Our Favorite Date Night Restaurants
Whether you're planning a special night out or just want to enjoy a great meal with someone special, the Chicago suburbs have a variety of restaurants perfect for date night. From intimate bistros and upscale dining to cozy spots with charming atmospheres, these suburban gems set the stage for a memorable evening. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary or simply indulging in a night away from the kids, check out our guide to the best date night restaurants across the Chicago suburbs.
NORTH SHORE
Abigail’s
An unpretentious neighborhood bistro with great service, a welcoming atmosphere and creative menu that never disappoints. From the Brussel sprouts with fish caramel sauce to the whole roasted branzino with pickled grapes, everything is on the menu is delicious. Make sure to save room for dessert and try the homemade warm donuts.
The Barn Steakhouse
A warm, intimate, and timeless steakhouse hidden away in an alley in the middle of downtown Evanston. The Barn is Amy Morton’s tribute to her father’s steakhouse empire (Arnie Morton, founder of Morton’s Steakhouses). The award-winning restaurant is located in a brick stable dating back to 1883 and offers everything you would expect in a fine dining experience - high quality dry-aged steaks, delicious sides, an extensive wine list, creative cocktails, and great service.
DeNuccis
DeNuccis has quickly become a North Shore favorite since opening in 2024. The “Italian-American red sauce joint” comes from Ballyhoo Hospitality, which launched the first DeNuccis in Lincoln Park before expanding to the suburbs. The warm and welcoming environment paired with their classic Italian dishes make for the perfect date night spot.
Ema
A new Mediterranean restaurant from Chef CJ Jacobson and Lettuce Entertain You, that brings creative small plates and a stylish California-inspired atmosphere to Glenview. The former Top Chef winner also is the chef partner at the Ema and Aba in Chicago, where he has become well known for signature dishes like Moroccan Onion Dip, Tahini Caesar Salad, Octopus Carpaccio and Spicy Brisket Kefta Kebab.
The English Room at Deer Path Inn
Located within the iconic Deer Path Inn, the English Room is equally suited for special occasions or random date nights and has long been one of the most celebrated fine dining venues on Chicago’s North Shore. Whether going for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can enjoy your meal in their upscale traditional dining room or out on the beautiful and secluded patio. If looking for something more casual but still delicious, check out White Hart Pub or the Bar at Deer Path Inn.
Everett Farms
A well executed farm-to-table restaurant in a vibrant space from the JDR restaurant group (Inovasi, TheOtherDoor, etc). Start with the Hewn Bread and a fresh salad, followed by a diverse menu of steaks, chops, seafood and pastas, all paired with creative cocktails and a great wine list. When the weather is nice, they have a nice outdoor patio.
Inovasi
A hidden gem in Lake Bluff where you can enjoy a 6-course tasting menu or select dishes from their creative menu, which are all made from local ingredients sourced from 30 Midwest farms. Everything on the menu is delicious and matched with a great beverage program and outstanding service.
Le Colonial
An upscale French-Vietnamese restaurant in a beautiful and expansive two-story building located in Lake Forest’s Market Square District. Le Colonial features dining and event spaces, an outdoor garden, and a bar for light bites and alfresco lounging. Wherever you settle, you will enjoy their incredible Vietnamese cuisine, outstanding cocktails, and impeccable service.
LeTour
James Beard Award-winner Debbie Gold and veteran restaurant owner Amy Morton teamed up to open LeTour, a French-Moroccan inspired menu in a dreamy and luxurious space. The creative menu offers everything from tartines and mussels to Moroccan dishes like chicken tagine and lamb couscous. When the weather is nice they have one of the best outdoor spaces in town.
Mino’s
An authentic and sophisticated Italian spot in the heart of Winnetka. Mino’s provides an upscale but welcoming vibe in a renovated ‘60s-era garage. The menu features antipasti, pasta, pizza, and more. We recommend trying the fresh pastas, including the tonnarelli cacio e pepe and the tagliatelle con fra diavolo with a whole Main lobster.
Pomeroy
From Ballyhoo Hospitality, the restaurant group behind popular Chicago spots like Gemini, Coda di Volpe and more, Pomeroy is their take on the French bistro. Whether eating in their charming and refined dining room, at their beautiful bar or out in their intimate garden courtyard, you will receive outstanding service and fantastic food and drinks. A perfect spot for a date night with your partner or a celebratory dinner.
Sophia Steak
Another great spot from Ballyhoo Hospitality (Pomeroy above, Gemini, Coda di Volpe, Old Pueblo Cantina), Sophia Steak is a classic neighborhood steakhouse that gets all the details just right. From the premium steaks and seafood to the delicious salads and decadent deserts, they set the bar high for everything they do. They also offer a great selection of wine and cocktails, including their Pinewood Sazerac and Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
NORTHWEST SUBURBS
Foxtail on the Lake
A converted church overlooking the lake makes for a perfect date night spot, where you can enjoy their delicious food, excellent cocktails and top notch service. Whether you want to keep it simple with a burger or flatbread or go big with a seafood tower or king crab legs, you won’t be disappointed.
Gigi Wine Bar & Bistro
Giostra
A great Italian spot from Fabio Viviani Hospitality that features a modern yet old-school atmosphere, paired with outstanding food, an extensive wine list, and excellent service. A perfect spot for date night whether you snag a table or two spots at the bar.
The Greggory
A must-visit restaurant in the Chicago suburbs led by seasoned restaurateurs Gregg Horan (Gibsons Restaurant Group) and Bill Veremis (Rosewood Steakhouse Group), and partner Executive Chef Jose Sosa (Gibsons Italia). The Greggory reimagines American classics with bold flavors and a touch of modern elegance—all served with genuine, heartfelt hospitality in a refined and cozy space.
Lago
From celebrity chef and former Top Chef star, Fabio Viviani, Lago is his newest restaurant created in his backyard (he lives in nearby Barrington Hills). Fabio’s restaurant group is behind popular Chicago restaurants Sienna Tavern and Bar Sienna. Lago’s menu emphasizes high quality steaks but also features fresh seafood, house made pasta and shareable plates. They also offer excellent cocktails and a sophisticated space that is perfect for a date night with your partner.
Mockingbird
The downtown East Dundee restaurant offers a creative menu, a cozy space and delicious cocktails that are inspired by the season. The wood fired pizzas are excellent, as well as their shared plates that include East coast oysters and a Smoked Whitefish Pate Jar. They also offer a delicious Sunday brunch and owner Kathleen will occasionally curate trips to nearby destinations like Bourbon trail centered around food and libations.
Region Kitchen + Bar
A hidden gem off Northwest Highway in Barrington that offers a diverse menu showcasing their ability to execute across a wide range of cuisines and regions. The menu changes seasonally but we recommend trying a few of their signature dishes like the bellwether ricotta, salt roasted red beet salad and butter crusted lake superior walleye. Finish off the meal with a delicious cocktail and English Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Shaw’s Crab House
The Chicago (and Schaumburg) institution from Lettuce Entertain You, has been serving locals fresh quality seafood since 1984. The old school space makes for a nice date night where you can sit at the bar or grab a table and enjoy fresh oysters, tasty New England clam chowder and your choice of delicious sushi, crab, lobster and other seafood dishes.
WESTERN SUBURBS
Autre Monde Cafe & Spirits
An authentic and approachable neighborhood restaurant that celebrates the rich culinary tradition of the Mediterranean coast, including influences from France to Spain, to Portugal, Italy to Greece and across to North Africa. Enjoy your delicious meal in a casual atmosphere or on their hidden garden patio. They also have fantastic beverage program featuring old world wines, small batch spirit craft cocktails and local beers.
Fire + Wine
A cornerstone of the downtown Glen Ellyn dining scene, that makes delicious wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas and more. They are part of the BG Hospitality Group which also runs Gia Mia, Moto Imoto, and other popular suburban restaurants. They will be opening additional locations in 2025.
The Graceful Ordinary
An award-winning restaurant from husband-and-wife duo, Chef Chris Curren and Megan Curren, that sits alongside the Fox River in St. Charles. The Graceful Ordinary has everything you want in a date night spot - a beautiful and comfortable space, a creative and delicious menu, fantastic cocktails, and excellent service.
Hinsdale Prime Steak
If you are looking for the classic upscale steakhouse experience, Hinsdale Prime Steak is the perfect place. You can feel their commitment to quality in every detail from the perfectly cooked steaks and sides, to the luxurious atmosphere and outstanding service. While the steaks are the focal point, their house-made pastas, desserts and cocktails are also excellent.
mána
A new modern Greek restaurant that opened in 2024. The warm, welcoming atmosphere and fresh farm-to-table ingredients make for a perfect date night spot. Be sure to save room for the Pistachio Gelato, which was recently named one of the 25 Best Things to Eat by Chicago Mag.
Meson Sabika
The restaurant is housed in a mansion that was built in 1847 and sits on a pristine four-acre estate near downtown Naperville. The popular wedding venue also makes for a great date night spot where you can enjoy their delicious Spanish tapas and sangrias within one of their eight dining rooms or out on their beautiful patio.
Petit Vie
A French café and brasserie, located just around the corner from Paul Virant’s celebrated restaurant Vie, which closed in October 2023. Chef Paul Virant’s long list of accolades includes a James Beard nominee, Food & Wine Best New Chef and most recently, Chef of the Year at the prestigious Jean Banchet Awards. Petit Vie is outstanding and showcase Virant’s return to his roots and passion for French cuisine.
RH Rooftop Restaurant
The glass-enclosed rooftop restaurant and wine bar sit on top of the three-level, 60,000-square-foot RH store in Oak Brook. Whether you shop around before or just go for dinner, the rooftop restaurant is a great place for date night with a menu that features shareable plates along with delicious steaks, seafood, and sandwiches.
Santo Cielo
Located on the fifth floor of the Hotel Indigo in Naperville, Santo Cielo is a modern upscale latino restaurant from the renowned Bien Trucha Group. The menu plays off their roots of making some of the best Mexican food in the Chicagoland area while extending their vision to other Latin American countries and cultures. You will also find an outstanding wine list and cocktail menu to enjoy with your date night dinner.
Vistro Prime
From acclaimed chef, Paul Virant, Vistro reopened as Vistro Prime in 2021. The upscale neighborhood restaurant offers traditional steakhouse fare—steaks, chops, seafood—as well as the signature Vistro dishes that locals know and love. Classic cocktails are the stars of the bar program along with a carefully selected list of wine and beer.
