The best outdoor restaurants and patios in Chicago right now

Inside the ivy-covered walls of this Italian oasis, it’s as lush and romantic as a fairy-tale forest. It’s hard to complain about the light, simple Italian dishes, but the food doesn’t stand a chance against the perfectly balanced setting, bathed in warm, golden light. Antipasti and something from the enormous, reasonably priced Italian wine list is all you need for a perfect summer evening.

When you say the words "restaurant patio" to a longtime Chicagoan, the packed scene in front of Wicker Park taqueria Big Star probably comes to mind. It's a classic for a reason—the al pastor tacos are delicious, the margaritas arrive by the pitcher and there's enough chips and salsa for everyone to get their fill. And if the Wicker Park location is at capacity, you can try your luck at the newer outposts in Wrigleyville or West Town.

Chicagoans have three Parson's to choose from: the original location in Logan Square and additonal outposts in Lincoln Park and Andersonville. Ordering a negroni slushy is practically a requirement, and you'll need some snacks to be able to drink more than one. The hush puppies are your best bet, and the grilled chicken is just as good as the fried (if you can believe it).

The massive patio, with a bar, tables, greenery and high walls, makes you feel like you’re far away from the busy corner next to the Grand Blue Line stop. Order up dinner, then stay for rounds of cocktails, including an array of Old Fashioneds and seasonal drinks made with gin, tequila and mezcal.

Chef Joe Flamm pays tribute to classic steakhouses of the 1950s while also offering some new twists on old indulgences with a menu featuring braised lamb shank and steak frites with beef fat fries. Though the dining room also embodies the classic Hollywood aesthetic, with chandeliers hanging over silvery pod-like booths, the year-round patio brings the right amount of class to outdoor dining. It features a 20-seat bar, lush greenery, luxe upholstry, string lights and an 11-foot-tall wooden pergola 

Upon entering this breathtaking riverfront oasis, you might catch yourself wondering if you've been transported to a faraway destination. An offshoot of the popular West Town dining destination by the same name, Beatnik on the River draws inspiration from the bohemian freethinkers of the ’50s and ’60s, offering dishes and drinks from around the globe. The best tables in the house are on the terrace, which sits along the Chicago River and is outfitted with colorful tile, Indonesian daybeds and fringe-lined umbrellas. Order a glass of bubbly and stay a while. 

Named for an Irish immigrant who served as the General Superintendent of Chicago's police force at the turn of the 20th century, this Avondale spot is known for its massive patio and an all-you-care-to-eat Sunday brunch buffet. Head for the back when it’s warm out, and get in the Irish spirit with some fish and chips and a pint of Guinness.

If there's anything better than eating a gourmet Chicago-style duck fat dog on a lush, hidden patio in Bridgeport, we have yet to find it. Come warm weather, the Duck Inn's tree-lined garden transforms into an intimate destination for brunch and dinner.

This popular West Town spot brings in the crowds with creative Asian-inspired bites—the cabbage stuffed with pork is a must—and one of the best burgers in Chicago. Come patio season, the experience somehow gets even better thanks to a lush patio that invites guests to order another round and hang out a while.

Sporting rustic brick walls, a trio of foeders (giant wooden barrels used to age beer) looming over the dining area and a spacious bar, Bungalow tries to create a welcoming environment for guests to sample Middle Brow's experimental brews. In the morning, toast topped with cream cheese, white anchovies and honey is the main attraction, served alongside coffee and beer. Thin crust pizzas piled with toppings fill tables in the evening, with the action spilling out onto the patio when the weather cooperates. 

Set among a pile of shipping containers next to West Loop event space City Hall, Recess bills itself as one of the city's largest patios, complete with a multi-level set-up and multiple bars. Once you have a table, there's a ton of bar food to choose between, from buffalo chicken rolls to truffle mac and cheese sandwiches. And of course, you'll find plenty of cocktails (with or without CBD), local brews and rosé during a long afternoon or a late night.

This all-day concept from Lettuce Entertain You serves lunch and dinner, with a menu centered around hand-stretched pizzas, artisanal pastas and grilled seafood. Second only to the food is the sizable outdoor terrace, which hugs the Chicago River and offers breathtaking views of the city. The all-season patio features retractable sidewalls and a paneled roof that opens and closes to provide shelter from the cold and the rain. Grab a spritz and take it all in.

Polish and Korean fusion purveyor Kimski has expansive outdoor seating options, with tables along the side of the building as well as a backyard patio. Connected to Maria's Packaged Goods, this Bridgeport spot always has the latest brews from Marz on tap—plus plenty of other interesting local beers.

Named after a bygone lumberyard in the area, the music-fueled Pilsen Yards specializes in tacos and other Mexican eats plus a long list of cocktails and beer. There's a pair of outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy—a covered section with wooden beams overhead and another open-air patio that's festooned with glowing lights. There are heaters over nearly every table and pergolas in the open-air section so you can have a warm seat year-round.

You'll hardly notice you're seated on the bustling corner of Superior and State Streets when food from chef Carlos Gaytán starts arriving at your table at Tzuco’s all-season covered patio. Cool off with an order of tuna ceviche before digging into heartier entrées like the whole red snapper served with guajillo aioli, red fideos, green tomatillo salsa, crispy enfrijoladas and handmade tortillas. Make your time outdoors last with dessert—the corn ice cream with caramel toffee is an instant classic.

Formerly known as Lou's Backyard, the revamped concept provides an enclosed patio with umbrella shaded picnic tables and reclinable lawn chairs. Cool off with Sunnygun's long list of creative cocktails, including the frozen Cowboy Coffee with cold brew and rye whiskey or the rosemary-infused Negroni. Food is currently being provided by popular pop-up FAFO, with creative snacks like a Malört grilled cheese, chicken katsu baos and bacon fat popcorn. 

Taking over the former Black Bull space in Wicker Park is a smile-inducing restaurant that's painted a shade of pink that stops you in your tracks and begs you to look at the menu. You'll be rewarded with Spanish treats made for noshing the day away—and the sprawling patio out front doesn't hurt either. But it's the bar program that will really seal the deal, with dozens of sherry selections from across Spain, phenomenal pours of wine, a lineup of gin and tonics and zero-proof cocktails to boot.

Inspired by the natural elements of Croatia’s Adriatic coast, the patio at Rose Mary features light wood tables topped with blue and white striped umbrellas and surrounded by plants. Beat the heat at the Mediterranean oasis with a light meal of grilled clams with smoked garlic butter or squid risotto paired with a glass of sparkling rosé or a refreshing cocktail like the Forager, a blend of gin, campari, and mushroom coffee.

A Heisler Hospitality restaurant, Pizza Lobo features grab-and-go 'za and a lengthy bar menu plus a 4,000-square-foot patio. The concept was honed over the course of several years in the kitchen of Lone Wolf, with different ideas revolving around a classic New York-style crust. Today, the menu features a roster of top-notch pies garnished with everything from pickled cherry peppers and vodka sauce to crispy pancetta and fennel aioli, best enjoyed on Pizza Lobo's spacious patios in Logan Square and Andersonville.

Take in picture-perfect views of the Chicago skyline on the 11th floor of the Nobu Hotel, which offers a lounge-like atmosphere with plush chairs, couches and low, long tables perfect for hanging out with a group of friends. You'll also enjoy nigiri, sushi and small plates along with sake or a cocktail like a lychee and elderflower martini.

The sprawling indoor-outdoor terrace at Frontier beckons from Milwaukee Avenue, luring diners in with trays of just-shucked oysters and the scent of crispy fried chicken sandwiches. The summer-ready cocktails and ice-cold bottles of Miller Lite don't hurt either.

The interior dining room at Virtue is a special place, thanks in no small part to the art chef-owner Erick Williams has curated for the space. But come summertime, the sidewalk patio offers diners some fresh air while they feast on chicken- and sausage-studded gumbo, blackened catfish atop Carolina gold rice, and banana pudding with Nilla wafers and cool whip.

This sweet, veggie-heavy American joint in Ravenswood boasts a sprawling patio surrounded with plenty of lush greenery—the perfect backdrop for the bar's colorful, bird-themed cocktails like the Hummingbird made with tequila, grapefruit liqueur and club soda. Seating at its bar and high-top tables can’t be guaranteed with a reservation, so show up early to secure your spot to hang out while sharing a plate of pork nachos or a roasted mushroom flatbread. 

Let’s face it, locals don’t have much reason to visit Navy Pier. But if you do find yourself there, you might as well sit down to a good meal. Celebrity chef Art Smith’s waterfront restaurant delivers comforting Southern fare, including decadent mac and cheese, Smith's famous fried chicken and tantalizing hummingbird cake. On a nice day, grab a spot on the 200-seat patio and take in views of the skyline and lake as you dine. This summer, guests will be serenaded by live music on Wednesday and Friday evenings, as well as Sunday during brunch.

This spot is simple, authentic, cheap, super casual, friendly and all about the enclosed patio that wraps around the kitchen. Start with an order of beef and potato or plantain and cheese empanadas dipped in a creamy green sauce. Make it a meal by adding the Guy Fieri-approved steak-and-beans “pepito” sandwich and sweet plantains. Bring a bottle of malbec to match, or some rum to add to a piña colada pitcher. End the meal with an oatmeal shake (sounds strange, tastes great).

Watch boats go by on the Chicago River on River Roast’s plant-lined patio, which features umbrellas to keep you shady during a hot summer day and strings of lights to add to the city’s glow at night. Feast on tavern fare including roasted rack of lamb and a fried chicken sandwich with spicy remoulade while sipping an old fashioned or espresso martini. 

Enjoy beachside vibes all year round on the breezy patio of La Palapa. The Mexican mariscos specialist pulls out all the stops to bring diners to the coast, decorating its outdoor space with gravel, thatch umbrellas and fake palm trees. Grab a table, order some shrimp empanadas or ceviche pescado and you’ll feel like you’re in paradise.

Tucked just off the beaten path in Wicker Park, chef Brian Jupiter's Ina Mae Tavern is a tasty tribute to Southern comfort food and New Orleans. The wraparound sidewalk patio is the perfect place to smash a hurricane cocktail before tucking into an order of hush puppies with honey pimento butter and a fried shrimp po' boy.

Situated right next to Lake Michigan and the Lakefront Trail, this restaurant inside Chicago Park District event venue Theater on the Lake offers an unparalleled backdrop. The menu features approachable Midwestern fare but the main attraction are the stunning views of the water and skyline that accompany every meal on the 80-seat patio.

The only thing better than pizza is pizza on a patio. At Hyde Park favorite Nella Pizza e Pasta, pizzaiola Nella Grassano churns out extraordinary Neapolitan-style pies for you to enjoy outside. Order a classic margherita as well as a spritz—it’ll almost feel like you’re vacationing in Naples.

The menu at this Wicker Park offshoot of Au Cheval is extremely simple: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and booze. Claim your patty and exit the dark, cozy interior in favor of the sunny patio out back. Surrounded by greenery and adorned with bistro lights, the quaint outdoor space transports diners to a casual backyard barbecue.

The festive four-seasons patio at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe is a great place to hang out any time of day. Visit in the morning for the strong kick of cafe con leche or bring your own bottle of rum or tequila to pour into a pitcher of mojito or paloma mix and spend the evening drinking while nibbling empanadas and traditional entrees like ropa vieja.

Enter through a narrow alleyway and you'll find yourself inside this rustic Pilsen brewpub, where the taplines are surrounded by a wall of green moss and guests sit at wooden benches. The outdoor patio pours onto Blue Island Avenue where diners feel immersed in the lively block. Alulu's beer list is filled to the brim with dark lagers and IPAs presented alongside more adventeruous creations. Don't sleep on the in-house food menu either, which features pork lumpia, house-made fish fry and chef's special chicken wings.

Start your day at this Bronzeville staple owned by celebrity stylist Peytyn Willborn and helmed by chef Larry Pierce. The sizable side terrace offers plenty of seating as well as heating and overhead covering in case the weather turns. You’ll find breakfast dishes served all day with specialties including jerk shrimp and grits and a Cajun crawfish omelet. Come for lunch for Italian eats like calamari fritti and spicy chicken alfredo.

One of the most romantic restaurants in the city also boasts a front patio with fireplace tables. Have a fondue date night—filled with cheese, chocolate and more—with that special someone or gather a group of friends for a fun evening outside. Outdoor seating is by request only, so inquire when making a reservation.

Get a view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline from the 150-seat patio at Lirica on Navy Pier. The waterfront restaurant offers a menu of Latin-inspired fare including beef empanadas with chimichurri and Spanish fried chicken with morita mole, a combination best paired with a mojito, margarita or gin and tonic. They also offer a $60 prix-fixe menu if you’re dining before seeing a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Located a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo, Ranalli's boasts a sidewalk patio that's nearly always packed when the weather cooperates. Snag a seat under one of the red umbrellas and dig into a menu that features bruchetta, burgers and hearty thin-crust pizzas (the hot honey soppressata is always a good bet). 

The family behind Letizia’s Natural Bakery brings you one of the best back patios in the Ukranian Village/Wicker Park area. Cop a seat among the greenery and dive into the wine list; it’s playful, varied (i.e., not limited to Italians) and built for food. The bruschetta varieties—topped with toothsome ingredients like Brie and spicy raspberry preserves, goat cheese and black olive pate—are the favorites on of the extensive menu, but don’t overlook the Roman-style pizzas and the freshest, house-made pasta.