Chicago

El Che's wine program does exactly what it needs to: support a meat-forward menu without getting in the way. The markups are steakhouse-standard (read: steep), and you won't find any surprises, but if you're here for Argentinean beef and want Argentinean wine to match, it delivers.

Mon Ami Gabi delivers on ambiance and French bistro classics, but the wine program feels like an afterthought with tourist-trap pricing. Order a cocktail or bring your own if they allow corkage—this list isn't worth the premium.

Joe's delivers exactly what it promises: a serious steakhouse wine program with proper service, varietal-specific glassware, and a list that won't surprise you but won't disappoint either. The markups sting and the selections play it safe, but if you're here for stone crab and a mature Napa Cab, you're in good hands.

Le Colonial delivers a solid, French-focused wine program that complements the cuisine without taking risks. It's reliable for a date night or business dinner, but markups are steep enough that you'll want to stick to glass pours or explore their lower-tier bottles.

This is the wine list you wish every Italian restaurant in America had. Serious depth, fair pricing on the bottles that matter, and a sommelier team that actually cares.

Montage Wine Bar isn't going to blow your mind, but it'll treat your wallet fairly and get you buzzed on recognizable labels. Monday half-price bottles make it a solid neighborhood hang.

Rose Mary isn't just serving Croatian food with Croatian wines as a gimmick — this is a legitimately excellent wine program that happens to specialize in a region most Americans ignore. Fair markups, knowledgeable staff, and a list that rewards curiosity make this a wine geek destination.

Hit it during happy hour for cheap bubbles and solid pricing, but don't expect any wine discoveries. This list exists to avoid complaints, not create conversations.

The Alston delivers serious wine program firepower in a city that doesn't lack for upscale steakhouses. The markup stings on the high end, but the depth, proper service, and glass selection earn the badge.

If you live in Hyde Park and you're still buying wine at the grocery store, you're doing it wrong. This is the rare neighborhood shop that makes you smarter about wine without making you feel dumb.

The Purple Pig proves you can run a legitimate wine program in a high-traffic tourist corridor without dumbing it down. Mediterranean focus, fair pricing, staff that knows their stuff — this is where we'd send anyone who thinks downtown Chicago can't do wine right.

This is what happens when a restaurant actually cares about wine as much as food. Seven hundred labels from every Italian region, sommelier-guided, and priced like they want you to explore, not just splurge on date night. The Michigan Avenue location should mean tourist-trap pricing—instead it's the opposite.

The Gage proves a serious wine program can thrive in a casual gastropub setting. Fair markups, knowledgeable staff, and 175 bottles of mostly smart picks make this a solid choice when you want wine that's better than the setting suggests.

If you're tired of the same Napa Cabs and New Zealand Sauvs, Rootstock is your new Tuesday night spot. Fair pricing, adventurous pours, and a staff that actually knows what they're pouring.

Daisies earns its Wild Card badge for bringing legitimate wine nerd energy to a casual pasta spot — the list is thoughtful and adventurous, even if the markups sting. Come thirsty for discovery, not deals.

The markups sting, but the depth and expertise are undeniable. If you're serious about Italian wine and don't mind paying St. Regis prices, this is Chicago's Italian wine mothership.

RL Restaurant treats wine like a fashion accessory — high margins, safe choices, zero personality. Come for the Dover Sole and Michigan Avenue vibes, but stick to cocktails or beer unless someone else is paying.

Rick Bayless clearly put thought into this list, and it shows. The Mexico-centric approach is bold and overdue, markups are fair, and there's enough range to keep things interesting. Would we send a friend here for wine? Absolutely — especially if they're tired of drinking the same old Chardonnay with tacos.

Aba isn't chasing wine nerds, but the list shows actual thought and ties to the food in a way that most Mediterranean spots in this price bracket don't bother with. Fair pricing, competent staff, and a selection that won't disappoint your Greek wine-curious friend.