Best American Restaurants in Loop (60606)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Beatrix - Loop
A polished all-day café where health-conscious plates and comfort favorites share the menu.
Notable Picks
8.6
Beatrix Loop is Lettuce Entertain You’s all-day Loop café where seasonal New American comfort meets lighter, vegetable-forward plates and a serious coffee program. Office regulars lean on it for reliable breakfast, power lunches, and pre-theater dinners that feel polished without being formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Enlightened Caesar, Straight 'A' Salad, Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich
What makes it special: A polished all-day café where health-conscious plates and comfort favorites share the menu.
8.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Porter Kitchen & Deck pairs New American classics and a deep whiskey list with some of the Loop’s best river views from both dining room and deck. It’s a go-to for client lunches, post-work cocktails, and group dinners that feel like an occasion without leaving the office corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filet Sliders, Lobster Roll, Fried Chicken Sandwich
What makes it special: Riverfront New American cooking with a whiskey-forward bar and a true deck overlooking the skyline.
#3
Taste 222
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Girls Night Out Approved
Hidden Gems Heaven
Taste 222 is an intimate, black-owned New American spot on Canal where eclectic shareables, solid cocktails, and a comfortable dining room make it feel more like a living room than a corporate canteen. Loop and Fulton River regulars use it for relaxed business dinners, small celebrations, and catered events that stay downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taste 222 Wings, Firecracker Shrimp, Grilled Jalapeño Dip
What makes it special: A cozy, black-owned Canal Street dining room where shareable New American plates and cocktails feel personal rather than corporate.
8.0
South Branch Tavern & Grille is a big, riverfront New American tavern built for Loop office crowds, with a sprawling patio, long beer list, and a menu that runs from burgers and tacos to big salads. It anchors after-work drinks, corporate lunches, and game-day gatherings when you want something livelier than a white-tablecloth steakhouse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bang Bang Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Cowboy Salad
What makes it special: A large-format riverfront tavern where New American comfort food, TVs, and a big patio all collide in one space.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Rivers is a long-running Loop institution where corporate power lunches and receptions play out over classic American plates and a covered patio directly on the river. The food leans familiar—think salads, seafood, and steaks—while the setting and event infrastructure make it a default choice for downtown entertaining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Coconut Shrimp, Rivers Classic Caesar Salad, Florida Coastal Grouper
What makes it special: A veteran Loop riverfront venue designed as much for events and client lunches as for individual meals.
7.8
Protein Bar & Kitchen’s Franklin & Adams outpost is a fast-casual staple for calorie-counted bowls, salads, wraps, and acai that skew higher protein and macro-driven. Loop workers treat it as a dependable, build-your-own option when they need something quick, healthy-leaning, and close to the Willis Tower.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mexicali Bowl, Triple Berry Acai Bowl, Chicago Med Bowl
What makes it special: A high-throughput healthy counter spot where macro-focused bowls and smoothies are built for downtown office life.
7.7
FARE - Franklin St. is a compact, counter-service New American café focused on bowls, veggie-forward sides, and gluten-free baked goods built around seasonal ingredients. It’s a favorite for Loop lunchers who want something lighter and customizable without leaving the office grid.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoky Chicken Bowl, Craft Your Own Bowl, Harissa Sweet Potato Side
What makes it special: A tight, health-focused counter where seasonal bowls and sides lean gluten-free and plant-forward without feeling austere.
#8
Solette
7.6
Solette is a weekday-only New American bar and restaurant in the Loop’s Financial District, built around shareable small plates and cocktails rather than big entrées. Office workers use it for business drinks, light dinners, and casual date nights that stay downtown but feel more modern than an old-school steakhouse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Harissa Chicken Quesadilla, Mediterranean Bowl, Tuna Poke
What makes it special: A newer Financial District hangout where modern small plates and cocktails slot neatly between spreadsheets and theater tickets.