As summer in Chicago is sadly winding down, chilly fall nights are just around the corner, and what better way to kick off the season than sharing cozy dinner spots around the city. This list is a combination of some restaurants I have been to and loved, and spots I'm eager to try. It's a combination of restaurants that are perfect for date nights, catching up with friends, or treating yourself to a good meal and drinks in a cozy setting.
1. Scofflaw - Logan Square
Scofflaw caught my eye because of it's incredible reviews, and extremely warm ambiance. It is more of a cocktail bar than restaurant with a limited menu, but the food menu looks delicious. The menu features items like spinach and artichoke dip, crab cakes, and a creamy burrata dish with crispy sage and balsamic. The restaurant has a fireplace, and seems like a great place to grab drinks and share some dishes. Scofflaw also does a happy hour Monday-Thursday, 5-7pm and Friday-Sunday 3-5pm. I'm very excited to try this spot.
All photographs directly from Scofflaw Website
2. Monarch and Lion - Streeterville
Monarch and Lion is one of my favorites for Indian food here in the city. The restaurant is a British style pub with modern takes on traditional Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala. The restaurant also has new takes on traditional British dishes like fish and chips, and Shepherd's pie. The food is fantastic, but it's also a great place to grab a drink with some friends. Favorite item on the menu: Chili Cheese Naan. The interior of the restaurant has wood accents, giving it a very cozy ambiance. Monarch and Lion also has a happy hour every day from 3-5pm.
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1st photograph taken from Monarch & Lion website, 2nd and 3rd photographs taken by me
3. Mano a Mano - Logan Square
Mano a Mano is a relatively new addition to the Logan Square neighborhood, serving fresh pasta. When doing some research into the restaurant, it caught my attention not necessarily for just the ambiance, but because the restaurant deems itself a traditional and a "a restaurant for families and neighbors that follows tradition." The restaurant sources their ingredients locally, and so far has great reviews. This is the same group that has opened known restaurants Asador Bastian and Andros Taverna, and I'm very excited to try this restaurant.
4. Armitage Alehouse - Lincoln Park
Armitage Alehouse is a well-known spot in Lincoln Park, and for very good reason. The restaurant makes you feel like your being transported back in time to a small London pub in the 1920s. It's a very cozy and intimate spot, and great for a date night. Reservations for Artmitage Alehouse book up so far in advance, it's hard to grab one. The menu is similar to Monarch and Lion, with classic British pub fare and an Indian twist. While I've only been to Armitage Alehouse for drinks, I am eager to go back and try their food.
5. Elina's - West Town
Elina's is tucked into the neighborhood of West Town, on the edge of Fulton Market, and is not a restaurant you should overlook. It's a small, dimly lit space, and known around Chicago to be the Carbone of Chicago. Elina's was opened by Ian Rusnak and Eric Safin, who both cooked at Carbone in New York. The food is delicious, and perfect for a date night.
6. RL Restaurant - Streeterville
RL is always a staple of mine, and has been for quite some time. While the restaurant doesn't have the tavern style that places like Armitage Alehoue or Trivoli Tavern have, it delivers the comfort of an old-school dining room with a lot of warmth. I have always enjoyed my time at RL, and think the food is great. It's one of those spots I keep in mind when the weather gets colder. Their Lobster Bisque is one of my favorite items on their menu.
https://www.ralphlauren.com/global-rl-chicago
7. Trivoli Tavern - West Loop
This hidden, underground, and secret gem in Chicago.... I'm kidding. I'm not going to call Trivoli a hidden, underground, and secret gem in Chicago like some influencers have, because we all know it's not. Located in the heart of West Loop, the restaurant has become an extremely popular spot, and for good reason. The food is good, but I think the ambiance is what really makes it. The restaurant menu covers a large range of options offering seafood dishes, steak dishes, and even sushi. I enjoyed the food that we had at Trivoli, but again, I think the ambiance is what really makes it. Trivoli does a happy hour from 4-5pm, and their patio during the summer is quite nice, too.
First two photographs taken by Miss Lezley Martinez, third photograph taken by me
8. Monteverde - West Loop
I've written quite a bit about Monteverde, because it's a restaurant that continues to impress me each time I go. The restaurant delivers fresh, quality Italian food, and is incredibly cozy during the colder months. The restaurant does a great job with its ambiance during the warmer months with a wrap-around patio, and an open space. But, I personally prefer it during the colder months when you can watch your pasta being made right in front of you. I always recommend Monteverde to friends visiting from out of town, and I will surely be revisiting myself this fall.
9. Bavette's - River North
Bavette's is another classic Chicago restaurant that has gained popularity over the years. It comes as a shock to most people that I haven't been, and it's not from a lack of trying. The restaurant is so difficult to grab a reservation, and seemingly a great spot. The steakhouse has great reviews, and another success story by the Hogsalt Group. The menu is a classic steakhouse menu with a variety of cuts and sides.
10. Ciccio Mio - River North
Ciccio Mio is another very popular Hogsalt restaurant I've wanted to try, but haven't had the opportunity yet. The restaurant focuses on classic Italian dishes, and includes seafood and meat dishes for a little variety, too. The ambiance definitely seems to capture coziness, and seems very similar to Trivoli Tavern. The food and drinks have great reviews, so I'm excited to try Ciccio Mio this fall.
