20 best Chicago restaurants to visit to escape the Snow

Snow in Chicago (Image via Pexels)
Snow in Chicago (Image via Pexels)

20) Reggies Chicago

Reggies Chicago (Image via Instagram)
Reggies Chicago (Image via Instagram)

Winter is freezing Chicago up and people are looking for cozy spaces for lunch or dinner. Reggies is one of those bars that provides a warm environment for those willing to escape the snow. Besides being an eatery, it is also a music venue and record store with a tent roof that will keep the guests dry.

19) Open Outcry Brewing Company

Open Outcry Brewing Company (Image via Instagram)
Open Outcry Brewing Company (Image via Instagram)

Open Outcry Brewing Company is another good option to escape the snow of Chicago. This brewery has a partially covered rooftop space as the open spaces allow airflow. Patrons can sip their drinks while having a great time and staying dry in the freezing weather. This brewery is on S Western Ave.

18) The Duck Inn

The Duck Inn (Image via Instagram)
The Duck Inn (Image via Instagram)

Fall is also the season of enjoying meat delicacies. The Duck Inn is the right spot for those fond of eating a well-cooked bird. Chef Kevin Hickey has a list of special dishes patrons can feast on in the cold weather. The list includes duck-fat french fries, rotisserie duck, duck wings, and more.

17) Il Culaccino

Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant (Image via Instagram)
Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant (Image via Instagram)

Chicago also has several Italian restaurants and II Culaccino is one of the best in the city. Besides offering guests a cozy space to enjoy their food and drinks, it is also a perfect spot in the cold weather. With its retractable roof and walls, the restaurant is always prepared for heavy wind, rainfall, and snow.

16) Pilsen Yards

Pilsen Yards (Image via Instagram)
Pilsen Yards (Image via Instagram)

While Pilsen Yards was an open space with patio furniture to eat on, a few years back it was renovated for the cold weather. The restaurant in Chicago has heated floors with enclosures for the patio which also made it pandemic-proof. It offers Mexican-American food that is not only delicious but also pocket-friendly.

15) Roots Handmade Pizza - South Loop

Roots Handmade Pizza - South Loop (Image via Instagram)
Roots Handmade Pizza - South Loop (Image via Instagram)

A fourth branch of Roots Handmade Pizza opened in 2020 in South Loop, Chicago. This Quad Cities-style pizzeria is obviously popular for its cheesy pizzas. However, another aspect that makes it people-friendly is its retractable glass roof. The roof retracts in only 20 seconds according to the weather and is perfect for outings with friends and family in winter.

14) Nobu

Nobu (Image via Instagram)
Nobu (Image via Instagram)

Nobu, a popular hotel chain, is known for its mouth-watering sushi. The hotel is often backed by celebrities for its delicious food. In 2020, a branch of the famous hotel opened up in Chicago, and it is a perfectly safe spot for those who wish to escape the snow and enjoy a good meal.

13) Athena Greek Restaurant

Athena Greek Restaurant (Image via Instagram)
Athena Greek Restaurant (Image via Instagram)

Situated in Halsted St #1, Chicago, Athena Greek is a popular spot for those who are fond of a fine dining experience. The outdoor terrace restaurant is spacious enough to welcome large groups. It also protects its guests from rain and snow with a retractable roof and waterfall while maintaining its aesthetics.

12) Beatnik On The River

Beatnik On The River (Image via Instagram)
Beatnik On The River (Image via Instagram)

Beatnik On The River is another restaurant in Chicago with a huge patio. The boho-themed restaurant and lounge have a colorful ambiance with happy vibes. It can accommodate about 80 people at once which reduces the waiting time. The lush greenery adds to the luxurious experience that the restaurant offers.

11) Cabra

Cabra (Image via Instagram)
Cabra (Image via Instagram)

It is easy to find flavors from every corner of the world in Chicago. From authentic American delicacies to Asian and European food, the city has it all. It also has a Peruvian-influenced restaurant named Cabra. Chef Stephanie Izard has prepared an exquisite menu for guests to enjoy while staying dry in the cold season.

10) Marvin's Food & Fuel

Marvin's Food & Fuel (Image via Instagram)
Marvin's Food & Fuel (Image via Instagram)

Marvin's Food & Fuel is among the most spacious venues in the city. Situated at the base of Morgan's on Fulton, this popular restaurant has a 6,000-square-foot space with 1,500 square-foot large glass penthouse structure. The reason why it is a great spot for the snowy weather is its retractable glass canopy, food, and bar.

9) Gibsons Italia

Gibsons Italia (Image via Instagram)
Gibsons Italia (Image via Instagram)

Gibsons Italia is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city as it also won an Eater Chicago award for the same in 2018. The appealing interiors of the restaurant have a river view that attracts the public. Its retractable glass roof and walls ensure that the guests can enjoy the amazing skyline which looks more ravishing in winter.

8) RPM Seafood

RPM Seafood (Image via Instagram)
RPM Seafood (Image via Instagram)

A delicious seafood platter with a ravishing view can make a perfect theme for date night in Chicago and RPM Seafood offers it all. The restaurant has an immaculate dining room along with an outdoor patio. While the restaurant's seating is as appealing as it could be, its food is also worth trying.

7) bar avec

bar avec (Image via Instagram)
bar avec (Image via Instagram)

One Off Hospitality in Chicago has a hit spot named bar avec. This rooftop bar on the eighth floor has a mesmerizing view of the lavish neighborhood. The bar is above Avec River North and has Mediterranean-style interiors. In the cold weather, the bar provides guests with warmth along with a luxurious experience.

6) Recess

Recess (Image via Instagram)
Recess (Image via Instagram)

It is important for rooftop restaurants in Chicago to also provide guests with safe spots during rainy winters. Recess, situated on Kinzie St, is ideal for such weather due to its well-planned structure. The restaurant has an indoor area with an extended roofline and an outdoor one with a retractable garage door line that provides patrons with a place to chill in different weather conditions.

5) IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge

IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge (Image via Instagram)
IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge (Image via Instagram)

While many rooftop restaurants in the city have retractable roofs, walls, and doors to deal with difficult weather conditions, what makes IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge stand out is its gorgeous views. Guests are fond of enjoying their brunches and cocktails while looking at downtown Chicago in this luxurious space.

4) Azul Mariscos + Muelle

Azul Mariscos + Muelle (Image via Instagram)
Azul Mariscos + Muelle (Image via Instagram)

Azul Mariscos + Muelle is known for bringing a unique cuisine from Nayarit, a state in western Mexico, to the city. The restaurant offers a view of the Chicago River from its spacious patio which is partially covered. Whether patrons are enjoying lunch or dinner, the view always remains magnificent.

3) Frontier

Frontier (Image via Instagram)
Frontier (Image via Instagram)

The holiday season brings out a different vibe at Frontier, Chicago. The patio and the heated and ventilated beer garden of the restaurant are decorated with string lights, snowflake ornaments, toy sleighs, ribbons, and a lot more. Along with the magnificent interiors, the restaurant's food, prepared by Chef Brian Jupiter, is the cherry on top.

2) The Piggery

The Piggery (Image via Instagram)
The Piggery (Image via Instagram)

The Piggery, a rooftop bar and restaurant, is just a mile away from Wrigley Field. It has a vast menu of drinks for its guests to gulp down while chatting with their loved ones during the cold weather. Besides that, it is also known for serving patrons ribs and Cuban sandwiches while watching baseball matches.

1) Volo Restaurant Wine Bar

Volo Restaurant Wine Bar (Image via Instagram)
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar (Image via Instagram)

The month of December brings a lot of challenges for the residents of the city. However, it is also one of the most romantic and wonderful times of the year. Volo Restaurant Wine Bar is a perfect spot for those who are willing to celebrate their romance with a cozy date night filled with extraordinary food and drinks. Guests are also advised to not miss their wine collection.

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Edited by Abhimanyu Sharma