If you’ve got a hot date coming up and you’re looking for a place to take someone special then look no further. I’ve got some romantic spots in the Chicago suburbs to tell you about that can set the stage for a really fun night.
Here I’ll give you the keys to the kingdom and tell you about the 5 BEST romantic restaurants in the Chicago suburbs.
5. Adelle’s Fine American Fare
Fine wines and intimate dining
My Take
This place had a charming atmosphere and elegant ambiance that really set the tone. They were having a Valentine’s Day celebration and I could hear live Jazz playing as my date and I walked up to the door. It’s the kind of place where you can feel equally comfortable in your best smart casual or just jeans and a t-shirt.
We walked in the door to a warm greeting from the hostess, who showed us through the modern bar and to our table in their cozy dining room – picture white tablecloths and a contemporary fireplace. If it was a little warmer, we would have headed out to the cute patio. Our server came to our table and took our drink orders. She was very friendly and down-to-earth, which I could tell put my date at ease immediately.
I order a Sazerac and my date orders the South American Malbec. They sure do know how to make a good Sazerac. They had a nice wine list as well. The Flat Iron Steak I ordered was mouthwatering and my date said the lobster spring rolls were to die for. It was even more impressive considering everything is made from scratch.
Overall it was a fine dining experience that made for a nice romantic dinner.
4. Allegory
Upbeat and casual, with creative cocktails
My Take
The Allegory has a super warm and friendly glow to it, with string-bulb lights casually strung across the ceiling and brick-lined walls. It’s a speakeasy-style eatery where you can head for dinner or drinks, whichever takes your fancy.
There were some unique cocktails on the menu that I’d never heard of. I ordered the Allegory Old Fashioned (the twist is the Sherry) and my date ordered the Agave All Day. The bartender didn’t mess about with the mixes – they were bold, delicious, and had a dangerous kick to them. Take it easy on these if you want to end the night with your dignity intact.
As for the food, expect Midwestern classics with an Allegory take. For dinner, I ordered the Short Rib, which was dark, sticky, and succulent and served with coleslaw and brussel sprouts. My date orders the Pheasant Pot Pie and eats every single bite. The food was so good we barely said a word to each other as we ate but it made for great conversation after.
If you’re looking for somewhere that feels relaxed but has romantic potential, this is a great spot in the Chicago suburbs. If you are looking for the most expensive restaurants in the western suburbs, take a look at our list here.. Plus, you can always take things to the next level in Naperville with an evening stroll along the Riverwalk.
3. Meson Sabika
Spanish delicacies in a historic mansion
1025 Aurora Ave Naperville, IL
My Take
So I’ve actually been to Spain before and this place is as close as it gets in Chicago! The grounds and garden are strikingly beautiful. The decor is tastefully old fashioned and not a touch out of place with the setting (built in 1847!). You can almost kid yourself that you and your date just rode into town on horseback to dine at the most prestigious establishment around. In any case, this is a magical place to go for a date night.
Our waiter provided the most top-notch service. He was attentive, knowledgeable, good-humored, and efficient. My date and I both had red sangria when he suggested it to us.
The menu was in Spanish but our generous waiter helped us to decide what to order. Be sure to get into the style of Tapas dining. Choose a few dishes and share them together; imagine cute moments spooning patatas bravas onto each other’s plates. And if you’re looking for tips on what to order, we particularly liked the cold seafood medley.
Meson Sabika is the place to go if you’re looking for a night to remember. There’s nothing else quite like this place in Chicago, and if your date hasn’t visited before, there’s a good chance they’ve always wanted to.
2. Atwater’s at the Herrington Inn & Spa
Quaint and traditional riverside dining
My Take
This is one of those romantic spots in the Chicago suburbs that’s really a hidden gem.
This is one of those romantic spots in the Chicago suburbs that’s really a hidden gem. It ticks all the boxes for location, views, atmosphere, and taste.
The outdoor dining for social distancing was private and airy which made for a romantic setting next to a beautiful garden on the river. It was such a relaxing atmosphere outside that my date and I felt like we were in our own little bubble disconnected from the outside world. The inside dining room is something else – the matching antique paisley chairs and carpet make for quite the statement. Some will love it, some will hate it; personally, I like a place with personality.
Our server quickly accommodated us after a few minutes of us just chatting by the river. She was fun, personable, and extremely professional. She catered to all our needs exceptionally and was clearly highly trained as a server. The kindness and service here really made my date feel special. The manager came and checked on us twice and she seemed very concerned that our dining experience was most pleasurable.
For dinner, I went with the Monkfish Ossobuco and that was some of the best fish I’ve ever had in my life. It tasted so fresh – they could have told me that they just caught it in the Fox River and I would have believed them. The Seafood Risotto that my date ordered looked so good I had to have a few bites.
The food, the ambiance, and the attentiveness of this place made us feel like we were aristocrats. You could make the right move by taking your date here.
1. Ivy Restaurant
Upscale but relaxed dining in a historic church
My Take
Our experience starts with the complimentary valet – I gave a nice tip because he was so cool. He opened the door for my date and helped her out before I even had a chance to.
The Ivy has the most romantic ambiance I’ve ever experienced at a restaurant. It makes you feel like royalty before you even walk into the building. Maybe it’s the stained glass windows, the arches, the chandelier, or the wooden floors; whatever it is, it’s working. The candle-lit table they sat us at (next to the fireplace) was very cozy and it added to the gothic charm of the place.
I ordered the most impeccable Maryland Crab Cakes while my date had some bomb Butternut Squash ravioli. The food was so exceptional. The owner came over to our table for a bit and told us about the history of the restaurant. He was a great guy and made us feel like we were the most important people in the whole place.
Not only is the Ivy Restaurant at the top of my list of the most romantic spots in the Chicago suburbs – I’d take anyone here that I wanted to impress.
Conclusion
These are the moves, my friend. Take your dates to any of these romantic spots in the Chicago suburbs and you’ll be in for the night of your life. If you’re around the Chicago suburbs for a day, go ahead and check out our article on Best Chicago Suburbs With Best Downtowns.
Check out Suzzettes Creperie in Wheaton. Also amazing.
Would add Restoration Hardware roof. In OakBrook.
Gosh! We live in Wheaton and feel so blessed to have these wonderful restaurants! Thank you for the wonderful reviews! We can’t wait to visit the other places in Naperville and Geneva!