There’s truly nothing better than outdoor dining in the summertime. Whether you enjoy a well-shaded rooftop, a sunny beer garden, or a breezy patio, Oak Park and Chicago’s western suburbs offer many options for an excellent dining experience — and the best views in town.

Wherever you head throughout Chicagoland, plan to enjoy a bit of sunshine and fresh air from one of the best outdoor dining spots in and around Oak Park.

825 South Oak Park Ave, | Oak Park

Avenue Ale House has been a local favorite for over twenty years and promises the ultimate alfresco dining on its large rooftop. Enjoy a robust beer list—more than two dozen beers and ales are available on tap—or a great cocktail selection from its full bar.

Hungry? Try fried cheese curds, crispy buffalo cauliflower, fresh oysters, shared plates, or any of their delicious entrees. This rooftop restaurant offers the best of both worlds — fantastic food and incredible ambiance. Their menu caters to all, accommodating vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets, ensuring something to make everyone’s dining experience enjoyable. And don‘t miss some incredible specials such as Happy Hour pricing on wine, beer, and cocktails on Tuesday-Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and Fridays from 4-6 p.m.

Click here to learn more.

100 South Oak Park Avenue | Oak Park

Drawing from his childhood favorites in Serbia, owner Branko Palikuca created a Mediterranean-inspired menu with an American flair. Citrine delivers unique and traditional dishes, including spiced and braised Angus beef short ribs, steak frites, and delicate Lake Superior white fish with wild mushrooms, sautéed spinach, and lemon beurre blanc. Enjoy brunch options like crab cake benedict, chilaquiles, crispy chicken thighs and beignets with maple butter, or house-made biscuits and gravy on the charming patio. 

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814 North Boulevard | Oak Park

The expansive Cucina Paradiso menu features many delicious options, from appetizers to desserts, and an extensive list of wine, beer, and cocktails. The beloved downtown Oak Park restaurant also offers rotating chef specials, such as beef tenderloin — three 2-oz. medallions grilled medium rare, with Italian salsa verde, roasted potatoes, and arugula salad — or chicken calabrese — with a seasoned panko crust, spicy lemon white wine sauce, Calabrian chiles, pepperoncini, and oven-roasted potatoes — and weekly specials that include homemade mile-high lasagna on Sundays, all of which can be enjoyed on their patio during warm weather. 

Don’t stress about a large get-together! Celebrate with family and friends at Cucina Paradiso; they are happy to host any party, birthday, reunion, or meeting you’re planning in a private room with a menu of favorites (yours and theirs) served family-style.

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116 North Oak Park Avenue | Oak Park

Experience Italy in the heart of Oak Park on the large patio, shaded by large umbrellas and greenery, at this traditional, upscale ristorante. The menu embodies all the delicious Neapolitan flavors — from homemade pasta and traditional pizzas to fresh seafood dishes and incredible meat choices — plus a full bar and extensive wine list with daily wine specials.

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800 South Oak Park Avenue | Oak Park

Locally owned Kettlestrings Tavern was conceived to bring together neighbors, friends, and families in Oak Park for a drink, a meal, or a celebration. There is always a game on and great music playing at this eatery that offers chef-driven pub food. From chicken wings and burgers to fresh, delicious salads, the menu features everything you love about laid-back food with an upscale twist. Try the bourbon-brined chicken sandwich — served with cheddar, arugula, shaved red onion, bacon, and crispy apple cider slaw — along with an expertly created craft cocktail or a selection from the expansive draft and beer menu featuring impressive IPAs, pilsners, porters, lagers, ales, and ciders from local craft brewers and popular American breweries.

The owners’ focus on family and community extends to everyday specials, including a free kids meal with each adult entree on Sundays, a selection of $8 “Little Pints” meals, and special events that benefit local organizations.

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144 South Oak Park Ave | Oak Park

Relax on the lovely spacious (but somehow intimate) patio at Maya del Sol and enjoy some of the best, most authentic Latin American cuisine in the western suburbs. This chic spot has been an Oak Park favorite since opening in 2007, serving up bold, innovative flavor combinations from Mexico and Central and South America with authentic recipes handed down for generations. Begin with a favorite starter — sopes de tinga (corn masa cups with chicken tinga, pico de gallo, and queso fresco) or mango-braised beef nachos — and move on to a Maya del Sol favorite — there’s really no wrong choice — such as the carne asada served with chimichurri, or the wild mushroom tostada. And wash it all down with one of their incredible hand-crafted margaritas, a refreshing paloma, or a fresh-mint mojito.

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1 Lake Street | Oak Park

The view from the gorgeous rooftop patio atop a stunning landmark building at One Lake Brewing is as remarkable as the chef-inspired menu created with locally sourced, seasonally fresh ingredients. Begin with one of the fantastic appetizers — we like the pretzels made with clarified butter, Maldon sea salt, wholegrain honey mustard, and the pub’s new beer cheese. Then, try one of the delicious entrees like the fried chicken sandwich with bacon, ghost pepper aioli, white cheddar, and house pickles, or the sweet and spicy braised BBQ pork sandwich with slaw and pickles on a brioche bun. Pair your meal with a flight of house-made beer, a selection from the wine list, or a craft cocktail.

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139 South Marion Street | Oak Park

If you’re seeking the ultimate neighborhood pub experience, look no further than Oak Park’s Poor Phil’s. This sports bar and restaurant serves drinks and delicious pub fare and has been a mainstay on Marion Street since 1985. The menu spotlights barroom burgers, Louisiana po' boy sandwiches, Phil’s famous lobster salad on a buttery toasted roll, and other seafood favorites served inside or out by a cheerful, attentive staff; it’s a year-round beer fest with over 100 beers available daily.

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225 Harrison Street | Oak Park

This rustic Italian restaurant in the midst of the Oak Park Arts District uses locally produced and organic ingredients whenever possible to create wood-fired pizza, fresh salads, house-made pasta, and a variety of artisan gelato served around the concrete counter of the Trattoria kitchen and on a charming streetside patio. Try one of the crispy, thin crust 11" pizzas made with organic whole wheat flour (gluten-free pizzas are also available) or hearty main courses. We love the “Goat” pizza, with roasted red pepper, fennel sausage, goat cheese, and basil pesto, and the “Funguy” with cremini mushrooms and smoked mozzarella. The season’s best asparagus and fresh dill enhance the cedar plank salmon.

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100 South Marion Street | Oak Park

Victory Italian evokes the spirit and tradition of the upscale taverns serving Italian-American food in Chicago during the 1920s and 1930s. Here, you’ll find some of the tastiest and largest parmesans, prime-cut steaks, handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and Chef Joe Farina’s famous “Joe’s Mama’s Meatball Salad.” Chef Farina and his partner, long-time friend Anthony Gambino, enhance traditional, classic family recipes with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Try “Aunt Angie’s Stuffed Shells” or “Nanna’s Gravy,” a slow braised pot roast in red wine crushed tomato sauce poured over giant rigatoni and topped with fresh ricotta, followed by a cannoli or gelato.

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6615 Roosevelt Road | Berwyn

This beloved Berwyn BBQ joint is attached to FitzGeralds, the famed Chicagoland nightclub. BABYGOLD Barbecue offers a Cajun and Creole-influenced menu that includes brisket and ribs, authentic po’ boys, and char-grilled oysters, indulgent sides like pimento mac & cheese, meaty beans, and bacony greens, as well as a several healthier-than-expected options — BBQ spiced cauliflower, smoked shrimp, and an awesome kale Caesar salad. The brunch menu features a Creole omelet with smoked shrimp and crawfish tails, biscuits & gravy, and a cheesy breakfast “croissan’wich.” In addition to full-service dining in the popular music venue, a large patio, and a private dining space, BABYGOLD offers takeout, delivery, and catering.

Click here to learn more about FitzGerald's. 

Click here to learn more about BABYGOLD Barbecue. 

8869 Burlington Avenue | Brookfield

Check out Irish Times in Brookfield if you enjoy a classic Irish pub. Its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful backyard Chicago-style beer garden make it the perfect place for a hearty meal and a frothy pint with friends or family. Enjoy Irish classics like a corned beef sandwich, shepherd’s pie, or fish & chips and pub favorites that include a variety of burgers, an Irish BLT, poutine, cheese curds, and corned beef tacos, plenty of gluten-free food options, and a full bar with Irish whiskeys and Guinness on tap.

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A smiley face on your coffee mug lets you know this will be a great dining experience. Enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee while you peruse the breakfast menu — a variety of crepes, omelets, pancakes (yes, donut pancakes), and French toast (Georgia Peach? yes, please!); biscuits & gravy, benedicts (including a veggie-loaded portobello benedict); jalapeño bacon, and a selection of to-die-for homemade pastries and desserts. Lunch options include a long, creative list of fresh, crisp salads and various “melts” — tuna, Reuben, patty, and more — wraps, and chef specials. If you can’t stop thinking of pancakes, no worries; Mary’s serves breakfast until 3 p.m. The service with a smile in a cheerful, playfully decorated diner is enough to draw you into Mary’s Morning Mix-Up, and the generous portions of delicious comfort food will keep you coming back.

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7218 Madison Street | Forest Park

FatDuck has been serving locals great food and drinks at the corner of Madison Street and Elgin Avenue in Forest Park since 2010. They are a local, family-friendly establishment that has built a reputation as a welcoming corner pub with delicious and innovative food, including namesake duck fat fries with your choice of dipping sauce — roasted garlic aioli, Mexican pesto, or sriracha mayo. Burgers, sandwiches, comfort food entrees including mac & cheese, BBQ brisket, fish & chips, and a rotating craft beer selection are available in the cozy pub-style dining room or expansive outdoor patio. 

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7353 Madison Street | Forest Park

Chef-owner Tim Shanahan opened his first restaurant in 1977 in New Orleans. When he brought his Louisiana Creole specialties to Forest Park, locals soon regarded this pub as a welcoming place for a cold beer and tasty, authentic southern seafood dishes. The menu includes Chicken & Andouille Sausage Jambalaya, Shrimp Pontchartrain, Shrimp & Grits, and traditional pub favorites like chicken wings, burgers, and fish & chips. Voodoo Crab & Grits, Pan Perdu, and po’ boys are popular during brunch on the patio. Don’t skip the zesty homemade Key Lime Pie!

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9400 Grand Avenue | Franklin Park

Located minutes from O’Hare Airport and Rosemont hotels, Underpass Lounge is dedicated to making guests feel welcome, no matter where they hail from. In addition to being a restaurant and lounge for locals, it hosts fundraisers, theme parties, live bands, and a resident DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. Underpass is renowned for its tasty jumbo wings and offers excellent drink specials.

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4100 Roosevelt Road | Hillside

Emilio’s Tapas opened in 1988 to instant acclaim as one of Chicago Magazine’s Top 10 New Restaurants. It has continued to win awards and has been listed annually since 1988 among the Top 25 Chicagoland Restaurants. Chef and Owner Emilio Gervilla offers an extensive and flavorful array of hot and cold tapas (shared small plates) and superb dishes crafted to complement the extensive wine list, specialty drink menu, and fresh-made sangria. Emilio’s passion for his homeland and Spanish cuisine shines through his paellas and shareable plates, including patatas bravas (Spanish-style potatoes served in garlic-tomato almond sauce and aged Spanish cheese), jamón y queso (tomato bread with Serrano ham and Manchego cheese), datiles con tocino (dates wrapped in applewood smoked bacon served with red pepper butter sauce), and gambas frias tres salsas (chilled shrimp with three sauces of tomato, garlic cumin, and aioli).

The atmosphere, in the dining room and on the patios, is fun, casual, and sophisticated, with friendly, well-informed professionals eager to serve. Emilio’s regularly hosts special dinners, Sunday Family Paella Suppers, wine tastings, and Flamenco Dance shows.

Click here to learn more. 

100 West Burlington Avenue | La Grange

In the heart of downtown La Grange, steps from the Metra station, Barrel House Social invites you in to drink, eat, and be with friends. With a culinary team that serves up scratch-made American comfort food dishes and an extensive and creative craft beer, cocktail, and whiskey selection, this bistro-style restaurant provides a sophisticated and flawless experience. Join them for lunch, brunch, or dinner, game night, happy hour, pub trivia, and even kid-friendly events inside or out on the lovely, intimate terrace. 

Click here to learn more. 

14 Calendar Avenue | La Grange

Another favorite in downtown La Grange, fourteensixteen offers a gorgeous industrial space with a main dining room, a bar and lounge, and a rooftop dining space perfect for date night or an evening out with friends. Chef Bret Bohning lets the seasons dictate the menu, drawing inspiration from local markets and choosing farm-fresh and sustainable ingredients daily to create an unforgettable culinary experience. The winning combination of the bold, simple flavors of the Midwest, handmade cocktails, craft beer, and a great atmosphere attracts locals and foodies from across the region.

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46 South La Grange Road | La Grange

Unique and outrageous, MAKS House offers one of the most visually stimulating bars in the area, promising an urban vibe and a good time at its secret beer garden, “The Hideout,” where some of Chicago’s best graffiti artists have left their mark. Its menu is loaded with burgers that are, well, loaded — toppings range from bacon to mac & cheese and from habanero cream cheese to char-grilled pineapple and jerk seasoning. Saucy chicken sandwiches, grilled “sammys,” and wings served naked or tossed in your choice of sauce — hot, sweet, spicy, or classic Buffalo — round out the menu.

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75 La Grange Road | La Grange

The first brewery in La Grange, Milk Money Brewing is committed to families and friends sharing great experiences with great food and beer. Using simple, local ingredients of the highest quality, this gastropub delivers approachable food and beer with recognizable flavors executed with undeniable quality and a unique presentation. Milk Money loves music, supporting local talent with live music weekly, and kids — classic arcade games onsite are free (and fun).

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56 La Grange Road | La Grange

On summer nights, locals pack the outdoor patio and beer garden to enjoy award-winning burgers and a wide range of delicious appetizers, like the stuffed bacon-wrapped dates and St. Louis-style toasted ravioli, big salads, huge (yes, HUGE) stuffed potatoes, and pub dinners including fish & chips, meatloaf, and honey BBQ ribs — as well as 100 choices for beer, seltzer, and cider (36 are on tap!). Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer, Palmer Place welcomes local musicians for its Summer Music Series and the first Tuesday of every month all year long is “Half Price Hero” day — all uniformed law enforcement, military, and EMT and fire personnel receive a 50% discount on all dine-in entrees.

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23 West Harris Avenue | La Grange

An incredibly chic restaurant with a gorgeous view of downtown La Grange, The Elm is a neighborhood gem that feels like you’re sitting in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant dining scene. Start the evening with a delicious cocktail or craft beer. The dinner menu rotates with the seasons, focusing on American cuisine created with the freshest ingredients. Try one of the signature dishes like the roasted cauliflower, seared scallops, or parmesan-crusted Baha striped bass. Planning to host a big group? There’s plenty of room for everyone, from the expansive rooftop to three private event spaces.

Click here to learn more. 

1016 East 31st Street | La Grange Park

Happier Now is a bright, inviting café with outdoor seating owned by a local mother-daughter team in the heart of La Grange Park. Drawing from her father's Eastern European background and the variety of cuisine available in Chicago, Chef Andrea offers tasty breakfast options beginning at 8 a.m., a handful of rotating sandwich options for lunch, fresh-made salads, a soup of the day, and snacks and small plates that delight on their own or as an appetizer before dinner, and plenty of to-go items perfect for a picnic or a meal at home when you can’t muster the energy to cook.

Click here to learn more. 

23 E 31st St | La Grange Park

Located in La Grange Park, Hop District is the go-to place for craft beer enthusiasts and food lovers. 

This local gem has an impressive selection of craft beers (their own brews and some guest features!) to make sure there's something for every taste. But what truly sets Hop District apart is its expansive and inviting patio, perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon or a warm evening. Plus, In partnership with their neighbors at Mattone—who did we mention also have an awesome patio?—Hop District offers some of Mattone's incredible Italian favorites. Highlights include truffle fries with garlic aioli, totchos, and the crispy chicken wrap. Whether you're savoring a seasonal brew or munching on a snack, the patio at Hop District is the ideal spot to unwind and enjoy the best of La Grange Park.

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1017 East 31st Street | La Grange Park

The food is the star of the show at Posto 31, La Grange Park’s go-to for fine dining since 2018. Sit inside, amid a part-minimalist and part-rustic décor with open front windows, or on the lovely outdoor patio, and enjoy thoughtfully created fare savored by the eye as much as the palate. The milky soft burrata cheese appetizer, paired with basil-and-tomato-topped bread, is a masterpiece. The pasta, hand-crafted daily, is teamed with traditional marinara, bolognese, or vodka cream sauce and is also available in a braised au jus with short rib and mirepoix. While most entrées, such as the chicken limone and rotating risotto special, have an Italian flair, some, including the 21-day flat iron steak served with compound butter and broccolini, are decidedly American heartland. 

Don’t skip dessert! The homemade donuts are surprisingly light and come with a refreshing strawberry coulis and shiny chocolate ganache. 

Click here to learn more.

2 East Burlington St (at Longcommon Road) | Riverside

Owners Pat and Mary Leone, long-time Riverside residents, invite you to enjoy a relaxed, upscale Italian meal with family, friends, and neighbors. This beautiful space includes a large, dining room and a gorgeous outdoor patio. Start with some shared plates — buttery garlic knots, grilled peach burrata, or mama’s meatballs — before moving on to the signature homemade pizza guests rave about. The ciabatta-style crust (its exceptionally crispy with large air bubbles) is topped with organic tomatoes and local meats and cheeses, then sprinkled with the passion of famed baker Rich Labriola, the self-proclaimed “Chief Dough Boy” who started the Labriola Baking Company in 1993. 

Try the Margherita (its the best way to experience the beauty and simplicity of this artisan pie) or the popular Salsiccia topped with garlic cream, smoked buffalo mozzarella, caramelized onions, crumbled sausage, baby kale, and spicy Italian Calabrian chiles, or go for the pepperoni, an update on an old favorite with cupping pepperoni and drizzled with hot honey.

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25 Forest Avenue | Riverside

Beyond the welcoming doorstep of a unique circular storefront on Forest Avenue in Riverside, La Estancia owner Claudia Reyes cooks up fresh, flavorful Mexican specialties. Enjoy a selection of authentic appetizers perfect for sharing, a refreshing fresh-fruit margarita or signature cocktail, and a tasty entry at a streetside table or in the vibrant dining room where artwork pays tribute to the golden age of Mexican cinema. La Estancia becomes a music lounge at night; you can expect a lively show with Mexican folk dancing on Friday evenings.

Click here to learn more. 

33 East Burlington Street | Riverside 

Within a two-level space with vintage décor that is a destination unto itself, The Chew Chew offers seasonal menus that reflect local produce at its freshest in a wide range of dishes. You can’t go wrong with any appetizer — try the wagyu beef wontons, duck mole nachos, or chorizo and bacon stuffed dates — before you tuck into one of the specialties, like the Hawaiian chicken, fresh summer asparagus risotto, or a steakhouse cut. The gracious staff exudes teamwork and professionalism, creating a truly exceptional dining experience. Streetside tables provide great food, great service, and great people-watching in the heart of Riverside.

Click here to learn more.

4255 Old River Road | Schiller Park

For a quick lunch or lively dinner with friends or family, choose from a variety of bar favorites — from loaded burgers and toasted subs to nachos, pizza, and jumbo wings (from regular BBQ to ¡ AY caramba! hot). Chasers offers a great beer selection on tap and in bottles and an extensive classic and custom cocktail menu. There are screens everywhere you look, so you’ll always find the game, fight, or match you want to see. Are you feeling lucky? Play to win big on Vegas-style slot machines!

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4926 N River Road | Schiller Park

With a full kitchen and menu items ranging from salads and wraps to burgers and ribs and everything in between, more than 30 weekly rotating beers on tap, over 60 beers in bottles and cans, a complete wine list and cocktail menu, and over 50 big screens, Shoeless Joe’s is your best bet for all the big games.

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5000 North River Road | Schiller Park

An impressive 7,500-square-foot taproom, one of the largest in Chicagoland, plus a full-service kitchen cooking up fantastic food (a perfect complement to its unique, quality craft beer) combine to create a memorable experience in Schiller Park. The taproom only serves beers, spirits, ciders, seltzers, sodas, and non-alcoholic beers made on-site. Taste your way through a variety of styles and flavors — try the Loosey Juicy IPA, a Kitty Malone Lager, or a Thin Skinned Wild Ale — and a menu that includes burgers, loaded mac & cheese, and hickory-smoked “low & slow” brisket, pulled pork, and chicken.

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2142 South Mannheim Road |  Westchester

A hidden gem— El Alegre Burrito does a brisk takeout business but also offers a few tables inside and out to enjoy delicious Mexican favorites like burritos, tamales, flautas, tacos, and sopes (savory bites of fried masa filled with refried beans, cheese, or other ingredients). Attentive service and authentic recipes create a delicious dining experience.

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11055 Roosevelt Road | Westchester

Enjoy the sophisticated dining atmosphere, vibrant martini bar, and extensive menu showcasing Thailand's vibrant tastes, the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam, and the elegance and sophistication of French cuisine. This popular restaurant’s stunning dishes, crafted with fresh and natural ingredients, are as tempting to the eyes as they are tantalizing to the taste buds. 

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