My coworker recommended this spot for dinner and it was the perfect spot for my solo meal to end the day The nitty gritty: -Lovely setting along the river- peaceful and away from the hustle of the city. Plentiful outdoor cafe seating- both shaded and along the dock. -Great service. The waitress was both friendly and attentive. -Delicious Shakshuka with feta and chicken kebab with pita. Highly recommend this little oasis! read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I ordered the Athena Bowl and a Cosmopolitan. The ingredients in the bowl were fresh, but I didn't really enjoy it because the spring mix wasn't drained well, leaving water at the bottom of the bowl. Unfortunately, that watered down the entire entrée and affected the overall flavor. The Cosmopolitan was also disappointing--it had far too much lime, which overpowered the drink. The appetizers were definitely the highlight of the meal. We really enjoyed the wings as well as the warm pita bread with hummus. Those were flavorful and well prepared. We did really enjoy the riverside atmosphere, which made for a relaxing dining experience. However, when we balance the beautiful setting with the quality of the food and drinks, it's probably not a place we'll return to. read more

Build your own bowl with tangy chicken and victory plate! Both were delicious but tangy chicken was a bit dry and only 3 small pieces. Summer in Mykonos drink was good , watermelon margarita was a bit sweet but refreshing. Service was good ambiance was fabulous read more

Pinched on the River - Watermelon margarita and summer in Mykonos drink - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped here for dinner before we headed to the navy pier. Very nice and peaceful spot where you can enjoy a nice view of the Tinder and boats passing by. I ordered the veggie pita wrap and a side of hummus and pita bread. The wrap also came with chips however I want a huge fan of them. I happen to like pretty salty chips though so I'm a bit biased. The pita wrap was good but I feel a bit pricey for what it entails. The hummus was also good but for 2 pieces of bread and a tiny side, I feel like $10 is overpriced. Service was a bit slow but we did like our server. It was a very relaxing and beautiful place to enjoy dinner. read more

Pinched on the River - Hummus & Pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service was a bit slow and could've been friendlier but the view of the river on the patio is immaculate. Unfortunately lots of mosquito bites from sitting outside but that's the price of being next to the river. The food is also delicious and can get two meals out of one item. Really beautiful spot with the string lights draped over the trees gave a very enchanting atmosphere. read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A easy comfortable stop for chicago boat tours and while exploring the Chicago Riverwalk area! Great location right along the river, with a lively atmosphere and beautiful views. The setting is definitely one of the highlights. Sitting by the river and enjoying food while watching the boats and people go by makes for a very enjoyable Chicago experience. The overall atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. It's a great place to take a break during a day of sightseeing or to enjoy a casual meal with family and friends. read more

I love Mediterranean places and Pinched looked promising. I ordered online and went to the restaurant to pick it up. However, when I arrived at my pickup time, the food was not ready. The worker assured me it would be done soon but I waited 15 more minutes to receive it, and it was only because I inquired again. The food was cold by the time I got it. In terms of taste, everything was pretty much okay. The naan was good and definitely the best part. The chicken pieces were small, especially for the price, and didn't have much flavor. Overall, everything seemed bland. read more

Pinched on the River - Chicken kabob, naan, Side Of Rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I called Lanka? For a last minute catering order for work and she was beyond accommodating! She helped me pick the best food for the amount of people and was so flexible!!! The food arrived on time and was delicious! All of my coworkers asked where the food was from and wanted to order it again! I couldn't be happier with the service, food and price from Here! 12/10!!! We got the shawarma, falafel, and pita which came with salad and hummus and sauces! Be sure to ask for extra sauce as I will say those are pretty tiny! Delicious pita bread! They do delivery too!! read more

Pinched on the River - Catering - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really liked the atmosphere here and the food was great. For the area you're in, prices are quite reasonable to. It was St. Patrick's Day weekend when we came and they had Irish music playing, and everybody was stressed in Green. Our waitress was great and I would totally come back here read more

Pinched on the River - Rice Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I always enjoy visiting Chicago. While conferencing downtown, I marveled at the beautiful buildings, splendid summer weather, INCREDIBLY FIT runners everywhere, and of course, the marvelous food. Near Magnificent Mile, Pinched on the River was a delightful lunch, dinner, and hangout joint by the lake during my stay. I enjoyed their salmon and salads, cheerful white wines, and just the general sense that yeah... Chicago does look good on you! Hvala ti to the staff for hosting me throughout the week of July 7th! I greatly enjoyed the restaurant and hope to visit again soon! read more

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We had an absolutely fantastic lunch for Mother's Day at Pinched! Our server was great, have good recommendations and spent the time to take a couple of great pics for us as well. I got the chicken kabob bowl. The chicken was well flavored and tender. The 2 dressing/sauces it came with were delicious. My dad had the salmon bowl, said it was cooked to perfection and the couscous was also great. My brother had the beef kabob bowl and also loved it. This was my least favorite of the 3 proteins. My mom had the falafel pita which was amazing. The falafel was fresh and the pita for all dishes seemed to have just been made! As for ambiance, we sat outside right on the river and the view was magnificent. Overall we had the perfect Mother's Day lunch! read more

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Great staff and location food was good af would go back. I'm sure when it heats up they will have lots of business. Chicago's weather uugh it's right off the Riverwalk really quaint and clean. Would go back! read more

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Summertime in Chicago is all about Al Fresco and having drinks and food at Pinched On The Riveris a must! Although Pinched By The River has a chic and elegant dining area with a big beautiful bar indoors for those cold winter days, summertime at Pinched On The River can't be beat. For my drink , I had the Watermelon Margarita, so refreshing! For an appetizer I had the mediterranean fish tacos, very delicious! For my main entree I had the poseidon bowl which was absolutely amazing! For dessert I had the benign shark cuttery and they were just like the ones we had in New Orleans (of course, east them while they're hot. The view, the food, the drinks, and the service here are amazing! read more

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I came to Pinched on the River after a work event and it was such a treat! The location is so special, and we were able to grab a seat right along the river and watch the boats go by. To drink I tried the watermelon margarita. This was so refreshing on a hot summer night! The food is fresh and yummy. My boss and I decided to start with some hummus and then we each built a BYO bowl. I really loved being able to customize it. I went with rice, chicken kabobs, spicy hummus, cabbage slaw, and feta. Pinched would be a great spot to bring out of towners or to go for a night date. I can't wait to come back! read more

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This place only wins on location, location, location. Out for a stroll, decided to hang out by the river. The pizza place next door had a long wait so strolled further east to discover this spot. They seemed quite understaffed, food was average, and the prices were quite high. $50 per person for just one entree and one glass of house wine. But the charm of enjoying a Europe-style riverside patio makes it such that they don't have to put in any other effort to get people in or think about how much they get away with charging. read more

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As the name implies , this restaurant is right on the Chicago river. The view is gorgeous and the food and drinks are heavenly. I started with a mingle maria cocktail and it was really delicious and refreshing! My appetizer was the mushroom pasta flat bread. It was plentiful and delectable. My main entree was the Chicken Mushroom Pesto Pasta, the pesto was so good, I wanted more of it. My dessert was the sea salt caramel cheesecake, it was really rich and decadent. It's gorgeous here, relaxing and comfortable, has great food and drinks with exceptional service! What more could you ask for? read more

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After buying tickets for the Chicago cruise architectural boat tour I decided to stop there to have some water and get some protein as it was pretty hot and humid out, and I felt like I was gonna pass out! Service was sketchy at First and I had to wander around inside to find someone and the lady seemed very bothered that I asked if I could sit outside. Once out there, it was a different server and I was thankful because she was great. Watch the storm roll in and listen to some thunder. There's a little view of a river inlet, which was great. I had a chicken Shawarma pita with some fries and ate every bit of it even though it was massive! Was able to see in an art studio and saw a gentleman starting to paint. With hands-down go back there. Really enjoyed the experience in the food. read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious, great service, and gorgeous view! We had flatbread which is not pictured but delightful read more

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The worst experience ever. A "martini" that cost $16, plus a surcharge for an "extra" shot, that was melted ice with a rinse of gin. I could barely taste anything besides water. In a glass that was maybe a third full. Then, I happened to venture into the restroom. I sure hope that the kitchen is not as disgusting as the men's room. No wonder the bar was empty at 5 on a busy summer Saturday. Just awful. read more

I could eat this every day for lunch and never get tired of it. It was filling but not super heavy. The food was flavorful, the drinks were so pretty (peep the Chicago flag), service was quick and welcoming, and the location was amazing. It literally sits on the riverwalk, so if it's a nice day you can have your meal with a beautiful view. I cant wait to go back! Oh-- they also have a beignet charcuterie board, delicious! read more

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Pinched on the River is one of my favorite mediterranean spots and it's the perfect place next to the river - The best patio for summertime and to see fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Their cocktails are delicious and I love the fresh ingredients and flavorful bowls. Service is great, would definitely go back! read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I picked this restaurant for a nice lunch, not too far from the hotel and on the river. I did make a reservation, but arrived earlier than my time. I was seated and given time to look over the menu. I ordered from the "build your own" side of the menu with help from the waitress. I started with fries (handcut fries yummy), my lunch was brought out at the right moment. I really enjoyed my meal, wish I was in town longer, so I could try other items, but this was my last lunch meal while in the city of Chicago. If I were to visit again, I would not order the chicken, some pieces were too salty and I would order something else besides hummus. The hummus were a bit strong for my taste (mint perhaps, not sure). I loved the couscous and cucumber/tomato salad. read more

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I red owners response and did not believe my eyes. I was there with my wife of 35 years and another couple that i have not seen in years. Now she is saying that i said something nasty to the waitress in front of my wife and friends?! Who does that? Not even a kid can believe such a lie. but thats say i did why she did not notify the manager? Thats what the managers are for. But she did not because was nothing to say and needed that tip . i did not wanted to make a scene in front of my friends and it work. now the owner is saying i tip good because i felt bad for what i say. Then how come i stopped the very next morning and ask to reverse the tip because she did not deserve it. Also the manager got all the information and he said going to talk with the owner and contact me back. Would the wanted to know my side of the story before make the decision? i was staying at Hyatt Regency where just parking is $92 per day so was not the money but was principal. To many whys ,so did i leave anything out with my response? i can not believe how places like this are still in business. read more

The entrance from Illinois is through a coffee shop and down the stairs. We were able to get a table on the water right away. The view is pretty and chill. The waitress was interesting and a little forgetful. The food though was fantastic. The chicken shawarma was really good with great flavor. I liked the black bean and corn mix and the slaw. The French fries were excellent. I would have liked the bowl mixed but it would lose something in the presentation. I got the lite garlic sauce and enjoyed it. I didn't leave feeling like a could slay a vampire with my breathe. The portion size was perfect and part of the price includes the view. read more

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I discovered this place on Yelp while looking for someplace new and close to the downtown Chicago area. Had no idea what to expect other than they had bubbles on the wine list; that is usually enough to get me to walk through the door. As we walked through the front door, we were clearly confused: what we saw was a cute bakery/coffee shop with some cute seating arrangement, but definitely not for dining. The young woman behind the counter greeted us as I imagine she could see the confusion on our face. She directed us to the back of the shop, past the cake pop display to a downstairs area. The huge sign that said "Dine-In", pointed downward and we descended down the stairs to a full bar and cute dining area. What I immediately noticed was that the tables were not on top of each, which I love. I love dining out, not necessarily with people I didn't come in with, even if they are nice. Before I get to the meal, I will definitely be back here just to dine on the river. This location is right on the riverfront and I can't imagine a cooler location to hang out at to drink and dine. The concept for this place reminded me of a high end Chipotle: you get to pick a base, a protein and topping. I went with the Toasted Pearl CousCous (Basil pesto sauce, pita), Tangy Chicken (grilled lemon-lime, ground mustard, marinated chicken breast), and my toppings (Tabouli, Black Bean and Corn, and Feta Cheese). You can pick four toppings, so I went with two servings of the Tabouli. I also got a serving of the Beef Chevaps (Angus ground beef links infused with select seasonings and grilled) as a second protein. So let me start off by saying, this is a lot of food! I ended up taking half of this home as I was stuffed. I made the mistake of getting a starter, the Mediterranean Wings. While they were good, it was the wrong thing to do because that took up space for my main course. The other reason I didn't finish my main course was because I wanted to try the Beignets Charcuterie board. This came with cinnamon and traditional beignets and chocolate, raspberry & caramel sauce with fresh cut apples. These were pretty good and of a good size, Pretty enjoyable and I can see coming back on a nice day to have this on the riverfront outside with bubbles. I have seen a few reviews discussing the prices and I will say as a native Chicagoan who eats out downtown a lot, the prices here based on the portions are pretty good. If you are looking to eat at a quality restaurant downtown for under $100 for a party of four, this is not the place to do so. That said, for the amount of food we got and took home, the price was just right. Service was great and our server was lovely. The wine prices were standard, about $50 for a bottle of sparkling, beers $9 and under and cocktails at the standard $13-$17 price range. I would say if you are just getting food and water, you probably could get out of there with a tab under $50. But if you like your adult beverages like we do, and we do, we know we are looking at at least $100 per person, before tip. We were good with that. Reservations can be made through OpenTable, which I love and you will collect 100 points after checking in with the hostess. Our party had a great time and we definitely want to come back here when the weather is nicer and we can sit on the riverfront. Also as far as parking goes, there is a place right across the street if you use Spot Hero. read more

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I love love Mediterranean food, especially falafel, so I was super excited when my family suggested we go here! They have set menu items or you can build your own bowl/salad/pita. I got a bowl with couscous, falafel, poblano hummus, Mediterranean salad, grilled onions, feta, and spicy saug. Our service was fantastic and they were super accommodating for my almost 15 month old son. Love the vibe in here, cool ambiance and love that it's down a little set of stairs. Food was ready relatively fast and oh wow it was good! Huge portions, the falafel tasted fresh and not overly fried, veggies in the bowl were fresh! We also shared fries which my son was all about, the rest of my family members were really happy with their meals as well! Definitely glad I got to try this place! read more

Pinched on the River - Falafel build your own bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good food & service Too chilly to sit outside on the river. We went for dinner. Good place for lunch on a warm day on the patio read more

What a charming restaurant by the river!. We arrived around 8:30 PM and were greeted and seated promptly. The ambiance was relaxed and pleasant. Location is easy to find, and within walking distance from the Navy Pier and Riverwalk. The string lights in the trees, and the views of the river with the Chicago skyline in the background sets the tone for Pinched on the River. The menu concept is basic, but elevated; since it is essentially a build-a-Mediterranean-bowl. The menu also has other dishes. All staff were friendly, upbeat, and kind. Food arrived about 15 minutes after ordering. Ordered a salad bowl with chicken shawarma, hummus, feta cheese and the cucumber and tomato salad. The bowl was delicious, even though the chicken was a bit dry. Did not let this affect my 5 star review, as I would definitely come back here to try a different bowl! Great service, and an unforgettable meal! If you're in town visiting, I recommend coming here! read more

Pinched on the River - Chicken Shawarma with Pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is amazing! It was our 2nd time here and we were so pleased both times! The food was SO fresh and delicious! The dessert was fantastic too! Highly recommend! We will be back anytime we are in this area of Chicago! read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had an incredible lunch outdoors by the river and couldn't have asked for a better meal. The platter came with a generous variety: perfectly grilled chicken and beef skewers, warm pita bread, a creamy dollop of hummus, and a colorful salad with corn, black beans, and pickled onions. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and well-seasoned. Great food, lovely ambiance, and lots of wind -- definitely a spot I'd return to! read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pinched on The River surprised me. It's just another level. I ordered their Chicken Shawarma and Salad Bowl, it was so insane! All the ingredients was fresh, tasty, and unique. I also had their wonderful steamed mussels in season and the broth was a soup in itself with fresh soft cooked fennel and a lovely soup flavor. The beetroot salad and yogurt has a special herbal flavor with the high quality oil. I also crave the Greek grilled cheese and here they serve it with a high quality thick balsamico and the combination is divine. The waiter was gentle and generous to let me sit 15 minutes and wait before 1pm for their open time and offered me a tea, representing Greek hospitality in full form. Do not miss this place. I cannot wait to go back and pay a visit again soon! read more

I wanted a healthier lunch today and this fit the bill. I sat outside and enjoyed the weather and view. The waitress explained the process and recommend a bowl option. I went with salad, chicken shawarma, poblano hummus, cabbage slaw, tomato cucumber, olives, feta and spicy Taziki. All in all this was a solid lunch. The price is a bit steep but it is Chicago so that should be taken in consideration for too. read more

Pinched on the River - Chicken Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was exactly what we were hoping for! Great food, a warm ambiance, and absolutely top shelf customer service. Our big group was welcomed warmly by Spiro, it's like we were treated like family! The place felt clean and the vibe was so welcoming and bright. The food quality was outstanding with great flavor. Our group of 16 ordered a variety of dishes and everyone enjoyed the tasty Mediterranean flavors. I ordered tangy chicken and it was mouth watering! It was wintry weather so we couldn't enjoy the outside seating, but if I find myself in downtown Chicago in the summer, I would come back in a heartbeat. If you're looking for a warm and inviting place to eat with quality, tasty food, look no further! read more

Went here on the Friday during Chicago Marathon weekend. Wasn't that busy when we arrived at 5:30 but it started getting packed later. Food was great, prices were amazing especially for Chicago. I got the Chicken Schwarma Couscous Bowl & my fiancee got one of the Beef Rice Bowls. Each came with very good amount of meat & the toppings. I would definitely recommend. Each bowl was between $19 to $23. Pita bread was large. Interior was very nice too. read more

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Wow. I was hoping for a light lunch near where I had an appointment. Instead, I had one of the best Mediterranean meals I've ever had. The flavors were addictive. I got one of their bowls which you build yourself. I had the spicy beef chevap. It had really good flavor and a little hint of heat. The server told me that it wasn't going to be super spicy and recommended a delicious green, spicy sauce to go on top. She did not steer me in the wrong direction. The tabouli (I know who hypes tabouli) was the best I've ever had. It was not just fresh but super flavorful, as well. It also came with rice and really good pita bread. It was a little expensive, but for what you get it was totally worth it. I really can't say enough about it. It also has a patio right along the river. The people were so nice. I can't believe it was healthy, too! I'll definitely return the next time in the area. The corn and black bean salad was also delicious, but it's hidden under the pita. read more

Pinched on the River - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent food. I shared the mezze platter with my sister and there was enough food to share with someone else! I absolutely loved the schug sauce, nice and spicy. We sat outdoors and it was a perfect day. Our server was very friendly and helpful with the menu. We were a group of 6 and everyone enjoyed the food. read more

Love this place- food is delicious, service is excellent and location is stellar. We sat outside, enjoying the water views while we had a wonderful lunch. The "build your own bowls" are great options, allowing you to customize your meal while enjoying a wide variety of tastes. We'll be back soon! read more

This is a nice spot that is halfwayish from Downtown and Navy Pier. It's decently priced for a spot by the body of water and they do have a kids meal! (Kids aren't allowed to sit near the waterfront) The rice bowl is honestly worth it and you can just share this if you don't have a large appetite because the pita + hummus already made me full. Then, I had rice, salad, and the protein. Service is pretty attentive, but not overly attentive which I appreciate. This seems like a great spot for either lunch or dinner and I would recommend again! read more

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I went here for a group dinner on a Wednesday night! It wasn't super crowded and the tables had a good amount of space between them so when they did fill up when dinner service was in full swing - it didn't feel crowded. It's part bakery. You wouldn't know there was a restaurant because it's on a different floor. So walking in and not seeing anyone, I thought this is weird, but they have a giant arrow and sign that you can see from the front door saying dine-in and pointing to go downstairs. Once is downstairs, it's so nice. The weather was perfect that night. It has the cutest set up right by the river with some boats and docks. They also have fairy lights that come on once it gets dark on the trees. It truly is a really nice romantic hidden gem. And where it's located is far enough away from Lake shore drive that you can see the fireworks if you are there dining around around 9 PM. They do mocktails and they have a peach or pineapple flavor. I got both and I was very happy with it. It tasted similar to a mojito, very refreshing and fit nicely with dining al fresco. Onto the food, I liked a lot of what we got! -3 flavors of hummus (poblano, red pepper and original) on cucumbers -bruschetta -Mediterranean Fish Tacos -Mushroom Pesto Flatbread -Falafels -chicken skewers -jumbo shrimp -baklava -Nutella crepe -beignets My faves were... The shrimp was juicy and jumbo for sure and the chimichurri sauce was so flavorful! Falafels were not dry at all! It kinda ate like a potato ball and I love me some potatoes! The outside was crispy and inside soft. Fish tacos! They got a lot of flavor in it. I wouldn't think mediterranean and tacos, but they made it work. Mushroom pesto flatbread was delish! It didn't look like a ton of stuff on it but I think simple was the way to go. The flavors shined and the pesto on top is what brought it together. I'd come back and try more of the menu because what I did try really hit the spot so I'm confident I'll find some more goodies! read more

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The restaurant is by the river, with beautiful scenery, suitable for sitting on weekends. The food is delicious. read more

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