River Roux

I really wanted to love this place. The ambiance and aesthetic are beautiful and honestly the main thing saving it, but for a Parisian inspired café it leaves a lot to be desired. I ordered the bacon croissant breakfast sandwich, and calling it a croissant feels like a stretch. There were no visible layers, lamination, or airiness to it. It was closer to a hamburger bun than a croissant. The sandwich was $9 which is justifiable if it’s good, but this was not. I’ve had better croissants from Jewel Osco and Costco. If a café is leaning into a Parisian concept, the pastry quality should really match that expectation. I’m not sure whether the pastries are baked in house or sourced elsewhere, but hopefully this is something they can improve because it was a big letdown. That said, the café itself is gorgeous. I love that it’s tucked away under the Bank of America building. It has a very “if you know you know” vibe that makes it feel like a hidden spot in the city. The staff was kind, but they seemed a bit short staffed. I waited about four minutes at the counter before anyone acknowledged me so I could place my order. I’d come back, albeit much earlier around opening time to snag one of the small booths with a view of the river, but I will stick to just coffee at this place in the future.

Truly a hidden gem! Located in the lower level of the Bank of America building, you’d never know this is the latest WFH hot spot. With breakfast, lunch and snack options for food, and coffee, wine and bear for drinks, you could sit all day. Service was super attentive and kind. I had the iced latte and the croissant breakfast sandwich, both were delicious and I would order again! Plenty of tables and fantastic views for working on your laptop.

Amazing!! The staff was great and the drinks were so good. I tried the Valentine's Day latte and it was incredible. My niece ordered a hot chocolate and the amazing staff made sure the temperature was perfect for her to drink it immediately. Drinks are also so affordable. I wish I would have got the name of the gentleman that was working, he was so nice! Gorgeous views!

I ordered the Café Miel (iced latte with honey). I really enjoyed the drink and the environment. Despite the space and seating, it is busy and can be hard to find a seat. But the view by the river is breathtaking. The drinks are relatively cheap compared to other cafes too! When we got it, the cinnamon and honey mixture was stuck on the bottom, but honestly it didn’t negatively effect the taste

Happy to have a new addition to the Loop! Beautiful location along the riverfront, and with lots of seating inside as well as tables on their patio. I really appreciate the kindness of the staff. Everyone here is infectiously nice and always smiling! Great service. I like the variety of coffee syrups, but do hope to see them invest in quality homemade syrups instead of Monin selections! They have great coffee beans but the Monin syrups downgrade the quality Hope to see them extend the hours and maybe offer a happy hour in the afternoon!

I checked out River Roux in Chicago when I was craving something bold and comforting, and it definitely delivered that Southern kick. The place has a warm, laid-back vibe with a little New Orleans flair, the kind of spot where you can relax and not feel rushed. I went for a seafood boil and it came out messy in the best possible way—juicy, well-seasoned, and packed with flavor that actually lingers. The spices had real depth, not just heat for the sake of heat. The cocktails were solid too, especially if you’re into something sweet with a bit of punch. Service felt friendly and genuine, like they actually wanted you to enjoy yourself. It’s not fine dining, it’s comfort food with personality, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

Visited River Roux on a weekday at around noon. It was pretty crowded given the time of day. They didn’t have either of the drinks I wanted, which wasn’t really a huge deal for me. I got the Jamón and Brie sandwich which was good. It was your standard cafe. I think the only thing that really stood out was the view on the patio.

River Roux is such a new cool spot! Great service and staffs were so nice. I wanted to try their foods but I couldn’t get a table, it was so packed when I visited and not many table at the terrace so better re-visit next time.