Best Special Occasions Restaurants in Wicker Park & West Town (60622)
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Schwa
BYOB tasting menu where Michelin-level cooking meets punk rock energy.
Notable Picks
#1
Schwa
8.9
Schwa is a tiny, chef-driven tasting room where Michael Carlson’s boundary-pushing, Michelin-starred menu plays out in a loud, dim Wicker Park space. Couples book it for blowout dinners that feel more like an underground dinner party than formal fine dining, with intricate plates, bold flavors, and a bring-your-own-bottle policy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quail egg ravioli with brown butter and sage, Seasonal multi-course tasting menu, Chestnut soup and other rotating signatures
What makes it special: BYOB tasting menu where Michelin-level cooking meets punk rock energy.
#2
Brasero
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Brasero is chef John Manion’s wood-fired Latin restaurant in West Town, built for celebratory dinners around grilled meats, seafood, and vibrant small plates. With a moody room, strong South American wine list, and press-recognized menu, it works equally well for birthdays, anniversaries, and group feasts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pão de Queijo, Wagyu Picanha Steak, Brazilian Fried Chicken
What makes it special: Wood-fired Latin cooking with a serious wine program and event-ready energy.
8.3
Beatnik West Town leans into maximalist decor and a cocktail-heavy menu while sending out Eastern Mediterranean-inspired small plates meant for sharing. Brunch and dinner both skew social, so guests come as much for the plants-and-textiles backdrop and drinks as for dishes that pull from Lebanon, Jordan, and beyond.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy artichokes, Hummus with house flatbread, Lamb kebab skewers
What makes it special: Maximalist, plant-filled space pairing Mediterranean small plates with serious cocktails.
Worthy Picks
#4
Nettare
7.8
Nettare is a West Town cafe, bottle shop, and evening restaurant that leans on Midwestern-sourced ingredients for Italian- and Mediterranean-inspired plates. By night, the sunlit room shifts into an intimate setting for low-key birthdays, date nights, and wine-focused gatherings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Lamb with Seasonal Sweet Potatoes, Chickpea Fritters, House-Made Focaccia with Lamb Sausage
What makes it special: All-day cafe and bottle shop that turns into an intimate, regionally sourced dinner spot.