Our picks for 44 patios to visit this summer in Chicago, from remote-work-friendly spots to beachside brews
The dog days of summer are officially here, but passing these hotter and more humid days should be a little easier on an outdoor patio, especially with a cold drink in hand.
We don’t want you to feel left out of the summer outdoor fun, and we all could use more vitamin D to keep the doldrums at bay. But sometimes the options are too overwhelming to decide between, and that’s why we’re here to help.
Huddle in and focus on the next deadline with a cold brew, transport yourself to a Mexican beach in the middle of McKinley Park, or take in the gorgeous downtown vista amid the city’s skyscrapers. Grab your crew and get set to book a spot at one of these 44 patios.
A patio with some of the best beer in Chicago: Metropolitan Brewing
Metropolitan Brewing has been laser-focused on producing flawless German-style beers since 2009. But even if you don’t know your Dortmunders from your Doppelbocks, you’ll still enjoy basking in the sun on the brewery’s enormous riverfront patio, located in Avondale’s brick-laden Rockwell on the River facility. The view captures a remarkably tranquil stretch of the Chicago River, lush with trees on both banks, making you feel like you’ve managed to escape the city. The brewery doesn’t have food, but you can score some excellent barbecue from Soul & Smoke, also located in the complex. — Nick Kindelsperger
3057 N. Rockwell St., 773-754-0494, metrobrewing.com/tap-room-patio
More breweries with patios: Alulu Brewpub, Half Acre Beer Co., Pilot Project Brewing, Off Color Brewing Taproom
A suburban patio doubling as a beach hang: Lindy’s Landing
If you’re looking for a real-deal beachfront vibe, head to Wauconda. The north suburb is where you’ll find Lindy’s Landing overlooking Bangs Lake. Along with a massive outdoor patio, the restaurant features plenty of tables right on the sand. The menu is loaded with seafood, including fish tacos and salmon. But you’ll also find plenty of meatier options, like smoked chicken wings and multiple burgers. 115 Park St., Wauconda; 847-526-9789; lindyslanding.com — N.K.
More splendid suburban patios: Meson Sabika in Naperville and Reserve 22 in Glen Ellyn
A patio to remind you of a Mexican beach vacation: La Palapa
Chicago is lucky to have numerous marisquerías — restaurants specializing in Mexican seafood. While you can score citrus-spiked aguachile or brimming cups of coctel de camarones during the depths of winter, you’re more likely to feel transported south of the border when devouring them on a sun-drenched patio. One favorite is La Palapa in McKinley Park, where loaded entrees like the Rompecolchon — the Mattress Breaker — come heaped with perfectly spicy shrimp, octopus and fish. It may be located next to a train line, but the thatched umbrellas and the convivial atmosphere somehow make each bite taste better. — N.K.
2000 W. 34th St., 773-376-9620, lapalapamariscos.com
More marisquerías with great patios: Baha Restaurant, Azul
A patio for laid-back brunch: Sweet Maple Cafe
Little Italy’s Taylor Street is teeming with outdoor seating options, but the patio at this restaurant might be a little unexpected. While eschewing the mimosas and grassy Instagram-ready walls of trendy brunch spots, Sweet Maple instead gives off the cozy vibes of a grandma’s living room paired with delicious country-style eggs, French toast, home fries, and all around great service. Now that outdoor seating is up and running, it takes some pressure off the smaller indoor dining space and its weekend queue. And with a new coat of paint to boot, the movers and shakers who make up Little Italy know this is the spot to be once a pleasant morning rolls around. — Lauryn Azu
1339 W. Taylor St., 312-243-8908, sweetmaplecafechicago.com
More brunch patios: Plein Air, Roux, Honey Berry Pancakes and Cafe (901 S. State St.), Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (130 E. Randolph St.)
A patio where you can work remotely: The Goddess and Grocer
Looking for a shady spot where you can enjoy summer breezes without too much exposure? The patio at Goddess and Grocer in Wicker Park offers the best of both worlds, but on a sunny weekday, you might have to fight off the remote work crowd for a good spot. No worries, because there’s plenty of space to stretch out and get comfortable on the upstairs patio. Order a bagel with lox and iced matcha latte and feel your fingers fly off the keyboard. — L.A.
1649 N. Damen Ave., 773-342-3200, goddessandgrocer.com
More cafes with patios: Sip & Savor 43rd, Hexe Coffee Co., Colectivo Coffee, Cabra
A patio with downtown views and nonalcoholic drinks: Boleo
Located in the Loop’s Kimpton Gray Hotel, Boleo is a South American-influenced restaurant with views of the downtown skyline. The rooftop restaurant and lounge comes with a retractable roof that keeps the vibes going in any weather, rain or shine. Boleo is refreshing its menu for the season, and two drinks that will be featured seek to satisfy customers looking to quench their thirst sans alcohol. The bar mixes up a riff of a chicha morada, a nonalcoholic beverage with Peruvian origins. The drink has housemade purple corn syrup, lime juice, a splash of Seedlip, a nonalcoholic spirit, and is topped off with soda. The syrup is made with pineapple skin, cinnamon and clove for a fresh and slightly spiced taste. Another mocktail making a splash is the watermelon switchel, made with watermelon brine, honey, lime and soda. The switchel is not only a refreshing option, but a stomach-settling one as well. — Shanzeh Ahmad
122 W. Monroe St., 312-750-9007, boleochicago.com
More patios with delicious nonalcoholic drinks: Cindy’s, Sunnygun
A patio for pizza with friends: Pizza Lobo
Pizza Lobo is a pizza joint with spacious patios at both the Logan Square and Andersonville locations, and fans of “The Bear” might recognize the spot from its recent cameo. Its 16-inch family-style pizzas and slices keep crowds full, and its drink menu has its own nonalcoholic section. The drinks include a sparkling Liquid Death, a Big Drop Paradiso nonalcoholic IPA and a Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher. One-dollar wing specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, a weekend-only shrimp pizza, a mystery pizza slice named IYKYK and crispy cauliflower round out the menu. You can also sling bocce or cozy up by one of the fire pits at the Andersonville location while you wait for your slices to arrive. — S.A.
3000 W. Fullerton Ave., 312-265-1745; 5457 N. Clark St., 312-548-9576; pizzalobo.com
More pizza-focused patios: Ranalli’s, Nella Pizza e Pasta, Robert’s Pizza and Dough Co.
A patio for family fun on the Southwest Side: Birrieria Zaragoza
John and Norma Zaragoza opened the birrieria that bears the couple’s name in the Archer Heights neighborhood in 2007, but added the weekend backyard patio later. The fun and family-friendly space is one of the best places to get your goat — literally, as in the traditional Mexican meat stew. Grown-ups should order the plato grande, a large plate of birria, which comes with consommé, handmade corn tortillas and a fiesta of all the fixings. Kids and the kid in you will want a quesabirria taco dorado, the golden fried cheesy sensation as seen on social media. Executive chef and son Jonathan Zaragoza may be off working on his own restaurant, but his siblings might be around along with their parents, and everyone in the house will have you feeling like family too. — Louisa Chu
4852 S. Pulaski Road, 773-523-3700, birrieriazaragoza.com
More family-friendly patios on the South and West sides: Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern, Milk Money Brewing, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream, Taylor’s Tacos and The Original Rainbow Cone
A patio where you and your dog can step out in style: Bronzeville Winery
New chef Lamar Moore just took over the kitchen at Bronzeville Winery, one of the hottest restaurants in Chicago, in the historic neighborhood on the South Side of the city. Our pups can cool off on one of the most stylish dog-friendly sidewalk patios out front, wrapped in an edible garden by Herban Produce. They may sneak a sniff at the must-order dish, a smoky seared watermelon steak by opening chef Whitney McMorris. But the signature burger with two beef patties, smoked Gouda cheese, beef bacon jam and truffle aioli on a brioche bun, plus hand-cut fries, might have both you and your very good pup begging for another bite. — L.C.
4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 872-244-7065, bronzevillewinery.com
More new and stylish dog-friendly patios: Andros Taverna, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, GG’s Chicken Shop, Itoko, LeTour, Little Goat Diner, Miru and Omarcito’s
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
