Beatnik On The River
4.4 ★ average from 5 reviews
Creative global eats and tropical cocktails, served in a funky-ornate setting with riverfront seats.
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Recent reviews
- ★★☆☆☆A Snow
This is such a difficult review because we loved the restaurant and the food BUT the service was such a miss. Our server was so unkind and rude. I’m not sure why he is working somewhere that he is clearly miserable. I’ve worked in the industry and I get “bad days” but this was more than that. We all traveled in from California and NC to celebrate my daughter’s graduation. I made sure to call and book this reservation early. He came to the table and was just nasty. The adult kids asked some questions and he was irritated. What got me was when I asked him for a margarita on the rocks and since I didn’t get chance to look at the drink menu, I asked what tequila he would recommend. He rolled his eyes at me and told me “it’s right there in the menu, which would you like” I was looking for a recommendation not a snarky rude comment. At this point, I did meet him with the same energy and his attitude got a little better. We all proceeded to order appetizers, food and more cocktails but he truly ruined the experience. I wish we could rewind for the money we spent on a party of 13 and redo the experience.
- ★★★★★Lady Red
This beautiful spot is just as pretty as the location in the West loop. Plane is perfect for the most romantic date or just celebrating a life Milestone. Omgggg if only I could everything from the menu. Food is delicious here and nothing we ordered was a disappointment. Ambiance is beautiful, customer is great and the drink menu is full of selection that you'll get some pretty good mix drinks. Whether it's this location or the West loop you will definitely be back again and again.
- ★★★★★L Wolftowns
INCREDIBLE experience! We had a large party so had to get there at opening. We got drinks at the bar to start, I would highly recommend their bloodys, their mix is amazing. We sat with a river view, which makes the whole experience even better. Once the food came, I was so happy that everything matched on how good this place is. We had several plates from the menu and they were all 10/10. The tables favorite was the steak Kebob. Service was really good, very friendly staff.
- ★★★★★Alex Watters
Hands-down, this might have been the restaurant I was most looking forward to on my trip to Chicago. So many of the videos I watched and the posts I saw mentioned it as want to go to. I snagged a reservation a week or so before I left and I am so glad I did. I love restaurants that not only put out amazing food, but also transport you to a completely different place. The vibes of this restaurant. The details. The decor. And especially the food make this one that I will continue recommending to people. I was a little bummed that the lower level with the hanging flowers wasn’t wheelchair accessible, but I was impressed that as soon as I rolled up, the staff immediately got a portable ramp to put up so I could access the upper dining area and their hospitality continued throughout the meal. While it wasn’t over the top like the lower level, it is still so beautiful with amazing views of the river. We went for a Sunday brunch and tried a number of different things. You can taste the grill and char on that beef kebab which I appreciated as a true Iowan raised on good beef. The short rib hash was easily my favorite. All of the different flavors and ingredients were so different and unlike so many other offerings. The salmon benedict was fairly traditional, yet delicious, whereas the breakfast gnocchi was super unique, but equally divine. The only thing I will say is that I can’t wait for the next time I’m in town so I can go here for happy hour, dinner, and/or drinks.
- ★★★★★nicole lehman
Hear me out. Most places that are popular for their beautiful scenery or atmosphere tend to miss on the quality of their food, it’s never a hit on both scenery and food quality. However, this restaurant not only had the most beautiful interior and view of the river, but the food tasted delicious. My mom, sister, and I each got our own plates and I tried some food from their plates and every bite was truly delicious. We got the salmon eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, and rib eye hash: 10/10!!! In addition, we went Jan 3 so it was definitely very cold outside, and the cold leaks into the restaurant because we are close to the windows. But the Beatnik would give bursts of heat that was perfect and would keep you warm, I wasn’t cold at all. Drinks at the bar were also delish, bartender was very funny!