Restaurants in Champaign
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Best Restaurants
“Such a nice place to visit! Staffs are very friendly and always has an energy. The foods were excellent as well. I had bunch of rolls and I love salmon and the quality of the fish were so good. Very fresh :) I would definitely come here again”
“Have eaten here twice now. The ramen is in a word, incredible. The food is very very authentic. If you go you get the fried quail. I promise you won't regret it.”
“I have eaten here three times now and I just love this place more and more. The omakase is out of this world. Ken is a true sushi master and the level of dedication and expertise can be tasted with every bite. The location is a bit of a hidden hole in the wall. The plaza is pretty nondescript but once you step through, the decor and vibe is full on authentic Japanese sushi bar. I am so tempted to keep this spot a secret so reservations won’t become too hard to get but honestly Ken deserves the shout out.”
“Fried fish cooked in an open oven is crispy and fragrant, with authentic Chinese flavor. Braised beef brisket is soft, glutinous, tasty, and full of collagen. Thumbs up ?”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“The food, service, and ambiance is amazing! Not to mention the dj played all the perfect jams. The owner even came to the table to introduce herself! There is not one thing bad I can say about this restaurant. If you need a stiff drink or even kill some time on the slot machines… they deliver good vibes only!!!”
“1st time visiting. Very nice, and clean restaurant. Staff was very nice but most of all the food was delicious! So many options to choose from made it hard to decide. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. Definitely will be back. Instead of 5 stars, I'll give them 10!”
Restaurants with Delivery
“I cannot say enough good things about Smith Burgers. We have had over half the items on their menu and have never found something we didn't like. My favorite 2 items are the Swiss N Shroom and Bacon Mac Attack Ripper. If you haven't tried them yet, do it. You won't be disappointed.”
“Wasn’t a fan of this place at first and even told myself I wouldn’t come back. But I decided to give it another shot, and I’m so glad I did. Turns out, I was just ordering the wrong things because my third visit was well worth it. The food was incredible. Now it’s one of my go-to spots. The service is great, the staff is friendly, and the ingredients are fresh. The lunch special is one of the best deals on campus , the portions are huge and well worth it. It can get really busy at times, but they work fast.”
“Although it’s been a while since I’ve been there I have to commend The Original Pancake House for their most recent post stating they were going to be closed on a upcoming day to install a new dishwasher. In this post they suggested other area restaurants for customers to visit for breakfast. There are not many places i know that would do this! Kudos to them! That speaks volumes to me on the type of people they are. Can’t wait to visit again!”
“Our meals were excellent. I had the chicken and shrimp pasta. he had the Tasmanian shrimp scallops and pasta. We had Abbi for our server. and Jon, the manager is terrific Definitely my favorite restaurant”
“Not buffet style. Everything is made fresh when ordered. Since it's AYCE you will be charged extra for leftovers, a policy I support and feel is necessary to prevent abuse, so know your limits?
Vegetarian options: All ingredients for rolls are listed so finding vegetarian options isn't challenging.
Kid-friendliness: I went with a friend and his 9 year old son who loved it.”
Online Reservation Available
“The food, service, and ambiance is amazing! Not to mention the dj played all the perfect jams. The owner even came to the table to introduce herself! There is not one thing bad I can say about this restaurant. If you need a stiff drink or even kill some time on the slot machines… they deliver good vibes only!!!”
“1st time visiting. Very nice, and clean restaurant. Staff was very nice but most of all the food was delicious! So many options to choose from made it hard to decide. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. Definitely will be back. Instead of 5 stars, I'll give them 10!”
“This is one of my go-to places to eat when I really don't feel like cooking. They have so many options available for tofu and vegetable dishes. You only need to specify vegan (no fish/oyster sauce) when ordering and everything should be good! It is pretty affordable for the portions, so I have ordered food from here on multiple occasions. My favorite dishes are the Kung pao tofu and the tofu with broccoli.”
“This is one of my go-to places to eat when I really don't feel like cooking. They have so many options available for tofu and vegetable dishes. You only need to specify vegan (no fish/oyster sauce) when ordering and everything should be good! It is pretty affordable for the portions, so I have ordered food from here on multiple occasions. My favorite dishes are the Kung pao tofu and the tofu with broccoli.”
“It was great service!!! The guy who waited on us was wonderful!!!”
24 Hour Restaurants
“As you may or may not know.. me and Tha' Thunder Chicken travel tha' country in search of Denny's that we've never been to and also to reconnect with our Denny's friends we've met along the way... Today I found tha' Mothership !! This place is huge and tha' food and service was outstanding as always !! We will Definitely Be Back and hope ta' meet more of tha' great folks that go above and beyond to keep our bellies full...”
“I went here to get the Travis Scott meal and a sprite. The McDonalds sprite is so good I think it might be Ambrosia. The Travis Scott meal was pretty good, I liked the BBQ sauce. The workers got me my food fast. I got takeout so I didn’t get to experience the inside of the restaurant, but I have been past it many times and it seems fine.
Vegetarian options: Salad pretty much and some desert options. Probably get a wrap with no meat too.
Dietary restrictions: I’m sure there is a detailed list online where you can find all the ingredients of all the menu items
Parking: Lot of free parking in the lot
Kid-friendliness: Yes
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes”
“My favorite meal was so delicious, I enjoyed it so much. I’m ready for more. Piccata so good”
“Had early dinner at the Big Grove and was completely blown away. Food was excellent with a variety of menu items that had me wishing my stomach was a bit bigger. I sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender did a great job of explaining the various items I inquired about as well as suggesting a perfect craft beer pairing. I only get to Champaign a couple of times a year, but this will be my go-to anytime in the area.”
“This is hands down my favorite spot to eat in the Champaign-Urbana area. Anytime someone visits and hasn’t been here before, it’s always my go-to recommendation. The food is consistently delicious, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the staff are friendly and attentive. I’ve had Indian food from a lot of different places, but this one really stands out. Who would’ve thought you’d need to come to east-central Illinois to find such great Indian food!”
Takeout Restaurants
“I was there after what I assume is the busy time, so I had the dining room to myself. There was a steady stream of folks in the drive thru though. The "Deluxe Single Basket" was more than enough to fill me up. I had to buy a take-home pint, too full for dessert. The staff were friendly and at least one was always cleaning something.”
“As a Bay Area resident, the bubble tea here needs a bit more flavor to really compare well to the best of the best but I really like the ordering experience here. The kiosks are super easy to use and the kitchen is super fast. The dining area gets pretty crowded quickly so you're really best off taking out and eating in the comfort of your own dorm room ;)”
“This is the best bar downtown! Tons of space to chill and hang with friends. There are games and darts if you’re looking to do something. Otherwise the drinks are good and the bartenders are great! Be sure to check it out if you’re in town visiting or after a football game!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Review written 9/29/2024. If you order through their app they have a medium pizza deal for $6.99 which is less than a lot of frozen pizzas nowadays.
This location is located in the Old Farm Shops at Champaign. There used to be a Papa Murphy’s in Urbana but now this location in Champaign is the only remaining Papa Murphy’s in Champaign-Urbana.
The sign on door says open at 10:00am daily but their Google hours say 11:00am, not sure which it actually is.
Papa Murphy’s has very fresh pizzas because they are raw dough and you take them home and cook them.
they are one of the only restaurants I know of that takes the Illinois Link card food stamps card if you have that because it’s not hot food since you have to cook it at home.
You can order ahead through the app and skip the line. They have a rewards program through their app too and if you sign up for it you get a free pizza for your birthday!
(Unless it’s changed)”
“This is our favorite Mexican restaurant ever! We went today for lunch, and as usual, it did not disappoint! Best grilled shrimp and rice I've ever had in my life! I don't know how they prepare their grilled shrimp, but it is ahhhmaazzinnggg and bursting with flavor!! And the side salad is so fresh and tasty. 😋 Great atmosphere, along with fast, friendly service! Five stars!!Highly recommend!!”
“I can't stop myself from dropping in at Avionics for espresso when in town to hang out at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom Champaign. Always have to pick up a bag of beans from Page Roasting Company. IMO, best coffee on earth! Yes, I live near Seattle and have been to Italy, but Guatemala from Page Roasting is my favorite.”
“I tried out this bar because Google Maps claimed that this bar had karaoke. I asked the bartender about this, and she informed me that they no longer have karaoke. While I was disappointed to learn this, I don't fault the bar for its Google Maps information being outdated.
I was pleasantly surprised and quite impressed with this bar. I arrived just as the kitchen was getting ready to close. Fortunately, the bartender went to ask the cook if he or she would be willing to keep the kitchen open just a little bit longer, and the cook agreed to do so. I ordered a BLT, and it was by far the best BLT I've ever had. I also noticed that the prices on the food menu were quite reasonable. Assuming that the rest of the food is of the same quality as the BLT, I'd say that the quality and quantity of the food here is very well worth the prices that they charge. The drink that I ordered was good, too.
The only issues I had with the atmosphere is that I would prefer more lighting, and it was slightly less clean than I would have liked. Otherwise, the atmosphere was excellent. The staff and some people who I assume are regular customers were very friendly. I also thoroughly enjoyed the music that they played: Most of it was Rock & Roll from the '80's and '90's. If I recall correctly, the bar has a jukebox.
I most certainly will be returning to this bar. I'll do my best to come at a time that isn't inconvenient to the kitchen.
Parking: There is parking and an entrance on two sides of the building. The parking lot near the entrance that I used only had 2 cars in it, and thus there was a ton of available parking spots.”
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Cheap Eats
“A great Middle Eastern restaurant offering 100% halal food. The menu features options like sandwiches, bowls, and plates, where you can customize your meal by choosing the main dish and sides. The flavors are delicious and very satisfying. They also offer lentil soup, which is a nice traditional touch. The place is clean, well-organized, and has a comfortable atmosphere. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely recommend it!”
“Absolutely awesome food you can find around here. It's like homemade cuisine—fresh, well-seasoned, juicy, tender, and served with delicious sides and stews. Words can't describe how good the hummus is: creamy, fresh, and of high quality. You have to try this place. You may have to stand in a long queue between 10:30 am and 2 pm since only one unique man does all the work. His face is serious, but he is kind and generously offers extra food and fruit on the side. The portions are even enough for two people, and the sandwiches are a specialty here. I've never had such amazing sandwiches anywhere else. Give it a try, and you will be addicted to food.”
“Christopher was the BEST 6/24/22 8pm He was Friendly, Attentive and Fun. He restored our faith in servers when everyone is short staffed, overworked and grumpy; we will be back sooner because of him!”
“A treasure restaurant that I went to by chance. The portions of the dishes are large, very authentic Sichuan cuisine, and the chili peppers are very fragrant. Super delicious! ! !”
“The chef even fixed my favorite parmesan encrusted asparagus that hasn't been on the menu for several years. It was perfect! The waitress was also exceptional!”
“Not a lot of fine dining places in Champaign, ILL but Nandi Milano is terrific.
Greeting by the owner/manager with a smooth Italian accent sets the tone.
I started with grilled asparagus (which was perfectly cooked and grilled to perfection!), and enjoyed the Chilean Sea Bass on a bed of grains and veggies. My son and husband enjoyed a spinach salad and a pasta dish that they both enjoyed. The servers were attentive and the manager stopped by several times to check on our dinner.
We came to see our son at UIUC, and it was a fun ending to a great day.”
Latest Reviews
“This isn’t a five star restaurant, it is an Arby’s. I eat here often since it close to work. It is, however, one of the best Arby’s I have visited. The main reason is the crew. The food is fresh and tasty, and the crew is really friendly. Like all restaurants, they have staffing issues, but the ones they have do an excellent job.”
“Had early dinner at the Big Grove and was completely blown away. Food was excellent with a variety of menu items that had me wishing my stomach was a bit bigger. I sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender did a great job of explaining the various items I inquired about as well as suggesting a perfect craft beer pairing. I only get to Champaign a couple of times a year, but this will be my go-to anytime in the area.”
“To all of you complaining about the drive-thru wait times, I have an idea: get out of your car and order INSIDE! Oftentimes, you can find 2-3 employees taking orders at the same time. You can see how many cars are in the drive-thru and figure that it's going to take a while to take each car's order, payment, make your drink &/or food, package your food, hand you your food, and then wait for the car to pull out! For those of you stewing at the drive-thru wait times, you may wish to think about just how unreasonable your expectations and demands are and make some changes to your thinking patterns & life! You CAN become a more patient and better person. I agree with the man who posted that this is the busiest Starbucks - both inside & the drive-thru! I also agree with him that it is the best-managed Starbucks (that I have ever been to) and that their employees are second to none in the industry! They work extremely hard & put in long hours, put up with rude people, have to make ridiculously complicated drinks for some people, and then if they have to close the store at night, have to thoroughly clean everything and vacuum & mop the floors before leaving! How many of you seemingly over-indulged & privileged people could do ALL THAT for the (most likely) $13-14/hour they earn??? I'm 65 years old and have been going to this Starbucks since they opened. I have been to Starbucks all over the U.S. and can state, without a doubt, that THIS Starbucks makes their drinks EXACTLY as Corporate requires! That is not true of every Starbucks I've ever visited. In closing, if you don't want to wait your turn, may I suggest you go to the Starbucks in Campustown.”
“I cannot say enough good things about Smith Burgers. We have had over half the items on their menu and have never found something we didn't like. My favorite 2 items are the Swiss N Shroom and Bacon Mac Attack Ripper. If you haven't tried them yet, do it. You won't be disappointed.”
Most Popular Restaurants
“As you may or may not know.. me and Tha' Thunder Chicken travel tha' country in search of Denny's that we've never been to and also to reconnect with our Denny's friends we've met along the way... Today I found tha' Mothership !! This place is huge and tha' food and service was outstanding as always !! We will Definitely Be Back and hope ta' meet more of tha' great folks that go above and beyond to keep our bellies full...”
“Do not go through the drive through here! It's horrible! We eat here a lot inside but the drive through is horrible. Ex: today attempted it and there was only 1 car in line ordering. I guess they didn't know what they wanted at first so they took a really long time to figure out what they wanted. Then they pulled up and we are right behind them. I kid you not we waited about 20 minutes behind this 1 car! so I called the store letting them know they need to get this drive through going cuz there's a huge line behind us now. They could have easily had this car pull to the side in order to service the other vehicles. Well some one eventually came out to put up the other cars orders. It's just ridiculous really. Please get a better system going for the drive through. Food and inside service is great!”
“Although it’s been a while since I’ve been there I have to commend The Original Pancake House for their most recent post stating they were going to be closed on a upcoming day to install a new dishwasher. In this post they suggested other area restaurants for customers to visit for breakfast. There are not many places i know that would do this! Kudos to them! That speaks volumes to me on the type of people they are. Can’t wait to visit again!”
“Dinner was fantastic. Service was superior. Wonderful evening and can’t wait to eat here again!”