The Kitchen American Bistro

316 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
$$$ Restaurant
(1420 Reviews)

Welcome to The Kitchen American Bistro, a delightful culinary gem nestled at 316 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654. This bistro offers a modern American dining experience that not only satisfies your hunger but also tantalizes your senses with its vibrant atmosphere and exquisite views of the river.

The Kitchen American Bistro specializes in contemporary American cuisine, and from the moment you enter, you'll feel the modern yet inviting ambiance that effortlessly blends elegance with a laid-back vibe. Whether you're here for a casual brunch, a celebratory dinner, or a relaxed drink by the river, you're in for a treat.

Start your dining experience with one of their signature cocktails. The Kitchen Margarita mixes blanco tequila with fresh lime and agave, perfect for a refreshing twist. For something unique, try the A Momint Like This, where rum meets cassis and mint for a delightful sip that bursts with flavor. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, don't miss the Pineapple Splash—a refreshing concoction that fuses pineapple, cranberry, and lemon.

When it comes to food, your taste buds are in for an adventure. Guests rave about the smashed cheeseburger and the flavorful cauliflower dish, which features a parade of fresh herbs and spices—a must-try that will surprise your palate. Even seasoned diners have labeled their fried chicken sandwich as a satisfying choice that doesn’t disappoint! Patrons have noted the crispy cod wrapped in kataifi noodles, creating a beautiful crunch that encases tender, juicy fish.

The bistro's outdoor patio offers stunning views that heighten the dining experience. As one happy customer, Danielle, noted, the outdoor seating boasts "amazing views of the river." It's a perfect spot to unwind and savor your meal while soaking in the picturesque Chicago skyline. Service is consistently highlighted as warm and attentive, with many guests noting the friendly staff who are eager to ensure you enjoy every moment.

However, some reviews mentioned possible delays during peak times, so we recommend visiting during off-peak hours to enjoy all the offerings without the wait. With its beautiful interior design and welcoming atmosphere, The Kitchen American Bistro remains a popular gathering place, ideal for families and friends alike.

In summary, whether you’re seated indoors with a view of the city or enjoying the breezy patio, The Kitchen American Bistro stands out for its delicious cuisine and accommodating service. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a must-try restaurant that promises a memorable dining experience in the heart of Chicago.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Has private dining room
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

1420 Reviews
Danielle Sydnor

22 Sep 2025

This place is underrated! Excellent customer service and amazing views of the river for the outdoor patio. The brunch was a hit for us! We ordered the smashed cheese burger and cauliflower dish, both were flavorful. I would highly recommend! The cauliflower flower dosh had so many flavors. Fresh herbs are also a hit. Also the fries were delicious . We definitely will visit here again soon.

A.J.

21 Sep 2025

First time here and it was a great experience. I’m surprised they weren’t busier. Most of the people there when we came in were in big groups and looked like they were coming from after work. The staff are pretty warm and friendly. I’m also surprised at how fast food comes. Everything we ordered was pretty great. The carrots are surprising and a kind of signature dish for them from what I understand from our server. They use unique spices and I really like the caramelization on each chunk, and having them with the whipped feta. The meat skewers we were told just came on the menu the day we came in. These had a great flavour to them, on the sweet side. It’s maybe just not my personal preference but the meat is on the chewier side and also quite fatty. The crab fried rice was excellent, and I appreciate how fresh and flavourful the crab chunks were. It was a good amount of crab. My one comment is that they could have toned down the citrus. I love crab so if that was more balanced, it would have been my favourite. The mussels were pretty big and were cooked well. The sauce was nice to have with some focaccia. I would have preferred a softer bread to soak up the sauce because the focaccia does get pretty tough specially around the crust.

John Rechtien

10 Sep 2025

Food was good but not great. The blackened sandwich we ordered unfortunately had good presentation but the blackened portions tasted a bit like. . . Charcoal. And the flavor overwhelmed the other flavors on the sandwich. Fried chicken sandwich was good. Drinks were good, service was quick and employees very friendly and responsive. Right on the river with great views and outside seating. If you are staying in the area, a good spot for lunch.

Mike

24 Aug 2025

The Kitchen American Bistro has a modern vibe and a great location right by the river with beautiful views. We had dinner there and ordered the crispy cod, shrimp a la plancha, and a couple of cocktails. The cod was wrapped in kataifi (thin, crispy noodles) instead of the usual batter, which made it perfectly crispy on the outside while keeping the fish inside tender and juicy. The shrimp was cooked nicely too, though the seasoning was a bit on the salty side. I’d definitely recommend the crispy cod—it was a standout! Overall, it was a really enjoyable dinner with good cocktails and a great atmosphere.

Hesam Abedini

21 Jun 2025

Their patio has a wonderful view and their waitresses are very friendly and awesome! We enjoyed everything we ordered, but nothing too special. Their interior design was nice too. I give them 4-star because although there were several seats available in the patio they had us wait for 40 minutes and we didn’t understand why!

Sonia Rodriguez

18 Jun 2025

Amazing food and fun chill vibes. We came for brunch and the food was amazing. I had the southern fried chicken sandwich (forgot to take a picture) but the steak and the Turkish eggs were 10/10 . The waiter was friendly and attentive! Will be coming back soon! Also, family friendly if you want to come with your kids.

Ursela Hybridge

11 Jun 2025

The view is great we had a windows seat and I always wanted to eat along the river this is a great breakfast spot! They even have mock tails which we got! Everything was perfect. They have an outside patio area that over looks the river. We wanted to sit inside window seat bc we were going to be in the sun all day anyways. Thank you Veins for making our visit memorable and gave great service.

Gabriela

29 May 2025

My friends and I, loved this place. We enjoyed a wonderful view, food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. Kyle B. and the Argentinian waiter were indeed our favorite people. They made our experience feel welcoming and fun, also giving the perfect suggestion for food.

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