50 Best Wine Bars in Chicago

“Enjoyed a delicious restaurant week 4 course menu. Dishes were all delicious. Thank you. Was a fun spot to have a celebratory meal.“

“Exceptional atmosphere! The live kitchen makes you feel as a part of a Bear episode with the chef plating and commanding “hands”. I tried the pana cotta. Overall I was surprised by the texture and olive oil addition made it feel more like a dip than a dessert.“

“We went with friends. Every dish was delicious, uniquely flavored, beautifully presented, and explained. The service was superb.
The fried chicken, aged steak tatar, and the desert with the flambed meringue, truffle icecream and chocolate sauce were my favorites. My husband thought the fashionista cocktail was excellent.“

“Met at Fiya with a party of seven. We all arrived at different times, and the host was extremely accommodating, offering to put our early arrivers at the bar or at our table on the patio. We told waiter Christian that we had to be out in time for a show in an hour and 15 minutes, and he paced everything beautifully, never making us feel rushed. Food was wonderful; best falafel I've ever had! Plates are perfect for sharing with groups, and the prices are super reasonable, given the high quality of the food. We all said we'll be coming back soon!

Vegetarian options: Plenty of options on the menu“

“Fabulous as always A Chicago go to for me“

“Very delicious brunch. Inside is very cute. Good service. Will return and recommend to others“

“I’d guess I’ll call Obélix “nouveau French” fine dining. I thought the dishes were creative takes on some French classics, especially with duck. I definitely recommend the Tête de Cochon as an app to share, it’s a variety of flavors and textures that really starts the meal off right. The ratatouille is also excellent.“

“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.“

“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 had a fantastic time at Leña Brava! Brian Enyart is amazing and created a delicious menu- everything was so flavorful and interesting, especially the striped bass. Our server, Sarah, was so knowledgeable and made great recommendations! We will definitely be back!“

“I came here for dinner and it was lovely! Our waiter was very friendly and informative about the menu. Sadly they were out of a few menu items but what we had was delicious! I enjoyed the pizza more than the pasta we ordered, and bright side they had vegetarían options!“

“Wow what a hidden gem! I was pleasantly surprised how good the food was here. I went with a large party to celebrate a birthday. I don’t eat meat and ideally prefer vegan options, and the waiter made a lot of excellent recommendations. The menu had more vegetarian than vegan options, but still had a selection. Of course I had to try the latkes, and was pleasantly surprised how good the split pea dip was and I don’t even like split peas! I also tried a few other vegetable small plates and the rest of the party was highly impressed by the food. The pappardelle was a hit! I wish they had a non-meat version. The cucumber cocktail was very refreshing. It took a while to get our food, but I understand that we had a big party. Our waiter was very busy helping other customers. The restaurant has a farm house rustic vibe and has backyard patio seating which is perfect during warm weather. I would not be opposed to coming back there again!

Vegetarian options: More vegetarian than vegan but outstanding vegetarian options.“

“Service was a bit slow but I assume it was because it was a busy Saturday evening. It was well worth the wait, anyway. I order the grilled lamb loin & it was fantastic. Hands down one of the best meals I’ve EVER had in Chicago. No cap.

I will definitely be back.“

“Great view music and drinks“

“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!!!“

“Very accommodating staff as we had out newborn with us and made our first night out in months very special. Great wine selection and a good menu to accommodate most dietary preferences.

Vegetarian options: Cheese board, pasta

Kid-friendliness: Private section in the back

Wheelchair accessibility: There's a ramp to help you in but no automated doors.“

“Great, fun cocktail class!!“

“Excellent wine and snacks. great experience!“

“This place is permanently closed and it makes me so sad. We came in around Christmas time back in 2018 and sat at the bar. Our bartender was friendly and extremely knowledgeable of wines and poured us the best glasses of Riesling we have ever tasted. We also had olives with some sort of bread and cheese that I cannot remember the name of, but I do remember that it was excellent. Truly wish we could go here again.“

“Enjoyed a birthday dinner here with my parents and my husband. It was wonderful! We've been wanting to go here for a while but never think to make a reservation ahead of time and can't just walk in. We easily made a reservation a day ahead of time and were quickly seated out on the patio which was really nice! It's fully enclosed but still gave the ambiance of being outside.

We orders the ricotta and meatballs on the appetizer menu and everyone's entrees (parpadelle, ravioli, chicken, salmon and spaghetti) were excellent. We skipped dessert because we had dessert at home, but I'm sure it would have been great. I got an Old Fashioned and found it a smidge too sweet, but overall it was good.

Our waiter was great, very attentive without being too much. Service was quick and the tables were cleared quickly as well.

9/10 only because I want to try more of their food but IT'S REALLY GOOD!“

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

“Our server was Kevin he was very nice and kind and made sure we were satisfied! Over all the staff was super friendly and we did not wait long at all to get our food. We did think the Nachos could be better as the meat on top felt cold, but the Hamburgers were to die for. I would definitely go back for the burgers.“

“Phenomenal fine dining experience. Very front of house could use a little pop however, all of the courses, tastings, and pairings made up for any minor discrepancy with the esthetic. Speaking of esthetic, let me say what made up for the drab front of house perspective was sitting chef's counter. Absolutely magnificent. Chefs were friendly, food was remarkable, and service was fantastic. Would definitely go back.“

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

“Last night, my girlfriend and I celebrated her 30th birthday with an unforgettable dinner at Roister. The evening was nothing short of magical, beginning with the Market Oysters that were delicately smoked and served with a tangy mignonette sauce. The shishito peppers, paired with a savory topping, were a burst of flavor that set the stage for the rest of the meal. Each dish was a masterpiece, not only in taste but also in presentation. The Pork Belly was succulent and perfectly seasoned, melting effortlessly at each bite. The Fried Chicken & Caviar was a surprising blend of down-home comfort and upscale indulgence, creating a delightful contrast. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Hearth Grilled Scallop. The cauliflower purée and fresh melon provided a sweet and creamy backdrop to the perfectly charred scallops. Following this was the Blue Crab with sofrito, which was a testament to the chef’s attention to detail and flavor balance. For dessert, the Butternut Squash Sorbet was a refreshing palate cleanser, and the Banana with pecan ice cream ended our meal on a decadently sweet note. Each plate was not only a treat for the palate but a feast for the eyes, served on beautifully curated dishware that enhanced the overall experience. The service was impeccable, attentive without being intrusive, allowing us to savor each moment of our celebration. Roister has truly set a high bar for culinary excellence and a memorable dining experience. Five stars are not enough to capture the essence of our evening. We will definitely be returning!“

“We really enjoyed the ambiance of Boqueria, and we were happy to have so many tapas to choose from, including so many vegetarian options. We ended up trying about 10 tapas, but unfortunately, only 1-2 of them tasted good. Temperature and consistency were fine, but the flavor was not it, especially with the mussels. Unfortunately, we're disappointed with the experience especially given the price, so we likely won't be returning, unless just for drinks.“

“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!“

“Delicious!!!! We enjoyed the 5 course and will visit again. :)“

“Went there hoping to have dinner there and discovered they don't serve food on a Tuesday night. Maybe it is different On another day.
The wine we had was really good. And they gave us some others to try to make our choice.
The atmosphere is cosy and pleasant“

“Nice quiet steakhouse with good service and great staff“

“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.“

“Loved the vibe. This is a good spot for a chill date night or hang with friends. Music was on-point, and low enough to hear conversation. The drinks are creative & crafted (I didnt see any batched or pre-mixed); which is important considering the price per cocktail. I dont mind paying more for good cocktails. We did not have food.

I would recommend.“

“We had a wonderful dinner last night. Everything was delicious.“

“Each year my daughter and I go for a splurge night. I am always happy to see how we can have a different experience.
Typically I get the appetizer course- venue. This year it was Pops and a wonderful choice.
I have not been here for a decade and forgot how I had so enjoyed it in the past. We shared a half bottle of champagne and a couple of caviar bumps.
What a fun prelude to dinner! Wish I was able to make it here more often- such a wonderful experience!“

“Excellent place for a classy cocktail and good conversation. Owner was incredibly knowledgeable and hospitable. My favorite drink was the margarita and the special punch (which changes daily). I also really enjoyed the espresso martini and the sangria. The vibes of this place are impeccable and so excited to have a new neighborhood bar.“

“Sooooo cute. Lovely wine spot in a fun area of Lincoln Park. Go when it's warm out and sit by the windows or on the patio to people watch. This is the perfect spot to go before a fancier dinner nearby (pro tip: put in your name at Armitage Alehouse and wait here). There aren't a lot of food options-it's a wine bar- but what they do have is great.“

“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!“

“Cesar. I was having the worst day because I found out my mom needed emergency surgery so I was rushing to get to Scottsdale and stopped for a glass of wine. (Or two) I realize I was late for my flight and ran to my gate. I of course left my laptop there. Thank you for reporting it because I was screwed if not. Somehow the laptop ended up at my gate and an attendant brought it to me. Great service. Great man and great vibes. Thanks for the wonderful service.“

“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.“

“It’s more than the drinks that makes you want to return. The ambience is chill and you can have a conversation at any volume. Not good at names but I think it was Manny and Allen or Adam. They know the menu well and gave recommendations on solid drinks. Only problem you’ll have is being hungover.“

“We had a wonderful, romantic date night. Alex, our server was detailed and efficient :) the cherry on top was the delicious food!! From the amouse bouche, to the timing, temperature and flavor of everything, we were impressed. As a chef, sometimes I find it hard to enjoy seated service experiences, but this places takes the cake. Everything was excellent. So happy to have stumbled upon a hidden gem in our neighborhood ?“

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

“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.“

“This place is an absolute gem and the staff here are wonderful. I seriously have gone here several days in a row simply because it's that's good. The atmosphere is also great, establishing a calming space with great background music and smiles from the kitchen.“

“I came in for a drink and food with family. The food was good and love the word play on the meals and drinks! I got the side chick with a side salad and mixed feelings drink. Atmosphere was good, music was a plus overall had a great time, our waiter and the manager were awesome!!“

“Great place. Enjoyed the food and atmosphere.“

“Gene’s is the only place we’ll buy our burgers and brats from anymore. The sirloin burgers and German double seasoned brats are truly amazing - so juicy and flavorful. Recommend picking up sauerkraut and pretzel buns while there also. We’ve never eaten on the rooftop but the store is full of excellent options for food and drink.“

“One of my favorite spots in Chicago! Frasca has a great, down to earth neighborhood feel but beautiful ambiance and thoughtful, quality food and wine. I’ve been coming here for the pizza for years, but have recently been loving the seasonal risotto. Great for a quick bite at the bar or dinner with friends and family.“

“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.“

“I was at the Willow Room last night with some friends and WOW!!! We ate in one of the fabulous heated greenhouses. The service, the food, the atmosphere, everything was just top notch! Thank you for staying open during these crazy times. You are a true gem!!!“