My Favorite Hidden Gem Wine Bar in Chicago｜Gilt Bar 🍷

Thanks to my friend for bringing me here 🥺 You really know the good spots! My four criteria for a great wine bar: 1️⃣ Good food that fills you up 2️⃣ Great drinks 3️⃣ Nice atmosphere 4️⃣ Reasonable prices This place actually hits all four! Perfect for catching up with friends or a date — stylish, tasty, well-priced (even better during happy hour), and the service is great. If you’re not sure what to drink, the staff’s recommendations are spot-on. Pretty much everything on the menu is delicious. Here are a few tried dishes — can’t wait to explore more!😂👌 :: Happy Hour Starters :: Small bites are on the richer side but never greasy — perfect with drinks. Single Wood Fired Bone Marrow Roasted bone marrow spread on bread — rich, savory, and so good! Steamed Mussels Not the light kind — these are boldly flavored with a hint of lemon that keeps them refreshing. So tasty we finished the broth with bread! Stuffed Mushrooms Just okay — fried mushrooms stuffed with spinach, a bit heavy (though we might’ve ordered too much 😅). :: Pastas :: Truffle Bucatini Delicious and recommended! A solid truffle pasta — rich but not overwhelming, though nothing extraordinary. Spicy Shrimp Pasta I liked this even better than the truffle one — highly recommend!👍😊 :: Entrees :: Whole Grilled Branzino So good! Honestly, the fish stood out more than the pasta. Seasoned with chermoula — bold yet fresh.❤️😁 (Shout-out to Sepia — similar richness but way less cloying.) Grilled Greens (forgot the name) Seasoned like Chinese barbecue — delicious! Overall — highly, highly recommend! Great ambiance, amazing food — one of Chicago’s top cozy wine bars. #ChicagoEats #ChicagoFood #HiddenGem #WineBar #DateNightSpot #HappyHour #GoodVibes