Best Special Occasions Restaurants in Lakeview & Wrigleyville (60657)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Coda Di Volpe
Southern Italian cooking with serious wood-fired pizzas and housemade pastas backed by high-volume, high-rating review data.
Notable Picks
8.9
Coda Di Volpe is a Southern Italian restaurant on the Southport Corridor known for VPN-certified Neapolitan pizzas, housemade pastas, and a polished but relaxed dining room. With strong Google and Yelp ratings across thousands of reviews and frequent praise from local guides, it functions as Lakeview’s destination for wood-fired Italian with room for both families and dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Diavola pizza, Bucatini Bianco, Burrata with seasonal accompaniments
What makes it special: Southern Italian cooking with serious wood-fired pizzas and housemade pastas backed by high-volume, high-rating review data.
#2
Wood
8.8
Wood is a Northalsted fixture and multi-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, specializing in seasonally driven small plates, house-butchered meats, and creative cocktails. Its dark wood-paneled room, lively bar, and patio make it a prime choice for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and celebratory nights out in the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-aged steak frites, Wood 3.0 burger, Escargot vol-au-vent
What makes it special: A Bib Gourmand–recognized Northalsted spot where seasonal plates, serious cocktails, and a polished-but-fun room feel built for celebrations.
#3
Chilam Balam
8.6
Chilam Balam is a Lakeview East basement BYOB spot where Chef Natalie’s Mexican share plates and long-running Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition turn tight quarters into a destination for birthdays and friend-group celebrations. Seasonal ceviches, empanadas, and rich mains arrive family-style, with guests supplying their own wine or tequila.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal ceviche, Pork milanesa or pork belly entree, Goat cheese mousse with plantains and guava
What makes it special: A long-running, Bib Gourmand–recognized basement BYOB where modern Mexican share plates and bring-your-own bottles make celebrations feel intimate and rowdy at the same time.
#4
Ella Elli
8.3
Ella Elli is a dimly lit Southport Corridor wine bar where sharable Mediterranean-leaning plates, polished cocktails, and a fireplace-backed room make it one of Lakeview’s most reliable date-night setups. Couples lean on it for split-able pastas, focaccia-style pizzas, and a deep cocktail list that rewards lingering rather than rushing through dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Ricotta Gnocchi, Profiteroles with espresso chocolate sauce
What makes it special: A cocktail-forward wine bar built around shareable plates and a fireplace-lit, living-room-calibrated dining room.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Brunch Bliss Spots
Crosby’s Kitchen is a Southport Corridor standby from 4 Star Restaurant Group, built around rotisserie chicken, hearty Midwestern comfort food, and a kid-friendly dining room where families celebrate birthdays and big group occasions. With a broad menu, brunch, and a busy sidewalk patio, it functions as Lakeview’s default choice when you need a crowd-pleasing spot that still feels a bit special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster deviled eggs, Rotisserie chicken, Monkey bread
What makes it special: A high-volume Southport Corridor rotisserie-and-brunch hub where families and friend groups mark birthdays over shareable comfort food and a famous cookie skillet.