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    Beatnik On The River

    3.7 (1.1k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    BEATNIK ON THE RIVER ATMOSPHERE

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    Beatnik by The River
    Ernie H.

    Short review: Stunning simply stunning best Mediterranean food in Chicago period end of story. Full review: you have to walk thru the beautifully decorated Moroccan hallways to get to their multi story dining area. The first floor by the river is tastefully designed with that same north African theme including the lights. It's a warm cozy space that's very inviting. Next you go down to the river level and wait for it - It's drop dead gorgeous. I am suddenly overwhelmed with giddy excitement just to be here. You cannot not like this place(see pics and videos). And how's the food? This baba ganoush will give patès a run for its $. It's so finely puréed it's exquisite to the mouth. When you bite into the occasional pomegranate it's a burst of sweetness to balance the flavor - simply the best. The lamb feast that will feed 3 comes with humus Sooooo Finnne, I almost can't feel the grit - again best I've ever had. The lamb is ridiculously soft with zero after taste. We also had the mushroom noodles that is Not al dente but I'm fine with that. It's a thick earthy flavor. Did I mention the floor to ceiling glass walls with a full view of the river and the skyline- not to mention the occasional passing boats. This place gets 5 stars just for its looks and vibe. The fact that the food is excellent just takes it over the top. If you only have one restaurant to visit in Chicago this is the one. After your done the deep dish pizza and Italian beef joints of course.

    AVOCADO HUMMUS
    Joe R.

    Beatnik on the River is a cool experience, but it wasn't my favorite place we ate at in Chicago. While their Mediterranean-style menu is quite tasty, and pretty unique, it wasn't quite as vibrant as I was hoping. It was certainly busy, so I feel like it's a popular place to go, and the waitstaff was very friendly and attentive. For an appetizer my wife and I ordered the avocado hummus, which was great! It didn't at all look like avocado, but it was creamy and came with a couple of crispy tortillas to dip in it, and it was topped with corn and pumpkin seeds. For an entree, I ordered the Chicken Musakhan. While the chicken was good, and it was cooked wonderfully, it simply didn't have the flavor I was expecting. Perhaps it's because it came served over a bed of couscous, to which I prefer rice, but something was missing. Overall, it was worth a visit, and I definitely would go again we were invited, but it wouldn't be one of my "top favorite" Chicago restaurants.

    Avocado spread appetizer
    Claire C.

    I work down the street and I've been meaning to check out this spot for a bit! Finally came the other day with friends that were visiting and the vibe is super cool! Love all the rugs, low lighting, and plants. It was also cool to be sat near the windows to see the river. We were sat immediately, which was great. Our server was super attentive and very friendly. We ended up getting an avocado spread app (don't remember the name), and the kabob combo. The appetizer was okay - wasn't bad but probably wouldn't order again, needed salt or something. The kabobs were great, I really liked all of them. All in all, I would definitely recommend this spot - super cool if you happen to be downtown and good vibes if you go with friends or a date.

    BABA GANOUSH
    Makaylin M.

    10/10 will always recommend visitors to check out Beatnik on the River. The babaganoush was AMAZING, the pita was fresh and warm and the flavor of the dip was amazing. I was eating it right from the spoon! The drinks are super cute and sandwiches are incredible!

    Cierra H.

    I absolutely love this downtown Chicago spot! The food is so fresh and light. The views and atmosphere are divine. Every server is so nice, although the hostess may not be. The drinks are delicious, so get ready to have a great time here!

    Interior
    Jordan C.

    Came here for dinner with my friend while staying in the city! Beatnik on the River gives guests a unique dining experience. You are quite literally level with the river while dining. The interior is truly like no other and is absolutely stunning. The design takes after themes from Morocco, the Mediterranean countryside, and Italy. I loved all the flora and fauna inside, perfect for some really aesthetic pictures! Their menu consists of flavors inspired by Mediterranean, African, and Mexican cuisines. Really unique dishes, but executed very well. The service was just ok. Our server didn't seem particularly enthused about serving us and was quite dry. He checked in on us periodically, but I felt like he could have been friendlier. They did however do a great job handling my friends but allergy and were very attentive about that. I would recommend getting a reservation as this place is popular. The menu isn't huge and there are plenty of options if you'd want to split plates to share. To start, we ordered the Baba Ganoush which consisted of smoked eggplant, tahini labneh, pomegranate seeds, and pita. This was very good and a nice size too. The eggplant was smoky and the pomegranate seeds complimented the boldness of the eggplant well. It seemed like there was hummus along the outside of the dish, which was also delectable. My only critique would be that there weren't enough pita served with the dip. We ordered two more baskets of pita to finish it. And they do charge for extra pita (about $6 per basket)....we were not made aware of this until we received the bill at the end. For our mains, we each order the shrimp gnocchi. The shrimp gnocchi was accompanied by spiced shakshuka, broccolini, and cilantro crema. Really unique flavor combinations, but it worked wonderfully! The shrimp was tender and flavorful, as well as the gnocchi. The shakshuka included some sweet peppers, onions, and tomatoes, which gave the dish some sweetness. This paired with the spices and crema allowed for a really unique combination of flavors. I thought it was phenomenal and would order it again. I will also note that the portion was large and very filling. Overall, we had a lovely experience at Beatnik on the River. The view of the river is nice, but the interior of the restaurant is even more impressive and appealing to the eye. I cannot get over how gorgeous the inside was, like nothing I've seen before! The service could have been friendlier, that is where I ding them a star. That and the lack of communication regarding the pita refills. But other than that, everything else was perfect. Food is impressive with unique, bold flavors. You can tell they use high quality ingredients and take pride in their dishes. I would recommend checking this place out if you are in the city. It is quite impressive and you won't leave disappointed!

    CHICKEN MUSAKHAN
    Frankie X.

    BLEEEKK. I don't recommend this place AT ALL!! We came in around 8:30 on a Friday night and didn't get our food until about 9:15, and the restaurant wasn't even that busy. I'm usually pretty patient when it comes to wait times, so that alone wouldn't have bothered me too much. What really ruined the experience was the service. When we politely asked about the wait, the server was extremely dismissive and rude. He kept repeating that it's tapas style and that dishes come out as they're made, which I understand, but it felt like he was lowkey gaslighting us instead of just acknowledging the delay. We weren't complaining or being difficult at all, just genuinely asking, and there was zero empathy or professionalism. Bad service can completely ruin a meal, and unfortunately that's what happened here. I won't be coming back.

    Babaganoush
    Kat L.

    This place is as pretty as the reviews say. I really liked how each area had a different look and style. The food Mediterranean tapas style where you order a few things and share. Everything that we had were flavorful and nicely presented.

    Jade H.

    UGH I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH!!! Vibes are immaculate and I eat here every time I'm in town. Can't believe this was my first brunch event!! The coffee with the coconut was so amazing I ordered two! Then everyone ordered a different dish. They were all fabulous! 10/10. Plus the server was so kind and also shared a close birthday with our friend! So nice they shared some sorbet with a candle to celebrate :)

    Inside
    Karen L.

    Amazing rooms and view. We were invited for lunch while visiting a friend in Chicago. At first when we walked in it was pretty dark in the restaurant but as you walked in further, into the different rooms, we were amazed by the decor and the view. They have several floors to the restaurant and a private room as well. We went to bottom dining area and wow, we loved the decor and the view overlooking the water. The staff were all very friendly. We made reservations but there were ample tables on a weekday afternoon. We had the avocado humus, Caesar salad, curry meatballs and chicken musakhan. Caesar salad was just okay. Everything else was good. We did enjoy the avocado humus. We just wish there was more variety on the menu especially for vegetarians. If you love Mediterranean food and want a nice ambiance it is worth checking out.

    Lamb gyro
    Susan C.

    Really cute place. We got to sit out in the closed/heated patio on the river and it was really nice. The food was good but the portions were smaller than I expected nevertheless the flavors were good. One thing I do have to add is that service was slow. It took 20 ish minutes for me to get my check and get checked out.

    Dominique C.

    This is a place you go to for the views. The view of the Chicago River and they have a couple of highly decorated room that would be great for a small team work dinner. The food was okay. You pay premium prices for the location. The food comes in pretty small portions for the price. I got the ceasar salad with chicken and it was good but I was a little hungry after leaving. Our wait staff was attentive and while we waited for our party the bartender at the front was really friendly and gave us all waters.

    Egg breakfast sandwich with hashbrown and a spicy mayo
    Nicole C.

    Five stars for the vibe, decor, location and ambiance of this place!!! I had a group of about 13 family and friends join me for brunch one Saturday in August at Beatnik on the River while celebrating my birthday in Chicago, and it was a gorgeous spot. The view we had of the river was beautiful and it's all around a very Instagram-worthy place with fab beats and rhythms to set the mood. From the time you walk up, you can sense it's a special spot by the mini jungle of greenery on the patio and colorful signage. The food was ok. It's Mediterranean, which I figured might work well for a mixed group of vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. The cocktails were pretty good. The hummus and pita bread was a bit on the earthy side yet edible, but my breakfast sandwich was good, as well as someone's french fries. They also have a bar near the entrance and it's a multi-level restaurant. I wish I knew they didn't separate checks or to only so many, so that made things a bit tricky and service was meh. Because it was my birthday weekend more challenges were probably presented than I was privy too but we had a nice time nonetheless. We ended up with a couple extra people than planned/anticipated so things got cozy and since it's such a popular spot, they couldn't really accommodate us with an extra table. (I collected RSVPs but you know how folks pop in.) The biggest downside was our service; not all team members were cool like our waitress. Maybe she was overwhelmed. I think some of my loved ones ended up paying way more than they should've since checks weren't divided equally and it was a mixed group. Some of that may be on us, but I'm still glad we made it to Beatnik. Go, but maybe just go with a much smaller group! Your brunch photos don't get much better than this!! Food - 3.5 stars Service - 2-3 stars Decor/Setting/Ambiance - 10 stars

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    Beatnik On The River Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Beatnik On The River

    Do they allow you to have separate checks if a large party?

    Absolutely not

    Are kids welcome?

    Yes!

    Is the menu halal or kosher?

    no it's not , but calling the restaurant to confirm would be best

    Do they have valet?

    No, parking is a challenge. You can sometimes get lucky with street parking and pay the meter.

    Do they take reservations on the weekend?

    Yes, through OpenTable. Does not guarantee patio seating with rivers views. Typically fills up 3 days in advance so recommend booking early and adding a note about preferences.

    Do they have a variety of vegan options?

    No not so much!! They were slightly accommodating and could leave stuff out of the hummus, but other than that it was like cooked carrots

    Can you wear jeans to eat there?

    Yes, anything goes from jeans to black tie

    Do they take walkins?

    Yes they will but I would highly recommend a reservation!!

    Is this indoors or outdoors with a tent?

    Outdoor by the river with a tent

    Do you have to be 21 to enter?

    Can someone tell me if you can order the double cheeseburger for dinner?

    Yes

    Does Beatnik on the River offer Happy Hour specials during the week?

    We were there at 4:45 and didn't see any happy hour specials, we were told to order off the all day menu

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    The best way I can describe King of Cups is to say this place is a VIBE. The theme is all-in on…read moreMedieval, from the lighting to chandeliers, candles, mirrors, chairs, drapes, and even changing digital paintings. It is definitely unique, creative, and a massive differentiator from any other cocktail bar I've been to. Now, let's talk cocktails! The creativity of the interior extends into the menu. Unlike some places that just make variations of existing classics (except for items specifically so named, like the Old Fashioned or Espresso Martini), all of their cocktails are unique and interesting. Time for a punch card? I ordered the Maximillian the Imposter. While I'm not typically a fan of banana (except for banana bread), I thought I'd step out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to try something 'flaming'. Flaming it was! The preparation of the drink involved a surprising amount of fire. I initially thought this was just for show, but no, this translated into a noticeable smoky flavor. Beyond that, the drink was strong, not overly sweet, and an all-around delight. There was one bartender on the night I was here, and while it was busy, I was still able to get my drink in a reasonable amount of time. I also feel as though they have reasonable prices, especially considering the quality and the market rates. King of Cups gets busy, and for good reason: they are an all-around phenomenal place, from the drinks to the vibe, and everything in between. If you're someone who likes a seat rather than fighting through a crowd, get a reservation! See you there!

    What a nice, moody, intimate bar. I came here for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised at how…read moreit's an actual discounted happy hour menu! You know it is these days - most places just knock a dollar off and call it a day. This one is legit! I'd say you should make a reservation for prime time to ensure you'll have a seat. However when it's early no big deal to just pop by. I enjoyed the plum Moscow mule (not too sweet!) and the espresso martini. Both are on draft which made me nervous from past experiences at other places. However, these were great and I LOVED their espresso martini. The bartender was kind and the vibes were off the charts. Check this place out next time you're in Lincoln Park!

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    Geja's Cafe

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    A dimly lit, cramped, dark, and friendly space rests a fondue restaurant made for a night out with…read morefriends, date night, or just a desire for melted cheese. A guitarist sits somewhere against a brick wall and plays music lightly but energetically. Service is friendly from start to finish and smiles are on everyone's faces. The menu is pretty easy to understand. You can get a three-course meal, or you can get each entree à la carte. You have two fondue candles in front of you, one for the cheese and dessert, and the other for the oil. We chose the three-course meal, and it was delightful. We started with the cheese appetizer. You get a basket of bread and fruit and we chose the seasonal cheese to dip. The oil for our meat was then left to heat, and we received a massive platter of veggies and meats for our main course. We chose the option for all selections of meat and seafood. After trying all the meats, I would opt for the lobster and shrimp. You can also substitute the oil for a broth. I would like to try the broth for next time. In one of the shakers, Gejas makes their own meat spice mix. It's recommended to put on the meats and even the desserts. It's a mix of tangy and savory and was a great compliment to the meal. We then chose the seasonal dessert, a white chocolate with vanilla cookies. Fruit, marshmallows, and churros to dip. We were so full by the time dessert came, but we enjoyed a few bites and took it home. The three-course meal, with five types of meat, came with about 10 pieces of meat. It doesn't look like a lot of food, but it truly is, with the apps, veggies, etc, your stomach will be full when you walk out of here. They also start the entire course with a mixed salad (so technically it's a four-course meal). It was very fairly priced, as well. Initially looking at the prices, you may think it's expensive, but it truly is a value with the amount of food they serve. This was rated as most romatic restaurant in Chicago. Its ambiance gives you the romantic feel, the guitarist adds to the atmosphere, and the staff is professional and friendly. This really was a great place and we enjoyed our time and meal.

    We came to Geja's to celebrate our anniversary and it certainly lived up to the hype. We were…read morelucky enough to have a table off the side by the window so it maintained the intimate feel without feeling cramped by other tables. Food-wise, it was very fun to cook everything ourselves. I do think the appetizers were my favorite part because I do just love fruits and cheeses, but everything was great. They were also very accommodating of celiac. Overall, we had a wonderful anniversary celebrating at Geja's.

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    Le Mistral - Inside the building - Le mistral is all the way down on the right side

    Le Mistral

    4.8(13 reviews)
    2.7 miLincoln Park

    The service is just incredible. That's what stands out the most. We came after having a superb…read moredinner at S.K.Y. and out waitress transferred us to Le Mistral for dessert as we were hoping to end the night with another cocktail. The transition was seamless, the walk through the kitchen was very cool, everyone was very friendly and excited to see guests. Our dessert came quickly to Le Mistral instead of S.K.Y. and was superb. Our waiter at Le Mistral was very friendly, gave some good advice on the cocktails, and was consistently attentive. My cocktail was just OK - sherry-based martini. I don't normally like a martini but all the ingredients actually seemed very much up my alley - the sherry, benedictine, rose vermouth. But the olive just overpowered. And definitely not worth the price of $24... Would definitely return and try the food next time as well.

    We popped in on a Monday night for a nightcap after finishing up at Mon Ami Gabi across the lobby…read more Our experience was meh. I don't know if every Monday is Metal night, but it was that Monday - Black Sabbath, Nu-Metal, everything but the live goldfish. Perhaps they should advertise "Monday Metal at Mistral" if that is to be a regular thing. It does flow off the tongue. To be fair, there was a full house and the other patrons did not seem to mind. We were not looking to feel the noize, however, and so stayed for just one cocktail. Mine was a Sazerac adjacent mix, and it was very high quality. The decor is very low light, but the vibe is pretty basic - more Paint Your Dorm Room black than Parisian Opium Den black. A bit of a missed opportunity for romance.

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    Esme

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    4.2(429 reviews)
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    $$

    Great dinner here tonight - had the mussels, burger, and octopus. All were exceptional. The drinks…read morewere also very good, and the service was awesome. Great meal overall.

    Chicago Restaurant week. I reviewed various dining options in search of a good place for dinner…read more Reddit gave me some ideas. I'd never been to Willow Room and liked that they had a four course dinner menu, with items I liked. I was able to make a reservation for a Saturday night at 8:15pm. PARKING Parking on Halsted on a Saturday night can be a nightmare, and it did take a minute to find street parking. North of the 1800 block is busier because there are several restaurants within a two block radius. Side streets are permit parking after 6pm. Meters on Halsted are $2.50/hr. ATMOSPHERE Willow Room was pretty packed. We had a reservation for 8:15pm and my party of two was seated right away. The restaurant features a full bar, dim lighting and is nice and roomy. They have banquette seating around the perimeter, in addition to tables in the middle. SERVICE Our server, who was very nice and accommodating during our dining experience, came by and gave us our menu's. I had already decided on the RW menu and after review, my friend was interested in the Beef Wellington (not on RW menu). Our server informed us that normally the whole table had to order off of the RW menu if one person does, but said she would check with the kitchen since this was the last day of RW. Luckily, we were able to proceed with ordering from different menu's. FOOD I ordered a raspberry Cosmopolitan. I'm a Riesling/Moscato girlie, but I tasted the Riesling and didn't like it. RW dinner was priced at $60. I ordered: First Course: Caesar Salad (Typical salad, was good) Second Course: Mussels (Tasted fine, came with a baguette) Third Course: Short Rib (Could've been slightly more tender and better seasoned. I've definitely had better. Wouldn't order again.) Fourth Course: Orange Ricotta Donuts (Donuts were very good. Three were served, a few more would have been more filling.) My friend ordered a glass of Pinot Noir and: Truffle Fries (Fries were very tasty. I would order again if I went back.) Beef Wellington (The breading was buttery and very good. The beef could've been more seasoned. I wouldn't order.) Key Lime Pie (Was not sweet and had no taste. When our server came back and saw it was uneaten, she offered to take it off the bill. It should be removed from the menu altogether.) The busboys and server were very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled. OVERALL The atmosphere was nice, our server was great. Of all the food we ordered, I would order the truffle fries and Cosmopolitan again. I did leave full and did take my leftover Short Rib to go. Main dishes needed more seasoning. I would dine here again and try a different menu (brunch/lunch), or Happy Hour if they offer it.

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    Willow Room - French 75

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    French 75

    Beatnik On The River - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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