BYOB Wine Pairing Guide for Chicago’s Fav Restaurants

No city does dining quite like Chicago, and our culinary scene includes diverse and creative options from around the world. While I can’t definitively prove it, I’d bet we hold the title of BYOB capital of the United States. With so many incredible BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurants scattered throughout the city, selecting the right wine or spirit can take your meal up a level.

In May and August, I had the pleasure of sharing some of Chicago’s top BYOB restaurants and wine pairing recommendations on WGN’s Spotlight Chicago. This blog will revisit the list for these segments and provide a guide for your next BYOB dining adventure. When choosing wines for these experiences, I like to think in terms of “wine partnering” rather than “pairing.” Note, “wine partnering is something I created, so don’t go trying to impress your sommelier friends with this language. They will be confused! In my opinion, a true food and wine pairing aims for perfection, where you carefully match wines to known elements of the dish. In contrast, partnering seeks flexibility—a wine that complements a variety of flavors without needing intimate knowledge of every ingredient. This approach allows diners to enjoy wines that enhance their meal, even when the cuisine offers diverse and evolving flavors.

Before digging into our wine and spirits recommendations, one important reminder: always check a restaurant’s BYOB policy before bringing your own bottle. While many Chicago spots embrace BYOB, some may have restrictions or corkage fees that vary, so it’s best to call ahead with the list in the order that they were shown on TV.

Luella’s Southern Kitchen, 4609 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Featured Wine: 2022 Raimat Albariño, $10.99 

Luella’s Southern Kitchen serves up soulful, flavor-packed Southern cuisine. The 2022 Raimat Albariño is an ideal match for these rich, comforting dishes. With a slight bitterness from skin contact and refreshing acidity, this medium-bodied wine cuts through the hearty flavors while acting as a palate cleanser between bites, ensuring every taste of your meal feels as vibrant as the first.

Chilam Balam, 3023 N Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60657

Featured Wine: Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2022, $11.99  

For fans of delicious sustainably sourced Mexican cuisine, Chilam Balam offers a farm-to-table experience infused with bold flavors. The 2022 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp and zesty organic wine from Chile, makes an excellent companion to the restaurant’s bright citrusy dishes. Whether you’re savoring ceviche, guacamole, or queso, the wine’s herbaceous notes enhance the freshness of the menu.

312 Fish Market, 2105 S Jefferson St., Chicago, IL 60616

Featured Wine: RUMOR Rosé 2022, Côtes de Provence, $29.99  

At 312 Fish Market, the sushi and seafood-centric menu calls for a wine that can balance the delicate, salty, and creamy flavors of the dishes. Enter the RUMOR Rosé 2022. Crafted from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren, and Vermentino, this dry and crisp rosé offers refreshing acidity that pairs beautifully with sushi rolls, sashimi, and seafood tempura, making it an elegant choice for this cuisine. 

Tango Sur, 3763 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Featured Wine: Broken Earth 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $59  

Tango Sur is a fan favorite, renowned for Argentine steaks, and the bold flavors of the Broken Earth 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon are a natural fit. With rich notes of cherries, tobacco, and leather, this wine’s tannins are softened by the juicy, fatty cuts of meat. It’s a classic match for steak lovers who want a powerful red to complement their meal.

Flour Power, 1642 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Featured Wine: Sequoia Grove 2022 Napa Valley Chardonnay  

Chef Wilson Bauer, formerly of Michelin-starred Schwa, uses pasta as a canvas for inventive sauces that go beyond the traditional red and white sauce. The 2022 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Chardonnay is the perfect partner for these rich creations. With a medium body, creamy texture, and notes of lemon and peach, this wine provides just the right balance of fruit and acid to enhance the complex, flavorful sauces that Chef Bauer brings to life.

Kizin Creole, 2311 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60645

Featured Wine: Sequoia Grove 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  

Kizin Creole offers a taste of Haitian/ Caribbean cuisine that brings me back to my roots, and pairing it with Sequoia Grove’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a bold companion. Known for their tasting experience, “A Taste of Cabernet” that showcases Cabernet’s versatility, this Napa Valley pioneer creates a wine that isn’t just for steak—it shines with rich, slow-cooked dishes like Kizin’s beef or chicken en sauce and oxtails. The deep tannins and dark fruit flavors harmonize beautifully with the hearty, rich flavors of the cuisine.

Hermosa Chicago, 356 W Armitage Ave, Unit B, Chicago, IL 60639

Featured Wine: Merriam 2020 Right Bank Red Blend, $84  

Hermosa Chicago’s menu, steered by Chef Ethan Lim, centers around Cambodian-inspired cuisine. Traditionally, you might pair these flavors with a lighter white wine, but why not take a risk with a silky, fruit-forward red? The Merriam 2020 Right Bank Red Blend provides just enough structure to complement dishes while allowing its fruit notes to shine alongside the complex spices of Cambodian fare.

Green Dragon Tacos and Juice Bar, 2255 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612

Featured Spirit: Kountry Vodka, $20  

For a more casual BYOB experience, Green Dragon Tacos and Juice Bar is a great choice for modern taco lovers. Their juice bar, offering a variety of flavors,(the juices are on the sweet side) pairs with the creamy texture of Kountry Vodka, made from Midwestern corn and Kentucky water. This vodka’s smooth finish and subtle sweetness make it an excellent base for inventive cocktails to sip alongside your taco feast.

Selecting the right wine or spirit for your BYOB dining experience can transform a good meal into a memorable one. From Southern comfort food to Mexican delicacies, sushi, steak, and more, these recommendations will clinch that your chosen beverage that enhances the flavors and BYOB experience. Don’t forget to check BYOB policies, and most importantly, remember to have fun with food and wine when pairing or partnering.  Cheers to your next BYOB dining experience in Chicago!

Have a favorite BYOB restaurant? Send us an email (sww@Shallwewine.com)  we are always looking for places to feature. 

Photo from restaurants websites or social media feeds.