Climbing

You dine, the restaurant climbs. Climbing on Resy is the only data-driven list powered by your reservations. Consider it a curated guide by locals, for locals.

Listings

Brûlée

4.1 (574 reviews) · Southern · $

It’s all about brunch here, where chef Emani Roberts celebrates local flavors through the lens of comforting, crowd-pleasing plates. An expansive menu features memorable options: lobster and sweet potato waffles, banana split parfait, and avocado "croast," a play on avocado toast atop a billowy croissant. You’ll likely want to try a few dishes, so best to come prepared (i.e. hungry, or with a group).

Canal Street Eatery & Market

4.5 (1.5K reviews) · Italian · $

You’ll want to become a regular at this lively Italian spot from the Spearhead Hospitality group (The Robey, Valedor) — the focal point of a bustling Union Station-adjacent food destination that also includes a gourmet market, a pastry counter, and AfterBar, a World’s Fair-themed cocktail lounge.

Trivoli Tavern

4.8 (18K reviews) · American · $$

Down the uneven cobblestone steps at this hidden tavern, build your perfect date night as follows: Vesper cocktails and elegant shrimp cocktail, followed by decadent truffle rigatoni, roasted prime rib with horseradish, and a bottle of Bordeaux. End on a towering slab of Butterfinger pie … because you deserve it.

Au Cheval - Chicago

4.8 (775 reviews) · American · $$

Rejoice! Au Cheval now takes a limited number of reservations for parties of up to four, and no, you're not imagining it. It's now that much easier for you to secure one of the city's most covetable burgers, and go ahead and add that bacon and fried egg while you're at it, too. You deserve it.

Beatnik on the River

4.3 (12K reviews) · Mediterranean · $$

Ciccio Mio

4.9 (9.7K reviews) · Italian · $$$

The fancified, nostalgic Italian dishes, along with the food-loving Italian wines, make this luxe River North spot the perfect place for date night.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Chicago

4.9 (27K reviews) · Steakhouse · $$$

Every meal is a feast at Bavette’s. The modern steakhouse seduces with its speakeasy feel — and as with any Hogsalt establishment, the drinks are stellar. Pro tip: The burger is one of the city’s best.

Gilt Bar

4.8 (14K reviews) · American · $$

Brendan Sodikoff of Hogsalt bestows his magic on Gilt Bar, a temple to gastropub plates and free-flowing libations, within a moody setting that received a Michelin Bib no less.

Soul Vibez Signature

4.5 (1K reviews) · Soul Food · $

Maxwells Trading

4.8 (4.6K reviews) · Contemporary American · $$

Because everything here is impeccably thought out, from chef Erling Wu-Bower’s attentive menus to the rooftop garden and apiary, the playlist, and retail pop-ups in the first-floor space. Wu-Bower plucks flavors and inspiration from everywhere, blending them in unique ways, like grilled eggplant and tomato confit with warm flatbread, and claypot rice with pork belly.

Sophia Steak Chicago

4.7 (2.3K reviews) · Steakhouse · $$

Good things come in threes, and after opening beloved locations in Wilmette and Lake Forest, the steakhouse powerhouse that is Sophia Steak chose River North. Prime steaks await, but regulars in the know book for nightly specials like the “angry lobster” spaghetti on Tuesdays and fried chicken on Sundays.

Club Lucky

4.7 (8.3K reviews) · Italian · $$

Gemini

4.8 (9.6K reviews) · American · $$

This Midwest-tinged neighborhood bistro slings approachable date-night fare — from steak frites to Wisconsin trout meunière.

DeNucci's Lincoln Park

4.8 (5.9K reviews) · Italian · $$

East Coast-style, red-sauce Italian-American fare comes to Lincoln Park with this instant classic from Ballyhoo Hospitality (Gemini, Coda di Volpe).

Old Pueblo

4.7 (4.7K reviews) · Mexican · $$

Galit

4.7 (11K reviews) · Middle Eastern · $$

NADU

4.6 (340 reviews) · Indian · $$

Chef's Special Cocktail Bar

4.8 (4.1K reviews) · American · $

Here's the follow-up from the same team as the acclaimed Giant. A mix of American-Chinese classics, finessed tropical cocktails, unexpected wine, and a proper Midwest tavern vibe finds just the right pitch between nostalgia and modernity. Pro tip: Don't miss the walnut shrimp.

Broken Barrel Bar

4.4 (169 reviews) · Bar Bites · $$

This is not your everyday sports bar: It’s a non-stop tailgate party with a fun-and-funky atmosphere, including an all-weather beer garden and plenty of large-screen TVs.