Chicago’s Best Outdoor Dining

Where to dine outside this season — from sunny sidewalk seating to secret backyard gardens.

The Duck Inn

Rating: 4.8 (3.4K reviews)
Cuisine: New American
Price: $$$
Description: You’ve got to love a restaurant whose two signature dishes are a beef and duck fat hot dog served Chicago-style, and a whole rotisserie-roasted duck with duck-fat potatoes — and there’s plenty more that you’ll crave at this neighborhood Bridgeport treasure from chef Kevin Hickey, of Allium fame.

Trivoli Tavern

Rating: 4.8 (18K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$
Description: Down the uneven cobblestone steps at this hidden tavern, build your perfect date night as follows: Vesper cocktails and elegant shrimp cocktail, followed by decadent truffle rigatoni, roasted prime rib with horseradish, and a bottle of Bordeaux. End on a towering slab of Butterfinger pie … because you deserve it.

Ciccio Mio

Rating: 4.9 (9.7K reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Description: The fancified, nostalgic Italian dishes, along with the food-loving Italian wines, make this luxe River North spot the perfect place for date night.

SPACE 519 | The Lunchroom - Gold Coast

Rating: 4.9 (1.8K reviews)
Cuisine: Californian
Price: $$
Description: Here’s a place worth visiting often — a bright, 40-seat breakfast-brunch-and-lunch Gold Coast hideaway inside a chic Chestnut Street shop selling apparel, accessories, and home goods. The menu is vegetable-forward (though not vegetarian) and everything is mighty fresh.

Eight Bar at Maple & Ash Chicago

Rating: 4.8 (110 reviews)
Cuisine: French-American and Japanese
Price: $$
Description: Right downstairs from his landmark Maple & Ash, Eight Bar is chef Danny Grant’s Gold Coast gem for everything from lobster pasta and steak frites to first-rate sushi. Don’t skip any of the cocktails either, like the namesake Eight Bar old fashioned, which positively redefines the classic.

Happy Camper Old Town

Rating: 4.4 (68 reviews)
Cuisine: Pizza
Price: $$
Description: It’s impossible not to have a good time at Happy Camper. Sure, there’s an actual camper, tire swings, and swaths of twinkle lights that make you think you’re partying under the stars. But the pizzas — neither thick nor thin, but just right — never disappoint.

Ascione Bistro

Rating: 4.8 (7.1K reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$
Description: At Ascione, traditional Italian dishes are served in an inviting and elegant space perfect for any occasion.

Paradise Park Pizza & Patio

Rating: 4.8 (100 reviews)
Cuisine: Pizza
Price: $$
Description: This Wicker Park spot is all about the kitsch factor, making it a fun place to share pizzas with friends on the rooftop deck.

Club Lucky

Rating: 4.7 (8.3K reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$
Description: Club Lucky offers a cozy, authentic Italian restaurant experience that feels reminiscent of a bygone era.

DeNucci's Lincoln Park

Rating: 4.8 (5.9K reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$
Description: Expect East Coast-style, red-sauce Italian-American fare at DeNucci's, featuring classic dishes and plenty of big New York-style pizzas.

Homeslice Pizzeria and Patio

Rating: 4.7 (53 reviews)
Cuisine: Pizza
Price: $$
Description: From the same group as Paradise Park, Homeslice is a pizza paradise with options for every combo imaginable.

Middle Brow Brewery and Winery

Rating: 4.7 (3.7K reviews)
Cuisine: Pizza
Price: $
Description: This buzzy brewpub offers delicious beers, house-baked breads, and great pizzas in Logan Square.

Giant

Rating: 4.8 (10K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $$
Description: Known for craveable, slightly cheffy food with unexpected spins, chef Jason Vincent makes this Logan Square spot a must-visit.

Park and Field

Rating: 4.5 (2.9K reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price: $
Description: Ideal for casual gatherings, Park and Field features outdoor dining options in a relaxed environment.

Longman & Eagle

Rating: 4.7 (3.1K reviews)
Cuisine: New American
Price: $$
Description: Renowned for its award-winning brunch and outdoor dining, Longman & Eagle is a favorite among locals.

Coda di Volpe

Rating: 4.9 (11K reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$
Description: This Southport Corridor restaurant offers a cozy ambiance and elevated Italian cuisine that caters to date nights.

Happy Camper Wrigleyville

Rating: 4.7 (67 reviews)
Cuisine: Pizza
Price: $$
Description: An energetic vibe with fun decor, Happy Camper Wrigleyville is perfect for enjoying time on the patio with delicious pizzas.

The Little Lark

Rating: 4.8 (301 reviews)
Cuisine: Pizza
Price: $
Description: Acclaimed for its meticulous care in crafting wood-fired pizzas, The Little Lark is a must for pizza lovers.

Le Sud

Rating: 4.7 (7.5K reviews)
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: $$
Description: A meal at Le Sud offers the simplicity and warmth of rustic fare inspired by the south of France.

Bistro Campagne

Rating: 4.8 (5.9K reviews)
Cuisine: French
Price: $$
Description: With a cozy ambiance reminiscent of the French countryside, Bistro Campagne delights with classic French dishes.