50 Best Wine Bars in Chicago

“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!“

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

“I have dined at some incredible restaurants, and Obélix has officially earned a permanent spot on my list.

Our server Alexa deserves her own spotlight. She’s a genuine foodie with wit, warmth, and the rare ability to describe a dish so vividly you’ve practically tasted it before it hits the table. She didn’t recite a menu, she painted a picture. Every dish, dessert, and drink recommendation came with a story and just enough personality to make the whole experience feel effortless and special.

The food: foie gras crisps (10/10 — pure perfection), a beautifully composed duck salad, pristine Dover sole, the most indulgent au gratin macaroni of my life, and desserts — plural — that all exceeded expectations.

Obélix is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why you love food. Ask for Alexa. You’re welcome.“

“Amazing all around!!! The food was delicious and service was great. The pita was incredible and the hummus was truly authentic. We had the schnitzel which was super crunchy and the sauce on the side was very flavorful. The patio in the back is so nice and spacious and the word burning oven inside really sets the vibe. The drinks were also unique and delicious. You have to go!!“

“The food was amazing but the staff was even better, even during their busy times, milton, sierra, and mari cruz l took the time to connect and give us amazing service. Definitely will be back for more steak and empanadas SOOO GOOD. Oh and the lime cheleda perioddd.“

“Excellent restaurant inside the historic Belden-Stratford building by Lincoln Park. The gorgeous architecture & design is matched by good service and a creative menu with influences from Korea, Singapore and the Philippines. They even had a good non-alcoholic sparkling tea.“

“We had the best time here for an early dinner before heading downtown for a show. Highlights of the meal are the French Onion Toast and Ricotta Gnocci. They also have a mocktail menu which had some delicious drinks on it. Will definitely be back soon!“

“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!“

“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!!!“

“I had a great time wine tasting here! We sat out on their patio, which was secluded and quiet. The perfect armosphere for a catch up with friends or a date night. The food is delicious too. My favorite was the shrimp ceviche. On Wednesdays, they do happy hour specials on tasting flights! I really enjoyed the Mediterranean white flight. Their broader wine list is also incredibly diverse, representing many regions and flavors. I’ll definitely be back!“

“I’ve lost count of how many burgers I’ve eaten from Rootstock over the years, and somehow it still manages to exceed my expectations every single time.

This burger became a pandemic takeout staple in our house, but whether I’m dining in or grabbing it to go, the quality never wavers. The burger is everything you want it to be—perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and somehow both comforting and indulgent at the same time.

And then there are the fries. Plenty of places serve fries with garlic aioli, but Rootstock’s version is one of those dishes I find myself craving weeks later. Crisp, golden, and consistently excellent.

What impresses me most is the consistency. Restaurants can have great nights and off nights, but Rootstock seems incapable of missing. After years of visits and takeout orders, they’ve earned my trust completely.

I’ve eaten burgers all over Chicago, and this remains my favorite. If you live nearby, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t, it’s worth the trip.“

“A fantastic and unique experience. I came in looking for a glass of wine while I killed some time. I got an enjoyable journey through global natural wines and other beverages. Robert is a gem of a person who wants you to love your time here. And the duck fat potatoes are sublime.“

“I recently visited Pops for Champagne to celebrate my birthday. I'd wanted to check this place out for quite some time, so I decided to host a small happy hour gathering with friends.

Although we had several last-minute cancellations that reduced the size of our group, the staff couldn't have been more accommodating, understanding, and welcoming. They made us feel genuinely taken care of from the moment we arrived.

The happy hour champagne selection was fantastic. Paying just $22 for a glass of such high-quality champagne felt like an incredible value.

For food, we shared the cheese curds, East Coast oysters, sliders, and fries with French onion dip. Everything was delicious. The cheese curds were soft, pillowy, and had an absolutely incredible cheese pull. The French onion dip paired perfectly with the fries—we were all talking about recreating it at home. But the undeniable star of the table was the sliders. Nearly a week later, everyone is still talking about how good they were. They were so flavorful that several of us ended up ordering a second (or even third!) round.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and the perfect way to kick off my birthday week. Great food, excellent champagne, and warm hospitality—I couldn't have asked for a better celebration. I'll definitely be back and would happily recommend Pops for Champagne to anyone looking for a memorable happy hour.“

“This place was so good! Great atmosphere, steaks were perfect, and the bruleed sweet potatoes were really fantastic. The server Alyssa was very accommodating for gluten free diet, and she also turned off the fans because I was cold! Hope to be back.“

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

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

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

“All around excellent experience“

“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.“

“Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery was a really cool place to try something different. I had never really done a mead tasting before, so it was nice that the staff explained the options without making it feel intimidating.

The drinks were interesting, the space had a relaxed feel, and it was a fun change from the usual brewery or wine bar. I liked that there were a few sweeter choices but also some that were more balanced. Definitely a good spot for a casual outing or to bring someone who wants to try something new.“

“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 a fantastic place to enjoy great food at reasonable prices. The menu offers delicious options, the drinks are just as enjoyable, and the welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot for any occasion. The restaurant is also family and dog friendly, which makes it even more inviting.

The customer service was outstanding. Our waitress was amazing—friendly, funny, and attentive throughout the entire meal, making the experience even more enjoyable. The beautiful interior adds to the overall charm, creating a comfortable place to relax and dine. Between the excellent food, great drinks, warm hospitality, and inviting atmosphere, this is a place I would definitely recommend.“

“It’s a lovely place!! I loved the service, and best of all was the live music in Spanish!! ...exactly what we were looking for. We’re definitely making it our favorite spot. Plus, the service is the best—they never rushed us out or gave us dirty looks for lingering at the table like most places do.“

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

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

“We had a really great meal here! Highlights included the scallop crudo and the agnolotti, but everything was delicious. You could tell all of the produce was very fresh and high quality and the chefs really honor the ingredients. The wines we had were also excellent. Of note, we were seated next to the front window on a sunny evening and the sun shining through the windows was a little warm.“

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

“Had the chance to participate in the Bourbon Raffle today and it did NOT disappoint. Great staff, fair raffle and left today Happy!! See y’all soon!“

“I’m bringing all my friends here. Tonight was my first time but absolutely not my last. Lauren Hall was so delightful. The staff was also very kind ❤️“

“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. ❤️“

“We thought the atmosphere was cozy, service was very nice, and food was really good/tasty. We shared the Arugula Beet Salad and Grilled Octopus apps, then had the Grilled Salmon (really tasty!) and Chicken Verdura (tasted as expected) entrées. Also, the cheesecake they served we both agreed was better tasting than any we’d had before.“

“By far, one of my new favorite restaurants in the city. The food was creative yet simple, the cocktails were craft, and the ambiance was just perfect for the mood. I enjoyed my whole experience so much, I wish I could come here regularly, but unfortunately I do not have that kind of budget. Nettare stole my heart for sure.

And a huge shoutout to the staff, they really made the place so special.“

“Incredible drinks with a very friendly and vibrant vibe. Highly recommended for cocktail aficionados or just someone who appreciates a good cocktail. The staff is incredibly attentive to details and they always have some Cheez-Its to nosh on in-between sips. Cucumber water to stay hydrated and great artwork all over the place. Nice happy hour specials and very interesting offerings. Motown Martini Mondays are fun too.“

“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.“

“Love this spot! Went for a wine tasting and had a cheese board and flatbread and it made for a perfect date night! The wines were really nice and we ended up taking two bottles home. Service is so friendly and everyone is so kind! Makes for a nice night out for sure!“

“A charming wine bar with a thoughtfully curated selection of wines and perfectly paired cheeses. The atmosphere is cozy yet refined, making it ideal for a relaxed evening or a date night. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive, always ready to recommend the perfect pairing. Definitely a place worth coming back to.“

“Eduardo’s Enoteca in Gold Coast is one of the cutest spots in the city for a romantic date night! It has a super cozy interior and a delicious menu of wines, apps, and the most incredible pastas! Here’s the breakdown of what we ordered: -Pomona Spritz -Da Amico -Arancini -Cheese Board -Spicy Vodka Gnocchi -Pappardelle Bolgnese -Pumpkin Cheesecake We had such an incredible meal here and I’d highly recommend to anyone in the area!“

“The dinner was fabulous. Our server was wonderful! The desserts are amazing! The decor is beautiful!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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 😍“

“The food here is beyond exquisite. Homemade gnocchi and table side polenta steal the show, but everything is amazing. Make sure to ask for a table outside in the wine garden in the back. You will pass through this tiny restaurant into a true oasis in the back. The unassuming front of the restaurant wouldn’t make you think the food is as incredible as it is.“

“Hidden gem in the village.. delicious food all throughout the day.. staff so friendly & very welcoming..“

“I can’t imagine a better name for a restaurant that serves yummy burgers. “Burger” is the best name for this establishment. Like an upscale Red Robin, but with way more YUMMMM. So damn good. I went splitsies with my chum. Good move. They cut the burger in half. One half was a little bigger, but that’s okay.“

“Wonderful Mother’s Day menu; great wine pairing.“

“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!!!!“

“Fabulous as always A Chicago go to for me“

“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“

“Wonderful all around. Great service. Great food. Nice decor. Perfect street parking“

“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!“

“Love this place it’s a great date night“

“Fabulous addition to the neighborhood! A great spot to have a glass solo, meet up with friends, take a class, or bring a bottle home. They were super accommodating when I brought in a group of girlfriends, seating us at the back table with very attentive service. Very reasonable prices, too.“