Looking for a place to get to know someone special? Or maybe you need the perfect restaurant to celebrate an anniversary. If you’re going out with someone new or continuing a fulfilling relationship, take your significant other to one of these restaurants in Chicago! Between all the listed venues you’ll be able to find your preferred style of restaurant with the best atmosphere. Chicago is so large it can be difficult to figure out which restaurant is the best place for a date, but we’ve done the research for you here. Make date night a special evening out, for you and your date!
At a date, there’s always a fumble over who’s picking up the bill. Why not let a gift card cover it? Whether you want to help out a friend, or help yourself, GiftYa can help you keep your focus on your date and not how much this meal is gonna cost you. It’s easy! Simply have the GiftYa texted to you or your friend, and the balance connects to your Visa or Mastercard. Go on your date with an ease of mind knowing the meal is covered!
Tuscany
A gorgeous spot in the heart of Little Italy
You took your date out to Tuscany’s patio? You got game. Image courtesy of Tuscany’s Facebook.
Little Italy
1014 W Taylor Street
Are you and your date in the mood for some Italian? Tuscany may be the best Italian date spot there is in Chicago. If it’s a nice day out, take your date out to the patio and enjoy the meal with some sunshine and a light breeze. You two will have a great time with the charming decor and delicious foods. Once you two have finished your pizza and pasta, perhaps you can share a dessert.
“Excellent food and service! I haven't been here in a decade and realized how much I miss the food. Everything we had was very tasty from the mussels to the desserts…” - Yelp Review
Mad Social
A charming restaurant in a charming neighborhood
With an appealing dining area and food that is too good to be true, the date can’t be anything other than a success! Image courtesy of Mad Social’s Facebook.
West Loop
1140 W Madison Street
With a rustic and cozy dining space, it’ll be easy to become engrossed in conversation at Mad Social. You’ll find your favorite American dishes here, such as burgers, salads, mac and cheese and gnocchi. And after the meal, Mad Social’s location is a great starting point for a walk around the cute Little Italy of Chicago. If you’re looking for an intimate date to get to know or get closer with your date, your search for a venue is over!
“Had an incredible meal and evening at MAD tonight with a close friend. I had heard good things, especially about the burger, and it did not disappoint, and the service was probably the best I have ever had.” - Yelp Review
Stefani Prime
A high quality restaurant for a high quality date
A date at Stefani Prime means an appreciation of three things: delicious food, a sleek atmosphere, and your beautiful date, of course. Image courtesy of Stefani Prime’s Facebook.
Lincolnwood
6755 N Cicero Avenue
Looking to have a classy Italian meal with your date? Stefani Prime has a modern space to dine in and offers delicious meals such as steaks, fresh seafood, and other signature Italian dishes. In this restaurant you get the energy of the city as well as the comfort you’d get from a neighborhood. Stefani Prime is a place where separates meet, which is basically dating in a nutshell. If the symbolics aren’t enough to convince you, then the high quality of food at Stefani Prime definitely will.
“I wish I could give more than 5 stars!! We came here last night for our 3rd time and this review is far overdue! Every time we visit, we have a spectacular experience…It's so nice to not worry about parking like we do at other steakhouses in the city!...” - Yelp Review
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
A sports bar for the couple crazy about the Chicago Bears
If you want a date venue with more energy, try The Scout and get to know your date through sports. Image courtesy of The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen’s Facebook.
South Loop
1301 S Wabash Avenue
Looking for a date night venue that has a built-in conversation starter? If you’re both sports fans, try this upscale bar and kitchen. The Scout has an open space for you to become integrated in the crowd of fellow sports fans, and TVs are placed around the room for viewing the game. But don’t let that distract you from your date! Make sure you order the grilled cheese -- it’s one of the best in the city! And try to score a patio seat if you and your date are outdoorsy people.
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“Service was on-point, the waitress did a great job… Outdoor patio is nice (when available) and will be back as we always leave happy. Well done overall by the Scout team. Always an enjoyable and tasty dining experience.” - Yelp Review
Katana
Enjoy some sushi in this seductive setting
Katana has a stunning dining space, but is it as stunning as your date? You can use that line, free of charge. Image courtesy of Katana’s Facebook.
River North
399 N Dearborn Street
Katana is the place to bring the date that appreciates eccentric, stylish restaurants. And sushi, of course. What date wouldn’t appreciate the live DJ and romantic candlelight? Katana serves Japanese cuisine that will blow your taste bud’s minds, starting at their sushi bar. This restaurant also has a patio with a great view of downtown Chicago. The atmosphere of Katana is perfect for a date, and the great food and drink doesn’t hurt!
“This place is huge and they even have 3 different kitchens- one for the meats(robata style), sushi and then cooked entrees. The decor is amazing. Great spot for a date night…” - Yelp Review
Margeaux Brasserie
Enjoy elevated French cuisine and wine
With Margeaux Brasserie’s French menu, you can’t go wrong. This restaurant will make you an impressive date, indeed. Image courtesy of Margeaux Brasserie’s Facebook.
Near North Side
11 E Walton Street
Bring your date to this romantic Paris-inspired restaurant. The dining room is stunningly decorated as a mix of modern and vintage, and it’s well lit so you can better appreciate your date’s gorgeous face. This venue is for the couple that appreciates social, cultural, and artistic expression through food and drink. Margeaux Brasserie’s menu highlights elevated French cuisine and flavors, with favorites such as duck wings and steak frites. Make a cheers with your date with a wine, spirit, or cocktail!
Buy a GiftYa To Margeaux Brasserie >
“I loved my visit here! I went for my anniversary and all the waiters were very attentive. The food was delicious and the portion size was huge! We were stuffed by the time they served us our main dish…” - Yelp Review
Duck Duck Goat
Chinese cuisine is a classic date for a reason
Order some bubble tea to go along with your meal! And here’s your chance to impress your date with your chopstick skills. Image courtesy of Duck Duck Goat’s Facebook.
Fulton Market
857 W Fulton Market
You can’t go wrong with Chinese for a date night; it’s a favorite for everyone! Duck Duck Goat has various rooms in which your date and yourself can enjoy a different atmosphere. Their red room especially seems seductive. You’ll find all of your favorite Chinese dishes here, such as dumplings, wood-fired Char Siu Ribs, and noodles! You can also get some bubble tea to go with that! Maybe your fortune cookie at the end of the meal will tell you where this date will take you, but where’s the fun in being told?
Buy a GiftYa To Duck Duck Goat >
“I don't know what took me so long to come back to Duck Duck Goat... but honestly it's even better than I remember it! We came here for restaurant week and have absolutely NO regrets. Every dish was so so good and there is PLENTY to go around…” - Yelp Review
Within Chicago, there is an endless supply of spots to have a date. But if it’s a meal you’re looking to have, this list is a good place to start your search. Ask your date what cuisine they prefer: Chinese, French, Italian, American. Chicago has it all, and if you want to make the search easier, that question is a great place to start. And don’t forget to consider ambiance! Do you want an intimate setting, or something more lively and active? It’s all up to you, and we hope this list of venues helps with your search. Good luck on your date, we hope it goes well!
Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.
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