What a lovely little wine bar with excellent views, service, foods and desserts!!!
We went for lunch before a matinee at the Lyric Opera and had an experience equal in splendor to the Opera! The nicoise salad was a very good size and extremely fresh and tasty. The bread was crusty and delicious. I tried the Washington wine flight, 3 tastings of distinct wines from small wineries in Walla Walla! They we're very good wines. And the flourless chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream was heavenly. The dessert list was appealing enough that I'm planning a future visit for cheese, wine and dessert!
The waitstaff was very pleasant, knowledgeable, patient, prompt and really enhanced our visit.
I can't wait to go back...and to visit in the warm weather for an outside dining treat!!
This place was a great stop for an after work drink. They do reasonable wine flights and have a decent selection of cheeses. The view is what makes this place though. Being able to enjoy a sunset in Chicago over the river with the city in the background makes this a happy hour stop for sure.
I like this place. And I saw that with the Caveat that there are better places out there, imho, but Rittergut is always cozy and inviting for this part of town. They do have a good wine menu and happy hour specials, and the food is pretty tasty, but it's always so dark inside & with the construction on the side of the building the outside seating feels crowded up against Rivers.
Having loved this place before the Groupon deal, I jumped at the chance to save some cash and still enjoy a nice wine flight with meat&cheese plate.
Rittergut is great after work spot and next to the over-crowded Rivers full of crazed traders and tourists, it is a beacon of hope that you actually can have a decent time on the river in Chicago. Every time I come here (winter, spring, summer, middle of the week or Friday night) I get a table without a wait. The menu is short, which usually means the food is better than average, but what really stands out is the wine list. The red flight is my favorite and it pairs fantastically with the wide variety of meats and cheeses (Yay, they have Raw milk cheese - the only cheese that won't give you cancer! :-)).
Can't wait to go use my second Groupon here and then come back again and again (if only I had more carnivore friends).
Love the cozy, dark, intimate feel of this bar. It seems like it's hidden away, with a huge oak door off to the side that most people won't know is there unless they're specifically seeking it out.
I came here on a Monday night, but expected that there would be more people for after work drinks since it's so cute on the inside, but it was practically empty except for a couple of other ladies. Maybe it's too hidden for its own good.
I really liked this place because I love small, dark, but classy bars-- but my colleague said she thought it was too dark. At least it's not dark and dreary! I had the pumpkin spice cocktail, which was STRONG but good. Followed up with the deconstructed strawberry margarita which was my favorite of the two. It just was a well made drink.
Ordered some flatbread and pretzel as well. The duck confit & pear flatbread was pretty good, but I would pass on the pretzel.
I'll definitely come back here, especially in the winter, since it's so cozy.
Covered outdoor seating where you can wait out the rain on the commute to Olgilvy or Union Station. Great choice of wine flights and sharing plates. Attentive staff keeps food and drink coming until your ready for the check.
Coziest Wine Bar on the Chicago River
Rittergut Wine Bar is the best kept foodie secret in the West Loop/Chicago Opera area. Located in an unlikely setting, a modern office building along the Chicago River, it is the coziest wine bar I've been to since living in New Orleans. Go for the wine flights, after work crowd, and fantastic bartenders.
Came here for the first time for a weekday lunch. Their pozole was a great way to warm up on a cold February day. I liked the soup, but I definitely prefer my pozole to have avocado involved. It was easy to get a seat at lunchtime during the week.
Great after work spot I stumbled across by accident and was pleasantly surprised. Great wine selections and snacks just perfect for something light after work or before the Opera.
My new after work hang.
This is a nice place to go for a drink with friends. The space is small, but there are lots of areas for standing and talking. I've rented out spaces here for corporate events and they have gone very well!
If you're looking for a bar or restaurant off the river that's quite as overwhelming as South Branch or Rivers than you should give Rittergut a shot. Located just north of Rivers the restaurant also offers some great Cheese and Charcuterie plates.
Great happy hour if you are looking for something to do with out of town clients. Get there early to sit outside and enjoy the river view.
Stopped in after the Opera. Great place for a drink and a light meal. We both loved it.
April Thompson-Abubakar
+4
Had an event here then went back for happy hour and recently for lunch food and drinks were terrific!
very good service, tasty apps; wish all my cocktails didnt come in a foofy champagne glass
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