Best Southern American Restaurants in River North (Chicago)

291 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Smith - Chicago restaurant

1. The Smith - Chicago

4.7

Exceptional(2667)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 76 times today

At The Smith in Chicago's vibrant River North neighborhood, burger enthusiasts are treated to an exceptional dining experience that centers around crafting perfection between two buns. Known for its lively atmosphere and stellar service, The Smith has made a name for itself with its mouthwatering burgers. Patrons rave about the quality and authenticity of their burgers, with one diner exclaiming, "I had the Smith burger and it was amazing!" This casual American brasserie not only promises a great time but also delivers with its standout burgers that keep locals and visitors alike coming back for more. Whether it's the prime ingredients, the expert preparation, or the craft cocktails that complement each bite, The Smith stands out as a must-visit for burger aficionados in Chicago.

A photo of Beatrix - River North restaurant

2. Beatrix - River North

4.6

Exceptional(5315)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 85 times today

Beatrix is a neighborhood coffeehouse, restaurant and meeting place in Chicago’s River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market and Oak Brook neighborhoods. The restaurant was created by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ Founder Rich Melman, Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs and Chef Partners John Chiakulas, Rita Dever and Susan Weaver. The menu features healthy meets delicious options, and is known for its iconic coffee and bakery counter including signature cookies, in-house pastry favorites and house blends from our very own, Beatrix Coffee Roasters. Beatrix is open daily for coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

A photo of La Grande Boucherie - Chicago restaurant

3. La Grande Boucherie - Chicago

4.6

Exceptional(853)

Price: Very Expensive

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 84 times today

Nestled in the heart of Chicago's River North, La Grande Boucherie offers a transcendent blend of traditional French cuisine and Chicago's rich culinary heritage. Housed in the stunning Belle Époque building, this restaurant provides an atmosphere that evokes the charm of a Parisian brasserie with its authentic fixtures and custom mosaic marble floors. Diners rave about the "exceptional food and outstanding service," with dishes like the creamy crème brûlée and perfectly prepared steak frites consistently earning high praise. Whether it's the indulgent ambiance, the meticulously crafted menu, or the attentive staff, La Grande Boucherie delivers an authentic French dining experience that is truly "the closest thing to a Paris bistro in Chicago."

A photo of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab restaurant

4. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

4.9

Exceptional(17491)

Price: Very Expensive

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 144 times today

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in Chicago's vibrant River North neighborhood is a jewel of American cuisine. Celebrated for its partnership with the iconic Joe's Stone Crab of Miami Beach, this restaurant brings you the freshest seafood alongside sumptuous prime steaks. Diners rave about the "delicious King Crab legs and Stone Crab" and the "superb Crab Bisque," highlighting the authenticity and quality of its offerings. The service at Joe's is equally commendable; as one patron noted, the service was "exceptional, Lamar was amazing," adding to the overall exceptional dining experience. Whether it's for a slice of their famous key lime pie or their hand-carved 24 oz. Bone-In Rib Eye, Joe's consistently delivers a top-notch American dining experience that is both memorable and indulgent.

5. avec River North

4.7

Exceptional(414)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 78 times today

Avec River North, nestled in the vibrant River North neighborhood of Chicago, is a gem for those seeking exceptional Contemporary French/American cuisine. The restaurant has earned a reputation for its "consistently delicious" fare, under the guidance of James Beard award-winning chef Paul Kahan and executive chef Dylan Patel. Patrons rave about the "creative and perfectly prepared food," with dishes like the bacon-wrapped dates and duck confit agnolotti receiving high praise. The ambiance of Avec River North matches the quality of its dishes, described as "a great vibe" and perfect for any occasion. As one diner put it, "Every dish was heavenly," making Avec River North a must-visit for a quintessential Chicago dining experience.

A photo of Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse - Chicago restaurant

6. Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse - Chicago

4.6

Exceptional(9098)

Price: Very Expensive

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 93 times today

Smith & Wollensky in Chicago, nestled in the vibrant River North neighborhood, is renowned for its exceptional Seafood cuisine, offering diners an unforgettable riverfront dining experience. Patrons consistently rave about the quality and preparation of the seafood, with one guest highlighting, "Our dinners were excellent. Lobster was cooked perfectly and the filet mignon was tender and delicious." Another diner praised the variety and taste of the seafood starters stating, "Delicious as always. The crab cakes, oysters, and Wollensky salad were so tasty." This iconic Chicago staple not only promises a feast for the taste buds with its authentic and high-quality seafood but also enchants with its scenic views and outstanding service, making every visit genuinely special.

7. River Roast

4.5

Awesome(3285)

Price: Expensive

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 49 times today

Nestled along the scenic Chicago River in the vibrant River North neighborhood, River Roast stands out as a premier destination for authentic American cuisine. This bustling social house offers a unique dining experience with dramatic table-side carvings of whole roasted chicken, fish, and beef, highlighting the rustic yet refined flair of American tavern fare. Many patrons rave about the "AMAZING" whole roasted chicken and the perfectly seasoned roast dishes, making it clear why this spot is a favorite. The atmosphere is complemented by "spectacular views" and a "lively" vibe, ideal for any occasion. Whether it's enjoying a "top notch" brunch or savoring a meal under the stars on one of Chicago's best patios, River Roast delivers an unforgettable American dining experience, as echoed by many: "Food was amazing," and the service is consistently "excellent."

A photo of Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago restaurant

8. Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago

4.8

Exceptional(14268)

Price: Very Expensive

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 138 times today

Shaw’s Crab House & Oyster Bar in Chicago's vibrant River North neighborhood is a beacon of American cuisine, expertly blending a rich tradition with top-tier seafood offerings since 1984. Celebrated for its exquisite seafood, Shaw's provides a "step back in time" to when dining was a grand affair. Patrons rave about the "unbelievable Narragansett bay scallops as sweet as candy" and the consistency that makes every visit memorable. The ambiance, described as a classic "supper club" charm, coupled with "exceptional" service, ensures that Shaw’s stands out as a premier destination for both locals and visitors seeking the pinnacle of American dining in Chicago.

9. Andy's Jazz Club

4.7

Exceptional(5005)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 78 times today

Nestled in the vibrant River North neighborhood of Chicago, Andy's Jazz Club offers a delightfully unique dining experience combining soulful jazz with heartwarming Comfort Food. Patrons consistently praise the quality and taste of dishes like the "delicious strip steak" and "handmade pasta," highlighting both as unexpectedly impressive for a jazz venue. The atmosphere is described as cozy and nostalgic, perfect for enjoying classics like ravioli with portobello and lemon butter sauce, which comes highly recommended. As one reviewer raved, it's "food to die for" in a setting where every performance enhances the meal, creating an unforgettable culinary and auditory experience.

A photo of Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley - Chicago restaurant

10. Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley - Chicago

4.1

Excellent(3241)

Price: Expensive

• Southern american • River North (Chicago)

Booked 57 times today

Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley in Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood is a beacon of American cuisine, specializing in elevated comfort food with a creative twist. Praised for its "amazing food and drinks" and "great vibes," this restaurant has become a must-visit spot in Chicago. Customers rave about the perfectly seasoned shrimp and grits, inventive waffles, and the mouthwatering fried chicken, calling it "a hidden gem" with "consistent quality" that keeps them coming back. The dynamic atmosphere, coupled with the welcoming staff and beautifully plated dishes, ensures an authentic and memorable American dining experience that is, as one patron put it, "nothing but vibes."

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Annavip
Chicago / Illinois •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was amazing. Chef Lamar had a wonderful selection available for the soft opening. We had the beef tartare with chicken skins (highly recommend), the fried green tomato with burrata, the half chicken, and salmon. We each had two cocktails, one of which had fat washed mezcal to mellow out the after sting. My only note is we realized in hindsight our drinks were not that strong. Overall, amazing experience!
More info
ETC.Price: Expensive• American• Downtown / Loop
•
4.9
L
Lisa
Detroit / Eastern Michigan •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great ambience created by the decor plus the live DJ playing old school music. The food was very delicious and exceeded my expectations.
More info
The DeltaPrice: Moderate• Southern• Bucktown / Wicker Park
•
4
T
Toni
Chicago / Illinois •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The food and service were both excellent. If you like large portions, this is not your place. We were thoroughly satisfied and full. The shrimp and grits, steak and eggs and all American breakfast were all delicious. The bottomless mimosas were very tasty. The service was excellent from hostess to wait staff. Leni was great! They have valet, however, they're slow, as there was only one person on duty on Saturday during the brunch rush.
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Yardbird Table & Bar - ChicagoPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Southern• River North (Chicago)
•
4.6
A
Ashley
Philadelphia County •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Loved it ! The food and drinks 10/10. We had a great server his name was Chaz he knew everything about the menu didn’t steer us wrong at all. The pasta was great and everything came out in a timely manner. Will be visiting here again in the future.
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Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley - ChicagoPrice: Expensive• Southern• River North (Chicago)
•
4.1
J
Jenvip
New Orleans / Louisiana •16 reviews
4.0
Dined on Nov 10, 2024
We were a little underwhelmed considering we had heard great things before coming here. Service was great and the cocktails we each had were amazing, but the food was just average.
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Chicago qPrice: Moderate• Barbecue• Gold Coast / Streeterville
•
4.4

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River North (Chicago)

Southern american

Best Southern American Restaurants in River North (Chicago)

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291 restaurants available nearby

1. The Smith - Chicago

2. Beatrix - River North

3. La Grande Boucherie - Chicago

4. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

5. avec River North

6. Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse - Chicago

7. River Roast

8. Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago

9. Andy's Jazz Club

10. Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley - Chicago

See what locals rave about

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