Cindy's Rooftop image

Cindy's Rooftop

Restaurant Bar

Hip, stylish rooftop bar/eatery at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel with choice seasonal fare. People often mention view, good, great, amazing, Chicago, views, drinks, restaurant, drink, service,


Address

12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

Website

www.cindysrooftop.com

Contact

+1 312-792-3502

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (4.3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 11 am to 12 am
  • Saturday: 10 am to 12 am
  • Sunday: 10 am to 11 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 11 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: view (33) good (27) great (19) amazing (17) Chicago (17) views (16) drinks (15) restaurant (13) drink (13) service (13)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 carpetalla 1 year ago on Google
    Only good for the view. . Only has a few thing on the menu for dinner. Recommend going more so for lunch as they offer more. Do not get the margaritas they nasty. Asked for recommendations and servers could not give me an answer just said everything good. The steak is for two instead of offering for 1 so its about 120 bucks. The pork chop was good. If you go the elevator you use is to your far left as they have their own elevator and when looking for the restaurant from outside it in a hotel area. GPS will just say your here. Its a glass door.
    22 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 delara m. 7 months ago on Google
    An amazing rooftop bar overlooking Chicago. I have really loved it. Since the Chicago Bean is closed , it’s a nice chance to have a photo with it from above. The team on the phone is a bit rude but once we walked in the security guides us up and then the reception team is very lovely. You can just grab a drink and sit outside overlooking the amazing skyline view of Chicago. The drinks are very nice and the bar tenders are just so well trained and attentive. Recommended.
    18 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gemma 1 year ago on Google
    We absolutely loved it here! Highly recommend Cindy's. I booked in advance as heard they get really booked up and would recommend others to do the same. The atmosphere is so lovely, the service was fantastic too. The balcony offers amazing views of the lake and Cloud Gate. It's a really unique viewpoint in Chicago! The food was also lovely. If we were local we'd definitely be coming back! 10/10 recommend.
    16 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lyl R. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved this place. Not only is the athletic club quite cool & posh, Cindy’s is the icing on the cake. Gorgeous dining room with lots of wood, windows & comfy seating areas. And the view is absolutely amazing. Nice deck with fire pits. Great menu. Love they offer spirit free cocktails!
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Haley D. 2 years ago on Google
    Cindy's is a quintessential Chicago brunch spot with a great view. It's got a lovely atmosphere and is a nice place to bring visitors who want to try a rooftop restaurant. They can get quite busy, so I would recommend a r a reservation. The food was pretty good albeit a bit expensive (you're really paying for the view). I loved their coffee and the chicken sandwich. We enjoyed the pancakes as well. Make sure you visit the balcony to grab some great shots of the lake and Millennium Park!
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Courtney S. 7 months ago on Google
    Came for a drink with a friend after our workout. Was so happy we were able to get in and sit outside, it’s usually very booked/full. Also I was worried there was a dress code since we were in workout clothes, but it was a casual crowd and no one looked at us funny lol. This was a Tuesday night (9pm). We both had the Summer Daisy- it was good and strong! Nice bartenders and great set up, perfect summer night spot with great views!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Amanda B. 1 year ago on Google
    The service was extremely slow and not attentive, for the price of the food and drink I would have expected exceptional service but the server visited us maybe 3 times, never replenished the water either. After delivery of our food and drink, he didn’t check on us again until we were tired of waiting and asked for our check. The ambience was LOUD, college bar loud, I thought this was more of an exclusive setting considering a reservation is needed to sit down and no one man’s the telephone (you can call but they tell you in the message to send them an email). There were very rowdy crowds and folks dressed from revealing street clothes to formal business wear. I was embarrassed I booked this place for my group of coworkers. The food is extremely limited and varies so widely that there is no sense of who the chef is and what passion they possess. The prices are extremely overpriced especially for the quality. The pork chop came out over cooked and piled high with a bunch of fresh parsley (liked it was just tossed on to make the dish look bigger)… $45 for a half portion… just not worth it. The cocktails at $17 were also overpriced for the quality, my particular Supply Chain was not balanced… and took way too long to be delivered to the table. The restaurant should find a particular focus for their menu, perfect it, then charge more money because it tastes good and is worth it. The cocktails/drink list should be limited to a smaller list because it’s obvious that the bartenders can not keep up with the patrons orders… or get more folks behind the bar. I felt like I fell for a tourist trap. Disappointed
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lina A. 2 years ago on Google
    A must-visit as a tourist in Chicago. Spectacular views (and photo-opp!) of the city, good food with generous portions, and creative presentation of the cocktails. Loved the decor and atmosphere of the place too. Friendly service. Make sure you get a reservation in advance though! The location is not large and gets full quickly.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danny D. 1 year ago on Google
    Impeccable service, amazing food, and epic view. Best to make reservations ahead of time - they give about 2 hours for your time here but it’s definitely enough. Didn’t feel rushed at all. Server was on point- family style portions which is great to experience depth of flavor in all a couple of plates. To close the eyes, take a breath, and taste the flavors was simply amazing. Great selection of beers and cocktails were all good. Love every moment of this place 👊🏼
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Wuliao H. 2 years ago on Google
    Great food and great ambiance! It’s worth the waiting or reservation. We booked this lunch table a month ago. Food tastes good with good amount, cocktails not only look fancy but also delicious. And I recommend come here in the day time to grab a better view of millennium park and the Lake Michigan. It’s nice to take pictures inside the lounge as well. 4 stars because of table service is somehow very slow here.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Matthew Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Definitely a great vibe at Cindy’s. The wait staff was friendly. If you want to go here, prepare to make reservations well in advance. The main attractions are the view and the ambiance. The drinks were great as well, but the drinks are food are outstandingly overpriced, hence the minus one star. It’s worth it to check out for the atmosphere, but better and fairer priced food can be found elsewhere.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justine L. 2 years ago on Google
    My new favorite place in town ! The view is so incredible, during the day light, you can see the lake, the city and the park ! The drinks were sooo good and I only tried the fries but they were the best I had in a long time. Great place to go with friends !
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Benjamin R. 1 year ago on Google
    I love Chicago restaurant week. It’s always a great time to go sample some prefixed menus. Cindy’s lunch menu was definitely worth it. 25 bucks got each of us 3 courses. Both starters were really yummy but our favorite was the dessert. It was really unique and I would come back to just have that after a night out. The view from Cindy’s is one of the best in the city. I will definitely be back.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Alika S. 2 years ago on Google
    Good place to get a city view of Chicago. Very good location indeed and food is okay. Been coming here for years and can usually expect some crowd at any time of the day. I’ve experienced both good and bad service from this place but have met a couple servers that were nice. One highlight is they really take time to sanitize the tables after each set of guests. I recommend this place for the views and the drinks.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S R. 4 months ago on Google
    Great place to hang out and see Chicago views to the west. Good service and bar options. The building is amazing and the view was incredible! Also, had heaters on the deck for those who wanted to spend some extra time outside. Only had drinks, but breakfast items looked delicious.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlie el hijo de C. 6 months ago on Google
    Went there primarily for drinks and the drinks were on point. They make a great old fashioned and there’s a drink called El Segundo which was strong and delicious. We also had a salmon dip which was great as well. Beautiful location with a nice outside rooftop bar area as well.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ann A. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved this place for everything it offered. We went for brunch with a group of friends and were able to sit on the couch banquet with window views of the city. The terrace views are amazing and definitely a highlight of going to this rooftop restaurant. Food was reasonably priced and delicious.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lily P. 2 years ago on Google
    Came here for brunch and really enjoyed it. The staff was friendly and answered any questions we had. The food was good and really filling. The portions were bigger than we expected. Their cocktails were beautiful and delicious. And of course, can't beat the wonderful view of Millennium Park out on the terrace. Would recommend this place!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gianmarco C. 6 months ago on Google
    This is one of the gems of the city. Very nice posh restaurant with a beautiful view over the lake, the skyline and the famous bean. The food is quite well prepared and all dishes are very tasty and well presented. Raw materials are also of quality. Good selection of spirits, wines and beers. Definitively recommended for a nice evening in a lovely place. The building which hosts the restaurant is also remarkable with beautiful marbles and mosaics. I think it was an old athletic club for the city of Chicago
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pasob P. 6 months ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing spot in Chicago! The entire hotel is beautiful and well preserved. We didn't get a chance to check out the game room and the speak easy but got a seat at Cindy's rooftop. The views are stunning from the patio, great spot for pictures. Our server was really friendly and knowledgeable. He made it a great experience. I would definitely come back here next time I'm in Chicago to experience the rest of the hotel.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bryn B. 1 year ago on Google
    Unbeatable view of millennium park. If you can’t get a reservation (they recommend booking a month in advance), you can still go upstairs and try to sit at the bar, which is first come first serve. I got a drink and walked outside to the open air terrace to see the view. It was 100% worth it! I wish I got to sit down and eat their, all the food I saw coke out looked and smelled phenomenal
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sajud H. 2 years ago on Google
    An expensive and a fancy restaurant!! The food was really good had a couple of dishes and the cocktails were also good the interiors was also good covered all with glass . A perfect spot for a date!!! The view from the restaurant is also amazing ..direct view of the cloud gate from the rooftop balcony..
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa C. 6 months ago on Google
    We kinda had an adventure. Arrived shortly before dinner. Location was amazing. Vey fun to see. The balcony view is amazing. Our first waitress was a hot mess. She may have been ill, but the waiter who took over after our waitress disappeared made up for everything else. Very upscale and price point a bit high for the service we received. Great view of the skyline, Lake Michigan, the Bran, and Millennium Park.

  • 5/5 Michael V. 4 months ago on Google
    Walk in on a Friday 6pm no issue- at least for drinks only. Amazing view from the balcony, even in the night. We stayed at the bar, had amazing cocktails mixed by nice bartenders! Prices on the higher side, but all in all worth it!

  • 4/5 Ana Paula C. 4 months ago on Google
    Fun rooftop. We came on Friday night and the experience was great. We shared an app and some dishes. Nice place, worth the visit. Although the weather didn't cooperate, the view of skyline was nice.

  • 5/5 Danielle S. 2 years ago on Google
    This place has a beautiful ambiance. Great place for specialty cocktails and brunch. I enjoyed the chicken and brussel sprout hash. It has lots of flavor! Excellent customer service. The views are phenomenal as well. Make sure you make reservations, because this place is really popular. The bar is first come first serve. The outdoor area has fire pits and it's pretty much a standing area to see the city and lake views.

  • 5/5 Jared L. 2 years ago on Google
    We finally managed to get a reservation this past Friday. We were lucky to get a couch setting that directly facing the park and lake. The food is absolutely delicious - worth every penny. One of the best steaks and fish fry we have ever had. The view was amazing too.

  • 5/5 zach s. 5 months ago on Google
    The food was unique and delicious (definitely get the gnocchi with salmon added - the salmon was seared to perfection) and some cookies for desert - straight out of the oven perfection. Have a drink. Enjoy the incredible atmosphere and superb staff - thank you Bri for an incredible experience! Then, recommend having another drink on the balcony to really take in the experience. Perfect location and experience!

  • 5/5 Amanda K. 7 months ago on Google
    Awesome rooftop bar above Millenium park! Just came for one drink, which I really enjoyed while soaking up the views on the patio area. The drinks were ~$15-20, which was expected for the area. Their drink menu is adorable with watercolor depictions of the drinks. We came on a Saturday ~4pm. There was a short wait to get up. I was a bit confused about the waiting queue when I arrived - you wait in a section to the left of the elevators. They let up people in groups when space opens up and the line moved relatively quick for us. Once we got up, all the tables appeared to be reserved, but we were just interested in grabbing a drink and hanging on the patio. Only complaint was that there were a lot of dirty glasses left on the patio, so it was difficult to find a place to put our drinks down and take photos. I will definitely be back when I am in town and hope to get a reservation to sit down and eat next time!

  • 5/5 Barbara E. 5 months ago on Google
    Went to Cindy's for supper this Thursday evening! The experience was phonemail! A special thank you to our server Anthony, who was attentive, thorough and personal! A special credit to the entire staff for taking care of celiac needs. From the front desk to the chef, I had confidence that the food was going to be safe for me. This communication and attention to details is unique and made for a spectacular night out. And... the view did not disappoint!

  • 5/5 Lucy B. 2 years ago on Google
    Listen, you can't come to Chicago and not visit the legendary Cindy's--that would be a disgrace. Please trust me on this; it's a complete feast for the senses, not just for you to put in your mouth. Elegant and romantic without being stuffy, and cozy without being subdued. There's something for the adventurers and something for the folks in the mood for comfort food. Every chef, bartender and server takes tangible pride in your experience; you can see it wherever you look. Attention to detail is over the top. A gorgeous balcony with intimate seating and amazing views; a skylit and whimsical main dining area; a chic fireplace in the side dining room; a meticulously curated bar--everything in your line of sight here encourages you to linger and to savor. The cocktails are inventive and refreshing--not just in an herbaceous way--they have taken me by surprise with every drink. It's hard to pick a favorite from what I've tried, but even when sampling my usual suspects (a French 75 for example, or a Gin Fizz), there was a moment of revelation with the first sip that you can rarely find when ordering an old favorite. They're just artisans and alchemists, that's all there is to it.

  • 5/5 UmaMaheshwar R. 2 years ago on Google
    Good food. Amazing Rooftop restaurant with Chicago downtown view. Absolutely loved the buttermilk pancakes. The best pancakes I had in a restaurant. Avocado toast and Scotch Farm Eggs were good too. Food portions were generous and sufficient enough for 4 people.

  • 4/5 Courtney D. 2 years ago on Google
    Superb view! Menu was very small for brunch and lunch. I would have liked to have more menu options. Nice atmosphere, music was slightly loud. Would return simply for the view!

  • 5/5 Alexis 5 months ago on Google
    A beautiful rooftop with unbelievable views! You usually need a reservation but if you stay at the Athletic Association they can get you in! Their breakfast pear galette and berry pancakes are a must have! For nighttime, their specialty cocktails are worth trying while enjoying the view on the patio. A wonderful date spot!

  • 5/5 George V. 2 years ago on Google
    The restaurant has got some amazing views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The restaurant has a very limited menu but the cocktails are really good. The food is good and flavorful !

  • 5/5 Raam p. 2 years ago on Google
    Best Pasta Evaaaaaa! First of all, thanks to the reservation’s team for giving us a nice spot according to our request. Scott was amazing, he explained all the menu options with great recommendations about food itself and the portion sizes. Very friendly, definitely one of the best servers we ever had. We ordered Charcuterie board and it was great. Our main course was Traditional Rigatoni Bolognese and it was the best pasta I ever had, no question. It was so good. A must if you are a pasta person, it’s not about the cheese, it’s all about the sauce haha We were stuffed by that time but Scott recommended Cinnamon bun and I am not even a big cinnamon bun guy, but oh boy, was that good, just so warm and good. Perfection.

  • 4/5 Paige M. 2 years ago on Google
    Love the ambiance of this place. The food is served family style which is great, but if you have a picker eater you may find it hard to find something for them. We went on a cloudy night but they say the views are incredible. The service was fairly good, but not where it lacked was they didn’t have any positive recommendations.

  • 5/5 Alexxus B. 1 year ago on Google
    Breathtaking views, upscale service, and edible perfection. I came with a group of friends I was visiting but I might go bankrupt if I lived too close. I'd be happy eating the beet toast everyday for the rest of my life. The pancakes were so good, we made the mistake of getting them "for the table" and almost shanked each other for the last bite. I could not afford to bring my kids, but I did see families here, and they did great, high chairs are available and the service is accommodating.

  • 4/5 Ana Victoria H. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to have some drinks and enjoy the view. I'd recommend going in the afternoon so you can see millenium park

  • 5/5 Alaina D. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved this place! What a fun vibe and location. There is a wait to get in but it moved pretty fast (especially for being a holiday weekend). I enjoyed loose leaf tea as one of there nonalcoholic beverage options. They do not serve very late so make sure you check the hours prior to going.

  • 4/5 Dennis M. 2 years ago on Google
    We visited it twice for dinner and drinks during our stay in Chicago Athletic Association. Do make a reservation in advance, the wait time could be bad. Hotel guests have access to a separate elevator which allows to skip the line for the drinks, but you'd still need a reservation if you want to sit down for food. Food was good, special shout out to broccoli and fish fry. The side with corn was extremely good too. And once again, the BROCCOLI WAS AMAZING. I didn't like peach punch cocktail and the waiter immediately offered to bring a different one. The only reason I'm leaving 4 stars is because I feel that the view is a little overrated. Yes, you could see the Cloud Gate from the rooftop, but it's not the nicest view of Chicago Skyline as there are much more interesting places for that. However, the view part is very subjective, everything else was VERY GOOD.

  • 2/5 Melinda N. 1 year ago on Google
    Pretty tough to get a reservation here, but looks like you don’t need one if you’re just heading to the bar. Thought that we may be able to get a table with a view of the park but unfortunately you sit pretty interior so that was not possible. I suggest coming during the daytime might be better than night because you cannot see the lake which makes most of your scenery black. Pretty city lights though! The bar inside is very nice looking and the ambience is great, but our expectations were a bit off since we came for dinner rather than just drinking. Our seats were also right beside the AC vent so we were pretty cold by the end of our meal. The menu wasn’t particularly spectacular and the prices are quite expensive for what the offerings were. You’re mostly paying for the experience of being there and the prime spot by Millenium Park. I do admit it’s pretty cool seeing the Bean (Cloud Gate) from above without obstruction but that was the main novelty.


Call +1 312-792-3502 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Paid multi-storey car park
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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