River Roast Reviews

Hubby and I had dinner here as an invited guest to a wedding reception. Cocktails were served on the outdoor patio, and the bride and groom and wedding party arrived on a boat-what a lovely way to begin the evening. The cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres were excellent. The dinner was very good, but service is not of the caliber I would expect. The atmosphere is kind of that old warehouse feel, which really appeals to the younger people.

Enjoyed lunch here a lot, had the half chicken which was really good, the salad which was large and tasty and the macaroni cheese which my 8 year old said was the highlight of his trip to Chicago..... definitely recommend. We sat by the river which was nice, despite the heat.

FRIDAY FOOD REVIEW...RIVER ROAST...6/13/25! For lunch today, Paul join us at River Roast, located at 315 N. LaSalle, in Chicago, IL. It's located right next to the Chicago River, and the view is awesome!! Scott and I split their 1/2 Roast Chicken, which is hickory smoked, and sits on a bed of red roasted potatoes, with red wine vinegar and rosemary. And for my side, I chose their Grilled Asparagus with lemon and olive oil, and to start the lunch, I had their their Wedge Salad, which has iceberg lettuce, Nueske's bacon, cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, bleu cheese crumbles, and ranch dressing. This salad was SOOO GOOD!!!! Everything about this salad was top notch and delicious!!!! Next up was the chicken and potatoes, and talk about delicious!!!! It was juicy, and you could taste the smoke flavor!!! And the potatoes had a great flavor as well!!!! The asparagus was very tasty and delicious as well!!!! Everything about this restaurant is SPOT ON!!!! Definitely a 'must go to' restaurant if you love great food, great service and a great view!!!! My rating: 10++++

I went here with a group of ten for an after-work dinner. The food was generally good, but for family-style ordering, some of the dishes were quite small. We had a smorgasbord of foods: the burrata plate was great; so were the pork meatballs; the boatload of veggies was fine; the fish and pork rinds were fine; the chicken was good. The roast beef was good, but the croquette that came with it was better. The drinks were okay--not great. I don't remember specifically what they were, and their online menu doesn't seem to have them anymore: one was a kind-of Manhattan, but with scotch. It was... interesting. Overall: definitely worth a trip for a business dinner, but I'm not sure I would visit otherwise.

I did reach out to management via email But whilst I had a very bizy few days left on my vacation , I could not follow up with jay and higher management I feel cheated And for my family who I brought out on an evening to eat here We did not eat , I have been following river roast since last Christmas on line , As a British chef restaurant owner on vacation and I do come to Chicago a lot, this restaurant caught my eye, British take on roasts hmmmm Menu look great , but expensive tho as in Europe u can get a traditional roast for less than half river roast price and I don’t even think in Harris’s you would pay 40 pounds for roast chicken Anyway my family and I were looking forward to this meal time was around 9 ish pm I reckon we were the last table in So the food we got look like it had been sitting in the kitchen a while Anthony I think our waiters name was started off while but after 15 minutes I think he had enough and wanted to go home 4 adults served 4 tiny bits of bread which was rock hard but we were starving, I asked for some more and Anthony look st us like oh no u can’t gave any more he even said oh oh I do t know 🤷🏽‍♀️ We ordered 4 cocktails which took way to long for an empty restaurant, Anthony spent 30 minutes talking about spirits which we already knew and then when we thought we were getting our drinks but he sent the bartender over to talk about god knows what for another 30 minutes we were not happy , I should of said just get us the drinks as our throats r as dry as Ghandis flip flop . The drinks weren’t worth waiting for my scotch egg was not cooked properly The roast chicken was dry and in eatable No taste No moisture nada As I said it was the end of the night and this bird had looked like it had been siting in the kitchen in a tray drying up The lamb omg I could not even cut it with a steak knife The price for the portion is outrageous Really Our roast potatoes looked like small pieces of charcoal no lie I was in shock Another was brought to us but was even worse we had enough so we asked for manager Jay He said he was sorry Of course I said these roast potatoes are a disgrace as I’m British this was an absolute nightmare If u r trying to do a British American type of restaurant , then do it right , British people take roast seriously, and serving charcoal roast potatoes is a crime Jay told us that they were trying something knew 😂😂😂 I said what So u r trying burnt dry tasteless food ok I was really disappointed more than angry As if made such a big deal to family about this place and we went back to the hotel with no food in our belly’s This kind of experience has never happened to any of us Yes maybe we have had something no right in all r yeArs of eating out, but this tops it I was almost in tears 😭 We had to pay for our drinks and starters which I think was rubbish we should have oId nothing Our total experience was a nightmare from hell My aunty and uncle live in Chicago We were not even offered any but carrot cake which I think is a disrespectful I own 2 restaurants and pub If this had happened in my place oh boy I’d be give. Those guests champagne and making them leave happy I didn’t have time to call the managers who did get back to me after this experience As on vacation very bizy I’m sure that during the day river roast is great Just that for us our experience was not meant to be a good one I do feel that as an owner myself the management need to reach out to my family to make us believe that what I was dreaming about river roast was ture I do feel that if they r describing this restaurant as a British themed establishment then please don’t as a Londoner I was appalled and quite shocked that u would pass this style of food as British I’m still to this day very upset 😢

Loved our lunch at River Roast! It was a beautiful day in Chicago, and sitting outside was perfect! The shrimp and crab toast and the street corn were our favorites! So much fun to see all the activity on the river. We even saw two wedding parties having pictures made on nearby bridges. Will be back!

Had lunch here a few Friday’s ago. I heard their roasted chicken was very good. We had a good table by the window. Our server was great. The roasted chicken was delicious. Skin was so crispy. I didn’t care for the Mac n cheese (I make the best) but overall I enjoyed my experience. I’m a sucker for table side presentations.

We had a fantastic dinner for a family of 16 from ages 80to 17!. We sat together at a large farm table so there was a ton of room. We did the meal family style so we had many selections to taste. The branzino was served deep fried and pan fried, we got it both ways it was such a hit. The whole roaster chicken is always our favorite. The beef was also fantastic. All the sides are also so tasty and unique. Can’t wait to go back with a smaller group so we can sit outside along the river.

Came for lunch on a Sunday. we got to sit right by the river balcony and the view was great. I had the baked french toast which was delicious! The portion was plenty big enough. Someone else had the acorn squash and let me taste it, it was also delicious. They didn't have a ton of vegetarian options, but the ones I tried were amazing.

Great view of the river - boats sailing by and the beautiful skyscrapers in the background. It was a lovely September day. The manager was gracious in moving us inside from the boardwalk - when we requested as the sun was hot. Food was good. The server was very attentive. A great experience in Chicago downtown - showing off Chicago to our out of town friends. This is truly a must visit.

Writing this now, I realize I should have taken a photo of my meal. That way, you could have really seen how mouth watering this meal was. The atmosphere: This restaurant is in the old traffic court building on the river. Besides being located in one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago, River North, this restaurant offers outside seating along the river. If you’ve ever been to Chicago when it is gorgeous in the spring and summer, then you know how big of a deal it is to have a prime location for lunch/dinner or events on the water. If you haven’t been to Chicago and are just visiting, finding a great place to sit outside that isn’t super busy is key. This is your place to go. Inside you’ll find the bar on the first floor, and you’ll go down into the dining area. This space is really a great place for events. It’s decorated excellently, and you will have much to enjoy about this modern renovation while chewing on some great food. The food: Let’s get straight to it. First we started with an arugula salad. Which, by the way was to die for. The salad is easily shareable between two. Next, I ordered the roast beef. This was seriously big enough to split between 2, which I did.... but if you’re feeling up to it I’m sure someone could polish it off themselves. This piece of meat is one of the best I’ve ever had in my entire life and I’m not kidding. Melt. In. Your. Mouth. I’m dreaming of it while I type this. The sauce, the presentation, the meat itself, perfect. The staff: Very welcoming and inviting. They make great recommendations and they have a great drink menu! Cannot wait to come back.

Absolutely delicious menu options with spectacular views right along the Chicago River. Family style servings with a varied menu and wonderful service made for a wonderful evening!

We chose to sit inside on this steamy morning with our large group and made a great choice. There was live jazzy music and a cool relaxed atmosphere. Although intrigued by the roasted meat sharing plates, we went with more breakfast fare (hash and omelets) and then a couple of "big fish". The fish was delicious and tender, but don't be afraid to order a few as you can eat a lot of it! The bloody mary's with skewers were like a meal! Don't skip the skewer! We still went out on the deck to take in the river views and of course take some pics. Would return again when in Chicago!

We went there for dinner. We didn't have the standard roasts in that we opted for a dozen oysters, the charcuterie plate, and the Adult Sundae Fundae. All were excellent. That was plenty of food for the two of us. The desert we had sounds like a lot of alcohol but it really isn't. Very tasty. The portions of the various roasts were very ample and looked really good. I'd recommend this place for two or for a group. Service was very attentive as well. What we had ran about $150 with three drinks and coffee as well.

If seated outside, you have a curbside seat to all the wonderful activities along the Chicago River. But, if seated inside, you get a dark, industrial bar vibe reminiscent of a college bar. Service was average. The roasted chicken and potatoes were a good value ($38 will feed three) and the "carrots and dirt" were delicious. The wedge salad was the usual (with mushy, roasted tomatoes on the side - this carries the roasting way too far). And the corn on the cob was awful. If a restaurant can't serve really sweet bicolor corn, it shouldn't be on the menu. $88 for two without drinks or dessert isn't bad for Chicago, but I could have been just as satisfied at Boston Market.

Excellent, attentive staff. Ate here for a group, business event and the meal was fantastic. Branzino was perfect. Roast chicken was amazing.

We thought this was a coffee place, one of the places that lines the Chicago river - we wanted a late afternoon pick-me-up to drink outside while we watched the activity on the river. It turned out to be a steak restaurant.They graciously sat us even though we said we were only going to have a coffee. We wound up having a dozen fresh oysters, a delicious burrata, and a grilled cauliflower with a sparking rose', a local draft beer, and some prosecco. We left satisfied and skipped dinner that night! I would go back there for dinner next time I am in town.

I wish I could give a review of just the bartenders. I must say the rudest most arrogant group I have ever dealt with. Heard them swearing and complaining about everything. Spent more time stocking the bar then paying attention to me the only person at the bar. Sat with an empty drink for 15 minutes. Purposely did not ask to see if they would offer. Now the restaurant is top notch! The food is amazing. The wait staff and kitchen staff do a great job. I was there for Thanksgiving and it was the best Tday dinner I have had away from Mom’s home cooking. The pricing was also very reasonable. As I spoke with John, the owner, he was a very nice man and you can tell he truly loves what he does. If I did not meet the man I may have given this a one star review because of the horrible bar staff. I do not feel that I could do that to such a great guy. My suggestion is to avoid the bar if at all possible and deal with the great wait staff. John, you need to teach your bar staff not to swear in front of customers and to work for the customers not worry about stocking the bar,

Too early for dinner,too. We arrived at 3:05. Bar menu was adequate. Portions were huge. Dessert was excellent (and huge). Price was reasonable ($47 for 2 burgers 1 carrot cake, 1 old fashioned, 2 coffees, tip included). If it was warmer we would have enjoyed the patio on the river.

Went for lunch with a friend. We shared the Asian Chicken Salad and the Lobster Burger. The salad was huge, plenty of chicken, excellent dressing which enhanced the salad, but didn’t overpower the crispy veggies. The Lobster burger was a bit disappointing. We both felt there was so much going on with the toppings that the lobster was lost. Service was excellent and we sat outside to enjoy one of the last summer like days where we could talk without being overwhelmed by indoor noise.

A wonderful place to get a meal as a couple or a big group. Huge portions, but very nicely priced. Atmosphere was +A.

I typically only leave 5 star reviews, but had such a terrible experience at this restaurant that I had to leave this one star. I was planning a family vacation, and our last night was in Chicago. I knew my kids would love the location -- right along the Chicago River and I made a reservation nearly 3 months in advance asking for a riverside table. I know it's not guaranteed but I put in the date as early as possible knowing it would be such an amazing way to wrap our trip. My spouse arrived first with our kids as I looked for parking nearby. I ended up just doing valet since street parking is nearly impossible in this part of the city. Unfortunately, there wasn't a riverside table available when we arrived. We totally understood, but asked if we could get a table along the water if something opened up. The host checked with the manager, Ernesto, who said he'd be happy to seat us as soon as a table was available. My partner took a seat with our kids away from the water and I joined as soon as I parked. But that's when things went in a bad direction. Ernesto walked by our table and saw we were gay dads with 2 kids. It clearly made him very uncomfortable. A table opened up right by the water after being seated about 10 minutes later. We just got the menus and didn't order anything. The host came back and said that the manager declined our request. His reason? There were reservations that night. Wait, didn't we also have reservations? Why the change of heart? It made no sense. Ernesto ran to the table to clear it and said we absolutely couldn't take this table since there were others that claimed it. The table was a group of high school kids (seriously). We held strong and pointed out the fact that he agreed, only to change his mind once he saw us. He immediately folded and reluctantly gave us the table. We moved to the riverside table and our kids absolutely loved it. They waved at every boat that passed by. It was so cute and even our neighboring table took our family picture since they could tell we were having so much fun. We knew exactly what we wanted to order, but a server didn't show up for over 20 minutes. When I tracked down Ernesto to ask who our sever was, he immediately put the blame on us, saying that we confused everyone. He honestly went as far as saying that it was our fault since we changed tables and that confused everyone. I found it truly shocking he was blaming us for the service, rather than apologizing and just sending someone over to take our order. This is a sign of terrible management and needs a change. Overall, the food was delicious (the roasted chicken was out of this world), our server was warm and welcoming (once we could track him down), and we enjoyed the wine and the ambiance along the river. But it was absolutely terrible how they treated our family. At one point, I needed to use the restroom and started walking inside to find it. There was a straight woman also lost, and Ernesto went out of his way to show her. But when he saw me, he put his head down and walked in the opposite direction. I find it so strange in a city like Chicago to experience such discrimination. We honestly have never been treated so terribly in all our years of travels. We started our trip in Kentucky, where we were welcomed with open arms and such love. It was terrible to have this happen to us. If you're gay, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, we recommend not supporting this business as long as this management is in place. It's terrible and they should be ashamed of how they treat their customers. I will say that the host, and servers were so warm and welcoming. They seemed to be stuck by this terrible manager. Ernesto should be fired. And yes, I welcome this business to contact me directly and I'm happy to provide more details to this experience.

I went to River Roast years ago on a business trip and took a chance going back on a family holiday. It was amazing!! The service and food were both phenomenal!

This place is excellent. We were a group of 4 visiting Chicago from the U.K. (so we love our roast dinner’s) and we left this restaurant until our final night. We visited at 7:30 and although there was no dress code, we felt a little underdressed in jeans and t-shirts. The food was great. We started with fried olives stuffed with cheese and chorizo (5 pieces for $8 - listed under bar snacks) and these were lovely! Thereafter we had the Roast Chicken (approx $39), Pork ($43) extra roasted potatoes ($10), creamed spinach ($10) and roasted carrots ($10). The meat dishes are designed for two people and between four we definitely ordered the right amount of food - we did need those extra potatoes though! The waitress was kind enough to give us lots of bordelaise sauce to go with our meat at no extra cost - being Brits we drench everything in sauce! We then finished with deserts. In hindsight, one was enough to share between two. Definitely more of an adult restaurant but a treat if you’re in Chicago!

First off, from the patio, you get a great view/experience of the Chicago River. As for the cuisine, it was above average...but the service was rude, short and down right crude for an upscale restaurant. Too bad, because our party of four spent a couple hundred dollars after being "shoved out" just before their 11PM curfew. Oh well, there are plenty of other dining options along the river.

I had a group of culinary students booked for a dinner in early April that had to be cancelled because of Covid. River Roast, and their gracious employee Melanie, made sure that my students received a full refund. I cannot thank you enough and we are looking forward to seeing you in the future. If the River Roast's food is as excellent as their customer service, I am sure that we will be in store for an A+ experience. Thank you all so much!!

We had a large group at RR on a busy Saturday night -- things that might have made other restaurants stumble a bit. But not at River Roast! Our service was spot-on. Very attentive and friendly. And the service was topped with delicious, simply prepared food. Some restaurants try too hard -- ingredients you have to Google, strange concoctions. RR uses fresh ingredients, seasons them simply and prepares them to perfection. The family-style servings were perfect for our large group. We had the chicken, prime rib and pork. We couldn't decide which was better! The venue is superb. Don't miss this great Chicago destination!

Food was tasty, but had to ask for salt and pepper! While the chicken was good, the fish was so-so! However, the service was horrific! No one approached my table for a long time! A manager finally came and asked me after 20 minutes if I had someone greet or approach me? Had to just give my credit card to the server when our food arrived to make sure we made our show!

Hi, we gathered last weekend for brunch and the setting was beautiful. The appetizers we ordered were delicious they just were served in random order, one we did not order at all and another after the main course was served...it being brunch there were no worries and the food was delicious. We did order the boot drink which was very tasty but our server had difficulty pouring it and at least a glass was poured on the table and floor. Having said this another glass was served and the food not ordered was removed from the bill without any hassle. I'm not sure if it was communication errors or what the confusion was. We were a party of 7 and were served tow table checks, again more confusion. Beautiful setting and delicious food.

Picked this restaurant because it was near our hotel and the theater we were going too. Service was excellent and our server, Anthony, was very good and personable. Highly recommend him if you can get him. We had 24oz Beef Roast that we shared among all 4 of us along with the veggie platter, bread, and dessert. It was cooked exactly as requested, sliced at the table, and extremely tasty as were the veggies. The bread was hot, not just warm, and the "butter" spread was to die for. The dessert easily fed two so you don't need one for each person. We will definitely go back if we make another visit.

I loved the chicken breast with garlic mashed potatoes! Seasonings are unusual and exceptionally good! I highly recommend river roast. My colleague had the fillet and said it was fabulous, tender, thick, juicy. Excellent meal, professional service and nice view of the river. Enjoy!

Enjoyed a delicious Sunday brunch with Bellinis, quiche, and an open-faced sandwich. The food, drink, atmosphere and service were on point. And the music was just fantastic. Live blues band playing from 12-3. Would definitely return.

Served family style, roasts were carved at the table and served on the cutting board. We had the pork roast and prime rib. Pork was smoked nicely with great flavours. Prime rib was tender and served medium rare. Not an issue for us but you can have it cooked longer if it’s your preference. Lots of sides offered to go with your meat and those were also good though the potatoes were not my fave. They were fried not roasted as you would expect. Service was excellent and the waiter did a good job of explaining the restaurant concept and dishes. Was a little chilly for the patio but sat at the window so still had a great view of the river. You will leave feeling full and content!

We have eaten twice here this week. Had different food each time. Food was amazing, very tasty. Huge portions, served family style. Atmosphere was cosy and not too loud.

Went here for daughter's birthday. Sat outside and had a magnificent view of the river. The service was great and were a half hour late and sat us within 5 minutes. The chicken was terrific and dont pass up the sweet corn. Didnt ask but brought out a birthday treat. W\ Will be back soon

Was here for a wedding reception. Since we arrived early we got a drink at the bar. i will say it was pricey for a drink and so glad that we weren't there to long. The dinner that we got during the wedding reception was really good. It was a piece of bone in chicken that was so juicy and well seasoned. The filet mignon looked good but some came out well done and others came out very rare and no one was given a choice on the way it was cooked. Not sure about the chicken they served as an appetizer as they were chicken nuggets that were dark meat and breaded.The shrimp appetizer was tasty as the baby stuffed potatoes. With these items I am not sure if they are on the daily menu or just for private events but if ever in Chicago I'd stop and try a sit down meal.

we loved the place. had good brunch, several rounds of drinks and dessert...but were rushed out clumsily by the staff (several tables were available)...so it kind of ruined the experienced. most of the food was great, but the chicken was quite dry; would not recommend. the location makes this place worth it.

While in Chicago for our annual Fall visit with our daughter, we dined here as a party of six, and ate more or less family style. We were very fortunate to get a great outdoor table, right on the river, and enjoyed seeing all of the activity there was to see. Seated immediately without a reservation on a Saturday night, very lucky! We ordered three items to share around; a whole roast chicken, a beef roast and a seafood boil. We added a few sides to round out the meal. This gave us a great variety to pass and share. While not inexpensive, the food was all very good, and we had great service from Priscilla, who was helpful, friendly and very competent. This might fall into the 'special event' style of restaurant for us, but this was certainly a special event, and we were very pleased. After dinner we crossed the LaSalle Street Bridge and viewed Art on the Mart. Highly entertaining evening.

I had a work dinner here... so we had a prefix menu. Starters we had the shishito peppers they weren’t quite roasted enough so pass on those. The burrata was really delicious, along with the smoked salmon that was amazing!! For main courses we had the steak it was ok, the real star of the dinner was the chicken!!! They roast it in a cast iron pan sitting up and they put potatoes on the bottom so all the chicken goodness gets into those potatoes. It. Was. So. Good. The chicken was juicy and so flavorful. You also need to get the elote (Mexican street corn) they serve it off the cob mixed with everything that makes elote good. I could have eaten a gallon of this. For dessert we had the cobbler... I used to live in the south so you can’t really rival southern cobbler so you should feel fine about passing on that. BUT what was a sneaker was the mint chocolate chip soft serve. This also I could have eaten a gallon of it was so delicious great texture for soft serve. It was brilliant!!

Great Sunday brunch menu and some wonderful live blues from Hank Mowery and his band. Beers on tap, Bloody Mary to wake you up and blues to keep your hands and feet moving. All right on the water on a bright and breezy Chicago day. Marvellous.

The service was excellent. The food was fantastic. We had a great time. My wife has the stuffed pepper and my son had prime rib. While his girlfriend and my daughter had the chicken. They all loved the food

Because of the pandemic, it has been almost three years since my wife and I visited some of our favorite dining spots in downtown Chicago. And what do you know? We just discovered a new go-to destination, River Roast, which opened in 2014. Located at 35 North La Salle Street, in the Reid Murdoch Building, on the north side of the Chicago River, it is the pride and joy of executive chef Cedric Harden, who puts a New American spin on British cuisine in an upscale restaurant with two bars and spectacular riverfront views. When was the last time you had a meal served tableside? It's all here...whole roasted chicken and fish and slow roasted beef. Open from 11:30 to 9 from Sunday through Wednesday and 11:30 to 10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, River Roast features a menu that puts a smile on your face from start to finish. We started with pork meatballs with tomato sauce, giardiniera and toasted sourdough and chopped salad with romaine lettuce, feta cheese, roasted peppers, onion, relish, olives, tomato and red wine vinaigrette. For an entree, my wife chose an eight-ounce piece of roast beef with crispy fried potatoes and broccoli. I ordered a 12-ounce Berkshire pork chop, cider brined and applewood smoked, with apple cider nage, crispy fried potatoes and grilled carrots. For dessert, we shared a large slice of Florida key lime pie and bread pudding with raisin bread, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt caramel gelato. Yes, Chicago is big enough for another good restaurant.

Great place to share ample meat trays, plus many other offerings...very nice draft beer menu, and good wine selection

Such a cool location with an eclectic menu. Enjoyed the live music and had a hard time selecting our meal. We were happy with the Big Fish and a local beets salad. The Bloody Mary was garnished with a skewer of food that could serve as an appetizer!

Family style servings, we had the fish and chicken and the fish feeds two comfortably, but the chicken can feed 3-4 so understand that when ordering. The potatoes with the chicken are fabulous, deep fried and crispy. Food was excellent, wait staff on top of everything, Julio was great! Bring your appetite!

I have been to River Roast for weddings, corporate events, and a few dinners, but I had never had brunch. I can honestly say that today’s brunch was my favorite meal that I have had there. I had lamb pastrami, which was really tasty. My wife had a pulled pork hash, which was also really great. Maybe my favorite was the open face egg sandwich, with super thick bacon and a sweet relish. Super pleasant and really nice tastes. We will be back...

I went here to have a business dinner with 5 of my colleagues. We didn’t have a reservation but the fit us in quickly. It’s a unique restaurant layout. It very large but had a nice vibe. We were told that the entrees were meant to share so we ordered 3 entrees and some appetizers. One of the appetizers were the pickles, which we all felt were just that, sliced pickles and nothing exciting. We had the mussels which were outstanding. For the 3 entrees, we ordered the 24 oz Rack of Pork, Seafood Boil and stuffed Poblano. The pork was my favorite and most agreed. Even though it was a bit over cooked, it was tasty. The Poblano was delicious and everyone enjoyed it. I was surprised on how good it tasted vs what the description said. The least favorite was the Seafood Boil. Not that it was terrible, it just didn’t meet up to the $52 price tag? I felt the best part was the Andouille sausage and the broth! I had dipped bread in the broth, it was so good. In the end, we all thought it tasted great but we should if ordered a meal for each individual as we left still hungry! We ended up leaving back to the hotel where we ordered more appetizers to fill us up. A great place to each and I recommend it but when they say served “family style” the portions did not live up to it.

Great food! Try the open face egg sandwich!! Cool atmosphere and jazz band at just the right volume.

Food was outstanding with an amazing patio! We went for lunch on a Saturday and had brunch. The omelet was very good! We had a unique tea drink that was delicious!

Great location, attentive staff, and fun surroundings. We were a party of six who had not seen each other in years. Great place to slowly eat and drink while you are enjoying other people's company. For an appetizer, we had the Charcuterie tray, which was amazing. We wished we gotten two, not because of the size, but it was that good. The Lamb Pastrami was also very tasty with the pickled Brussel sprout slaw. For entree we had the roast beef, the pork rack and the whole fried chicken. The fried chicken was AMAZING. rise and juicy with really crunchy potato bits underneath. The rack of pork was very tasty, except the few center slices that were bland and as dry as sawdust (seems to be a common review). The ribs and the outer portions were to die for, especially with the sauce. Everyone loved the roast beef and the potato croquettes. I thought the beef was bland myself. We wanted to get a fish dish, but we had a severe allergy at our table, so we got the roast veggies. They forgot to bring them until later and they were so undercooked, we didn't eat much of it. The server apologized and took it off our bill. Great restaurant. We would definitely go back as we all left stuffed and had great food and drink.

Outstanding Thanksgiving dinner with family. Buffet style dinner, outstanding food!!! First time ever to eat out for Thanksgiving but had a great experience, would do it again.

We were a group of three couples having dinner before a show. River Roast is in a neat river front building. Service is very good, but they will interrupt you when talking. Food was also tasty, but $39 for an average size roasted chicken is a lot. That dish does have some yummy roasted potatoes and bacon, but still expensive. The main meats are made to share at the table, and they will carve it right there. We had one order each of chicken, pork, and beef and that was just right for 6. Pork was a little dry, but they give you a sauce which is nice. It was cook well-done and should be medium for those chops. Carrots and potatoes on the side are also shareable sizes (3-4 people). Arugula salad and beet salad were also nice, and again, big enough to share (2-3 people.) Everything is pricey, but you are in prime Chicago. However, we order IPA beers, and the glasses are actually small. I estimate about 10 ounces or so. That was disappointing for an $8 beer. (This isn't Wrigley Field!) Anyway, a fun stop nonetheless.

Had lunch outside on the river was very good, great service, nice menu, good drinks. Will make this a regular stop for great outside lunch❤

The view is beautiful,but we were very disappointed with the selection of food items and quantity for the very outrageous prices. I know this is downtown Chicago but the prices are way over the top. There are plenty of other places to eat with better selections and much better pricing! And you can still have a great view! Id go next door to The KITCHEN restaurant or half block down to a fun place called Dick's Resort.

I love this place. Visit every time I go to Chicago. Located next to the river seating is available outside. Food and servings are excellent. Have booked every time I have been because it gets very busy. Great venue.

Well the title pretty much covered the most important part! But we also had great service and a killer dessert!

We had a reservation and our little one had fallen asleep in the stroller. The girl at the reception said we couldn’t bring the stroller at the table. Then the manager came and told us to come back later, when the kid woke up, despite being 1pm (and we have 2 more kids). Aside from the policy, which I can understand although is stupid, the rudeness was totally unnecessary.

It wasn't just the great river views and the delicious views, the Wait staff and management was exceptional. Shout out to JuanFernaado! Primo!

I brought a group of 21 diners to this restaurant, and we ordered from the group menu. Our schedule was tight, and we had two gluten-free diners with us. River Roast accomodated us in every way, with service that exceeded my expectations. The food was possibly the best meal I've had, and the location was perfect for us-right on the river. You can't beat the view! I will certinaly be dining here again.

When you order an appetizer (street corn and pickles) and you are so blown away that you think “there’s no way the entree will live up to this” and then WHAM. And when dinner is amazing (chicken sandwich homemade chips and a beet salad) and it’s followed with a delicious dessert (chocolate cake and coffees) - you brace for the bill. But what a pleasant surprise that was (under $80). Cannot say enough good stuff about this place. Everyone was friendly and kind. Only a 5 minute wait for riverside table in the sun?? #winning

To start the evening, we were running late for our reservation, but called ahead and made sure we wouldn’t lose our table. River Roast was very accommodating and held our reservation until we arrived. We were seated in a very reasonable amount of time, especially considering that it was a beautiful Saturday night. Our server, Julio was very attentive and helped us with the menu. We ordered the bamboo salmon, broccolini side, and roast beef. We also shared a chopped salad. The salmon was presented on a bamboo half and was excellent. The roast beef too was great. Julio sliced it at the table. The broccolini was so good, I am planning on trying to duplicate it on my home grill. The atmosphere was terrific. We were seated outside with a view of the riverwalk. The outside décor was festive. The most remarkable part of the evening was the staff. River Roast is a well-oiled machine and Ernesto the manager, not only checked in on us several times to make sure we were enjoying the food and service, but Ernesto also was not hesitant to assist the staff with duties when help was required. If I were to give River Roast an all-around five-star rating, it is only because I wasn’t offered more stars to give. I LOVE this place and will definitely return.

Fab food. 4 adults shared the chicken and roast beef. Far too much food but really tasty. The roast potatoes were out of this world. Service was a bit slow for drinks. A live singer performed but far too loud and couldn’t hear much of the conversation with our friends. Maybe just needed turning down slightly.

Had dinner here with friends last week. There was a big event happening that impacted staffing, and we were told it might also impact the wait time for food. Based on the servers' encouragement, we put in an order for half a chicken and then added starters, a seafood r main dish and sides. We weren't even halfway through our starters, and all of the other food came out. It was very poorly timed, and a s result we missed the chance to enjoy some of the food while it was still hot. The food we did enjoy was good. The carrots and broccoli were my favorite dishes.

I’ve posted past reviews of River Roast. It has been several months since my last visit, so I thought I’d do an updated review. The restaurant’s concept remains essentially the same since Levy Restaurants first opened it: shareable entrees with a rustic theme. It appears that Levy finally found a concept that works for this space. Every time I’ve visited, the restaurant has been bustling. It also appears to be a favorite for wedding parties. On this evenings visit, there were two. Helmed by two outstanding Chicago chefs, Tony Mantuano and John Hogan, the menu for this restaurant isn’t particularly innovative, (It’s no Spiaggia) but it certainly provides broad appeal for the casual diner. One criticism I did have on previous visits was that there were almost no entrée options if you really didn’t want to share an entrée. I see that has now changed. Several dishes are now offered (albeit in tiny print on the menu) as individual serving sizes. Negotiating the menu prices of the various entrée portions is a bit confusing ; the way portion sizes and their prices are listed needs to be redone on the menu. Tonight we sampled a couple starters, the cold smoked salmon and the “Golden Gobbets.” We shared the rack of pork for the entrée choice, and finished with the peanut butter and jelly cheesecake. The house cured salmon was wonderful. Topped with thinly sliced radish and served on a bed of crème fraiche. However, why no toast points or cracker of some kind to go with this? I had some problems with the Golden Gobbets – basically a chicken nugget. While it doesn’t look it in the photo I took, they were left in the fryer way too long and had that burnt aftertaste. They were also excessively salty. The pork rack was a huge portion. We are two hefty eaters and couldn’t finish it. It is cider brined Berkshire pork that is Applewood smoked. The end pieces had plenty of seasoning from the rub, but the center loin was bland and would have benefitted from some additional seasoning. We shared the peanut butter and jelly cheesecake. It had an interesting pretzel crust. The texture of the cake was far more “cake-like” than I would have expected. It doesn’t have the traditional creamy cheesecake texture. One final reminder: During none of my visits did our server proactively offer bread service. Apparently, you have to know to ask for it. Make certain you do, or you won’t get it. It’s a wooden platter of sliced crusty bread served with a delicious spread and fried onions. Clearly, patrons like the casual nature of the room and the menu. Service is personable and efficient. It would appear that River Roast has succeeded where Fulton’s on the River failed. The chef’s host monthly dinner events during the week, and I look forward to attending one of them.

Booking made well in advance because we celebrate my wife's birthday, I had requested a table outside but for hostile weather they do not open outside, ok they make us sit inside on a table with stools attached to a column! Waiter who tried to speak quickly to make us understand when ordering... the top comes with dessert!! I asked for the candle but they forget! Superficial! They ruined our night. Normal dishes, hamburgers not good at all. Medium high prices!

Great experience with visiting family (including picky eaters from California). We ordered three main dishes (the roasts) and four vegetable sides for five diners with healthy appetites. Everything was tasty and well prepared, and the family-style servings are generous (we had leftovers). Our group enjoyed being able to have multiple tastes and ability to choose more of their favorites. We sat on the riverside patio with a serene evening view over the river (probably more hectic on weekends). The service was great: all the staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without hovering; there when you want them, otherwise leave you in peace. We were (almost) the last to leave at the end of the night, and they never rushed us but made us feel welcome every moment. River Roast is ideal for a larger group willing to share--really good value and a wonderful experience. Even the valet parking is more reasonable than one expects for prime downtown! Excellent all around.

Ate here recently for a wedding. The food was great! Great toasted cheese and tomato soup appetizer, chicken was moist and delicious, and the desserts were wonderful!

Unlike its neighbor to the East, the Kitchen, River Roast is a place for large portions and meat boards. The chicken comes whole, standing on its (hind?) legs, for a couple of hungry souls to feed on. The ambiance is inviting, with wood paneling, and diffused lighting. Go there if you LOVE meat. You will not be disappointed.

I was in a party of 12 for a business dinner. We had a selection of appetizers and ordered the porterhouse steak, whole chicken, and rack of pork to share. More than enough to eat - the food was great.

My wife and I went here for lunch while on a business trip. The view of the river was great. The food was incredible. Highly recommend

The views, especially from the outdoor terrace, are great. The service we got was sub-par - it was quite slow and we had to actively go and find the guy whenever we needed something. Food was fairly good, but way overpriced - you're paying for the view. Not a place we're in a hurry to return to.

Too much salt in peas, chicken and mushrooms. Nevermore. The service wonderful but the salt overwhelming. No wonder so much high BP. Less is more.

I went here with my family for dinner. It is a good idea to make a reservation before and I was able to use Open Table. We’re we’re seated immediately and the atmosphere was nice. The food is family style so it is great for sharing. We started off with the crab avocado toast and honey chicken. Both were delicious. There were five of us so we ordered the roasted chicken, pork and vegetables. They carve the meats table side which is a nice experience. The pork wasn’t fully cooked so they took it back. The sauce for the pork was delicious but everything was. The view of the Chicago river was nice too. Top notch place.

This is an interesting menu as everything is roasted. Chicken, Fish, Beef. Most dishes are prepared for two people. The fish special my husband and I had was delicious. It was severed with string beans and crunchy potatoes. All flavorful. If you are lucky you may get a table outside along the river, but if not the restaurant has a nice contemporary design. It was a little noisy and the piped in music at times was a little loud. But overall you can have a conversation over the table. I would go again as I really thought the food preparation was very good and this restaurant offered something different.. Entrees are carved at the table...which is really nice if you order the whole chicken.

Right on the river, it’s one of the best views and a cool atmosphere. Our service was pretty poor and they barely stopped by and the special portraits was like leather and barely had any flavor. Pork shank was good and the broccoli and mushroom sides were great. Burger was also very good.

Wonderful place for a Sunday Brunch. Bloody Marys were out of this world. Waiter was attentive. Food was delicious.

Great location on the river Slight disappointment on the house specialty chicken roast This gotta be super cool place to hang out in summer

Stopped in without a reservation while walking along the river late Saturday morning. Couldn't get a table outside - but we were seated along a window inside. Good brunch selection - and good service - at a reasonable price. Plus live music. Recommend you eat here at least once when in the city.

Wow! Blown away by the pork roast is this awesome place. Gorgeous weather on this Sunday. Possibly one of the best pork roast I’ve had. It was carved at the table. My partner had a “scrumptious burger” as he said. And it was! I tried it. Cherry on the pudding was the live Chicago blues. Oh jeez we’re so lucky to have found this place on our first trip to Chicago. This is a river front restaurant, we sat inside because of the live music. You can sit outside by the river if you prefer and see the boats go by. Make a reservation! Ahhhhh and it won’t break the bank! Very reasonable

We discovered this resturant while walking around on the river walk downtown Chicago. We stopped for the usual craft beer and conversation and then decided to eat. The food here was amazing and I would highly recommend it.

Great location opposite the site of the (little known) Eastland disaster, with patio dining overlooking the river. You enter at a floor above the dining level, where there is a ‘greeter’ who, when we visited, did not seem well-suited to her role; surly and uninterested. The couple in front were given a 45 minute wait time for a patio table if they wanted to eat outside, and we were given a 1 hour wait time. Fair enough because whilst we had requested a patio table on the booking, it was clearly stated that their policy for patio dining is first come first served. So we said we’d just eat inside. We were then shown to a table right at the back of the dining room (which was maybe a quarter full), right by the hot open kitchen. Meanwhile the couple in front, who had opted to wait for an outside table, were ushered from the bar to one within 10 minutes. And then over the next 10 minutes a further 3 or 4 parties were ushered straight outside. We weren’t happy and unusually for us decided to speak to the manager about it. He was excellent. Listened to our concerns, apologised and explained that wait times stated may end up being different to reality, but offered to move us out there for out mains if he could, which he promptly did and gave us a free drink too. What an excellent manager, and hopefully he can address the lack of charm from his greeting staff. Food and service were otherwise great. Beef carved at the table was very nicely cooked, with generous portions. One quibble with the service: the lady did the ‘no writing down the order’ thing which means, somewhat inevitably, that it won’t come out correctly. Not a problem for us because when the apps and mains came out together we simply sent the mains back, but it can lead to a waste of food for the restaurant. But that’s quibbling. Overall, a poor start, but great finish to the evening!

Quite simply the best roasted chicken I’ve ever had. So flavorful and juicy! I’d say it was worth the $20+ I paid. Excellent service and menu options. Loved the atmosphere. Make a reservation!

Having never been to Chicago before I was struggling to find somewhere to celebrate Thanksgiving day. I happen to find this place through Google maps and so glad that I did!! We absolutely loved this place and I would recommend to all visiting Chicago to visit as the food is stunning and brilliant value for money!! Thank you River Roast for allowing us to have a very memorable 2018 Thanksgiving meal with you guys!!

You MUST sit outside while dinning at River Roast, the river view is unreal! The prices here are a little high, but keep in mind, these meals are for sharing. Our family had the 16 ounce prime rib and the whole chicken, and both were out of this world and plenty for four adults! Service and decor were on point. I would definitely recommend River Roast for anyone looking for a special spot that's open to family style!

We had a lovely lunch overlooking the river on the patio. Service was great and the food was great. We ordered the arugula salad and lobster burger to split - perfect for two people and the lobster burger was terrific!

This was another place we stopped in to to get out of the rain. We were glad we did we sat at the bar and had several drinks. Since they have an open kitchen it was almost like a show watching the chefs not only prepare food prep for the evening. We can see why this is such a popular place to dine. Before we left we took a walk onto their outside patio that has an incredible view of the river. The perfect place to eat when the weather is nice.

The setting is really good right on the river and we had a very good view at an outside table,however the menu is not fine dining,but unfortunately the prices are.The food was fine but not outstanding for the price.

Had the whole chicken (roasted, of course) with potatoes underneath. It sounded so good... when it arrived it was in that state and required me or my wife to do the carving... not what I had planned. Flavor was good - potatoes didn't receive the intended result of chicken drippings. Ask before you order...

So the crab toast was amaazing and the mushroom toast and the everything lol really great food beautiful surroundings

We dined here for Sunday brunch and were seated at a spectacular table with a river view. Unfortunately, the sun was streaming in and we began to roast. When the sun tucked behind a building we returned to normal temperature. I don't know what they do in summer, but we would definitely not sit at a river-view table with the sun beating down. An excellent blues band was playing, making conversation impossible. We enjoyed the music and conversed when the band took a break. If you are heading there to talk, check the website for the band schedule. Our waitress was nice, but distracted. She didn't come by enough to check on us or get our orders throughout our time there. It was surprising because there were plenty of empty tables. The service was the only area that needs work because the food was outstanding. I had the chicken and waffles and hubby had the pork shank. We're still dreaming about the food. I don't know what the chicken chunks are coated in, but it is absolutely delicious. The portions are huge so I ended up with leftovers. The pork was smoky, as it should be, and spices blended perfectly with the dish. We will definitely be back.

What an awesome surprise! We came in with low expectations as many of the riverfront places are kind of snobby and all about the location. This place checks everything on the list. Good vibe, perfect views, great service, and the food was incredible. We came in for lunch on Memorial day with a large group of 9. We made 2 separate reservations earlier that day figuring we would be seated at 2 different tables. The hostess graciously seated us all together at a big table right by the window. The menu seemed like rather simple American fare and we did not expect much. Some of us had the fried chicken sandwich, I had the the grilled chicken b.l.t.a., and my daughter had the branzino. We were all blown away by how delicious everything was. Probably the best chicken sandwich I've ever had! Our server Fernando and the manager who's name I did not catch were just spot on with everything and brought us some treats to boot. Everybody there just seemed to have a great attitude and go out of their way Made our day! Thank you!!

This was a different place to visit. It is a lot larger than I thought it would be. It is located in a wonderful area along the river walk in Chicago. Might as well stop by and see what you think.

Our group went to a buffet dinner at River Roast. It was fun and enjoyable having a drink outside overlooking the river. The buffet was very nice. The open bar was good. The staff was busy keeping the food on the line and taking away the dishes. Next, we went on a boat tour leaving from River Roast.

We sat outside with a nice view of the river. Our food was good and our server was nice. We're glad we stopped in for a late lunch.

My wife and I, along with another couple stopped in for brunch. We were seated promptly and our server was very friendly. We had a couple of skillets, chicken nuggets, Mac-n-cheese, and a breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon and toast, with pictures provided. All of the dishes tasted good, but there were aspects of the meal which impacted the overall experience. The table was very wobbly and while two servers immediately corrected this, it was corrected by sticking cardboard under a leg, but it begs the question, why can’t the restaurant afford quality tables? Anyway, the meal tasted good but problems getting it to us correctly. One skillet had fried eggs instead of scrambled. The side orders of bacon and sausage were brought several minutes after the meal and a side of toast was even later. There were no condiments offered and when requested only a minimum was provided. Coffee top-offs only happened when requested. All-in-all a decent tasting meal and good service was countered by too many other issues.

Classic hamburger shop with something extra, it being understood that we are talking about American cuisine The place is very central, easily accessible and welcoming Good and well presented food Precise service, adequate prices

We booked Sunday brunch for the blues and brews event and were disappointed. The service was terrible. The music was ok but not very upbeat. The food was nothing spectacular. The view was not impressive. The drinks were food though. You can do better in Chicago

Making our reservation on open table made this easy to book for our night in the city. When we arrived an hour early to accommodate our after dinner plans, the staff quickly seated us at a window seat where we soaked in the river view with the holiday lights. We started with the fried olives stuffed with chorizo and shrimp and crab toasts which were both bursting with flavor and setting us up for the roast chicken. Our server expertly carved our chicken at the table. We ordered the roast chicken with the carrots and dirt, absolutely delicious.

I had to find a restaurant to meet a friend for lunch. I don't live in Chicago, so scoured the web, and I found River Roast. We both loved it! The food was delicious, the wait staff were attentive and helpful. But what was most important for us that while there were lots of people eating, it was still quiet enough that we could hear each other. We had not seen each other for over 10 years, and so we had a lot to catch up on, and no one rushed us. We sat and talked long after we finished our delicious sandwiches and special chips, and while wait staff were going back and forth to other tables and obviously checking to see if we needed anything, they basically left us alone. I'll go back to try some of the other items on the menu and talk with a friend!

We were on our vacation last week, when we took a "Food Tour" of Northern Chicago. Our guide recommended River Roast as a great place for dinner. We tried it out and he was spot on as we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The River Roast is right on the river in Chicago. We ate inside as we were hungry and did not want to wait for an outside seat. We enjoyed our meal (Pork Shank) which was delicious. We also tried a side dish called "Street Corn" that was excellent as well. For dessert, my wife and sone raved about the cobbler/ce cream dessert. I enjoyed the soft serve. We really enjoyed our visit and recommended River Roast to friends of mined from college who also checked it out later last week and loved it as well. We will come again if we come back to Chicago. Thanks again for a great evening!

Been to River Roast twice for brunch including today. The food is really good especially the roast beef. But both times the service has been atrocious: slow to have drink orders taken. Slower to get food orders done. And magical disappearing wait staff. Meanwhile the blues band have the amp turned up to 11 making brunch conversation nearly impossible. It would be so mice if they just turned it down a bit. If you go, sit outside to avoid the racket. But unless they improve the service, don’t go.

I ordered the French Dip on Friday, May 28 and it was extremely salty. I was drinking large amounts of water all afternoon and late into the evening. I choose River Roast because I wanted my sister to experience a restaurant on the river. Poor choice.

On a rainy day, run, not walk, to the River Roast to get a seat outside on the covered patio to enjoy an amazing meal while having a gorgeous view on the river...a come back spot!

We like to have a Sunday lunch and booked to go here. We arrived at 12 noon seated at a table for two in the centre of the restaurant Had a Bloody Mary to start. Very good. Ordered 16ozs of rare roast beef between us. It comes with croquette potatoes and gravy and we wanted sides but couldn't choose so we had the boat load of veg to go with it. Its really a veggie main but it worked well with the beef as it had a very good selection of veggies all roasted, carrots parsnips squash onions kale etc. Shared a bottle of wine and listened to the excellent Matt Steadman trio - they had people tapping their feet and singing along. It was a special meal. The place got very full and its popular so I would suggest booking. Good wait staff who accommodated us well.

DO NOT GO HERE. I went here with my friends for one of their birthdays. It was a disaster. They ignored us from the get go. Our waitress decided that because we got dropped off by one of tour boats (despite being locals) we weren’t worth the effort. I will admit to being obnoxious. We weren’t. We sat down and ordered a bunch of appetizers as well as drinks. About 4pm. Then the waitress decided not to wait on us for over an hour and missed the last bit of happy hour. When we ordered our next round of drinks she said they were happy hour drinks and that were no longer available. She finally brought one of three that were ordered. When we said we ordered three is when she said happy hour was over. That’s when we reminded her and she blatantly walked away. We asked for the manager. I personally went into the rest room while the table waited for the manager. On my way in I saw the manager talking to our server and they glared at me. When I came out of the bathroom is when I saw the manager at our table and he was walking away. When I asked what happened is when my table told me the manager said “we don’t talk to angry customers”. We. Were. Not. Angry. Oh, and as a manager I thought that’s exactly what your job was?!We will NEVER bring our service here again. Thank you for for treating a bunch of local girls, celebrating a birthday the worst we’ve ever been treated in a city with thousands of options. Always nice to know what isn’t an option every time we go out.

Great food. Ribs were fantastic. Nice crunch on outside. Chicken was juicy. Roast beef melted in your mouth All sides were very tasty. Desserts very good and huge portions. Share everything. Great service. Thanks Sydney.

Family style portions that serve 2-3: whole chicken, rib roast, whole sea bass, etc. Our group of 4 had the chicken and rib roast. Both were excellent. The crispy potatoes served with the chicken were unreal. If I could cook those at home....well, I can’t, so it doesn’t matter. The desserts were just okay, so I gave it a 4/5. The perfect weather made the outdoor dining next to the river a night to remember.

Right on the north side of the Chicago River, this restaurant is perfectly situated with an outside area. Unfortunately it was closed because rain was expected, so I settled in at bar. The friendly staff served me the fried chicken sandwich with a few pints to wash it down. It was tasty, but not exceptional. The hugo slice of chocolate cake could have been a bit more chocolate-y. All in all a very pleasant place to spend a couple of hours.

Needed to take a rest from exploring the city and found this charming place right on the river. Chicken san hit the spot as did the beverage but the real draw of this place is sitting right on the river and watching the boats go by. Fries instead of potato chips would have been nice though. A tad upscale but nothing too stiff in any off-putting way. Thank -you.

If you don’t have the view i wouldn’t recommend going. Food was really good but not the best. However would recommend the deep fried olive appetizer-haven’t had anything like that before, very good.

We had a business dinner here and luckily we were all friendly and open to sharing as that’s the set up here... all items are family style. Once we agreed on items, the food was delicious! Recommend the whole roast chicken and potatoes, and we loved the halibut (seasonal special). Surprisingly the “carrots and dirt” was our favorite of the night!

Great meal, atmosphere and view of the River. Service was also very good and a great waiter. We parked our car with spot Hero one block away.

We enjoyed a lovely brunch on the river walk watching bridges open and boats flow by. The cinnamon rolls are not to be missed. The lox plate was delicious but I think they could find better bagel. The house smoked Lox were insanely good so the bagel was a let down. Staff was charming and so handsome. Eggs plates were generous and colorful with avocados etc. don’t miss. Inside there was live music and fun vibe as well.

Family style service with great tasting food. We built a 5 item charcuterie board to start that was outstanding and had a half chicken (that can feed 4) and the potatoes are to die for! First time we’ve had the beef and it was great we only had the 8oz and it was plenty. Don’t go crazy with sides 1 or 2 max for 4-6 people is plenty.

We had a Fantastic Rehearsal dinner at River Roast.We did this all long distance and would not change a thing. From beginning to end easy to work with ... ask for Hilary!! Food and wait staff over the top eager to please. Did a family style rehearsal dinner and they bent over backward to make sure everything was perfect. Would HIGHLY RECOMMEND for just a wonderful meal or a special event.

The food was so good, even the kind of condescending attitude of the servers won't effect my 5 stars :) We stumbled on this restaurant, hadn't read the reviews, didn't know about the sharing of entrees. I'm from the south and "family style" means something completely different down here, So the prices kind of surprised us. One of the servers, when we finally got one to talk to us, explained we could choose an entree and a side and it would be divided and served to us by our server. We chose the Big Fish and the carrots in dirt. Absolutely wonderful food! But the food was delivered to our table and even though we had seen another server helping another table - we weren't offered that. Well who needed them, not us! We dove in and deboned that fish for ourselves and it was delicious, as were the carrots. Don't be put off by the crappy attitudes - go for the food and you'll enjoy it! Great view of the river.

Decided to come here after a long web search of where to eat on St. Patty's day. We were surprised that we were able to get a reservation. Probably helped that we decided to eat a late dinner. The server was good. Made some great recommendations. We shared a few appetizers and a meal (pork). It was ok. The meat was a little dry (probably because it was late). Liked the place it was casual, but felt upscale. I would give it another try earlier in the evening.

The food was very good. Our server was very friendly but she was missing in action a lot of the time. There are tables outside with views directly on the Chicago River. We elected to eat inside after being in the sun for several hours. Still, we had river views with the added convenience of shade and air conditioning.

I may be partial because my husband and I got married here, but every visit to River Roast reminds us of why it is such a special place. The food is always incredible, but the service is just as amazing! 2 years after our wedding, family & friends are still raving about not just what a fun location, but how good the food was. We’ve been making a point to pop back thru every time we are in the city, most recently for lunch today. We were chatting with the manager, telling him what a special place RR is to us and how much we enjoyed our meals. A short while later, the most massive chunk of carrot cake appeared on our table as a courtesy! River Roast - you are amazing, we love you, thank you for always making us feel so so special!

My family was looking for a restaurant to dine in while in Chicago. River Roast popped up and it had good reviews. We ordered, got our food and it was very average for the price we were about to pay. The ceviche was awful with burnt “homemade chips”. My daughters hamburger came out with cheese on it, and we had ordered no cheese due to an allergy. They took it back to correct it brought it back after everyone had finished their meal. Although they had taken her meal off the ticket, We are thankful for that, but it was just a terrible dining experience. We ended up spending nearly $100 for 3 people, for overrated food. Very disappointed.

So glad we tried this place - the atmosphere was fun and lively. The food choices were a bit limited for brunch, regular menu is more extensive. Small band playing this afternoon (a bit loud for the small space, but could talk over it). Nice riverfront patio in warmer weather. Diners were small groups, families and couples, all were having a great time.

Me & my friends we love the restaurant atmosphere, fantastic view of the river, food is delicious & fresh, must try fish burger & Asian salad, service is absolutely attentive, beautiful restaurant and location in Chicago. Love it, highly recommended & would love to be back again ❤️thank you for your service & tasty food 🇺🇸

We had high hopes for River Roast from a personal recommendation and looking online. We were seated in the back corner of the space, away from river view, near the kitchen although we made reservation and it wasn't crowded. Pleasant server who got our drinks, app and sides out rather quickly, but main entree' didn't come till quite a bit later. Probably just some miscommunication with server and kitchen. Sadly an underwhelming experience with middle of the road food, at what looks to be a great spot along the river. Too many other places to checkout in the same general area. Won't be back.

I recently dined at River Roast with a friend for Saturday brunch. The restaurant overlooks the Chicago River. We sat inside but next to the window on a gorgeous day. They had a blues ensemble which played great music. I love their Bloody Marys. You can get them with a skewer which is basically an appetizer on its own with cheese, meat, pickles, peppers, etc. Great complement to the spicy drink. I got the brunch burger which was huge and delicious. My friend got a quiche which looked amazing. The servings were large enough that we both brought food home.

We were staying in the Chicago loop for our anniversary weekend. We wanted to walk the Riverwalk, but stopped for lunch at River Roast before. We had a great lunch of half sandwich and bowl of soup. Also, the view was nice. The service was great and we would eat there again given the chance.

The beef was tough and disappointing. Stick with what they specialize in, Chicken. Service was very good, beautiful evening on the river outside.

GREAT experience! The food was amazing!! My food snob husband even really liked his meal. The service was wonderful and the atmosphere is fun. Will definitely be back when we're in town!

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary and were treated to a spectacular river front table on the patio. We were surprised with a celebratory glass of champagne from the staff and the outstanding service didn't stop there! We ordered the roasted half chicken (designed for one however more than enough for two!) and the cauliflower side. The chicken was seasoned to perfection and the cauliflower was so delicious. Oh, did I forget the shrimp and crab toast for the appetizer....oh my god so good! Our meal was finished off with carrot cake for dessert, enough for 6 even though there were just two of us. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough for their service, quality of food, and location! Thank you River Roast for a special evening.

I recall the late 1960s when Johnny Lattner's restaurant at Marina Towers was the most popular eatery and a favorite gathering destination on the Chicago River. When Lattner's closed, the river seemed to go dry. Now the energy and electricity has returned. Along with the Riverwalk, several restaurants of all shapes and sizes and cooking styles have popped up. One is River Roast. Located at 315 North La Salle Street, it offers a North American spin on British food served in an upscale restaurant with two bars and riverfront views. As an added attraction, blues musicians perform live from noon to 3. Tony Mantuano, a James Beard Award-winning chef, and John Hogan, have created a new and exciting menu based on roasting with roast beef, chicken, rack of pork and fish carved tableside. Start with a bowl of hangover soup, pork shoulder with dried chili and hominy. Then try oysters or shrimp and crab toast or pork meatballs or Caesar salad with chicken. My wife and I choose to have soup and sandwich. How about a fish sandwich, beer battered cod with tarter sauce, lettuce and tomato on a brioche hoagie? Or a blues burger with house ground beef, caramelized onions, blue cheese and smoked ketchup on a brioche bun? Smoked ketchup? Has Clint Eastwood heard about this? Sitting outside on the patio, overlooking the river, it's a great way to spend a warm summer day in Chicago.

Nice location on the river, attentive service and yummy grilled meats and sides, what’s not to like? The servings are large to share like family style. We had the whole chicken and ribs as well as grilled spinach and street corn. There was also a large banquet room in the back for events. Only improvement opportunity was wine list was briefer than I’d like.

I held my book launch event at River Roast and I can't event begin to express how amazing it was!! The venue sits right on the water and is in the heart of my favorite city! The service was amazing, the food was spectacular and working with the event team was a DREAM!! Fast communication, creative recommendations, and the answer was always YES. Could not recommend this beautiful place enough. Thank you River Roast!!!!

We celebrated an anniversary dinner here and had a lovely time. Food was great -- highly recommend the Pork Porterhouse, which was enough for the 2 of us to share with a couple of sides. The location right on the river is lovely -- definitely recommend outdoor patio seating if the weather is nice. And the atmosphere is great -- just formal enough to feel upscale without being stuffy. Definitely recommend!

The sharable proteins and sides were all great! But the lobster hamburger lacked lobster! Too much avocado and toppings and not enough lobster. Great view, great environment, excellent service! Highly recommend sitting on patio you will be entertained by boats and cruises coming by. Although price are on the high end but well worth it especially if your celebrating a special occasion. Stick with the shareable and you won’t be disappointed!

My husband and I came after a mid afternoon flight from Toronto. We sat on the patio overlooking the river. Can’t think of a better way to start our trip than sitting on the river watching Chicago Tours go by and admiring the magnificent architecture all around. We decided to stay for dinner and had the roast chicken. They serve family style which makes it great to share. The peach and blueberry cobbler is ginormous and fantastic. Definitely share. Recommend highly- drinks are reasonable and they have a house rose. Yay!

This place looked really interesting. Everything is roasted! We got a whole chicken and it came with roasted potatoes...wow!!! Very, very good! We also got the beet salad which was recommended by the waitress. This was delicious as well. Drinks: the Mexican firing squad... a refreshing pomegranate margherita...and an IPA beer. Both awesome. Delightful place but come hungry. Might also be worth reserving if it's a busy night. We did do reservations but it didn't seem too busy on a Sunday night... although might have had to wait just a bit. If we weren't stuffed we would have tried the cobbler for dessert!! Next time maybe. 😋

The good was good. We celebrated a graduation there. Great place for a large group and the view of the river is incredible. Staff was friendly and accommodating. It was a chilly night in May and the provided us with all the outdoor heaters they could round up. There was no indoor seating available. But I would definitely go back. Thank you Destiny for making our evening memorable.

Came here for a business dinner. Loved the location, right by the river. There's a great bar upstairs where you can get a good cocktail before your meal - definitely recommend the punch! It's busy downstairs in the dining area which adds to the ambience but it wasn't too noisy. Great place for meat eaters as the meat is cooked and then carved at the table so there's the whole experience that goes with it. But as a vegetarian, I had plenty to choose from as well.

Attended a business function for dinner in the private room upstairs. It's on the water. Great location. Wend downstairs to the restaurant for drinks after. Great atmosphere. Trendy, hip, fun. Great drinks and oysters. The view is exceptional and the staff was very attentive. Has TV's for the games. You can sit inside to avoid the weather. Would imagine it is great when warm out.

We ended up at River Roast after walking around the city. It was unseasonably warm in September and we were ready for a cold drink. We were able to catch happy hour on the deck, under an umbrella which provided both shade and a great view. There was a great selection of local beers and the drink special was the house Manhattan. The house made BBQ chips were fantastic. The waiter brought out shrimp and crab toasts as an amuse and it was a great welcome. We also loved the pork meatballs with ricotta gnocchi, we were scraping the bottom to get every last bit of sauce. We were so happy with the food and service we decided to get dinner. Being carnivores it was hard to choose what to order because we wanted to try so much of the menu. We ended up doing both the 12 ounce rack of pork and 8 ounce beef. The croquettes with the beef were crispy outside and creamy inside. Both the pork and beef were cooked perfectly. There was live music, which added to the ambiance. We had a great meal, wonderful service and great scenery.

A somewhat rainy afternoon, ate outside under the awning and had outstanding service. 5 of us split a roast chicken --crisp and flavorful as well as roast beef. Potatoes were great and a side of biscuits and honey completed our meal. We will definately return!

I’m a Chicagoan and was tempted to try this place because of the reviews. We went as family for dinner at 5 pm place was not too crowded. Our server Jana was great, very knowledgeable. We ordered smoked shrimp ceviche & burrata for appetizers, the we shared beef roast with creamed spinach & roasted cauliflower. Other the the spinach everything was just ok. Nothing to rave about. Cauliflower dish has weird flavor profile, I completely did get the raisins in it??? To finish , if you choose to go be prepared to pay $$& for average food, but nice river view.

The restaurant is very nice, and its location is excellent. It has a terrace over the River and a fairly spacious lounge. Excellent Mood and excellent service. Portions of the food are enough, pork belly bites, spinach artichoke dip, mac & cheese, chips in salt and garlic, and a wonderful Roast Beef accompanied by malbec terraces; all delicious!!! All very friendly, especially our waiter, always on the lookout. I recommend booking in advance. Of course I'll be back.

We stop in for a meal but didn't like the over priced meals. Instead we had some drinks on the patio with lots of glasses of water. The scenery over-looking the Chicago River was wonderful but the heat wave and humidity that evening was incredibly hot. Our service from the waitress was good, she was friendly and polite.

We had such a great time here for my birthday dinner! The food was amazing as were the cocktails! Service was wonderful. We will absolutely be back next time we are in town!

Right on the Riverwalk, this was a good stop for dinner on an early Saturday night. Had a mixed grill and shared it - got sliced up at our table. Prices were great, as was service. Sat inside (no room outside). Didn't get dessert (too full!). Recommend highly!

A great place for outdoor, riverside dining, even when spotty rain showers sow up, as on this visit. If you like roasted meats, go here. Had a great lamb pastrami sandwich, but was envious of the roasted meat entrees others nearby were enjoying, and that are carved tableside. Also had the cumin spiced roasted cauliflower, which was also great.

The restaurant is on the Chicago River so it’s a beautiful view of the boats. However, we ordered chicken and it took almost an hour to get it. The manager said there was a problem with the oven. The chicken was very dry when it came. I showed it to the manager. He made a face and shook his head. No apology. Since it took so long and was overcooked, he should have given us some money off. He did not. I used to like it there, but will not go back.

great interesting food. tasty and fresh. the ambiance is great and you feel that they really care if you are satisfied.. great service, on the river bank.

Maybe not a typical night in River Roast but they were serving a Thanksgiving Dinner and we have given up cooking those at home. So I am making some allowances... The riverside location is fantastic and we shall return in the warmer months to sample their regular fare (which looks great) and hopefully snag a table on their large private verandah with it's wonderful views of the Chicago river, the bridges and the lofty architecture. The dining room is below street level and reached by a long flight of stairs. The ceiling is very high and raises the volume level while you are eating as do the large picture windows. We didn't know it would be a Thanksgiving Buffet so waitstaff only had to concern themselves with drinks orders. These came quickly. Our 8 pm reservation left us only an hour before the kitchen stopped dishing up food and we were notified of that once seated. Not a big issue as the food was already cooked and we just had to go fetch it. First some salad (which was arrayed on a table near the foot of the stairs) and some of the charcuterie offerings. These were rather sad in that they looked like someone had run to Target and picked up some cheap party platters-thin slices of salami and some chunks of mortadella. No pate, nor grainy mustard and cornichons that would have helped make the flavors sing. Similarly the cheeses-all hard cubes and not a French cheese in sight to whet the appetite. Ho hum. The hot food-our Thanksgiving dinner- benefitted from a carving station for the roast beef, turkey, Berkshire ham and salmon. All the sides were arrayed on a long dimly lit table and served in cast iron pans. If a pan had just been brought from the kitchen you were in luck temperature-wise. Otherwise the sides were at varying temperatures, some at room. The mashed potatoes and the salmon were piping hot and both delicious. Turkey is good at any temperature. The beef was nicely cooked but a tougher chew than what it's appearance suggested. If this sounds negative it wouldn't put us off eating here again and in fact we look forward to it next spring or summer. Buffets are hard to pull off when it comes to keeping things hot and not drying out and of course you can't roast turkey and beef a la minute. We cleaned our plates as the flavor was there. It was a game effort on their part. We'll return to sample their everyday menu. Desserts were a weak point-mainly a Target cookie fest. A sign said carrot cake but that must have been long gone. Some muffins but nothing to get excited about. Expectations ran high when we found out that Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia fame-a pricey but worth it restaurant- is involved in River Roast. They need to spend some more money on the charcuterie and the cheeses if they do this Thanksgiving Dinner again. At only $60 a head for the food it wasn't a poor bang for the buck but could have been more impressive and in keeping with Tony's reputation for excellence. I'll report back when we try it again.

River Roast restaurant has great roast beef & dessert with a scenic Chicago river view. I had the sliced roast beef with mushrooms; which was expertly cooked and presented. Very tasty. I also had the huge carrot cake dessert; this comes with a knife because most people will want to slice it to share with others. Overall a fine dining experience.

Chicago is a city full of outstanding restaurants, in mi third day in the city we went for business with a party of 4. We asked for the signature dish " Roasted Chicken" make no mistake when you hear let's go have roasted chicken, at least no when someone's is talking about River Roasted. It's the best chicken you ever try!!! It's served over a layer of potatoes that gets riched by the exquisite juices of the roasting!! We had carrots and bruseles for side dishes a great combination. We also had a fish that was good. I went with a very food enthusiastic colegues and we asked Rost Beef medium term, it was a marvelous surprise, despite the fact that we already have had a very good meal, my friends wanted to try beef, they say is a tradition in their country, and it was the Best taste of the 3 dishes. The tip of the night was the very good conversation with my friends, and the very friendly service of the personal at River Roast. They speak at least English and Spanish. Definitely a must stop next time I came back to this lovely and windy city. Sorry I didn't take the picture of the Roast Beef, it was too delicious to the eye and the mouth that we forgot to take the picture.

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here and had a really good meal. Drinks were good and appetizers were outstanding (the mushroom toast was yummy). We split the large prime rib cut, which was also really good. Would love to come back during the summer and eat outside on the river. Service was also very good, and the place had a nice atmosphere. A little pricey but worth it for special occasions.

Roasted squash entree was extraordinary. The roast beef and sides also looked excellent. Service was great. Nice view. Nice ambiance.

We were here while on a business trip. We were a group of 5. We were seated outside. The river view was awesome. Food is served family style,so come hungry. We had the chicken, and rack of pork,both were excellent. We also had chocolate cake and seasonal cobbler. Our waitress was great,checked on us often. They do have burgers and things also if you aren’t In a group. We were staying at the Swissotel,so the river walk there and back was very relaxing.

Awesome restaurant. We had a large group and got the private room for 15 of us. Would have personally loved to be outside as the view is great. Food was awesome as was the service.

Five of us stopped in for a late lunch on a weekday and decided to dine on their deck. We ordered hamburgers, gumbo soup and salads. All was tasty and the service was very professional and attentive. They offer a variety of dishes on their menu along with a great selection of beers and drinks. The view creates an this an absolute stop for you while in our great city of Chicago.

We stopped in for dinner after spending the day exploring downtown. We were all tired and hungry and this was just what we needed to relax and recharge! The ambience was wonderful as was the food and service. We had the shrimp and crab toast to start and then had the roast chicken with a side of sweet potatoes for dinner. Everything about our dinner was fantastic! We will definitely be back!

The Chicago River area of the city is undergoing a Renaissance and surge in popularity, and this restaurant is in the perfect place to experience it. When the weather is good, this is a top spot to dine outside, watching the people along and traffic on the river. But the food is also excellent, as is the service - friendly, attentive. Everything we ordered in a recent visit was delicious. Be aware that portions are large.There are two cozy bars, including an intimate one to the right of the entrance for those who just want a drink or coffee and don't want lunch or dinner.

Roasted chicken, side taters, lobster burger, street corn, oh my! The food was absolutely fantastic, the staff was friendly and attentive and the patio on the river was just lovely. This place is worth a visit!

Very delicious. We visited in the winter but would love to come back and sit along the river. The portions are great but, as everywhere in downtown Chicago, they are expensive. it was our waiter's first day, and he asked my cousin if he wanted another bloody mary, saying he would have one two. Did not appreciate being swindled but we were suckers and my cousin got another one.

Came early on a rainy Saturday night, restaurant and bar not too busy yet. Place was getting set for two large parties. We ordered appetizers of chicken gobbets and crab/shrimp toasts. Both were delicious. We should have stopped there. For dinner we ordered the $80 porterhouse steak (24 oz), carrots, and potato croquettes. The carrots were spot on perfect. The potato croquettes were dense and not very warmed. As for the steak, a total disappointment. It was chewy, tough, and very salty; and had a large bone. We thought "at least the dog will like it". We didn't finish the meal, and our server picked up the dishes and told us "everything will be packed up". So, when we arrived home and unpacked our to-go bag. Lo and behold, the porterhouse steak bone had been omitted. Really? What happened to "everything will be packed". Regardless, our dog was disappointed. There are much better steak places in this town (actually right around the corner). Suggest to try them.

If you have a seat outside in the summer the view is great. However the food while there is plenty of it, just doesn't hit the spot. The chicken sandwich was bordering on undercooked (and the potatoes over cooked), my other half's croque-madame was swimming in gravy. In short don't expect to be wowed by the food, and stick to drinks only.

My wife and I had brunch at River Roast with an 11:45 reservation, and we were seated right away. Annie was our server, and she gave great recommendations—convincing my wife to try the chicken and waffles. She loved it, noting the chicken was well-seasoned and paired perfectly with the waffle. I ordered the Chef’s Breakfast along with a side of French toast. The portions were generous, so much so that I had to box some of it up. The bacon was crisp, the potatoes added just the right amount of saltiness, and the French toast brought a sweet balance. The eggs were fine, though nothing special. The setting was intimate, and the view from our table was fantastic. While we had hoped to sit outside, the sun made it a little too warm to enjoy. Overall, River Roast is an excellent choice for brunch in Chicago—just be sure to make a reservation.

I did a few weeks of research for our 3 day trip to Chicago, because we wanted to eat as much as possible. When I heard about Blues Brunch on the River I had to book it. We were definitely not disappointed, not by the food, drink or the blues. The blues was really chill and providing just the right atmosphere for a low-humming brunch. We sat inside because of the cold but still had good views. The Gin Smash is my new favorite cocktail. We did not get one of their famous (monstrous) roasts because it was just the 2 of us, but the food we did order was tasty and very filling. I had a hard time choosing from the menu. Kyle, our server was one of the sweetest and most attentive waiters we've ever had. I would love to go back to try their signature roasts!

Attended a rehearsal dinner here in June the first time and loved it. The view was amazing sitting on the patio watching the boats and Poole go by with skyscrapers above you. I had the smoked pork loin and it was massive. Very good with just the right amount of smoke. Not too over bearing. Highly recommend a summer trip to here on the patio