Best Sangria In Chicago
Tapas might be bite-sized portions, but guzzle down as much sangria as you want with your Spanish and South American food, or any other cuisine for that matter. While it's typically consumed in the warmer months in other parts of the world, these sangrias can still be enjoyed year round. So whether you have a hankering for white or red sangria with some fresh fruit, these five restaurants will have you covered.
Cafe Ba-ba-reeba
2024 N. Halsted Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-5000
www.cafebabareeba.com
The delicious sangria in this Lakeview tapas restaurant is just one reason Cafe Ba-ba-reeba is the most popular tapas restaurant in Chicago. The Spanish tapas and pinxtos here might come in small, shareable (delicious) portions, but there's nothing small about this sangria. Patrons can get their classic (red or white), white peach, black raspberry, passion fruit, or cava sangria in a variety of sizes -- glass, half pitcher, and full pitcher -- with prices ranging from a reasonable $6 to $22. Signature mojitos and wines are also available.
The only thing better than stellar Spanish tapas are when those tapas are paired with top-notch sangria. Both the red or white sangria have just enough sweetness that you'll be guzzling down glass after glass (or pitcher after pitcher). Drink your sangria while chowing down on both cold tapas -- such as jamon iberico with manchego cheese -- as well as hot tapas, including a number of grilled seafoods. Unlike many other Spanish tapas restaurants, Cafe Iberico also features an entree menu packed with more delicious eats.
Get cozy with your date and split some flavorful tapas at this Lakeview hotspot. Twist considers its sweet sangria a specialty here, and for good reason. At $25 per liter, or $6.95 a glass, the price is a bit high, but it more than packs a punch. The sangria also goes well with a diverse array of tapas, from the traditional bacon-wrapped dates to the more unusual fusion dishes, such as jalapeno gnocchi.
Related: Best Seasonal Drinks in Chicago
Quartino may be an Italian restaurant and wine bar, but it also offers some fabulous sangria, both red and white. Ranging in price from $5 to $20 (from 1/4 liter to a full liter) and combined with fresh fruit as well as brandy, the drink menu is hard to beat. Other drink items include bellinis, Italian bitters, liqueurs, and beer. But nothing goes better with your Italian tapas, pizza and salumi then one of Quartino's special sangrias!
This casual southside tapas restaurant features a range of white and red sangria flavors, including peach, strawberry, prickly pear, and mango. All of them pair smashingly well with both the paella as well as the extensive menu of Spanish tapas. The restaurant also offers vegetarian and gluten-free menus, as well as a host of wines.
Related: Best Tapas in Chicago
Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.