This list is not all-inclusive.
AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY
ABIGAIL’S AMERICAN BISTRO
493 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park
847-780-4862
The menu offers variety, from the lunchtime ahi tuna-sashimi nicoise salad to dinner selections including maple mustard glazed salmon. $$
Lunch Tues.-Fri.; dinner Tues.-Sat.
BOBBY’S OF DEERFIELD
695 Deerfield Road, Deerfield
847-607-9104
Bobby’s has “modernized the old-school model” using familiar but fresh ingredients in an inventive way. Check out the salmon pastrami appetizer. $$$
Dinner daily.
CHEF’S STATION
Davis Metra Station, Ground Floor, 915 Davis St., Evanston, 847-570-9821
Get on board for an epicurean journey with a six-course tasting meal paired with wine or explore the many other dishes including pan roasted Maple Leaf duck breast. $$
Dinner daily.
GRILLE NO. 43
28800 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Bluff
847-234-7643
This intimate spot serves an American contemporary menu with a French flair. Start with Don Julio’s drunken shrimp wrapped in jalapeno-infused bacon with tequila lime sauce. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
THE GRILLE ON LAUREL
181 E. Laurel Ave., Lake Forest
847-234-9660
Enjoy the nostalgic supper club-like atmosphere. Dinner options include classic shrimp de jonghe, prime steaks and chops. $$
Lunch and dinner daily; brunch Sun.
INOVASI
28 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff
847-295-1000
Eating is an adventure at this contemporary style restaurant dedicated to serving fresh, locally sustainable foods. Small, medium and large plate options feature seasonal ingredients. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat.
THE LUCKY PLATTER
514 Main St., Evanston
847-869-4064
This diner specializes in funkadelic post-hippy eclectic world cuisine. Chow down on chicken potpie for dinner. $
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
NIETO’S
429 Temple Ave., Highland Park
847-432-0770
This inviting grill and bar features craft beers, diverse wines, and casual meals of sandwiches, burgers and soups. $$
Dinner Wed.-Mon.
THE NOODLE
708 Twelfth St., Wilmette
847-251-2228
This bustling European-style cafe offers freshly made pasta to pair with one of several sauces including chicken asparagus sauté. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner daily.
O’NEIL’S
1003 Green Bay Road, Winnetka
847-446-7100
This casual and comfortable neighborhood restaurant also offers outdoor dining. Dinner options include osso bucco and pesto pasta. $$
Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner daily; brunch Sun.
PRAIRIE GRASS CAFE
601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook
847-205-4433
Drawing upon the image of a prairie homestead, this restaurant features grass-fed beef and local produce. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner daily; breakfast Sat. and Sun.
PRAIRIE MOON ALL-AMERICAN DINING
1502 Sherman Ave., Evanston
847-864-8328
With a tag line claiming “good lookin’ scratch cookin’, ” this locally owned cafe specializes in American cuisine featuring regional favorites including sirloin steak $$
Lunch and dinner daily, breakfast Sun.
THE STAINED GLASS BISTRO
1735 Benson Ave., Evanston
847-864-8600
The diverse menu presents appetizers like grilled baby octopus and foie gras BLT. Main dishes include Australian rack of lamb and Berkshire pork chop. $$$
Dinner daily.
AMERICAN TRADITIONAL
EJ’S PLACE
10027 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
847-933-9800
This woodsy lodge offers prime aged steaks and chops. Chicken Vesuvio and homemade ravioli are the many Italian specialties on the menu. $$$
Dinner daily.
FIREHOUSE GRILL
750 Chicago Ave., Evanston
847-733-1911
This meticulously restored firehouse creates an interesting setting. Hickory smoked Carolina pork, baby back ribs, and Smithwick’s beer battered cod are among the favorites. $
Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sat.; dinner Mon.; brunch, lunch and dinner Sun.
GLENVIEW HOUSE
1843 Glenview Road, Glenview
847-724-0692
Originally established in 1878, this historic structure is now an upscale pub serving such items as pot roast nachos, a smoked Reuben, and seared black cod. $$
Dinner Mon.-Sun.; lunch and dinner Fri. Sat. Sun.
GRANDPA’S PLACE
1868 Prairie St., Glenview
847-724-1390
With a long wooden bar dating back to 1891, comfy seating and a fireplace, this place has an old fashioned, homey feel. The food has an Irish tilt with fish and chips and a Reuben in the lineup. $
Lunch and dinner daily.
THE HAPP INN BAR & GRILL
305 Happ Road, Northfield
847-784-9200
A wood-burning oven turns out flat bread pizza covered with fresh mozzarella, pepperoni or goat cheese and spinach. Half-pound burgers topped with interesting combinations are popular as is the General Happ’s fried chicken. $
Lunch and dinner daily.
KEN’S DINER
3353 W. Dempster St., Skokie
847-679-2850
Ken’s, a ’50s-themed diner, is known for its menu items like the Burger Buddy, a half- pound burger slathered in a special barbecue sauce. $
Lunch and dinner Sun.-Thurs.
MARKET HOUSE ON THE SQUARE
655 Forest Ave., Lake Forest
847-234-8800
This restaurant housed in a national historic landmark building makes everything in-house. Comfort food made with style with entrees like hot wing ravioli, duck potpie, ginger steamed salmon, and beef stroganoff. $$
Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on Sunday.
PLAYERS GRILL
1855 Deerfield Road, Highland Park
847-831-4445
There are plenty of familiar items on the menu like barbecue ribs and fried chicken but there are other players to enjoy like raspberry duck and barbecue turkey meatloaf. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner daily.
THE RIDGEVIEW GRILL
827 Ridge Road, Wilmette
847-251-2770
This family friendly restaurant is ready to serve comfort food with gourmet flair. Dinner items include seafood, pasta, steaks, and chops. $
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
THE SILO
625 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff
847-234-6660
Enjoy pizza, chili or ribs at this restaurant known for its prominent silo, a symbol of Midwestern farms. $
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.; dinner Sun.
WILMETTE CHOP HOUSE AND PIANO BAR
1162 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
847-278-2462
Step inside this swanky restaurant with a white baby grand piano. Try the signature double cut bone-in pork chop. $$
Dinner Tues.-Sat.
YARD HOUSE
1880 Tower Drive, Glenview
847-729-9273
Enjoy both great eats and great beats at this restaurant on a mission to offer an impressive selection of draft beer, an array of American food and classic rock from a state-of-the-art sound system. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
ASIAN
153 AKIRA
1137 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette
847-256-1133
Looking like art as well as a meal, the sushi and sashimi plates and Osaka-style Japanese entrees created by chef Akira have a slight French flair to them. $$
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri.; dinner Sat.
AKAI HANA
3223 W. Lake Ave., Wilmette
847-251-0384Expand your palate with the many sushi options or enjoy pan-fried sea bass with teriyaki sauce or one of the many traditional dishes. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
BANGKOK TOKYO
227 Waukegan Road, Lake Bluff
847-295-7811
The sleek decor in this restaurant is the perfect backdrop for trying the exotic mix of Thai and Japanese dishes. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
KAMEHACHI
1320 Shermer Road, Northbrook
847-562-0064
Credited with being the first restaurant to serve sushi in Chicago, this is a place to explore a variety of Japanese cuisine. $$
Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner daily.
KOI FINE ASIAN CUISINE & LOUNGE
624 Davis St., Evanston
847-866-6969
In a setting that is sleek and modern, Koi offers dishes from the eight different regions of China, along with a selection of sushi. $$
Lunch and dinner daily, Brunch Sat. and Sun.
LITTLE SZECHWAN
1900 First St., Highland Park
847-433-7007
Satisfy a taste for authentic Chinese cuisine. The menu offers a great variety of soup, mu shu crepes and noodle and rice dishes as well as chicken, beef, pork and seafood entrees. $
Lunch and dinner daily.
SEOUL GARDEN
3420 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
847-390-8390
Experience myriad flavors found in Korean cuisine. Complimentary kimchi and other side dishes are served with meals to help expand the dining experience. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
SUSHI KUSHI TOYO
825 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
847-234-9950
This bustling restaurant is a favorite with locals who come for sushi, sashimi, maki rolls and other Japanese specialties. $$
Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner daily.
SUSHI KUSHI TOO
495 Central Ave., Highland Park
847-681-8997
This sister restaurant to Sushi Kushi Toyo also offers an extensive Japanese menu. $$
Lunch Tues.-Sat.; dinner Tues.-Sun.
TOKYO & BEIJING ASIAN CUISINE
339 Ridge Road, Wilmette 847-251-2666
Popular Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes join together to provide diners with many tasty choices. $$
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri; dinner daily. Closed last Tuesday of each month.
WILDFISH
730 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-317-9453
Select single sushi favorites or order up a combo of different flavors. Feast on seared tuna drizzled with horseradish and teriyaki sauce. $$
Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner daily.
BREAKFAST PLUS
ANNIE’S PANCAKE HOUSE
4900 WEST OAKTON ST., SKOKIE
847-675-7562
Head over to Annie’s for one of the eggceptional skillets with a layer of potatoes covered with your choice of filling, sprinkled with Monterey Jack cheese and crowned with two eggs cooked to order. $
Breakfast and lunch daily.
BLUFFINGTON’S CAFE
113 E. Scranton Ave., Lake Bluff
847-295-3344
Start the day with egg Bluffington, an English muffin topped with egg, cheese and your choice of meat. $
Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Sat..
EGGSPERIENCE
The Glen, 2000 Tower Lane, Glenview
847-998-5111
2545 Waukegan Road, Bannockburn
847-940-8444
This restaurant offers dozens of breakfast options. Try the oven-baked oatmeal with diced bananas and golden raisins glazed with maple syrup. $
Breakfast and lunch daily.
THE ORIGINAL GREEN BAY CAFÉ
568 Green Bay Road, Winnetka
847-446-7698
This hidden treasure offers unique twists on breakfast and lunch favorites. The bread pudding French toast is a tasty change and the tamale corn flap-jacks give pancakes new life. $
Breakfast and lunch daily.
CAFES/DELIS/MARKETS
BLIND FAITH CAFÉ
525 Dempster St., Evanston
847-328-6875
This combination café and bakery offers interesting vegetarian options including warm onion Gruyere tart, roasted beet salad and spinach lasagna. It is hard to resist the bakery items like seasonal cheesecake. $
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun.
CONVITO CAFÉ & MARKET
Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette
847-251-3654
Feel like you are stepping into the French or Italian countryside at this combination restaurant and gourmet shop. Let someone else do the cooking and enjoy a traditional French or Italian inspired meal. $$
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.; Sun. brunch.
MAX AND BENNY’S RESTAURANT AND DELI
461 Waukegan Road (Brookside Plaza), Northbrook
847-272-9490
The menu here is a mix of Jewish and international comfort foods including fried matzo, lox platters, club sandwiches, paninis, salads and more. $$
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
MAX’S DELI
191 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park
847-831-0600
Find deli favorites such as sweet and sour cabbage soup, potato pancakes and a hot pastrami sandwich. $
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
PRAIRIE JOE’S
1921 Central St., Evanston
847-491-0391
This cafe is keeping it real with a mix of vegetarian and American food with international flavors tossed in. $
Breakfast and lunch daily.
CAJUN, CREOLE, SOUTHERN
BLUEGRASS
1636 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park
847-831-0595
Feast on jambalaya or a rack of dry rubbed, hickory smoked baby back ribs. Save room for the classic bananas Foster. $$
Lunch Tues.-Fri.; dinner Tues.-Sun.
DIXIE KITCHEN & BAIT SHOP
825 Church Ave., Evanston
847-733-9030
Try not to fill up on the delicious corn muffins so there is room for gumbo, crawfish étouffée and Dixie ribs. $
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri.; brunch, lunch and dinner Sat. and Sun.
FRENCH
CAFÉ CENTRAL
455 Central Ave., Highland Park
847-266-7878
Enjoy the feel of a French country bistro. The dinner lineup includes Burgundy escargots, braised lamb shank and half a roast duckling. $$
Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sat.; dinner Sun.
FRANK & BETSIE’S
51 Green Bay Road, Glencoe
847-446-0404
This intimate restaurant serves California inspired cuisine with a French accent. The menu changes seasonally and some items change daily. $$
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.
FROGGY’S FRENCH CAFE
306 Green Bay Road, Highwood
847-433-7080
This romantic French cafe offers 300 French and American wines combined with a menu that updates Old World dishes with modern techniques. $$$
Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat.
MIRAMAR BISTRO
301 Waukegan Ave., Highwood
847-433-1078
Step inside this French style bistro and dine on classics such as Dover sole almondine and roasted duck with orange sauce. $$
Lunch and dinner daily
MIRANI’S
727 Elm St., Winnetka
847-441-5590
Mirani’s offers brasserie bistro cooking in an eclectic and colorful setting. The menu offers steak frites, classic coq au vin and other French favorites. $$
Lunch Tues.-Sat.; dinner Tues.–Sun.
RESTAURANT MICHAEL
64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka
847-441-3100
This French inspired restaurant offers imaginative entrees such as roasted filet of Wild Atlantic Cod, roasted foi gras stuffed breast of hen New York squab, and vegetarian risotto. $$$
Lunch and dinner daily.
GREEK/INDIAN/ MEDITERRANEAN
AVLI ESTIATORIO
566 Chestnut St., Winnetka
847-446-9300
This courtyard restaurant serves authentic Greek cuisine indoors and outdoors. Sample the collection of small plates. The full meal options include homemade gyros, lamb chops and pastichio. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
CURRY HUT RESTAURANT
410 Sheridan Road, Highwood
847-432-2889
Enjoy the interesting flavors of Indian and Nepalese cuisines including goat simmered in spices and herbs. Try the lunch buffet for a variety of dishes. $
Lunch and dinner daily.
DEMETRI’S
660 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield
847-940-0777
Sample the flavors of Greek cuisine. Try the braised lamb and beef mixed with macaroni known as pastitsio. $$
Lunch Sun. thru Fri.; dinner daily.
MIZRAHI GRILL
215 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park
847-831-1400
This is the home of the shawarma sandwich made from marinated turkey and lamb roast on a skewer, carved to order and piled in a pita pocket. $$
Lunch and dinner Sun.-Thurs., lunch Fri.
EVEREST RESTAURANT
630 Church St., Evanston 847-491-1069
This elegant restaurant offers Royal Indian and Nepalese dishes born in the mountains of the Himalayas. $
Lunch and dinner daily.
PHOENICIA
1910 First St., Highland Park
847-266-9990
For a taste of the Mediterranean, visit this restaurant where coveted family recipes fill the menu. A signature dish is the broiled whole red snapper. $$
Lunch Tues.-Sat.; dinner daily.
IRISH
THE CELTIC KNOT PUBLIC HOUSE
626 Church St., Evanston
847-864-1679
The Celtic collection is a sampler of lamb stew, fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage. Enjoy Moira’s afternoon tea served on Wednesdays and Saturdays. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
ITALIAN
CAFÉ LUCCI
609 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
847-729-2268
This intimate café offers diners regional Italian cuisine influenced by French, Mediterranean and American flavors. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner daily.
CAMPAGNOLA
815 Chicago Ave., Evanston
847-475-6100
Offering Italian country cooking, such as mustard-crusted rack of lamb, veal scallopini and brick-grilled chicken. $$
Dinner Tues.-Sun.
DAVE’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
1635 Chicago Ave., Evanston
847-864-6000
For more than 40 years, Dave’s has been the place for traditional homemade Italian food at affordable prices. $
Dinner daily.
DEL RIO
228 Green Bay Road, Highwood
847-432-4608
Family-owned since the 1920s, Del Rio offers steaks, veal, chicken, pasta and the chef’s nightly specials, such as a recent braised short rib with polenta. $$
Dinner Tues.-Sun.
FRANCESCA’S INTIMO
293 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest
847-735-9235
One of the Francesca family of restaurants, menu items include roasted pork chops with pancetta, eggplant with zucchini and rigatoni with sausage. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner daily.
FRANCESCA’S NORTH
1145 Church St., Northbrook
847-559-0260
Popular menu selections include pan roasted mahi mahi with grilled artichokes, as well as a daily ravioli special. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
FRANCESCO’S HOLE IN THE WALL
254 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook
847-272-0155
Diners see selections on the ever-changing wallboard menu based on daily fresh ingredients. $$
Lunch Mon., Wed-Fri.; dinner Mon., Wed.-Sun.
GUSTO ITALIANO RISTORANTE
1834 Glenview Road, Glenview 847-729-5444
This Glenview staple offers a variety of Mediterranean flavors. Begin with a roasted eggplant and portobello appetizer. Enjoy a charbroiled rib eye with Madeira demi-glace sweet garlic sauce. $$
Dinner daily.
MARCO ROMA
14 Green Bay Road, Winnetka
847-501-3333
Food prepared the way Nonna would like it is the promise of this family owned restaurant offering both pizza and pasta. Pasta choices include rigatoni alla vodka and eggplant Parmigiano. $
Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.; dinner Sun.
PIZANO’S PIZZA AND PASTA
1808 Waukegan Road, Glenview
847-486-1777
A descendant of Malnati’s, the pizza here is the family recipe for the flakey, buttery thin crust that caramelizes on the edges and makes for a memorable thin crust pizza. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
ROSEBUD
560 N. Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-914-0900
This member of the Rosebud family of restaurants specializes in home-style Italian dishes like baked ziti and cheese ravioli or dig into veal medallions and mushrooms cooked in Marsala wine. $$
Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner daily.
TRATTORIA D.O.C.
706 Main St., Evanston
847-475-1111
Popular pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven and topped with your choice of toppings. Or take a taste of thin veal medallions sautéed with prosciutto and sage. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
MEXICAN/LATIN
AUTHENTICO MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND BAR
770 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest
847-295-3500
A mixture of new and old is reflected in the menu. Familiar tacos are elevated with fillings like grilled marinated mahi-mahi with lime cilantro crema. $$
Dinner daily.
DEPOT NUEVO
1139 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
847-251-3111
For fresh fare with a Latin flair start with refreshing ceviche and then head to the main entrees like a Cuban steak. Check out the selection of tequilas by trying a tequila flight. $$
Dinner daily.
GUANAJUATO CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN & TEQUILA BAR
73 Green Bay Road, Glencoe
847-242-0501
Explore the many flavors of Mexico including more than 40 tequilas. Try El Molcajete, a slow simmered mix of steak, grilled cactus, onions, black beans and salsa. $$
Lunch Tues. – Sat; dinner Tues. – Sun.
LA CASA DE ISSAC
431 Temple Ave., Highland Park
847-433-5550
Try authentic Mexican fare like burrito campestre with a filling of black beans, cheese, portabella mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash and avocado. $$
Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri., Sun.; dinner Mon. –Thurs., Sat., Sun.
LA CASA DE ISSAC & MOISHE RESTAURANT
2014 1st St., Highland Park
847-433-7400
Issac and Moishe Nava opened this restaurant around the corner from their first to give diners more seating room. Try Tampiquena, a broiled skirt steak. $$
Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri., Sun.; dinner Mon.-Thurs., Sat., Sun.
LIBERTAD
7931 Lincoln Ave., Skokie
847-674-8100
This is a small place offers “nuevo Latino” small plates. Try the pulpo — Spanish octopus. $$
Dinner Tues-Sun.; brunch Sun.
LONGITUD315
315 Waukegan Ave., Highwood
847-926-7495
This spot features a fusion of South American flavors from Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Venezuela. A variety of Churasco-style meats star, all cooked in an open flame grill. $$
Dinner Wed.-Mon.
THAT LITTLE MEXICAN CAFÉ
1010 Church St., Evanston
847-905-1550
This is the place for fresh, authentic Mexican dishes such as jalapenos stuffed with queso and cream cheese, duck breast with mole sauce and grilled skirt steak with chimichurri. $$
Lunch and dinner daily.
SEAFOOD
DAVIS STREET FISHMARKET
501 Davis St., Evanston
847-869-3474
Dive into the menu featuring items like Maryland crab cakes, smoked rainbow trout, cedar planked salmon and soft shell crab. $$
Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun.; dinner Mon.
MAESTRO SEAFOOD & GRILL
500 Anthony Trail, Northbrook
847-272-8111
At this upscale restaurant, consider the wood-roasted salmon filet or mix things up with a charbroiled rib eye marinated for 36 hours. $$
Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner Sat. and Sun.; Sunday brunch.
MH FISH HOUSE
670 Bank Lane, Lake Forest
847-234-8802
MH offers a “fresh sea to table” concept. Dover Sole with roasted potatoes and chanterelle mushrooms in brown butter is one of the offerings. A selection of small plates is available. $$
Dinner Tues.-Sat.
OCEANIQUE
505 Main St., Evanston
847-864-3435
This eclectic seafood house features catches from around the world prepared in a French-American style. $$$
Dinner Mon.-Sat.
