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The best heart-shaped foods for Valentine's Day in Chicago

Show your affection with love-themed pizzas, sushi, donuts and more from Chicago restaurants.

Jeffy Mai
Written by
Jeffy Mai
Editor, Time Out Chicago
heart shaped sushi
Photograph: Courtesy Sunda New Asian
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Love is in the air—it's Valentine's Day! If you haven't made dinner plans yet at one of Chicago's most romantic restaurants, all is not lost. There are still plenty of great spots where you can woo your valentine with a swoon-worthy meal. Some are even going the extra mile and offering special heart-shaped foods for the occasion. From classic deep dish pizzas and donuts to a Beating Heart maki roll, here are the best heart-shaped dishes to help make your date night memorable.

Lou Malnati's

A heart-shaped pizza
Photograph: Courtesy Lou Malnati's

Chicago’s legendary deep dish specialist is bringing back its popular heart-shaped pizzas, and they’re available all month long. The nine-inch pies can be had with plain cheese, sausage or pepperoni, and $1 from every order will be donated to Feeding America local food banks.

Sunda New Asian

heart shaped sushi
Photograph: Courtesy Sunda New Asian

Sure, you’ve probably seen heart-shaped pizzas and desserts before, but what about a maki roll? Sunda’s two locations are offering a special Beating Heart Maki, filled with spicy tuna, pickled daikon, tobiko and sweet soy butter, through February 16.

Gene & Georgetti

ravioli
Photograph: Courtesy Gene & Georgetti

Chicago’s oldest steakhouse isn’t just about the beef. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant will offer house-made, heart-shaped ravioli filled ricotta alongside blistered tomato, peas and lobster jus. 

Pizzeria Portofino

heart shaped pizza
Photograph: Lindsay Eberly

Treat your valentine to a romantic riverside dining experience and heart-shaped pizzas at Pizzeria Portofino. The restaurant will also lead a Galentine’s Day cocktail class on February 17 at RPM Events, so gather a group to enjoy craft concoctions and heart-shaped pies. Tickets for the event are $90 and available here.

Stan’s Donuts

heart shaped donuts
Photograph: Courtesy Stan's Donuts

Stan’s is partnering with Margie’s Candies for a special heart-shaped box of treats this year. Each box will include eight mini turtle donuts and six turtle candies. Customers can also pick up Stan's signature glazed yeast donut, which is shaped like a heart and topped with a strawberry glaze and sprinkles.

Sfera

heart shaped pizza
Photograph: Courtesy Sfera

Looking to have a romantic dinner at home on Valentine’s Day? Sicilian street food specialist Sfera is offering a package for two that includes a heart-shaped, Sicilian-style pizza to share, arancini, meatballs, arugula salad, mini chocolate torta and more for $55.

Giordano's

heart shaped pizza
Photograph: Courtesy Giordano's

The beloved stuffed pizza chain is adding a touch of romance to its pies, which will be available in heart shape for all dine-in, carryout and delivery orders. Pricing will be the same as a medium deep dish pizza.

Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company

two cocktails held over a pizza
Photograph: Courtesy Robert's Pizza and Dough Company

One of Chicago’s best pizzerias will be serving heart-shaped pies for Valentine’s Day. Diners can also upgrade their date night with a special menu for two ($150) that includes a glass of prosecco or cocktail, starters, salad, pizza and dessert. 

Ramen-san

Heart-shaped Donuts
Photograph: Lindsay Eberly

All four locations of Lettuce Entertain You’s ramen shop will make sure diners end their meals on the sweetest note with dessert options like heart-shaped hot donuts. The Fulton Market outpost will also offer a heart-topped ube Basque cheesecake.

DeNucci's

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Celebrate with Italian eatery DeNucci’s, where guests can share a heart-shaped pizza through February 16. You can build your own with a variety of toppings, or try options like the Pizza Granchio Bianco ($34), featuring lump crab meat, Fresno chile, Pecorino Romano and lemon breadcrumbs.

Miss Ricky’s

The restaurant inside Virgin Hotels Chicago is offering a three-course menu—available February 13-16—featuring Italian favorites and a heart-shaped dessert pizza. Prefer a weekend brunch instead? Stop in February 15-16 for heart-shaped waffles.

Lowcountry

After you’re done digging into a seafood boil, cap off your meal at any of Lowcountry’s three locations with an order of heart-shaped beignets. 

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