RPM Seafood

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Sitting along the Chicago River in River North, RPM Seafood is built around what the restaurant itself calls "the truest expression of the world's best fish and seafood." Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the water on all sides, an expansive main patio extends the dining room outdoors, and two smaller terraces on the second-floor mezzanine offer open-air tables above the riverbank — a setting that earns its reputation without needing much embellishment.

The Menu

The seafood program ranges wide in both geography and technique. From the cold bar, Petite and Grand Seafood Towers anchor the table with prawns, Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, and East and West Coast oysters — including two RPM private-label varieties sourced from New Brunswick and Washington State. Chilled preparations like Hand-Cut Hamachi with yuzu ponzu and Yellowfin Tuna Crispy Rice with spicy mayo sit alongside warm bites such as Peekytoe Crab de Jonghe in garlic butter and Grilled Spanish Octopus with chorizo vinaigrette and toasted hazelnuts.

Signature mains show the kitchen's global range: Miso Black Cod with wasabi and togarashi, Whole Tempura Black Bass with chili crunch and lime, Red Curry Lobster with green papaya, and a Charcoal-Grilled Branzino dressed with Moroccan spices. A tableside Mixed Seafood Grill — king crab, Spanish octopus, blue prawn — arrives flamed at the table. For those who want land alongside sea, prime steaks and Wagyu cuts from Missouri, Kansas, and Western Australia round out the menu, and the King Crab Mac & Cheese with Gruyère and Fontina has become a house specialty in its own right.

Drinks & Recognition

The wine list earned Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence, a distinction that reflects genuine depth across regions and styles. By-the-glass pours span Burgundy, Marlborough, Napa, and beyond, with dessert options reaching as far as Château d'Yquem. The cocktail program is equally considered — signature drinks like the Riviera Spritz and the RPM Dirty Martini (served with caviar and gaufrettes) share the menu with a thoughtful zero-proof selection and a short sake list.

Space & Events

The restaurant's mezzanine level alone can seat 120 guests, with three private boardrooms and multiple semi-private configurations for corporate dinners and social gatherings. The full private dining capacity, including terraces, accommodates up to 150 for a reception. It is part of the Lettuce Entertain You family of restaurants, which brings consistent operational polish to a space that already has a lot going for it on its own.