Beatnik On The River Reviews

Was really excited to come here was disappointed with service and beware of the extra service charge when using a credit card!!! Trying to support restaurants after a pandemic a d being charged extra fir a credit card is extremely disappointing. Now I have a really bad taste for this restaurant !!!

My daughter asked to come her for her birthday. Mauricio took great care of us, he was attentive without hovering. As a matter of fact all staff we came in contact with were wonderful. The dining room downstairs along the river is super cool. You gotta experience it. The food was outstanding. We shared plates and got a variety of items. I heard no complaints. They were able to accommodate my youngest who cannot have gluten. Sometimes that can be difficult and they were able to provide options. Just a great experience all around. Thanks again Mauricio and Beatnik.

I have my sister in law in from Serbia and was so excited for my husband and I to take her to see this unique restaurant. I got there a bit early and was told there was seating down by the river front. When I got down there and asked the host for a table of 3, she asked if the whole party was ready. I explained that my husband was dropping my sister in law off and she would be down shortly. "I cannot seat you until your whole party is here." I said ok I will go up and bring her down right away, Which I did. I approached the host again and she asked again, "is your whole party here?" I explained my husband was parking the car and would be down shortly but we would like to order a drink and an app as we were starving. "No, I cant seat you unless your whole party is here". The bartender heard the exchange and quickly stepped up to diffuse the situation and asked if we would like to order a drink while we waited for my husband. In the meantime, it was 4:15 and I watched as people came down in droves for a table and were seated. 5 minutes later, my husband is standing at the host stand at street level waiting for the host to hang up the phone. I finally called to see where he was and he said upstairs. I told him to come down right away because we were going to lose our table. Sure enough, he comes down a few minutes later and guess what? When I told her we were all present, she said, "Well, now you will have to wait until a table opens up". In a span of 15 minutes, the whole riverfront went from being completely open to completely filled. This is the reason I left work early...to gain a spot. Had my sister in law not been there I would have left immediately but I was too embarrassed by how the host treated us and didn't want to make the situation worse. The food was good, don't get me wrong. We had the steak Kebobs, babaganoush, beef cheeks rice and cauliflower. All was good except the cauliflower (it was like candied cauliflower, too sweet). Drinks were very creative. We loved the place once we sat to eat. The funny part was, when we were finally seated, the server came up to our table which had a setting for 4 and asked if we were waiting for one more person. REALLY? I understand restaurants not wanting to sit an incomplete party but 2 of the 3 were there and ready to order a drink and apps. Not a party of 2 waiting for 4-5 more people to come. It has to be the inexperience of the host. She gave the impression that she could have cared less.

This place looks really cool on the inside. It's a shame that everything else is so bad. For one, the restaurant does not seem to have a working heating system. It was 50 degrees outside today and the restaurant had no heating system turned on. Being situated so close to the river does not help matters whatever. I was literally shivering throughout dinner.Also, while I like the music the restaurant plays on their PA, they play it way too loudly. I kept having to ask my date repeat herself. Both of our dishes were severely overcooked. The rice that camev with my dates "chicken kebob" dish was so overcooked that it was crunchy. Despite my server's long winded speech about how their salmon is such high quality that the chef *strongly* encourages customers to get it medium rare, my salmon came out extra well done: white and flaky, exactly how I do not like my salmon. The noise level, the unwelcoming temperature, and the mediocre quality food makes me not want to try this place again. This restaurant is not worth the high prices they charge.

My hubby and I stopped in on a Saturday night. Didn't make reservations, so we didn't expect to be seated right away. Hostess directed us to the bar in the meantime which was fine. Bartender took care of us with drinks, but we were never seated. I think the hostess forgot about us. We ended up ordering a couple of small plates--cocktail veracruzana and Lomo iberico flatbread. Both were just ok. Overall, lovely setting but rather high prices for what you get, even for Chicago.

Food was excellent, amber our waitress was great. But the hostess was horrific. Never been spoken to like that- set the tone for the whole meal. It was one of the strangest experiences I’ve ever had at a restaurant. We should have left right then.

Loved the food and was adventurous trying new dishes. The steak kabob was amazing!! My only complaint was that the food came out too fast and we weren’t finished with one course before the next came out.

I was visiting Chicago for NeoCon and was able to get dinner with my friend who lives locally at Beatnik on the River and we were not disappointed. First of all the decor is fantastic, very instagram worthy and must be seen. We made reservations so very little to no wait time. I will say the dinner menu is a little small but everything we had was tasty. Finally, I was exhausted from NeoCon so I didn't have a drink but their drink menu looked great. Great view of Chicago, beautiful decor, tasty food, I would definitely recommend to others!

This place has a great vibe, seating layout and location. Unfortunately, the high prices, average food and service let it down. Our food (tapas style plates) and drinks took way too long to arrive, the server was either overwhelmed or arrogant, it was hard to tell. Either way, we both said it was the worst service we have had and it put a dampener on the evening. The food wasn’t great, which was disappointing. The drinks did make up for it though, the cocktails are another level! We found out afterwards that 20% had been applied to our bill, I can only presume it was a service charge. We had not been informed of any charges already included by our server and therefore, we added the tip, extra. Our fault completely, but be aware this happens here. I would recommend trying this place, at least for the vibe and great cocktails.

The most amazing restaurant by the Riverwalk! Seriously, all the dishes that we had in our tiny little event were applauded by our guests. Starting from the Mezze Platter on which most of my guests ordered for a repeat, to the Tuna Ceviche and Octopus & Hummus were phenomenal, to the Short Rib that left my guests speechless. Literally everyone praised how nice the restaurant decor is with a riverfront view. Shout out to Meghan and to Michael for the best service. Will surely be back!

Max and Pedro were amazing. Max was so sweet, thoughtful and great attention to detail. Great experience! Cant wait to come back

Wanted a cute restaurant/lounge for our last night in Chicago and stumbled upon this restaurant as it was one of the only restaurants near that didn't stop serving food at $10. Amazing decorations outside and in. The chef also did a great job with the food garnishes. One of our drinks didn't come, but our server charged it on the house and gave us a discount on the rest of our order. Also recommended two really good desserts! I already told the Taxi driver and a fellow traveller to check this place out.

We made a reservation to sit outside. We were a party of 6 and had been looking very forward to this dining experience. They sat us inside and were very rude when we asked if we could sit outside along the River. We dine out a lot and most restaurants are extremely accommodating…they were the compete opposite. We ended up leaving and dining somewhere else. None of us will ever return! There are too many other awesome restaurants to deal with people that don’t appreciate their guests.

I have heard wonderful things about this restaurant so my friend and I gave it a go and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere is different, kind of a bohemian/mediterranean fusion, which we loved. The food was excellent, flavored well, interesting combinations, and SO tasty! Our server was extremely attentive and helped us decide on some options (because they all sounded so good) to share. The drinks are inventive and surprisingly well priced for downtown. I will most definitely return. If you can get to the outdoor seating, I'm sure being along the river would be quite nice, but it packs in quickly! The interior is cozy so you will not be disappointed either way.

Delicious and great atmosphere! We went for Sunday brunch and sat inside on these bohemian couches at our table with a gorgeous view of the river- ordered the “all the mezze” to split with the 4 of us before our entrees - we will definitely be going back for that. Some of the best freshly made hummus I’ve ever had! Paired perfectly with our beer&orange juice drinks 🍹

We had our company holiday party here. I booked the river room. The staff were great and the food was tasty! The decor is what blows you away here!

Can’t speak for the food as we had to get up and leave. Was sat on the patio and ignored for 15-20 minutes as multiple staff walked by. Eventually brought glasses for water but no water. After another 5 minutes we left. So basically awful service. There are too many other choices to waste time there.

This beautiful spot in downtown Chicago, right on the river, completely won us over! The view alone is worth a visit-calming, open, and perfect for a relaxed afternoon or a vibrant evening out. We indulged in a variety of flavorful Arabic dishes-creamy spreads, crispy falafel, rich shakshuka, and warm, fresh pita-style flatbreads that tied everything together perfectly. Each bite was full of authentic spices and comforting textures. To top it off, we opted for cocktails, and they were just as impressive-refreshing, balanced, and full of character. The ambiance of the restaurant adds another layer to the experience. The decor is vibrant and full of flowers and colorful accents, creating a joyful and welcoming atmosphere that feels both lively and cozy. We wholeheartedly recommend this place-for the food, the view, the vibe. It’s a perfect blend of taste and beauty right in the heart of the city.

We sat outside, and the atmosphere was so amazing that I knew it would be a great experience, regardless of how the food tasted. The brunch menu was pretty limited, but we ordered the shakshouka and the kale salad with salmon, and both were good.

Fabulous food and service We had the Baba ganush the Ceasar salad and the croquettes everything was amazing and I would definitely come back again also the general manager told us they have a new chef so I don't feel like all of the previous reviews about the food should matter anymore..

A friend and I went for lunch. The seats were not the most comfortable as it was a little chilly, however, the ambiance was nice and the river view is wonderful. The food was good although not amazing. I'd absolutely try the restaurant again.

Arrived dining alone at 2:00 on a Sunday. Only 4 parties in restaurant, all already dining. Lots of employees milling about. Hostess was very friendly, waitress was not. She wanted to take food order as well as my cocktail order, so I did. The strawberry daiquiri I ordered was sour and flavorless. The half berry perched on the glass with yellow shriveled leaves was the most tasteful thing about it. Shortly, my food arrived, and I asked the waitress if the daiquiri was supposed to be this sour? I just couldn’t drink it. She volunteered to switch it for a strawberry margarita. I said thanks and I was fine with that. The lamb shakshuka looked good, but I found an eggshell the size of a quarter was in it as well as the smaller pieces my teeth found. 15 minutes later, a busser removed my plate. Two minutes later, my waitress finally arrives with my drink ( there was no one in the restaurant) and I told her about the eggshells and that I just wanted my check. When she brought it, she said that she took care of the daiquiri. So, $50.00 later, 1 sip of margarita and the crunch of eggshells was how I left. I was dining alone, so I try to be very friendly, order and tip generously, but when I left, I just felt badly, and kind of taken advantage of.

Everything was outstanding. The ambience on the river, the music, the waitstaff (and their perfect guidance, and especially the entrees. Each dish was delicious, and flavorful rather than the usual salt fest. The cocktails were original. The desserts were fantastic. We loved it.

Good food. Outrageous prices. "Don't give a damn" service. In a very simple way that describes this establishment to a tee. Drinks are good and creative but sizes are 50% of a typical cocktail at full price ($17-20). This restaurant appears to like demi-portions across the board because the appetizers we tried (babaganush and avocado toast) were also liliputian. To be fair, presentation was nice and the dishes were tasty. Another member of our party, however, could not get her eggs cooked the way she wanted the first two times and had to send them back. Service was mediocre, at best, and bordered on insulting: "this is Chicago; that is the way it is". And to add insult to injury, this restaurant which is raking a huge amount of money due to its outrageous pricing, has the gall to tack 3.40 % to the bill if you have the audacity to pay by credit card. In summary, this establishment is the epitome of the tourist trap. Stay away!

This review will have nothing to do with the food as I never got to try anything. We walked past Beatnik many times and always remarked this was a place we would like to try, Tonight, my friend and I walked in around 6.00 to the half empty restaurant and met the two pretentious women at the front desk. We told them we did not have a reservation and they told us in a very unapologetic and curt manner, that we could eat at the bar or communal tables. Seeing all the empty tables and how crowded the bar was, we declined. They looked at us and merely said okay. They said nothing more. We left stunned. If there were no tables available due to reservations we understood but the way they treated us, the way they did not care in the least that two potential diners were walking out, that they could not engage us into coming back later or even suggesting that in future we make a reservation etc. Nothing! Not too busy at that moment and just standing about, these women did not care that they virtually kicked two high earners and Chicago downtown residents out of this restaurant. Two people who are outspoken and vocal and do not hold back. We continued our walk, found another busy restaurant were accommodated. Angry from how we were treated yet determined to not to let this go, we found a way of letting many diners know about our experience at this restaurant! Diners, don't support this restaurant. As someone who has a multitude of experience with restaurants, I can honestly say that a restaurant with that attitude from its staff, will never be, what it should be, in any way. It became clear last night that Beatnik is yet another eating institution where either the pretentious or blind and oblivious to be ripped off or who simply to know any better, go to dine.

Book yourself for a table near the river - it gives a complete different experience. They do have places to sit on ground level too and the place is always full and busy. Servers are nice. Food taste and presentation is very good. Go hungry as you may not be able to choose which one you dont want to have.

Great food but all 7 appetizers came at once- which I suppose would have been ok if we were really hungry and in a hurry but we would have preferred to have some pacing of the dishes. We ended up balancing plates on top of each other because all the dishes did not fit in the table. Then there was the matter of the really rude and unpleasant waitress. Plus there was absolutely no air conditioning in our section on this 100 degree day. (This may account for our unhappy waitress.) We paid with cash but they did not adjust the credit card 3.5% fee. And waitress was super rude when we paid cash too. So oh well- we walked to get ice cream and had a great night anyway. But we won't be back!

Terrible service for an upscale restaurant. The staff clearly did not want to be there. The servers that brought out the food were nice though. The food itself was good. I would expect a better dining experience for the price paid and clearly they have no sense of customer satisfaction... I'm already paying hundreds of dollars for a family meal and you charge extra for bringing two extra chips? Not a basket, literally a chip, I'm not kidding. We will maintain our patronage to our other favorite Chicago restaurants that have quality service like 3 Arts and the like..

The food was good. The view was awesome. Service was good. Credit card service charge which wasn’t disclosed was annoying.

Fantastic overall experience. Table with a great view of the river and all. Service was very attentive and helpful. Everything we ordered was tasty and truly delicious. Gotta go back next time in Chicago.

The aesthetics of the restaurant were beautiful, but the service was highly disappointing. We couldn’t order any hot food till an hour after our reservation. Both servers weren’t gracious and condescending. We had high hopes, but unfortunately did not live up to our expectations.

We wanted to sit downstairs at Beatnik on the River, because it was so cute and picturesque. The decor, the couches, the umbrellas.. it was the best atmosphere! We were told we would have a 1-hour wait (this was at 1pm on a Friday). No problem, we got drinks at the outdoor bar (A little watered down, but still yummy) and stood along the crowded railing. We checked in after an hour and were rudely told it would be another half an hour. The female hostess was callous and unpleasant. We waited another half an hour, and checked back in. Hostess said 5 minutes, and we didn't get seated for another 30 minutes... We should have just left and found another place. We were famished by the time the food came. It was very good food, or maybe we would have thought anything tasted great at that time? Our party ordered the burgers, asparagus, charcuterie, hummus, and crudite. Everyone loved the food, and the couches were comfy and relaxing.

This place blew us away!! It was so different but very pretty. We sat with views of the river. At first we thought the tables were to close together between diners but it indeed up being the perfect amount of space. We had the White Sangria with notes of lime and black berries so refreshing for lunch time. Then my husband and I had some of their kabobs. The humus and potatoes that were served with the kabobs were amazing as well, the dishes were so flavorful. The service was GREAT!!! Our server at the time was waiting on 6 tables other than our own and we couldn't tell. She was very attentive and sweet. This restaurant is a gem.

We visited in Feb. of 2022 and loved it: couldn’t wait to come back. After our most recent visit, our feelings have changed. We were not given menus: thinking this was just a pandemic-change, we pulled them up on our phones. We were later given menus. Service was slow and our server didn’t write the orders down but twice had to ask us again because they forgot. Chilaquiles were not good: soggy chips with some scrambled eggs on top and avocado and sour cream around the edge of the plate. Shakahuka was decent, but after asking 3 different people (one of whom was our server) for more pita, we gave up. Chicken bao was honestly laughable: 2 TINY buns for $20. Overall disappointing experience.

Great food. Great location. Quite alot of noise from the train but nice views of the river. Definitely make sure you make a reservation. Small portions but really yum. Service could be better. Wasn't very impressed by the service. They definitely need to work on that but food was great.

We sat at a very small old wobbly table right by the floor to ceiling windows on the river. Unfortunately, there was a shelf at eye level, and we had to duck our heads down to see out. Whatever, no big deal. The server was VERY unfriendly, kind of pretentious and either forgetful or just did not care. The busser took our water pitcher when it was empty and did not bring one back. It was 90 degrees yesterday; we needed our water. The tiger ceviche was WONDERFUL!!! The scallops were good, the beets were awful. We thought the scallops were diner portions, but there were only 2. I am fine with the portions being tapa style, but the awful server did not explain this to us. We asked for check and several minute later our beets that we ordered arrived, long after we finished our scallops which were ordered at the same time. Had to ask for our check again. The carpets were filthy, as were the couches with tons of pillows on them, gross. The 2 stars are only for the ceviche. I wanted to order ceviche to go but knew it would take way too long. I want to go back to have my husband try the ceviche, but we'd probably order out, because I could not take another experience with bad servers. The hostesses were very friendly last night. The atmosphere was interesting.

Just adored this little place! I was aware of it from guide books but it was from spotting it on a river cruise that I decided to go. It’s such a pretty spot, set across various levels, with a really cute & eclectic decor. Staff were fun & super friendly & the cocktails superb, try the ‘Sloe Burn!’

The meal was really good. The waitress was so confusing trying to "help"us figure out how much to order. All the dishes were very good and the portions for small plates were pretty good. We were a party of 4 women and we ordered 5 plates and were completely stuffed. The decor is Middle Eastern meets kitsch. It's fun.

Oooooh Beatnik! I had high hopes for this place, but it fell short! There was a lot of thought put into decor and ambiance and I thought it was done quite well. Cool, very cool vibe indeed. The service was fine but the seating was irritating. They sent me down to the river seating only to tell me upon arrival that I had to wait for my friend to arrive. Fair enough. 10 minutes later when my party of 2 was complete, they told me that all tables are now taken and I must go on the waiting list. So we decided to have lunch indoors and are then sent back up to the top. ( passing all the empty tables indoors.) Kinda dumb... The biggest problem is food. Wah wah wah! There is quite a limited lunch menu and we were told the kitchen was very small. Really? In this absolutely large restaurant? We might have made a mistake by sharing plates, but it still should have been good. The Fattoush Salad had chunks of herbs- parsley etc. I didn't like it and neither did my friend. (She happens to be a successful restaurant owner btw.) The salad dressing was bland too. We also shared a steak skewer which needed salt and was also just meh! I wouldn't say that I won't be back, (because maybe I will try dinner..) but it is not worth the hype.

This is a great spot! I have been to Chicago many times, but haven’t had the pleasure of coming upon this establishment until recently. We walked in, got a two top in the bar and the bartender was immediately at our table with waters, and taking our drink order even though he was very busy. The food was absolutely amazing! It’s a unique menu, with a unique vibe. Highly suggest! Service was great!

The hostess Kira was the rudest restaurant employee I've ever interacted with. We were a large party, and she was consistently condescending, sarcastic, and snappily accused us several times of not confirming our reservation (and was again rude when we told her that we had confirmed it several hours earlier). We considered leaving and going to another restaurant because of her, but didn't because we had a reservation. The food was okay, our waitress was great, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was beautiful, but our interaction with the hostess ruined our night. I've seen other comments online complaining about the hostess at Beatnik, so it seems she is an ongoing problem. Would not recommend to others because of our insulting experience with the hostess - she will ruin your night.

Was really impressed by this place wow - very cool mix of dishes, everything was delicious!! The amazing setting on the water, the cool tiles, nice drink menu, nice wait staff was really impressed, the one place id recommend to visitors to the city!

This is the second time that I've visited this location. It is eclectic and avant garde. The hummus and the broccoli are amazing. All of the food was great. I highly recommend it.

Came here to celebrate a birthday. Had a reservation and still waited a while to be seated. Waitress asked if we wanted some more pita to which we said “sure!” and then were charged $5. They charge a pretty hefty credit card processing fee as well. We didn’t know of these charges until we got the bill. The food is already expensive so being nickel and dimed isn’t appreciated. But pros: Food and drinks are good and the waitstaff was nice and very attentive. The atmosphere is nice as well. Overall decent but portions are small and I find the sneaky charges incredibly distasteful.

Last Friday I went to this dysfunctional establishment because of my friend wanted to talk to their waiter and had already regret many times that I just hadn’t waited for him in the car. In general, in the next 10 minutes, the following situation occurred at the counter: I was sitting charging my phone, not touching anyone/anything, and moving my hand a little, I suddenly smelled something burning - the sleeve of my fur coat flared up from a candle that was in an unsafe position from my hand. which I did not see at all, it was on the sidelines. Fortunately, I reacted on time and stopped the flame, so that it did not touch my body. The employees didn’t really react to this, although the first thing they supposted to do its throw water on my hand. Moreover, they didn’t even offer any compensation afterwards. I was shocked and sat in silence, then we left soon, although we had to immediately deal with the manager, but I wrote about this incident on Instagram that same evening and asked them in a polite tone to take some appropriate actions from their side and receive compensation in the amount of 100 dollars to buy myself new fur coat. Because now I can't wear it. Not only did they respond very slowly (one might say they ignored me), but after almost a week the manager replied that there would be no compensation and that I decided to set myself on fire. To write such a thing is low quality manner. I don’t understand how you can communicate like that with their guest. A very unprofessional team, I highly do not recommend going with that establishment, otherwise you may get burned by their candles, and they won’t care about you. Thank you for such a “pleasant” experience, beatnik team. PS: in all normal places have long ago replaced real candles with fake ones, in order to avoid such unsafe situations.

this is a lovely spot for a meal, you can watch the boats on the river and the decor is unique. We were in a big hurry when we arrived, just looking for something lite before heading to the ballet and the staff was very accomodating, brought our food very quickly and took care of the check quickly also. I'd love to go back for a leisurely meal. You do pay a price for the atmosphere.

My wife and I had lunch with our son. He had been there before. We asked the very nice waitress for recommendations and found them all good - I think stuffed dates with cheese, scallops, and a nice cauliflower dish. Great view looking west across north branch of river.

Beautiful restaurant with plenty of space along the river. Lower level seating & bar put you right on the river to stand & see the sights. Service was slow, no waiters circulating at the lower level bar so my friend had to stand in line forever just to order two drinks while I held our spot.

We came early and there was no place and We could wait to sit la on the balcony !!! In No place was saying I had to book !!!

Came for a quick business lunch but was made to stand in the riverside seating area due to all tables being booked. However, at least 30 seats were free and serving staff didn’t use any initiative to try and seat me despite the fact I’m 35 weekend pregnant! Eventually offered a table for the last 5 minutes of my meal when it was clear I could, and should, have been seated the whole time. Such a shame that staff was so uncaring and unable to use any initiative so more customers could have enjoyed a seated meal!

Visited this place on a friday and was underwhelmed. There seems to be confusion about the cafe and the restaurant. Was in the cafe and looking for my group who were seated by the window and was told I was in the wrong place if I had a reservation. The other portion of the restaurant was literally 2 feet away behind a cheap partition but I was made to go outside, back in and around to get to my friends. After finally being in the right spot we then waited forever for anyone to come over. No water and no offer of drinks. It was a slow part of the day with not any other tables around by no one seemed to care about us. When finally someone came to take a drink order we asked about food. Was told, I am just the bartender and I can't find your server but they will be over in a minute. All in all, we were meant to feel like we were putting people out for having to wait on us. Every question was met with a bad attitude and no one seemed like they wanted to be there. I asked if the manager was around and she told me she couldn't find him. I asked the hostess on the way out the managers name and that I would like to phone him. She very snotty answered my that they "don't answer the phone here because people lie about reservations." We then left to hearing her laugh about us to the dull as dishwater bartender. This place is a joke and not worth anyones time. Save your money.

The interior as well as the outside areas are impeccable however every food dish & cocktail we had was simply lacking. I doubt I’d return for a second chance but amenities aside this place is a snoozer in my humble option. Also be warned that while on the riverfront patio the trains going by are loud & a distraction to say the least.

Service from the beginning was terrible. Not sure what the server’s problem was as he was rude from the moment we sat down. Didn’t matter that we spent over $700, he was very short with us and would walk away as we’re explaining our order or requests. He brought out a warm bottle of champagne and served it without asking if we were ok with it or at least bring an ice bucket. Aside from that, the food was tasty and the place was beautiful.

Outstanding spot amidst generic options for lunch. Great view of river, great and diverse mediterranean options and the service was superb. Need to return for Happy Hour/Dinner!

Such a cool setting! We dropped in without a reservation so we sat at the bar until the table was ready. The bartender was attentive and made fantastic drinks. At the table the atmosphere was great and waiter explained and pointed out parts of the menu. We went with the burgers and wow they weee fantastic, paired with the truffle fries, wow. Great place to eat when you want to eat and enjoy Chicago

It’s always great to see something on the menu you’ve never seen before; that’s about 80% of the menu here. The feta cheesecake was pretty good, but pretty forgettable compared to every other fabulous thing we ordered, from eggplant (the best) to beets, filled phyllo dough, and the noodle dish at the end of the menu; not to mention pumpkin piña coladas served in cored-out coconuts. All staff, from host to servers were incredibly nice. Cool decor/atmosphere. A bit of sticker shock with the bill.

Good food, nice cocktails, energetic atmosphere. I can't say more than that, however, since we were on the street side (outdoors), not the water side. I'd like to return and experience the rest of the place.

We stopped for a quick drink mid afternoon, the venue is very cute & the drinks were nice. The pomegranate sangria was lovely. The downside was the price, expensive

The 2 women at the front were terrible! I was visiting from out of state and saw this place on a river cruise. So I went in alone and asked if they could accommodate me to a seat outside. The girl was really rude and said no. So I asked about the dining inside and she said the same with such a terrible attitude! I can’t believe such a nice place is ruined with terrible service!! I’m not sure if it was the color of my skin but she wouldn’t even put me on a waitlist. I had walked 30 mins to get there so I sat at the bar to eat. I will say the bartender was great and I had a great experience there. I wound up paying over $100 so it is pricey. I won’t return again though bcuz I went there for the outdoor experience not bar service. Don’t go there unless you want to experience rude service!

Wow, loved it here! We stopped here on our way to and from the train station this weekend. We had the avocado for an appetizer and the tuna steak sandwich for lunch. Food and drinks were on point! On Sunday we enjoyed drinks on the patio. Our server, Michael M, was awesome. So fun and he even kept tabs on our departure time for the train station. The whole vibe here is just great! The ambiance, music and service is just really upbeat. We will definitely be back!

My friend and felt like we were going to a private club ("go through the black velvet curtain and down the stairs."). The stairs had this awesome leopard print carpet but I thought the plastic grass covered walls were a bit much. The narrow area outside is really unique; I loved the decor and the lights. I bet it's really interesting at night. The hostess and the bartender were both friendly and helpful. Our server was average. The drinks were great and the avocado toast appetizer was tasty. Mostly a young crowd but we didn't feel out of place at all. There was a DJ which seemed a little odd but whatever. Beatnik on the River is cool and I'd go back.

Being a restaurant by the River (the terrace) in the summer is wonderful and I guess you can get away with mediocre service, food that is OK. The space and the river if you can sit by the terrace does it. The problem with popular places is that they get arrogant. You have to wait. The service doesn't have to be excellent and the service is mediocre. I guess you go to Beatnik for the ambiance with the nice Persian rugs and cocktails.

while delicious. The servings were tiny! i didnt even stay for the main course. My Vodka neat came hot and cost me a whole bottles worth... It looks like you just pay for the amibiance. Really pretty setting though

I ate here as part of a small group on the recommendation of our hotel concierge. The food is sort of tapas style, intended to be shared. We did that, and all enjoyed a great variety of options. The restaurant is right on the river, so the view is great.

Wonderful location Neat atmosphere and fun decor Server was knowledgeable and helpful Food was amazing. It was a perfect dinner to start our girls weekend

This spot is great for dates, casual meet ups, business gathering’s etc. The ambiance is beautiful, the food was great, the service was perfect and the hostess was perfection at its finest. Love this spot!!!

Quirky and fun. Service was a bit slow, but they were busy. Dress is pretty casual. Music was eclectic and a lot of stuff that I've never heard before. Right on the river so you can watch the boats go by... Food was tasty.

This was one of our fav spots during our whole trip to Chicago. We had reservations on a Wednesday at 11am. We were seated and waited on promptly. The food came out quickly just as ordered and it was delicious. The place is darling and being able to sit right on the river while dining was SO nice. A dish that was empty didn’t sit on our table for more than a minute before one of the bussers got it out of the way. They took great care of us and I would reccomend this spot to anyone who was taking a trip or dining in Chicago.

Delicious and unique tapas. Fabulous sauces that are carefully prepared and elegantly presented. Not inexpensive.

We tried sitting by the river front but this is a hugely popular spot, so we sat outside in front by the street which was fine . Many people congregate by the riverside area and have drinks waiting for their table . The atmosphere is very festive with lively upbeat music which is even piped into the front outdoor dinning area . The food is very good. The decor inside this restaurant is very cool. The pictures on their web page says it all. The curry fried chicken sandwich was excellently fried and very tasty, the chicken and waffles were really good where the waffle tasted like a delicious crumb cake. Finally, the pork cheek fried rice did not disappoint. Our service was very good also. Their beer menu is limited which surprised me but not too much of a hindrance. Great place to try.

Delicious food, great atmosphere, friendly barman and staff, this restaurant had it all. We were disappointed we couldn't just drop in without a reservation for seating on the river BUT we had a great time eating at the bar. I highly recommend this restaurant and we will be back when in Chicago.

Good restaurant. Very courteous staff and great value for money. Recommended for a dinner with friends.....

Very disappointing. Food was overpriced and portions were very small. I ordered the Lemon Chicken, which was 3 pieces of frozen chicken breast, pounded thin, breaded and deep fried. It was served with a garnish of greens and a sprinkling of pomegranate arils. It tasted good, and my meal was one of the most filling of all the meals at our table, but it was not a complete meal. Two people at our table ordered the salmon, which was very tiny, about two ounces I would guess. It was about two fingers wide and maybe 4" long. It looked like about half of a USDA recommended serving size. It was served with about 1/4 cup of pearl onions. Nothing else. The two people who ordered this were both very hungry after we ate. To make matters worse, one of the pieces of salmon was raw on the inside. When my friend sent it back to be cooked through, they took her entire plate, tosses the salmon back on the grill while her onions cooled and then put the fish back on the same plate. When the waiter brought it back, her onions were now cold, but the fish was at least cooked properly with no raw gel stuff on the inside. My daughter got the cauliflower which was raw cauliflower with some sort of sauce on it. She liked it. She said it was very spicy, but she likes spice so it was fine for her. It also wasn't a lot of food and she ended up ordering a meal from another restaurant later, as did one of the people in our party who had gotten the salmon. The other person who had gotten the salmon got a box of popcorn when we went to Second City later, because she was still very hungry. The other two in our party got lamb burgers with fries, which actually looked like a full meal. They looked good.

NORMAL: this is an incredible location. How have I never eaten here. The dining over the river is spectacular. The atmosphere and vibe is fantastic. I loved the cool, hip, casual experience. The food was great, as was the service. I loved the view. The view, the view, the view. Check this place out.