Best Outdoor Dining in Chicago

The food is well-regarded for its authentic Cuban flavors, fresh ingredients, and delicious execution, with many dishes highlighted as excellent.

“The flavors are AMAZING!!!”

Service is generally friendly, attentive, and professional, though a few instances of rudeness and slow pacing have been noted.

“Very friendly and good to talk to”

The atmosphere is consistently described as warm, welcoming, colorful, and lively, with a pleasant tropical theme and good music.

“Warmth, flavor, and soul”

The restaurant offers good value with generous portions and fair pricing, especially for the quality of food provided.

“So fairly priced”

The food is generally known for being fresh, flavorful, and well-seasoned, with many dishes like bowls, shawarma, and beignets receiving positive mentions. Some diners found specific items like chicken wings or falafel to be less impressive.

“Delicious food”

Service is a mixed bag, with many positive comments about attentive and friendly staff, but a notable number of complaints about rudeness, unhelpfulness, and general disinterest from hosts and servers.

“Rude to us”

The riverside location and outdoor seating are consistently highlighted as major draws, creating a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere.

“Beautiful environment”

Several diners felt the restaurant was overpriced for the quality and portion sizes, particularly given its prime location.

“Overpriced”

The food is well-regarded for its freshness, quality ingredients, and delicious flavors, with many dishes, particularly sandwiches and pasta, receiving high marks.

“Everything was remarkably high quality”

Service is generally described as friendly, kind, and attentive, though one instance of a manager being less than personable regarding a service dog was noted.

“Service was super friendly and attentive”

The atmosphere is consistently described as cute, casual, and comfortable, with a pleasant back patio area that enhances the dining experience.

“Great vibes. Covers of oldies on the speakers.”

While many find the food worth the price, some diners noted that portion sizes, particularly for certain sandwiches, felt small for the cost.

“Admittedly it’s a tad pricey”

The food is well-regarded for its authenticity, freshness, and homestyle preparation, with many dishes like pierogi, potato pancakes, and pork shanks receiving specific accolades.

“Everything was delicious.”

Service is generally described as friendly and attentive, though some diners note it can be slow or sparse, particularly when staff are overwhelmed or prioritizing bar patrons.

“Service was a little sparce”

The atmosphere is often described as lively, friendly, and comfortable, with a notable beer garden and decor that evokes a rustic, authentic Polish feel.

“Great atmosphere”

Diners frequently comment on generous portions and reasonable prices, suggesting good value for the quality and quantity of food served.

“Lots of food for the $”

The food is generally known for its fresh ingredients, sophisticated seasonings, and modern take on Greek cuisine, with many dishes highlighted as delicious and flavorful. Standouts include grilled octopus, lamb shank, duck gyros, and various flatbreads.

“All dishes are made with fresh ingredients.”

Service is a mixed bag, with many diners experiencing friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive staff. However, there are recurring complaints about slow service, being ignored, and occasional rudeness.

“The service was awesome and food was great”

The restaurant is frequently described as having a great, warm, and inviting atmosphere, with a particularly popular rooftop dining area.

“Great ambiance and service.”

Many diners find the restaurant to be pricey, with small portions for the cost, leading to concerns about overall value.

“A little overpriced menu.”

Burgers are generally known for being juicy and well-seasoned, though some find them bland or dry. Fries are often highlighted as a strong point, but some diners note they can be soggy or overly salty.

“The burger is very tasty and fresh”

Service is frequently described as friendly and fast, but there are isolated reports of rudeness and issues with order accuracy and attentiveness during busy periods.

“The servers are super nice and friendly”

The atmosphere is generally described as fun, casual, and cool, with a pleasant outdoor seating area.

“A fun atmosphere”

Many diners find the prices to be high, especially when considering portion sizes and extra charges for common toppings like lettuce and tomato.

“Food was pretty basic and not worth the price”

The soul food is frequently described as delicious and amazing, with standout dishes like fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and greens. However, some diners note issues with saltiness, dryness, or preparation.

“The soul food here is amazing!!”

Service is generally described as friendly, nice, and welcoming, with some patrons feeling like family. However, there are instances of unresponsiveness and confusion.

“The staff was super friendly.”

The atmosphere is often described as relaxing, home-style, and friendly, with a notable outdoor patio that can be used for events. However, loud music can detract from the experience.

“I just love this cafe it has this relaxing atmosphere”

While some find the prices reasonable and portions honest, others consider the food overpriced for the quality and note small portion sizes for entrees.

“Overpriced for the poor quality of food.”