If you live in Chicago and have no idea what to plan for an upcoming first date, you’re in luck! You can get it done in just two simple steps.
- Plan the activity. Be sure to check out our other post about fun things to do together in the city.
- Plan the food. Read below for awesome restaurant ideas.
There are a lot of amazing eateries in the Windy City, so if you get a little stuck ask your date what his or her favorite food is. You’re sure to find something they like.
Without further adieu, here are some of the top rated Chicago restaurants via Yelp.com (in the moderate price range) to make for an awesome first date!
En Hakkore
1840 N Damen Ave
www.facebook.com/enhakkorechicago
If you or your date love Korean food but don’t want to spend a lot, En Hakkore in Chicago is known for its low prices and great flavor. Among its most popular dishes are the Bibim-bap, which is a bowl of 16 different veggies with rice. It’ll definitely fill up you and your date. Plus, there are plenty of other fun things on the menu to try!
HQ Howard Quintero
4114 N Kedzie Ave
www.hqchicago.com
This eatery is probably best described as classic American with a twist, and at great prices to boot! Get a load of the Diablo Pasta Vodka (fettuccine Alfredo with a spicy vodka sauce), Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, and Chocoflan. These dishes are sure to make your date’s mouth water!
Lowcountry
3343 N Clark St
www.lowcountrychicago.com
A little Cajun/Creole in Chicago? Yes, please! Plus, this fun atmosphere is the perfect place for a first date. It’s hip and comfortable. Pair that with great food, and you’ve got it made. Shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, honey butter jalapeño cornbread, beignets… good luck trying to decide what to eat!
Sapori Trattoria
2701 N Halsted St
www.saporitrattoria.net
In the mood for some Italian food? You’ve gotta take your date to Sapori Trattoria. Appetizers, soup, rice, fish, beef, poultry and pasta, pasta, pasta! Many of the Yelp reviewers couldn’t say enough about the pasta. Gnocchi, linguini, lasagna… you really can’t go wrong there.
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
130 E Randolph St
www.wildberrycafe.com
If your date will take place in the morning–maybe a morning hike or bike ride–then you’ll want to hit up Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe afterward. Just the name invokes a feeling of comfort food. Eggs, benedicts, omelets, skillets, specialty pancakes, Belgium waffles, crepes… this place is pure breakfast heaven.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
439 N Wells St
www.loumalnatis.com/chicago-river-north
You can’t live in Chicago and not try a bunch of the awesome pizza places! This city is crawling with them. If you’re having trouble figuring out which one to pick, Yelp reviewers have picked Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria as the best one in the moderate price range. Key word: butter crust. Yum. Order a pie and have fun sharing a bunch of slices with your date. And don’t forget dessert!
Leave a Reply