel the Hoxton touched down in Chicago in 2019, the company decided to partner with local hitmaker Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat fame. Cabra, which claims the Hoxton’s rooftop terrace, is dedicated to Peruvian cuisine and affords awesome views of the West Loop’s cityscape. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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ROOF on theWit
Party on the 27th floor of the Loop hotel at this club that regularly hosts DJs, acoustic music and fashion shows. A retractable roof opens in the summer, providing a destination for sipping seasonal cocktails, sharing large format drinks or going all out with bottle service. The food from executive chef Micahel Taus spans the globe with empanadas, sushi and pizza. Make a reservation here.
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Beatnik on the River
The sibling of Bonhomme Hospitality Group’s globetrotting West Town hotspot Beatnik, Beatnik on the River brings the boho-chic vibes to the Loop. The alluring riverside locale is decorated with colorful and comfy couches, tasseled umbrellas, and lush greenery. Guests can expect a menu that’s influenced by Spanish, Mediterranean, and South American flavors from executive chef Marcos Campos. Book a table through Resy.
Nobu Chicago
Prime views and indulgent luxuries are aplenty at the city’s first Nobu Hotel. The ritzy chain co-owned by Robert De Niro pulls out all the stops to impress, and on the rooftop, guests are in for an especially extravagant experience. Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese-Peruvian menu features fresh sushi and hot dishes, such as miso black cod in butter lettuce, to go with the spectacular sights. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Cindy's Rooftop
The stylish rooftop of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel is one of the hottest spots in town, with gorgeous views of Millennium Park and, beyond that, Lake Michigan. The cocktails and food are also top notch. Book a table through Resy.
VU Rooftop
There aren’t many rooftops on the South Side, so VU was a welcome addition when it opened in 2018. Located near Wintrust Arena and McCormick Place, the 13,000-square-foot space sits 22 stories above ground and has three bars, two patios, outdoor fire pits, and retractable windows. Make a reservation through OpenTable.