O’Briens is a seasonal al fresco restaurant on the promenade level of the Riverwalk that serves visitors and Chicago locals alike from May through October. We are open daily at 11am, serving a summer grilled menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads and Fish and Chips paired with an iced cold beer or cocktail. With live jazz music every Thursday and pet-friendly outdoor seating, we can’t wait to welcome you for the afternoon or to start the night at the northeast corner of Wacker and Wabash. A core belief at O’Brien’s is preserving our Riverwalk. To limit our environmental footprint, we use recycled, biodegradable cups, plates and utensils approved by the city, no straws and cleaning products safe you and the Earth.
American fixture offering steaks, burgers & Bloody Marys, plus outdoor waterfront seating.
Megan Mulholland
We stopped for lunch. My friend had chicken wings and I had a turkey sandwich. The view was nice. It was busy but if you want one leisurely, it is a nice place to dine. Staff were friendly and attentive.
… moreMinh Phung
One of the most dissatisfying and disappointing bar food that I ever had in my life. The taste and quality of the food here is not even close to average, it’s mediocre. I would not recommend stopping here for a bite as you will be disappointed for what you are paying for. I will never ever come back here again or take any of my friends or family here if we’re on the riverwalk.
I ordered a regular cheeseburger, cooked to medium well. Well, the burger was cooked more to medium than medium well. The cheeseburger tasted underwhelming, no flavor at all. I would say a McDonald’s cheeseburger has more flavor and taste than the cheeseburger here at O’Briens.
The sweet potato fries is laughable. No taste or flavor either. The fries were soggy, not crispy, and the presentation of the fries looks like it was done by an 8 year old. Very underwhelming and disappointing.
… moreAsif Rehmani
This place is all about the view—you’re really paying for the amazing riverfront scenery, watching kayakers and boaters go by, with lively tourists and passersby adding to the atmosphere.
Sometimes there’s live music, which makes it even better. It’s a great spot for an evening or a nice warm day.
Service was good, with friendly staff, but the food itself is pretty basic—think burgers and standard fare. Nothing special in terms of the menu, but again, you’re here for the vibe, not the food.
I’d still recommend checking it out for the experience, but there are other spots along the Riverwalk that might offer a bit more on both food and ambiance.
… morePurba Dutta
O’Briens Riverwalk Café in Chicago boasts a prime location with stunning views of the river, river walk and the city’s magnificent architecture. While the service is adequate, there is room for improvement. The food, though of decent quality, tends to be portioned smaller than expected for the price. The menu is also quite limited. Despite these drawbacks, the café’s excellent location remains a key highlight, offering patrons a unique and enjoyable dining experience amidst the beautiful surroundings.
… moreBrandie N
I went here for the first time the other day after my river walk because I wanted a little me-time with a drink. I kept it simple and ordered chicken tenders and fries with BBQ and buffalo — nothing crazy. It was around 5 p.m. on a weekday, so people were just getting off work. The vibe was business suits, rich laughs, and after-work energy all around.
The view alone makes this spot worth it — absolutely breathtaking, probably one of my favorites on the river. Everyone there just seemed to be enjoying themselves, having a good drink and a good bite, which is exactly what I did.
Only heads up: shots are the same price as cocktails ($14–$17), so if you’re planning on drinking heavy, this probably isn’t the spot for that. But for a good vibe, solid food, and a view that hits? I’d definitely come back.
… moreJennifer Kellett
I stopped here for a late lunch of fresh vegetables and lemon hummus and a ‘Riverside’ cocktail. It’s quite nice to watch the world go by on the River. It was relatively quiet and staff were friendly and service prompt. It was pretty packed when I walked past on Sunday. I appreciated some healthy options on the menu. Small serve! Cocktails in a plastic cup is not enticing. I can understand I guess when it’s very busy.
… moreAimee Gant
Food was delicious. Served fast and fresh. Our main server was very friendly and attentive, all other staff we made contact with were amazing.
… moreNicolette Tech (Nikita)
The food is okay but the service was great and the atmosphere is most likely what you will come here for. The menu is very simple and there is not a whole lot of beverage options. Keep in mind, most places on the river don’t have a full blown indoor kitchen or bar so they are not a fully functioning kitchen. If you come here it is most definitely to take in the views of the city from the river walk and grab a snack. They do serve sweet potato fries which is a big win in my book for bar food.
… moreI Mar
Looking for quick bite and a beer or cocktail? This is the spot.
The views are included.
The service? Not the best…..
The cleanest? Could be cleaner.
Food? It’s okay for what it is. We had a burger, chicken sandwich and steak sandwich. It’s not gourmet food.
Great location though.
Not packed on a Monday.
Would I come back? No.
Happy Fall Season everyone!!
… moreRyan Mish
Wow. This is a food truck charging restaurant prices but with frozen food. It has the trappings of a restaurant, but when you look closely: plastic utensils, bottled drinks only, limited menu… it’s an elaborate disguise for a restaurant with no soul. Unfortunately, I bought both the burger and steak sandwich which were pre-formed, poorly cooked, and unseasoned. We couldn’t finish eating the steak sandwich, it was inedible. The owners have to know, I saw many others leaving their food unfinished as well. I’m sure this place survives on foot traffic alone because I will be sure to never return. Trust the other reviews, try literally anywhere else. Great view though!
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