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Best Restaurants with a Vibrant Bar Scene in Near North

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109 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago restaurant
1. Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago
4.8
Exceptional(14268)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • River North (Chicago)
Booked 122 times today
Since 1984, Shaw’s Crab House has earned its status as a Chicago icon with its unwavering commitment to quality and warm, dedicated staff. This generational restaurant embodies timeless seafood traditions inspired by America's coastal crab houses, creating a classic dining experience that stands the test of time. Signature dishes include King Crab Legs, oysters from both coasts, hand-rolled sushi, fresh fish, and more. After 40 years of excellence, Shaw's was ranked #8 in Chicago Magazine's Best Chicago Restaurants of 2024.The restaurant's 1940s-style design features two distinct dining rooms: the lively, casual Oyster Bar and the elegant, white-tablecloth Main Dining Room. Guests who reserve "Hightop" seating will dine in the Oyster Bar, while "Standard" seating is for the Main Dining Room.Located in the heart of River North, Shaw’s is just a short walk from Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a memorable seafood experience.
A photo of Barrio restaurant
2. Barrio
4.3
Awesome(2875)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • River North (Chicago)
Booked 32 times today
Located In The Heart Of River North, At 65 West Kinzie Street, Dineamic Hospitality Added Its First Mexican Restaurant, Barrio, To The Hospitality Group'S Culinary Roster In 2017. A Creative Take On Traditional Mexican Fare With American Influences, Barrio Is A 6,000-Square-Foot Space Accommodating 200 Guests Indoors And Throughout Our 3 Private Dining Spaces And 70 Guests Amongst Our Expansive Outdoor Patio. Barrio Is Located Near The Chicago River, Right On The Cusp Of Downtown In River North.
A photo of Quartino - Chicago restaurant
3. Quartino - Chicago
4.5
Awesome(10915)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • River North (Chicago)
Booked 131 times today
Quartino Ristorante is a lively, authentic Italian restaurant and wine bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Our menu features Italy's regional specialties including artisanal salumi, Neapolitan thin-crust pizza, house-made pasta, and seasonal dishes. Menu items, served in moderate portions and meant to be shared, are perfect for adventurous diners ready for a unique experience.
A photo of Ema - River North restaurant
4. Ema - River North
4.7
Exceptional(4531)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • River North (Chicago)
Booked 89 times today
A Mediterranean & California-inspired restaurant featuring small plates & Chef CJ Jacobson's lighter style cooking in Chicago's River North.
A photo of RPM Italian - Chicago restaurant
5. RPM Italian - Chicago
4.7
Exceptional(12179)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • River North (Chicago)
Booked 112 times today
Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, RPM Italian is modern in approach and Italian in spirit, featuring a contemporary menu with dishes meant to be shared. The sister restaurant to RPM Steak and RPM Seafood, RPM Italian marks the first collaboration between partners RJ, Jerrod and Molly Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises and celebrity couple Giuliana & Bill Rancic.
A photo of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab restaurant
6. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
4.9
Exceptional(17493)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • River North (Chicago)
Booked 139 times today
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a vibrant bar scene according to reviews. Patrons have mentioned the 'lively vibe', 'great food and cocktails', and the 'well arranged bar area' that allows for 'before dinner cocktails'. It's a go-to spot for celebrations in a classy environment with 'excellent cocktails' and 'attentive and fun wait staff'. The restaurant is also described as 'festive' with 'festive ambiance'.
A photo of il Porcellino restaurant
7. il Porcellino
4.7
Exceptional(4173)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • River North (Chicago)
Booked 105 times today
Il Porcellino, located in the heart of River North in downtown Chicago, is a neighborhood restaurant offering classic Italian-American comfort food in a casual setting. Our seasonal menu focuses on housemate pastas, vegetable antipasti and daily specials, all crafted with ingredients sourced from quality artisans, purveyors, and local farmers. The fun and approachable wine program encourages sharing with selections primarily from Italy. As a way to offset rising costs associated with the restaurant (food, beverage, labor, benefits, supplies), we have added a 3% surcharge to all checks. We do this in lieu of increased menu prices. You may request to have this taken off your check, should you choose.
A photo of La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Chicago restaurant
8. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Chicago
4.2
Awesome(2141)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • River North (Chicago)
Booked 54 times today
La Pizza & La Pasta features two of the best-loved Italian dishes: Napoli-style pizza and al dente pasta. Enjoy our seasonal selection just steps away from our expert pasta chefs and dough-slinging pizzaioli (pizza makers). To create our traditional but innovative dishes, our chefs cook with both fresh pasta made daily in-house and air-dried, bronze-extruded pasta from Campania, Italy. Eataly has teamed up with the experts at Rossopomodoro, a Napoli-based pizza company, to bring you traditional Neapolitan pizza. Creamy mozzarella, charred yet elastic crust, and sweet San Marzano tomatoes are the basis for the most traditional Pizza.
A photo of SUSHI-SAN - River North restaurant
9. SUSHI-SAN - River North
4.8
Exceptional(1281)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • River North (Chicago)
Booked 113 times today
Sushi-San serves up the best sushi in Chicago made with the freshest ingredients they can find, all served with a side of old-school hip-hop and ice-cold beer. The bar is kept stocked with rare Japanese whisky, sake, wine and inventive cocktails. Join them for lunch and dinner.
A photo of STK – Chicago restaurant
10. STK – Chicago
4.1
Excellent(6346)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • River North (Chicago)
Booked 87 times today
STK – Chicago is described as a 'trendy and sophisticated' spot with a 'vibrant bar scene.' With a live DJ playing 'top40, pop and dance remixes,' it's 'not a quiet ambient music restaurant.' The restaurant has a 'great bar atmosphere' and 'good times.' A reviewer noted that 'if you are looking for a place to chat and have dinner, this is not the place,' but if you're looking for 'upbeat' and 'fun,' this is 'a very nice place.'
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Paul
    Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    First visit since the place was converted from Ben Pao.. Beautiful feel (reminiscent of our beloved LEYE "Avanzare" restaurant). The music level was, in our opinion, too loud to maintain a pleasant conversation. It id not seem to affect other diners. Your Italian wines list is superb. We tried a bottle from Sicily (on our own but with approval from your in house sommelier).
    More info
    RPM Italian - ChicagoPrice: Expensive• Italian• River North (Chicago)
    •
    4.7
  • Nate
    Chicago / Illinois •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Perfect date spot that doesn’t break the bank. The food was also amazing and the drinks were good.
    More info
    BarrioPrice: Moderate• Mexican• River North (Chicago)
    •
    4.3
  • Wilvip
    Chicago / Illinois •21 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Shaw's Chicago location offers a fantastic dining experience with fresh oysters that are always a highlight. The lunch special is not only delicious but also reasonably priced, making it a great option for a midday bite. The restaurant's vintage ambiance adds a charming touch, making it a beautiful space to enjoy a meal. Highly recommend!
    More info
    Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - ChicagoPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• River North (Chicago)
    •
    4.8
  • Marc
    Chicago / Illinois •16 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    The bass was excellent, and the Kofta was tasty. However, the humus was a disappointment—not better than what one can buy in a grocery store. The cauliflower/broccoli dish was a good surprise. Overall, the food was good, but not surprising. The place was full (on a Friday night) -- crowded and noisy. Service was slow.
    More info
    Ema - River NorthPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• River North (Chicago)
    •
    4.7
  • csnyder023
    Cincinnati / Dayton •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Lulu was very knowledgeable and attentive. We loved her guidance throughout the meal and would absolutely request her again! The food was divine and the wine selection was vast. I haven’t been back since 2018 and am so glad we got to visit this trip! We will be back :)
    More info
    Quartino - ChicagoPrice: Moderate• Italian• River North (Chicago)
    •
    4.5

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