You’ve seen it. That dark, curvy skyscraper standing all by itself on the east side of Lake Shore Drive. It’s the only residential building in Chicago that sits east of the highway, a cloverleaf-shaped icon of glass and steel that looks like it belongs in a Bond movie. But for years, people have been asking the same question: Is there actually a lake point tower chicago restaurant worth visiting, or is it just for the people who live there?
The answer is Cite. Or, more accurately, Cité.
It’s perched way up on the 70th floor. Honestly, if you didn't know it was there, you’d probably walk right past the entrance on the ground floor. It feels like a secret. A very, very high-altitude secret. While tourists are busy fighting for a reservation at the Signature Room (well, until its recent closure) or waiting in line at the Willis Tower, the locals who actually know about Cite are sitting 700 feet above the lake with a 360-degree view that makes most other Chicago rooftops look like they’re standing on a milk crate.
The Reality of Dining at the Top of the Tower
Let's get the big thing out of the way first. You aren't just paying for a steak here. You’re paying for the fact that you can see the curve of the Earth.
When people search for a lake point tower chicago restaurant, they usually expect a tourist trap. Most "view" restaurants are exactly that—frozen fries and overpriced martinis. Cité tries to be something different. It’s old-school. We’re talking white tablecloths, tuxedoed servers, and a vibe that feels like 1978 in the best possible way. It’s the kind of place where people go to propose or celebrate a 50th anniversary. It’s formal. If you show up in a hoodie, you’re gonna feel like a thumb.
The dining room is circular. That’s the magic of the architecture. Because Lake Point Tower is shaped like a three-lobed clover, the restaurant layout allows you to see the skyline to the west, the Navy Pier fireworks to the south, and nothing but the endless blue of Lake Michigan to the east.
What’s actually on the menu?
It’s French-American. Very classic. Think Escargot Bourguignon, Lobster Bisque, and Chateaubriand.
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Chef Evgeny Kuznetsov has kept the menu grounded in fine-dining staples. You aren't going to find "deconstructed" foam or experimental molecular gastronomy here. It’s about the execution of the basics. The Rack of Lamb is usually the standout. It’s crusty, salty, and pink in the middle. Is it the best meal in the entire city of Chicago? Maybe not if you’re comparing it to a Michelin-starred spot in the West Loop like Alinea or Oriole. But those places don't have a view of the Navy Pier Ferris wheel from a bird's-eye perspective.
Prices? Yeah, they're high. Expect to drop a couple hundred bucks for a dinner for two.
Why the Architecture Changes the Experience
You can't talk about the restaurant without talking about the building itself. Completed in 1968, Lake Point Tower was designed by Schipporeit and Heinrich. They were students of Mies van der Rohe. You can see his influence in every curve.
Most Chicago buildings are boxes. This one isn't.
Because the building is set apart from the rest of the skyline, the view from the lake point tower chicago restaurant is unobstructed. When you’re at the top of other skyscrapers, you’re looking at the sides of other buildings. At Cité, you’re looking at the city. It’s the difference between being in the crowd and having a front-row balcony seat.
The "Hidden" Bar
If you don't want to commit to a $60 entree, here’s a pro tip: the lounge.
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You can go up just for a drink. The lounge area has the same floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s moody. It’s dark. It feels like a place where a private investigator would meet a client in a noir film. Ordering a Manhattan while the sun sets behind the Willis Tower is probably one of the most "Chicago" things you can do without actually having to deal with the crowds at Millennium Park.
Common Misconceptions About Lake Point Tower
People often think the building is a hotel. It’s not. It’s a giant condominium complex.
This creates a weird dynamic for the restaurant. You have to go through a security desk area to get to the elevators. It feels private. Almost forbidden. Some people think the restaurant is only for residents. That’s a myth. It’s open to the public, but because it’s tucked away at 505 North Lake Shore Drive, it doesn't get the foot traffic of a place on Michigan Avenue.
- Parking is a nightmare: Just valet it. Seriously. Trying to find street parking near Navy Pier is a psychological experiment no one should participate in.
- The Dress Code: It’s "business casual," but people lean toward "business formal." Leave the sneakers at home.
- Reservations: You need them. Especially on nights when there are fireworks at Navy Pier.
The Service Factor
The service at Cité is... deliberate.
In an era where servers are trying to flip tables every 45 minutes, the staff here takes their time. It’s slow-paced dining. If you’re in a rush to catch a show, tell them immediately. Otherwise, expect a three-course meal to take two hours. For some, that’s frustrating. For others, it’s a relief to not be rushed through a meal that costs as much as a car payment.
There’s a certain level of theater to it. The way the wine is poured, the way the crumb sweepers come out between courses—it’s a dying art form in the modern culinary world.
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Comparing Cité to Other "High-Altitude" Spots
Now that the Signature Room at the John Hancock Center is closed, the options for "dining with a view" in Chicago have shifted.
You have the Willis Tower (Skydeck), but that’s more of an attraction than a dining destination. You have various rooftop bars in the Loop like LondonHouse or Cindy’s. Those are great, but they’re loud. They’re packed with influencers taking selfies.
The lake point tower chicago restaurant experience is different because it’s quiet.
It’s sophisticated. It’s where you go when you want to actually hear the person sitting across from you. It lacks the "cool factor" of a West Loop warehouse-turned-bistro, but it makes up for it with sheer, unadulterated scale. Seeing the headlights of cars on Lake Shore Drive from 70 stories up looks like a stream of liquid gold. It’s hypnotic.
Is It Worth the Trip?
If you’re a foodie looking for the next "edge" in gastronomy, you might find the menu a bit dated. It’s very traditional.
But if you’re looking for the most romantic spot in the city, or a place to see Chicago in a way that most people never do, Cité is essential. It’s one of the few places left that feels like "Old Chicago" wealth. It hasn't tried to pivot to be trendy. It knows what it is: a world-class view with a solid steak and a stiff drink.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Timing is everything. Book your reservation for 30 minutes before sunset. You get the "Golden Hour" light for your photos, the transition of the sky into purple, and then the city lights flickering on.
- Check the Firework Schedule. If it’s summer, Navy Pier does fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Cité is the premier viewing spot for this. If you want a window seat on those nights, book weeks in advance.
- The Lounge Hack. If you’re on a budget, go for a cocktail and an appetizer in the lounge. You get 90% of the experience for 30% of the cost.
- The Elevator Ride. Don’t be alarmed—the elevators are fast. Your ears will pop. It’s part of the charm.
- Validation. Make sure you get your parking validated at the host stand to save a few bucks on the steep Chicago parking rates.
The lake point tower chicago restaurant remains a polarizing spot for locals—some find it too stuffy, others find it irreplaceable. Regardless of where you land on that spectrum, there is no denying that once the elevator doors open on the 70th floor, the view will take your breath away. Every single time.