During the warmer months, there are a number of lakefront restaurants either right on the beaches of Lake Michigan or close by. Starting from north to south, my favorites include:
In Edgewater, a short walk east of the Granville Red Line stop, is a wonderful new find, The Waterfront Cafe. This is a casual, seasonal restaurant with outdoor terrance that is located along the lake in Berger Park. I went with a friend on a perfect July day and had a perfect crab salad sandwich. I highly recommend the experience and suggest that you go on the early side as the waits can be somewhat long. They are open for lunch and dinner and also have live music.
In Uptown, make sure to have lunch at Montrose Beach at The Dock. The beach house is opened in the summer and early fall and has good outdoor seating. I was back for the second time an loved my fish tacos overlooking Lake Michigan.
Afterwards, make sure to walk along Montrose Beach, Montrose Harbor, the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area. The views are really stunning. The Bird Sanctuary is a stopping point for food, shelter, and rest to migratory songbirds in Illinois during the spring, and again in the fall according to In Your Own State newsletters. Among the migratory songbirds you may see are warblers, thrushes, and purple martins. You may also be able to spot woodpeckers and owls.
A short walk or drive south of Montrose Beach if the Clocktower Cafe at 3701 N. Recreation Dr. overlooking the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course and near the Waveland Park Tennis Courts.
“Originally constructed in 1931, the Clock Tower Café was built alongside the Waveland Fieldhouse (currently the Sydney R. Marovitz Clubhouse), as a refreshment stand to accommodate the patrons of the surrounding golf course, tennis courts and ping pong tables.” Today it is a casual cafe, owned by the Chicago Park District. They have a casual menu of drinks, sandwiches, salads, burgers and sides. I enjoyed a great cheese burger on the outside patio with a friend who lives nearby, on a beautiful summer day.
Located along the north side of Diversey Harbor, a block from Lake Michigan, is Bacino’s Italian Grill at 248 W Diversey Pkwy. This is a casual, seasonal restaurant featuring a menu of wine, cocktails, sandwiches, salads and pizza. It has a lovely setting in back with outdoor seating. I enjoyed my grilled chicken panini sandwich and the service!
The Lakefront Restaurant is located at the Theater on the Lake. It is a wonderful spot for lunch or dinner along the lake with a sleek decor and great views. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. I thought the service and the food was excellent. I really loved the pulled pork sandwich for lunch and highly recommend it! I was just back and loved their shrimp roll sandwich. You can make reservations online, which I recommend particularly when the weather is great.
The Theater on the Lake hosts plays along with live music events. Valet Parking is available. 2401 N. Lakeshore Drive at Fullerton.
The next stop is in the Gold Coast at Oak Street Beach. In the summer and fall months make sure to hit the beach along Lake Michigan. I was there for lunch at Whispers Oak Street Beach on a beautiful August day at 1001 N. Lake Shore Dr. I enjoyed watching the boats and the people on the beach while listening to classic Frank Sinatra. They have a bar as well as the restaurant. You won’t believe that you are in Chicago!
Near the popular Navy Pier, is Caffè Oliva on the Ohio Street Beach and next to Olive Park. It is from the same team as “The Dock” at Montrose Beach. This is a seasonal bar and restaurant located right on the beach with outstanding views. It is open daily for lunch and dinner. It has a menu with mussels, burgers and sandwiches, salads, coconut shrimp, fried calamari, fish and chips and fish tacos. 550 E. Grand Ave.
Recently opened at Navy Pier is celebrity Chef Art Smiths new family-friendly restaurant, Reunion. It features Southern comfort food including fried chicken, fried catfish, fried green tomatoes, biscuits, mac & cheese and collard greens. I really enjoyed my shrimp and grits before a Sunday matinee at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. They also have large outdoor patio.
I recently went to Cafe Michelle along DuSable Harbor at 200 N. Lakefront Trail. Owned by the same group as Whispers Oak Street Beach, this is a lovely cafe and bar along the water. They have a dine-in menu where you can sit on the patio and enjoy beautiful views of the boat docks. Here you can hve starter, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and tacos. I enjoyed trying the tasty lamb burger topped with caramelized red onions, fresh spinach, feta cheese and topped with tzatziki sauce along with some fries. They also have a full bar menu.
There is also a cafe where you can buy coffee drinks, gelato and other take-out menu items.
If you happen to know a member of the Columbia Yacht Club, have them invite you to dine at the yacht club on the lake. Located just south of Cafe Michelle, it was founded in 1892 and named in honor of the Columbian Exposition of 1893. It has always been a floating yacht club. Today the ship is the MV Abegweit which began service in 1947 as an icebreaking ferry, bringing passengers, autos and railcars from the mainland to Prince Edward Island in Nova Scotia. She was purchased in 1982 to become their new Club Ship, retaining the name, which means “Cradled on the Waves.” It has a very traditional feel with a bar, newly remodeled dining room and outdoor dining. 111 North Lake Shore Dr.
If you know members of the Chicago Yacht Club, make sure to visit their clubhouse at 400 E Monroe St. The views of Monroe Harbor are really stunning overlooking the boats.
They aso have their more casual Belmont Station at 300 W. Belmont Ave.
