Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Zin Gastropub

5.0

5 (389)

$31 to $50

Gastro Pub

Lake Zurich

About the restaurant

A chef driven, farm to table restaurant, using products from local organic farms.

Top review

LYNNEVIP

Dined on 10 May 2025

We were greeted promptly by Ken and seated. The bartender Lynne was very attentive. Food was excellent. Highly recommend.

RoccoVino's - Elk Grove Village

5.0

5 (136)

$30 and under

Italian

Elk Grove Village

About the restaurant

RoccoVino’s is Traditional Italian with a Twist – featuring creative pasta specialties, fresh seafood, veal & chops, unique chef specials and pizza. Our menu has been created to combine your favorite Italian dishes with family recipes and new exciting options. Each dish is carefully created for each diner to ensure the best family experience.

Top review

Randall

Dined 4 days ago

A Go-To for Delicious Italian in Elk Grove Village! RoccoVino's in Elk Grove Village is consistently a fantastic choice for Italian food! We've dined in multiple times, and they always deliver on quality and flavor. Their menu offers a great selection, from classic pasta dishes to excellent pizzas. We particularly love their Stuffed artichoke. The ingredients always taste fresh, and the portions are generous, making it great value. The service is always friendly and efficient. It's a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a family dinner, a casual night out. If you're looking for delicious, reliable Italian in Elk Grove Village, RoccoVino's is definitely the place to go! Highly recommend!

North Pond

4.9

4.9 (4856)

$50 and over

American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Inspired by the market, Chef César Murillo utilizes exceptional ingredients at the height of their season. His tasting menu reflects the Arts & Crafts approach of the dining room - complex layers of subtle craft beneath a simple decorative style.

We offer a four-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings. The menu is not á la carte, however, it provides options for each of the courses.

North Pond is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday beginning at 5:30pm.
Sunday Brunch begins at 10:30am and is three-course prix fixe.

We do not offer valet parking.
Tables in the front room or patio, overlooking the pond, are seated first come, first serve. We do not hold tables.
All tables for more than 4 people are seated in our main dining room.
We accept reservations for a maximum of 8 people at one table.
A cancellation charge of $25 per person is applied to all same day cancellations.

Top review

LinaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful delicious dinner with wine pairing Great service and ambience truly amazing

Sepia

4.9

4.9 (5474)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Seamlessly melding refined and rustic, vintage and contemporary, Sepia has the feel of an instant classic. The stylish space is warm and inviting, comfortable yet lively. The easy elegance of the room serves as the perfect backdrop for the inventive American cuisine. Chef Andrew Zimmerman's product-driven, seasonal menu showcases the purity and quality of the ingredients, letting both the ingredients and his passion for what he does shine through. Sepia celebrates tradition – with a modern twist.

To book reservations of 7 or larger, please email info@sepiachicago.com!

Top review

Leonard

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent experience at Sepia! Congratulations to the Chef!

Edge by Goldmoor Inn

4.9

4.9 (1033)

$31 to $50

American

Galena

About the restaurant

Oct 2022 - Rated Tripadvisor Best of The Best - Top 10 Date Night Restaurant In The U.S.
Unmatched Old World décor, a diverse wine cellar, and premier personal service are all complemented by our chef's creative cuisine. Enjoy dining in one of our cozy booths, elegant tables with breathtaking views overlooking the Mississippi River or our interactive Chef's Table.

Top review

Krystina

Dined on 10 May 2025

We love this hidden gem! Absolutely stunning food made by an incredible chef. Your plate comes to you as a work of art!

Balmoral Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1464)

$31 to $50

Scottish

St. Charles

About the restaurant

A passion for authenticity. Nostalgia for heritage, and recipes that have been passed down and held dear. Ingredients sourced from the Isles, and from local farmers.

Welcome to Balmoral Restaurant. Grand Scottish Fare as you’ve never experienced before.

Lush, dark Scottish wood tones greet you upon entering Balmoral Restaurant. A deep-set coffered ceiling hides recessed lighting, designed to light your table elegantly, providing just the right mood. Scottish designs surround you, from the tartan carpet, to wrought iron fixtures, to the swords and shields of lore, to wall murals that evoke the placid Scottish countryside. At Balmoral, we bring the incomparable splendor of Scotland to you.

Top review

John

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and service as usual! Will be backagain!

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Popular dish

Dalkeith's Pork Chop

Popular dish

Ye Auld Sticky Toffee Pudding

Roscoe's Tavern

4.9

4.9 (218)

$30 and under

American

Roscoe Village

About the restaurant

Welcome to Roscoe’s Tavern, Chicago’s leader in nightlife and entertainment. Guests must be 21+ and present valid ID for entry.

Top review

Connie

Dined 4 days ago

Great drag show and the food was great too. Just make sure to communicate to your server if you want to split checks. Communication will be key! No shade.

Indienne

4.9

4.9 (138)

$50 and over

Indian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

INDIENNE resides in a 19th-century printing warehouse; the converted timber loft now brought to life by Chef Sujan Sarkar's culminating effort in Progressive Indian Fine-Dining.

Beloved Guests: please note the reservations acquired through open table are solely for the tasting menu experience. We are thrilled to welcome you into our home! For questions regarding the tasting please call the restaurant during office hours and / or email our team info@indiennechicago.com.

Top review

KatieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

If you love Indian food, fine dining & great value, GO!

Angelo's Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (608)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Albany Park

About the restaurant

Founded in 1962, Reinvented 2016. From neighborhood pizzeria to state of the art Wine Bar widely regarded as one of Chicago's best.

Chef Samuel Leal expertly composes fresh, seasonal and meticulously selected ingredients of the best quality available at market. Master Mixologist Meaghan Walsh designs and crafts luxury cocktails by hand, including her innovative collection of wine based "d'Vine Cocktails" prominently listed on the dinner menu. Sommelier Gigi Bredoux thoughtfully curates, and colorfully hosts, one of the most interactive, engaging and customer-centric wine programs in the city, very possibly the entire country.

2022 Wine Spectator Magazine "Award of Excellence" winner, beautifully appointed, exceptionally comfortable, and superbly maintained; Angelo's Wine Bar aspires to provide its northwest side Chicago neighborhood with "destination quality" hospitality, neighborly prices, and service "on a first name basis".

Top review

JanineVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Recent newbies to the neighborhood and this is quickly becoming our favorite spot. Fantastic pizza, good service and great drinks/wine.

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Experience

JAZZ-N-JUICE

AJI

4.8

4.8 (116)

$50 and over

Japanese Speciality

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Discover an unforgettable dining experience at one of OpenTable's top restaurant destinations for ambiance, led by the talented Chef Kristian Cho. Recently named a 2024 Diner's Choice winner, our restaurant offers a 15-course omakase menu that pairs perfectly with our intimate, cozy setting—ideal for anniversaries, special occasions, or a memorable date night out. With over 30 years of collective expertise, our team is passionate about delivering exceptional service and a warm, inviting atmosphere, complete with a charming backyard for a unique evening. Join us and create lasting memories with those you love.

Top review

LinaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

One of the top omakase experiences in Chicago! Extremely fresh fish combined with innovative flavors, preparation, and presentation! I especially liked that there was seasonal fish you do not typically get at other omakases. Service was excellent!

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