Five Illinois Restaurants Named Among America’s Best for Date Night

At some point, you have to admit—we're pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to great dining options.

Even here in northern Illinois, where most restaurants don’t make national best-of lists, we have plenty of fabulous spots.

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However, to gain that nationwide recognition, a restaurant typically needs to be in a major metropolitan area.

Where You Need To Go For The Best Date Night Restaurants in Illinois

That's why you'll need to gas up and head to Chicago, or at least the suburbs in one case, in order to eat at what Yelp describes as the best "date night restaurants" for 2025.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, busy married or dating couples only have that day to set aside and grab a meal together.

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Luckily, five different pales were highlighted by Yelp, with two making the top 10.

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The Five Best Date Night Restaurants in Illinois

Penumbra is located in Chicago. It is ranked 4th overall, and according to Yelp, "Owner Rita Vargas’ Latin-influenced steak-and-seafood spot is a popular choice for anniversaries and cozy dates. That’s thanks to a 'really romantic' atmosphere, walls bearing quotes about love, and mood-setting dishes for special occasions, like mashed potatoes shaped like a heart."

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You can visit Penumbra at 3309 West Fullerton Avenue.

Another in the top ten, ranked 10th overall, is Bavette's Bar & Boeuf, also in the Windy City.

You've heard me extoll the virtues before of this glorious joint. Still, Yelp says, "Lustrous wood, leather banquettes, chandeliers, and antique accents create a 'sexy, elegant' vibe that’s 'perfect for date night,' whether you sit in the 'intimate' downstairs parlor or the 'lively' upstairs dining room."

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Bavette's is at 218 West Kinzie Street

There are three others worthy of note from Yelp:

16. Ciccio Mio also in Chciago.

67. Montarra in Algonquin. 

100. Avec-Chicago in, you guessed it, Chicago.

Did Yelp miss a place? What would you consider the best date night restaurant located near you?

Got a special occasion coming up? Check out the highest-rated restaurants in the Windy City to celebrate below.