Originally opened in 1962 as a pizzeria,Angelo’sunderwent a makeover in 2015 and added a wine program and new dishes. The neighborhood spot now features thin-crust pizzas, pasta, salads, charcuterie, bruschetta, sandwiches, and more alongside bottles and flights. Outdoor dining is available on the patio.

What’s not to love about this unpretentious Roscoe Village eatery that’s a long-time favorite for date night? Volo is a casually cool destination specializing in boutique wines, artisan cheeses, and many delicious options for sharing. That ranges from chilled oysters to charcuterie with knowledgeable staffers always available to help you with unconventional wine pairings. One of Volo’s biggest draws is its spectacular year-round patio that’s spacious and a favorite for post-work gatherings.

Robust wood-fired pizzas, a sizeable wine list, and wallet-friendly daily specials have helped solidifyFrascaas a neighborhood go-to. Try the Italian sausage pie — loaded with fennel sausage, sautéed onions, and mozzarella — with a glass of Cabernet. Al fresco dining is available on Frasca’s outdoor patio.

Gone are the days of a crowded East Room, a source for live DJ sets and dancing. Easy Does It replaces the space with a wide selection of natural wines. The vibe in Logan Square is unique to a Chicago wine bar, relaxed and accessible, and open late. There are also a variety of wine events and tastings to introduce grapes to novices.

Cheeses. Such beautiful cheeses. There’s no simpler way to pair wine than with a host of the best artisan cheeses from this region as well as France and Spain. Beautiful Rind, situated in Logan Square, features six- and three-ounce pours of global rosé, Chenin blanc, pinot noir, and other selections. Pairing classes are held regularly by local and visiting cheesemongers, plus the menu changes daily and you can take bottles to go. There’s also a patio.

When three former Webster’s Wine Bar employees decided to open their ownwine bar in Humboldt Parkback in 2009, the area gained both a neighborhood hangout and an oenophile destination. Credit that to showcasing wine growers from around the world with a variety of specialties, including terroir-focused, organic, and biodynamic pours. The food only helps and nearly all of the plates rotate on the regular. The only item that stays on full-time? The burger is a Slagel Farm beef patty that is topped with bacon aioli, red onion, and cheddar. Patio seating is available.

The West Town outpost of Lush aims to be all things for its customers year-round. During the summer, it’s a popular neighborhood hang for the ample patio seating. In the winter, guests cozy up to the best seats in the house, near the fireplace. Organic eggs, artisan cheeses, prepared gourmet meals, and more may be purchased from the market. And the restaurant offers a Parisian cafe-style setting for those looking to get out of the house over a bottle or two of vino. Selections vary from cool regional finds to international stars.

A Michelin star was awarded in 2021 to this Portuguese- and Spanish-inspired spot that’s one of the most visually impressive places to open in Chicago in years. Most of its vibrant interior is imported, and of course, the food and wines are, too. But what makes the wines truly stand out is that Porto’s partners and beverage team travel annually to Spain and Portugal to seek out new talent. The ever-changing list reflects that and keeps guests coming back for more.

Theone-stop shopin Ukrainian Village is stocked with a first-rate supply of wine, cheese, and snacks. Make self-isolation better by picking up some bottles and groceries to-go or grab a seat on the outdoor patio and dive into a host of Midwestern-style dishes. All Together Now also offers picnic kits, a wine club, and a wine and cheese hotline for personalized recommendations.

As the name suggests, Champagne is the focus of thiscorner fixture,打開ed its doors more than 35 years ago. River North denizens and visitors alike will find one of the largest collections of sparkling bottles, including to-go packages. If the selection process ever seems daunting, turn to the team (many of whom have been there for decades), who can also offer guidance and food pairing recommendations. On Mondays, Pops features a different and unique magnum to pour by the glass.

After, the bar and lounge fromtwo-Michelin-starredEver’s chef Curtis Duffy and sommelier Michael Muser offers Chicagoans an elegant on-ramp to the pair’s brand of luxurious dining and drinking. Previously wine director at the late, three-Michelin-starred Grace, Muser is known for an exacting approach and high expectations for his staff’s wine knowledge. But at After, his aim is to please with ideal representations of each varietal. Intricately designed down to the last acoustic panel, After also provides an opportunity for patrons to taste Duffy’s cooking without footing a significant bill for Ever’s spendy tasting menu.

Fall 2017 saw the opening of West Loop B&B the Publishing Houseand itssubterranean wine bar. Visitors have a global selection of more than 70 bottles from which to choose. The drinking menu complements the season-driven fare — from charred broccolini to seared scallops — and a nice mix of cheeses and charcuterie. Patio seating is available and there’s regular live entertainment.

Oscar Salinas, Adam Jimenez, and August Marron, the trio of friends and Chicago natives behind part-time wine shop and bar Los Naturales, are taking a novel approach to combat the snooty stigma associated with wine. Housed inside Pilsen restaurant Caminos de Michoacan (owned by Jimenez’s family), the Cellar aims “to quench the hood’s thirst with wines worth chugging” and is a regular at pop-ups and events around the city.

A staple in the Beverly neighborhood for more than 20 years, Wild Blossom is the only producer of mead on the Northern Illinois Wine Trail. Sustainability is a key practice here because they raise their own bees and collect the honey to make the centuries-old fermented beverage. They also purify and use water from Lake Michigan to produce their wines, such as white honey sangria as well as Chicago Bulls Blood, made from a cabernet, Syrah, and merlot blend. Weekly tours and tasting classes are available, plus there is patio seating.