Food River North, The Loop & Chicago River
Shaw's Crab House
A place to eat in River North, The Loop & Chicago River, pricey ($$$) and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: Dec 30 dinner.
Why go
River North seafood house since 1984, with an oyster bar and a formal dining room for crab legs and lobster.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in The Loop & Chicago River, alongside 3 sights, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with The Langham, Chicago and Chicago Riverwalk.
- Type
- Food
- Neighborhood
- River North
- Price
- $$$
- Time needed
- 2 hr
- Best time
- Dec 30 dinner
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond The Loop & Chicago River. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1The Langham, Chicago
Luxury hotel in Mies van der Rohe's AMA Plaza tower, right on the river beside the Wabash Avenue bridge.
Stay · 0.1 mi straight-line - 2Chicago Riverwalk
1.25-mile path along the river's main branch with wine bars, kayak rentals and bridge views.
Activity · Chicago · 0.2 mi straight-line - 3Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise
90-minute docent-led boat tour of the skyscrapers along the Chicago River.
Activity · Chicago · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Chicago River NYE Fireworks
The city's free midnight show, fired from the river bridges between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive; held in 2024 and 2025.
Sight · 0.2 mi straight-line - 5Chicago Riverwalk
A 1.25-mile promenade along the main branch of the river, lined with cafes, boat docks and the city's architecture.
Activity · 0.3 mi straight-line - 6Chicago Cut Steakhouse
Steakhouse on the river at LaSalle Street, with window tables looking across the water to the Loop towers.
Food · 0.3 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Shaw's Crab House is a stop on our Chicago New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More places to eat in The Loop & Chicago River
Another curated place to eat in The Loop & Chicago River. See the full The Loop & Chicago River guide.
When to go: weather by month, based on Chicago
Our climate figures for The Loop & Chicago River come from nearby Chicago. Average daily highs in Chicago run from 32°F in January to 77°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Shaw's Crab House itself, we suggest: Dec 30 dinner.
Modelled monthly averages for Chicago from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Chicago weather by month (covers The Loop & Chicago River).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Shaw's Crab House, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 41.88988, -87.62715
- Destination
- The Loop & Chicago River, Illinois
Shaw's Crab House: quick answers
How much time do you need at Shaw's Crab House?
Plan on about 2 hours at Shaw's Crab House. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Shaw's Crab House?
Our pick: Dec 30 dinner. Insider tip: The oyster bar side is easier to get into the night before NYE.
Which TripsCircle routes include Shaw's Crab House?
Shaw's Crab House appears on Chicago New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Shaw's Crab House to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to The Loop & Chicago River.
Plan The Loop & Chicago River
- The Loop & Chicago River travel guide 9 places
- Chicago weather (covers The Loop & Chicago River) weather by month
Lists & regions
Also in The Loop & Chicago River
- Art on the Mart Sight
- Cindy's Drinks
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.