Raise your glass: Suburban restaurants honored with Wine Spectator awards
Suburban restaurants are proving oenophiles don’t have to go far to enjoy a world class wine program.
Seventeen different restaurant concepts, many with multiple locations in the suburbs, recently were honored in the 2026 Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards.
The awards, which were uncorked in 1981, are billed as the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They reward restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
In all, 4,012 dining destinations from all 50 states and more than 85 countries were recognized at one of three levels: the Award of Excellence (2,083 winners), the Best of Award of Excellence (1,830) and the Grand Award (99).
Four suburban restaurants received the second highest honor, including 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake; The Tavern in Libertyville; The Capital Grille locations in Lombard, Rosemont and Schaumburg; and The Brasserie in Lake Forest.
These restaurants typically offer more than 350 selections hailing from multiple wine-growing regions.
It’s the fourth straight Best of Award of Excellence for 1776, a smaller fish in a big wine pond. Wine and spirits director Erik Nordstrom said it’s always been tough to compete against restaurant concepts with more locations and buying power, but it’s gotten even more difficult with a recent decline in wine production due to an overall lower demand.
“This year’s recognition feels the most rewarding,” Nordstrom said. “It’s been a lot of work to maintain the list that we have. I’m really proud of what we do at 1776 and am thrilled to get this distinction from Wine Spectator.”
Thirteen more concepts received the Award of Excellence, including Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Naperville, which was honored for the 21st time.
“Wine has always been an essential part of the guest experience across our restaurants,” said Ken Hoffman, chief operating officer of parent company Dividend Restaurant Group, which also operates fellow winner Eddie Merlot’s in Lincolnshire.
“We’ve thoughtfully curated wine programs that complement our menus and create memorable moments at the table,” Hoffman said. “Over the years, we’ve built strong partnerships with some of the world’s most respected wineries and winemakers, allowing us to offer exceptional selections for both seasoned enthusiasts and those discovering new favorites.”
In order to be considered for an award, a restaurant’s wine list is evaluated for overall presentation and must also provide complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations, or regions, for all selections and the mandatory inclusion of producer names with correct spellings.
Other suburban Award of Excellence winners are:
• Atwater’s in Geneva
• Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in Oak Brook
• The Greggory in South Barrington
• The James in Geneva
• Morton’s, The Steakhouse locations in Naperville, Northbrook, Rosemont and Schaumburg
• Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille locations in Oak Brook and Schaumburg
• Petite Vie in Western Springs
• Seasons 52 in Oak Brook and Schaumburg
• STK Steakhouse in Oak Brook
• Suzette’s Creperie in Wheaton
• Truluck’s in Rosemont
Fifty-five Chicago restaurants were among the winners. No restaurants in the Chicago area were among the Grand Award winners.