If you’ve endured a couple of winters in Chicago, chances are you’ve also experienced the great joy of relishing a warm summer evening on a restaurant patio. From beer gardens to sidewalk seating to rooftop decks, there is no shortage of outdoor patios sprinkled throughout the north side of Chicago. Here are the 8 best summer patios on the north side. Also, don’t forget to check out our list of the best summer cocktails in Chicago this year!
1615 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614
Steps away from Second City in Old Town, this neighborhood Irish pub features a casual sidewalk patio and beer garden with string lights. Pair your shepherd’s pie with a Guinness, or check out the daily specials and happy hour deals.
3258 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
An iconic establishment in Lakeview, Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden frequently wins national awards for its beer garden. Once you grab a seat on the large patio, head to one of four bars to select a craft beer. While you’re there, make sure to try their in-house smoked barbeque.
3554 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
Before catching a game at Wrigley Field, stop by Vines on Clark across from the stadium and relax on their expansive outdoor patio or rooftop deck. Choose from a menu of gameday fare, including burgers, cheese curds, sandwiches, and salads.
2435 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
You might feel like you’re at the beach rather than in the middle of a Lincoln Park patio at Parson’s Chicken and Fish. The long picnic tables and bright red-striped umbrellas create a lively summer ambiance. The standouts on the menu are hush puppies, fried chicken and fish, and of course, negroni slushies.
2901 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
This Lakeview spot takes on traditional Mexican fare with a modern twist. Located in a warehouse-like building, Barcocina maintains an upbeat ambiance throughout its indoor and outdoor spaces. Grab a seat at one of the many outdoor tables or opt for a spot on a spacious couch. Besides an array of tacos, Barcocina cooks up a unique selection of small plates, including Spanish octopus and al pastor tofu.
1608 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
Perched atop Second City in Old Town, Utopian Tailgate offers fun games along with spectacular views of the city skyline. Their enormous patio contains neon picnic tables, cornhole, life-size jenga, and more. Their elevated tailgate menu includes wings, pizza, nachos, and a wide range of drink options.
938 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
What could be better than eating pizza and hanging out with friends on a summer evening? The outdoor patio at Homeslice provides a vibrant atmosphere with fun decor and creative drinks. Plus, the outdoor patio includes large couches and plenty of seating, making it an excellent environment for groups.
Image Credit: Resy
3475 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
Newly opened in 2021, Diver at the Park brings the charms of Tulum, Mexico’s historic port city, to the streets of Wrigleyville. The huge outdoor patio seats 200 people and features picnic tables, swings, and a vintage camper bar. Feast on tacos and sip on margaritas inside this beach-like escape in the Wheelhouse Hotel.
465 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611
Okay. Okay. We know this one technically counts as the near north side, but their patio is just too good to be excluded from the list because of a zipcode! Located right off the lake, Robert’s has been our favorite summer patio thus far. Enjoy the blue water merging into the blue sky, and people watch (or duck watch) as you indulge in their delicious specialty pizzas. What’s a better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon?
Also, the patio is dog friendly!
Featured Image: Clayton Hauck
