I went to a very fun retirement party last night at Beatnik on the River. I was a little concerned about some of the reviews. I had read on Yelp, but none of that materialize for me at all. I arrived a bit early and was escorted to the standing bar downstairs, where you can watch the boats go by on the Chicago river and have a cocktail. Lovely! The service was incredibly fast, and Ryan, who brought me my cocktail later realized I had left my gift bag at the bar and followed me upstairs to give it back to me! (Thanks, Ryan!) The party was in a private room and adjacent to a bar where multiple bartenders were working and making loads of cocktails and cocktails for the crowd. Nobody had to wait long, and the cocktails were outstanding. Another nice thing was that they had passed hors d'oeuvres-- The space was kind of small, so it was really nice to have the waiters bringing food around so you didn't have to elbow your way to the main table! We sampled fried chicken sliders, steamed potstickers, beef sliders, grilled halloumi, shawarma cauliflower, plus charcuterie. Literally everything was just delicious! (The fried chicken sliders were my favorite...) As every other reviewer notes, the decor is very cool--lots of (fake) flowers, luxurious seating and a fun vibe. Definitely more of a party vibe than a serious meal--but highly recommend and would go back for sure! read more

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I had only a drink(pina colada) and a spread, beet and pita. It wasn't very good, tasted like tomato paste for some reason. Pina colada wasn't very strong. Supposed to come in a coconut shell, it didn't. But the server gave us heads up so it's ok. Their menu felt a bit short. Not sure how I feel about the server. She was welcoming at the beginning but then changed her attitude when we said we won't have main. I understand she needs bigger bill tables, but we had only 1 hour and tipped +20%. I don't think we deserved the attitude or getting $5 bills as change for $50 but anyways. The atmosphere and decoration is super cute and cozy. Though coming here day time would be better I think. read more

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The food was okay! With a group of girls we all ordered something different and shared - the carrots were delicious and best part of our meal! Felt like we were paying more for location than for the food! tried the lamb kofta and thought it was a bit too salty for my tastes! Overall - ambiance is top notch though! Beautiful views from inside! read more

Beatnik On The River - Views - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Beatnik on the River is one of the most beautiful restaurants on the Chicago River! Bohemian vibes, fabulous decor, beautiful views, boats and train passing by, lovely ambiance, excellent service and delicious food! Beatnik on the River was an excellent way to end our fabulous trip to Chicago! We love flowers and we really got to enjoy them here while having a delicious breakfast on our last day in Chicago. Our server was Frederick M, who is an excellent server combining attentiveness, helpfulness, and professional style. He made sure things moved quickly so we would make it to the airport on time. My daughter ordered the Chicken 'n Waffles, which was tasty and good! I ordered the Avocado Toast with the added sunny side up Egg, which was also delicious. We both ordered our favorite lattes. Our experience here was wonderful! We enjoyed the close-up river view and all the boats passing by. The wonderful array of flowers gave us calmness for the trip ahead. Just a tip for those with mobility issues: there is no elevator. The steps going downstairs are not easy to climb but with patience and care you can do it. The upstairs or 1st floor is not as physically gorgeous as downstairs but it's nice enough. We would definitely revisit this restaurant on our next trip to Chicago! read more

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We stopped in a little under an hour before closing for a night cap This is one of the later open places on a week night on this side of town. We thought they'd be annoyed but we received no side eye at all and a warm welcome. There are a lot of twists, turns and stairs to get to the patio on the river but the restaurant is so aesthetically pleasing you won't mind the walk through. The view of the river is spectacular, mixed with the gentle breeze and slight soundtrack of the el - it's a perfect combination. The patio itself is also beautiful. Florals and string lights are everywhere with bright colored accents and a giant booth with comfy pillows fills the whole side of the patio. Sangria was great, service was kind and the views were priceless. read more

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Had friends in town from Kentucky on their way to Amsterdam so we made a booking for dinner and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere was perfect as we had an amazing view of the river and I were able to chat and catch up over cocktails. Our server, Sarah, was the absolute best! She made some recommendations that were out of this world and was very knowledgeable and helpful with any questions we had! She was cheerful and bubbly as were everyone we encountered at the restaurant! If you're looking for an amazing experience with the most flavorful food this a must try! read more

Beatnik On The River - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you go, try to sit on the water. The aesthetic of the whole restaurant is funky. Food was all delicious and some fun drink options. Staff was friendly and attentive. Would recommend reservations, but they do not guarantee an outdoor spot. read more

Beatnik On The River - BEET MUTABBAL - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Such a cute spot right on the river! The salmon dish was soooo good--literally 11/10 and I would come back just to order that again. The dips were also a great addition to nibble on and share before the meal. Drinks were amazing as always, and the riverfront location makes the whole ambiance even better. Definitely a spot I'd come back to! read more

Beatnik On The River - Pina colada - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My wife and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary here a few weeks ago. We got a reservation for a Saturday night and so glad we did since the restaurant was packed. We were seated along the river and we absolutely loved the view of the city. We ordered octopus & hummus, stuffed dates, kafta and a kebab. My wife ordered a spritz cocktail and I had an Oaxacan Old Fashioned, which we were both very happy with. Overall we had a great experience and would return. Great date night spot! read more

Beatnik On The River - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for a quick trip to meet hubby while he's working in Chicago. He wanted to bring me somewhere I could appreciate the food and atmosphere. He looked this place up and made a reservation the night I got in. Let's start with the ambiance... BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely loved it from walking in, to going all the way downstairs to be seated facing the river. We started at the bar while waiting for the rest of our party. Hubby ordered his limited edition tequila winter blend, and of course I had to order my Yamazaki. Yes we know our taste in liquor is not cheap, and we don't drink cheap alcohol. So spending over $100 for two drinks we're expected and was ok with that. Bartender was a cool guy. Now here is where and why I'm giving only 3 stars. There were 6 of us dining. The husband told everyone to order whatever they want. Also ordering a few rounds of his tequila for everyone. We all ordered fairly quickly once we sat because we were all so hungry. Food took about an 1.5 hrs to come out. We ordered the octopus hummus and avocado hummus as well. They didn't give us much pita so we had asked for more. That took 30mins to get extra pita. Then I ordered another Yamazaki. That took 40mins. For what? Idk I drink it on a solid cube so no need to shake, stir or mix anything. He said they had to get it from the bar upstairs. It's wasn't like upstairs was 16 floors up. My husband wasn't happy about keeping me waiting. We understand it was packed. But that's mostly every night my friends said. They need to do better. Now the for the food? Absolutely delicious!! Everything except the lamb. My friend barely made a dent she said it was over cooked and dry. She didn't want to order anything else because she didn't want to wait another hour. Would we come back? Yes, to give it another try. Hopefully timing of delivery will be better. read more

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This was such a lovely place to get brunch! The ambiance is the star of the show, and service was very good. I enjoyed the smoked salmon platter on the Mother's Day menu. The breakfast gnocchi was enjoyable with some added hot sauce, a bigger hot sauce selection would have been nice. The Dubai chocolate tart was a decent sweet treat to wrap up the meal, nothing to write home about. 7/10 - really cool place! read more

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Great ambiance! The decor is really nice - tons of cozy and elegant places to sit. Our server was great - very friendly and gave lots of suggestions. Decent variety of options on the menu and best for sharing. Id go back but it is a bit pricey and portions are small. read more

We came in last night for dinner, small portions but everything tasted great I just wish my meat dish had more than a tiny bit of rice. The salad, Zatar fries, salmon , beef all was delicious. They even had burgers for the kids which they really enjoyed. We sat on the front patio which was pleasant but we were eager to try the waterfront patio downstairs. The hostess was super kind to let us sit there for desserts when a table was available, it was 9:30 pm and super hot down there, we didn't realize that it was a closed patio... but the decor is nice and it has a vibe . Desserts were not that great . If your coming here in the summer bets table is indoor with ac that are overlooking the river read more

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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. read more

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This is great restaurant. First time I've been here for brunch. The service is so attentive and enthusiastic. The food is very good. Short rib, hash and avocado toast for what we got and they were very good. They gave us a complementary glass of champagne for our anniversary. I had asked for a seat on the river and they honored it. Definitely a wonderful place. read more

Beatnik On The River - Oysters - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

Beatnik On The River - AVOCADO HUMMUS - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was my second visit. They redeemed themselves with me because I wasnt rushing to come back. Definitely better than my first. I feel like the menu is super limited. The avocado hummus was good but needed a bit of salt. I think I would like it better with crispy pita raher than the corn tortillas. My frozen paloma was awesome. The curry meatballs was delicious and moist. I tried the brussel sprouts and Caesar salad last time the sprouts were great salad was lacking flavor. Overall I recommend and would come back. The service was just okay. I would love to try the brunch. Ive never been lucky enough to sit on the river side outside would love that. I think the ambiance is lacking. The music selection could be better it seems pretty dead. read more

The view is beautiful, I feel that is the main reason to visit this spot. The food was just OK. The one stand out dish was the steak kabobs they were seasoned well. We also tried the chicken and waffles both were dry and not very flavorful, and the egg sandwich, the sandwich was just a sandwich and barely toasted. Service was OK, they took our order, bought out the food, and gave us the check. read more

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I walked in a little after 6 on a Monday by myself and was able to get an indoor table overlooking the water. I started with the Avocado Hummus which was tasty and a large portion. For my entree, I got the Steak Kebab which was cooked perfectly and delicious. Would love to come back here with a group so I can try more things! read more

Beatnik On The River - AVOCADO HUMMUS - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

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Better to call and ask if construction is still going on nearby. Today 9/16/2026, we were seated downstairs next to the river.; great view. The construction nearby was VERY LOUD and most unpleasant. We moved upstairs, inside, and it was much better. We loved the service, the small menu and had a pleasant lunch. Caesar salad with cx was good...as was an app dip. read more

First off it's a nice place when you sit by the river. The only thing is that there are a lot of stairs and it's narrow and a bit dark. The staff is great! The drinks were also good. The food was ok. We went for brunch and I got the chicken and waffles. The chicken was dry but the waffles were really good and their dessert was delicious as well. Overall a good place to come and enjoy drinks right by the river. read more

Beatnik On The River - Chicken and waffles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hands-down, this might have been the restaurant I was most looking forward to on my trip to Chicago. So many of the videos I watched and the posts I saw mentioned it as want to go to. I snagged a reservation a week or so before I left and I am so glad I did. I love restaurants that not only put out amazing food, but also transport you to a completely different place. The vibes of this restaurant. The details. The decor. And especially the food make this one that I will continue recommending to people. I was a little bummed that the lower level with the hanging flowers wasn't wheelchair accessible, but I was impressed that as soon as I rolled up, the staff immediately got a portable ramp to put up so I could access the upper dining area and their hospitality continued throughout the meal. While it wasn't over the top like the lower level, it is still so beautiful with amazing views of the river. We went for a Sunday brunch and tried a number of different things. You can taste the grill and char on that beef kebab which I appreciated as a true Iowan raised on good beef. The short rib hash was easily my favorite. All of the different flavors and ingredients were so different and unlike so many other offerings. The salmon benedict was fairly traditional, yet delicious, whereas the breakfast gnocchi was super unique, but equally divine. The only thing I will say is that I can't wait for the next time I'm in town so I can go here for happy hour, dinner, and/or drinks. read more

Beatnik On The River - STEAK KEBAB, Salmon Benedict, short rib hash, breakfast gnocchi. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Oh so much fun! We were doing the Riverwalk and wanted to have lunch on the river. We have booked a reservation for 1 o'clock. But tried to get in at 11:30. We were so lucky they were able to accommodate us. Food was absolutely wonderful! There were four of us and we shared dips, salad, and a salmon dish. We left stuffed! In addition, our server, Charlie, was the best! I can't believe I walked past this place for years and never considered it for a meal. We'll definitely go back. read more

Bizarre. We had walked and just needed to sit down and have a glass of wine. The door was open and there were several people sitting at the bar on each end. We sat down in the middle and waited. Several people walked by but didn't speak to us. The others disappeared...then a man came up and told us they weren't open yet and we needed to leave. Then someone came and sat down with some food and started eating (and I though the food looked strange). We left. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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 :) read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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 read more

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Had a great experience at the Beatnik on the River. I went there for my birthday brunch. They had amazing options and everything was super tasty. The ambiance was gorgeous with amazing decor and vibes! A perfect place for brunches and family/friends hangout. The service was also great. read more

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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! read more

Beatnik On The River - BABA GANOUSH - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cannot beat the ambiance of Beatnik on the river. Their outdoor patio/deck area that looks over the river has amazing views and the most gorgeous decorations. I really enjoyed my Hugo spritz, but the food was just okay. I wasn't impressed by the Shakshuka or the cinnamon roll. Shakshuka: 3/5 Cinnamon Roll: 2.8/5 Service was okay. Truly, the ambiance of Beatnik is what makes it. Next time I would just go for drinks! read more

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My niece and I visited this venue after an architecture tour on the Chicago River, where we actually saw Beatnik from the river. It's way bigger inside than I anticipated. It was a maze and we took several wrong turns as we were leaving, lol. It's our fault since we wanted to sit on the lowest level that is river facing and has tons of windows and light. This space was lovely, I was quite taken with it until we were seated at a table next to the windows - a chair rail had been set just so and ruined the view. Felt completely cut off from the view even. The menu was limited IMO, and everything was a la cart (and pricy). I ordered tuna, which was well seasoned but left me wanting more. The beer I had was good and service was decent, but I didn't feel satisfied overall. read more

Beatnik On The River - Signage - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent happy hour. Big shout out to Kevin at the bar for fantastic service. Fun vibes and delicious food. I enjoyed my Kale Fattoush salad and Za'atar seasoned fries. The fries were crispy and seasoned so well, and the ketchup and aioli options were both delicious. The Mezze board is a lovely variety of dips and a perfect sampler to share. The drinks were fabulous too! The wines and bubbly were great, and the Layover Spritz was refreshing and tasty. Happy hour is Monday thru Wednesday from 3-5pm. I highly recommend. I look forward to returning and trying more things. read more

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Such a gorgeous space! Outside, on the river, there are pink flowers that line the ceiling. They just create an amazing ambiance and atmosphere that truly invites you in. The food was also delicious. I definitely recommend the salmon or short rib dishes. Both great options! Overall, it was a clean, nice, and welcoming restaurant. I would definitely recommend and return! read more

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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! read more

Beatnik On The River - Interior - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

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I was visiting Chicago to meet with my team and we decided to get drinks and bites here. I really enjoyed the decor and atmosphere that this place had, and especially the view of the river! I'd definitely recommend coming here for happy hour. read more

Beatnik On The River - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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