MICHELIN-Starred Elske is a stylish go-to for special occasions and everyday celebrations, thanks to a sophisticated Scandinavian sensibility that runs through its decor and menu. With a cozy outdoor fireplace with lush landscaping and a charming brick-lined dining room, the restaurant is peak hygge. Choose from a multi-course menu or order à la carte—both offer elegant seasonal dishes. No matter what you’re celebrating, don’t miss chef Anna Posey’s showstopping desserts.

One of Chicago’s most romantic restaurants, Geja’s Cafe dials up the cozy vibes with candlelit interiors, intimate tables partitioned by heavy curtains, and a menu of Swiss favorites. DIY your dinner by dipping vegetables, hunks of bread, and vegetables in warm Swiss gruyere fondue, or order fancy Australian lobster tail and beef tenderloin cooked to order. Cap romantic evenings here by dunking marshmallows and churros in decadent Belgian chocolate.

You’ll find the ultimate versions of old-school red-sauce favorites like rigatoni a la vodka and dover sole piccata at Elina’s, thanks to chef-owners Ian Rusnak and Eric Safin, veterans of MICHELIN-Starred spots like New York City’s Restaurant Marc Forgione. The inviting West Town joint serves these classic dishes in a cozy, brick-walled dining room with crisp white tablecloths and candles galore or on the equally intimate, Amalfi Coast-inspired patio.

Open since 1981, Mart Anthony’s is where you go for a standout meal of Italian hits in a cozy neighborhood setting. The restaurant serves up family recipes of red-sauce staples like tortellini romano and lobster ravioli, in a cozy space decked with red walls and vintage photos—just how a neighborhood restaurant should be. No meal here is complete without a slice of tiramisu.

Ada Street is where you go for innovative tapas and contemporary American dishes in an intimate space. Candles on each table and dim lamps hanging from the ceiling dial up the romance, perfect for digging into favorites like thai beef tartare, Parisian gnocchi with truffle cream, and shrimp ceviche. If you’re drinking, try one of the creative cocktails or a glass of wine from the standout list.

Vela is where you go for traditional dishes from Mexico City with a twist, thanks to veteran Mexican American chef Jorge Angulo. The showstopping dining room—think patterned booths, candlelit tables, and plush chairs—is the perfect setting for enjoying standout dishes like shrimp crudo, tuna tostada, and aged wagyu tabla carne, a meat-centric feast worthy of any special occasion or cozy night out.

Coquette is a Parisian-inspired restaurant that boasts modern French cuisine and incredible, French-leaning wines. The maximalist interior is decorated with bright shades of pink and geometric floor and ceiling tiles, creating a stylish setting for bistro-inspired dishes. Grab a seat at the chef’s counter for a front-row seat to live-fire oven and mangal grill cooking and a feast that includes duck confit and bone-in ribeye dry-aged on site.

At special occasion favorite Anelya, husband-and-wife chefs Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim whip up modern takes on traditional Ukrainian dishes. With exposed plaster walls decked with decorative Ukrainian plates, the cozy restaurant feels like dining in someone’s home. Start with zakusky (appetizers) from a three-tiered rolling cart, then move on to standouts like smoked mackerel and potato pancakes, paired with Eastern European-focused wines and served by a staff of largely Ukrainian refugees.

At neighborhood favorite Frontier, chef Brian Jupiter serves up the ultimate comfort foods with a Louisiana twist and seasonal ingredients. Start with oysters or fried gator bites before moving on to hits like a duck smashburger and crab-stuffed branzino. Or bring a crew to share meat platters like “farm and turf” and hearty sides like barbecued boar mac and cheese. Enjoy it all in a hunting lodge-like setting with cozy wooden furniture and a warming fireplace.

When it opened in 2007, The Violet Hour kicked off the city’s craft cocktail renaissance, racking up accolades—including the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program. The pioneering bar is still one of the city’s best bars and serves up top-notch seasonal cocktails in a cozy space with candlelit tables, a fireplace, and a large, marble-topped bar. Grab a seat there to share elevated bar snacks like truffle frites and a smashburger topped with American cheese.