The best flower delivery in Chicago

Flowers for Dreams started as a college project in 2012, but it's since changed the concept of floral delivery in Chicago. The company set out to do away with baby's breath and pesticide-infested roses in favor of modern, locally sourced florals. To top it all off, a quarter of its profits go toward a local charity each month. Starting at just $35, you can get a charming bouquet artfully wrapped in rustic, recyclable cloth, hand-delivered (by a real person) via bicycle. You'll also never be upsold on a teddy bear, box of chocolates or cheesy balloons—they don't even carry them! It doesn't get much sweeter than that.

This family-owned and operated florist has been serving Chicago since 1932. With five locations, this place has you covered no matter your floral needs—from Valentine's Day to your wedding day to pretty much anything else we can think of. The website offers easy, streamlined ordering, same-day delivery to the city and surrounding suburbs, plus 24-hour phone assistance. Basically, you can enjoy all the big company perks with the family-run charm and none of the fuss.

Steve's is a West Side flower shop that offers a little something for everyone: artfully arranged everyday and special occasion bouquets, wedding florals, bulk stems for those who prefer to DIY and fast, same-day delivery. The shop purchases its flowers in bulk straight from the grower, so you can count on some of the freshest blooms available. Plus, you can order any of the store's pre-designed arrangements online for pickup or delivery, starting at $24.95.

In a sea of stuffy downtown florists, Jolie Fleur stands out. Get fresh, beautiful arrangements and gift baskets for special occasions, corporate events, weddings or just because. The shop is known for knockout customer service that will never let you down. Same day delivery is available for most arrangements.

Step into this colorful, family-owned flower shop to get your fix of premium florals. Conveniently located right off the highway, there's essentially no excuse to come home empty handed on Valentine's Day or any special occasion. Better yet, the shop provides quick, same-day delivery on most bouquets and arrangements. You'll never go back to those grocery store bouquets again.

Though the Bouqs Co is a nationwide floral delivery service, this company offers much more interesting arrangements than the humdrum bouquets of carnations and daisies you see on some competitors' websites. The Bouqs Co sources all of its flowers from eco-friendly and socially responsible farms, with the blooms cut the day that you order them. It even offers a collection of blooms grown at the base of a volcano in South America. (How's that for a story?) With a streamlined ordering process, the price you see is what you get, with delivery fee included. (Starting at $40!) Choose from dozens of floral designs, with same-day delivery also available.

Spoiled for choice by the overwhelming options at some flower shops? Indecisive shoppers will be happy to note that BloomThat offers a highly curated selection of fresh, seasonal flowers. Stick with the standard recycled burlap packaging or upgrade to a glass vase or trendy galvanized tin pail for a little extra. Trendy add-ons like Sugarfina candy, Brooklyn Candle Studio candles and Cacao Prieto chocolates are also available. A handy label under each bouquet tells you how soon it could be delivered in your area.

Instead of the usual selection of impersonal, mass-produced bouquets you find on most online retailers’ websites, BloomNation showcases unique arrangements from local florists. Working with a network of local shops not only allows them to offer easy same-day delivery, but also gives the customer a much more diverse selection to choose from. Blooms on offer from Chicago florists include peach roses tucked inside a teal hatbox, the dusty peach arrangement pictured and even glass terrariums filled with teeny-tiny plants.

Photograph: Courtesy BloomNation / Flower Fetish

With an enormous selection of everything from a dozen red roses to bonsai trees, this industry veteran comes in handy when you need a gift in a pinch. ProFlowers has an arrangement for every occasion (funeral, birthday, engagement, business gifting) and even offers same-day delivery nationwide. It may not be the trendiest choice, but it certainly is one of the most convenient.

When we’re looking for a truly romantic dining experience in Chicago, we tend to seek out cozy spots that are quiet and just dark enough to make us feel like we’re the only ones there