Chicago’s Most Exciting Al Fresco Dining Destinations

Bring the squad and the SPF—rooftop-patio season is here.

Cool breezes, the perfect excuse to wear the new shades, and impeccable Instagram lighting (which only enhances the crazy covetable skyline views in front of you) combine to remind us of one highly anticipated truth: The season of al fresco dining is finally upon us. What do we have to prove for it? For starters, a fleet of recently opened restaurants featuring outdoor eats, drinks, vibes—and city vistas to accompany them all. From a splashy rooftop opening in River North to ace patio seating in Avondale, here are 10 new ways to enjoy the food on your plate and the sun on your face.

Aba

It’s easy to want to stay awhile at this 4,000-square-foot urban oasis, a newcomer to Fulton Market as of this June. Lounge-style seating, fire pits, lush greenery, and an indoor-outdoor bar make for the ultimate al fresco evening—and it only gets better. Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson runs the kitchen here, spinning out Middle Eastern-inspired plates like artichoke hummus with sunflower-seed tahini and grilled lamb chops with burnt oregano and freekeh.