The Best Upscale Restaurants In Illinois For A Valentine’s Day Splurge
Valentine’s Day deserves more than just flowers and chocolates. It’s time to level up.
Think dinner that makes you sit up straight, eyes wide, every bite a conversation starter. Illinois?
Yeah, it’s got spots where food isn’t just something you eat, it’s something you remember. We’re talking unforgettable dishes in places that feel more like an experience than a meal.
Whether you’re going for the romance of a quiet, intimate evening or the excitement of a place that’s all energy and flavor, these restaurants won’t just fill your stomach, they’ll leave you with a night you’ll talk about for years.
Ready for some ideas? Keep reading.
1. Oriole – Chicago
Perched in the West Loop, Oriole has earned its place among the culinary elite with a Michelin two-star rating that speaks volumes. Chef Noah Sandoval crafts tasting menus that transform dinner into an artistic journey, where each course tells its own delicious story.
The intimate 28-seat dining room creates an atmosphere so exclusive you’ll feel like you’ve discovered Chicago’s best-kept secret.
Every dish arrives as a miniature masterpiece, blending unexpected flavors with impeccable technique that’ll have you photographing your food (and nobody will judge you for it). The open kitchen design lets you watch culinary magic unfold before your eyes, adding an interactive element to your romantic evening.
Service here doesn’t just meet expectations—it anticipates them, with staff who remember preferences and create personalized touches that make every couple feel special.
Located at 661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661, this restaurant requires advance reservations, so plan ahead to secure your Valentine’s Day spot.
2. Boka – Chicago
Since 2003, Boka has been wooing Lincoln Park diners with its sophisticated charm and innovative American cuisine that never goes out of style. Chef Lee Wolen’s menu reads like a love letter to seasonal ingredients, transforming familiar flavors into extraordinary experiences that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
The restaurant’s sleek, modern interior strikes the perfect balance between upscale elegance and approachable warmth.
What sets Boka apart is its commitment to making fine dining feel accessible rather than intimidating—you’ll enjoy world-class cuisine without the stuffiness that sometimes accompanies Michelin-starred establishments. The thoughtfully curated menu changes regularly, ensuring that repeat visits always bring fresh surprises and new favorites to discover together.
Their dedication to sustainability means every ingredient tells a story of responsible sourcing and environmental consciousness.
Find this gem at 1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, where romance and exceptional cuisine create unforgettable Valentine’s memories.
3. Alinea – Chicago
Calling Alinea just a restaurant would be like calling the Mona Lisa just a painting—this three-Michelin-starred establishment redefines what dining can be. Chef Grant Achatz has built a temple to culinary innovation where dinner becomes theater, science becomes art, and your expectations get delightfully shattered with every course.
Prepare for dishes served on custom-designed serviceware, edible balloons, and presentations that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about food.
The multi-course tasting menu unfolds like a carefully choreographed performance, with each dish more surprising and delightful than the last. Some courses arrive tableside with dramatic flair—think liquid nitrogen, aromatic smoke, and ingredients suspended in mid-air through culinary wizardry.
This isn’t just dinner; it’s an investment in an experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Located at 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, Alinea demands advance planning and a healthy budget, but delivers memories worth every penny.
4. Tre Dita – Chicago
Mediterranean magic meets Chicago sophistication at Tre Dita, where Italian cuisine gets the upscale treatment it deserves without losing its soul. The restaurant’s name means “three fingers” in Italian—a reference to the chef’s signature hand gesture—and everything here carries that personal touch of authenticity and passion.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light by day, while evening transforms it into an intimate sanctuary perfect for romantic conversations.
Fresh pasta made daily forms the foundation of many dishes, each one celebrating traditional techniques while embracing contemporary creativity. The seafood selections showcase the Mediterranean’s greatest hits, prepared with reverence for quality ingredients and time-honored methods.
Portions are generous without being overwhelming, allowing you to savor multiple courses and share the experience together.
You’ll discover this Italian treasure at The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601,
5. Girl & The Goat – Chicago
Chef Stephanie Izard’s flagship restaurant has been packing houses since 2010, proving that bold flavors and creative risks pay off in spectacular fashion. The menu reads like an adventure novel, featuring globally-inspired small plates that encourage sharing, tasting, and discovering new favorite flavor combinations together.
Don’t let the playful name fool you—this is serious cooking executed with technical precision and unbridled creativity.
Goat features prominently (naturally), but the menu spans far beyond, incorporating seasonal vegetables, pristine seafood, and unexpected ingredients that somehow make perfect sense once they hit your palate. The energetic atmosphere buzzes with excitement rather than pretension, creating a Valentine’s experience that feels celebratory and fun.
Industrial-chic decor with exposed brick and metal accents provides an edgy backdrop to your romantic evening.
Located at 809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, this West Loop hotspot requires reservations well in advance, especially for Valentine’s Day when Chicago’s food lovers flock here.
6. Sullivan’s Steakhouse – Naperville
Sometimes Valentine’s Day calls for a perfectly cooked steak, and Sullivan’s delivers that classic American steakhouse experience with polish and panache. The moment you step inside, you’re transported to a bygone era of supper clubs and sophisticated dining, where live jazz music sets the mood and candlelight flickers across white tablecloths.
Hand-cut steaks aged to perfection form the menu’s backbone, each one seared to your exact specifications and served sizzling hot.
Beyond the beef, Sullivan’s offers an impressive array of fresh seafood, decadent sides, and appetizers that could serve as meals themselves. The classic wedge salad arrives crisp and cold, while lobster bisque warms you from the inside out with rich, creamy perfection.
Portions are generous, encouraging sharing and creating that intimate dining experience where you steal bites from each other’s plates.
Find this steakhouse sanctuary at 1812 Abriter Ct, Naperville, IL 60563, where suburban sophistication meets timeless dining traditions.
7. Entourage Naperville – Naperville
Entourage brings big-city dining energy to Naperville’s downtown, serving contemporary American cuisine with flair and creativity that rivals Chicago’s finest establishments. The restaurant’s name promises VIP treatment, and the attentive staff delivers on that pledge with service that makes every couple feel like celebrities.
Modern decor with sleek lines and dramatic lighting creates an atmosphere that’s both romantic and energizing.
The menu showcases seasonal ingredients prepared with techniques that honor tradition while embracing innovation, resulting in familiar dishes elevated to new heights. From perfectly seared scallops to inventive vegetarian options, every selection demonstrates the kitchen’s commitment to quality and creativity.
The presentation alone makes each dish Instagram-worthy, though you’ll be too busy enjoying the flavors to spend much time photographing.
Located at 1037 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540, Entourage offers the convenience of suburban dining without sacrificing any of the sophistication or culinary excellence you’d expect from metropolitan restaurants.
8. Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse – Naperville
Brazilian churrascaria dining turns Valentine’s dinner into an interactive feast where gaucho chefs parade an endless procession of fire-roasted meats tableside. Fogo de Chão perfects this theatrical dining style, offering 16 different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, each seasoned simply and cooked over open flames to juicy perfection.
The experience feels celebratory and abundant—perfect for couples who love trying new things together.
Before the meat parade begins, explore the Market Table, featuring over 30 items including fresh salads, imported cheeses, cured meats, and traditional Brazilian side dishes. The continuous service model means you control the pace, using a two-sided disc to signal when you want more or need a breather.
It’s dining as entertainment, where every visit to your table brings something new to try.
Visit 1741 Freedom Dr, Naperville, IL 60563, where Brazilian hospitality meets American abundance in a Valentine’s celebration that’s anything but ordinary.
9. VELE – Springfield
Springfield’s dining scene got a major upgrade when VELE opened, bringing metropolitan sophistication to the capital city with cuisine that rivals anything Chicago has to offer. The restaurant’s modern American menu celebrates local ingredients while incorporating global influences, creating dishes that feel both familiar and exciting.
Clean, contemporary design with thoughtful lighting creates an atmosphere that encourages lingering over multiple courses and meaningful conversation.
Chef-driven seasonal menus mean your Valentine’s dinner features the freshest ingredients at their peak, prepared with techniques that showcase rather than overshadow their natural flavors. The attention to detail extends beyond the food to encompass every aspect of the experience, from the carefully selected music to the perfectly folded napkins.
Service strikes that ideal balance between attentive and unobtrusive, anticipating needs without hovering.
Located at 3241 W Iles Ave, Springfield, IL 62701, VELE proves that exceptional fine dining isn’t exclusive to big cities—sometimes the best experiences await in unexpected places.
10. Joseph’s Fine Cuisine – Springfield
For over three decades, Joseph’s has been Springfield’s go-to destination for special occasions, building a reputation on consistency, quality, and service that makes guests feel like family. The restaurant occupies a beautifully restored historic building, where exposed brick and original architectural details create character and charm you can’t replicate in newer establishments.
Classic Continental cuisine forms the menu’s foundation, executed with precision and presented with elegance.
What keeps locals returning isn’t just the food—though dishes like perfectly prepared filet mignon and fresh seafood selections certainly help—it’s the feeling of being somewhere special. The staff remembers regular guests and treats newcomers with equal warmth, creating an atmosphere where Valentine’s celebrations feel personal rather than transactional.
Traditional preparations showcase quality ingredients without unnecessary complications or trendy gimmicks.
Find this Springfield institution at 924 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703, where decades of experience translate into Valentine’s dinners that exceed expectations through reliability and genuine hospitality.
11. 2 Chez Restaurant – Peoria
French culinary traditions meet Midwestern hospitality at 2 Chez, where Peoria diners discover that world-class cuisine doesn’t require a plane ticket to Paris. The restaurant’s commitment to classic techniques and quality ingredients creates dishes that transport you across the Atlantic with every bite.
Intimate seating arrangements and subdued lighting establish the perfect setting for romantic conversations and shared culinary adventures.
The menu showcases French favorites prepared with respect for tradition while incorporating seasonal touches that keep things interesting for repeat visitors. From escargot to coq au vin, each dish demonstrates the kitchen’s technical skill and understanding of flavor balance.
Portions are thoughtfully sized, allowing you to enjoy multiple courses without feeling overwhelmed—perfect for Valentine’s when you want to linger over dinner.
Located at 3915 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL 61614, 2 Chez brings European elegance to central Illinois, proving that exceptional dining experiences exist beyond major metropolitan areas.
12. Devon Seafood + Steak – Oak Brook
Oak Brook’s premier destination for surf and turf excellence, Devon Seafood + Steak delivers coastal flavors to landlocked Illinois with impressive freshness and preparation. The restaurant’s dual focus means whether you’re craving perfectly grilled steak or the day’s freshest catch, you’ll find options that satisfy completely.
Sophisticated nautical-inspired decor creates an upscale atmosphere without feeling stuffy or pretentious.
Daily fish selections flown in from both coasts ensure quality and variety, while prime cuts of beef satisfy traditional steakhouse cravings with expert preparation and seasoning. The raw bar showcases oysters, shrimp, and other cold seafood delicacies, perfect for starting your Valentine’s celebration on an elegant note.
Knowledgeable servers guide you through options and preparation methods, ensuring your selections match your preferences perfectly.
Visit 55 E Roosevelt Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523, where shopping center convenience meets fine dining excellence, creating an accessible yet sophisticated Valentine’s destination that delivers on all fronts.
13. Ever Restaurant – Chicago
Chef Curtis Duffy’s Ever represents the pinnacle of Chicago’s fine dining scene, earning two Michelin stars through meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence. The restaurant’s name reflects its mission—constantly evolving, always improving, perpetually striving for perfection.
Minimalist design lets the food take center stage, with clean lines and neutral tones creating a serene backdrop for your culinary journey.
Multi-course tasting menus unfold like chapters in a novel, each dish building on the last while telling its own complete story. Ingredients sourced from sustainable farms and fisheries reflect Ever’s commitment to environmental responsibility alongside culinary excellence.
The pacing allows time between courses for conversation and anticipation, transforming dinner into an evening-long experience rather than just a meal.
Located at 1340 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607, Ever demands advance reservations and represents a significant investment, but delivers a Valentine’s experience that transcends ordinary dining into something truly memorable and special.