Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Northlake

"The coffeehouse-meets-restaurant concept is known for healthy meets delicious menu specials, fresh-squeezed juices and an appealing coffee and pastry counter. Launch tropically with mango, orange and pineapple nectar; seriously healthy with Power Greens; or happily via an orange or blue Mimosa or a spicy Bloody. Coffee, including "bulletproof," is exceptional."

"Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise’s all-day eatery is now up to three locations, and that’s because it pleases on many fronts. Whether folks are looking for quick and casual, healthy, or vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of choices. On the lunch menu, the mushroom and quinoa burger with Swiss cheese and baby kale is a standout."

"The best restaurants in Chicago leave you eager to come back soon, and Sun Wah — a James Beard award-winning family eatery — is no exception. Delicious Chinese BBQ and Hong Kong specialties practically leap off the menu at hungry diners eager for an authentic Chinese dining excursion. Sun Wah BBQ | 5039 N."

"Before you even walk into Sun Wah, crisp-skinned poultry beckons from hooks behind the front window display. A massive, open floor plan with room for well over a hundred diners declares its status as a Chicago institution for Hong Kong–style Chinese barbecue. The menu is immense, with more than 150 items."

"You deserve Hong Kong-style Chinese barbecue and Sun Wah BBQ has just what you need. Although this restaurant was originally a New York treasure, founder Eric Cheng decided Chicago was a better home. With the intricate array of options, Sun Wah continues to be an Uptown food staple."

"A Randolph Street stalwart that dishes out Midwestern-influenced Mediterranean fare with a killer wine list to match. Why we love it: We have to believe that there are very few restaurants in the world that are as consistently special as avec. It's the kind of spot that makes us swell with pride for our dining scene, the kind of place we can't help but flock to even though there are plenty of newcomers to try."

"This long-time West Loop favorite is a pioneer in the business-oriented district, drawing crowds with vibrant Mediterranean cuisine. Small and large plates almost demand ordering extra, just to sample as many flavors as possible. Roasted skate wing is exemplary of the kitchen's finesse with seafood, while memories of chorizo-stuffed medjool dates will keep you up at night."

"For those of you who prefer fine dining, this is more of an upscale restaurant experience. Blackbird is a restaurant where you’ll find fantastic mid-western food showcasing farm-to-table ingredients. They offer great choices for meat eaters and vegetarians alike."

"Besides the inside of Trencherman topping our (hypothetical) most impressive decor list, its food is also flawless. The restaurant aspires to be a community meeting place with swanky drinks and finer bites. Their eggs florentine — offered at brunch — is a local fave."

"The upscale Gale Street Inn serves some of Chicago’s finest ribs, along with other mouth-watering American eats. Try the “Pullman Burger,” savor some of their delicious jambalaya, or, if you can’t decide and want a bit of everything, order the “Porkapalooza,” which includes a generous sampling of all their pork options (along with their famous ribs) and the jambalaya. The Gale Street Inn originally opened as a tavern in 1963, just across the street from where it is located now."

"Ranalli's has heaters for its patio in Lincoln Park, but the pizza and pasta restaurant's website still advises, "Dress warm, Chicago." (Ranalli's/Ranalli's). The famed large patio in Lincoln Park is equipped with heaters for outdoor dining. The hot pizzas should also help."

"Spybar opened its doors to the dancing crowd in 1995|© Matthew Reeves Photography. Another basement club in River North, Spybar has been around since 1995 and can match any nightclub for the big-name house, techno and electro DJs it attracts every week. Spybar describes itself as a “perfect cross-section between high-octane clubbing and intimate lounge atmosphere,” a claim backed up by Rolling Stone magazine, which included it in its list of the top 10 dance clubs in the US in 2013."

"Spybar is one of the most uber-cool clubs in the River North neighborhood. Thanks to its “global vibe,” Spybar attracts several electro and underground techno artistes from around the world. It has served as one of the favorite party spots around since 1995."

"BridgeportWhen you think of Bridgeport, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn’t nature. And this park (nicknamed “Mount Bridgeport” and formerly known as Stone Quarry) fits right in with a 27-acre site that has transformed itself from quarry to landfill to park. Cruise the crushed stone running path and peep the fishing pond and wetlands as you stroll the grass amidst preserved quarry walls at this neighborhood hidden gem."

"Palmisano Park has gone from coral reefs to quarry to landfill to park. At this park, you’ll find a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, walking trails and more. There is also a giant hill, perfect for gazing over the park and all of its beauty."

"27 acres of wetlands and urban fishing make Palmisano Park a fun place to visit. The park also offers a phenomenal view of Chicago. In winter, it’s a great place to go sledding."

"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."

"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."

"Acclaimed Chef Tony Hu has received international acclaim for his expertly executed Sichuan dishes at Lao Sze Chuan. The original spot that launched his culinary empire is still humming along on Wentworth Avenue, where you’ll find his signature three-chili chicken, mapo tofu, and more. Known for flavorful sauces, dry roasted chilis, and fiery spices, this regional-style of cooking is sure to satisfy the most adventurous palates."

"Sichuan-born chef Tony Hu opened his first La Sze Chuan restaurant in Chicago’s Chinatown in 1998. He’s since expanded the concept into a chain of nine restaurants across Chicago a..."

"Lettuce Entertain You’s pan-Asian specialist has an approachable menu consisting of items like potstickers, orange chicken, kung pao beef, and sweet and sour shrimp. Order here carryout and delivery."

"Big Bowl, a mid-sized regional chain with three restaurants in Illinois, builds upon the concept of generously portioned bowls of Chinese and Thai cuisine. The downtown Chicago ven..."

"Steak 48 on North Wabash Ave in River North, is a restaurant from Jeffrey and Mike Mastro of the Mastro’s Ocean Club restaurants. They are no strangers to great restaurants and thi..."

"There are two stories here, and if you come at weekends you’ll be able to dance and drink on both of them. Weeknights are when just the main floor is in action. It’s in the Fulton Market area of town and can get very busy, so we recommend arriving early to grab your place in the line."