River Roast

River Roast is a restaurant in Chicago, IL, situated on the Chicago River with views of downtown. It serves contemporary American tavern fare, with menu signatures built around dramatic whole-roasted presentations of chicken, fish, and slow-roasted beef, alongside a wide selection of brunch items, shared plates, sandwiches, and salads. The restaurant also houses Corner Roast Coffee & Bar and runs RR Events, and it hosts private gatherings from small parties of eight up to events for 1200 guests with customized menus.

The all-day menu ranges from charcuterie and cheese boards, burrata with strawberries and balsamic, and smoked salmon dip to starters like pork belly bites with chili XO, ahi tuna crudo, and truffle pull-apart rolls. Sandwiches include the River Roast Burger with double patties on a pretzel bun and a spicy fried chicken sandwich, both served with house-made barbecue chips. The brunch menu adds items like cheddar chive waffle chicken, French toast bake with banana and dulce de leche, bagel and lox, and chilaquiles, with morning libations ranging from mimosas and a Bloody Mary to bottles of prosecco and Veuve Clicquot. The drinks list features specialty cocktails such as the Yuzu Green Tea-tini, barrel aged negroni, guava margarita, and several spritzes, along with a rotating tap list that highlights Chicago breweries including Half Acre, Dovetail, Hopewell, Noon Whistle, Off Color, and Cruz Blanca. The restaurant also opens a riverside patio for warm-weather dining on a first-come, first-served basis.

River Roast sits on North LaSalle Street, just off the Marshall Suloway Bridge and about a tenth of a mile from the Chicago River, with the 300 North LaSalle Garden and the Crossing public artwork nearby.

With a rating of 4.60, River Roast stands out on Chicago's riverfront as a social house where the roasting tradition is the centerpiece of the menu and the river views do the rest.