50 Best Wine Bars in Chicago

“Food was delicious. Everything we had was amazing.“

“My Fiancé and I discovered this restaurant after watching “Somebody Feed Fill” and were inspired and intrigued by Sarah’s restaurant and craftsmanship. We had our eye on getting reservations here for a very long time and we ended up landing lunch reservations for my Fiancés birthday (whom is also a Chef). We just happened to be seated by the expo line near the kitchen where we saw Sarah working. From start to finish our server Rose, and Sarah made sure our experience was personalized special. Sarah even signed the cookbook we bought and menu! Everything was on point from the food to the service. I can see why it’s so hard to get a reservation here! If we could rate our experience higher we would. We greatly appreciate the hospitality and dedication that this restaurant displays!“

“My husband and I were in town from Montreal and New Hope, PA for my cousin's MFA graduation from SAIC [School of the Art Institute of Chicago]. This place is the best! Wonderful people, great food and drinks, perfect vibe. What's not to love? We will for sure be back the next time we're in Chicago.“

“The food was exceptional. Every dish was better than the last, and having ordered everything at once, the items were delivered in perfect order to escalate the experience as the night went on. The Chef's Counter experience was interesting and even entertaining. Very, very impressive! (I am from a restaurant background and have seen it all).“

“Came upon this restaurant from a recommendation by the show store clerk at Alamo two blocks away. Amazing food. What a gem. The falafel was so so good and the danish pastry filled with meat and cheese was out of this world delicious. We had something Falafal Lala or something like that. Sorry I am probably butchering the name. Really loved the taste .there were small potatoes in a garlick sauce that was a new tangy taste that I loved“

“Great staff and every thing we ordered was absolutely fantastic.“

“Fabulous as always A Chicago go to for me“

“One of the best wine shops that I know. The staff is very knowledgeable and they hand pick bottles from around the world. You can also have wine and cheese at their bar. A real gem for all the craft beer and wine connoisseurs!!!“

“excellent food - we both the spring rolls and the egg rolls. the crab fried rice and vegetable salad with rice noodles were also really tasty.“

“Outstanding service and an incredible meal. I had the tuna crudo appetizer as my entree and it was the absolute best I've ever had. Unique and enough for two people! The margarita was fantastic without the tartness that comes with many bottled margaritas. This was very authentic. Everything was very reasonably priced. What a wonderful find!! I will be back!“

“First timers and now we will be regulars! The hospitality, atmosphere and fare were outstanding! From the knowledgeable staff, the welcoming management and the hostess that went WAY above and beyond to be sure my disabled husband was accommodated from when we booked our reservation to the end of our dining experience - we couldn’t have been more delighted! See you again soon, Lardon!“

“We always look forward to takeout (during COVID) and look forward to seeing you in person. Pizza is always fantastic!!! Always!“

“Hit up Atelier Restaurant for dinner last Saturday in Lincoln Square. I did the tasting menu and splurged on a wine pairing—loved the beet-and-rutabaga courses and that butter-poached whitefish—flavors were poppin’. Vibe felt cozy but elevated, servers were super chill and knew their stuff. Would totally come back.“

“We loved our meal last night for Valentine’s Day! pair the duck bread with the squash soup. It was absolutely delicious. The goat cheese salad with the apple dressing was equally as good. My steak was cooked perfectly. We had an amazing espresso martini and a delightful crisp lemon cocktail. My husband also liked their old fashioned. We split caramel ice cream with pineapple and it was a great finishing touch. The Moscato d Asti never disappoints either this is our fourth Valentine’s Day with Brindille and it has been our tradition ever since we have been together. Each year is different and this year was definitely better than the last! Their servers are great too. We are looking forward to our future years here. Thank you. ❤️“

“My favorite burger that I’ve ever had in the city. I could not believe how incredible this place was. Got a pretty cheap bottle considering the quality and it was perfect. Everything else on the menu looked amazing and I can’t wait to come back and try the rest. Our server was not around very much but it seemed like he had the entire restaurant to himself so he did great all things considered.“

“Great view music and drinks“

“Absolutely love this place and bar manager knows his wines. Very informative.“

“Great, fun cocktail class!!“

“Excellent wine and snacks. great experience!“

“Atmosphere and service were on point! A must go to when in Chicago“

“I live across the street and go here often; I have never had a bad experience. From the wine shop , to the grab and go coffee & pastries, Nettare never disappoints. But, the star of the show is dinner. It is a rotating menu, and all of them have been delicious.
You need to go here!“

“The dishes, especially the starter street corn dip, are fantastic and truly set the tone for a wonderful meal. Our server Kevin is doing an outstanding job. His exceptional service enhances the experience, perfectly complementing the delicious food.“

“If you are looking for a really special food experience with a cozy casual atmosphere, this is an awesome place to visit. The chef, Ms Dani Kaplan, is the daughter of one of my closest bff. OMG! Each bite is a tastebud delight! And the bar - so special! If you want a true, high-quality, Chicago, eating experience don’t miss this place!!!!“

“Tonight, the Wife and I asked for a table of 4, saw multiple tables open. Host replied with "Looks like we're not going to have table free for the rest of the night." Our 2 friends walked in about 5 minutes after us for a table, Host proceeds to not automatically deny them and asks the servers. Servers apparently had a problem with having another table until another server came worked it out. Finally, Wife and I walk back in to join our friends and overhear 2 servers discussing with the host about not seating anyone after 9pm (they close at midnight btw) Great to know that you wanting to close early is more important than actually doing your jobs and making easy money (we only got drinks and 2 apps) Pathetic, will not come back. Sayonara!“

“Great selection of wines and delicious small bites. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.“

“Queen Mary Tavern is an absolute standout, offering a perfect blend of lively atmosphere, exceptional service, and top-notch food and drinks. From the moment you walk in, the welcoming and vibrant vibe makes it clear that this is a place designed for fun, relaxation, and great memories. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic, making every guest feel valued and well taken care of.

The menu impresses with flavorful, carefully prepared dishes that pair beautifully with a wide selection of drinks. Whether you’re enjoying hearty pub favorites, shareable appetizers, or craft cocktails, every item delivers on taste and quality. The presentation is appealing, portions are generous, and the flavors consistently hit the mark. Queen Mary Tavern excels in creating a complete experience—warm, energetic, and satisfying—earning every bit of its five-star reputation. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone seeking great food, drinks, and an unforgettable atmosphere.“

“All around excellent experience“

“This place is a gem!! Would highly recommend to any of my friends and will definitely be going back. Amazing food and service. Relaxing, beautiful atmosphere outside on the deck. I’ve lived in Chicago, NYC, and LA and this is one of my favorite places.“

“This place is a real gem not to be missed. It’s unpretentious, with approachable knowledgeable staff. The prices are unbeatable and they always have some fun or funky wines to try. I love the monthly deep read nights, the atmosphere and music is always well curated. I just hope to get into one of their classes, but they sell out quick!“

“Very nice place . Owners are really good people , very warm and friendly . A large selection of drinks and great hang out place . Love it ! Highly recommend!!“

“The staff was great. As a fellow mixologist, I appreciated the work that went into the bitters and mixers. The spirit list was great and expansive. We had a nice time there. The only thing I would suggest would be to not have the QR Code funnel through Canva to get to the menu or website as Canva is loaded on my phone and it had to bypass my account to get to your listing.“

“We randomly found this place after dinner the other night and were so happy we did! It is a gem! The space itself is beautiful and a vibe. We walked in and didn't have any issues with available seats at the bar. The service was amazing. Daniela and Amy took care of us all night. They walked us through different wines, had us taste a few, and we ended up going with a few glasses of different types of wine. The selection was lovely. There aren't many wine bars in the area but we're so happy this is here. We will definitely be back and highly recommend it to others.“

“We had a great time at their Latin-House night on Saturday. It was fantastic, videos attached!

The bouncers let the lines get extremely long outside, although the inside has a lot of space. I think they use this as a “marketing” technique, but it was annoying standing in the line for that long all for inside to have more than enough space. I will say, the drinks were good and they were priced right! I could see this becoming a regular spot for me and my crew.“

“Nice quiet steakhouse with good service and great staff“

“Im embarrassed it took us a couple of years to finally dine here but I'm SO grateful we FINALLY arrived and assure you we will be back again soon. Fun cocktail menu, great wine list and an impeccably delivered menu and great service! Thank you for the perfect date night!“

“Watershed is a true Chicago hidden gem. I hesitate to tell people about it, because it's so good. The atmosphere, food, cocktails, and service are unparalleled. The bartenders are total characters, and will make every visit special. Can't recommend enough.“

“LOVED the drinks and our Entrée was Spectacular can't wait to go back“

“Unique neighborhood locale with its own distinct character. 2/5 for the price of the espresso martini — it’s a below-average serving portion and a lackluster flavor profile. Each room had its own vibe, decor, and ambiance. Attentive and great service from a gentleman bartender.“

“I’m writing this the morning after because I can’t stop thinking about dinner at The Press Room in West Loop.

The drinks were absolutely delicious, and the secret cocktail of the day was explained so eloquently it made me feel like I was in on something exclusive.

But the star was the food. The skirt steak came out perfectly charred on the outside, juicy and tender inside, with a bright, herby chimichurri that lit it up with flavor. The corn salad was colorful and refreshing, with sweet kernels, crunchy greens, and just the right touch of zest. I asked for a spicy aioli on the side and the kitchen nailed it... creamy, bold, and fiery enough to take every bite up a level.

Just look at the plate: vibrant greens, golden corn, glistening steak, and that rich sauce pooling underneath. It’s the kind of dish you want to stare at before diving in, and then you can’t put your fork down once you start.

The Press Room is elegant without being stuffy, and the service is sharp, thoughtful, and on point. Easily one of the best meals I’ve had in Chicago this year.“

“What an amazing wine bar. They have an excellent list that really pleased my out of town sommelier friend. They even have a lovely franciocorta that is really hard to find and really lovely staff that are funny and warm. It’s everything you would want in an Armitage wine bar: old world, vibey, laid back, high quality — will return“

“Sometimes, you pick one restaurant over a million other nearby options thanks to a tiny detail. For me, it was a picture of their mouthwatering mushrooms tartine. Well, tried and verified!The orange wine was excellent, and the entire wine list and menu looked great.I also gave a try to the desserts, but here I was a bit disappointed. The pistachio bread pudding was excellent, but the quantity was way too small. The ice cream served with it held its apricot promise, however it was more crème au beurre-like and more fatty/buttery rather than fresh and tangy like what I would have expected from an apricot.Looking forward to my next visit!“

“I stopped by today on my flight home. I don't really drink but I like playing the piano. I think it's awesome that they have one there I could play. It didn't have a bench but I asked a bar tender and he gave me one. Sat down and played all I wanted. Really nice people around to hang out with“

“Angela was absolutely amazing today. Infectious spirit, good community advice, great music, and great service. We are from out of town and can't wait to visit again.“

“Located on the "Dress Circle" Floor, next to "Aisle One". The convenience of pre-ordering food and having it waiting during intermission is a unique and luxurious experience. Had the strawberry tart with gold leaf and prosecco. I was in and out with time to spare.

I also had changed my reservation last minute and they were most accommodating. I called and left a message and someone called back within a couple hours.“

“Beautiful Birthday dinner here in one of the cabanas. Liked the privacy and obscuridad the cabanas and low lights gave. Flavors of soup , scallops, and rib eye were great. Definitely recommend for a date night or girls night 😍“

“We had a delicious breakfast and the service was Excellent. Looking forward to coming back for lunch and mock tails.“

“Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar is a cozy spot that combines delicious Italian flavors with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and perfectly baked, and the wine list pairs nicely with the menu. The staff is friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. It’s a great place for a casual night out or a relaxed dinner with friends.“

“I called ahead on a Tuesday for their dinner reservations, we were told they weren't busy that night so we went ahead and made the one hour drive just for their sushi and their great reviews. We had the best experience and their sushi was truly top notch. We basically ordered everything on the menu from sushi, caviar to desserts and drinks. they did not disappoint, customer service was superb. The owner even came outside to attend us, he showed up with his own bottle of sake. I truly appreciate the great experience we had at this beautiful and clean restaurant. I have nothing bad to say, the food was high quality and extremely delicious. I definitely recommend this location, even if you have kids which I did. We left so happy and satisfied, loved it.“

“Great Bavarian liverwurst sausage and hunters sausage. First time there this past weekend and will back for sure when I get back to Chicago. Rooftop beer 🍺 and sausage was awesome too!!“

“This is friendly pub environment is a classic downtown establishment, offering cozy table seating along with a sit down bar offering up a wide choice of food and drinks. Catch a football or baseball game on screen wit friends both old and new.“