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A patio with patio seats and tables, and colorful wall mural with a woman.
The patio at Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream is friendly.
Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

26 New Outdoor Dining Options to Try in Chicago

This year, Chicagoans can eat in the middle of the street

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The patio at Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream is friendly.
| Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

Outdoor dining has long been a popular pastime (weather allowing) in Chicago. The pandemic has made the practice more important than ever for Chicago’s bars and restaurants. This summer’s patio season looks a lot different from those prior. Especially with open roads, where the city closes streets to allow restaurants to set up tables and seats. The city has compiled a list of the closed streets where weekend outdoor dining is planned.

Many spots are getting creative with outdoor options so patrons can support their favorite establishments in relative safety. As with all things COVID-19 related, hours and seating options are subject to change so it’s a good idea to check in online or by phone before making plans.

A number of Chicago restaurants have resumed dine-in service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Northwest Hwy & Oliphant

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Oliphant Avenue in Edison Park is closed to vehicles for street dining from Northwest Highway to the first alley to the north on weekends. There, diners can find restaurants including bar and barbecue spot Firewater Saloon, Mexican-style cantina Que Onda, and Italian-American restaurant Zia’s Trattoria.

Who's READY!? Extended PATIO weekend is in FULL EFFECT! Hope to see you! Happy 4th of July weekend!

Posted by Que Onda on Friday, July 3, 2020

Annapurna Simply Vegetarian

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Annapurna Simply Vegetarian recently moved down the street on Devon to a larger corner space. Known for South Indian vegetarian food, this South Asian snack shop has been a fixture for years with dosas, samosas, puri (puffed flatbread), and more. The corner space means they have room to set up a rare patio along Devon.

Andersonville’s new modern Middle Eastern and Israeli restaurant Fiya sports a comfortable back patio outfitted with enormous umbrellas — good for rain or shine. The restaurant also has large windows along the sidewalk that swing open completely, giving the interior space a breezy feeling. Early menu hits include the wood-oven roast spiced chicken (jalapeno relish, zhug, preserved lemon), fresh and pillowy pita (also out of the oven), and a nice selection of natural wines.

Clark & Balmoral

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Balmoral Avenue is also playing host to street dining on both sides of Clark Street in the middle of Andersonville. Participating restaurants include drag queen diner Hamburger Mary’s and casual American bistro Vincent.

Coda di Volpe

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Southern Italian restaurant Coda di Volpe has introduced a new laid-back arm of operations via walk-up window called the Foxhole, where diners can find a selection of Neopolitan pizzas, salumi, antipasti, dolci, and much more. There’s also a thorough and thoughtful collection of drinks, from cocktails like the “Hibiscus Lightworks” slushie (lime, vodka, cream limoncello, saltwater, prosecco), Italian liquers, draft beers, and of course, wines. Foxhole patrons can eat and imbibe on Coda di Volpe’s patio from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. 

Broadway & Belmont

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Street dining in Lakeview is set up on Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway. Participating spots include sustainable Mexican restaurant Chilam Billam, vegetarian and vegan cafe Fancy Plants, and local brewpub DryHop Brewers. Details are available on the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce website.

Testaccio Chicago

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New Logan Square Italian restaurant Testaccio, inspired by its eponymous Roman neighborhood, serves a blend of cuisines from Greek, Malta, Turkey, and Morocco, and makes good use of the wood-burning oven left behind by former tenant Quiote. The restaurant is from Aldo Zaninotto of Osteria Langhe, and its opening menu features street food, along with more than 60 outdoor spots on the patio and sidewalk.

Pizza Lobo

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New York-style pizzeria Pizza Lobo, another new addition to Logan Square, houses a 4,000 square foot patio where patrons can find a tight selection of pies, starters, and salads. It’s helmed by former Bad Hunter chef Dan Snowden and Heisler Hospitality (Sportsman’s Club), and also operates a carryout window on Sacramento Avenue. This was an outgrowth of a pizza operation that started inside Lone Wolf, Heisler’s West Loop bar.

A walled-off outdoor patio with round and square tables. A sign reads “Pizza Lobo.”
Pizza Lobo features a nice, big patio in Logan Square.
Pizza Lobo/Wade McElroy

The Leavitt Street Inn & Tavern

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Long-awaited Bucktown guesthouse and bar the Leavitt Street Inn and Tavern debuts with a

50-seat brick-paved patio (150 without social distancing) and a menu of draft and bottled beers, wines by the glass, and a rotating cocktail of the day. Owners are working on an additional outdoor space about 15 feet away from the current patio where musicians can perform for patrons.

A large brick building with picnic tables
Leavitt Street’s patio seats 50 with social distancing.
The Leavitt Inn & Tavern [Official Photo]

Kennedy Rooftop

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Wicker Park’s new Hyatt Place Hotel comes equipped with a rooftop bar with a full menu and panoramic views of the Willis Tower. A portion of the space lies under a retractable awning to keep patrons dry, and there’s the usual assortment of rooftop bar accessories like fire pits, over-sized lounge chairs, and TVs.

A rooftop patio bar. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

The Perch Kitchen and Tap

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New Wicker Park brewpub the Perch is open with a sidewalk patio and sculpture garden, constructed with the help of its landlords at Davara Fine Art. Workers gutted the former Boundary space to create a lovely interior. The Perch is a collaboration between 4 Star Restaurant Group (Tuco & Blondie) and Finch Beer Co. Expect food cooked in a hearth and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Sidewalk patio seating in front of a restaurant with square tables and large, colorful umbrellas.
The Perch has ample space for outdoor diners.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

There’s finally some activity inside an older building a Division and Elston. Azul serves up a menu of Mexican seafood and cocktails along the Chicago River. Eventually, a rooftop bar will debut with the rest of the space.

An outdoor restaurant with glassy walls
Azul
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

North Rush Street & East Cedar Street

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North Rush Street in Gold Cost closes for weekend street dining from Oak Street to Cedar Street. Neighboring spots with outdoor seating include popular steakhouse Tavern on Rush, downtown icon Gibsons, and shrimp DeJonghe destination Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House.

That time you had dinner on Rush Street...but, you were actually ON Rush Street. Ready for another action-packed weekend outside!

Posted by Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse on Friday, July 10, 2020

Pizza Friendly Pizza

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Decorated chef Noah Sandoval (Oriole) recently launched Sicilian pizzeria Pizza Friendly Pizza in the former Bite Cafe space in Ukrainian Village, which neighbors vaunted music venue Empty Bottle. Pizzas are available whole or by the slice, and the textures and fun ingredients are what makes the pies special. Customers can order via walk-up window and dine on a small patio.

New bakery cafe and Filipino restaurant Kasama has been a mega-hit since opening day. There’s some seating in front and now co-owners and wife-and-husband team Genie Kwon and Tim Flores have opened up the restaurant’s back patio oasis in Ukrainian Village. It’s an ideal spot for gobbling Kwon’s pastries (like the ham and cheese danish) and Flores’ silog, lumpia Shanghai, and more. It’s counter service.

A tray with chicken wings, tocino, loganiza, and lumpia Shanghai.
Kasama
Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago

West Huron Street & North Wells Street

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Wells Street is closed to weekend vehicular traffic from Huron to Superior streets, where patrons can find establishments including Boka Group and Giuseppe Tentori steakhouse GT Prime, lavish Italian restaurant Prosecco, and modern Greek restaurant Avli River North.

The perfect table is waiting for you... #eatwellonwells

Posted by Prosecco Restaurant Chicago on Saturday, August 8, 2020

Perilla Korean American Fare

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Korean-American restaurant Perilla is using its outdoor space for fried chicken pop-up “Sir Chicken” to great effect. Patrons can order the sweet and fiery birds via walk-up window and dig in on the patio. Table reservations are available via Resy.

Time Out Market Chicago

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Mammoth Fulton Market food hall Time Out Market Chicago reopens with eight vendors: Arami, Bill Kim (Urbanbelly), Brian Fisher (Entente), Dos Urban Cantina, Duck Inn Dogs, Lost LarsonMini Mott, and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. The hall is offering seating on sidewalk patios and its third floor outdoor rooftop bar.

North Halsted Street & West Fulton Street

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Weekend street dining in West Loop runs on Fulton Street from Halsted to Carpenter. That’s where diners can find a hub of some of the city’s best-known spots, including influential One Off Hospitality establishment the Publican and Top Chef champ Stephanie Izard’s Chinese-American Duck Duck Goat.

Yūgen Restaurant

Copy Link

Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Yugen has launched a casual tiki-themed patio retreat with its own menu, called Kaisho Tiki Takeover. There, customers can find frozen drinks and kushiyaki, or Japanese grilled skewers, and feel secluded from the sidewalk thanks to big umbrellas and greenery.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Taylor & Ashland

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Taylor Street’s open streets dining runs from Loomis Street to Ashland Avenue in Tri-Taylor. Participating restaurants include UIC sports bar Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill.

Chinatown Square Plaza

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Chinatown Square is closed for open street dining on weekends adjacent to Archer Avenue from Wentworth to Princeton avenues. There, popular Chinatown restaurant Saint’s Alp Teahouse has spots for patio diners.

Moody Tongue Brewing Company

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 Moody Tongue Brewing Company’s unusual and upscale South Loop brewpub has reopened with a sidewalk patio where diners can order off the Bar menu. It features a number of seasonal dishes like crispy whole summer flounder (fermented baby bok choy, shiitake, calabrian chili, xo sauce), plus the brewery’s current draft releases.

Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream

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All three major food groups are covered at Bridgeport’s new Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream, and now customers can devour Sicilian-style pies, Pretty Cool Ice Cream pops, and chef Won Kim’s (Kimski) fried chicken on a back patio. There’s a walk-up window, too.

View this post on Instagram

Come by tonight for some #patiohangs #

A post shared by Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream (@pizzachickenicecream) on

Nella Pizza e Pasta

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Acclaimed Nella Pizza e Pasta pizzaiola Nella Grassano has earned legions of fans with her Hyde Park pizza palace. She’s still cranking out top-notch Neopolitan pies and more for patrons on the restaurant’s socially distanced patio.

The Woodlawn

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This new Chatham restaurant and event space has a rooftop patio with room for 35 under normal circumstances. It’s been whittled own to 10 with social distancing. They take reservations with two-hour blocks.

Northwest Hwy & Oliphant

Oliphant Avenue in Edison Park is closed to vehicles for street dining from Northwest Highway to the first alley to the north on weekends. There, diners can find restaurants including bar and barbecue spot Firewater Saloon, Mexican-style cantina Que Onda, and Italian-American restaurant Zia’s Trattoria.

Who's READY!? Extended PATIO weekend is in FULL EFFECT! Hope to see you! Happy 4th of July weekend!

Posted by Que Onda on Friday, July 3, 2020

Annapurna Simply Vegetarian

Annapurna Simply Vegetarian recently moved down the street on Devon to a larger corner space. Known for South Indian vegetarian food, this South Asian snack shop has been a fixture for years with dosas, samosas, puri (puffed flatbread), and more. The corner space means they have room to set up a rare patio along Devon.

Fiya

Andersonville’s new modern Middle Eastern and Israeli restaurant Fiya sports a comfortable back patio outfitted with enormous umbrellas — good for rain or shine. The restaurant also has large windows along the sidewalk that swing open completely, giving the interior space a breezy feeling. Early menu hits include the wood-oven roast spiced chicken (jalapeno relish, zhug, preserved lemon), fresh and pillowy pita (also out of the oven), and a nice selection of natural wines.

Clark & Balmoral

Balmoral Avenue is also playing host to street dining on both sides of Clark Street in the middle of Andersonville. Participating restaurants include drag queen diner Hamburger Mary’s and casual American bistro Vincent.

Coda di Volpe

Southern Italian restaurant Coda di Volpe has introduced a new laid-back arm of operations via walk-up window called the Foxhole, where diners can find a selection of Neopolitan pizzas, salumi, antipasti, dolci, and much more. There’s also a thorough and thoughtful collection of drinks, from cocktails like the “Hibiscus Lightworks” slushie (lime, vodka, cream limoncello, saltwater, prosecco), Italian liquers, draft beers, and of course, wines. Foxhole patrons can eat and imbibe on Coda di Volpe’s patio from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. 

Broadway & Belmont

Street dining in Lakeview is set up on Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway. Participating spots include sustainable Mexican restaurant Chilam Billam, vegetarian and vegan cafe Fancy Plants, and local brewpub DryHop Brewers. Details are available on the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce website.

Testaccio Chicago

New Logan Square Italian restaurant Testaccio, inspired by its eponymous Roman neighborhood, serves a blend of cuisines from Greek, Malta, Turkey, and Morocco, and makes good use of the wood-burning oven left behind by former tenant Quiote. The restaurant is from Aldo Zaninotto of Osteria Langhe, and its opening menu features street food, along with more than 60 outdoor spots on the patio and sidewalk.

Pizza Lobo

New York-style pizzeria Pizza Lobo, another new addition to Logan Square, houses a 4,000 square foot patio where patrons can find a tight selection of pies, starters, and salads. It’s helmed by former Bad Hunter chef Dan Snowden and Heisler Hospitality (Sportsman’s Club), and also operates a carryout window on Sacramento Avenue. This was an outgrowth of a pizza operation that started inside Lone Wolf, Heisler’s West Loop bar.

A walled-off outdoor patio with round and square tables. A sign reads “Pizza Lobo.”
Pizza Lobo features a nice, big patio in Logan Square.
Pizza Lobo/Wade McElroy

The Leavitt Street Inn & Tavern

Long-awaited Bucktown guesthouse and bar the Leavitt Street Inn and Tavern debuts with a

50-seat brick-paved patio (150 without social distancing) and a menu of draft and bottled beers, wines by the glass, and a rotating cocktail of the day. Owners are working on an additional outdoor space about 15 feet away from the current patio where musicians can perform for patrons.

A large brick building with picnic tables
Leavitt Street’s patio seats 50 with social distancing.
The Leavitt Inn & Tavern [Official Photo]

Kennedy Rooftop

Wicker Park’s new Hyatt Place Hotel comes equipped with a rooftop bar with a full menu and panoramic views of the Willis Tower. A portion of the space lies under a retractable awning to keep patrons dry, and there’s the usual assortment of rooftop bar accessories like fire pits, over-sized lounge chairs, and TVs.

A rooftop patio bar. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

The Perch Kitchen and Tap

New Wicker Park brewpub the Perch is open with a sidewalk patio and sculpture garden, constructed with the help of its landlords at Davara Fine Art. Workers gutted the former Boundary space to create a lovely interior. The Perch is a collaboration between 4 Star Restaurant Group (Tuco & Blondie) and Finch Beer Co. Expect food cooked in a hearth and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Sidewalk patio seating in front of a restaurant with square tables and large, colorful umbrellas.
The Perch has ample space for outdoor diners.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Azul

There’s finally some activity inside an older building a Division and Elston. Azul serves up a menu of Mexican seafood and cocktails along the Chicago River. Eventually, a rooftop bar will debut with the rest of the space.

An outdoor restaurant with glassy walls
Azul
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

North Rush Street & East Cedar Street

North Rush Street in Gold Cost closes for weekend street dining from Oak Street to Cedar Street. Neighboring spots with outdoor seating include popular steakhouse Tavern on Rush, downtown icon Gibsons, and shrimp DeJonghe destination Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House.

That time you had dinner on Rush Street...but, you were actually ON Rush Street. Ready for another action-packed weekend outside!

Posted by Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse on Friday, July 10, 2020

Pizza Friendly Pizza

Decorated chef Noah Sandoval (Oriole) recently launched Sicilian pizzeria Pizza Friendly Pizza in the former Bite Cafe space in Ukrainian Village, which neighbors vaunted music venue Empty Bottle. Pizzas are available whole or by the slice, and the textures and fun ingredients are what makes the pies special. Customers can order via walk-up window and dine on a small patio.

Kasama

New bakery cafe and Filipino restaurant Kasama has been a mega-hit since opening day. There’s some seating in front and now co-owners and wife-and-husband team Genie Kwon and Tim Flores have opened up the restaurant’s back patio oasis in Ukrainian Village. It’s an ideal spot for gobbling Kwon’s pastries (like the ham and cheese danish) and Flores’ silog, lumpia Shanghai, and more. It’s counter service.

A tray with chicken wings, tocino, loganiza, and lumpia Shanghai.
Kasama
Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago

Related Maps

West Huron Street & North Wells Street

Wells Street is closed to weekend vehicular traffic from Huron to Superior streets, where patrons can find establishments including Boka Group and Giuseppe Tentori steakhouse GT Prime, lavish Italian restaurant Prosecco, and modern Greek restaurant Avli River North.

The perfect table is waiting for you... #eatwellonwells

Posted by Prosecco Restaurant Chicago on Saturday, August 8, 2020

Perilla Korean American Fare

Korean-American restaurant Perilla is using its outdoor space for fried chicken pop-up “Sir Chicken” to great effect. Patrons can order the sweet and fiery birds via walk-up window and dig in on the patio. Table reservations are available via Resy.

Time Out Market Chicago

Mammoth Fulton Market food hall Time Out Market Chicago reopens with eight vendors: Arami, Bill Kim (Urbanbelly), Brian Fisher (Entente), Dos Urban Cantina, Duck Inn Dogs, Lost LarsonMini Mott, and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. The hall is offering seating on sidewalk patios and its third floor outdoor rooftop bar.

North Halsted Street & West Fulton Street

Weekend street dining in West Loop runs on Fulton Street from Halsted to Carpenter. That’s where diners can find a hub of some of the city’s best-known spots, including influential One Off Hospitality establishment the Publican and Top Chef champ Stephanie Izard’s Chinese-American Duck Duck Goat.

Yūgen Restaurant

Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Yugen has launched a casual tiki-themed patio retreat with its own menu, called Kaisho Tiki Takeover. There, customers can find frozen drinks and kushiyaki, or Japanese grilled skewers, and feel secluded from the sidewalk thanks to big umbrellas and greenery.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Taylor & Ashland

Taylor Street’s open streets dining runs from Loomis Street to Ashland Avenue in Tri-Taylor. Participating restaurants include UIC sports bar Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill.

Chinatown Square Plaza

Chinatown Square is closed for open street dining on weekends adjacent to Archer Avenue from Wentworth to Princeton avenues. There, popular Chinatown restaurant Saint’s Alp Teahouse has spots for patio diners.

Moody Tongue Brewing Company

 Moody Tongue Brewing Company’s unusual and upscale South Loop brewpub has reopened with a sidewalk patio where diners can order off the Bar menu. It features a number of seasonal dishes like crispy whole summer flounder (fermented baby bok choy, shiitake, calabrian chili, xo sauce), plus the brewery’s current draft releases.

Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream

All three major food groups are covered at Bridgeport’s new Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream, and now customers can devour Sicilian-style pies, Pretty Cool Ice Cream pops, and chef Won Kim’s (Kimski) fried chicken on a back patio. There’s a walk-up window, too.

View this post on Instagram

Come by tonight for some #patiohangs #

A post shared by Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream (@pizzachickenicecream) on

Nella Pizza e Pasta

Acclaimed Nella Pizza e Pasta pizzaiola Nella Grassano has earned legions of fans with her Hyde Park pizza palace. She’s still cranking out top-notch Neopolitan pies and more for patrons on the restaurant’s socially distanced patio.

The Woodlawn

This new Chatham restaurant and event space has a rooftop patio with room for 35 under normal circumstances. It’s been whittled own to 10 with social distancing. They take reservations with two-hour blocks.

Related Maps