Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Chicago River

"Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise’s all-day eatery is now up to three locations, and that’s because it pleases on many fronts. Whether folks are looking for quick and casual, healthy, or vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of choices. On the lunch menu, the mushroom and quinoa burger with Swiss cheese and baby kale is a standout."

"Serving dishes inspired by Lettuce Entertain You’s test kitchen, Beatrix’s caramel pie is a delicious departure from the classic apple or pecan pie."

"Located a bit farther north of the city (in Uptown, and easily accessed via the Red Line), Sun-Wah offers what might be the best Peking duck outside of Asia. At it’s priced at a steal – the off-menu Peking duck meal is just $32. One duck can easily feed 2-3 people (4 if you order an extra appetizer or two) and includes a full duck with crispy, crackling skin carved table-side."

"The duck feast at this James Beard Award-winning spot in Uptown includes a whole roasted duck to feed a family, carved tableside, and served with steamed bao, hoisin sauce, and crispy garnishes. You’ll also get a delicate duck soup, and duck fried rice. As with most Chinese cuisine, not a morsel goes to waste."

"West LoopThis long-revered Mediterranean-influenced fixture from One Off Hospitality has held it down as one of the area’s go-to date night spots since opening its minimalist doors back in 2003, well before many of us could even define romance. And not much has changed -- the wine list is still spectacular, the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates are still iconic, and a reservation for the intimate front patio is still highly coveted."

"One Off is also responsible for The Publican and Pacific Standard Time. These are all good date restaurants in Chicago. Plan the perfect outfit for your date in Chicago."

"Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space has seating for only 48 people, and it's a tight fit....Read More"

"Restaurants American Lake View. This ultra kid-friendly restaurant in the Southport Corridor caters to parents in every way possible with wide doors that fit your stroller, a stroller valet and step stools in the bathroom. Your little ones will undoubtedly want the ice cream-topped skillet cookie for dessert—so be a sport and help them indulge."

"This restaurant was designed with kids in mind, namely the daughter, Crosby, of one of the owners. Her influence served them well — extra-wide doors accommodate strollers, and there’s a sink in the dining room, so kids can wash up. The kids’ menu is pretty standard, but adds a few different dishes like the chicken leg that comes straight off their signature rotisserie."

"This family-friendly diner offers Midwestern-inspired comfort food that’s sure to please. The staff are very accommodating to children and work hard to make sure they have a good time. You can’t go wrong with their dinner menu, and definitely give brunch a try—no one can get enough of their signature monkey bread!"

"My boyfriend and I particularly enjoyed Fado Irish Pub, simply for the atmosphere (and of course the drinks). My favorite part was actually listening to Aaron Wilhoft perform live on Friday nights. If he happens to not be there when you visit Chicago, you can see what you missed on his website."

"Hidden in a cobblestone alley, RM Champagne Salon is a West Loop gem exemplifying a Euro-inspired ambiance with contemporary flair. Warming and most definitely romantic, this hideaway haven is a French bistro, giving up impeccable eats such as their Lobster Mac & Cheese or Steak Frites. Chandeliers decorate the ceiling, and their marble fireplace takes the limelight."

"With excellent food and a European tone, RM Champagne Salon is simultaneously dainty and unpretentious. Enjoy the abundant champagne and mini-dessert selections, and if you’re in a hungrier mood, peruse their various entrees that range from lobster mac and cheese to salmon tartare. If the weather is nice, grab a table on the brick patio draped with string lights."

"Photo courtesy of RM Champagne Salon on rmchampagnesalon.com. A quaint, European inspired place. The salon is made even more cozy with the installation of marble fireplaces and a roomy patio."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Visit Margeaux brasserie and experience classic, French dining at its best. Nestled on the third floor of The Waldorf Astoria Chicago, this restaurant features an exotic menu filled with exquisite food devoted to retaining the classic French vibe while the bar is filled with a dynamic cocktail menu."

"If you're going to create a space reminiscent of a particular time, place and spirit, 1920's Paris would be it. Margeaux Brasserie is Chef Michael Mina's "moveable feast" to double metaphor Hemingway's ode to the city of the 20's. The restaurant's traditional brasserie fare is enlivened by Midwestern ingredients and bonhomie."

"Three floors above the lobby of the swank Waldorf Astoria is restaurateur Michael Mina's ode to 1920s-era Paris. Classic Parisian bistro fare (escargot, steak frites, duck breast) gets a contemporary spin. Foie gras comes as parfait with preserved cherries and cornichons."

"LakeviewWhat you’re getting: Baby Spanish octopus a la plancha with spicy red pepper coulisWith quirky touches to emulate (or mock) a fish shack, DMK’s seafood outpost dishes up ocean classics with a modern twist. From standard oyster po-boys and lobster rolls, to perfect pieces of rainbow trout and sweet, buttery shrimp, and fennel-and-chili-spiced octopus a la plancha, it serves it all wild caught. With “sea sippers” like the “Three Hour Tour,” a double-rum, guava, and lime concoction, you’ll need at least three hours of imbibing on the patio."

"A post shared by Fish Bar Chicago 🐟 (@fishbarchicago) on Sep 26, 2018 at 3:04pm PDT. As the name suggests, this casual restaurant on North Sheffield Avenue offers a wide range of fish dishes and manages to fuse the New Orleans approach of grills and gumbo to a New England aesthetic that includes lobster, crab and much more besides. A diverse menu includes Faroe Island tuna steak and steamed mussels, while the basics are also well covered - check out the spiced shrimp on a bed of grits as a snack option."

"The Fish Bar is a shack style establishment with a focus on sustainable fish and seafood menu items that are as fresh as you can get. The chef Michael Kornick is a James Beard-nominated professional with 5 of these prestigious recognitions to his credit. Menu items include both East and West coast raw oysters, Oyster Po’ boys, Maine Lobster rolls, gumbo, Octopus a la plancha, and a variety of craft beers and sea sippers."

"Adding to the fun vibe in the West Loop is the new(ish) Nobu Hotel from partners Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert de Niro and Meir Teper. Up on the 11th floor, The Rooftop at Nobu will be your go-to place this summer for Japanese-influenced small plates, like Nori Tuna Tacos, Black Cod Lettuce Cups, Wagyu Dumplings, and Rock Shrimp Tempura. Fancy a Lychee Martini?"

"Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, video consultant, three-time Emmy®-award winning TV producer, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical and traveled around the world for three years. She has been blogging atLLworldtour.comsince 2006."

"The timeless Chicago hotel has all the fame and historic charm to make your green-eyed followers even more envious of your travels."

"Known for its limestone gatehouse and highly decorated columbarium niches, which are composed of photographs, artwork, flags, and other mementos of individuals whose ashes are stored there, this cemetery, established by Chicago's Czech community in 1877, also features storied mausoleums, stained glass images and a special dedication to Chicago Cubs fans. It's a quieter, welcome alternative to public parks that often draw rambunctious young children."