The Windy City is known for its intricate architecture, deep-dish pizza and loyal sports fans. But Chicago is also a city of romance — you can find intimate eateries tucked into street corners and wide city avenues, spots that make any date luxurious and meaningful.
We know that navigating the city’s endless eateries can be overwhelming, so we’ve created this guide to help you discover the most romantic restaurants in Chicago, whether you are looking for a meal with a view, a date spot in the suburbs or an affordable menu.
Romantic Chicago Restaurants With a View
Part of the fun of dining in downtown Chicago is the view. For a breathtaking view of the skyline or Lake Michigan, try reserving a space at one of these top-rated restaurants.
1. I|O Godfrey
Located at the top of a four-star hotel, the I|O Godfrey is an urban rooftop lounge that offers a stunning backdrop of the Chicago skyline. Whether you get seats at the bar or warm up around the two-level fire pit, this innovative and hip lounge will elevate any date to the next level.
Make sure to try a signature cocktail while you’re there — a chef will personally design a drink to your specifications, letting you build a different cocktail for each date.
2. Spiaggia
With luxe Italian fare and gorgeous, panoramic views of Lake Michigan, Spiaggia has everything you need for a romantic evening.
Featuring a Michelin star, the menu of Spiaggia lives up to its reputation — with dishes such as white truffle gnocchi, Spiaggia takes pride in delivering a sumptuous fine dining experience. Whether you love expressive wines, classic cocktails or excellent iced coffees, the beverages of Spiaggia alone are worth the trip.
For a truly intimate date, consider reserving a private dining experience, which can include customizable menus, cooking demonstrations and interactive classes.
3. North Pond
North Pond has earned a reputation for its picturesque views and stellar food. Situated on a pond in the middle of Lincoln Park, this Michelin-starred restaurant makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into another world.
North Pond’s ever-changing menu features as much locally grown and organic ingredients as possible. Seafood is the star at North Pond, but the restaurant is also known for its exceptional wines, elegant brunch and rich desserts.
For your next romantic evening, step into the lush and warmly lit world of North Pond — it will be a date neither of you will ever forget.
4. Homestead on the Roof
With charming views of Lake Michigan, Homestead on the Roof is an innovative restaurant merging farm-to-table and high-dining experiences.
Enjoy elegant chef-driven dishes, sip on cocktails and sample standout desserts, all while enjoying the view of the lake and the rooftop farm that produces the food you’re eating. Homestead on the Roof is a unique Chicago destination that is romantic, charming and sure to become your new favorite date spot.
5. Everest Restaurant
One of Chicago’s oldest upscale restaurants, Everest provides Michelin-starred French fare and a striking view of the city’s financial district.
The food of Everest is just as stunning as the view — you can choose between Chef’s Joho’s seven-course degustation or vegetarian menu, or you can select from the three- and four-course prix fixe menus. At Everest, you dine on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange surrounded by golden city lights and stunning skyscraper silhouettes. With exquisite fare, exceptional wines and an unparalleled view, Everest has earned its reputation as one of Chicago’s premier upscale dining destinations.
6. Chicago Cut Steakhouse
Chicago Cut is one of the city’s best steakhouses. When you reserve a table at Chicago Cut, you will taste incredible food and have a chance of spotting a celebrity guest. You will also enjoy stellar views of the Chicago River and city skyline.
Browse their expansive wine list and choose from premier seafood, steaks, chops, chicken, burgers and even a Foot-Long Kobe Beef hot dog. During warm weather, ask to sit on the elevated riverside patio for the best views.
Romantic Restaurants in Downtown Chicago
Downtown Chicago is filled with art, culture and good food. Here are just a few of the romantic eateries in the heart of the Windy City.
1. GT Fish & Oyster
The GT Fish & Oyster is a versatile date spot — simultaneously laid back and elegant, it is a lovely destination for every type of couple.
Your GT Fish & Oyster experience will vary depending on the room where you are seated. Ask to sit in the back dining room for a romantic date night — the lighting and ambiance are classier and more intimate. If you want a more casual tone for your evening, sit at the oyster bar
Wherever you sit, try the oyster po-boys, the East Coast oysters, the Maine lobster roll and the shrimp bruschetta — they are crowd favorites for a reason.
2. Bistro Campagne
On your next big date night, take your loved one to one of the most romantic patios in Chicago.
Bistro Campagne is an upscale bistro that serves a seasonal, country-French menu. For elegant outdoor seating, request to dine on the gated garden patio. Surrounded by lush plants and flowers and magical hanging lights, you will enjoy a private dinner with a simultaneously quaint and posh ambiance.
3. Celeste
With three floors of cocktails, dancing and incredible food, Celeste is one of Chicago’s most fun and romantic destinations.
Each of Celeste’s three floors has its own mood and menu. The first floor is full of energy and good music, especially on weekend nights. Climb to the second floor for a glamorous and art-deco inspired supper club, which has softer and more romantic lighting. Keep going until you reach the rooftop garden for a lush, intimate and romantic experience.
4. RM Champagne Salon
With excellent food and a European tone, RM Champagne Salon is simultaneously dainty and unpretentious. Enjoy the abundant champagne and mini-dessert selections, and if you’re in a hungrier mood, peruse their various entrees that range from lobster mac and cheese to salmon tartare.
If the weather is nice, grab a table on the brick patio draped with string lights. This romantic hotspot isn’t just for summer nights, however — during winter evenings, you can dine in the lovely indoor parlor surrounded by candles and luxe atmosphere.
5. Le Colonial
If you love French cuisine but also have a soft spot for Vietnamese fare, go to a place that serves both.
Situated in the center of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, Le Colonial celebrates the flavors and atmospheres of French Colonial Southeast Asia. The restaurant fills a lovely two-story vintage townhouse, with a first-floor dining room and a seasonal sidewalk cafe. For an intimate and romantic date, ask to sit in the second-floor terrace and enjoy views of the busy Rush Street below.
6. Bellemore
From the moment you enter Bellemore, you know you are about to experience something extraordinary. From the towering ceilings to the velvet barstools, Bellemore combines New American fare with a luxurious, modern atmosphere to create one of Chicago’s most romantic settings.
Enjoy the moody artwork and murals and browse the seasonal menu, selecting from dishes like venison tartare, Icelandic cod and apple roulade. No matter what you choose, the high-quality food and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere will keep you coming back.
Romantic Chicago Restaurants in the Suburbs
You don’t have to go downtown to find a gorgeous date spot. Try one of these charming restaurants in the suburbs for your next romantic evening.
1. Tuscany
Few environments are as effortlessly romantic as classic Italian eateries.
Tuscany pairs filling and visually stunning food with the feel of the Italian countryside. Located in Oak Brook, Wheeling and Chicago, Tuscany features a long wine list, exceptional pasta and flaky, fresh bread. Whether you’re in the mood for chicken parmigiana or seafood-filled penne, Tuscany offers something to satisfy every craving.
2. The Turf Room
If you live near Aurora, make reservations at The Turf Room for your next date night.
With a seasonal, American Eclectic menu and many different dining rooms, every visit to The Turf Room is a new experience. Select tables form the three dining rooms or the lounge, track room or wine bar, and peruse the utterly unique menu to sample meals like Honolulu Tuna and the High Plains Bison Bone Filet.
For a date destination filled with rustic elegance, visit The Turf Room for an atmospheric and romantic evening.
3. e+o
Urban and innovative, e+o (earth and ocean) provides exceptional organic fare and a sleek, modern ambiance.
Choose one of the Mount Prospect restaurant’s hand-crafted cocktails, and browse through the menu of creative dishes like a linguini with sweet corn cream to veggie wontons. To start your date, make sure to try the chicken and deviled egg — combining crispy chicken skin, hot sauce and a deviled egg, this one-of-a-kind appetizer is a fun way to begin your evening.
4. Eddie Merlot’s
For a classical ambiance and premier fare, look no farther than Eddie Merlot’s Prime-Aged Beef and Seafood.
Whether you go for the elegant atmosphere, extensive wine list or world-class steak and seafood, a date at Eddie Merlot’s is a guaranteed success. Situated in Burr Ridge, Warrenville and Lincolnshire, each location has its own unique feel while maintaining Eddie Merlot’s exceptional standard.
5. George Trois
Serene, beautiful and decidedly French, George Trois is one of the most romantic restaurants in the Chicago area. Located in Winnetka, George Trois provides high-quality and unpretentious dining, the perfect destination for a special outing.
Your experience at George Trois will include a 10-course tasting menu designed by the chef. From caviar to Nantucket Bay scallops, an evening at George Trois is sophisticated, exquisite and utterly romantic.
Affordable Romantic Restaurants in Chicago
Romantic dining doesn’t have to be expensive — there are plenty of both affordable and atmospheric eateries in the Chicago area. Below, we’ve gathered a few restaurants that work with a wide range of budgets so you can find the perfect romantic destination for your next date or celebration.
1. The Village
Since 1927, The Village has charmed guests with its charming atmosphere — designed to resemble a star-lit Tuscan village at dusk, this restaurant features affordable yet delicious food and a fun, unique setting.
The Village offers traditional Italian fare like gourmet pizzas and pasta, but it also serves house specialties such as ossobuco, veal shank slowly braised with wine and aromatic vegetables. If you are looking for a lighter meal, The Village has several different salads ranging from traditional Caesar greens to the seafood salad, which features octopus and calamari.
2. Boka
With urban brick walls, leather seating and exceptional food, Boka provides a sophisticated ambiance for your romantic evening.
The menu changes seasonally, and the four-course meal includes a cold starter followed by a hot dish, a lovingly prepared entree and a sumptuous dessert. Most of the dishes are either gluten-free, vegetarian or both, making it a perfect destination for health-conscious couples.
3. il Porcellino
Filled with hanging lights, vintage photographs, dark wood and red velvet, il Porcellino is a dreamy Italian-American restaurant in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Whether you are looking for an incredible wine selection or rich Italian comfort food, il Porcellino is simultaneously romantic, atmospheric and affordable. Start your meal with a loaf of mouth-watering garlic bread, and select from an extensive menu of pasta, seafood and other entrees. Make sure you sample one of il Porcellino’s incredible desserts — from tiramisu to prosecco and peach sorbetto, il Porcellino has something to satisfy any sweet tooth.
4. Pub Royale
Every couple needs “their place,” that restaurant or cafe they designate as their favorite date spot. Although it’s a little more casual than other eateries on our list, Pub Royale is a fun restaurant that makes you feel as though you’ve stumbled onto one of Chicago’s best-kept secrets — all the qualities needed for a good “place” to make your own.
Blending bar ambiance with restaurant-quality food, Pub Royale is known for its craft beer and Indian-inspired cuisine. Slide into a booth, order some curry and experience the restaurant’s energetic mood as you and your date enjoy time together.
5. Scofflaw
Brick walls, wooden floors and vintage furniture make Scofflaw a simultaneously quirky and elegant date night destination.
A gin-focused cocktail bar, Scofflaw offers a long list of drinks and small plates. Scofflaw also serves larger dishes for couples looking for a heartier meal — settle down in a corner table and choose from dishes like beef carpaccio and lamb spare ribs for a delicious and atmospheric date.
Don’t forget to taste their ice cream sandwich for dessert — made with seasonal ice cream and Scofflaw’s famous chocolate chip cookies, it’s the perfect way to end a romantic evening.
Visit Giordano’s for a Fun and Laid-Back Date Night
Some romantic occasions deserve fine-dining and waterfront views. Others deserve the most comforting and savory deep-dish pizza Chicago has to offer.
Giordano’s has been perfecting authentic, stuffed-style pizza for nearly 50 years. We’re famous for our pies, but we haven’t let fame go to our head — we’re dedicated to making sure that every pizza upholds Giordano’s reputation for excellence. Whether you are looking for deep-dish pizza, exceptional pasta, unique sandwiches or fresh salads, when you choose Giordano’s, you know that you’re getting the highest-quality food available.
Good pizza is always romantic — on your next date night, visit one of our many Giordano’s locations in the Chicago area and let us prove it to you.