Patio guide: 25 patios in Chicago for 2025

Chicago Tribune

28-05-2025

Chicago weather can be quite unpredictable this time of year, but we're ready to say goodbye to the chilly temperatures and embrace afternoons under the warm sun.
Local bars and restaurants are preparing for the warmer weather too, as many have already opened their patios for the season. Here, we dive into patios across the city that are worth exploring, from recently opened spots to patios featuring pizza under sparkling lights.25 patios for summer 2025The patio at Logan Square's beloved Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits resembles a rustic backyard garden with string lights dangling above unfussy picnic tables. There are pots of flowers and a watering can, a row of raised garden beds, pebbles sprawled across the ground, side panels engulfed in green vines and a collection of discarded doors along the back fence. It's thrown together both casually and on purpose, creating a cozy, safe space to sink into their rotating menu of pies when weather permits. The aptly named 'Pie Garden' is also much roomier than the shop's dine-in space, which gets crowded quickly — especially on weekends, when the shop is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Key lime — a longstanding menu favorite — is a treat for the summertime, as is the current sweet pie menu's lemon raspberry meringue, blueberry rhubarb and the fernet mint chip with fresh garden mint diplomat cream, dark chocolate Fernet ganache and a chocolate graham cracker crust. The savory menu, with quiches and buttery biscuits with gravy, and 'grits and greens,' is the quintessential lineup for an afternoon in the garden. Biscuits include some with sausage and bacon, as well as vegetarian-friendly options. Some quiche combinations include a pie with Mick Klug ramps, spring asparagus, peas and feta and another with tomatoes, caramelized onions, garlic, basil, and creamy cheddar. Green garden vibes all around. Other patios with rustic garden vibes: Piccolo Sogno in West Town (464 N. Halsted St., 312-421-0077, piccolosognorestaurant.com), Blue Door Kitchen & Garden in Gold Coast (52 W. Elm St., 312-573-4000 bluedoorkitchenchicago.com), Bar La Rue in the West Loop (820 W. Fulton St., 312-533-4607, barlarue.com)
The Café at Elawa Farm feels dreamy, and that's before you notice the little goats.
Originally built in 1917 for Elsa Armour and her husband, A. Watson Armour (of the Armour meatpacking family), the former private country estate was restored to a public organic garden by a foundation formed in 2002.
'Elawa Farm is a nonprofit foundation,' said executive chef Lee Kuebler. 'Our mission is to provide experiential learning, food access and promoting local foodways in the greater Lake County area and the Midwest.'
It's surrounded by Lake Forest Open Lands via the Middlefork Savanna and beautiful landscaping, cut flower gardens and vegetable gardens.
The cafe opened last October with a seasonal patio that's dog-friendly.
'Last year, we added this cute little barn with baby goats,' Kuebler said. The patio has a view of the paddock with dwarf Nigerian goats, plus ducks and chickens too.
Right now, the cafe offers thick yet tender purple asparagus from Mick Klüg Farms, served as a special with sauce gribiche. And lovely rhubarb tarts, made by pastry chef Maggie Logan with her own rhubarb transplanted to the farm's herb garden. Plus house-made agua fresca with the local fruit and honey from Tulip Tree Gardens.
What's Keubler looking forward to this summer?
'I always serve some simple sliced tomato dish, but I don't know,' said the chef. 'I'll fall in love with 30 different things before August gets here.' Other patios that are historic, dog friendly and near baby goats: The Patio at Café Brauer near the Farm-in-the-Zoo in Lincoln Park (2021 N. Stockton Drive, 312-507-9053, lpzoopatio.org), Austin Town Hall Farmers Market near GlennArt Farm in Austin on Thursdays from June 12 to Oct. 30 (5610 W. Lake St., austintownhallcitymarket.com)
Chef Joe Flamm (Rose Mary, BLVD Steakhouse) is no stranger to Chicago diners or fans of Bravo's 'Top Chef.' This summer, you may find him strolling through the breezy patio of his newest restaurant, il Carciofo. The main reference, for both menu and design, is the city of Rome. While the indoor dining room is covered in intense dark wood and stone, the outdoor dining space (which debuted this month) features delicate string lighting and swaying overhead plants for a completely different vibe. Pasta and pizza in the open air are easy to enjoy, but it's hard to evoke the true relaxation of Italian outdoor eating. Chef Flamm is off to a good start.
Some American tourists come away disappointed with the pizza of Rome; that won't happen here. The oblong, wood-fired pizza rosso is dusted with Parmesan atop a bright pomodoro sauce. My 3-year-old, perhaps a good litmus test, happily devoured her pizza — like most kids, she squirms and leaves the table even if it's her favorite, yet this adult-seeming pie had her locked in for nearly six slices in a row.
The pasta, of course, is a major highlight as well. Several Roman classics, such as carbonara and amatriciana, are on offer. The black pepper is bright through each hand-rolled bite of the cacio e pepe, often marketed as 'Roman Mac & Cheese.' My little one didn't see it that way, preferring her pizza. I too, am skeptical of pasta and cheese as a main dish, but this iteration may have made the argument for me. We left both full and relieved of some weight, a combo that this style of outdoor eating excels at. Other new patios: 5 Rabanitos in Hyde Park (1301 E. 53rd St., 5rabanitos.com), Jōtō in West Loop (564 W. Randolph St. Suite 1E, 312-707-8780, jotochicago.com), Electric Shuffle (488 N. LaSalle Drive, 312-736-7617, electricshuffle.com)
This dog-friendly and family-friendly taproom is just a 15-minute walk from the United Center, making it a great option for a preconcert or pregame drink.
The patio, which features a retractable rooftop, can be found on the second floor. There are plenty of seating options here, from high-top tables to bar seating, as well as a railing to rest your drink on while you lean out to enjoy the fresh air. Grab a flight of five beers for $20, including their popular English Sporting Beer or Bohemian Pilsner.
A few simple snacks, including peanuts and chips, are on the menu, but the taproom allows you to bring your own food, and frequently features local food businesses in popups. You can catch Five Squared Pizza offering Detroit-style goodness Thursdays through Saturdays in a recently launched residency. Other patios for before a concert or game: Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar in Bridgeport by Rate Field (960 W. 31st St., 773-890-0588, community-bar.com), Dicey's Pizza & Tavern in West Town by Empty Bottle (2109 W. Chicago Ave., 773-697-3346 diceystavern.com/chicago), La Vaca Margarita Bar in Pilsen by Thalia Hall (1160 W. 18th St., 312-829-1147, lavacamargaritabar.com), Vines on Clark (3554 N. Clark St., 773-327-8572,vineswrigley.com)
Although I've lived in two Midwestern cities with distinct pizza styles, Italian Neopolitan-style pizza, with its simple ingredients and fresh, springy dough, looms quite large in my pizza-loving heart.
Spacca Napoli in the Ravenswood neighborhood has been Chicago's home for authentic wood-fired Naples-style pizza for nearly 20 years. On its seasonal outdoor patio that hosts around a dozen tables, you can order your pizza accompanied by the romantic glow of candlelight and twinkling lights from above once dusk settles in.
At the formerly Michelin Bib Gourmand-ranked restaurant, start with the arancini del giorno, deep fried rice balls filled with tomato, smoked mozzarella and basil, and follow up with the signature pistachio pizza, which comes out piping hot and heavenly ladened with oil, basil, pillowy cheese and topped with the spicy sausaget. Don't neglect to add a glass of refreshing Italian soda to wash it all down.
Do note that patio seating is first-come, first-served. Other patios with mood lighting, pizza, or both: Axum Ethiopian Restaurant in Edgewater (5844 N. Broadway, 773-654-3038, axumethiopiancuisine.com) DeNucci's in Lincoln Park (503 W. Dickens Ave., 773-697-8780, denuccisitalian.com), Petite Vie in Western Springs (909 Burlington Ave., Western Springs; 708-260-7017; petite-vie.com), TNT Rooftop Restaurant in Austin (5405 W. Madison St., 773-417-4529, instagram.com/tnt_rooftopchgo) Del Toro in Pilsen (2133 S. Halsted St., 312-733-7144, deltorochicago.com), El Solazo in West Elsdon (5600 S. Pulaski Road, 773-627-5047, elsolazo.com), Barraco's Pizza in Beverly (2105 W. 95th St., 773-881-4040, barracos.com)