Hundreds of the city’s restaurants and bars set up outdoor dining catering to customers starved for summer. We’ve selected 25 notable spots, including some newcomers; for complete alfresco listings search under “features” at chicagoreader.com/chicago/RestaurantFinder/Page.
Owner Marty Fosse’s neighborhood Italian place has many virtues, among them a frequently changing menu tailored to the season and a charming back patio—though good luck getting a seat, which is first come, first served. 5316 N. Clark, 773-506-9990, anteprimachicago.net. Dinner: daily. Open late: Fri & Sat till 11.
Birchwood Kitchen | Wicker Park/Bucktown | $
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There’s not a cheap shortcut to be found at this ambitious sandwich shop: here the words local and sustainable have real meaning. The weekend brunch menu has items such as croque madame and Belgian waffles, and burger nights are offered out back from Tuesday through Friday. 2211 W. North, 773-276-2100, birchwoodkitchen.com. Lunch, dinner: Tue-Fri. Sat & Sun brunch.
The entire bar and most of the staff at this northwest-side pub was imported from Ireland, and the kitchen dishes up traditional fare. The festive outdoor beer garden seats 200. 3471 N. Elston, 773-583-3066, chiefoneillspub.com. Breakfast, lunch: Sat; dinner: seven days. Sun brunch. Open late: Sat till 3, other nights till 2.
Hubbard Inn | River North | $$$
Blackbird-Tru-NoMi vet Bradford Phillips heads up the kitchen at this classically oriented French contemporary spot. The menu changes frequently, but typically there’s soup, salad, and a list of familiar entrees, some of which—like a juicy pan-roasted poussin with chanterelles and bright green parsley-chive gnocchi—are outstanding. Out back there’s garden seating. 4539 N. Lincoln, 773-942-7585, lmrestaurant.com. Dinner: daily.
