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10 special occasion-worthy restaurants in Chicago

A photo of Red logo
by Sarah Freeman and Lisa Shames
Updated 15 December 2023

Chicagoans know that special-occasion meals come in all shapes and sizes. And even though many celebrations in this Midwestern sports town are centered around home team victories, championships aren’t the only reasons to party here.

These Windy City restaurants transform a regular Saturday (or Monday or Tuesday) night into an unforgettable evening. Read on for a guide to the 10 best places in Chicago for celebrating special occasions right now.

A photo of Boka restaurant
4.8
4.8 (7170)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Lincoln Park
About the restaurant

This American hotspot is helmed by executive chef Lee Wolen and earned 10 consecutive MICHELIN stars since opening in 2003. Not one to rest on its accolades, Boka keeps you on your toes with a seven-course dinner tasting menu that changes daily, alongside a seasonal a la carte selection driven by locally farmed ingredients. Dishes fit for a celebration include whole-roasted dry-aged duck and slow-cooked halibut. Toast with creative cocktails such as the Tropical Itch (bourbon, rum, and passionfruit) and round off the night with the caramelized hazelnut and banana dessert. Boka’s central dining room, complete with a plant-lined wall and whimsical portraits, is primed for one stylish party.


Top review
Brendan
Dined 5 days ago
Incredible food - the beef tartare was zesty and delicious, beef short ribs had body but could still be cut by a butter knife, and the oat financier dessert was a delightful, lightly salty, perfectly balanced dessert - all incredible. The beef short ribs had some of the best umami flavor I've ever had thanks to the roasted puree (I think celery?) they put on the dish. Great drinks as well, try the Bella & Beatrice if you like gin at all.
A photo of BLVD Steakhouse restaurant
4.4
4.4 (2911)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
West Loop
About the restaurant

BLVD shimmers with Old Hollywood glam and is especially well-suited for bachelorette parties or popping the question. The West Loop steakhouse features one of the city’s most extensive chandelier collections and a newly added full-season patio for an enchanted garden ambiance with greenery and romantic string lights. There’s even more to celebrate with chef Joe Flamm (winner of Top Chef season 15 and owner of nearby Rose Mary) coming on board as culinary director in 2022. Start with a decadent seafood tower or caviar service before graduating to celebration-friendly mains such as bone-in ribeye and dayboat scallops with brown butter vinaigrette.


Top review
Hugo
Dined 2 days ago
Enjoyed the food as well as the service which was great
A photo of Elske restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1210)
$50 and over
American
West Loop
About the restaurant

MICHELIN-starred Elske is a go-to for a transportive celebration thanks to a sophisticated Scandinavian sensibility that runs through its decor and menu. The outdoor fireplace and drop lights make you feel like you’re dining in Copenhagen—where chefs David and Anna Posey were engaged. On the a la carte menu, you’ll find a grilled pork collar with carrots, chopped pickles, and coriander, while the duck liver tart with salted ramp and toasted buckwheat is the star of the set menu. If you’re here for a birthday, don’t skip superb seasonal desserts (Anna Posey’s speciality) such as sunflower seed parfait with sour honey, licorice, and bee pollen, which was made for topping with candles.


Top review
WillVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Incredible experience. Besides the culinary art being spectacular, I was so appreciate of the staff allowing us to experience each dish without “asking” how everything is. It allowed us to naturally process and enjoy each dish.
A photo of Basant Modern Indian restaurant
4.8
4.8 (442)
$31 to $50
Indian
North Center
About the restaurant

Traditional Indian flavors meet local ingredients at Basant, a modern Indian restaurant in North Center. The elegant interior and dim lighting make it a sought-after place for romantic milestones. Named after the Punjabi festival of Basant—a traditional kite-flying occasion that marks the first day of spring—the restaurant is known for inventive riffs on South Asian standbys. Signature dishes include salmon in coconut milk and spicy tomato sauce and fall-off-the-bone lamb shank braised in spices, best paired with lachha paratha, a buttery layered flatbread. Vegans can get in on the celebrations too with top-notch dairy-free staples like a mushroom medley with jackfruit in a thick porridge of lentils and cracked wheat.


Top review
SarahVIP
Dined 7 days ago
Excellent food, great atmosphere. Wonderful choices for cocktails.
A photo of Shanghai Terrace restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2319)
$31 to $50
Chinese
Gold Coast / Streeterville
About the restaurant

Shanghai Terrace is a swanky Chinese restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel. For an extra-special meal, dine on the terrace in the urban garden under burgundy umbrellas with skyscraper views. Or head to the main dining room, which features a seductive 1930s Shanghai-inspired atmosphere with its gold, ebony, and scarlet color scheme. Dishes are meant for sharing family style—quintessential to large Chinese gatherings—with standouts like a whole Peking duck with mandarin pancakes and plum sauce and Three Treasures fried rice with wagyu beef, chicken, and duck. Level up your celebration by adding dim sum to your order.


Top review
Craig
Dined 1 day ago
This was our 2nd time at Shanghai Terrace and it was as good as the first time. The service is impeccable and the food was perfect. We ordered the tasting menu and everything was phenomenal. We will definitely be back.
A photo of Parachute restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1716)
$31 to $50
Korean
Avondale
About the restaurant

A special-occasion meal at this Korean-American gem channels a lively dinner party, courtesy of a communal table that stretches to its bar. The acclaimed Avondale spot is led by wife-and-husband duo Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, who treated their restaurant to an extensive overhaul in 2022. Parachute 2.0. offers a more focused approach to Korean cooking—like haemul pajeon (onion and seafood pancakes) and yukgaejang (spicy beef brisket soup)—served with the same attention to hospitality. That distinct Korean focus also applies to the drinks menu, which includes a selection of made-in-Korea spirits such as soju and takju, ideal for festive toasts.


Top review
Anne
Dined on 22 Mar 2024
We LOVED everything we ate at Parachute. We shared the Korean fried chicken, haemul pajeon, 30 day dry aged bulgogi, yukgaejang, and s'mores patbingsu. The vibe ws really fun and our service was great. When they open again, I'm certain they will bring the same care and expertise to another excellent experience.
A photo of Fioretta restaurant
4.7
4.7 (842)
$50 and over
Steak
West Loop
About the restaurant

Fioretta’s vintage supper club-accented digs—complete with a stage for live entertainment and handmade crystal chandeliers galore—are decked with many glamorous pockets to celebrate. For the ultimate wow factor, book the chef’s table in an open kitchen with prime views of the wood-burning hearth. Impeccably sourced wet- and dry-aged steaks play starring roles on the menu (no surprise, considering Fioretta comes from the forces behind beloved steakhouse Prime & Provisions) while housemade pastas like macaroni alla vodka and truffle mushroom lasagna are designed to share. Add a roving cart that preps Caesar salads tableside and a throwback cocktail list and you’ve got a winning formula for a classic Italian American evening.


Top review
AnupVIP
Dined 4 days ago
The absolute best Caesar salad in the city. Actually, the best I’ve ever had anywhere in the world. 
A photo of Aba - Chicago restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2633)
$50 and over
Mediterranean
West Loop
About the restaurant

No matter where you sit at Aba, whether it’s on the expansive patio with views of the bustling West Loop or in the main dining room filled with towering trees and lush plants, it’s a memorable experience. And that’s even before you try modern Mediterranean dishes from chef CJ Jacobson, who takes cues from his California upbringing and time spent playing professional volleyball in Israel. Start with various kinds of hummus, including crispy short rib and smoky garlic, before moving to larger shareable plates—Aba is especially group-celebration friendly—like Aleppo-roasted halibut. Keep your party going with a reserve cocktail (a cask-strength margarita, perhaps?) made with specialty spirits.


Top review
AlexVIP
Dined 5 days ago
One of the best places I’ve visited in Chicago! Delicious food, great service and cozy ambiance. My server Alysia was super helpful and had made our anniversary celebration absolutely special! It was really nice and thoughtful of her. Will definitely be back!
A photo of Bar Mar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (973)
$31 to $50
Spanish
River North (Chicago)
About the restaurant

Celebrated chef José Andrés is known for going big, whether it’s through his extensive global humanitarian efforts or his award-winning restaurants. That ethos also surfaces at Bar Mar, a theatrical Spanish and Latin American spot that isn’t shy about showing off. With its massive glowing octopus sculpture and towering floor-to-ceiling windows, the see-and-be-seen hotspot makes a playful backdrop for splashy nights out. Kick things off with an effervescent salt air margarita before digging into a seafood-centric menu of small plates like lobster croquetas and caviar cones or heartier dishes including a Galician-style octopus. Should your festive night call for upping the ante, there are also three excellent tasting menus.


Top review
MelanieVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Food was excellent. And the service and atmosphere were great. Always a good crowd at lunch and dinner. They also have valet parking after 4, so that is key in that area.
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