Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in South Loop

I have been going to RL since they first opened. Always lovely, comfortable, clubby, excellent. It is a joy to be there. It is hard not to have the Dover sole. My favorite. And tonight. Joseph was our waiter. He was superb. Attentive but not too much. Classy. Friendly. But not too much. Works on the west side of the restaurant. I would ask for him. Can’t wait to go back.

Wow! Amazing! So glad I was able to snag reservations! Want to go back and try more. Tried the Green beans, poke, goat belly and pork belly. We loved it all. Amazing textures and flavors.

The food was fabulous. We had the veal meatballs, the arugula salad and our wood fired pizza was 1/2 the specialty Kale and 1/2 the Funghi - which was exceptional. The ambiance was so Italian Restaurant. Perfect. And the service, the service was EXTRAORDINARY!! Pam served us and from the recommendations to her personality to the timing - wonderful. And her table attendant - Denny - was incredibly prompt and didn't miss a thing. We will be back.

I had a delightful lunch at Gibsons Italia with my friend, and it was an experience to remember! From the moment we arrived on the 3rd floor, we were treated to excellent service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and ready to answer all our questions—including explaining what gold-extruded pasta meant, which we found fascinating. The food was absolutely delicious! The salads were fresh and flavorful, the portions were just right, and the baked potato was a standout—so good that I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. The ambiance, paired with the gorgeous riverside view, made it hard to leave after our meal. Instead of heading out right away, we decided to continue our stay at the bar, and I’m so glad we did! PJ, the bartender, was exceptional. His service, engaging conversations, and the memorable baked Alaska he recommended truly elevated our experience. He even crafted some amazing drinks that were the perfect finish to our visit. From start to finish, Gibsons Italia exceeded our expectations, and I can’t wait to return—especially to see PJ again for another round of his amazing hospitality. Highly recommend!

For once, I could enjoy lunch with a friend in a quiet room. My BLT was excellent. Service as one would hope, not intrusive but responsive.