What is the best Friendly restaurant in River North?

Pizzeria Portofino is our top pick for Friendly restaurants in River North, scoring 8.4/10. Riverfront pizza and spritzes with a resort-like patio setting.

Any insider tips for Pizzeria Portofino?

Request a river-facing table when booking; they go first in season.

What should I order at Pizzeria Portofino?

Margherita or charred pepperoni pizza plus Mediterranean salad.

When should I visit Pizzeria Portofino?

Sunny afternoons and early evenings in patio season.

Who should go to Pizzeria Portofino?

Groups wanting waterfront pizza and drinks downtown.

Any insider tips for Beatrix?

Use the coffee bar and pastry case for a quick but still sit-down-feeling breakfast.

What should I order at Beatrix?

Spicy chicken tinga, avocado toast, a pastry from the bakery case.

When should I visit Beatrix?

Weekday mornings or early lunches to avoid peak brunch rush.

Who should go to Beatrix?

Brunch groups, coffee catch-ups, and casual business meetings.

Any insider tips for River Roast?

Book outdoor seating during patio season; the riverfront tables change the feel of the meal.

What should I order at River Roast?

Whole roasted chicken, river roast beef, an order of potatoes.

When should I visit River Roast?

Weekend brunch or early evening for best light on the river.

Who should go to River Roast?

Groups wanting river views with hearty, shareable American plates.

Any insider tips for The Smith?

Bar seats are often easier to snag last minute and still get full menu access.

When should I visit The Smith?

Weekend brunch and early evening for buzzy but manageable crowds.

Who should go to The Smith?

Mixed groups who need wide menu coverage and energy.

Any insider tips for The Hampton Social - River North?

Reserve near the windows or main bar if you care more about energy than noise levels.

What should I order at The Hampton Social - River North?

Lobster roll, crab cake benedict, frosé or rosé by the glass.

When should I visit The Hampton Social - River North?

Midday weekends when the room is buzzing but not packed.

Who should go to The Hampton Social - River North?

Groups planning social, cocktail-heavy brunch with a scene.

Any insider tips for JoJo's Shake Bar - River North?

Share shakes between two to four people; they’re huge and pricey.

What should I order at JoJo's Shake Bar - River North?

One Biggie Shake to share, a burger, loaded fries.

When should I visit JoJo's Shake Bar - River North?

Afternoons or early evenings before lines and late-night crowds.

Who should go to JoJo's Shake Bar - River North?

Families planning a sugar-focused outing or birthday treat.

Any insider tips for Gold Coast Cafe?

Order ahead online for a faster pickup when the cafe is busy with commuters.

What should I order at Gold Coast Cafe?

Breakfast burrito, burritos suizo, latte or specialty matcha.

When should I visit Gold Coast Cafe?

Morning through early afternoon for fresh burritos and calmer seating.

Who should go to Gold Coast Cafe?

Neighborhood regulars wanting a burrito with good coffee.

Best Family Friendly Restaurants in River North (60654)

7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

Pizzeria Portofino

Riverfront pizza and spritzes with a resort-like patio setting.

Notable Picks

#1 Pizzeria Portofino

8.4

$$ River North

Vibes: Outdoor Dining Oasis Date Night Magic Group Dining Gatherings Trendy Table Hotspots

Perched along the riverwalk, Pizzeria Portofino focuses on hand-stretched pizzas, coastal-leaning salads, and spritzes with a strong patio-first mentality. The combination of waterfront views, shareable pies, and approachable pricing makes it a go-to for casual Italian lunches and group dinners in warm weather.

Must-Try Dishes: Margherita pizza, Charred pepperoni pizza, Mediterranean salad

What makes it special: Riverfront pizza and spritzes with a resort-like patio setting.

View Full Review →

#2 Beatrix

8.4

$$ River North

Vibes: Brunch Bliss Spots Business Lunch Power Players Healthy Haven Trendy Table Hotspots

Opened in 2013 by Lettuce Entertain You, Beatrix is an all-day New American café that leans into brunch plates, salads, and a strong bakery and coffee counter. High-volume, steady reviews keep it a default for River North breakfast meetings, solo lunches, and casual dinners.

Must-Try Dishes: Spicy chicken tinga, Smashed avocado toast with poached eggs, Chicken Bebe

What makes it special: A busy, reliable all-day spot where New American comfort plates meet lighter, health-leaning options.

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#3 River Roast

8.3

$$$ River North

Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Birthday & Celebration Central Outdoor Dining Oasis Brunch Bliss Spots

River Roast sits along the Chicago River with big-format roasts, live music at times, and a dining room that leans social more than formal. It’s where parties share carved meats and cocktails while taking advantage of one of the neighborhood’s more scenic patios.

Must-Try Dishes: Whole roasted chicken, River roast beef, Fried fish sandwich

What makes it special: Riverside tables and shareable roasts make it a natural fit for celebratory groups.

View Full Review →

#4 The Smith

8.1

$$ River North

Vibes: Brunch Bliss Spots Date Night Magic Group Dining Gatherings Trendy Table Hotspots

The Smith’s River North outpost delivers a busy American brasserie experience with a big menu, raw bar, and strong brunch business. It’s a crowd-pleasing choice when you need something that works for burgers, mac and cheese, and steaks in one room.

Must-Try Dishes: Mac and cheese, The Smith burger, Brick pressed chicken

What makes it special: A lively, East Coast-style brasserie with a big American comfort menu and strong brunch and dinner appeal.

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#5 The Hampton Social - River North

8.0

$ River North

Vibes: Brunch Bliss Spots Girls Night Out Approved Trendy Table Hotspots Birthday & Celebration Central

The Hampton Social leans coastal and rosé-forward, but its spacious dining room, highchairs, and seafood-heavy menu make it a workable choice for families too. Parents come for lobster rolls, flatbreads, and brunch dishes while kids pick from approachable sandwiches and fries in a bright, beachy room.

Must-Try Dishes: Maine or Manhattan-style Lobster Roll, Avocado Toast with egg, Crab Cake Benedict or similar seafood benedict

What makes it special: Beach-club-style brunch where rosé, lobster rolls, and a bright room drive the experience.

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Worthy Picks

#6 JoJo's Shake Bar - River North

7.9

$$ River North

Vibes: Family Friendly Favorites Sweet Treats Escapes Instagram Worthy Wonders Girls Night Out Approved

JoJo’s Shake Bar is built around over-the-top shakes, burgers, and fries, with bright decor and seasonal pop-ups that are catnip for kids and teens. Families treat it as a special-occasion stop for birthday sundaes and photo-ready desserts more than an everyday dinner spot.

Must-Try Dishes: Winter Wonderland or Seasonal Biggie Shake, Classic Burger, Loaded Fries

What makes it special: A dessert-first diner where towering shakes and themed decor thrill kids.

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#7 Gold Coast Cafe

7.8

$$ River North / Gold Coast

Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions Hidden Gems Heaven Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Gold Coast Cafe is a halal-friendly corner café where Arabic-style ice cream, kunafa, and coffee share space with everyday sandwiches and snacks. Families use it as a low-pressure stop for dessert after dinner or an easy, kid-welcoming hangout that stays open late.

Must-Try Dishes: Breakfast burrito with eggs and turkey bacon, Burritos suizo with melted cheese, French toast flight for a sweet brunch add-on

What makes it special: Halal-friendly cafe where breakfast burritos share space with coffee drinks and Middle Eastern-leaning plates.

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