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Robert's Pizza and Dough
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Robert's Pizza and Dough
8.9
Robert Garvey's certified pizzaioli credentials shine through in this riverfront Streeterville destination, where a 20-year dough development journey yields thin-crust artisan pies with perfect crunch-to-chew ratio. Named #1 Artisan Pizza in Chicago and ranked among Top 100 Pizzas in the World.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fennel Sausage with Hot Honey, Pepperoni with Calabrian Chiles, Acorn Squash Seasonal Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Award-winning brick-oven thin crust with anatomically perfect dough developed over 20 years
Who should go: Pizza purists, couples, groups seeking waterfront dining
When to visit: Request dock seating at sunset for Navy Pier views
What to order: Fennel sausage pizza, pepperoni with honey, seasonal specials
Insider tip: Tuesday is Detroit-style pizza day with special offerings
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available on-site, street parking limited in Streeterville. Nearby garage options bookable via ParkABM. Navy Pier buses accessible.
Dress code: Casual - jeans and smart-casual work well. Lean slightly dressy for date night; relaxed for patio lunches.
Noise level: Lively indoors - bar area has upbeat music and can be loud. Patio is more peaceful with waterfront ambiance. Request upstairs loft for quieter experience.
Weekend wait: 30-45 min without reservation; patio high demand in warm weather
Weekday lunch: Typically seated quickly, especially indoors
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - clearly marked on menu. Mediterranean salad, roasted veggie pizza, and multiple cheese/veggie options available.
Vegan options: Yes - dedicated vegan pizza on menu plus vegetable-forward salads and sides.
Gluten-free options: Yes - highly praised house-made GF crust using Caputo fioreglut flour. Separate prep, dedicated trays, red stands mark allergy orders. Shared oven with cross-contamination possible - not celiac-certified but staff very knowledgeable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice. Request riverside dock seating at sunset for Navy Pier views - the waterfront ambiance is genuinely romantic. Smart-casual dress, shareable pizzas, and solid cocktails make for easy conversation. Book ahead for patio.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch, yes - you'll likely walk right in. Weekend evenings are busy, especially for patio seats. Walk-ins face waits when the 120-seat outdoor area fills. Call ahead or book via OpenTable to guarantee your spot.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, families are welcome and birthday celebrations are common. Kids can get cheese pizza, butter noodles, or marinara penne. Note: lower dock seating is very close to the water - not ideal for active toddlers. Request earlier seating for calmer atmosphere; high chairs available.
Best For
Better for: Artisan thin-crust obsessives who want craft dough over Chicago deep-dish, waterfront ambiance seekers, groups wanting shareable pies with quality cocktails, and anyone needing excellent gluten-free options.
Skip if: You're craving classic Chicago deep-dish, need a quiet intimate dinner (indoor bar can be loud), have severe celiac (shared oven), or want a dedicated kids menu with standard options.
Robert's Pizza and Dough
8.7
Robert’s Pizza leans into long-fermented, thin-crust pies served on a riverfront patio along the Ogden Slip. It’s the move when you want serious pizza, a solid drink list, and outdoor tables that feel more neighborhood than tourist trap.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Burrata Starter
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Waterfront patio serving long-fermented pizzas right on the slip.
Who should go: Pizza fans wanting waterfront seating without downtown formality.
When to visit: Warm evenings at sunset for patio and skyline glow.
What to order: Margherita Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Burrata starter.
Insider tip: Sit near the railing for best breeze and views.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily nearby paid garages and limited metered street parking; expect tougher parking during peak summer evenings and weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, polos, and casual dresses are common; patio-appropriate layers recommended on breezy nights.
Noise level: Moderate outdoors — conversation is doable, but wind, music, and waterfront foot traffic can raise volume at peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for patio tables without a reservation during warm-weather months; shorter waits for indoor seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, except on peak summer days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas and starters can be prepared vegetarian, plus customizable topping combinations.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be modified (sauceless or cheeseless pies), but there is not a dedicated vegan program.
Gluten-free options: Limited — crust options may vary by season; cross-contamination is possible, so gluten-sensitive diners should confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the waterfront patio and relaxed vibe make it a low-pressure, conversational setting, especially around sunset. It skews casual rather than formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but patio demand spikes in warm weather. Walk-ins are more successful earlier in the evening or for smaller parties; be prepared for a wait on sunny weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the menu is approachable and outdoor seating works well for families. Best for kids who can remain seated near the water’s edge; bring layers for cooler evenings.
Best For
Better for: Waterfront patio dining with thoughtfully fermented thin-crust pies and a setting that feels neighborhood-casual rather than touristy.
Skip if: You want ultra-quiet indoor dining, deep-dish or heavy topping-loaded styles, or fully dedicated vegan/gluten-free programs.
Robert's Pizza and Dough
8.7
Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company is a riverfront pizzeria on the Ogden Slip where long-fermented thin crusts, toppings like prosciutto and arugula, and a strong cocktail list meet a heavily praised, dog-welcoming patio. Since reopening in Streeterville in 2019, it’s become a go-to for waterfront pizza nights that balance destination status with neighborhood comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Rita Pizza, Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza, Beet & Kale Salad
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Family-owned, award-winning thin-crust pizza served on a riverside, dog-friendly patio.
Who should go: Pizza lovers planning relaxed waterfront dinners with their dogs.
When to visit: Warm evenings just before sunset for river views and easier seating.
What to order: The Rita pizza, Prosciutto & Arugula pizza, Beet & Kale Salad.
Insider tip: Request a patio table along the water when booking; staff are used to accommodating dogs with water bowls and extra space by the railing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking in Streeterville; most guests use nearby public garages along Ogden Slip and Illinois Street
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — patio dining is relaxed, but neat attire fits the setting
Noise level: Moderate — conversational on most evenings, livelier during peak patio hours
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation on warm-weather evenings, especially for patio seating
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait except during peak summer days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — multiple veggie pizzas, salads, and shareables
Vegan options: Limited — can modify some pizzas and salads, but few fully vegan builds
Gluten-free options: Available — gluten-free crust offered on select pizzas (cross-contact possible; confirm with staff)
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — waterfront views, shareable pizzas, and a relaxed patio atmosphere make it easygoing and comfortable rather than formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays or cooler days, but patio space fills quickly in warm weather — walk-ins are seated as space opens, with the bar as a practical fallback.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with school-age kids — outdoor seating, pizza-centric menu, and a casual vibe work well, though evenings can be busy and stroller space is limited on the patio.
Best For
Better for: Waterfront pizza nights with dogs, long-fermented thin-crust pies, and a lively patio setting with cocktails
Skip if: You want deep-dish, a very quiet dining room, or strict vegan/gluten-free dining with dedicated prep controls
Robert's Pizza and Dough
8.8
On a slip off the Chicago River in Streeterville, Robert's Pizza and Dough Company focuses on long-fermented, brick-oven thin-crust pies with inventive toppings and a full bar. Locals and visitors use it as a later-hours spot for artisan pizza with waterfront views and a lively, bi-level dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cup & Char Pepperoni Pizza, The Funghi, Carne Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Waterfront Streeterville pizzeria pairing long-fermented thin crust with creative toppings and a dockside patio.
Who should go: Pizza fans wanting refined thin-crust and river views.
When to visit: Weekend evenings 8–10 p.m. for lively patio energy.
What to order: Cup & Char Pepperoni, The Funghi, Carne pizza.
Insider tip: Reserve patio seats in warm weather; prime riverfront tables go first.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking in Streeterville; most guests use nearby paid garages along Illinois & McClurg. No dedicated valet as of latest reports.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly polished in the evening.
Noise level: Lively and energetic indoors during peak hours; conversation is easier on the patio or earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours, especially on warm-weather patio nights.
Weekday lunch: Generally little to no wait, though riverside tables may still fill first.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas and salads can be made meat-free, and staff is used to accommodating ingredient swaps.
Vegan options: Limited — dough and toppings are not designed around vegan builds, but you can assemble a vegetable-forward pizza without cheese.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free accommodation is limited; no dedicated gluten-free prep area and availability may vary — confirm with the restaurant before visiting if this is essential.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it works well for a relaxed, fun first date with river views and shareable pies. Choose patio or upstairs seating if you want a slightly quieter setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are common, but expect a wait during peak weekend evenings and on patio-weather days. Adding your name early or arriving before 7 p.m. improves your odds.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common earlier in the evening, and the menu is approachable for kids. Later hours skew livelier and more adult-oriented.
Best For
Better for: Thin-crust artisan pies with creative toppings, waterfront views, and a livelier late-evening atmosphere than most neighborhood pizzerias.
Skip if: You want deep-dish, ultra-quiet dining, or strict gluten-free/vegan needs that require dedicated prep and menu coverage.