City Winery at the Riverwalk

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a perfect spot along the Chicago Riverwalk! The views are absolutely stunning – you’re right in the middle of downtown with the Trump Tower, Marina City, and all the bridges around you. It’s a great place to people-watch, see the boats go by, and just enjoy the city’s energy. We grabbed a couple of drinks and a flatbread pizza, and everything was really good. The cocktail was refreshing, the beer was cold, and the pizza was tasty – simple but hit the spot while enjoying the riverfront vibes. The atmosphere is unbeatable. Whether you’re just stopping for a quick drink or hanging out for a while, it’s such a fun and relaxing place to soak up Chicago. Definitely recommend if you’re visiting or even if you’re local and just want to enjoy a nice day on the river!

Decent spot to grab a couple of drinks and people-watch. The spicy feta dip is hands-down the best of the four options (but you can be the judge). The menu also includes flatbreads, paninis, and salads. Prices are on the higher side for what you get—but that’s pretty typical for the River Walk.

Today was my first time eating at The City Winery Riverwalk with friends for lunch! I must say it was pretty tasty. We started off with the spicy Feta, hummus, and roasted pepper walnut dips w/ warm pita bread. For a main entree we had the kale, Ceasar and Greek Salad. The shrimp scampi and hot honey flat bread. The waiter attended to us throughout our visit, the food didn’t take long to prepare and the food came out fresh. I will definitely be back.

Food: I had the kale salad with chicken. Great flavors with the cheese and chili oil but it had a little too much of chili oil which made the salad become salty. Service: The service was subpar, it just didn’t seem they knew what was going on. We’re the first ones to walk in when it opens and already there’s no charcuterie board bc kitchen was “kookoo”. The rest of it was just awkward, another table that sat after us got their food first and then the server just let us know that our food is up just backed up in kitchen, but I didn’t understand as we were the first ones to arrive. Just the etiquette wasn’t there Ambiance: it’s outdoors but can be indoors. You’re right by the water on the river walk so it’s a great view to sit and enjoy. However there are dead plants at front which drives the Bees/ bugs to us and it wasn’t enjoyable to sit. Location accommodation: it’s right by the Riverwalk passing. You can also have a beer at the bar or seating that they provide as well

City Winery is a nice place right on the Riverwalk if you're looking for a quick bite or cocktail. The food was almost really good. The brisket tacos were fine, but the BBQ sauce they used is a little odd. The chips are tasty if a bit bland - almost no salt. When we visited it was raining, but it is still possible to sit outside under their covered areas. All in all a decent option if you're on the Riverwalk looking for a snack.

This has to be one of my fav spots on the river. And their enclosed patio is great for weather days like today. They have amazing flatbreads and cocktails! Always vibing!

It was my first time there, I went with my Team, we had really Awesome time and enjoyed snacks together. Views from that point are simply Awesome 🤩❤️ I really like the atmosphere, it was so nice listening music and enjoying snacks on River ☺️ I would love to visit this place again, I feel so relax and enjoy every second.

I am a frequent visitor at City Winery. I come for the entertainment and the affordability of the ticket prices even though we're packed in the venue like sardines. My main concern is the food service. Just when I decided not to purchase food anymore, they came up with the idea that there is a $25 mandatory minimum for food and or drinks. Well I'm not a drinker so now I'm forced to purchase the food, which is not all that great. Nevertheless, I comply and order food. Not only do they take a long time to bring your order but they give it to you one order at a time. For example if you order burgers and fries, your burger comes out first then your fries come out an hour later. Who waits for an hour for a FRENCH FRY order. Whenever I invite guest I have to forewarn them that the food service is AWEFUL. It's embarrassing and takes away from the whole experience of enjoying the show because you're angry or annoyed because of the wait time for food. The host never comes back to your table to give you updates about your order, you have flag them down to ask. Why can't City Winery collaborate with other restaurants for advice on plateing food and servicing it as one order

Edwin the Manager is very friendly and very helpful. He needs a raise !!! He is very attentive and very helpful with the menu

The view is amazing here!! I didn't get any food but my glasses of wine were great on a hot day. I had the rose and sauv blanc.

I would give this place five stars just for the view alone! We had a reservation, but when we arrived, the hostess seated us at a table right by the door where people were walking back and forth. We asked to be moved to a preferred table, and while she did accommodate us, she had a bit of an attitude about it. I just didn't want to sit with my back to all the foot traffic. Unlike the brick-and-mortar location, this spot doesn't offer wine flights, and they serve wine in plastic cups. However, our waiter was kind enough to let us sample the wines before we made our selections, which was a nice touch. It did take him a while to come back and take our food orders, as he thought we were going to leave. When my shrimp tacos and side salad arrived, my friend's side salad and only had the spring mix--none of the other toppings it was supposed to include. The waiter quickly resolved it by bringing the toppings in small cups. The food was delicious, and the tacos were great, but I will say I was still a little hungry afterward. Overall, it was a good experience, mostly because of the view!

Dined in the casual part of the restaurant/bar where you order food at the cashier and everything is self service. I ordered the kale caesar salad, I asked for extra virgin olive oil on the side. The girl who put my salad together says to me they don't have EVOO, I said WHAT? In shocked to know how a restaurant in 2024 does not have olive oil-I said to her "who doesn't olive oil on their kitchen, I was like that is weird. She goes we have canola oil, the last type oil I want to put into my body. I even tipped on my order as well, thinking I was going to get my EVOO on the side-like I requested with then gentlemen who took my order. Very rude if you ask me. There are far better choices if you walk into riverwalk, further down the path away from Lake Michigan. Don't give your business here, not the friendliest workers.

Food: I had the kale salad with chicken. Great flavors with the cheese and chili oil but it had a little too much of chili oil which made the salad become salty. Service: The service was subpar, it just didn't seem they knew what was going on. We're the first ones to walk in when it opens and already there's no charcuterie board bc kitchen was "kookoo". The rest of it was just awkward, another table that sat after us got their food first and then the server just let us know that our food is up just backed up in kitchen, but I didn't understand as we were the first ones to arrive. Just the etiquette wasn't there Ambiance: it's outdoors but can be indoors. You're right by the water on the river walk so it's a great view to sit and enjoy. However there are dead plants at front which drives the Bees/ bugs to us and it wasn't enjoyable to sit. Location accommodation: it's right by the Riverwalk passing. You can also have a beer at the bar or seating that they provide as well

City Winery is my go-to spot on summer Sundays. The outdoor seating right by the river is perfect, and there are even stairs where people can sit. Sometimes yachts and boats are docked nearby, adding to the great view of the river and the iconic corn cob(also know as the Marina Towers)building. They have a fantastic wine selection, and this time, my friends and I shared a couple of rounds of rosé -- I might as well have ordered the bottle! I haven't tried the food yet, but it does get busy during peak summer hours. The service is quick and good though, which is a big plus!

First let me start with-Rico is a marvelous server. Quick, polite and great attitude. I'd hire him in a minute! The wine is lively the ambiance is perfect and it's really "Classic Chicago River walk" well done! BTW. Your tapenade rivals mine and I don't know if I'm happy or mad about that. Way to go!

"Spicy" over cooked - dry shrimp tacos comes in three was very disappointing... I couldn't and didn't want to finish it all. The setting is beautiful, vibes is wonderful though for drinks with friends.

Visiting my favorite city with my bestie and decided to have a drink here. Pros: on the river, watch the boats, high energy. Cons: super crowded on weekends, long line, limited menu, lots of college students Tip: make reservations and look at the menu before you come. It's definitely a vibe and a good spot for date night or just a night out.

Love this location. We have a City Winery in St. Louis but this one is better placed. We didn't try any food (I don't like the food at the St. Louis City Winey), just got some wine to drink while people watching on the Riverwalk. Good wine as always.

Amazing spot to plop down with a cocktail and watch the boats on the river. It's always live and fun to people watch! Can't comment on service yet, I walked up to the outdoor bar.

I always get my out of towner friends to City Winery to enjoy a couple of drinks right by the river when the weather is pleasant! It is at a great location and has good collection of cocktails and wines. My friend and I recently shared a bottle of sparkling Cava to enjoy a beautiful evening! Give this place a try for its amazing location and enjoy drinking right by the Chicago river! I have tried their food menu only once. They have limited vegan/ vegetarian options. I have tried wild mushrooms risotto and it was really good (not vegan) City winery is a tad bit expensive, but it's all about the location and good views!

One of my favorite parts of my weekend trip to Chicago was exploring the Riverwalk and hanging out here at City Winery. Food/Drinks: Didn't try the food as were went just fir drinks so can't speak on that. Got two bottles of wine that our group enjoyed though so can say we liked their options. Service: You can either get seated at a table or hang out at the bar area and sit at some small bar tables/stools. We had a large group but they were fine with us pushing some tables together. If you sit outside, you go up to the bar and order; simple enough. Ambiance: By incredible luck, we had amazing Chicago weather during our trip so sitting outside with some wine on a late Saturday afternoon next to the river was a complete vibe. There are space heaters around for those of you who get cold easily. Water: They had self-serve water stations next to the bar but come on, you really heard for some wine!

One of the best places to grab a refreshing drink on the river walk! Perfect views of the river, buildings with great jams! Today we just enjoyed two mojitos but they have plenty of appetizers like burrata, crudite and much more! Beware it's so hard to leave this place! #theseviews #chitown #citywinery

So you know when you pick out a restaurant, and you're like looking forward to eating there... This place looked cool, but won't be returning! We had asked to sit at a low top because of obvious mobility issues. We were told that the low top area was closed even though other people were eating in that section. We told them that our group could not sit on a chair at the high top table so we left. Looking for peach salad somewhere else

Stopped by since the place looked busy and had a great view. Server seemed a bit annoyed but stayed professional. Drinks were alright nothing special. The beer and seltzer came out warm. Food was sitting for a while and came cold , I only noticed since we were sat right by the kitchen exit. I will try other spots on the Riverwalk next time.

Felt threatened by the staff. They messed up the order than raised a fist in my face. Wrote to corporate waiting to hear back. I would definitely not come back here. Spent a ton of money and tipped a lot only to get the worst service ever.

Not sure about the food but drinking by the river on a nice day is gonna get you 4 stars as long as something weird doesn't happen. Nothing weird happened. We had drinks and watched the boats go by (and the fun happy hour people watching too).

Lobster is a great meal in any form - first time in my 67- yr life I have met a tasteless lobster roll. A palatable sauce and good bread would have made this an edible delightful dish, as lobster is. It was lacking in taste texture & sight! Life is too short for a bad lobster roll!!

I had reservations for weeks and they weren't prepared for my group. They put a 90-minute limit on the group and asked us to leave even though the restaurant was empty (it was raining) and people at the table were still drinking and ordering drinks. They couldn't even split the bill. One guy said they'd split it 3 ways, the waitress said 2 ways and it had to be even. Overall it was an unpleasant and ignorant experience for a group. I would never go with more than 4 people, they're simply not competent enough to handle it.

Great views of the Chicago River and an excellent spot for people watching. There's also plenty of seating so it's easy to get a good table. However, the prices are pretty crazy. A beer at City Winery is over $12 and wine is even more expensive. Service is pretty quick and friendly but you're paying for the atmosphere.

One of my favorite summer place in this city!!!! Great drinks and plenty of bars to order from which makes it so much quicker. Can sit in patio area or along the river which always has great yacht people watching! Highly recommend!

This is a great place to sit by the river and watch the boats and people go by while enjoying a beverage and a sandwich. The service was just okay.

I rarely leave bad reviews, but I have to share our experience. We had a reservation for 3 people on Saturday night before dinner for drinks . We were seated behind the stacked glass doors, so we were looking through several doors to see the river. It was very hot and stagnant here because we had no breeze. I think it would've been better to just walk in, as these seats looked better. On top of that, our drinks were terrible. We ordered a paloma that was extremely watery and overly sweet. I wouldn't spend your money or time here and just find another spot to sit outside and drink on the river. We ended up leaving after chugging our drinks to find another outdoor bar on the river walk (such as Chicago Brewhouse).

My friends and I came here after work on a Thursday snagging a table on the river despite it being MDW! The bar line looked long, but went quickly with 3+ bartenders. Exceptional service all around, especially the manager, David Charles who was attentive & accommodating!

Attended a Close Family Event, yesterday. Didn't know what to expect, but we were looking forward to this Soirée at City Winery Chicago on Randolph Street ( The new go to location for the young and affluent). Right from the start, Rafael was our Valet. Gave us the Rock Star Parking! Realized everyone at this venue brought there "A" Game. From the Valet to all the waitstaff to Security to the ever enjoyable Bartenders! (Shout out to Karen!) Everyone was stepping up. Haven't seen such enthusiasm in a long time. Place was cutting edge! Ambiance was New, Welcoming, and quite open. DJ's we're entertaining and engaging. The mixed Salad was delicious, you cannot go wrong with anything else other then having bacon in it. We had a choice of: Steak, Chicken, or Seafood (I'm sure if you were vegan they can accommodate). I asked how the steaks were prepared, our server went to speak with the Chef...came back with medium rare, I told her if it "mooed", that would be good too. Our entree came with Cauliflower Rice and Sautéed Asparagus. Our meal was delicious. Desert was a buffet of various decadent Chocolate choices. Open Bar is the only way to have a great time. Looking forward to trying out some concerts & there restaurant section. Cheers to the newlywed couple!

We came to City Winery to chill before our dinner reservations. We didn't want to eat so they had us get in the "to go" line. You just order drinks and find a place to sit or anywhere along the river. My bf and i both opted to order a cab, it was okay wine, pretty expensive for the amount that you get. We did enjoy the view of the river and seeing all the pups walk by. Obviously you don't need wine to do this by wine not.

Service was slow. Felt forgotten my our server. Forgotten orders. Charcuterie board was a hit, really tasty meat. $6 extra to add cheese Tuna Tacos were ok Turkey panini was good Views and ambiance are great food was okay.

Shrimp tacos were delicious! Very nice location over looking the river and the beautiful Chicago skyline. A great place to just hang out and have a drink. Margarita was good but small. Pricey but expected for the area.

We had a terrific lunch here on a terrific sunny clear Chicago day. Being on the riverbank is a great experience! Boats, kayakers, and strollers all make for a lively experience. Ryan, our waiter, was funny and candid about the menu and the food was very good. I had the watermelon salad with popcorn shrimp and feta that was tasty.

We stopped by City Winery for a work outing and I have to say, I was super disappointed. Though we made dinner reservations well in advance, upon arrival we were told that the dinner menu was not being served. Whatever- we figured we would order from the lunch menu. We were then told only small plates, salads, and sandwiches were available. When we ordered, it turned out only 2 of the small plates and 2 of the sandwiches were available. Basically a restaurant running with about 6 choices on the menu. Perhaps they are short staffed though because our server was doing her best to juggle so many full tables- I did appreciate her hustle. The drinks were good and strong, the food we were able to order was alright. Nice riverside views. I'm not sure if this is a regular occurrence at City Winery or due to them being so short staff, but I would recommend somewhere else in the area that's able to support the full menu, especially for the price you're paying.

Personally, unless you are eating here (which I had no idea was even an option until I saw other reviews), this place is an incredible spot to grab some wine, people watch, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Chicago River and skyline. I came here for a pre-dinner drink with my coworkers and although it was already busy at 5:15pm, we were able to snag a barrel to all stand around in the far corner. I can't speak for the food, but our personal experience was great, and there's nothing like enjoying a warm Chicago summer day than on the riverwalk. Just a beautiful place to be, and I'm so happy a place like this exists. If you can snag space on the steps right directly next to the water where to boats dock, then I suggest going there and bringing your drink with you.

This place is so cute and would be perfect for summertime Chi! Such a lovely place to grab food right next to the Chicago river. My family came for mother's day and honestly... it was so cold outside!!! Appetizers: There was so much bread that I was too full to finish my entree! But any who, I'm a HUGE fan of meat/cheese/dip platters. The spinach/artichoke dip is served warm with cheese crisps on top - so delicious! And the burrata, so fresh with pesto and tomatoes!! My least favorite would have to be the mediterranean platter. My fav dip out of that platter was the tzatziki dip! The tomato and olive dip were not tasty to me. Lobster mac n cheese: Yummy! This dish was pretty good. Plenty of lobster pieces! Topped off with bread crumbs. Not to mention, rotini pasta is one of my favorites! It was a decently sized portion too! I have no complaints. Churros: These were so warm and delicious - perfect for the cold weather that day. Came with chocolate drizzle on top and blueberries! Yum!

Rude and entitled staff. Disrespectful to our group, kicked bags constantly and spilled drinks into bags

IT IS FINALLY WARM IN CHICAGO!!! After 5 months of winter... warmth is finally here!? The city winery is located in the middle of the Riverwalk, a fully pedestrian walkway right on the Chicago river. There are a bunch of restaurants on the outskirts of the walkway. The city winery is always a great idea, refreshing cocktails and wine with a bunch of seating right by the river. Got two cocktails & enjoyed the warm weather but the Chicago River!! We ended up getting two cocktails instead of wine like the name implies, and had a blast! There is also art on the mart which is not too far from the city winery!

This review is for the outdoor dining experience. We visited back in July and had a very pleasant experience. We had advanced reservations and when we arrived at the scheduled time, we were seated promptly and were given a great spot/view. It was so nice being able to enjoy the view of the river and the boats coming and going. Our waitress was very nice and gave good recommendations on drinks and food. The food was fresh and very enjoyable. Overall, I recommend this spot for anyone visiting during the warmer months and wants a scenic dining experience that isn't too crowded.

Food was ok- portions very small (15 dollar salad more like side salad). Skip it and try something else on the riverwalk.

I really enjoyed grabbing a few drinks here before taking my architecture boat tour. They had a decent selection but more importantly they had a great view! I can't speak about the food menu because we weren't able to sit for a meal, but the drinks were great. I don't think this is the place for someone who's looking for a fancy shmancy glass of wine, but if you want a nice drink with a beautiful view and a chat with friends this is perfect. I had the canned rosé and a blueberry old fashioned which were both delicious, I really think they were great picks. I saw some reviews about pricing being a concern- I think any nice drink establishment you should expect to pay a little for your drinks. If you want cheap you can find cheap. I found these drinks to be reasonably priced considering how expensive alcohol is in the city. I'd definitely keep coming back and think it's a great place to come to when visiting the river walk.

We came here while my bf's electric car charged a couple blocks away. Service was solid and the salad was averagely tasty. I ordered a beer at a winery, I know, but they had the Revolution Oktoberfest on tap! Couldn't say no to that. You're definitely paying for the view and location, both of which are optimum for people watching. There's a public bathroom just around the corner so you don't have to worry about "breaking the seal" when you're out and about. They are using plastic cups and plates so if you come here on a windy day, just hold on tight to your napkin. Pro tip, if I may? Just keep ordering those drinks, you know, so you have a paper weight. You're welcome. ;)

The food was surprisingly good! We ordered the Turkey paninis and the bacon on it was amazing! The side salad was also great! The margaritas were suggested as a mixed drink because "they are very good" and we obliged. Sadly, neither one of us enjoyed the margarita. It was extremely sweet and would pick something else if I were to go back. The outdoor area is fun due to the proximity to the Riverwalk. With all that said, this place is pricey. $75 for two turkey paninis and two margaritas.

On their website, it's mentioned that you have to bring your vaccination card or a negative COVID test to dine, but when I arrived we were seated outside, so I'm not sure if that rule is for in-door dining, or just not being enforced yet. It's best to call in advance if you're without proof of either. The staff was nice enough to host a reservation for 20 people on a Saturday afternoon. Staff was okay-- service was fine, they just weren't warm and were very short with us. City Winery has a good wine selection where you can order by the glass, carafe, or bottle. If you're not in the mood for wine, they also sell cocktails, beer, ciders, and nonalcoholic beverages. There are no menus provided, but QR code's on the table for minimal contact. Their menu online differs from what is offered onsite, and the on-site menu is a condensed version. I would recommend City Winery just to grab a drink or 2 and for the view on the riverwalk. I would say to head there to start or end your night, then go elsewhere. They do serve food, but it's not much to write home about. It's not a dinner place, but you can grab a bite to eat to soak up alcohol. I ordered the turkey panini, and for $15 I was left unimpressed. The turkey slices are sooo thick that you can taste the artificial deli meat. My sandwich was supposed to come with a basil aoili, but that was missing. The chips were also terrible-- I'd never heard of the brand, and they were not salted at all. If I were to come back to City Winery, I'd head to there standing bar, grab a few glasses of wine and just sit on the riverwalk.

Extremely underwhelming and i feel like i could've gotten this from a grocery store and made it better

The ambience and entertainment was great! Was extremely busy so turnaround time for drinks was long.

Was a beautiful evening to hang out with friends... we had some cocktail which was described as the flower.. not too impressed. I then had the rose and another drink with rum. We got the burrata, the dips and pita, surf and turf with extra order of the shrimp. The tables are small so can't order too much because u have to hold the plates buffet style. They are environmentally conscious using recycled plates and straws.For 3 people it as $214 minus tip. Our server Katie was friendly and vibe @ the restaurant was cool and happening. They are strict about 90 minutes limit/table1

Good concerts but plus minus on service. They got overwhelmed during the concert. Food was slow and wine was slower. I'm sure it will improve with more staff.

Do you want to get airplane quality food and drinks all while watching a parade of tourist walk by. Beautiful view. Drinks taste like they took the cup and dunked it in the river. Come for the people watching and if you like overpaying for things.

Food was good but portion size was startlingly small fir the price. I had a mojito and it was pre mixed but yummy. We did self serve which was fine. Cool seating to watch boats docking.

Our small group came here because of the location and because we could sit outside and enjoy the river and the nice weather. I ordered the pulled pork tacos which, despite various sauces, were dry and flavorless. The seating was uncomfortable and the table was wobbly.

Such a great location and brunch location! Service was great - even the hostess continued to check on everyone after she seated the next reservation. In honor of National Mimosa day we had a round of mimosas which were good, but the mimosa ($13) and old fashioned ($16) were both super small... so I switched to beer. The Chilaquiles were delicious. If I had the room in my stomach I would have had 2 servings. The patio is dog friendly and everyone how sat near us was so excited to pet and play with my pup. Our server ensured she had fresh water and adored her. It's so nice for "dog-friendly" restaurants to actually be friendly toward their guests. We have encountered some restaurants that claim to be "dog-friendly" and treat them as an inconvenience or annoyed by their presence. Can't wait to come back for another Sunday Funday brunch with the girls and my pup!