Best of
Best patios and rooftops in the West Loop, Chicago.
The West Loop's outdoor dining splits cleanly into two tiers: the rooftops that look out over Fulton Market and Randolph, and the street-level patios and beer gardens that anchor the neighborhood's warm-weather scene. Every pick below is described by the operator's own website; click through for the full record and seasonal hours.
Rooftops
Open-air upper-level dining and drinks.
- Aba / the Dalcy Lettuce Entertain You's Fulton Market Mediterranean, with a sprawling rooftop patio cited as one of the most-photographed in Chicago.302 N Green St 3, Chicago, IL, 60607
- LA Josie Modern Mexican on Randolph with three agave bars — one of them on the rooftop.740 W Randolph St 1, Chicago, IL, 60661
- Maxwells Trading A Carroll Avenue restaurant with a rooftop greenhouse garden, from Underscore Hospitality.1516 W Carroll Ave 1-2, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Nobu Sushi and contemporary Japanese inside the Nobu Hotel, with rooftop views of the Chicago skyline.854 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607
- The Emily Hotel Independent boutique hotel in Fulton Market with a rooftop cinema.311-319 N Morgan St 1-7, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel on West Harrison with a seasonal rooftop pool.506 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL, 60607
Street-level patios and beer gardens
Outdoor seating at street level — dog-friendly, family-friendly, and groups.
- Kaiser Tiger West Randolph beer hall and sausage bar with a large outdoor beer garden, spritz shack, and lawn games.1415 W Randolph St 1&2, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Costera Modern Mexican on Fulton Market with a tropical bar program and a seasonal patio.846-850 W Fulton Market 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Parlor Pizza Bar Wood-fired pizza and craft beer just off Fulton Market, with a patio.100-110 N Green St 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- The Black Barrel Tavern Madison Street tavern with a patio and weekend brunch.1061 W Madison St Bsmnt-1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Small Cheval Hogsalt's casual smashburger spot at Riverside Plaza, with outdoor patio seating.150 N Riverside Plz, Chicago, IL, 60606
- Gyu-Kaku Restaurant Japanese BBQ on Randolph with both interior and patio seating.1364 W Randolph St 1st, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Jefferson Tap and Grille and the Loft Long-running North Jefferson bar with a dog-friendly patio.323-325 N Jefferson St 1, Chicago, IL, 60661
- The Original Pancake House West Washington pancake house with a dog-friendly patio.1124 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Viaggio Independent West Loop Italian with indoor and outdoor seating.1027 W Madison St 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Formento's Nonna's Randolph Italian steakhouse paired with Nonna's, which has an outdoor patio.917-923 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607
Frequently asked questions
- Which West Loop rooftop is best for drinks?
- Aba is the most-cited rooftop bar in the neighborhood — a sprawling Fulton Market terrace from Lettuce Entertain You. La Josie's rooftop agave bar is a smaller, drinks-focused alternative; Maxwells Trading has a rooftop greenhouse with a vinyl-record cocktail program.
- Are West Loop patios dog-friendly?
- Several are explicit about it — Jefferson Tap and The Original Pancake House both advertise dog-friendly patios on their own sites. Viaggio also welcomes pets. Check each business's page for the operator's current policy.
- When does West Loop patio season start?
- West Loop patio season runs from mid-spring through October as weather allows. Seasonal patios at Costera and the rooftop pool at Holiday Inn & Suites are explicitly seasonal — check directly with each spot for current opening dates.
- Is there a beer garden in the West Loop?
- Yes — Kaiser Tiger on West Randolph has a large outdoor beer garden with lawn games and a spritz shack, plus a free shuttle to United Center events.