Arriv guide · Chicago
River North Weekend
Chicago, IL · 2-day plan · 8 places
Labor Day weekend in Chicago after the weekday travelers leave. Friday is dinner within a short walk of a River North hotel. Saturday is a river walk and one table. Sunday is breakfast before O'Hare. Skip this if you came for Navy Pier or a Bean-only afternoon. Pins checked August 2026.
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2-day Chicago itinerary
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Day 1Friday landing dinner
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
4.7
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Tip — Arrive before the crowd fills the speakeasy bar; order the ribeye and sit close enough to overhear the next table's conversation.
The Alston
4.4
750 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Tip — Walk over for a nightcap and the French dishes—they don't need to be your main event, just the reason to stay out later.
Day 2Saturday tables
Petite Edith
4.5
878 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Tip — Go midday for pain au fromage and a glass of wine at the marble bar; ask about the raclette burger if you're still hungry.
Crying Tiger
4.8
51 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Tip — Bring at least two others and order the pad thai and duck confit panang—they're loud-table food, which is the point.
Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna
4.9
531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Tip — End at the pizzeria for drinks and whatever tables are pushing together; the wine list won't disappoint you.
Where to go in Chicago
8 places across 2 lists — options beyond the day plan.
On the plan
French bistro with a marble bar where you can order wine by the glass and ask for the off-menu burger topped with raclette and giardiniera relish. Drop in anytime or grab a seat at the bar for pain au fromage and a drink.
Thai spot where the pad thai and duck confit in panang curry arrive hot and built for sharing, so bring a group and make noise.
Large steakhouse leaning into French dishes alongside the beef, with the kind of ritual-heavy dining that marks a special night.
Intimate steakhouse fitted with a 1920s speakeasy bar, where the food justifies the close quarters and dim lighting.
Pizzeria and taverna where tables push together for groups, and the drinks hold up as well as the food.
More to explore
Matilda
Wine bar where snacks and drinks pair well enough that catching up with someone becomes the whole point of the evening.
Ciccio Mio
Italian restaurant from the Bavette's team, so expect the same attention to sourcing and technique applied to pasta and meat.
Indienne
Fine-dining Indian kitchen where French technique meets spice, and reservations book up because the combination works.