Let's be real; going out to eat in your hometown is boring. Especially when you live 30 minutes from a restaurant gold-mine like Chicago as I do, how can it even compare? You've already eaten at every local restaurant, order the same thing every time, and there's always someone saying, "But I ate there last night!" So, where do you go when date night pops up and you have nowhere to go? Not to worry! As an avid foodie and Chicago local (er, suburbanite), I have been to my fair share of good-vibe restaurants downtown with great ambiance and even better food. I usually go to these places with my hot date for the night (read: my sister or friends) but for a classic GNO or a special date night, these restaurants will be sure to wow.
If you're feelin' spicy... check out Mercadito.
With five different guacamoles, six types of salsas, and weekly ‘Taco Tuesdays,’ Mercadito is sure to clinch a top spot for the perfect date night restaurant. When you first walk in, there is a certain “downtown” vibe that all suburbanites crave. Wall-to-wall dark hardwood floors line the floor and ceiling to create a masculine feel, but the soft and creamy fabrics of the benches, exposed brick, and metallic finishings make it equally as feminine. The dim, warm lighting creates a romantic setting where you can discreetly smooch (or stuff taco after taco in your face, like me) without being noticed. It’s modern; it’s cool; it’s hip; it’s everything you want in a restaurant that was voted OpenTable’s ‘Diner’s Choice' 2016 winner.
Top Date Night Eats: Pancita guacamole, and the build-your-own Estilo baja taco and pork belly taco*.
*Is your hot date also a hot vegetarian? Many of the dishes can be made veg, and even tortillas can be substituted for bibb lettuce! Take a look for at the menu for yourself.
If you want to sit outside under twinkling lights... check out The Dawson.
I first went here with my sister on my last night in town before heading back to school, and seriously, the ambience (and food!) made me never want to leave. The indoor dining room is stunning architecturally, but you're going to want to sit outside on the patio. It's completely finished with greenery and twinkly lights for that Joanna Gaines-style backyard you've always wanted. The Dawson is known for its "casual neighborhood" dining experience, but its ambience and fun drinks makes this place a perfect date night hot spot.
Top Date Night Eats: The shareable (or not...) Mac 'n Cheese is stuffed with bacon, pork shoulder, 3-year old cheddar and a whole lotta love. The "Corn Off The Cob" appetizer packs some heat with poblano pepper and a mouth-watering chipotle butter. And if you're 21, their specialty drinks are sure to not disappoint.
If you want to be transported to romantic Florence, Italy, for the night... check out Ceres' Table.
Take it from me, a girl who just spent two months in Florence eating her heart out, Ceres' Table is a close second compared to the real thing. When I returned from my jaunt in Europe this summer, my family thought it would be fun to take me to a nice Italian restaurant for my homecoming. (I know what you're thinking, Italian food in Chicago right after eating authentic Italian food for months in, I don't know, Italy?! I, too, thought my family was absurd, but hear me out.) We sat outside and I got to show off my barely-passable Italian to the waiter, explain what some dishes were to my ill-informed family, and was thoroughly brought back to my apartment looking over the Ponte Vecchio. It was romantic; it was delicious; and most importantly, it was authentic.
At Ceres's, all the pasta dishes are made from scratch every morning (and can be made gluten-free!) and the fully-stocked wine list will make you say, "Mamma mia!"
Top Date Night Eats: The burrata appetizer sets the scene for the whole dinner: it's lemony, creamy, and has a spicy kick from freshly cracked black pepper, and served over grilled ciabatta bread. To me, any good Italian restaurant must have a good spaghetti carbonara and let me tell you that I may or may not have licked my bowl clean...
If you want an updated version on your classic sushi night... check out Sunda.
Call me crazy, but I don't like sushi. Shove a California roll in my face and there's a chance I may run away screaming. On that note, Sunda is the perfect place for sushi-lovers and sushi-novices alike. I first went here for a celebratory Girls Night Out and now go back every time I'm home from school. With a menu as big as the city itself, there is a dish for everyone.
When you first walk in, the vibes make you feel like you and your crew are Carrie Bradshaw and friends, walking in to sip Cosmos and gossip over ginormous rolls of sushi. (As a high schooler, this was a pretty cool "grown up" moment for me, so let me have this one.)
And like any cool date night spot, there's even a gluten-free and vegan menu. I dare you to find something wrong with this place.
Top Date Night Eats: Tiger shrimp tempura, crispy brussle sprout salad, oxtail pot stickers, pork belly steamed buns and my personal favorite "big girl" sushi: the Number 10. And if you're feeling extra brunchy, try their over-the-top, award-winning bloody mary (you won't believe what it looks like!).
If you want to rock 'n roll while channeling your inner Metallica... check out Kuma's Corner.
Take her here on the first date to see if she's the real deal. Just kidding. Kind of.
Although all the characters in Chicago Fire are constantly referencing this place, Kuma's isn't for the faint of heart. And by that, I mean, if you have high cholesterol, any kind of heart problems, or are vegetarian, stay far, far away. This place started the whole "fried egg on a cheeseburger" thing, and we can all give them a big thank you for giving us something so greasy and delicious. All the burgers are named after heavy-metal bands such as the "Metallica" burger (bacon, bleu cheese dressing, buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion), the "Iron Maiden" burger (chipotle mayo, cherry peppers, pepper jack cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato and onion) and the "Led Zeppelin" burger (bacon, slow cooked pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, sharp cheddar and pickles). Bring some ear plugs and an empty stomach, and you got yourself a fun and relaxed atmosphere to get to know your date, take shots with friends, or devour a basket of BBQ Pork Fries all by yourself.
And trust me, the two-hour wait is worth it for one of these bad boys.
Top Date Night Eats: Kuma's Burger and BBQ Pork Fries (fries drenched in pork and cheese? Sign me up!). They have salads, too, but I mean... stick to the meats, my friends.
Just writing this list makes my mouth water and my heart ache for Chicago. If you're fortunate to live there right now, hit these places up! If you're headed there in the near future, you can now impress your friends with your top notch restaurant picks. Would I ever steer you awry?
