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The Lakefront Restaurant, Chicago, IL

The Lakefront Restaurant

4.7
4.7
1071 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
The Lakefront Restaurant is an upscale tavern located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the historic Theater on the Lake building. We offer seasonal Midwestern fare featuring the freshest choice ingredients and a beverage program highlighting craft beers, spirits, and a diverse wine list.

We are open year-round, and invite you to enjoy the casual elegance of our intimate tables, communal seating, lounge area, and our warm-weather Skyline Patio -- all while taking in the stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Visit us during the fall and winter months for happy hour and other day daily specials.
Private dining

Private dining

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View details

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (312) 414-1313 ext. 2
  • Website
    https://theateronthelake.com/restaurant/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    The Lakefront Restaurant is located in the historical prairie-style building, Theater On The Lake. The building has flexible room options for any event, including full buyouts of the building, private rooms, and simi private area within The Lakefront Restaurant.
  • Private party contact
    Margaret Amerpohl: (312) 414-1313
  • Location
    2401 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
  • Neighborhood
    Lincoln Park
  • Cross street
    Fullerton & Lake Shore Drive, East of Lake Shore Drive on the Lakefront
  • Parking details
    Self-Parking Monday - Friday until 4pm, $15 valet parking (cash only) is available in the front circle drive. Pricing for events may vary. Easy Uber/Lyft/taxi drop-off. Paid parking is available at Lincoln Park Zoo and Diversey Harbor parking lot located on the northeast corner of Cannon and Fullerton. Free street parking is also available along Cannon Drive.
  • Public transit
    CTA bus routes #76, #151, and #156
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Chicago Restaurant Week

    $60.00 per person

    Jan 25, 2025 - Feb 9, 2025
    Enjoy a prix fixe menus at The Lakefront Restaurant during Chicago's annual Restaurant Week January 24th - February 9th.
    Chicago Restaurant Week Photo

  • Pour Your Own Bottomless Mimosas with Bubbles!

    Multiple dates available
    Come meet Bubbles and pour your own Bottomless Mimosas! Bubbles is a refurbished Piaggio Ape, pronounced “Ah-Peh” (Italian for “bee”) now serving prosecco! Bottomless Mimosas are available Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 3pm for only $20! Enjoy your prosecco with either orange juice, grapefruit juice, pineapple and peach! Make your reservation today or reach out to Maggie at maggie@theateronthelake.com for groups over 12 people.
    Pour Your Own Bottomless Mimosas with Bubbles! Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,071 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Lakefront Restaurant offers a "stunning view" and "great food" along with "attentive service." Guests rave about its "beautiful location" and "excellent lakefront atmosphere." Valet parking adds convenience, and specialties like "deviled eggs" and "shrimp ceviche" are highlights. While the menu could expand, the overall experience is "absolutely wonderful."

1,071 Reviews

  1. Donald

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We went to The Lakefront Restaurant for a birthday dinner after having passed it numerous times on Lake Shore Drive. We finally decided to go during Restaurant Week to try the pris fixe Restaurant week dinner menu. We were not disappointed! My wife had the Cod while I opted for the tenderloin. Both were prepared exquisitely, and the appetizer and first course were also tasty and inviting. The atmosphere at this restaurant can't be beat -- we arrived near sundown and got to watch the changing colors of Lake Michigan from just a few yards away through the floor-to ceiling windows. In the opposite direction were the twinkiling lights of downtown and Lincoln Park. Parking with the valet was easy and not horribly expensive, though there can be some free or metered parking on Cannon Drive across Lake Shore Drive. We'll be coming back in the warmer months, when the outdoor terrace will be open ...

    Is this helpful?

  2. Gautam

    VIP

    Miami

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great location! Delicious food and excellent service!

    Is this helpful?

  3. marie

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here, food was great and our server was very helpful with drink and food selections. The service was excellent. We will be back again.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Imelda

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great ambience great service and delicious food. Will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  5. cheryl

    VIP

    Chicago

    43 reviews

    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful venue with great food and friendly service!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Lauren

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The experience at the actual restaurant was awesome. Great food and service. We had a table of 4 and all the food was delicious. But the valet experience was not so great. We were leaving after a theater event with about 30 other people who were trying to get their cars. The valet was so disorganized and chaotic losing people’s keys and leaving the stand unattended. People were standing outside on a freezing cold January night trying to get to their cars. Instead of bringing people their cars, they were unlocking them and having people walk to their cars through the parking lot which would not have been so bad if we did not have an elderly person with a cane walking through an icy parking lot packed with cars trying to exit the lot. I suggest having a line inside for people waiting to get their cars if it will be a long wait or not doing valet at all.

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  7. michelle

    VIP

    Chicago

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Waitress very nice. Love the atmosphere! Thx again for another great meal.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Shari

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful location and view. Excellent service and food

    Is this helpful?

  9. Dave

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Went for the first time for brunch, and I was not disappointed. The menu is pretty straightforward and simple. Everything we ordered was tasty and reasonably priced. Service is generally great, and they did not rush us. Drinks flowed, and my whole party had a memorable and enjoyable experience. Oh…and did I mention the views!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Joel

    VIP

    Chicago

    175 reviews

    4.0

    175 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been several times and. have always had a good experience. Going in winter makes it a lot quieter.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Lakefront Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 1071 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Lakefront Restaurant

2401 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Fullerton & Lake Shore Drive, East of Lake Shore Drive on the Lakefront
  • Neighborhood
    Lincoln Park
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Self-Parking Monday - Friday until 4pm, $15 valet parking (cash only) is available in the front circle drive. Pricing for events may vary. Easy Uber/Lyft/taxi drop-off. Paid parking is available at Lincoln Park Zoo and Diversey Harbor parking lot located on the northeast corner of Cannon and Fullerton. Free street parking is also available along Cannon Drive.
  • Public transit
    CTA bus routes #76, #151, and #156
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://theateronthelake.com/restaurant/
  • Phone number
    (312) 414-1313 ext. 2
  • Private party facilities
    The Lakefront Restaurant is located in the historical prairie-style building, Theater On The Lake. The building has flexible room options for any event, including full buyouts of the building, private rooms, and simi private area within The Lakefront Restaurant.
  • Private party contact
    Margaret Amerpohl: (312) 414-1313
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