Romantic restaurants in Chicago to book for date night

On the northern end of the North Pond Nature Sanctuary sits a lovely farm-to-table restaurant that’s every bit as charming as it is delicious. Housed in a building that was constructed in 1912 to be a warming shelter for ice skaters, North Pond now serves as one of the most romantic dining rooms in town. Chef Cesar Murillo highlights what’s in season with a tasting menu each night but for a more affordable option, opt for the Sunday prix fixe brunch, which is priced at $59 per person. The skyline views are the cherry on top.

Brendan Sodikoff’s vaguely French steakhouse is a departure for the restaurateur. While his other spots (Gilt Bar, Au Cheval) have their charms, the appeal of this spot—decked out with jazz-era decor and music—is practically universal, and perfect for a cozy evening with your significant other. Diners need not be huge steak fans to get a good meal—in fact, as good as the steak frites is, both the fried and roasted chicken are even better. Elegant cocktails begin meals here, and if you really feel like treating your date, you can split one of the seafood towers.

This dimly lit fondue den is a reliably romantic date destination. The four-course Prince Geja Combination, while pricey, allows couples a chance to get cozy while experimenting with various dips. A cheese fondue appetizer with bread, grapes and apples is followed by a house salad. Then, beef tenderloin, chicken breast, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and sea scallops are brought out to be cooked in the tableside hot oil pot. Lastly, a Belgian chocolate fondue served with sweet treats caps things off. We consider that dinner and a show!

Boka Restaurant Group’s original restaurant has long been a paradigm of fine dining in the local scene. The warm and elegant space is fit for both a romantic date night and a special occasion. Culinary maestro Lee Wolen is the mastermind behind the menu, which focuses on seasonal American cuisine. His talents are on full display with the whole roasted dry-aged duck, a remarkable dish—featuring juicy, tender meat under crisp skin—that's entirely shareable.

Helmed by chef-owner Erick Williams, Virtue specializes in Southern cuisine and seriously sexy vibes. The lights are turned down low, the playlist is always on point, the food is filled with soul and the menu boasts some excellent wines by the glass and bottle. Couples are best suited ordering a few appetizers and sides to share plus their own entrees. Save room for banana pudding studded with Nilla wafers, and request a round of Champagne with Williams.

There’s no better reason to get dressed to the nines than having a swanky dinner at BLVD Steakhouse. The beautiful and opulent space is inspired by Hollywood’s Golden Age so expect touches like crystal chandeliers and a grand staircase. Culinary director Joe Flamm complements the sophisticated setting with luxuries including caviar service, seafood towers and dry-aged cuts of beef. If you’re really looking to impress your date, splurge on truffles for the steaks.

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city by heading to Piccolo Sogno’s lush, fenced-off garden oasis when weather permits. No, it’s not quite the Tuscan countryside but it’s the closest you can get without a half-day flight. Tony Priolo showcases the rustic flavors of Italy through pastas, pizzas and other staples such as bistecca alla griglia. Pair it with a bottle from the extensive Italian wine list for an impeccably romantic experience.

Hogsalt Hospitality has a knack for creating transformative spaces that are stunning and memorable. At Ciccio Mio, the company nails the look and feel of an intimate Italian supper club with dim lighting, ornate furnishings and vintage-style artwork on the walls. The food’s no slouch, either, boasting favorites like spicy vodka rigatoni, lasagna rolls and chicken parm. And if you and your date still have room at the end, the cannoncini will provide a perfect finish.

A furniture store might not seem like the most logical place for a romantic dining experience, but the in-house restaurant at RH’s Gold Coast location is a pleasant surprise. Push past the furniture to an atrium dotted with leafy trees and tables situated beneath chandeliers. The kitchen serves contemporary American fare like shrimp cocktails, steaks and lobster rolls. Pair your food with a glass of wine and relax in the soft candlelight after dark—and don't let the lush surroundings distract you from your date.

Italian food is always going to feel a bit romantic (especially when it's accompanied by a nice bottle of wine), but if you really want to heighten the mood, the magical decor at Alla Vita should do the trick. Couples can share a pizza or dig into the exquisite chicken parmigiana under rows of flowing curtains hanging from the ceiling or an indoor pergola draped with greenery. Yes, it's a difficult reservation to get, but a wonderful night with your main squeeze is worth the trouble.

The Spanish word "penumbra" translates to "partial darkness," which is a fitting name for this dimly lit Logan Square wine bar that locals flock to. The menu is approachable, with a curated selection of pours available by the glass as well as a laundry list of bottles to choose from. The dinner menu offers more than small snackables, with a lineup of steaks, seafood, hearty vegetarian dishes and a handful of desserts.

There are three floors to explore at this modern riverfront steakhouse, which deals in premium cuts, decadent handmade pastas and classic Italian eats. The handsome dining room is hard to forget, but as soon as you see the views—an eyeful of the Chicago River and world-class architecture—you might have trouble concentrating on your date. Center the conversation with a bottle of bubbly and an order of tiramisu.

Come summertime, Aba is the place to be in the West Loop, thanks in part to its spacious patio that's dotted with fire pits. But for a special evening out with your partner, request a seat in the lush sky-lit dining room and order from chef CJ Jacobson's menu of Mediterranean-inspired menu. We're big fans of splitting an order of spicy hummus and a few skewers from the grill. Top off the night with crème brûlée pie, which is just as amazing (if not better) than it sounds.

Come dressed to impress at this glitzy Italian spot—because the servers certainly bring the fashion. The elegant dining room sports sophisticated touches, such as crystal chandeliers and vintage mirrors, while chef Soo Ahn presents luxurious options like a truffled Caesar salad, A5 wagyu and caviar service. After dinner, head downstairs for a drink at the Rose Lounge, a small and intimate cocktail den.

Talk about romantic! S.K.Y. owner Stephen Gillanders named his Pilsen restaurant after his wife's initials. The sweet vibes don't stop there either: The dining room is sophisticated and intimate, with jewel-toned chairs and a booth that stretches the length of the room. Better yet, the menu is infinitely shareable, with plates like Maine lobster dumplings in jade butter and black truffle croquettes with aged white cheddar.

If you love a dark and mysterious vibe, River North’s Gilt Bar features plenty of wooden walls and tucked away corners. Bathed in the soft glow of table lamps, you can sip dark cocktails like the 100 Year Old Cigar, a mix of rum, cynar, and laphroaig. Order from a menu of elevated American bar food or grab an appetizer—go fancy with tenderloin steak tartare or hearty. For a nightcap, sneak into The Library, a speakeasy-inspired room with chandeliers, velvet booths and books that is only accessible via a nondescript side door in the basement.

Walking into GT Prime feels like teleporting to a lavish set from Game of Thrones. The dimly lit space is filled with both masculine and feminine touches: There's taxidermy, still-life photography, glitzy chandeliers and fur-lined chairs. It's all designed to set the mood for chef Giuseppe Tentori's elaborate menu, which spans land and sea with oysters, king crab, hand-cut beef tartare and all the red meat you could ever want.

A subterranean wine bar hidden beneath a century-old West Loop building, the Press Room is the perfect spot to bring a date. The dark and ornate space feels like a cozy secret, and the menu features cheeses, charcuterie and small plates meant for sharing alongside a curated selection of classic cocktails and wines. If you want to keep the good times going, consider booking a room upstairs at the Publishing House Bed and Breakfast.

If your idea of romance includes onion-filled cheeseburgers, Miller High Life and Old Fashioneds, the Loyalist should be your new date-night spot. In all seriousness, this subterranean West Loop hideaway packs the romance with dim lighting, secluded booths, top-notch eats and, yes, one of the best burgers in all of Chicago. Your sweetheart deserves the best, right?

A winery is rarely the wrong place for a date, especially one with as many amenities as Chicago Winery. For a special evening, book the date night package, which includes a tour of the winery, a wine tasting and dinner at LIVA. When it’s cold out, a spot next to the fireplace is the best seat in the house.

There's plenty to love about chef Carlos Gaytán's splashy Chicago restaurant, which acts as a portal to his hometown of Huitzuco, Mexico. The heated, all-season patio is a cozy alternative to dining indoors, but the interior creates an otherworldly backdrop for date night. The sand-colored walls are adorned with encased natural artifacts from Huitzuco. The French-influenced Mexican fare doesn't disappoint either—just be sure to save room for dessert.

With a name that translates as “countryside bistro,” this Lincoln Square restaurant is so warm and inviting we could stay all night. Ingredients are fresh and meld into French bistro classics with unforgettable flavors. During the warmer months, snag a table in the beautiful courtyard to heighten the romance.

As far as we're concerned, there are three very different spaces within Beatnik: The light and airy front room, the funky side bar and the dark and sexy dining room. For date night or a special occasion, book a table in the main area, which is filled with massive chandeliers, pillow-lined couches and ornate rugs. A menu of shared plates that pulls from all corners of the globe will strike up conversation as you sip cocktails.

If bonding over culinary history and culture are the key to your heart, look no further than chef Rick Bayless’s Michelin-starred Topolobampo. The lights aren’t low but the art-lined walls and dishes honoring the rich heritage of Mexican ingredients will provide plenty of conversation starters. It's Mexican cuisine at its finest, with a Michelin star to boot.

Housed in the stately 1920s-era Belden-Stratford building across frrom Lincoln Park Zoo, French bistro Mon Ami Gabi’s simple, elegant atmosphere is in effect day and the night. Sit on the patio in warmer weather, imagining yourself at an outdoor cafe on the streets of Paris, or tuck yourself away in the dimly-lit wood-paneled walls of the intimate interior. Whether you order a filet mignon and split a bottle of Bordeaux with a new love interest or unabashedly dig into French-onion soup and ice cream-filled profiteroles, you’ll soon be calling your date “ma cherie.”

The interior of Stephanie Izard's Chinese restaurant in the West Loop was brought to life by design firm AvroKO, which sought to create "a dream-like version of the stores and shops that can be found in all quintessential Chinatowns in America." Every corner of the space has its own identity: There's a jade-hued room where you can wait for your table as well as a smaller dining room that's outfitted in crimson wallpaper and matching drapery. No matter where you sit, there's plenty to take in before you share dishes like xi'an goat slap noodles and veggie spring rolls with your date.

No matter how often you dine at Daisies, you probably won't encounter the same menu twice. That's because owner-chef Joe Frillman switches things up based on what's in season at his brother's farm. Diners can expect pasta dishes that highlight the week's haul, showcasing fresh herbs and veggies. During the day, pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky whips up divine baked goods in the restaurant's cafe.

If you can't take your date on a European vacation, you can at least send their taste buds on a journey through the mountain cuisines of France, Italy, Austria and Germany. Inspired by the rustic inns that provide shelter and sustience for travelers in the Alps, the menu at Table, Donkey and Stick includes charcuterie and cheese boards that are easy to share alongside heartier items like burgers and grilled beef hearts. Begin (or end) the evening by sharing glasses of Alpine wine, brandy or liqueur.

If your love language is raw fish, there are few cooler culinary experiences than Sushi Suite 202, which transforms a 500-square-foot guest room inside Hotel Lincoln into an intimate omakase counter. The semi-private dining destination offers a 75-minute, 17-course nigiri tasting menu that's brimming with tasty bites. If things get especially heated during your meal, it's easy to get a room once you're finshed eating.

If your dream date night involves crispy cheese curds, duck fat french fries and a seriously upgraded Chicago dog, you've come to the right place. Chef Kevin Hickey's Bridgeport restaurant checks all of the boxes (and then some) inside a charming, pre-Prohibition era tavern. Plus, a heated tent out back offers yet another way to dine—just be sure to order a round of hot buttered cider.