Chicago: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

Exploring Chicago’s beautiful cityscape while indulging in a gourmet culinary experience is an enticing proposition. The river cruise offers an opportunity to savor a chef-prepared, 3-course meal accompanied by stunning views of the city’s iconic architecture. Whether it’s a brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise, the journey provides a unique perspective on the Windy City’s landmarks. With the option to enjoy unlimited coffee and tea, guests can sit back, relax, and let the experience unfold.

This experience made our article of Chicago’s 6 Best Dining Experiences.

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Key Points

Gourmet brunch, lunch, or dinner cruises along the Chicago River, starting at $116.04 per person for a 2-2.5 hour experience.
Glass-enclosed dining area offers sweeping views of the city’s iconic riverfront architecture.
Each cruise features a chef-prepared, 3-course meal with unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea.
Dinner cruises include onboard DJ entertainment, while brunch and lunch cruises provide architectural narration.
Sightseeing highlights include the Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, Willis Tower, and Navy Pier’s fireworks display.

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Overview and Pricing

The Chicago River Cruise offers gourmet brunch, lunch, or dinner cruises starting at $116.04 per person.

The cruises last 2-2.5 hours and depart from 455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, near the NBC Tower. Cancellation is non-refundable.

Guests can enjoy the cruise’s glass-enclosed dining area with views of Chicago’s riverfront architecture. The experience includes a 3-course meal, unlimited coffee/tea, and on-board entertainment for dinner cruises.

Architectural narration is provided during brunch and lunch cruises.

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Cruise Experience

Guests aboard the Chicago River Cruise can enjoy sweeping views of the city’s iconic riverfront architecture from the glass-enclosed dining area. The cruise offers the choice of a brunch, lunch, or dinner experience, each featuring a chef-prepared, 3-course meal. Dinner cruises also include an onboard DJ, while brunch and lunch cruises provide architectural narration. Theres some good unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea throughout the 2-hour journey.

| Options | Duration | Includes |

| — | — | — |

| Brunch | 2-2.5 hours | 3-course meal, coffee, tea, narration |

| Lunch | 2-2.5 hours | 3-course meal, coffee, tea, narration |

| Dinner | 2-2.5 hours | 3-course meal, coffee, tea, DJ |

Dinner Menu

The dinner menu aboard the Chicago River Cruise features a selection of mouthwatering starters, entrees, and desserts.

To start, diners can choose from a classic Caesar salad or a hearty lobster soup.

For the main course, the menu offers jumbo lump crab cakes, maple mustard glazed chicken, braised beef short rib, and mushroom ravioli.

Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in Eli’s cheesecake, seasonal sorbet, chocolate cake, or warm butter cake for dessert.

The dinner cruise also includes unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea to complement the gourmet meal.

Brunch Menu

A delightful brunch menu awaits guests aboard the Chicago River Cruise. Diners can start with a Caesar salad, smoked salmon toast, or yogurt parfait. For the main course, they can choose from bean shakshuka, chicken breast, scrambled eggs, or French toast. To end the meal on a sweet note, the dessert options include cheesecake, flan, chocolate mud pie, and fresh fruit.

| Starter | Main | Dessert |

| — | — | — |

| Caesar salad | Bean shakshuka | Cheesecake |

| Smoked salmon toast | Chicken breast | Flan |

| Yogurt parfait | Scrambled eggs | Chocolate mud pie |

| | French toast | Fresh fruit |

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Lunch Menu

Diners aboard the Chicago River Cruise can savor a delectable lunch menu. The starter is a Caesar salad, while the main course options include mushroom ravioli, chicken breast, Atlantic salmon, and beef short rib.

For dessert, guests can indulge in cheesecake, fresh fruit, or sorbet.

The cruise provides an informative architectural commentary as it glides along the Chicago River, offering stunning views of iconic landmarks like the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, and Navy Pier.

As the cruise glides along the Chicago River, it provides an informative architectural commentary and stunning views of the city’s iconic landmarks.

This lunch cruise offers a perfect combination of fine dining and sightseeing in the heart of the Windy City.

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Sightseeing Highlights

As guests cruise along the Chicago River, they’re treated to an array of architectural highlights.

The iconic Wrigley Building, Jewelers Building, and Marina City stand tall along the riverfront. The massive Merchandise Mart, Willis Tower, and Trump Tower provide an impressive backdrop.

Navy Pier’s distinctive silhouette comes into view, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays, guests may catch the Navy Pier fireworks display.

Throughout the cruise, an informative commentary provides context about the city’s notable structures and their historic significance, enhancing the sightseeing experience.

Dress Code and Seating

For the Chicago River cruise dining experience, the dress code encourages dressy-casual attire.

Jeans, sandals, and athletic shoes are discouraged. To guarantee group seating, customers should make one reservation for their entire party.

Infants can attend for free, but parents must ensure they’ve a ticket for admittance.

Customer Ratings

The Chicago River cruise dining experience has earned high marks from customers, with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 81 reviews.

Customers have particularly praised the quality of the guide, rating it 4.7 out of 5, and the transportation, which received a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

The cruise offers a unique opportunity to enjoy gourmet cuisine while taking in the architectural sights along the Chicago River, making it a popular choice for both locals and visitors alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks Onboard?

The cruise policies typically do not allow passengers to bring their own food and drinks onboard. Outside food and beverages are generally prohibited to maintain the quality of the chef-prepared meals and drinks included in the cruise experience.

Is There a Dress Code for Children?

There is no specific dress code for children on the cruise. However, the overall dress code suggests that guests avoid jeans, sandals, and athletic wear. Infants can attend for free with a reservation.

Are Vegetarian or Special Dietary Options Available?

Yes, the cruise offers vegetarian and special dietary options. Passengers can request these upon booking to accommodate their needs and preferences during the meal service.

What Is the Cancellation Policy for Group Bookings?

The cancellation policy for group bookings is non-refundable. To guarantee group seating, customers must make one reservation for the entire party. Group discounts may be available for large bookings.

Is the Cruise Accessible for Guests With Disabilities?

The cruise offers accessibility for guests with disabilities. Wheelchair-accessible areas and restrooms are available, and the staff is trained to assist passengers with special needs. Guests are encouraged to discuss any specific requirements when booking their reservation.

The Sum Up

Enjoy the beauty of Chicago’s iconic architecture on a gourmet river cruise. With a range of dining options, from brunch to dinner, and stunning city views, this experience offers a unique way to explore the city. Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening or a leisurely daytime outing, the Chicago river cruise is a must-try for visitors and locals alike.