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    Porter Kitchen & Deck

    4.1 (230 reviews)
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    PORTER KITCHEN & DECK ATMOSPHERE

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    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Porter Kitchen & Deck

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    Happy hour drinks
    Joelex D.

    Cheers! This place on the river is a great for happy hour and vibes with friends. They have an amazing view that can be enjoyed at any time of the day, we went during the afternoon hours to enjoy cocktails and some bites. The drinks were fine and the food was delicious, I really enjoyed the cauliflower dish, it was tasty and something different. The crab cakes were good but the portion size left me wanting more than what was given. Service was fine, the host staff seemed to have a difficult time trying to seat people when we got there, it really set up the tone of the experience as we waited for what seemed to be a long time... however the views and the atmosphere really made the difference and I would come back just to sit by the river again.

    Rigatoni Bolognese
    Allene A.

    Very cute place!! Inside is moody modern and the outside gives a great view of Chicago from the river. It is a little hard to find, you have to go inside the building and down the elevator Service was amazing! They were very quick and friendly, even other servers were making sure we were taken care of. Food was BOMB! Good portions, lobster tasted fresh, and good sauce

    Crab Cakes
    Annette D.

    Nice menu options, good food and beautiful modern, chic minimalistic decor and ambiance. We were seated at a table overlooking the River. The appetizers were good. Crab cakes would have been a nice lunch entree, but it was also a good appetizer. Salads were good. I especially enjoyed the out of the ordinary Farro salad.

    Amber B.

    I loooooved my experience here! I have to say that this is definitely a place I'd go back to! To start, we were definitely welcomed with a friendly greeting and a smile. That started off the experience really good! Also, they had plenty of seating outside, so we were able to snag an outside table which made the experience that much more enjoyable. I'd say our waitress was okay - she wasn't too friendly or anything, but she did okay. I think it was the lack of being personable but she was probably pretty busy since it was a full house that night and I didn't see many people working the outside. For the drinks; I had the classic mojito and it was very good/refreshing. It didn't taste "fake" and actually tasted like it was made super fresh! Others at our table had a margarita, a watermelon mojito and then an old fashioned. Everyone loved their drinks! For the food; we ordered the crab cakes, brussel sprout salad, ceasar salad, pull apart bread and the sourdough bread with whipped ricotta and my oh my, 0 complaints! My favorite was definitely the brussel sprout salad and the crab cakes but all were very good. The brussel sprout salad had a spice to it and I've never had a spicy brussel sprout before so it was a very unique flavor. For my actual entree, I her the brick chicken with potato's and that was very good - so good that the skin on the chicken, slid right off. It was so juicy and cooked perfectly. When you eat it with the arugula and then with a little bite of potato, the combination of flavors is just too good. I didn't get many photos of the food unfortunately because we were all just enjoying! I'd like to come back and try other menu items for sure! Very good spot.

    Caesar Salad with boiled salmon
    Jordan D.

    Celebrated a friend's birthday here and the service was great. The waitress made sure we all understand the menu, it was closer to closing to not everything was available. Can never go wrong with the porter burger, however the Cesar salad with salmon was a good combo.

    Kurt T.

    I had the burger and it was delicious. Great views outside along the Riverwalk, which makes it a really nice place to sit and eat. Just a heads up that the espresso martinis are strong, which I did not mind at all.

    Vanessa D.

    So incredibly delicious. A sucker for seafood but pretty picky about it. Everything about their crab cakes was magnificent. And the arugula and asparagus salad that accompanied were so delicious, would've order an entire salad if that were on the menu. Our lobster rolls were devine. Lupe, Our waitress, was so sweet and attentive. We loved our experience at Porter Kitchen. Can't wait to return! Water front vibes were also lovely. It's early spring so it was still a bit chilly but the propane warmers were perfect.

    Gabriella S.

    Such a great lunch spot! Loved sitting outside and everything was so good! Drinks were yum, food was good and the views were the best.

    Cesar salad
    J M.

    Beautiful view of the Chicago river! The burger is alright but I would definitely recommend the Cesar salad. Best Cesar salad ever. I would definitely order the Cesar salad again. But the water is warm-ish, which is gross. Very cool I am visiting Chicago and this is the best food yet! The food is good too. The fries and salad made me go into a food coma...

    Lobster Roll
    Mary R.

    Porter Kitchen & Deck - Chicago, IL: Summer on a Plate, All Year Round Porter Kitchen & Deck feels like someone bottled the best lakeside vacation and poured it into the middle of the Loop. Perched above the river with sweeping views of the skyline and water, the sprawling patio (complete with fire pits and retractable roof) is basically Chicago's happiest happy-place when the weather cooperates, but the inside is just as vibey when it doesn't. The lobster roll is, hands down, one of the best I've ever had anywhere, and that includes Maine. Generous chunks of chilled, sweet lobster meat barely kissed with mayo, a touch of lemon, and celery for crunch, piled into a buttery, griddled, split-top bun that's toasted to golden perfection. It's pure, unadulterated luxury in sandwich form: light yet decadent, and easily a top-three dish in the city right now. Start with the crispy shrimp appetizer and thank me later. Jumbo shrimp in the lightest, crackliest batter, flash-fried and tossed in a creamy, slightly spicy bang-bang style sauce with scallions and sesame. Gone in sixty seconds and immediately reordered at our table; zero shame. Cocktails are creative and dangerously good (the smoked pineapple mezcal situation is fire), the wine list is smart, and the service is warm, quick, and genuinely excited to talk about the menu. Even on a packed weekend night, everything flows effortlessly. Porter isn't trying to reinvent the wheel; it's just executing American classics at an absurdly high level in one of the prettiest settings Chicago has to offer. That lobster roll is worth the trip all by itself, but pair it with those crispy shrimp and a river-view table at sunset and you've got a perfect Chicago night. Already counting the days until I'm back.

    Diet Coke
    Jayme B.

    My friends and I made a reservation for lunch at Porter on a Thursday afternoon. We wanted to sit outside along the river and we were able to do that. The views were amazing. This was my first time in Chicago so it was so nice to sit outside and just take everything in. I ordered a Diet Coke to drink. The bar staff included a slice of lemon with my Diet Coke and I appreciated that touch because I love lemon with my Diet Coke. For my entree, I ordered the Gem Salad, which has gem lettuce, avocado, radish, lemon cream, black peppers, and chives. I opted to add broiled salmon to my salad for an upcharge. Okay so my Coke was crispy (IYKYK) and the salad was so good and refreshing. The reason I knocked off a star is because the salmon portion was small. My friend got the same salad and she said the same thing. Other than that, we had a good experience. Our waitress was great and the food was flavored nicely.

    Crispy Shrimp (Featured)
    Renny N.

    WOW! This place exceeded our expectations for our very last minute dinner spot decision. My best friend and I decided to split 3 dishes. We ordered: *Crispy Shrimp: 10/10 -Ordered as an appetizer, we completely demolished the dish within 5 minutes. -Tangy flavor from the ginger soy glaze and miso aioli, squeeze a lil lemon on there and BAM, explosion of flavor goodness. * Filet Sliders: 9/10 -The meat was cooked per our requested temp, we chose medium rare. -Simple but packed with flavor from the aioli and arugula. -The truffle fries that came with the sliders were perfectly seasoned. *Seared Scallops: 8/10 -I LOVE scallops and these jumbo scallops did not disappoint. -The sweet corn purée and spring peas was not my favorite combo for the scallops but was a different flavor to try nonetheless. The atmosphere was stunning both inside and out, we requested outdoor seating and enjoyed the views of the river and the city. Gavin our server was amazing, he was attentive, caring and humorous.

    mule non alcoholic
    Gabby Z.

    Had a reservation for an event. Service was great it did take a little but I wasn't surprised as there was 12 people in our group. Drinks were good, I got a non alcoholic mule and it had great flavors. Appetizer we got the caesar salad, the dressing was good and the croutons all of it went well. Perfect to share with two or even three people. The salad was chopped up into fine pieces which was kind of annoying to eat. Entree wise I got the steak frites. I made a mistake ordering medium well instead of medium rare. I didn't check was steak was being used and seemed to be flank. It was very tough it hurt my jaw chewing it. It was too late to ask for a different piece and just didn't want to make a scene. Flavors were there though but wow it was super tough. Fries on the plate were as hard as a rock. 85% we're and the rest you had to find soft ones. Also ordered the ribeye, flavoring was good and it was cooked well. No complaints. Overall I'd come back during the summer to sit outside and maybe try another dish

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    4 months ago

    Lobster roll was amazing! Ambience was great. Great customer service. Would highly recommend this place!

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    10 months ago

    Food was delicious especially pita bread with hummus. Service wad good too, no thing to complain

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    2 years ago

    Wasn't really my favorite . Location is wonderful . Staff was just ok and my meal wasn't anything spectacular

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    Ask the Community - Porter Kitchen & Deck

    Gilt Bar

    Gilt Bar

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Great service, food, and ambiance. The library bar is amazing! Definitely recommend the vodka…read morerigatoni.

    Gilt Bar has been a Chicago favorite since 2010, and after my first visit I understand why…read more The space is dark, energetic, and packed with personality. This is not the place for a quiet conversation. It may be one of the loudest restaurants I've visited in quite some time, and a nearby birthday celebration only added to the energy. That said, the atmosphere is part of the appeal. If you're looking for a fun, celebratory evening with friends or family, Gilt Bar delivers. I can't imagine choosing it for a business dinner. We started with the Tenderloin Steak Tartare and onion rings. Both were excellent. My daughter was craving the Bolognese, while I ordered the vodka rigatoni. The portions were generous, and both dishes were flavorful and satisfying. The truffle mafaldine appears to be the menu's most celebrated pasta and receives plenty of attention on Yelp, but we were very happy with our selections. Service was spot on throughout the evening. Food arrived with good pacing, drinks were refreshed promptly, and our server struck the right balance between attentive and intrusive. For dessert, we shared the gooey skillet cookie. Be warned: this thing arrives at the table with nuclear-level heat. The vanilla ice cream isn't just there for flavor, it's there for protection. One unusual observation: the floors seemed surprisingly slippery throughout the restaurant, something we noticed more than once. Our bill came to $159 before tip, which felt reasonable given the quality of the food, service, and overall experience. Between the lively atmosphere, strong food, excellent service, and vibrant bar scene, it's easy to understand why Gilt Bar has remained popular for more than 15 years

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    Photo Booth
    Photo Booth
    Honey Peppered King Salmon
    Honey Peppered King Salmon
    Stairs going down to bathrooms

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    Stairs going down to bathrooms
    GoodFunk

    GoodFunk

    3.8
    (40 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    We tried pre opera drinks and bites at Good Funk on Wacker and overall it was a blah experience…read more The wine selection was interesting, the food was average, at best. We didn't especially enjoy the atmosphere (sadly we were seated at the bar next to some douche dude bros) or the service. I doubt we will return.

    My friend rented this out a few weeks ago to celebrate her 45th. It was the perfect spot for about…read more30 women to mingle, drink cocktails and eat delicious food (compliments of Beaknik). I helped her choose the menu using both Yelp and some help from my bestie chatgpt and came up with the following: 7 Passed Apps: * Mini Truffle Beef Wellington (black truffle aioli) * Short Rib & Brie Slider (Aleppo BBQ, arugula, tomato jam) * Chicken Kebab (harissa-marinated chicken, tahini labneh) * Salmon Taco (avocado, mojo rojo, cilantro) * Mushroom Croquette (black truffle aioli) * Halloumi Skewer (tomato & quince jam, za'atar) * Mini Crab Cake (lemon aioli, herb salad) 1 Stationary Grazing Item: * Mezze Trio (tahini hummus, beet tahini w/ goat cheese, tzatziki, grilled pita & crudité) ---- It ended up being the perfect amount of food- heavy enough to fill us for dinner, but also light enough that we didn't get too full and could stay out late and dance (at the request of the bday gal). They passed the appetizers, but once they passed them around a few times they put them on the bar which became one big grazing station. The drinks were great as well and they even did a signature cocktail in honor of my friend, which was quite strong (hello tequila). The bartender and other staff were super friendly and knew many of us by name after a few hours. It was the perfect cozy spot for this amount of people and I'd love to look into using it again for a similar type of party...or just stopping in for a cocktail!

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    Behind the bar
    Behind the bar
    GoodFunk
    Great selection of wines

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    Great selection of wines
    Arbella

    Arbella

    4.4
    (697 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

    (Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

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    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    Crab rangoon
    Crab rangoon
    Vietnam Old Fashioned

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    Vietnam Old Fashioned
    Chicago Winery

    Chicago Winery

    4.3
    (65 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I stopped by Chicago Winery on a Wednesday early evening solo and was able to sit at the bar…read morewithout reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance and decor. Chicago Winery prioritizes upscale and intimacy but their service is personable and friendly allowing you to feel right at home. On Wednesday they offer a Happy Hour special, $5 off a tasting and $10 wine by the glass. The server as extremely kind, and was able to offer me some suggestions based on my personal palate and wine interests. I landed on the Winemaker's Tasting, which included 4, one ounce pours, including Blancs de Blancs, Albarino, Barbera and Merlot. I paired the tasting with the a BYOB board. From their menu I picked the olives, Afterglow, and the Tempesta Guanciale. The server was educated on the wines was able to walk me through the tasting and pairings but gave me independence and autonomy to enjoy at my own leisure and pace. I highly enjoyed my visit and absolutely will be returning to dine in, as well as to get a winery tour!

    Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

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    LIVA Private Dining Room
    LIVA Private Dining Room
    Dinner Reception
    Dinner Reception
    Enjoy a seasonal American menu in our restaurant

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    Enjoy a seasonal American menu in our restaurant
    Obelix

    Obelix

    4.2
    (268 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$$

    Took my wife here for her birthday and had an excellent experience. A great bistro style French…read morerestaurant tucked into River North. We started with the gem salad which was super fresh, full of flavor and a great dressing to match. Very shareable for 2 people. I went with the Corn Dog as my main and it was gimmick. The full flavor of the foie gras came through and mixed perfectly with the cherry compote. My wife had the duck breast that she absolutely loved. Service was excellent and our waiter made great recommendations. Loved the FPA beer he suggested with my dinner.

    One of the first things that struck me about Obélix was the location. It's tucked into a…read moresurprisingly quiet part of River North. Parking looked plentiful and the streets were calm. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, which creates a cozy atmosphere but also presents a few challenges. We arrived a little early for our reservation and quickly realized there was really nowhere to wait inside. That wouldn't have been a big deal except our table wasn't ready at our reservation time because the previous diners were lingering. We ended up waiting about 15 minutes outside. I understand that reservation timing is more art than science, but it would have been nice if someone had at least acknowledged the delay or offered some small gesture while we waited. Once seated, service was mostly quite good. Our server's start was a little uneven--he stopped by but didn't initially take our drink order--but after that both he and the rest of the staff were attentive throughout the meal. The space itself is interesting. The open kitchen is enormous relative to the dining room. I found myself wondering whether they could have squeezed in a few more tables, though obviously the food coming out of that kitchen is the reason people are here. And the food was a mix of hits, misses and one absolute knockout. We started with the pâté en croûte, which had a bánh mì-inspired preparation. And just so you don't end up disappointed like Nigel: Don't expect a smooth, spreadable pâté. Instead, you'll got a chunkier, terrine-style version. I thought it was an interesting take. The escargot didn't do much for me. It arrived swimming in herb oil and I found it lacked flavor, though others at the table enjoyed it more than I did. We also tried the corn dog, a very fancy and elevated version of the summer fair staple. It was tasty, but surprisingly small. The standout dish of the night was the 10-day duck breast. Absolutely delicious and easily the best savory item we ordered. The calamari was less successful. There simply wasn't much calamari in the dish, making it difficult to share among the table. It felt like there were nearly as many potatoes as pieces of squid. The halibut, on the other hand, was quite good. The fries were fine--nothing special--but aggressively salty. Then dessert arrived: a raspberry-coated chocolate mousse that was one of the best desserts I've had in a very long time, possibly ever. It was the perfect ending. Pricing was another pleasant surprise. We landed at about $100 per person, which was actually a little less than expected. Overall, Obélix delivered some memorable dishes, especially the duck and that phenomenal dessert, along with a few frustrations around timing and pacing.

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    Cg at the bar! april 2026.
    Cg at the bar! april 2026.
    Smoked trout tartine, lemon pepper crème fraiche, grilled wild onions, trout roe, quail egg, petite salad.
    Smoked trout tartine, lemon pepper crème fraiche, grilled wild onions, trout roe, quail egg, petite salad.
    Wonderful camille braun cremant de alsace rosé!

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    Wonderful camille braun cremant de alsace rosé!
    Il Porcellino

    Il Porcellino

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of…read moreItalian restaurants over the years, and this one keeps us coming back again and again. It's one of those places that you find yourself talking about long after the meal is over. The garlic bread alone is worth the visit. They pour what feels like a gallon of garlic butter over it, and somehow it's still never enough. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. We order it every single time and would probably be disappointed if we didn't. The real star of the show, though, is the lasagna. Between the two of us, we've had lasagna at countless restaurants, and nothing has come close to this one. It's hands down the best lasagna we've ever had. Perfect layers, incredible flavor, and the kind of comfort food that makes you want to savor every bite. Their Grey Goose espresso martini is also unmatched. We've tried espresso martinis all over Chicago, and this one is still our favorite. It's smooth, perfectly balanced, and the ideal way to start or end the meal. The atmosphere is another reason we love coming here. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a dark, moody vibe that makes it feel special without being stuffy. It's the perfect date night spot whether you're celebrating something or just looking for a great night out together. If you're visiting Chicago and love Italian food, Il Porcellino is a must. Great food, amazing drinks, beautiful ambiance, and a meal you'll be thinking about long after you've left. We make a point to visit every time we're in town, and it never disappoints.

    First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino…read morecertainly did not disappoint! For appetizers, we ordered the While Garlic Loaf Focaccia and the Stuffed mushrooms. I wished I took a video when the focaccia arrived. The waiter, holding a plate with a round and fluffy focaccia and proceeded to pour the garlic et al on top of the bread! Very freshly-made and fabulous! The stuffed mushrooms were also cute delicious! This is a rare time where the stuffing had spinach below the stuffing - excellent! I remember seeing (and enjoying) this while I visited Italy. Delightful! The main courses we ordered were the Gnocchi Bolognese, the Baked Burrata Lasagna and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. The Gnocchi meat sauce was the standout here, being very flavorful, but not as heavy as some other restaurants. The Gnocchi were dense - not fluffy as I had expected. But the sauce flavor was vivid. The Baked Burrata Lasagna was oh, so perfect! Many layers of al dente pasta separates with a tasty meat sauce. Many times I have had lasagna that was either over-baked, or had limp pasta. Here, the lasagna shined! So large of a serving that my wife could not finish it, much to her dismay . . . I had the Barolo Braised Short Rib - oh my living god! - so tender, so complete a dish, with the fork tender meat that melts in your mouth, complimented by a light polenta (I must emphasize the lightness here, as many restaurants serve polenta that is heavy and too rich. This did not compete with the short rib, rather it seamlessly became the foundation on which the richness of the meat was enhanced. I was blown away! But, the most amazing, and probably the most delectable part of the evening was finishing off with a luscious Chocolate Cake! OH, WOW!!! The cake was certainly moist and smooth. Yes, smooth! I could not tell there was cake at all, so smooth it was! And surprisingly (not surprising given the quality of this establishment) it wasn't too sweet, rather just enough to bring out the chocolatey goodness! I only wished that I ordered some hot coffee - the cake would have gone well with a great cup of coffee! Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant! The old-town decor, the dim lights, the fantastic food (just like of the Italy of old!)- all contributing to a wonderful experience! Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Wall decor
    Wall decor
    Grilled Calamari
    Grilled Calamari
    Burrata Lasagna

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    Burrata Lasagna

    Porter Kitchen & Deck - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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