Love is in the air: Top places to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Chicago

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and for Chicagoans, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this special day of love. From intimate settings for couples to picturesque places to hang with friends for Galentine’s Day, here are our top picks for toasting your loved ones in the Windy City.

Pizzeria Portofino

From February 13-16, Pizzeria Portofino will offer heart-shaped pizzas and roses available for purchase, along with its usual romantic riverside view. Reservations require a $10 per person deposit, which will be refunded upon dining in. 

Petterino’s

On Valentine’s Day, guests of Petterino’s can enjoy a decadent dinner consisting of a one-of-a-kind five-course tasting and sensory menu called “The Relationship.” Tickets are $59 per person and each course can include a cocktail or wine pairing for an additional cost of $28. Make reservations online.

Throughout the entire month of February, Petterino’s is offering special Valentine’s Day treats, including chocolate-covered strawberries, Oreos, donuts and more. Additionally, every day in February, all guests who dine in Petterino’s Pasticceria will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco. 

LYRA

Fulton Market’s vibrant Greek restaurant LYRA will offer its Valentine’s Day tasting menu on February 14. This four-course experience showcases a top-tier selection of main dishes, including Maine Lobster Linguini, Charcoal Grilled Lamb Chops, or Wagyu Beef Souvlaki. Dessert options will include a few items, such as the Chocolate Tart or Portokalopita orange syrup cake. Add-ons include the Whole Mediterranean Branzino or a 22oz USDA Prime Ribeye. Tickets are $95 per person and reservations are recommended.

AIRE Ancient Baths

From February 13-18, AIRE Ancient Baths will provide couples a serene and romantic haven to indulge in with several Valentine’s Day specials. Along with access to all six baths—which separately costs an entry fee of $175—couples can opt for the LOVE Story experience, starting at $605. During this spa treatment, guests will enjoy a relaxing couples massage surrounded by a floral display; a face massage with jade rollers is also included, along with aromatherapy inhalations of sandalwood or rose oil.

Additional highly sought-after experiences include:

• The Signature Wine Experience For Two

• The Wedding Love Connection

• Love Myself

View all experiences on the AIRE Ancient Baths website.

Bar La Rue

West Loop’s Bar La Rue will offer a Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu on February 14. This three-course menu boasts French-inspired dishes, including choices like French Onion Fondue or Roasted Escargot for a starter; for the main entree, choices include Steak Frites, Roasted Half Chicken, or Pan-Seared Sea Bass. Deletable add-ons include a Mini Seafood Tower or Fondue Service. Guests will have several mouthwatering dessert options, including Brûléed French Toast or Vanilla Crème Brûlée. Tickets are $75 per person and reservations are recommended.

The Omakase Room

The Omakase Room by Kanemaru boasts an unforgettable 16-course omakase experience of expertly crafted dishes that takes all sushi lovers on the ultimate culinary journey in an intimate 10-seat environment. Enjoy everything from salmon roe and sea urchin to fatty tuna and sea eel for a flavorful adventure. Rare Japanese whiskies and sake pairings are available to further enhance this exquisite meal. To finish, matcha ice is served for a light dessert. Reservations can be made online. Seating is full on Valentine's Day, but there are still times available on Saturday, February 15.

London House Chicago

Choose from three different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day at London House with its Valentine’s Day-themed Igloos, Valentine’s Day Tea, and Cupola Proposal Package. On the LH Rooftop, decorated igloos are available all month long with beautiful skyline views. From February 10-16 in the Bridges Lobby Bar, guests can indulge in the Winter Tea menu that will come with Valentine’s Day treats. Reserve a table online.

For couples looking to make their big proposal in style, the Cupola Proposal Package offers a fairytale setting on the rooftop, professional photography, and a few surprise elements to enhance the moment. For proposals or reserving igloos, reach out to rsvp@londonhouse.com.

La Serre

French favorite La Serre will offer its Valentine’s Day tasting menu on February 14. This multi-course menu features luxurious options like the Tuna Crudo, French Onion Tart, or a decadent Seafood Tower. Main entrees include showstoppers such as the Gnocchis à la Truffle, Hand-Cut Filet, or Sea Bass Grillé. Brûléed French Toast or Warm Apple Bread Pudding are just two options of several desserts to choose from. Tickets are $125 per person and reservations are highly recommended.

RPM Events, RPM Seafood, and RPM Steak

On February 14, RPM’s restaurants will offer different romantic selections for Valentine’s Day. RPM Events is boasting a decadent five-course tasting menu with pairings from the iconic Champagne house, Billecart-Salmon. Tickets are $185 per person and the event runs from 7-10 p.m.

RPM Seafood and RPM Steak will offer Valentine’s Day reservations between 4-10 p.m. RPM Seafood offers dine-in with its stunning waterfront views, as well as carry-out and delivery. Its special menu will include shellfish towers, luxurious cuts of fish and prime steaks. RPM Steak’s menu includes the Westholme Strip and Ember Roasted Seafood Tower; more impressively, for dessert, the restaurant will boast a heart-shaped 14K Chocolate Cake.