My Top 27 Restaurants in the Greater Chicagoland Area
Adventuring around town gives me an option to discover so many fun places with friends, for date nights, or even for girls night outs! The Greater Chicagoland Area offers amazing spots to explore and fill your tummy up. I’ve come up with a list of my favorite restaurants that can help you on your next trip! I’ve also started a just Chicago list in case you preferred going into the city.
1. Flight Tasting Room & Bottle Shoppe in Yorkville
They availability to try different beers with whatever your taste buds were feeling. It’s actually a pretty cool concept for a brewery. The staff was extremely knowledgeable with their beers and what they offered. I chose the flight to try a variety of their favorites. Definitely a must do kind of place!
2. Burnt Barrel Social in Yorkville
While it was a little more crowded than I hoped, the food was very comforting. I had a Chicago-style hot dog for the first time, SO GOOD! It was a cozy place, so I’d definitely want to come again.
3. Fat Rosie’s (Mexican) in Lincolnshire
This place is talked about so many people by the school I work at, so I just had to go. I went to the location closer to home and it did not disappoint. It was all the Mexican-vibes I needed– all colorful, proud, and the margarita flavors were amazing to try! I absolutely loved the experience and the culture-based food items.
4. Bulldog in Bolingbrook
Happy hour is set on Wednesdays!!! All drinks are either $4 or $5, so you know you can’t just buy one. We also had some brownie ice cream dessert and it was all solved all my chocolate cravings for sure!!
5. Village Tavern and Grill in Carol Stream
SO. MUCH. FOOD! They also say they have the best honey mustard in the midwest. So far I can attest! I loved the environment too. It felt like a sports grill type of location mixed with an American comfort foods kind of place. My friends and I loved hanging out here!
6. Emerson’s Ale House in Mount Prospect
I’ve been here a few times and absolutely love the different foodie items I get to have each time. They had a special for #TacoTuesday with margaritas and tacos, and a few other sides. The drinks and tacos were also very photogenic. #PhoneEatsFirst!!
7. Potter’s Place in Naperville
I had been wanting to visit for SO long!! Potter’s is one of the most popular bars in the Downtown Naperville area because of the vibe and options for indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a Mexican cuisine type of place and the decor just hits all the Hispanic spots in me. We also just had to get margaritas for happy hour!
8. Evviva Bar and Eatery in Lisle
With live music, great pasta, and an amazing artichoke and spinach dip– this place did the trick for a birthday night! It’s a little wild of a place with lots of people, but the staff is very attentive. We loved our experience and just had to go back for dinner.
9. Portillo’s in Schaumburg
I visited with family and now, every time they come to visit, we have to have Portillo’s. It’s a chain only in the Illinois area and actually originated close by! I talk about another location in this post if you want more information. Each restaurant is decorated differently, so it makes each location unique. Go with your tummy hungry, because you won’t regret it! Also get the chocolate cake milkshake!!! It’s probably a sugar rush waiting to happen, but also easy to share.
10. City Works Brewery in Schaumburg
My boyfriend surprised me with all my friends when I got my first big girl job to hang out here. It feels like a homie vibe, but also similar to a sports bar. It gives a mix of high top table setting with just a chill spot. I loved coming here and of course, almost every brewery I go to, I have a flight. I love to try new beers, especially local beers, because you never know which one you may fall in love with next. It was definitely a good time!
11. Tacos el Norte in Lake Bluff
In the mood for some good Mexican cuisine for date night? This is the place for you! They serve authentic Mexican foods and bring back the decor to match all the cultures taste. I absolutely love the festivity! We love coming to eat and chat here. They also serve large portions. So be ready to munch!
12. Bowlero in Buffalo Grove
Boys night gone wrong. The girlfriends invited themselves too!!! We spent the night in the greater room with cornhole and table tennis. We also always order the large ounce beer that serves plenty of us. I think it’s about 6-8 8 oz cups. It’s SO worth it! The place is also a cute spot for appetizers or something to just hang out.
They also have a whole arcade section to enjoy and win prizes. And of course, bowling lanes to bowl together.
13. Gators Wing Shack in Palatine
Someone recommended this place because of their extensive list of sauces. My boyfriend literally tried them all! None were spicy enough for him, so we’re glad we also ordered the wings. It was a fun taste test nonetheless. The beer and food were amazing!
14. Old Munich Tavern in Wheeling
I went for happy hour with some friends and it honestly felt so cozy and cute. It had that sports bar feel when you first entered, but there was an area to sit on the tables upstairs by the casino machines, so we sat there. They also have the BEST pretzel bites with cheese. SO good!
15. Sushi Nova in Orland Park
Picking up food here has basically become part of my job. We grab food from Sushi Nova at least twice a month because their lunch specials are amazing, but also their food. Based on how much you order, they also offer free appetizers. More food is more happiness and more happy customers. We’ll definitely be going back more often; especially because it’s only a few minute drive.
16. Boston Market in Wheeling
My boyfriend brought us here for our anniversary because I’ve had this craving for crab and lobster lately that I’m enjoying! It had a market feel before going into the restaurant, so we definitely got the whole experience. They chose the lobster for us and presented it on our pasta. It was an amazing experience as a whole! The food was incredible and the price was worth it.
17. Tuscany in Wheeling
It’s one of those places that truly depicts what the country’s style feels like. Tuscany is an Italian restaurant and it had the 100% feel of the culture in the restaurant. We were also feeling a little fancy, so it was pretty fun that my friend and I got to experience a taste of Italy in Illinois. The wine recommendations were incredible- I think we got like two bottles. The food was served in larger portions than I expected, so definitely took leftovers home. I would come again!
18. First Watch in Kildeer
I first heard about this restaurant when I went to Orlando, Florida. Their bread is SOO good. The hype is real and it’s also very expensive for their loaf. A whole $7, but I wanted it. This brunch spot is a must do for sure. Very family oriented, cozy, and the food is so yummy.
19. Burger 21 in Orland Park
I wanted a burger place with that diner feel and this one hit the spot! The colors, decor, how everything is set up- gave me the vibe I was looking for. They also have a variety of sauces to choose from, so that was pretty neat. And you weren’t limited to your choices.
20. Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove
Live music, front row seats, a flight of beer, and friends = priceless! The outdoor aspect to this brewery was everything you needed on a night out. It definitely brings out the best in you and the staff was so kind. So every time I want to select a flight a beer, I just let the waiter/waitress choose. I never know which are local and exquisite to my taste. Disclaimer: I actually love all foods/drinks, so my recommendations might vary from place to place.
21. Jeni’s Ice Cream in Oak Brook
I actually thought Jeni’s Ice Cream was a local spot in Ohio, until I found one in Illinois. I guess they’re in multiple places across the nation. It’s such a cute, quaint ice cream shop in each state though. They have fun limited edition flavors, as well as their usual flavors. My go to is always cookies n cream, but they also let you mix them if you want more flavors in one.
22. Stonewood Ale House in Schaumburg
I went for a girls night out to enjoy a grab and go kind of meal with drinks. We had some wine and quesadillas, and honestly talked the night away. It was a cute spot to hang out at, especially because I’m a sucker for little lights in bars. We did indoor seating, so at least we weren’t freezing outside. I’m sure in the summer, this is also a go to spot. I’d definitely love to come again!
23. Lou Malnati’s in Tinley Park
EVERYONE has their preference of who has the best deep dish pizza in Illinois… I LOVE Lou Malnati’s. The way I think of it is that Lou Malnati’s serves the deep dish with more cheese and Giordano’s is more sauce. There are also other locations with deep dish, but these are the main ones. I may also be bias because I have one across the street from work; but all in all, Lou Malnati’s wins!
I also love how much character each restaurant has with their own decor and design, both inside and outside. This one had more of an industrial feel to the place.
24. Fat Rosie’s in Lincolnshire
I absolutely love going to this Illinois chain. It’s a whole Mexican vibe and I’m here for it!!! I feel like every time I go, I try to sit somewhere different to see all sides of the restaurant and enjoy it to the fullest.
25. Chicago Bagel and Bialy in Wheeling
My boyfriend and I came for brunch, and it was a bit of an interesting experience. I was in the mood for a bagel, and usually ask the person who works there for their opinion in what’s good with the bagel. She gave me a pizza bagel with ham and cheese… not the best option for me. I loved the simplicity of their coffee system though. There’s definitely other options of food though!
26. Tapville in Naperville, Illinois
I actually started coming here when it was Red Arrow Taproom, then it rebranded to Tapville. They have the first concept of this in all of Illinois. Basically, you can pour your own beers with the selection they have, and the price is based on the ounces you choose for your glass. You can choose from doing a flight of beer or just one large glass, but the concept is so much fun!
27. Meze Meditteraneo in Schaumburg
Tasting greek foods has to be one of my favorite things to do. Illinois truly has lots of authentic greek spots and ready to serve a large group. I went with my family and of course, reserved a large seating area, but went with an open mind towards the foods they have. It’s amazing how similar meditteranean food is to Lebanese food. It took me back to my family dinners in Miami!
Also, all our covid friendly; meaning you wear a mask, there’s hand sanitizer, they check your temperature, you need reservations, etc. Most of my reservations were made on OpenTable (this is not an advertisement for them).
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