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Best Romantic Restaurants CHICAGO


Whether you're celebrating a milestone with someone special in the Chicago area or looking for the best date restaurants that are sure to impress, a romantic setting can set the mood for a night to remember. We've selected the best romantic restaurants in Chicago to share a memorable meal with your sweetheart.

View our lists of the Top 10 Sexy Restaurants in Chicago, Top 10 Romantic Restaurants and Chicago Valentines Restaurants.


 

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Steakhouse
14/20
Dining Room at Bavette 218 W. Kinzie St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-624-8154 | Photo
Brendan Sodikoff’s Euro-tinged American steakhouse goes beyond standard proteins to achieve striking results. More...

Benny’s Chop House Steakhouse
13/20
Dining Room at Benny’s Chop House, Chicago, IL 444 N. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-626-2444 | Menu
In a city known for steak, Benny Siddu’s modern-day chophouse stands out from the pack. More...

Bistro Campagne French
12/20
Dining Room at Bistro Campagne, Chicago, IL 4518 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-271-6100 | Menu
An organic bistro in Lincoln Square with several cozy dining rooms and affordable prices. More...

Cafe Absinthe Contemporary
13/20
Dining Room at Cafe Absinthe, Chicago, IL 1958 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-278-4488 | Menu
Hip, rather hidden gem serving innovative, modern dishes to romantics. More...

Chalkboard American
13/20
Dining Room at Chalkboard, Chicago, IL 4343 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
773-477-7144 | Menu
A sophisticated American bistro with a seasonal, eponymous menu. More...

Chez Joel French
13/20
Dining Room at Chez Joel, Chicago, IL 1119 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312-226-6479 | Menu
French fare --- unexpectedly --- is at home in the heart of Little Italy. More...

Coast Sushi Bar Sushi
14/20
Dining Room at Coast Sushi Bar, Chicago, IL 2045 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-235-5775 | Menu
Sushi, cooked entrées and vegetarian options abound at this romantic Bucktown BYOB. More...

Coco Pazzo Italian
15/20
Dining Room at Coco Pazzo, Chicago, IL 300 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-836-0900 | Menu
Coco Pazzo presents the depth and breadth of the bold, passionate Italian repertoire. More...

Courtright's Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at Courtright 8989 Archer Ave.
Willow Springs, IL 60480
708-839-8000 | Menu | Photo
Backed by a forest view, this artful American restaurant is perfect for a special occasion. More...

Emilio's Tapas Bar & Restaurant Spanish
12/20
Dining Room at Emilio 4100 Roosevelt Rd.
Hillside, IL 60162
708-547-7177 | Menu
Little dishes comprise the bulk of the Spanish menu at this date-ready, circa 1988 tapas staple. More...

ENO Wine Bar
13/20
Dining Room at ENO, Chicago, IL InterContinental Hotel Chicago
505 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-321-8738 | Menu
An unassuming wine bar that also specializes in high-end cheeses and chocolates. More...

Everest French
17/20
Dining Room at Everest, Chicago, IL Chicago Stock Exchange
440 S. La Salle St., 40th Fl.
Chicago, IL 60605
312-663-8920 | Menu | Photo | Video
French refinement, complete with an art-adorned space, profoundly endures 40 floors above Chicago's Loop. More...

Geja's Cafe American
12/20
Dining Room at Geja 340 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-281-9101 | Menu
Decades-old fondue restaurant that has seen its share of marriage proposals and anniversary celebrations. More...

Japonais Japanese
14/20
Dining Room at Japonais, Chicago, IL 600 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-822-9600 | Menu
Scenesters and sushi enthusiasts chill at this sleek, riverside Japanese lounge. More...

Kiki's Bistro French
14/20
Dining Room at Kiki 900 N. Franklin St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-335-5454 | Menu
One of the best French bistros by a comfortable margin, Kiki's executes standards --- plus so much more --- with rousing results. More...

L2O Seafood
16/20
Dining Room at L2O, Chicago, IL The Belden Stratford
2300 N. Lincoln Park W.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-868-0002 | Menu | Photo
Storied contemporary seafood cuisine and impeccable service. More...

Le Bouchon French
13/20
Dining Room at Le Bouchon, Chicago, IL 1958 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-862-6600 | Menu
This quaint Chicago bistro has a myriad of peers, though few are its match. More...

Le Colonial Vietnamese
13/20
Dining Room at Le Colonial, Chicago, IL 937 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-255-0088 | Menu
An upscale, Vietnamese vibe prevails at this moody New York transplant. More...

Les Nomades French
No Rating
Dining Room at Les Nomades, Chicago, IL 222 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-649-9010 | Menu
Les Nomades proves exciting---putting a fresh face on French cuisine---after all these years. More...

Lockwood Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at Lockwood, Chicago, IL Palmer House Hilton
17 E. Monroe St., Lobby level
Chicago, IL 60603
312-917-3404 | Menu
Lockwood has seen some kitchen changes, but we’re wholly on board with Joe Rose. More...

mk American
15/20
Dining Room at mk, Chicago, IL 868 N. Franklin St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-482-9179 | Menu
Special occasion or any occasion, Michael Kornick’s esteemed restaurant delivers divine dining. More...

North Pond Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at North Pond, Chicago, IL 2610 N. Cannon Dr.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-477-5845 | Menu
Seasonal, contemporary cuisine in the heart of Lincoln Park. More...

Prosecco Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Prosecco, Chicago, IL 710 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-951-9500 | Menu
Sedate, romantic and all grown up, this Italian restaurant comes from good stock. More...

Rose Angelis Italian
12/20
Dining Room at Rose Angelis, Chicago, IL 1314 W. Wrightwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-296-0081 | Menu
Italian restaurant appropriate for date night, cost-conscious diners and vegetarians. More...

Salpicon Mexican
14/20
Dining Room at Salpicon, Chicago, IL 1252 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-988-7811 | Menu
Dine on quality Mexican fare including one of the best flans around at this upscale spot. More...

Sepia Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at Sepia, Chicago, IL 123 N. Jefferson St.
Chicago, IL 60661
312-441-1920 | Menu
This modern speakeasy with a vintage feel serves seasonal American cuisine in a refined, attitude-free setting. More...

Signature Room at the 95th American
12/20
Dining Room at Signature Room at the 95th, Chicago, IL John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-787-9596 | Menu
It’s mostly about the stellar city views, though this John Hancock Center American usually passes the culinary test, too. More...

Spiaggia Italian
16/20
Dining Room at Spiaggia, Chicago, IL One Magnificent Mile, 2nd Floor
980 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-280-2750 | Menu
Expensive but special occasion-worthy, this restaurant attracts well-heeled sophisticates. More...

Tallgrass Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at Tallgrass, Lockport, IL 1006 S. State St.
Lockport, IL 60441
815-838-5566 | Menu
It’s a long drive from the city, but this affordable (and truly special) spot is worth it. More...

Trattoria No. 10 Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Trattoria No. 10, Chicago, IL 10 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60602
312-984-1718 | Menu
The homemade ravioli served here will leave you on cloud nine, while the central location is straight-up convenient. More...

TRU French
17/20
Dining Room at TRU, Chicago, IL 676 N. St. Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-202-0001 | Menu | Photo
Progressive French cuisine from chef Anthony Martin. More...

Vie Modern American
17/20
Dining Room at Vie, Western Springs, IL 4471 Lawn Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
708-246-2082 | Menu | Photo
Chef-owner Paul Virant's take on Modern American cuisine is thoroughly enjoyed in austere environs. More...

The Village Italian
11/20
Dining Room at The Village, Chicago, IL The Italian Village
71 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312-332-7005 | Menu
Intimate booths at this romantic Italian staple are tops among business-types and theatergoers. More...

Vivere Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Vivere, Chicago, IL The Italian Village, 1st Floor
71 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312-332-4040 | Menu
Complex Italian dishes shine at this fine dining establishment in the Italian Village restaurant threesome. More...

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RESTAURANT AWARDS 2013

Check out the 2013 edition of GAYOT's Annual Restaurant Issue, which features the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S., Rising Chefs and more.