Best Girls Night Out Approved Restaurants in Near South Side

Set in the former Acadia space, Oliver's is a 1930s Los Angeles–inspired supper club where a chef-driven cheeseburger shares the menu with roast chicken, seafood, and cocktails. Recent Michelin Guide attention and national coverage highlight a burger built on excellent beef, buttered sesame bun, and nuanced sauce.

Casa Tulum brings a Tulum-inspired, seafood-leaning Mexican menu to the South Loop with beachy decor, cocktails, and a more polished dining-room feel. It’s used for date nights and small groups looking for quesabirrias, ceviches, and composed plates rather than basic combo platters.

A South Loop tropical lounge that quietly accommodates plant-forward diners with real vegan bowl-and-soup options, not just side salads. The best vegetarian play is to anchor the meal with a tofu-based bowl or noodle soup, then add one snackable share plate if the table wants variety.

A newer South Loop steakhouse built around a lively bar-and-dining-room energy, with shareable starters, cocktails, and headline cuts like a tomahawk experience. It works best for a date that wants steak plus nightlife momentum—just time it earlier if you want lower volume and less club-like energy later.

Cafe Bionda is a South Loop Italian restaurant and bar known for old-school recipes, martinis, and a lively dining room a short ride from McCormick Place. Guests lean on hearty pastas, chicken dishes, and tiramisu before or after conventions, games, and downtown events.