Top Best Seafood Restaurants in Riverside

"An homage to oysters, pork, and beer, The Publican’s eclectic menu is inspired by simple farmhouse fare in a space evocative of a European beer hall.” While The Publican is chiefly a seafood and pork restaurant offering hand-selected and sustainably raised fish, the rustic West Loop spot also offers a charming brunch with various meat and vegetarian options. More information can be found here."

"Restaurants American West Loop. Just like there's no need for an alarm on the weekends, there's no reason to be counting calories at brunch. This West Loop institution offers in-person and to-go dining for pigging out on stacked biscuit sandwiches, whitefish-topped bagels and pork schnitzel sandwiches."

"Description: Arami, which just reopened after a kitchen fire, is a great spot for both their sushi and hot dishes. Be sure to try the Maguro Spicy Sake under "Speciality Roll," which contains "tuna, torched spicy salmon, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, ikura, fried shallots and yuzu.". #SpoonFunFact: The restaurant has earned Bib Gourmand designations from the Michelin Guide."

"The best sushi really depends on what type of experience you’re looking for. Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill has by far the most Instagrammable presentations (going crazy with elaborate sauce designs). There are also a few all-you-can-eat spots that are also great deals (and filling if you’re not looking for the best fish) like Sushi Para M."

"Arami is the rare Japanese restaurant that offers a wide ranging menu, yet somehow, expertly maintains the quality of their food. There are sushi, ramen and even robata (charcoal) grilled items on the menu to choose from. Thanks to having two executive chefs, Arami is able to focus both sushi and hot food from the kitchen."

"Don't miss this James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the far South Side, in business since 1948. Get a paper bag of salmon, shrimp, or black cod and be prepared to eat in the car or on the sidewalk. View this post on Instagram"

"Chicago’s quintessential cash-only seafood smokehouse, located just north of the Indiana border. Why we love it: Remember the bridge-jumping scene in Blues Brothers?. It happened right next to Calumet Fisheries."

"Pick up some smoked salmon or fried shrimp at this old-school seafood shack that was a favorite of Anthony Bourdain's."

"Celebrity chef Michael Mina made his Chicago debut over the summer inside the Waldorf Astoria. His sultry brasserie combines 1920s glam with traditional fare for lavish dining experience. Nibble on duck wings à l'orange and escargots à la bordelaise or indulge in a pristine shellfish tower."

"To say the menu at Dolo is expansive would be an understatement. The chic Chinatown restaurant serves dozens of dim sum treats, including creamy egg tarts, bitter melon custard cakes, tender pork shumai, bright-green durian pancakes and fluffy pork buns. But that's just scraping the surface on what Dolo has to offer: A novel-sized menu is packed with glossy photos of seafood by the pound, spicy jellyfish, Taiwanese-style shrimp, mango beef tenderloin and stir-fried lo mein—among many other specialty dishes."

"What It Is: This sleek Chinatown restaurant features a full modern bar (not common for the area) as well as on-site parking. What Our Inspectors Say: “While there's delicious dim sum to be had, diners would do well to try their hand at the impressive specialty menu. Jellyfish is cut into tiny slivers and laced with a heavenly blend of chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns."

"Dolo Restaurant, a modern, stylish spot in Chinatown, specializes in from-scratch dim sum and live seafood with fusion-style dishes dotted across its menus. The hip space with TVs ..."

"Restaurants Seafood River West/West Town. Seafood reigns supreme at this Latin-inspired restaurant near Goose Island, which features an open-air rooftop (called Cielo) overlooking the Chicago River. Get fancy with a seafood tower—stacked high with Alaskan king crab leg, lobster, jumbo shrimp and oysters—or the restaurant's “shot tree,” which arranges 12 artfully mixed shooters into a tree-shaped tower of liquor."

"A Latin-inspired seafood spot has arrived on Chicago's riverfront. Those familiar with the space—which formerly housed Estate—will recall scenic riverfront views and an abundance of outdoor dining areas. Seafood comes in all forms here—raw, fried, baked and grilled."

"Evanston & Navy PierAfter relocating to the States from Buenos Aires, cousins Sebastián Koziura and Enrique Schcolnik missed the moments they shared indulging in dulce de leche gelato with their grandmother. Thus, they decided to transport the sweet treat to Chicago with FRIO, a family-owned gelatería featuring Argentine favorites like Sambayon, Malbec Wine with Berries, Tramontana, and, of course, Dulce de Leche. The offerings range far beyond these, though, with up to 36 flavors in the portfolio including hyper seasonal musts like avocado, pumpkin, and white chocolate.How to book: Stop by for counter service or order delivery via GrubHub, DoorDash, or UberEats."

"Must Try: Fragola Camarosa This boutique gelato shop off State Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood boasts exotic, European flavors. They serve gelato in ice cream sandwiches, cones, and there are even dishes where the ice cream is scooped and molded into the shape of a rose served with a mouth-watering macaron on top. This popular spot just opened a brand new shop in Water Tower Place making gelato a perfect snack to grab after an afternoon of shopping along the Magnificent Mile."

"AndersonvilleThe first thing you’ll notice about George’s Ice Cream & Sweets is the undeniably welcoming vibe. But alongside that comfortable atmosphere, George’s also dishes up hearty scoops spanning 32 flavors, including Caramel Chaos, Ultimate Oreo, and Munchie Madness, as well as seasonal, no-sugar added, and dairy-free flavors. Not in the mood for ice cream?"

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by George's Ice Cream and Sweets (@georgesicecream)"

"Every single ice cream flavor you have ever dreamed of can be found at George’s. They even have baked goods that pair perfectly with your ice cream cone."

"Just beyond the aquarium is the Adler Planetarium, which when constructed in 1930 became America's first planetarium. The building is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom, and a community exploring the Universe together. Each year half a million visitors experience the museum's interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on educational programs, and world-class collections."

"Finish your ride at the waterfront behind the Alder Planetarium, for your very last photography stop. With dreamy views of the skyline framed by the glittering lake, it’s considered one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset and makes for the perfect ending to a whirlwind Chicago getaway."

"Taking you on a journey through the stars to unlock the mysteries of our galaxy and beyond, the Adler tells amazing stories of space…"

"Description: The MCA was the first project in the United States by Josef Paul Kleihues, the German architect behind Berlin’s reconstruction after the fall of Berlin Wall. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago opened its doors in 1996 with an exposition of Frida Kahlo, the first in the US!. Don’t miss a remarkable aspect of the museum: the stairwell."

"Another great family-friendly art museum is the Museum of Contemporary Art. Their belief is that it’s never too early to enjoy contemporary art and they have two great programs to help accomplish their mission. On the second Saturday of the month, the museum hosts Family Day with open-ended activities inspired by current art exhibits."

"You can probably already tell that we love our cupcakes here in Chicago. More Cupcakes is known for their upscale environment and minimalist display. Stop by for delicious cupcakes with unique toppings."

"Sweet Shot Cookies specializes in infused cookies and cookie cakes. Their homemade gooey infused cookies can be filled with anything from marshmallow fluff to dark chocolate ganache—you name it, they infuse it. They can be ordered pre-filled or if you're a DIY'er, they can be delivered with a syringe of flavor so you can inject it yourself with as much filling as you'd like."