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Best Places For Sangria In Chicago

large-sangria
(Photo Credit: cafebabareeba.com)

Chicago overflows with good food and drink from a variety of restaurants of every style, but where do you get the best sangria in the city? If you're a sangria fan, check out our favorites below, good for making you feel like it's summer regardless of what the crazy Chicago weather is doing at any point in the year.

Cafe Iberico
737 N. LaSalle Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 573-1510
www.cafeiberico.com

Not only does Cafe Iberico boast a great menu with excellent tapas, but the River North restaurant has some of the best white and red sangria in town. The menu is made for sharing, both the food and the sangria. Great for a date out or a large group of friends, the larger the group, the more pitchers of sangria! You could have one red and one white and try them both. The restaurant is a short walk from the Chicago brown line station on the CTA and steps from both LaSalle and Chicago buses.

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
2024 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-5000
www.cafebabareeba.com

If you're looking for variety in your sangria, check out Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba. Chicagoans like to argue over whether it or Cafe Iberico is the superior location, but you cannot deny Ba-Ba-Reeba's delicious flavors. Try the peach sangria on a warm day. The restaurant is tapas style, so it's great for a date or a group, but be sure to make reservations ahead of time as it gets very busy, especially on the weekends. The atmosphere is laid back and good for any occasion and the sangria is not too sweet.

Sangria
(Photo Credit: elnandurestaurant.com)

El Ñandú
2731 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 278-0900
www.elnandurestaurant.com

Another great stop for sangria is El Ñandú on Fullerton. It's a cozy, casual atmosphere and sometimes has loud music. It's great for a festive night out, but probably not the choice for romantic conversation. Grab a group of friends and head to Logan Square for a few carafes of sangria, but make a reservation if you plan to come on a Saturday night. El Ñandú is perfect to hit up before a night out in the Logan Square/Wicker Park area. The restaurant is near the California blue line station.

Related: Best Tapas In Chicago

Mesón Sabika
1025 Aurora Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 983-3000
www.mesonsabika.com

If you're looking to get out of the city or want to sample some excellent sangria in the suburbs, try Mesón Sabika in Naperville. In addition to excellent sangria, it has a wide array of tapas and outdoor seating. The atmosphere is cozy, old world decor and the outdoor deck is reputed to be an amazing atmosphere. It's perfect for soaking up those last warm days with a delicious pitcher of hearty sangria. Make reservations or be prepared to wait. Mesón Sabika is also available for showers and other events.

Tapas Barcelona
1615 Chicago Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-9900
www.tapasbarcelona.com

If you'd like to stay a little closer to home, but still get out of the city, check out Tapas Barcelona in Evanston. The sangria is made with great tasting wine and lots of apple. It has a great atmosphere with outdoor seating and is close to both the Davis and Dempster stops on the purple line. The tapas portions are a little larger if you have a bigger appetite or more friends to share with, and the flavor pairings must be experienced. The atmosphere is casual, but reservations still might be a good idea on peak nights.

Related: Best All You Can Drink Specials In Chicago

Meredith Lyons is an actor, competitive fighter and fitness instructor in Chicago who also owns an amazing cat named Jake. Meredith has been writing on Examiner as the Chicago Martial Arts Examiner since 2008. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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