Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) is on a Friday this year—which provides the perfect reason for a local romantic excursion, whether that involves a movie and/or a hotel stay.
However, dining out is definitely something couples do and, to that end, hundreds of Chicagoland restaurants have special Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day offerings. (Shouldn’t there be a “Pal-entine’s Day” as well, for those who don’t identify as women? Just wondering…)
By the way, if you’re looking for something different but still romantic, singer Taylor Dayne (“Tell It to My Heart,” “Love Will Lead You Back”) will be performing Feb. 14 at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Purchase tickets here.
In addition, AIRE Ancient Baths invites couples to immerse themselves. During Feb. 13-18, they can experience the ultimate celebration of love with exclusive Valentine’s Day packages for the mind, body and soul. Enjoy a relaxing massage with argan oil in an exclusive room for two that includes a face massage with jade rollers, aromatherapy inhalations of sandalwood or rose oil, and thermal baths.
—LondonHouse Chicago is offering two (and possibly three, for the right couple) experiences. Available through Feb. 28, LH Rooftop’s Valentine’s Day-themed igloos create a romantic and intimate setting against the stunning city skyline, perfect for couples or a Galentine’s Day celebration with friends. In addition, a Valentine’s Day Tea offers the traditional Winter Tea menu, enhanced with custom Valentine’s Day-inspired treats (Feb. 10-16). Lastly, there’s the cupola proposal package; known for its special touch on engagements, LH Rooftop provides a meticulously planned service, including surprise elements and professional photography to capture the moment (and you can email rsvp@londonhouse.com to get that ball rolling, or for the igloos).
—Iconic pizza chain Lou Malnati’s is offering heart-shaped deep-dish pizzas at all locations throughout February, according to NBC News. (They’re also available on the website.) As part of the limited-time offering, Lou Malnati’s will be donating $1 for every heart-shaped pizza sold to support local Feeding America food banks in markets that Lou Malnati’s serves, according to a press release.
—The Palatine spot Tievoli Pizza Bar (“Tievoli” backward is “I love it”) will also offer heart-shaped pizzas, albeit only on Feb. 14. Tievoli’s menu showcases 13 varieties of pizzas crafted with high-quality, fresh ingredients and a perfectly fermented 72-hour dough; gluten-free options are also available. BTW, since opening in 2023, Chef Giovanni Labbate has elevated his craft with his New York-style pizzas that will take center stage at the World Pizza Championship (Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza) in Italy this April.
—LGBTQ+-owned Sicilian spot Sfera has crafted a Valentine’s Day experience that’s available via pick-up or delivery. Items in the dinner ($55 package for two) include heart-shaped sfincione (Sicilian-style pizza), a pair of arancini, citrus-marinated olives, polpetti, arugula salad and a mini chocolate torta.
—Streeterville’s Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. is offering—surprise!—heart-shaped pizzas. However, there’s also a prix fixe menu that’s $150 per couple; The four-course meal will include pizza, of course (like Walk in the Woods, Prosciutto & Arugula, Acorn Squash and Sausage, and Seafood), but there are also choices among the small plates, salads and desserts—the latter including dark chocolate brownie a la mode and vanilla panna cotta.
—If you’re looking for an upscale sushi spot for Valentine’s Day but breaking the bank isn’t your style, Tengoku Aburiya might be the spot for you. The West Loop restaurant has crafted several romantic specials for V-day like the Snow Crab Miso Butter ($12), wrapped in creamy avocado and Kyoto miso; and the Red Dragon Maki ($26), featuring lobster tempura, avocado, and cucumber topped with crunchy garlic, spicy tuna and unagi sauce.
—Kinzie Chophouse is offering a seven-course “Say You Love Me Odyssey Tasting Menu” on Feb. 14-16. (Price at $130 per person, wine pairings are also available for an additional $60.) Offerings will include pickled mango with crab tartar; oysters with caviar and beurre blanc; lobster Wellington, beef carpaccio, duck breast, dry-aged ribeye and triple mousse love (bitter chocolate, almond praline, and exotic cremeux).
—Delight in the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with Sifr’s romantic four-course tasting menu for $85 per person. The courses will begin with an amuse-bouche of muhammara with choux and walnuts, followed by cannellini bean hummus paired with sweet and sour squash, and a crispy potato crumble served with freshly baked pita—and end with baklava cheesecake.
—One of my favorite spots, The Dearborn, will have Valentine’s Day specials available Feb. 13-16. Just a few of the offerings include Pickle Point oysters, served with champagne-cucumber mignonette, Bloody Mary cocktail sauce and charred lemon; pheasant-and-foie gras pot pie; and London-style strawberry trifle. (People know about oysters being aphrodisiacs, of course.)
—On Feb. 14, 5-7 p.m., British steakhouse Hawksmoor will present “Ballin’ on a Budget,” because not everyone can afford the swankiest experience (especially this year). For $25, guests can enjoy a charcoal-grilled rump steak made with beef from ethically raised cattle and their choice of side: crispy beef-fat fries, Boston lettuce salad, sautéed spinach with lemon and garlic, or Caesar salad with Cantabrian anchovies. But even if you can’t make it on Valentine’s Day, the Steak & a Side special is now offered seven days a week at the same time at this spot. RSVP here.
—The legendary Italian restaurant Rosebud is offering the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience. For $175 per couple, indulge in a romantic multi-course menu featuring coconut shrimp and harbor salad, followed by your choice of decadent entrees: filet and lobster, filet and sea bass, or filet and crab cake. A bottle of house wine—red, white, or sparkling—is included to toast the evening, and the night concludes with red velvet cake. Reserve on OpenTable.
—Treat your loved one to a sun-drenched winter escape without leaving the city this Valentine’s Day as Mediterranean-inspired avec (which won the Jean Banchet Award recently for best restaurant in Chicago) invites guests to indulge in an exclusive selection of à la carte specials for the evening, alongside its regular signature menu, featuring smoky hearth-baked oysters, savory whole roasted turbot and braised lamb ribs. For an added touch of elegance, pre-order roses by local Chicago favorite Fieldman & Flora—the perfect romantic gesture to complement the occasion ($16 per single stem and $140 per bouquet) when making a reservation.
—The Fulton Market spot Lyra will offer a special Valentine’s Day tasting menu on Friday, Feb. 14. Priced at $95/person, the dinner features a luxurious four-course experience. Guests can choose from a selection of appetizers, salads and entrées, including options like Maine lobster linguini, charcoal grilled lamb chops or Wagyu beef souvlaki. For dessert, guests can enjoy decadent creations such as a chocolate tart or portokalopita orange syrup cake.
—Siena Tavern will offer a chef-curated, four-course tasting menu on Friday, Feb. 14. Priced at $95 per person, this intimate dining experience features elevated dishes perfect for a romantic evening. The first course includes choices like shaved Brussels sprout salad, Wagyu meatball or hamachi crudo. Pasta selections for the second course include rigatoni alla vodka, mafaldine or orecchiette. Entrée options feature petite filet, scallops or brick chicken, with an optional braised short rib upgrade. For dessert, guests can enjoy indulgent choices like gianduja bar or rose panna cotta. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made here.
—I|O Godfrey— located at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago (127 W. Huron St.)—invites everyone to a special Galentine’s Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This extended brunch session features cocktail and dessert flights, build-your-own mimosa station and more. RSVP here.
—Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Baris offering Valentine’s Day items Feb. 10-16—basically, the whole week. A tasting for two ($225) features some sashimi trio crudo salmon, beet striped ricotta-herb filled raviolis, rose pesto pan seared u10 scallops, sous vide and wood grilled short rib, black sesame cake with nigella Nutella, and more. RSVP at this link.
—Popular suburban restaurant Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hills) has offerings ranging from a luxurious Valentine’s Candlelight Dinner for Two to a “Second Chance” Valentine’s experience. On Feb. 14 and 15, diners can enjoy an intimate experience starting at $69/person (5:30 p.m. or earlier) or $79 (5:45 p.m. or later); choices will include lobster bisque, filet Perry and white chocolate cheesecake. On Sunday, Feb. 23, Perry’s offers a “Second Chance” Valentine’s celebration, perfect for those who missed the big day or simply want to relive the magic. Dine in and enjoy the Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu Special, $59/person for the early bird before 5:30 p.m. or $69/person after 5:45 p.m.
—What can be more romantic than French fare? If you feel that way, you might want to say oui to the Mag Mile restaurant Venteux, which has two events happening. “Amour at Venteux” will take place on Valentine’s Day, with Chef Marcel Hieduk offering Sweetheart Supper ($89 per person), a three-course prix fixe menu featuring a contemporary take on French classics, and the even more indulgent Luxe Love Affair ($139 per person). On Feb. 8-16, there are Galentine’s Day-oriented brunches so you can celebrate (or commiserate).
—Seville—a rustically refined Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani—will present a special four-course prix fixe menu ($75 per person) for Valentine’s Day. Think of truffle churros (manchego mousse, serrano jamon, truffle honey and chive,) potato-crusted branzino (herb & fennel salad, Fresno chili, pickled cherry puree and mojo verde) and more.
—Italian food is considered pretty romantic, too. With the Verona Dinner at Tre Dita, you and your special one can enjoy a multi-course wine dinner inspired by the romance of Verona (without the drama of Romeo and Juliet!). Indulge in a family-style Tuscan menu paired with wines from the region of Veneto, ranging from Prosecco to Amarone. The cost is $175 per person, plus tax and gratuity. (Feb. 14 seats are unavailable, but Feb. 15 ones are available.)
—Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Taverna Costale (Feb. 12-16) with a four-course prix fixe menu ($75 per person). Menu offerings will include grilled Bosc pear salad or French Kiss oysters trio; Lasagna De Ratatouille or lobster risotto; sancerre-poached diver scallops or burgundy-braised short rib; and rose apple tartlets. Elevate your evening with a $35 wine pairing or a $45 caviar-and-truffle upgrade.
—Lovebirds looking to extend their Valentine’s Day evening with a nightcap can make their way over to the James Beard Award-winning cocktail bar The Violet Hour, 1520 N. Damen Ave. Drinks include the Last Petal Picked, a floral and delicate sipper with Lunazul Reposado, Yellow Chartreuse, Jeppson’s Malört (!) and more; or the Green Flag, featuring Sotol, melon, fennel, cucumber and lime.
—The Sake Journey for Two at Miru will involve a guided sake journey for two as an add-on to a romantic meal. Choose from two signature “paths,” both of which begin with a side-by-side tasting of classic dry sakes: The Signature Experience ($89, plus tax) or the Prestige Experience ($119, plus tax); both experiences conclude with a half-bottle of the gently sweet Awa Yuki, Sparkling Junmai. The experiences are available through Valentine’s Day.
—LAUREL, located at Talbott Hotel Chicago, will offer a special prix-fixe dinner menu from Thursday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 16. Priced at $60 per person, the dinner includes a sparkling toast, a choice of appetizers such as lamb meatballs or beets and goat cheese, entrées like Arctic char or Pasta alla Norma, and a dessert of olive oil cake with pistachio mousse. An optional wine pairing can be added for $35. Guests can also enjoy the Smokey Seduction cocktail, crafted with Oppidan Smoke + Sea Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a house-made orange-bergamot aroma garnish and smoked trout roe for a unique twist. RSVP here.
—Tanta, a Peruvian restaurant, is offering a special five-course Valentine’s Day menu this year. Dishes include a Tiradito Lujurioso featuring Uni & white fish, sunchoke and osetra caviar citrus sauce, and artichoke chips; Lomo Real, featuring petite filet mignon, fresh black truffle, lomo sauce and creamy choclo grits; and the “Be My Rose” dessert featuring a raspberry and peppermint mousse, lychee and white chocolate ganache, rose petals coulis and raspberry sorbet. The menu is $105 per person.
—Celebrate the weekend of love in the heart of the Loop with Kindling’s exclusive Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu, curated by James Beard Award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer, available Feb. 13-15. The $88 prix fixe menu will start with an amuse-bouche of caviar served with crispy chips, crème fraîche, and fresh chives, followed by an oyster duet featuring wood-fired Rockefeller oysters and raw oysters with champagne mignonette. For the main course, guests can choose between Lobster Lovers Risotto or wood-fired filet of beef. Lastly, there’s a choice between warm chocolate molten cake or rice pudding.
—There’s a reason that Geja’s Cafe has been around for six decades(!). Enjoy the fondue spot’s legendary Premier Dinner this Valentine’s Day weekend. Courses include Geja’s Gruyere fondue, entree fondue and its famously decadent Belgian Chocolate fondue (flamed tableside!), plus a glass of Roederer Sparkling Rose. Dinners are priced at $120 per person with seatings at p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
—At the upscale Mexican restaurant Tzuco, Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan will be offering a series of specials. They include bisque de langosta (creamy lobster bisque with fennel, sweet corn flan and lobster meat); airline chicken breast with roasted potatoes, sauteed spinach and black truffle sauce; pan-seared ahi maki with pozole verde, avocado, radishes, queso fresco and shaved Brussels sprouts; and yogurt sponge cake, strawberries, raspberries, rose petal powder, raspberry coulis and lychee sorbet.
—The acclaimed contemporary beer hall The Publican will offer a five-course meal for $90 on Valentine’s Day. Enticing-sounding items include Island Creek oysters Rockefeller; roasted cod with gigante beans, braised leeks; and clams vinaigrette as well as grilled sirloin with arugula pesto and mushrooms bagna cauda. In addition, the venue’s regular dinner menu will be available.
—Nisos Prime is offering a four-course prix fixe menu with indulgent options: starters like beef tartare or oysters; pastas such as bucatini or orecchiette; mains like red snapper, steak frites or pork chop; and desserts like Nutella panna cotta or chocolate cake. This is for Valentine’s Day night only and it’s $125/ person. RSVP here.
—On Friday, Feb. 14, West Town spot Chicago Empanada Mama will be offering heart-shaped empanadas and two specialty cocktails: a Guava Rose Mojito and a Strawberry Mojito. Empanadas at this restaurant range from the Macho Man (filled with ground beef, potatoes, peppers and cheese) to the Isla Verde (with braised garlic yucca, bell pepper, squash, onion and beans in Creole sauce) to the peach cobbler.
—Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Spanish restaurant Mama Delia through elevated pintxos, decadent Jamón Ibérico and an award-winning sherry collection. For the holiday, enjoy a tasting menu in a sultry setting featuring an amuse bouche, ensaladilla de cangrejo, zanahorias, pato el jerez and pan con chocolate for dessert. The tasting is $75/person.
—This Valentine’s Day, treat your loved one to a dining experience at Ramsay’s Kitchen Naperville. The menu features a selection of Gordon Ramsay’s iconic dishes, including roasted bone marrow, beef Wellington, truffle risotto, baked mac ’n cheese and sticky toffee pudding. If that last time is half as good as the toffee pudding I had in Vegas years ago, this visit will be worth it.
—Well, this is different: This Valentine’s Day, the bartenders at Estelle’s are all ears. Chicagoans are invited to cozy up to the bar for this bar’s annual “Wine About Your Love Life” night—where venting pairs perfectly with vino. Half-price glasses of wine will be available during happy hour at 4-6 p.m. for $6.50 each (normally $13). Estelle’s will also provide sweet treats and all the supplies for guests to make DIY Valentine’s Day cards for their sweetheart.
—Hit Hard Rock Cafe Chicagofor one last experience there, as it’s slated to close soon. This Valentine’s Day, the musical spot invites couples to rekindle their romance with a special, limited-time menu, available Feb. 10-21. Guests can enjoy two courses for $32.99 or three courses for $45.99, with the option to add a steak entrée for an additional $9.99 on either tier.
—On a more casual note, Puttshack Oak Brook offers mini-golf with a unique food and beverage experience on Feb. 14. Menu offerings include Southwest chicken quesadillas, loaded tots and Nashville hot bao buns while libations include The Wines of Francis Coppola’s Cabernet Sauvignon.
—And then there’s the 4 of Hearts Promotion at Whirlyball. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with fun, food, and friends! The “4 of Hearts” package is perfect for you and three of your besties (or bring the whole deck). Enjoy an hour of WhirlyBall game time, two appetizers and a dessert to share as you create unforgettable memories. The package is $250/group.