# Pinched on the River > Pinched on the River is a Mediterranean restaurant located at 443 E Illinois St in Chicago, right along the riverfront. The menu centers on build-your-own bowls, stacked pita rolls, mezze platters, and falafel, with desserts like beignets and affogato rounding things out. Guests love the heated patio and the stunning waterfront views, and the space suits everything from a casual brunch with friends to a romantic date night. The warm, cafe-like atmosphere and flavor-forward food have made it a favorite among locals looking for a lively yet relaxed meal by the water. ## Key facts - **URL**: https://frankiapp.com/business/pinched-on-the-river-53780 - **Type**: Restaurants - **Cuisine**: Mediterranean - **Location**: Chicago, IL - **Address**: 443 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611, US - **Phone**: (312)526-3883 - **Website**: https://www.opentable.com/r/pinched-on-the-river-chicago?ref=18704 - **Coordinates**: 41.890904, -87.616086 - **Claimed**: unclaimed ## About Pinched on the River is a Mediterranean restaurant located at 443 E Illinois St in Chicago, right along the riverfront. The menu centers on build-your-own bowls, stacked pita rolls, mezze platters, and falafel, with desserts like beignets and affogato rounding things out. Guests love the heated patio and the stunning waterfront views, and the space suits everything from a casual brunch with friends to a romantic date night. The warm, cafe-like atmosphere and flavor-forward food have made it a favorite among locals looking for a lively yet relaxed meal by the water. ## Hours - Tuesday: 11am - 9pm - Wednesday: 11am - 9pm - Thursday: 11am - 9pm - Friday: 11am - 10pm - Saturday: 11am - 10pm - Sunday: 11am - 9pm ## Highlights - **Build-your-own bowls** — Customizable Mediterranean bowls let you mix bold flavors your way. - **Riverfront views** — The heated patio sits right on the Chicago River with stunning water views. - **Beignet board** — The beignet board is a guest favorite, often finished with affogato. - **Creative cocktails** — Signature drinks like Snowfall in Chicago bring a local twist to the menu. ## FAQ ### Where is Pinched on the River located? Pinched on the River is located at 443 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611, right along the Chicago River. ### What are Pinched on the River's hours? Pinched on the River is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. ### What type of food does Pinched on the River serve? Pinched on the River serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a creative, build-your-own approach. You can put together bowls with your choice of proteins and toppings, or go for pita rolls, mezze platters, falafel, and flatbreads. The dessert menu features crowd-pleasers like the beignet board and affogato. ### What is Franki? Franki is a restaurant discovery app that helps you find great places to eat through real video reviews from actual diners. You can browse reviews, photos, and videos of Pinched on the River on Franki, and earn cash back when you dine there. Download Franki on the App Store or Google Play to start exploring. ### What do diners love about Pinched on the River? Guests consistently praise the bold, flavorful Mediterranean food and the beautiful riverfront setting. The heated patio is a standout feature, and popular orders include the falafel and hummus trio, salmon rice bowl, Mediterranean wings, and the beignet board. The cocktail list also gets a lot of love, especially the signature Chicago-inspired drinks. ### Does Pinched on the River have outdoor seating? Yes, Pinched on the River has a heated patio right on the Chicago River, so you can enjoy the waterfront views comfortably even in cooler weather. ### Is Pinched on the River good for a date night? Pinched on the River is a great choice for a date night. The riverfront setting brings a naturally romantic atmosphere, and the menu offers plenty to share, from mezze platters and flatbreads to creative cocktails and the beignet board for dessert. It also works well for a girls night out or a casual solo visit. ### How can I contact or make a reservation at Pinched on the River? You can reach Pinched on the River by phone at (312) 526-3883. To make a reservation, you can book a table through OpenTable. ## Reviews ### mrsouthloop — 4.3/5 · Aug 5, 2025 Chicago Date Night Idea: Pinched on the River. @pinchedontheriver Mediterranean-inspired with a pinch of this, a pinch of that, and flavor from everywhere. Build-your-own bowls, stacked pita rolls, and my personal favorite the beignet board. It’s giving cute cafe vibes right on the water. Pinched on the River is located at: 📍 443 E Illinois St. ### blondeeatsworld — 5.0/5 · Mar 7, 2025 Mediterranean food is probably my favorite, and I recently tried this tasty spot along the river. All of the food was so flavorful and delicious. We had the falafel and hummus trio, salmon sandwich, build-your-own bowl, and finished with beignets and affogato for dessert. They have a heated patio for the cold weather, but I can’t wait to go back and enjoy the outdoor seating when the weather warms up! ### chicagotreets — 4.3/5 · Oct 9, 2025 A beautiful river front restaurant ft delicious falafel, beer, and mezze platters! ### lisettejyoga — 5.0/5 · Feb 20, 2025 Kicking off our night at Pinched On The River with their delightful cocktails - Snowfall in Chicago and Chicago Star! Our taste buds danced with Mediterranean Wings and Mushroom Pesto Flatbread for appetizers, followed by a scrumptious rice bowl with salmon and a Grilled Chicken Breast sandwich for the main course. We saved room for dessert, indulging in their heavenly Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake and Beignets! The ambience was just right for unwinding after a long day. ### spill.the.chi — 5.0/5 · Jul 22, 2025 Pinched on the river is the perfect patio brunch spot in Chicago! Their Mediterranean bowls are amazing for a brunch and pair great with their pastries, coffee & matcha. They also have brunch cocktails & juices 😍🥐🍵🥙 ### rebeccainthecity — 4.3/5 · Jun 25, 2025 This place is all about the view ## Nearby - [Starbucks Reserve Roastery](https://frankiapp.com/business/starbucks-reserve-roastery-27477) — Coffee Shop - 646 N Michigan Ave (at E Erie St), Chicago, IL 60611, US - [Time Out Market Chicago](https://frankiapp.com/business/time-out-market-chicago-27466) — American - 916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, US - [Kasama](https://frankiapp.com/business/kasama-23977) — Filipino - 1001 N Winchester Ave (at Augusta Blvd), Chicago, IL 60622, US - [La Grande Boucherie](https://frankiapp.com/business/la-grande-boucherie-100562) — French - 431 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654, US - [Rose Mary](https://frankiapp.com/business/rose-mary-17514) — Italian - 932 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607 , US - [Olio e Più - Chicago](https://frankiapp.com/business/olio-e-piu-chicago-101445) — Italian - 445 N Dearborn St , Chicago, IL 60654-4601, US - [Lost Never Found](https://frankiapp.com/business/lost-never-found-48948) — Bar - 3660 N Clark St (W Waveland Ave), Chicago, IL 60613, US - [Levain Bakery](https://frankiapp.com/business/levain-bakery-34201) — Bakery · $$$$ - 840 W Randolph St , Chicago, IL 60607, US --- View full profile, photos, videos, and reviews on Franki: https://frankiapp.com/business/pinched-on-the-river-53780