Chicago Date Ideas

1. Delightful Pastries

If you or your date has a sweet tooth you will find Delightful Pastries really hard to resist. This European-inspired bakery uses only the freshest locally-sourced products to produce their large range of delicious cakes, pastries, doughnuts and much more. The delicious range is made using pure butter, reduced amounts of sugar and absolutely no trace of any artificial flavorings or preservatives – gluten-free options are also available.

Why not stop by and get some of your favorite delights to take home and surprise the love of your life. In addition to mouth-watering sweet treats the bakery also makes some delicious savory dishes which you can enjoy at home on a cozy stay-in date night.

Delightful Pastries, Jefferson Park, 5927 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, Phone: 773-545-7215

2. Carbon Live-Fire Mexican Grill

You can be certain to add some fire and spice to your next date night when you book a table at Carbon Live-Fire Mexican Grill. The restaurant is rumored to serve the best tacos and burritos north of Mexico and prides itself on using only the best quality, healthiest and freshest ingredients, all cooked to perfection on site. There are vegetarian options available and the pineapple salsa is sure to be a hit.

If you are thinking of having a girl’s (or boy’s) night in, you can order on-line and Carbon Mex will deliver all their taste sensations to your door. The restaurant has two locations for you to choose from.

Carbon Live-Fire Mexican Grill West Town, 810 N. Marshfield Ave, Chicago, IL

300 W. 26th Street, Chicago, IL 60616

3. J. P. Graziano Grocery and Sub Shop

You can never go wrong with great Italian food so why not elevate your next office lunch to date status by ordering a couple of legendary subs for you and your partner from J. P. Graziano Grocery and Sub Shop. This family-owned fourth-generation Italian grocer has been pleasing Chicago palates since 1937 and there is no doubt that your order-in lunch will be a hit. You don’t have to restrict yourself to their famous subs, you can also choose from a variety of tasty antipasti platters, desserts and more. If you want to take things a step further you can order a selection of their imported Italian delicacies to prepare at home to surprise your date.

J. P. Graziano Grocery and Sub Shop , 901 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607, Phone: 312-666-4587

4. Old Irving Brewing Company

The craft beer phenomenon has taken America by storm and Chicago is no exception. A great idea for a relaxed date night is to spend a couple of hours tasting some innovative and delicious craft beers at Old Irving Brewing Company. The brew-pub directly overlooks the brewery so that you can watch your favorite beer “under construction” while you taste and eat. Old Irving Brewing Company offers a great menu to enjoy alongside your craft beer including salads, platters for the table, delicious main courses and weekly specials. Just in case you are not a beer enthusiast there is also an extensive cocktail, cider and spirits menu.

Old Irving Brewing Company , 4419 W. Montrose, Chicago, IL 60641, Phone: 773-916-6421

5. Aloha Poke Company

If you and your date are serious health-nuts (or maybe you just love eating the freshest, tastiest and healthiest raw foods), you need to check out the Aloha Poke Company, which has several outlets dotted around Chicago. Although this is not a date destination in the real sense of the word (take-out only) you will get your stay-at-home date off to a flying start when you arrive with a selection of utterly delicious poke bowls featuring the freshest tuna and salmon, together with your choice of chopped vegetables and the most flavorsome sauces this side of Hawaii. Vegetarians can choose to leave out the fish and enjoy their poke bowl with tofu instead.

Aloha Poke Company, Revival Food Hall, 125 S. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60603, Phone: 773-770-6219

6. Maple and Ash

For that special date night, when only the best will do, Maple and Ash is the place to go for outstanding food and wine served in an elegant and sophisticated setting. The man in charge of presenting an ever-changing menu of delectable authentic wood-fired dishes has two Michelin stars to his name and the sommelier gathers together an outstanding range of wines from all over the world. As you can imagine, dinner at Maple and Ash is more of an experience than just a simple meal out. The extensive menu includes succulent meats, an extravagant selection of fish and seafood and three different types of caviar. If you have difficulty deciding what to order you can leave it to the chef to decide for you.

Maple and Ash, 8 West Maple Street, Chicago, IL 60610, Phone: 312-944-8888