0 Followers
River Roux
Master Critic Review
River Roux
7.8
River Roux is a French-inspired café and bistro tucked on the river level of 110 N Wacker, pairing craft coffee with croissants, crêpes, and bistro-style salads and sandwiches. Opened in September 2025, it’s used by Loop office workers as a hidden escape for breakfast, lunch, or a light early-evening bite with river views.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Baguette, French Bistro Salad, Strawberry Cheesecake Crepe
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 6.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: French-inspired café fare and crepes served with close-up river views.
Who should go: Office workers and coffee fans craving light French fare.
When to visit: Weekday mornings or lunch for calmer café energy.
What to order: Steak baguette, French Bistro Salad, strawberry cheesecake crepe.
Insider tip: Enter through the 110 N Wacker lobby and head downstairs to the river level for the café entrance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; most guests use nearby paid garages in the 110 N Wacker complex or adjacent riverfront decks. Street parking along Wacker is limited and often restricted during business hours.
Dress code: Casual café attire; office wear and smart-casual are most common, but jeans and sneakers are acceptable.
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally quiet enough for conversation, with brief lunch rush spikes from office traffic.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait, and hours may be limited or lighter in the evenings — check ahead if planning a later visit.
Weekday lunch: Short lines during peak office lunch windows; most visits see minimal to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — salads, egg dishes, and several crêpes and pastries can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — some salads and coffee drinks can be adapted, but many crêpes and pastries include dairy.
Gluten-free options: Partial accommodation — some salads and bowls work gluten-free, but crêpes and most pastries are not.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual coffee or light-meal meetup than a full dinner date — the quiet river-level setting works well for conversation without feeling formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it operates primarily as a café with counter ordering; seating is generally first-come and usually available outside of peak weekday lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick visits — calm, café-style seating and pastries work for older kids, though it’s geared more toward office workers than family dining and has limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Quieter weekday escapes, light French café bites, and river-level seating that feels tucked away from street traffic.
Skip if: You’re seeking a full-service French dinner, a large group meal, or extensive vegan and gluten-free menus — consider a larger bistro instead.