Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Salt Creek

"There’s lots to love about Lettuce Entertain You’s quick and casual concept that not only boasts a juice and coffee bar, but also a grab-and-go market. Favorites at both the new Streeterville and original River North locations include a crispy kale salad with persimmon and pumpkin seeds as well as a three-grain salad topped with roasted chicken."

"Their bounteous pastry bar includes treats both gluten-free (Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Macaroons) and gluten-full (Chocolate Chunk, Butterscotch Oatmeal, Lemon Crisps, Stuffed Nutella Cookies, and more). It’s almost an embarrassment of riches, but cookies feel no shame, nor should they."

"Neither Open Table nor Beatrix warned us about Clark street closure for River North outdoor dining. Our party included 2 people wi..."

"Peking duck served three ways and carved tableside, $30 for a meal for four is virtually unheard of in this day and age. Just remember you must preorder at least 24 hours in advance. Also Try: Duck Duck Goat, literally anywhere in Chinatown"

"Chef Armando Gonzalez’s contemporary Latin American cuisine draws diners from all over Chicagoland to Libertad in Skokie. His dinner menu of mix-and-matchable small plates, divided..."

"Wrigleyville can be daunting during the summer with tourists and baseball fans crowding Clark Street making parking an impossible mission. Locals take the Red Line and stay away from the main drag, looking for shelter at bar like Nisei Lounge, which has spent nearly seven decades in the shadow of Wrigley. They were the first dive bar to be on Tock, the reservation system used by fine dining restaurants."

"Popular Canadian import, Kinton Ramen, had a successful launch in Fulton Market and witnesses a steady flow of noodlers. The chain debuted a second Chicago location in Wicker Park in December 2019. Dubbing itself the "Ultimate Japanese Ramen Experience," Kinton Ramen aims for an authentic culinary trip to Japan via executive chef Aki Urata's commitment to serving the highest quality broth and noodles."

"Music is never far from mind at this bar: In addition to a rocking soundtrack, nearly all the burgers are named for bands. Try the Slayer: a bunless patty on a pile of fries, topped with chili, andouille sausage, cherry peppers, onions and cheese. Watch the Video: The Slayer Burger"

"Kuma’s Corner is participating in the “Dining Together, Apart” Program, so groups of two to six people can reserve one of the domes to eat their burgers outside."

"Spiaggia is an excellent Michelin-rated restaurant located on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Spiaggia serves modern Italian cuisine from an exceptionally elegant location. Spiaggia isn’t only regarded for food."

"North Center/Bowmanville Founded in 2006 well before the current craft beer craze took hold of America, Half Acre is one of the OGs of Chicago brewing and is regarded by many experts as the finest craft brewer in the city. With not one, but two breweries on the North Side (within a 10-minute drive of each other), Half Acre recently opened its massive 60,000-square-foot Balmoral facility as a testament to its increasing popularity and thirst for experimentation. Daisy Cutter (one of five year-round ales) is the beer that put Half Acre on the map, but the new digs have carved out more room for so-called “wyld beers” marked by experimentation and mixed fermentation."

"In a city that has detonated with craft breweries in the last decade, Half Acre Beer Company, founded in 2006, is considered one of the original players. The first brewery location is on Chicago’s north side on Lincoln Avenue and the expanded space is about 15 minutes away on Balmoral—both complete with kitchens and taprooms and both offer inexpensive tours. The Balmoral spot, however, has a lovely outdoor beer garden that is perfect for drinking all of those Daisy Cutters."

"Another Chicago staples, Off Color was founded in 2013 by John Laffler (formerly of Goose Island Brewery) and Dave Bleitner (formerly of Two Brothers Brewing). As you might expect, the pedigree of the founders is obvious in Off Color Brewing’s mature and technically excellent beers, which lean toward European styles. While the beers are serious, the branding is fun, leading to a very silly and unique taproom experience at both the original location and The Mousetrap, located on the North Branch Canal just west of the Old Town neighborhood."

"There’s something a little wacky about Off Color’s chosen mascot, a charming cartoon mouse that appears in all sorts of adventures through their label artwork, whether it’s Sibling Rivalry, Little Friend, or Dino S’mores. Other characters make their debuts as well, giving each bottle a captivating aesthetic that makes it even tastier to consume."

"A selection of seven cans in the "Beer for" series is seen at Off Color Brewing's Mousetrap taproom. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)"

"It should come as no surprise that Alliance Bakery is serious business when it comes to cakes. The shop proudly displays its elegant creations in the window and they taste as good as they look. In addition, there are also plenty of other French delicacies for sale such as macarons, croissants, eclairs, bombes, and tarts, plus a newer location downtown in River North."

"Located on N State St, Alliance Patisserie offers a range of contemporary twists on classic European desserts. Its assorted range of macarons changes with the seasons, meaning you can simply never tire of those on offer. Our favorites, however, are strawberry (served with strawberry white chocolate ganache) and rose (with rosewater buttercream)."

"A post shared by 早川茉希（Maki Hayakawa） (@maki_hayakawa) on Sep 12, 2018 at 10:16pm PDT. Here’s one place you’ll enter feeling lovestruck and exit feeling frustrated simply because you couldn’t try everything from their selection. Their light, airy, and puffy macarons available in many flavours are simply to-die-for."