Amazing views over the impressive Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan are best served with a fine meal. Enjoy our complete guide to the very best rooftop restaurants in Chicago. Here you can indulge in some of the city's finest cooking, all while getting a new perspective on the Windy City.
From upscale downtown venues to charming rooftop gardens, the best rooftop restaurants you can find in Chicago offers something for everyone. Perfect for al-fresco wining and dining when the (long) Chicago winter is finally over.
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Here's our list of the 10 best rooftop restaurants Chicago
For a Chicago rooftop meal with the very best views over Millenium Park and Lake Michigan, Cindy's Rooftop is undoubtedly the place to visit.
Perched 13 floors up at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, this vibrant rooftop restaurant and bar is open for both lunch, dinner and rooftop weekend brunch.
With a stylish and spacious glass atrium lounge, complemented with an open-air rooftop terrace, Cindy's is at your service year round.
Here you can enjoy an inspired menu featuring local wild and seasonal produce and fresh seafood, created by Executive Chef Kaleena Bliss. The menu ranges from 'Chilled King Crab & Lobster Sallad' and 'Salmon Carpaccio', to 'Lamb Ragu Mafaldine' and 'Whole Fried Branzino'.
To go with the food, Cindy's Rooftop also offers perfectly crafted cocktails, local brews and an impressive selection of wines.
The rooftop restaurant is usually buzzing in atmosphere, and it is higly popular both among locals and outside visitors. So reservations are recommended.
CINDY'S ROOFTOP
Named for a move from Argentine tango, Boleo is found on the top floor of the Kimpton Gray Hotel Chicago, bringing a large slice of Latin vibes to the Chicago Loop.
Industrial-chic in design, the stylish, sleek and lush rooftop restaurant and bar is set under a retractable glass roof, keeping the weather warm no matter the season.
Made to evoke the dynamic energy of South America, here you can indulge in Peruvian and Argentinian street food-inspired small plates with a modern twist. Munch on some ceviche, anticuchos or empanadas.
Over at the rooftop bar, you'll find mainstays like Fernet & Cola, Chilcanos, seasonal Pisco creations, and other delicious cocktails that transport you to South America.
Fun and vibrant, Boleo is an elevated gathering place where the music is always playing, the food is good and the drinks are strong.
BOLEO
Filled with the vibes of Chicago’s famous Restaurant Row and the views of the stunning city skyline, the Rooftop at Nobu Hotel is a prime spot for an upscale and elevated experience.
Perched on the 11th floor, right in the heart of West Loop, the rooftop blends a stylish interior lounge with a sleek, lush and airy outdoor terrace, surrounded with some of the best panoramics the city has to offer.
Aiming to provide a more relaxed, cocktail driven lounge experience, you can visit for a stylish after work, sipping specialty cocktails and other fine drinks. But, the Rooftop at Nobu Hotel also caters to the more hungry ones.
Famous sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa has created a selection of hot and cold plates, ranging from Yellowtail Jalapeno and Tuna Ginger Tosazu, to Wagyu Sliders, Lamb Chop Anticucho and a tasty array of nigiri and maki.
High-end and elegant, yet comfortable and relaxing, Rooftop at Nobu Hotel is a year-round option to dine and socialize in style.
ROOFTOP AT NOBU HOTEL
Located on the 16th floor of the Trump International Hotel & Tower, along the Chicago River, Terrace 16 offers vibrant, new American flavors, complemented with breathtaking views of Chicago.
The rooftop includes a bustling indoor bar and dining room, and expansive outdoor seating on its idyllic terrace, where you are face to face with soem of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Elevating Chicago River dining, this is a luxurious and truly unique venue, available from morning to late evening.
From breakfast and weekend brunch to dinner, Terrace 16 serves vibrant menu's that features new American flavors, allowing ingredients to speak simply and powerfully for themselves. There are fresh options for a variety of tastes and preferences, and the expert culinary team can accommodate any dietary needs.
The food is complemented with a thoughtful wine list and an extensive craft cocktail program that really enhance the experience of this downtown Chicago restaurant.
Upscale in setting and atmosphere, and Terrace 16 is definitely on the pricey side. But then you do get a highly memorable dining experience, along with service and views out of the ordinary.
TERRACE 16
Located in Chicago's historic Fulton Market District, Aba (which means father in Hebrew) is the sister restaurant to the River North located Ēma (which means mother in Hebrew).
With a lush, unique and beautiful decoration, the restaurant has both an indoor dining room and seating out on the spacious rooftop terrace.
The rooftop is partially enclosed and heated during the colder season, so it can stay open as long as the weather is not to bad. There are also some cosy rooftop greenhouses.
Aba is a collaboration between chef CJ Jacobson and Lettuce Entertain You, serving both bites and more filling options of steaks and seafood, all with influences from the Mediterranean, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece.
As dinner or weekend brunch you can indulge in signature dishes like Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Char-Grilled Lamb Chops and Jerusalem Bagel with Labneh, as well as a bar program by mixologist Liz Pearce, focusing on rare Mediterranean-inspired wines and spirits.
Aba is a very popular Chicago rooftop restaurant, so reservations well in advance are recommended.
ABA
Homestead On The Roof is 'a literal farm-to-table restaurant', set on top of Roots Handmade Pizza in the heart of West Town Chicago.
Truly an urban rooftop garden oasis, this charming and rustic rooftop restaurant might not offer the most dazzling skyline views, but instead comes with a 3,000 square foot organic rooftop garden and two massive, vertical hanging gardens.
Thanks to a cosy indoor restaurant, Homestead can stay open year round. But the green season is when this venue really flourish, and the 85-seat outdoor terrace is in full swing.
Open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday, Homestead on the Roof serves a seasonal menu based around the planting schedule.
The menu includes dishes to share, as well as smaller and larger selections. Like a Rooftop Garden Salad or a Grass-Fed Steak Frites.
With a lovely and intimate setting, Homestead on the Roof is pretty much the perfect venue for a romantic rooftop dinner in Chicago.
HOMESTEAD ON THE ROOF
Set 4 floors up at the five star hotel The Peninsula Chicago, Shanghai Terrace is a offers both a lovely rooftop terrace and a great Chinese restaurant.
Here you find an indoor restaurant with a 1930s supper club décor, and a stylish decorated terrace with dining tables, cabanas and comfy lounge sofas along with cool views of the downtown sky scrapers.
A visit at Shanghai Terrace is really something for the taste buds. Voted "The Best Chinese Restaurant in Chicago", you can enjoy a wide range of fantastic dishes, from Dim Sum and Asian Salad to Peking Duck and Dong Po Pork Belly.
Apart from the Cantonese and Shanghainese goodies, the rooftop offers a drink list just as impressing, with Asian beers, premium sake and beautiful specialty cocktails.
With great service and a pleasant, upscale atmosphere, it is not surprising that the price tag is quite high. But, it is well worth it.
Reservations can be made for the indoor restaurant, but the outdoor roof terrace works on a first come, first served basis.
SHANGHAI TERRACE
Located by the waterfront in West Loop, Gibsons Italia is one of several smaller siblings to the iconic Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, which has been one of Chicago’s leading restaurants since 1989.
Bright, modern and quite swanky in decoration, Gibsons Italia is set over three levels, with both an outdoor terrace and a rooftop with retractable roof. And, best of all, fantastic views over Chicago River and the skyline.
True to both its name and its roots, Gibsons Italia serves modern steakhouse dishes as well as authentic Italian creations. Run by Chef Jose Sosa, the kitchen offers everything from risotto and gold-extruded pasta to a world-class tour of beef featuring Gibsons USDA Prime Angus, grass-fed Australian and Japanese Kobe.
Casual elegant in setting and atmosphere, Gibsons Italia is available daily for both lunch and dinner with a view.
GIBSONS ITALIA
Tanta brings a large slice of the flavors and culture of Peru to the heart of Chicago and River North. And best of all, they do so with a second floor rooftop terrace, where summer alfresco food and drinks can be combined with cool skyline views.
Run by acclaimed South American Chef Gastón Acurio, Tanta Chicago is filled with a lively, fun and friendly atmosphere.
Open daily for dinner, and during weekends for a brunch special, the menu includes everything from cebiches, skewers and beef empanadas, with many dishes made perfect to share.
As with the food, drinks also walks side-by-side with the Latin American influnces, and the Pisco inspired Peruvian cocktails are a 'must try'.
Tanta is a great rooftop restaurant Chicago for everything from charming weekday dinners to vibrant weekend fun.
Situated steps from Navy Pier, the luxurious Loews Chicago Downtown Hotel comes with one of the most impressive rooftop terraces Chi-Town has to offer, called Streeterville Social.
Open during the warmer season, this summer airy hot-spot is both spacious and stylish, mixing plenty of comfy lounge spots with dining tables.
Overlooking the downtown skyline, this is an elevated place to meet, eat, drink and celebrate all things summer.
Taking the rooftop restaurant and bar experience to the next level, the Streeterville Social menu includes plenty of Gourmet grub. Divided into sections of 'Snack Shack' and 'Keep It Social', here you find everything from Chorizo Popcorn, Burrata and Spicy Tuna Tacos, to Grilled Beef Short Rib, Sous Vide New York Strip and Avocado Toast.
There is also a 'Kids Shack' menu (just note that guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian), and during weekends a juicy brunch menu, including Berry Super Smoothie, Breakfast Four Cheese Pizza and plenty more.
A bit of a hidden gem, Streeterville Social is well worth the search for rooftop al fresco dining any time.
STREETERVILLE SOCIAL
Tip: Looking for more elevated dining with majestic skyline views? Check out our guide to the best rooftop restaurants NYC. Or maybe mix it up with some ocean views at one of the top rooftop restaurants Los Angeles has to offer.
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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