The biggest date night of the year is coming, and anybody who’s trying to leave the house that night should do their homework. We’ve picked out some great deals, special spots, and romantic hideaways for a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner in Chicago.
The Publican
Grab your sweetheart and head to The Publican for their one-night-only “What We Love” menu. The multi-course family-style meal ($55 per person) showcasing the chef’s favorite flavors, farmers, and purveyors. Menu highlights include clams casino, whole fluke, suckling pig, and an assortment of Valentine’s Day cookies.
Blackbird
Love the heartland? Then you’ll love the Midwest-inspired menu at fine-dining mecca Blackbird, where chef Ryan Pfeiffer has prepared an elegant seven-course meal of elegant and imaginative dishes rooted in Midwestern flavors and ingredients. The evening costs $130 per person, with add ons like caviar service and smoked sturgeon
Cafe Cancale
Visit the coast of France without leaving Chicago at Cafe Cancale. They’ll be serving a decadent seven-course dinner ($95 per person) inspired by the Brittany seaside, with classic dishes like grilled oysters, bright and citrusy orange duck, flounder with tender crab meat, and traditional French desserts.
Terzo Piano
Treat your sweetheart to a one-of-a-kind experience at Terzo Piano, located inside the Art Institute of Chicago. Enjoy a five-course dinner, entertainment, and sweeping skyline views. The evening costs $185 per couple and includes admission to the museum, dinner, and a champagne toast.
Yūgen
One of the city’s newest Michelin-starred spots, Yūgen will be serving an unforgettable eight-course meal for Valentine’s weekend. The upscale Japanese experience will cost $250 per person, with an optional beverage pairing of $150.
Avli
Both the Lincoln Park and River North locations of this Greek taverna will be offering a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu. The $60 dinner includes fan favorite dishes like baked clams, braised short rib, and caramel baklava ice cream, along with a welcome cocktail and a glass of sparkling rosé.
avec
This classic West Loop establishment will be serving an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner for $125 per person. The four-course meal will feature their acclaimed Mediterranean cuisine including charred and marinated sea scallops, burrata and caviar with gnocchi fritto, squid ink campanelle pasta, and more. Add a wine pairing for $65 per person.
Le Colonial
This upscale fusion spot in the Gold Coast will be offering a three-course dinner menu for $85/person on Valentine’s Day. The menu will be composed of authentic Vietnamese fare with a French twist, including an amuse-bouche, appetizer, entree, and dessert.
Bistronomic
Celebrate your love at Bistronomic with their special three-course menu this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy a three-course dinner of seasonal French fare for $85 a person, which includes a champagne cocktail. Or opt for dinner for two with a bottle of sparkling wine for $200.
Wildfire
Enjoy a special four-course Valentine’s menu for two at this River North favorite for steaks and seafood. The menu, priced at $99.95 per couple, includes an appetizer, salad, two entrees, sides, and a dessert to share. Options for your main course include classics like filet mignon, crab cakes, and short ribs.
Gemini
This Lincoln Park bistro is offering a special prix fixe menu ($80 per person) with an optional wine pairing ($45 per person) for Valentine’s Day. Dine on classic American fare, made from-scratch with an emphasis on seasonality.
Chiya Chai
If you’re looking for an affordable Valentine’s day dinner, Chiya Chai is offering a an excellent prix fixe deal. Diners can enjoy three courses of casual Nepalese cuisine for $35 per person, including an appetizer, their choice of curry, dessert, and even a beer, glass of wine, or cocktail.
Longman & Eagle
This Logan Square favorite will be hosting an old-school Italian Valentine’s Day, back by popular demand. Enjoy a six-course meal built for two, featuring pizza bread, caprese salad, baby octopus, and more, culminating in roasted chicken vesuvio — plus cannoli for dessert. Dinner is a $75 ticket per person, with optional wine pairings available.
La Fontanella
This neighborhood Italian joint will be serving Valentine’s Day specials in a warm, welcoming environment. Enjoy the surf and turf special (lobster and filet mignon with grilled asparagus and a baked potato), linguine with seared scallops, and more.
Proxi
Proxi will feature a globally inspired, four-course tasting menu for $70 per guest. The West Loop spot, which draws inspiration from street food from around the world, is a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient and helmed by acclaimed chef Andrew Zimmerman.
Sepia
This classic West Loop establishment, which has been awarded a Michelin star every year since 2011, will be serving a romantic four-course tasting menu for $120. Add a wine pairing for $80.
Roka Akor
Celebrate a special tasting menu featuring sushi, steak and seafood at Roka Akor. The modern Japanese space will also be offering their full à la carte dinner menu, drinks special, and more.
Walton Street
Head to Walton Street for a special chef’s prix fixe menu of new American fare, including hamachi crudo, pan-seared foie gras, surf and turf with filet mignon and grilled jumbo shrimp, and French silk pie.
Centre Street Kitchen
Lincoln Park’s new chef-driven neighborhood restaurant, which aims to raise money for pediatric cancer, will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu for $99 per couple. The menu includes the choice of one shared small plate, one shared salad, two entrees, one shared dessert, and a complimentary Champagne toast.
The Signature Room
One of Chicago’s most romantic restaurants will be offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $125 per person. Indulge in a raw bar for two, braised short rib, pan seared sea bass, and beyond. Or go all out with their Ultimate Romance Dinner Package, which includes a private dining experience with Dom Perignon Champagne and live musical entertainment.
WoodWind
Enjoy a four-course dinner menu at the contemporary American restaurant perched 18 stories above Streeterville. The $85 prix fixe menu includes sable fish, capellini with black truffle, short rib with passionfruit caramel, and more. They’ll also be offering a special shared cocktail for two at $28.
Bar Biscay
This neon-colored jewel box in West Town will be showcasing the comforting cuisine of the French countryside this Valentine’s Day. The five-course meal at Bar Biscay is $75 per person, with an optional beverage pairings for $25.
Acadia
This two Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant will be serving a four-course Valentine’s Day tasting menu. Inspired by the chef’s childhood visits to Maine, it features dishes such as cured salmon with parsnip-horseradish puree and Wagyu beef with carabinero prawn and curry bordelaise. Enhance your experience with an optional wine pairing and roses
BLVD
The swanky BLVD in West Loop will feature a three-course dinner menu for $85 per person. The modern American menu includes optional high-end upgrades, like oysters, filet mignon, caviar service, or a seafood tower.
Cite
Enjoy panoramic skyline views and an indulgent five-course meal at Cite, located along the scenic lakefront. Choose from truffle risotto, pan-seared salmon, chateaubriand, filet mignon, and more. The evening costs $175 per person, or $220 for dinner with a wine pairing.
Marisol
Tucked inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, Marisol will be offering a special prix-fixe menu for $75 per person for the most romantic day of the year. A vegetarian option will also be offered, along with wine pairings for $35.
©Adam Alexander Photography 2019
Geja’s Cafe
Known as one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago, the Valentine’s Day package at Geja’s Cafe has everything you need for an indulgent evening. Dine on their famous Swiss gruyere fondue, along with lobster, shrimp, beer tenderloin, flaming Belgian chocolate fondue, a glass of rosé champagne, and more for $125 a person.
Travelle
Indulge in an extra-special Valentine’s Day at Travelle. The evening begins with a champagne toast, followed by a six-course meal that includes oysters, lobster bisque, tuna niçoise, and Wagyu beef. The prix-fixe meal is $155 per person.
Hubbard Inn
Spend Valentine’s Day at the newly remodeled Hubbard Inn. The gorgeous space is the perfect backdrop for a romantic meal, just $50 per person with an optional $25 beer or wine pairing.
The Aviary
Cocktail aficionados will fall in love with the Valentine’s Day cocktail experience at The Aviary. The evening includes five courses of The Aviary’s legendary cocktails, paired with light bites.
The Allis
This swanky spot inside Soho House will be offering a variety of one-night only specials on Valentine’s Day. Enjoy chilled seafood platters, confit rabbit pie, seared scallops, devils food cake, and more below the glittering chandelier.
Lula Cafe
Enjoy a four-course tasting menu ($65 per person, plus $30 for a wine pairing) at this long-time Logan Square favorite. It’s an especially fitting spot for a Valentine’s Day meal — the founders, Jason and Lea, actually met and fell in love at Lula Cafe.
Dos Urban Cantina
Dig into a full fried chicken dinner at Dos Urban Cantina for just $60 per couple. The meal includes one whole fried chicken, tamales, salad, sauces and condiments, a their famous chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Throw in a bottle of bubbly for just $35.
