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Restaurants where the best seat is at the bar

1. Avec

9.3
615 W Randolph St (at N Jefferson St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Loop · 213 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: It’s the seasonal menu items—braised pork shoulder with garlic sausage, summer squash and pesto-tossed pasta—that make the place what it is. Read more.

The Bedford is one of Restaurants where the best seat is at the bar.

2. The Bedford

1612 W Division St (at N Ashland Ave), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Wicker Park · 81 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Former HotChocolate chef Mark Steuer keeps it seasonal with dishes such as braised chicken with greens in a whole-grain mustard broth, and sates late-night appetites with grilled cheese on black bread Read more.

Bin Wine Cafe is one of Restaurants where the best seat is at the bar.

3. Bin Wine Cafe

1559 N Milwaukee Ave (btwn North Ave. & Honore St.), Chicago, IL
Wine Bar · Wicker Park · 26 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Recent dishes include escolar with bacon, Swiss chard and a white wine sauce; a pizza with wild mushrooms, garlic and pecorino; and a crispy duck confit with sweet peas, mushrooms and spring onions. Read more.

Chizakaya is one of Restaurants where the best seat is at the bar.

4. Chizakaya

3056 N Lincoln Ave (at N Greenview Ave), Cook County, IL
Japanese Restaurant · Lakeview · 18 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Where to sit: by yourself, at the bar; if not, in the back room. What to order: Crispy pork belly, corn fritters are must-haves. Finally, what to drink: Order liberally from the sake and cocktail list Read more.

Fish Bar is one of Restaurants where the best seat is at the bar.

5. Fish Bar

8.7
2956 N Sheffield Ave (at W Wellington Ave), Chicago, IL
Seafood Restaurant · Lakeview · 103 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The fried items all have great flavor (like the fried onions with lemon and jalapeño), but sometimes they arrive soft instead of crisp. Likewise, the herby lobster roll can get a little chewy in parts Read more.

Table Fifty-Two is one of Restaurants where the best seat is at the bar.

6. Table Fifty-Two

52 W Elm St, Chicago, IL
Southern Food Restaurant · Near North Side · 73 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Three-cheese mac, pistachio-crusted chicken, chili-crusted pork chops with pickled peaches and buttermilk–fried chicken are some of the rib-sticking offerings. Read more.