River North Chicago Restaurants
Make a free reservation
Introducing OpenTable Icons
Top restaurants this week
Top booked
- 1
Summer House - Chicago
Price: Moderate•American•4.7(8,232)Lincoln Park - 2
Girl & the Goat
Price: Moderate•Contemporary American•4.7(15,308)West Loop - 3
3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago
Price: Expensive•American•4.8(3,827)Gold Coast / Streeterville - 4
Robert's Pizza and Dough Company
Price: Expensive•Pizzeria•4.8(2,249)Gold Coast / Streeterville - 5
Mercadito - River North
Price: Expensive•Mexican•4.5(6,473)River North (Chicago)
Top viewed
- 1
Pizzeria Portofino
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.8(2,029)River North (Chicago) - 2
Cindy's Rooftop
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.4(123)Downtown / Loop - 3
Gibsons Italia
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.9(4,461)River North (Chicago) - 4
The Alston
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.6(84)River North (Chicago) - 5
Valhalla
Price: Very Expensive•Contemporary American•5(8)Bucktown / Wicker Park
Top saved
- 1
Tre Dita
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.8(1,305)River North (Chicago) - 2
Maple & Ash - Chicago
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.8(4,380)Gold Coast / Streeterville - 3
Le Colonial - Chicago
Price: Very Expensive•Vietnamese•4.8(8,122)Gold Coast / Streeterville - 4
Adalina
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.6(2,562)Gold Coast / Streeterville - 5
Sepia
Price: Very Expensive•Contemporary American•4.9(5,478)West Loop
Award winning restaurants in Chicago / Illinois
Check out diners' favorite restaurants in River North Chicago
Updated on
Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.
The Omakase Room at Sushi-san
Price: Very Expensive•Japanese•4.9(91)The Omakase Room at Sushi-san is a culmination of Master Sushi Chefs Kaze Chan and Shigeru Kitano’s combined experience defining the Chicago sushi scene. While the menu and service are informed by tradition, guests can expect a transcendent experience that breaks down the formality and austerity usually accompanying omakase dining. Each dinner in the warm, modern, and intimate ten-seat space features luxury ingredients from around the world. Sophisticated and carefully curated beverage pairings are available to complement the meal.Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery
Price: Moderate•Gastro Pub•4.8(413)At Centennial, our passion is craft beer and our focus is simple: to celebrate craft beer. Beer can bring people together on a common ground and has the ability to create a community. Beer can elevate food. Beer is culture.
We feature 56 taps with a selection of 36 rotating craft beers. In addition to our taps, we feature a high volume of beers available in bottles and cans, as well as a curated selection of craft spirits and wines.
Centennial also features chef-driven food with an emphasis on craft beer. The menu focuses on beer pairings and incorporating beer as an ingredient. Centennial also features smoked, char grilled, and wood-fired ingredients.
The Alston
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.6(84)The Alston—from Michelin-starred Chef Jenner Tomaska and Scott Weiner & Greg Mohr of the Fifty/50 Group—is a steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast.
The menu features a blend of the comforting flavors of a traditional Midwestern steakhouse with the refined elegance of 1920s French Nouvelle cuisine. Chef Tomaska elevates the traditional steakhouse by utilizing open-fire cooking and the highest-quality ingredients from the Midwest. Guests can also enjoy tableside service, including bread and cheese carts and an innovative take on a Duck a la Presse carved at the table.
The wine program exudes the same level of excellence as the dinner menu, featuring an exclusive wine cellar housing an array of vintages, from the classics to avant-garde boutique wines.
More is more at The Alston. The luxurious space boasts 350 seats across its expansive dining room, Champagne bar, year-round terrace and private dining spaces. The Alston also houses Chicago's most upscale and unique private member's club.Gibsons Italia
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.9(4,461)Gibsons Italia is built on a tradition & elegance that is relentless in the pursuit of the very best. Chef-driven tastes of Italy are paired with the superiority of Gibsons Steakhouse, creating a restaurant that makes the familiar, exceptional. Beautiful private dining and events spaces available.
The Franklin Room
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.9(1,984)The Franklin Room celebrates the sense of connection one can only find in the neighborhood taverns of Chicago. Offering classic American tavern fare and no shortage of whiskey flair, our sophisticated speakeasy is your local go-to for quality meat dishes, fresh seafood, classic cocktails and the neighborhood tavern experience our city has perfected.
Our menu of delectable turn-of-the-century inspired American tavern fare starts there, then elevates the experience with a modern twist that creates a culinary experience you simply have to taste to believe. It's perfectly complimented by our beverage program, which showcases creative cocktails and a meticulous selection of spirits, wine and beer with a strong focus on independent distillers and limited-edition rare releases. Bring them together and you've got a uniquely Chicagoan experience, centuries in the making.Chicago Cut Steakhouse
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.8(10,166)Chicago Cut Steakhouse is one of Chicago’s most iconic dining experiences in a city that boasts dozens of options for steak-centric dining. Our downtown Chicago steakhouse offers guests a selection of signature, USDA-certified prime beef that is hand-cut and dry-aged on site. Our curated menu also features fish, shellfish, chops and a selection of unique side dishes and appetizers. In addition to delicious martinis and specialty cocktails, Chicago Cut offers a wine list with more than 600 bottles that has been highlighted Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine. Our dining area features a lively bar scene, vibrant red velvet banquettes and spacious dining tables, private dining options and beautiful, sweeping views of the Chicago River. In the warm months, we also open our sprawling outdoor dining patio, which makes Chicago Cut an excellent spot for an outdoor brunch, lunch or dinner reservation along the river.
Tre Dita
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.8(1,305)Led by Chef Evan Funke, Tre Dita, Italian for "three fingers", pays homage to the precise measurement of bistecca Fiorentina.
Whether you're booking in the dining room at Tre Dita or Bar Tre Dita, you will enjoy the full menu of antipasti, handmade pastas, signature entrees and steaks. The full cocktail, wine list and dessert menu is also available in both locations.
Please note that Tre Dita only accepts reservations 7 days in advance.Vela
Price: Expensive•Mexican•4.7(221)Vela Bar y Cocina, located in the heart of River North, Chicago, brings the vibrant flavors of Mexico City to life. Our menu showcases authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist, from flavorful tacos to traditional dishes crafted by Chef Jorge Angulo. Sip on expertly curated cocktails featuring a vast selection of tequila and mezcal, including rare pours. Vela offers the perfect venue for private dining and events, with intimate spaces like our Private Dining Room and the stylish Zona Rosa. Whether you're enjoying a casual night out or hosting a private event, Vela delivers a warm and cosmopolitan experience infused with Mexican spirit. Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, and culture in one of Chicago's most energetic neighborhoods.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill - River North
Price: Moderate•Sushi•4.8(109)Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!RAMEN-SAN - River North
Price: Moderate•Japanese•4.8(291)Ramen-san is a bold and energetic neighborhood joint that slings hot noodles, ice-cold beer and rare expressions of Japanese whisky all to the tune of the best ’90s hip-hop in town. It respects the traditions but keep things uniquely untraditional in its yuzu sake bombs, crispy dumplings, spicy kimchi fried ramen and more. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining seven days a week.
Outdoor dining in Chicago / Illinois
See what locals rave about in River North Chicago
- FFabioWisconsin •3 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoAwesome food and a wonderful place to celebrate your next occasion!!More infoPizzeria PortofinoPrice: Expensive• Italian• River North (Chicago)•4.8
- JJozetteVIPAustin •1 review5.0Dined 6 days agoFood was amazing and our server Chris was outstanding, very talkative and knowledgable about the menu. He gave us great recommendations and the overall experience was fantastic!More infoZarella Pizzeria & TavernaPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• River North (Chicago)•4.8
- AAIDAMexico City •1 review5.0Dined 7 days agoIt's a nice place and a wonderful food! Congratulations!More infoRPM SeafoodPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• River North (Chicago)•4.7
- DDebraVIPChicago / Illinois •3 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 9, 2025Very helpful service for individuals with food restrictions in our group.More infoEma - River NorthPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• River North (Chicago)•4.7
- MMarianaChicago / Illinois •1 review5.0Dined on Jun 9, 2025Been there many times. I love the food and drinks and all the staff are friendly and very attentive!More infoMercadito - River NorthPrice: Expensive• Mexican• River North (Chicago)•4.5
Trending dishes in River North Chicago
Restaurant experiences trending in Chicago / Illinois
Discover more great restaurants
Get inspired by our collections of the top restaurants in River North Chicago
13 top restaurants for every kind of date in Chicago
Whether you’re looking for a full-on spectacle or a cozy and casual night out, Chicago’s most romantic restaurants have it all. A first-date favorite sweetens the deal with tableside flower carts. Pitchers of hibiscus sangria keep the good times flowing at a Mexican hotspot made for group dates. And if you’re looking to propose, you can’t beat a lavish steakhouse known for the best Chicago River views. This guide pairs Chicago restaurants with romantic occasions from first dates all the way to milestone anniversaries. These are Chicago’s 13 best date-night restaurants.
Chicago’s 7 hottest restaurant openings of 2023
Chicago’s best new restaurants, ideal for your next brunch, lunch, or dinner, are home to some of the city’s hottest tables.
Chicago’s 8 favorite bars
Chicago’s best bars range from high-end cocktail lounges and charming wine bars to tried-and-true neighborhood escapes.
10 special occasion-worthy restaurants in Chicago
Chicagoans know that special-occasion meals come in all shapes and sizes. And even though many celebrations in this Midwestern sports town are centered around home team victories, championships aren’t the only reasons to party here. These Windy City restaurants transform a regular Saturday (or Monday or Tuesday) night into an unforgettable evening. Read on for a guide to the 10 best places in Chicago for celebrating special occasions right now.
15 restaurants that define Chicago
Meet the best restaurants that define Chicago's dining scene, capturing its past and present while also imagining its future.
Discover River North
River North is located on the Near North Side of Chicago. It is famous for its beautiful architecture and attractions such as the House of Blues. The nearby Magnificent Mile attracts shoppers from all over the world. Steakhouses are among the most popular restaurants in River North. When you prefer something other than steak, you can choose from a variety of dining options for a fun night out. River North is home to some eclectic restaurants, and you'll discover chefs specializing in Mexican, Czech, and American food. From upscale French food to Mediterranean-inspired dishes, from seafood to some of the best beef you'll ever eat, River North has got them all.
Frequently asked questions
Dog friendly restaurants in River North Chicago include Miru at The St. Regis Chicago, True Food Kitchen - Chicago and The Smith - Chicago
Child friendly restaurants in River North Chicago include Pizzeria Portofino, Quartino - Chicago and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna
Explore OpenTable
- Richard Norton Gallery
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
- American Medical Association Headquarters
- State Lake Railway Station
- theWit Chicago, A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- Medinah Temple
- Premier Luxury at Grand Plaza
- One Superior Place
- Merchandising Mart
- Best Western River North Hotel
- Dana Hotel And Spa
- LaSalle-Wacker Building
- Herald Square
- Marina City
- 330 North Wabash
- Chicago Theater
- Furnished Suites in the Heart of River North
- Ohio House Motel
- Millennium Centre
- Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North