Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in West Loop (60661)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: July 2026
Our Top Pick
avec
High-impact Mediterranean small plates built for a tight, shareable order.
Notable Picks
#1
avec
8.6
A West Loop Mediterranean room built for shareable small plates that still eat like a real dinner: bold, wine-friendly flavors, smart technique, and a menu that rewards committing to a few signature lanes. The move is to anchor the table with one big protein, then stack 2–3 high-impact plates that bring spice, acid, and smoke into balance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates, Slow-roasted pork shoulder, Short rib hummus
What Makes it Special: High-impact Mediterranean small plates built for a tight, shareable order.
#2
La Josie
8.6
A modern Jalisco-leaning room that shines when you order in a tight taco-and-shareables lane, backed by a deep tequila and mezcal program. The kitchen’s strongest plays are crispy, rich birria-style bites and bright, acid-forward seafood starters that keep the meal feeling paced instead of heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesa-birrias (beer birria) with consomé, Aguachile verde, Arrachera tacos (skirt steak)
What Makes it Special: Jalisco-forward cooking with a serious agave bar and rooftop energy.
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
A Greektown classic where the best meals are built around grilled seafood, bright salads, and the kind of crowd-pleasing plates that keep big tables happy. Go for the signature starters, then pick one main lane—whole fish or a hearty baked dish—and let the room’s lively energy do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mediterranean grilled octopus, Flaming saganaki, Moussaka
What Makes it Special: Big-room Greek cooking built for classic starters and grilled mains.
#4
Sepia
8.3
A polished New American dining room that plays best as a composed, coursed dinner rather than a scattered share-everything night. Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s cooking often pivots classic American structure into sharper global accents, rewarding diners who commit to a few signature lanes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle brioche with leek velouté, Carolina barbecue-style grilled sablefish, Beef short rib
What Makes it Special: Modern American cooking with global technique in a refined room.
#5
Carnivale
8.3
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
A high-color, high-energy room where romance is loud—great for couples who want a celebratory night instead of quiet intimacy. The move is to lean into shared plates and cocktails so the table feels like a party for two.
Must-Try Dishes:
Latin fusion share plates, Signature cocktails, Dessert finale
What Makes it Special: A maximalist, celebratory room that turns dinner into an event.
8.2
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
A polished Greektown room that leans festive—classic dishes, strong hospitality cues, and a setup that works well for groups. Outdoor seating is the move when you want the energy without the full indoor volume.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saganaki, Lamb chops, Greek salad
What Makes it Special: A more dressed-up Greektown classic with outdoor seating.
#7
Bar La Rue
8.2
A French-American room in Fulton Market built around cocktails, a high-energy dining room, and a menu that plays best when you commit to a few bistro-style lanes. Come for the scene and the bar program, then anchor the table with one or two classic comfort moves rather than chasing every shareable.
Must-Try Dishes:
French onion soup, Fondue, Steak frites
What Makes it Special: French-American bistro comfort with a cocktail-first Fulton Market vibe.
Worthy Picks
#8
SUNNYGUN
7.7
A patio-forward West Loop bar built for casual outdoor hangs—good drinks, no-fuss food, and an open-air setup that’s made for groups. It’s best as a relaxed start (or finish) to the night when you want fresh air more than a formal meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
MG Burger, Fries, Chicken tenders
What Makes it Special: A patio-first setup designed for lingering with drinks and bites.