Pizzeria Portofino

Lettuce Entertain You's ultra-popular spot below RPM Seafood serves lunch and dinner, with a menu centered around hand-stretched pizzas, artisanal pastas and grilled seafood. There's always someone celebrating a birthday, out-of-towners looking for a bite along the water and workers from nearby office buildings meeting for a power lunch or after-work drinks.

The vibe: A lively riverfront restaurant with one of the best outdoor dining patios in the city. The service is good, the food is average and the views are unbeatable.

The food: You can't go wrong with the cult-favorite charred pepperoni pizza and rigatoni vodka pasta for the table. The Caesar salad and crispy Parmesan fries are also standouts.

The drinks: The drink menu always features a selection of quirky cocktails, like River North With A View (vodka, raspberry and Pimm's liqueur) and multiple variations of a spritz. If you're here with a group, you might want to opt for the Portofino Purse, a cocktail of your choice served in a glass handbag (yes, really). 

Time Out tip: The whole point of coming here (usually) is to sit on the patio, so be sure to make a reservation in advance to secure one of the most coveted waterfront tables in Chicago.