Beatnik on the River

Beatnik on the River in Chicago offers guests an elegant yet understated dining experience, either indoors in one of their expansive dining rooms or outdoors with a view of the Chicago River. Guests can enjoy interesting Mediterranean dishes from Morocco and Egypt to Italy and Spain here, in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by dozens of throw pillows, rustic, wax-splattered candelabras, and lots of luscious plants. Explore this eclectic restaurant’s experimental style and fascinating dishes with me.

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Address: 180 N Upper Wacker Dr
Chicago, IL 60606
Food Type: Mediterranean
Dining Experience: Indoor or Outdoor
Price: $50+ per person
Dress Code: Casual
Reservations: Not Required
Special Diets: Pescatarian, Gluten-Free, Vegan

We absolutely adored our meal at Beatnik on the River. We dined outside, along the river, on hand-carved Indonesian daybeds, adorned with ample amounts of embroidered throw pillows, surrounded by ferns, philodendrons, and Moroccan lanterns, which lent an air of exoticism to a cloistered space along the Chicago River. Inside the restaurant were more of the same, cozy spaces, lit candles, Persian rugs, and other decor that reflected Beatnik on the River’s travel-oriented menus.

We enjoyed virgin cocktails in coconuts for our brunch, smoked octopus with hummus, a bowl of gazpacho (a chilled soup) with cured tuna belly and anchovy vinegar, smoked salmon toast, and shakshuka with duck egg. Everything was delicious, and we really enjoyed how the atmosphere enhanced our dining experience. Outside on the patio where we sat was a large bar that could whip up beautiful, instagrammable drinks in a flash, and the sound of the water passing by helped transport us to another world, outside of the hustle and bustle of Chicago.

While our time inside the restaurant was brief, I couldn’t help but admire the menagerie of domestic and exotic plants, unique decor, and flamboyant color scheme that really set beatnik on the river apart from anywhere else we’ve dined in Chicago. If you’re looking for a great spot to meet with friends for brunch or dinner, grab drinks, or relax outside along the river, Beatnik on the River is a great choice, and we will definitely be back the next time we visit.