I really enjoy this spot for lunch when they aren't closed for private events. They have a great selection of fresh salads, wines, sandwiches, and more, making it a nice option for a casual lunch or a quick bite. They also have a great happy hour from 4-6 PM that's definitely worth checking out: $5 wines and select beers 25% off all appetizers It's a great place to stop in for lunch or unwind during happy hour. Just be sure to check their schedule ahead of time, especially since they occasionally close for events! read more

The view was better than the food. We were fortunate to sit outside once a seat opened up a few minutes after we were seated indoors (appreciation to who I believe was a manager and the host who OK'd this), as this was the highlight of our visit. I don't even remember us encountering any flies or bugs, it was that calm of a environment. As for the food, nothing was bad, just nothing wowed me. My table ordered the bread and butter (?? - it was so whipped that we were never sure), a cheese board, and deviled eggs (spicy!) to share, and I ordered a tomato bisque soup. While ordering the soup, I casually mentioned that I wish they had grilled cheese to eat along with it, and the server mentioned to me that they did, it just wasn't on the menu. (Why not?) So I opted for that and unfortunately, both were a tad disappointing: the bisque was lukewarm, and the heavy, yet good brioche used for the sandwich overpowered everything else. I wouldn't mind coming back for the service or the ambiance, but I would try other menu items. read more

All I can say is that if you are a seafood lover, DO NOT order the $29 lobster roll. While the bread was good and the sauce was okay, the lobster meat was terrible. It did not look, smell, feel or taste like lobster meat. In fact, no one in my party who sampled my roll could identify the type of meat use. This was the first time in my life that I experienced a bad lobster roll. read more

Very very clean place amazing food great service highly recommend during the day amazing view

Great service. Great food. I celebrated my birthday here and this place definitely delivered: great views, delicious dinner, and a birthday dessert!! Prices are elevated as you should expect for a lakeside dining experience. Our server was super nice. The orange wine was DELICIOUS read more

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Wasn't as fancy as I was envisioning but the food, drinks and service were good. The beef stew was perfect for the cold weather. We were one of the last tables on a Sunday night and staff was friendly and didn't rush us out. Seems like they have a lot of wedding and events here - I'm sure it's a beautiful venue with the lake and city views. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Beef stew - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We just happened upon this place, but I honestly can't say enough good things about it. The location, gorgeous. Only downside, all the outdoor tables were full, but we got to sit inside next to a giant window and see the beautiful views. The service is what I really want to boast about! I have yet to experience better service anywhere to be honest. The recommendations were all incredible, our server was kind, friendly, knowledgeable and even gave us great local recommendations for the remainder of our time in Chicago. He took time to actually connect with us, and honestly, his spirit, laugh, and humor were such a pleasant treat after some not great interactions in other areas. The food! Wow. The brisket dip was amazing, the chicken fried chicken, delicious and the lobster roll was great as well. The appetizers were delicious, and the chocolate and vanilla bread pudding, the best we have had. The prices were fair for the generous portions for sure and overall this has been our best meal and dining experience in the last 5 days. If you are in the area, definitely a must try, and even if you aren't, head on over! You won't be disappointed. They also have a huge drink selection, and valet parking to make life easier. Overall a 10/10. We loved it. read more

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Decided to try this place for restaurant week and to celebrate my boyfriend and I's anniversary. We never go on nice dates like this so it was a big deal for us! I was really disappointed by the whole experience, though. Our reservation was for 8pm, and quickly learned just based on the vibes of the place that they close at 9. The staff was standing around watching us and other tables very closely, like they were anxious for us to wrap it up and get out of there. I think their latest reservation during restaurant week should be 7pm, as the whole thing took about an hour and a half. Our server was friendly enough but left me sitting with an empty drink for 2 of the 4 courses. We'd see her chatting with coworkers and glancing in our direction but never checked on us. We also sat with a view of a tablet that has live feed of the kitchen? It was a little weird to have that visible to guests. The food was decent but reminded me of food I've had at a wedding venue lol, but maybe thats on us for choosing an event venue for dinner. Overall, pretty disappointed and probably won't be back unless I'm looking for a place to sit outside in the summer. read more

Beautiful view of the lake, parking lot, good food but limited menu. That's all I have to say.

I wish I would have been coming here more often! It's not too pricey, but the food is really good! Tasty and great service every time so far. I finally dined outside recently and I loved the vibe and the service. Drinks were strong and I did enjoy a cheeseburger with fries and shared a few other items. Located in the Lakefront- I think everyone should visit here at least once read more

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The place is beautiful! I can't wait to come here when it's warm bc it's right on Lake Michigan so the views are amazing. Today it's 2/5/2025 and it's cold in Chicago but the night view is pretty also w the lights on the restaurant and the outdoor seating area. Inside it's cozy and warm. Even the bathroom has a heater that was on so it was nice and warm while washing hands. It's a huge space and great for weddings and parties. And the reason they have 5 stars?! They have a great chef who doesn't over salt the food! And the flavors are very good. We had Poblano beef stew $19 and the flavors were popping! The tomato sauce was cooked for a good while bc you can taste how much love and variety went into just the base of the stew. The rice was done just right and the carrots were stewed well where they didn't smell or taste like carrots which I hate. And the addition of fresh cabbage and sprouts and the soft cooked butternut squash was a perfect add in. The beef was tender and cooked well ... just wished there was more beef in this dish. The elote (corn) was good also with cheese on top ... just a bit too much lemon maybe? But either way the corn was tasty. The Cobb salad $16 had high quality chicken that did not taste like plastic petrified stressed out chicken but it was tender and tasted real. I usually ask for dressing on the side but forgot but it was ok bc they didn't drench it in dressing thank you. And it was tasty. The chicken Tinga tacos $14 were very filling with a ton of good chicken (again) and a tiny dab of cheese and dab of cilantro but it needed a little more veges in there like onions and more cheese would have been nice. The cheesecake was very unique and good! Toasted grapes with rose petals and fresh cream and graham cracker like base for the cake. I wished a little less graham cracker crust and a little more cheesecake. I wasn't sure about the taste of the rose petals with the cheesecake but it was interesting but the grapes were very good and brought a nice juicy flavor to the gooey cheesecake. But it was very good on the whole.?Overall a romantic and nice experience w good food and ambience and lovely staff who were attentive. Thankful to be able to dine out. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love coming here for brunch or dinner. The service is always great and the views are just spectacular. I came here on Mother's Day and had a great meal. We started with bread service, which was better than I expected. It was fantastic. I even took some home and had it the next day with some eggs . For my meal, I got the steak dish which was a special and maybe not always be on the menu and it was delicious. My husband got the fish and chips and really liked it. Can't wait to come back. It's always such a great time . read more

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As you can see from the pictures the view is amazing! Our server was great, but really it felt like everyone was asking if we needed anything, clearing our table or refilling our water. The Lakefront Aperol Spritz and Corn & Cauliflower Arancini are a must order! read more

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Amazing service, great food, and outstanding cocktails! Best view in the city! Love Lakefront Restaurant! read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Everything we ordered here was pretty good. I got the brunch nachos and an entree that I do not remember the name of but I will say that these nachos made it for me. Although they are listed as an appetizer I would recommend getting those brunch nachos as the main entree because it was seasoned correctly and had everything you could ever want and more. There was just enough sauce and ingredients that no chip was left behind. The donut holes were a bit doughy and not enough cinnamon or sugar. The entree was not really memorable. This place is cute for a brunch with the besties or a date. The service was great. The server gave us the perfect amount of attention and moved quickly whenever we needed anything. read more

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This place is actually 3-star for food, but ambiance and service make up for it. I didn't take photos of the food because we were in a rush. The servings are exceptionally large and tastes generally fine, but I wouldn't waste my calories in the future. Our server was excellent and very attentive and I will say our drinks were delicious. Wine is a generous pour. The weather wasn't great, but the giant windows would make for spectacular views under better conditions. Parking is $10 for valet or you have to walk a short distance to find street options. We probably won't make our way back unless we happen to be walking by and decide to stop for a drink. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Generous wine pours - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm surprised more people don't talk about this place. So great to ride your bike to on a nice day. All the windows and outside seating right on the lake is beautiful. The food's actually good when it could easily not be. The service has always been friendly when I was there. read more

5 stars for service!! Our waiter, TIM, could not be friendlier or more efficient! My friend was gifted her yummy Aperol-Spritz cocktail for her birthday, and Tim even put a "floating" birthday candle in it! So fun! The food came out fast and was tasty. We were there to take in a Fever Candlelight performance and closed out our bill early to cue up for the performance at a moment's notice when the doors would open. But a rare thing happened ... Tim continued to come by AFTER the bill and tip were paid, just to make sure we were still happy. And he even came over to let us know the the show doors were opening so we could head over to get a place in line. Thank you Tim! PS: We absolutely loved getting valet parking and the guys out here were super cool too! read more

I can't wait to return! This was a recommendation for us to check out & we came for an early happy hour. We got Hugo Spritz & sat on the patio. I'd imagine this place gets jammed when it's warm out (it was a chilly June evening) I didn't try the food yet, but I want to come back! The service was great & you literally can't beat the view. Great drinks & a great place! read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Hugo Spritz & patio - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You come here for the view, you come here for the ambiance, you come here because it's right at the lake with the panoramic skyline. The food is almost secondary because it's was just OK. We had brisket dip and the fish and chips. The drinks however were excellent namely the Pineapple mojito and the freshly made Sangria. Wednesday nights as a bonus you get the Navy Pier fireworks at 9:30 at least during summer. Table time maxes out at 90 mins so book an 8pm reservation to finish your meal with the fireworks. My apologizes I don't have good pics of the food read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Pineapple Mojito - Highly Recommended - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My girlfriend and I were walking along the Lake shore enjoying the weather and we decided to come in for a few quick bites. Instantly, we loved the atmosphere and the views of the lake. A perfect place to do some people watching or even to watch a sports game. We were seated immediately, however it took about 35 minutes for a waiter to come greet us. It wasn't particularly busy, maybe about three tables were seated. It was only until after we tried talking to the hostess. We ordered dryers elote tostadas and bread and butter. The elote had a great flavor and the fresno chilies were a nice sweet heat. I was disappointed that it was just in a simple tortilla chip, but it was tasty. There were three different types of bread in the assortment. I wasn't a huge fan of 2/3 of the breads, but it made for a good small bite. I don't think I'll be rushing to return, but it's definitely a cute place on the water. read more

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Gorgeous views and a nice patio, and great service. But holy overpriced! My table had two cocktails ($14 each), the chicken tinga tacos ($14) and the fish and chips special ($18). There were only TWO (2!!) tacos and about eight tortilla chips in that $14 order. They were good and fresh but not worth the price at all. The fish and chips were actually really tasty and meaty, but they were about the size of half a fish stick, and there were only 3. Maybe worth the $14 taco price but definitely not $18. We both had the Fullerton Feelings gin cocktail and it was delightful. I would maybe come back for just drinks, or do appetizers with a larger group, but definitely not a meal. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Fullerton Feelings cocktail - gin, agave, lime, cucumber, dill, and tajin. Really yummy! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

They've done a pandemic pivot to a lighter menu and have one of the most beautiful outside seating areas in Chicago. They have an expansive space around the Theatre by the Lake and an overhead roof. We started with their deviled eggs which we have always liked and a nice cheese plate. The entrees are more like comfort food than the fancier menu from before. I had the shrimp sandwich roll which was light, fresh, and delicious. The side was a terrific roasted red pepper dip and chips. Others had the hamburger, and raved about it, the tacos were a hit from fish to veggies. We finished by sharing a chocolate Carmel cake. The have valet parking for $10. It's right off LSD so there isn't any close by parking. This place has a wonderful setting. Right on the lake and watching the bikers, runners, and walkers on the trails. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Being able to sit outside and watch the water and those enjoying their outdoor activities on the path was my absolute favorite part of the experience. The drinks were excellent and the food very good. Definitely order the hard boiled eggs. Pablo, our server was fantastic while we celebrated my birthday! Valet parking was great and the standup bar closer to the lake where we swam was awesome!! Will return again and again.... Will definitely be back! read more

At check in, they looked baffled to find us seats even though we had reservations and the restaurant was pretty empty. The server didn't check in with us often. The food was okay, super simple but okay. A very gross thing that happened was two patrons came in with a very large dog. They sat at the table right next to us. It was a quiet dog but the dog took a huge dump right there on the floor. So disgusting. Thankfully we had finished eating or we would not have followed through. What kind of crap(literally) is this? So unsanitary. Dessert did not happen obviously. I threw up later because it's not cool to eat and have this happen right in front of you. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Food with a side of dog poop. That's after clean up. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ambiance and service here are great. Such a lovely space by the waterfront. It feels like they are usually having events there but when their restaurant is open, I definitely recommend checking it out. The food and drinks are decent and pretty fairly priced. I had the chicken tacos with elote and ended up really enjoying their elote. Especially with summertime Chi around the corner, grab a reservation and cheers with your friends over an aperol spritz lakeside. read more

Located on the beach on Fullerton, this restaurant hosted a beachfront party. The drinks and the appetizers were flowing. The Rosebud and Morton's restaurant had golf ball sized meatballs. There were other notable restaurants. For dessert, there was a West Town bakery which had a great assortment of mini cupcakes and whoopie cookies. read more

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So let's talk about the view (although not pictured) this restaurant is one of the only places you can go during the winter whilst being completely and comfortably warm and enjoy a view right up against the lake and the skyline simultaneously. This event space/restaurant is beautiful and we could not stop staring at the view. (The inside feels very industrial with supporting beams that actually reminded me of the Hawthorne bridge in Portland, OR. Made me reminiscent of college.) I will also say the drinks were fantastic. The food was good, nothing I would really go back for because I think there might be better in a city where there are so many options. Ultimately, go for the experience, go for the drinks and doughnuts holes! But there may be some slow wait times (make sure you have good company to talk to). read more

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Service was super friendly and informative of the menu. Everything we ordered was delicious - started with the cheese plate prior to our meals of a burger and French dip. Drinks were tasty as well. The views from the place are stunning - both of the lake and the downtown skyline! Highly recommend Lakefront for a casual brunch or sophisticated dinner or date night. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Cheese board - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There are a number of restaurants in Chicago that have a million dollar view, but ten cent food. This is definitely not one of those places. While the view and the location cannot be beat, their food is pretty good too. First, the location and view is amazing. The restaurant is located at eastern most end of Fullerton as it dead ends into Lake Michigan. I've been both for dinner as a restaurant, and when the venue hosted events. While I can for dinner at night, and the view of light up park is great, the views during the day are second to none. I came here in 2019 for Bloody Mary Fest, and experienced the daytime views then. You can see out to the lake and South all that way to the skyline. They have a seating area outside to see the skyline view, and their wall to the South is all windows so if eat inside or are at the bar, you can see the great views too. Also the location right on the bike path in Lincoln Park and close to the heart of the Lincoln Park neighborhood is amazing. Second the food is great. The night I can with my wife we ordered the chicken fried chicken, seared skirt steak, Daisy Cutter BBQ wings and for dessert sour cream chocolate caramel cake. The wings had a nice BBQ taste. The chicken fried chicken was big and nicely cooked. The seared skirt steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Lastly, the sour cream chocolate caramel cake was luxurious. Third, the interior is amazing. I liked the exposed brick and arching steal supports on the ceiling. In sum, this a must visit restaurant, but particularly when the views are better durning the day and when the weather is nice and their patio can be enjoyed. read more

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Sat at the bar today for lunch. The service and the food were both underwhelming. They must've run out of salt in the kitchen because our food was completely void of it. The bartender also only checked on us one time during our time there. The busboy was great and refilled our waters and made sure we had everything we needed. The space itself is a great aesthetic. I would definitely rent it for an event, but I would bring in my own catering. It's a shame it's not good, even mediocre food would've sufficed with the interior design of this place. I won't be returning and wouldn't recommend you do either. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Deviled eggs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is right off the lake and gives you great views of the water and the city. Service was very attentive and quick. We tried a multitude of items and they were all very good: garlic shrimp roll, fish and chips (very light it wasn't heavy like most fish and chips), tomato bisque (creamy with delicious sourdough on the side), brisket dip (a big sandwich with lots of meat), cauliflower tacos, and the orchard salad. All very tasty! Note: the brisket dip and the garlic shrimp roll both came with fries though that wasn't stated on the menu. Solid price for the size of the dish to go with the location. read more

Had dinner prior to a show. We informed thr waitress we were on a time constraint to make sure we were served our food in time. The waitress was a bit slow and we had to ask the food runner to get our drinks. The food was delicious, though and would definitely come back. Deviled Eggs read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Lobster bisque - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The views for this restaurant are spectacular. Ambience is sooo nice large open space. Such great service and nice staff! Loved everything we ordered, quality is great and flavor is there. We ordered breakfast nachos, open omelette, beef tostadas, and mini donuts. Everything was sooo delicious- highly recommend booking a reservation today! read more

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Reservation/ambiance: We made a reservation at 11am on a Sunday and I was surprised to find that no one was there. This could have been because it was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and it was raining, but it was nice to be there while no one else was. This is a really cool place where you have a great view of the lake. Could be a cool spot to take someone if they are visiting Chicago. The restaurant was a bit on the chilly side since it was so cold outside. Food: I was very impressed with the food! I got the burger, which I thought was a bit overpriced at $16, but it was so worth it. The egg on top was a perfect, and I ate this so fast it was so delicious. It came with massive potatoes as the side, which were nice and crispy on the side. I normally don't even eat breakfast potatoes and I had some. My friend had the brisket hash which was probably some of the best I have ever had. Next time I go, I will get this! Drinks: Bloody Mary - They have many choices, you should have them explain to you so you can pick the best one for you. Coffee - I was not impressed with the coffee, which was $3. I thought it tasted bad but they did bring out milk, an assortment of sugars and brown sugar cubes. Service: Service was amazing. Our waiter was very attentive and stopped by many times to refill coffee and to check in and see if we needed anything. Parking: Valet parking is $17....kinda crazy. You should go park on the street if you can walk 5 minutes to get to the restaurant. read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was extremely disappointed in the restaurant tonight. I made a reservation for 7:30 for 9 because I knew that is a large group. We got there at 7:15 and they then tried to figure out where to put us and we waited at least 15 minutes when the inside of the restaurant was very empty. When we finally got seated, no server approached us and we had to ask someone to come to take a drink order. With the non responsive service we decided to order our entrees right away out of concern that it would take too long and we had children with us and they were hungry. We ordered dessert which took a long time to arrive as well. Bottom line service was horrible. It is such a lovely location which is why we took out of town visitors there. The food was good when it came but I will not go back there or recommend it to someone else to visit. Very disappointed. read more

The staff was so friendly! Enjoyed the whole experience with my friend Amy which was also on her birthday! Loved the deviled egg and the one dish stands out to me is the brisket dip so yummy! The $10 valet is definitely a plus! Definitely recommend! read more

The Lakefront Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We recently came back for their restaurant week menu and had a lovely time. They're one of the few places that actually comes up with new menu items for restaurant week, instead of just using existing menu items and calling it a deal. The food is always creative and delicious. I often have a hard time choosing what I want, it all looks so good. Also, service is quick and friendly. A+ read more

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Had a great experience at The Lakefront Restaurant. The views were BEAUTIFUL (even on a windy, cold Chicago day), the staff was all super friendly, and the food/drinks were delicious. They also accommodated my vegan diet quite nicely, including amazing cauliflower tacos and vegan scoops of Jeni's ice cream!! Will definitely be back, especially in the warmer summer months. read more

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Came here for my birthday. The burger was good as well as the chicken sandwich. The drinks were decent, not the best. I shared some side orders with my friends, the potato salad wasn't memorable, I wouldn't order it again. The view on the patio in the summer time is amazing. The only thing is that this place does not have any parking right at the building. You would have to park on the other side of the bridge and then walk over. Or you can take an uber or lyft to drop you off. I'd definitely come back to try more of their dishes read more

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