The Most Romantic Restaurants in Chicago

There are countless reasons to love Chicago, the beloved city on Lake Michigan—and one of the best parts about Chicago is its dining scene. The city has restaurants to cater to any occasion or palate, and it is an especially good city for diners who are looking for a romantic night out. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker 19. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. These romantic restaurants are great for celebrating an anniversary, toasting a special occasion, or simply impressing a loved one with an unforgettable meal.

The OpenTable Team

16 Restaurants

Updated January 14, 2020

Restaurants:	TAO Asian Bistro - Chicago, RPM Italian, Mon Ami Gabi…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Asian, Italian, French…
Neighborhoods:	River North (Chicago), Chicago, Lincoln Park…

TAO Asian Bistro - Chicago

$$$$

Asian

River North (Chicago)

4.6

2140 reviews

Tao first became famous on Sex and the City. The New York outpost of this trendy Asian fusion restaurant made a splash because of their gorgeous interior and their incredible food. Be like Carrie and the girls and take a date to Tao Chicago. The nightclubby feel will make the date feel fun and lively. The food is also excellent, with Asian dishes like lobster fried rice, drunken pad thai, and miso roasted black cod. Also, consider ordering off the sushi menu. Dress up when going on a date to Tao; it is definitely a place people go for people-watching.

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RPM Italian

$$$$

Italian

Chicago

4.6

10958 reviews

Bill and Giuliana Rancic dreamed up the line of RPM restaurants, and RPM Italian is undisputedly one of the best romantic restaurants in Chicago. This Italian eatery, located in River North, features classic Italian fare. Head to RPM Italian and taste things from their large handmade pasta menu, or sample one of the standout steak and chops. RPM Italian is incredibly chic inside. Put on a dress or a jacket to enjoy a date there.

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Mon Ami Gabi

$$$$

French

Lincoln Park

4.8

6743 reviews

There's no question that there is just something inherently romantic about France. That is why Mon Ami Gabi shines as one of the best romantic restaurants in Chicago, offering dependably great French food in a cute and charming atmosphere. Mon Ami Gabi is in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, an upscale residential part of town. For the house specialty, choose from their giant menu of steak frites. There are lots of varieties of it to chose from! Use a meal there as an opportunity to explore a new part of the city or to indulge in buttery, rich French food and sumptuous glasses of wine. Mon Ami Gabi is in the Belden Stanford.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

$$$$

Seafood

River North (Chicago)

4.9

15657 reviews

Joes is a restaurant that started in Miami. They have long been legendary for their stone crabs, which are small pink and black crabs that offer sweet, light meat. Luckily for diners seeking the best romantic restaurants in Chicago, there is an outpost of Joes now in the Windy City. Head there to have legendary seafood or one of their gigantic steaks. Joes has a reputation for drawing in celebrities and having a scene-y crowd, so enjoy the exciting, swanky vibe. When you finish your meal, you have to order key lime pie, because it is also a specialty of the house. Joes is on Grand Ave, so they are convenient to many of the city's other biggest attractions.

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RPM Steak

$$$$

Steak

Chicago

4.7

5112 reviews

Another RPM restaurant in town is RPM Steak. As one might guess, this RPM outpost features meat, with a delightful steakhouse menu that has enough variety for meat eaters and non-alike. The atmosphere at RPM steak is moody and dark, which sets a sensual mood for any romantic night out. RPM Steak is in the River North neighborhood, and easy to access from all parts of Chicago.

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il Porcellino

$$$$

Italian

River North (Chicago)

4.7

3369 reviews

Another River North restaurant that is also one of the best romantic restaurants in Chicago is il Porcellino. There are lots of reasons why this is a great place to take a beloved. One of the best is the ambiance. Il Porcellino oozes romance, with wooden furniture, heavy red velvet curtains, and a collection of shimmering chandeliers that hang from the ceiling and light the space. If you go for dinner, make sure to try a pasta. They get made in-house and are unforgettably great.

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Brass Tack

$$$$

Unspecified

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.5

402 reviews

The Waldorf Astoria is a romantic venue itself. Inside the legendary hotel, however, is somewhere even more romantic: French restaurant Margeaux Brasserie. Margeaux feels like an upscale French brasserie, with a bustling energy and white tile floors. The food is what makes them so special, however, and just looking at the menu makes mouths water (we won't even get into tasting the food). The specialties of the house are the duck wings a l'orange and Dover sole meuniere. The Waldorf Astoria is on the Gold Coast, a beautiful part of Chicago to explore.

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Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago

$$$$

Seafood

River North (Chicago)

4.8

13052 reviews

One of the best romantic restaurants in Chicago is also one of the best seafood restaurants. Shaw's Crab House is an oyster bar that also has an incredible offering of fresh fish dishes. The restaurant has two parts: the main dining room and the oyster bar. For a fancy date night that feels like a special occasion, choose the dining room at Shaw's. It has white tablecloths and diners receive the royal treatment from the servers. For something more casual but just as enjoyable, sit in the oyster bar. In addition to oysters, enjoy sushi, Alaskan King Crab legs, or one of their more than 40 seafood dishes. Shaw's is in the heart of downtown and an excellent choice when planning to spend the day touring Chicago's most famous sites.

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Sepia

$$$$

Contemporary American

West Loop

4.9

4578 reviews

Sometimes, the most romantic evening is one where diners get to eat fresh, seasonal food made with local ingredients. Sepia offers one of the most sustainably focused menus in Chicago. The food comes out like art: imagine dishes with inventive colors, ingredients, and arrangements. At Sepia, try things like Rohan duck or grilled swordfish, then wash your meal down with a glass from their exquisite wine list. Sepia sits in the West Loop, a neighborhood that has tons to do and feels bustling and energetic.

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Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - Chicago

$$$$

Steak

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.8

7127 reviews

Another Gold Coast standout is Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse. This traditional steakhouse often wins accolades for being one of the best romantic restaurants in Chicago. Expect steakhouse favorites on the menu, like skirt steak, filet, or strip steak. There are other items on the menu, too, like a burger or French dip. Gibsons has an excellent wine list, so consider a glass or a bottle to go with a meal.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Le Colonial - Chicago

$$$$

Vietnamese

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.8

6651 reviews

Many NYC restaurants transfer to Chicago and thrive. One of the best is Le Colonial, a restaurant with French Vietnamese cuisine. Le Colonial is also in the Gold Coast neighborhood, so head here for a chance to tour through some of Chicago's most beautiful homes and glamorous stores. For some of the best options on the menu, order the Bo Sate (diced filet mignon with spices, yams, and string beans) or the Ca Nuong (grilled salmon over vermicelli noodles, greens, and ginger-lime garlic fish sauce). Le Colonial is the best spot for a date for anyone with a passion for interesting, complex flavors.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Nonnina

$$$$

Italian

River North (Chicago)

4.6

2421 reviews

Right in the heart of downtown is Nonnina: a dimly lit Italian restaurant that will have lovers eating pasta like Lady and the Tramp. Cozy up in this charming little space and taste authentic Italian food that will comfort and nourish you. Pizzas are great here, as are desserts. There are lots of wines and cocktails, so consider a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

North Pond

$$$$

American

Lincoln Park

4.9

4143 reviews

Head to North Pond in Lincoln Park for a fun experience with a date. North Pond is inside of Lincoln Park, so stop here for a meal while strolling the beautiful grounds or touring the zoo. The menu at North Pond is American with seasonal, local ingredients. Sample things like sweetbreads with fennel or duck and sweet potato. Everything at North Pond is organic.

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Chicago Cut Steakhouse

$$$$

Steakhouse

River North (Chicago)

4.8

8903 reviews

Chicago Cut Steakhouse opened with one goal in mind: to bring some flair back to the Chicago dining scene. This makes Chicago Cut extra special and one of the best romantic restaurants in the area. The restaurant attracts celebrities to the dining room regularly, so watch out for famous faces. For the best scenery of any Chicago restaurant, consider making a reservation here and ask to sit on Laslle along the Chicago River.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House - Chicago

$$$$

Seafood

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.7

4770 reviews

There are several Hugo's Frog Bars in the area. The best, though, is in Chicago proper, where diners can enjoy fresh fish and a fun vibe. Hugo's is the sister restaurant of Gibson's, which is right next door. Anyone will love a date at Hugo's if they love fish or steak, so consider bringing someone here if they are a meat eater or pescatarian. Many people think that this is the best seafood restaurant in the Midwest, so visit to see if they can be proven right.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

$$$$

Tapas / Small Plates

Lincoln Park

4.8

7998 reviews

Is romance synonymous with fun for you? Then plan your date at Ba-Ba-Reeba, one of the best romantic restaurants in Chicago for an entertaining night out. Located in Lincoln Park and just by Oz Park, Ba-Ba-Reeba specializes in tapas and sangria (there are six styles here). The menu is gigantic and there are lots of meat and non-meat options, so this is a great place for a meal no matter what a table's dietary restrictions are.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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The Most Romantic Restaurants