Dine Chicago Streets: Randolph Street
Bar Siena
Chicago patios and rooftops are already legendary as “must-visit” spots in a city that truly comes alive during the summertime. But, in an effort to expand outdoor dining opportunities this year, several Chicago neighborhoods are blocking off sections of popular streets to give the restaurants and bars there more room to host diners. Given social distancing guidelines and limited seating, these expanded outdoor areas are hugely helpful for local restaurants, even drawing new diners to locations that don’t have those extra street tables, plus they give diners more opportunities to support their favorites spots.
One such street is Randolph in the West Loop. This stretch of road has been a food mecca for the last few years, hosting Michelin-starred restaurants as well as neighborhood bars. Its influence has even expanded off of Randolph to include side streets where smaller, more intimate spots still draw locals and tourists alike. This made it a natural choice for street dining! Many restaurants on and off Randolph already had patio options, but the new closure just increased options for dining and drinking in this much-loved Chicago neighborhood. If you’re planning a visit to Randolph Street and the West Loop, here are some spots to check out for al fresco dining:
Bar Siena {832 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.492.7775}: Pizza is always delicious, but probably never more so than when eaten on a summery day. It’s also a fun food to share with your “quarantine pod” of favorite people! Gather your crew and head to Bar Siena’s patio and streetside dining for a delicious meal of shareable Italian classics and a cocktail or two.
sushidokku
sushiDOKKU {823 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.455.8238}: If you’re looking for a more intimate outdoor dining experience, sushiDOKKU is the perfect place to be in on the action of Randolph Street without feeling too crowded. We recommend starting your meal with fresh oysters on the half shell, and then digging in to one of their signature maki rolls for the perfect light summer bite.
elske {1350 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.733.1314}: Diners have never had easier access to high-end Chicago dining than they do right now, and that includes elske. You can carryout decadent dishes like their Chocolate Layer Cake, or dine on their relaxing patio on Sundays. All of their dishes are simple but flavorful with a focus on local ingredients to create dishes like Slow-Roasted Beef Short Rib with turnip and cipollini onions.
Riccardo Osteria {1023 West Lake Street, Chicago; 312.291.8620}: If you want to get a little space from Randolph Street, Riccardo Osteria is just steps from the hustle and bustle of the busy block. The Riccardo Osteria patio is small but welcoming, and their newly introduced pizzas add fun to their already tasty menu of Italian classics. Don’t miss them!
City Winery
City Winery {1200 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.733.9463}: We have to celebrate summertime while we can! So, pull up a chair and pour a glass of wine on the City Winery patio! Their West Loop location even has live music performances to really make the most of their outdoor area, so you can get dinner and a show all in the same place.
Little Goat Diner {820 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.888.3455}: Sister to the much-lauded premiere restaurant from Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Little Goat Diner is the perfect place to dig in to Izard’s famous dishes in a more casual environment. They now even have a Snack Bar where you can walk up to their window and place your order off of a menu of Little Goat favorites, grab a seat on their patio, then they’ll bring the food and beverages to you!
Formento’s
Formento's {925 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.690.7295}: There’s a reason this patio, and menu of amazing Italian dishes, has been a staple on Randolph Street for years. Its consistently delicious, and served with a personal touch. If you want to take the family out for a patio meal, this is the perfect spot to venture to.
avec {615 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.377.2002}: A little removed from the most packed blocks on Randolph, avec is great for a quieter meal. You can also order from the “avec rotisserie” to-go menu. This new fast-casual spin on traditional dishes like Beet Muhammara, Charred Eggplant, Falafel and more that you can order on the fly for pick-up in 30 minutes or pre-order.
By Kaleigh Glaza | Market Editor