50 Best American Restaurants near Highwood

“My Aunt Marcia Hoffman turned 90 and is a rehab center where she is confined to her room . We wanted to do something special so we call Scotty’s and the made a meal to order for pick up. It worked out great and she loved it . Thank you Scott and the entire staff for making her 90th as special as it could be under the circumstances !“

“Great friendly, attentive staff. Best jumbo shrimp and calamari in the Northern Burbs. Same great quality service and food after all these years.“

“Fried chicken on Wednesday night is delicious.“

“This was recommended by someone so we took the opportunity to stop in for dinner.

THe staff were friendly and helpful, the food was very good, and the atmosphere is fun.

Overall a good dining experience which I'm sure I'll frequent again. The only downside is the location because parking can be somewhat of a challenge.“

“This is a rarity today for restaurants of any type, a par-excellence value! This is a diner/breakfast/lunch restaurant, a few booths and counter seats. Most of the activity by the staff is out front, no secrets. Many customers have dined there frequently, they are regulars and recognized, the waitress can practically write the order without asking, they know the person that well. Occasionally it is a first timer and because of the ambience they feel free to voice their opinion as to how good it is, as we did the first time we ate here in late winter 2025.

We had driven by Sandy’s many times and I often remarked, we should try them out, and we would have sooner, but the parking is the limiting factor, basically curbside parallel parking, only 4 or 5 spots are in front of the restaurant, others down the block and across the street. There may be some in the alley behind but I’m not aware of any. I’m unable to walk any significant distance, so if the parking isn’t right near the door, I’d pass Sandys by, but that is my issue, if you are healthy, the distance isn’t an issue

The food is great, the owner/chef/cook knows what is expected of a dinner establishment. The eggs are prepared as asked, if the request is “over-medium” the egg whites are cooked through, yolks runny, and edges crisp ... Anyone who has trained as breakfast fry cook will know how to make eggs to request, and yes that is a SKILL. The biscuits and gravy are the best I have had in the NW suburbs, there is breakfast sausage crumbles in a cream gravy, and the gravy actually is seasoned and not just white flour paste.

No matter how rushed and busy a restaurant is, they should never lose sight of the fact that each meal served is important, there are not many 2nd chances in the restaurant business. I’m guessing that one of the wait staff is probably the owner, this is the difference, she is watching that the customer’s expectations are met, she deserves an A.“

“My first visit to Inovasi and it did not disappoint! Our server Lucia was fantastic- knowledgeable friendly and she helped me find just the right cocktail! We started with their delicious bread, and then had the crispy pork belly for appetizer. For entree we had a filet with shaved truffles and a blackened cod with lime and whipped edamame. Both were superb as was the dessert of flourless chocolate cake with raspberry purée and shipped goats cheese, and a pumpkin cheesecake. All was delicious, and the ambiance and decor was warm and inviting. We will be back!“

“Super…Great service from Ashley!!“

“Amazing service ! Bar tender Jimmy was absolutely great. My boyfriend and I stopped by for a quick drink and soup before the movies and had a Good time thanks to him!“

“The service and food were awesome! I'd definitely recommend to friends and family!“

“Best burgers in the area!“

“Stopped here on our way through town. Friendly service and delicious food in a cute little town.“

“Food was very good. Server was pleasant and available whenever we needed. Very nice atmosphere. Beer selection is fantastic.“

“Excellent restaurant. Nice upbeat but calm atmosphere. Simple menu with plenty of options. Service with a smile and delicious food. We need Tavern on the Glen to be around a while. Try it !!“

“great food, friendly staff, excellent customer service“

“This is a small cute restaurant where the food and service are so good, it gets crowded, so reservations are recommended. The food is American Bistro, and it is perfect for a fancy date or celebration of 4 people or less if some chatter noise doesn't bother you. I'll always go back, and I like their blue cheese hamburger.“

“Their chicken tortilla soup is amazing and the bartender was very nice. 🙂“

“The Cherry Pit Cafe, in Deerfield, IL, is an outstanding destination for breakfast or lunch, if you are looking for delicious food, a large and varied menu, and a cozy environment.Their service staff is warm and welcoming, and the restaurant is a fun step back in time with its nostalgic decor. I highly recommend it⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“We loved the dome experience! It was great service! The dome was decorated for St Patrick’s Day and it had blankets and pillows with heaters. It was awesome“

“I will drive across the state for the fries with garlic aioli. Yummy!!“

“A decently inexpensive place to go if you're craving some breakfast! The menu is pretty delectable overall, save for a few misses. I wouldn't recommend diverging from the classic's here. The service is quick and attentive, leaving no real room for complaint. Finally, for atmosphere, this establishment perfectly embodies the feelings of a small town diner. Decorative walls, booths all around, and a cozy place to be“

“Grilled cheese with gyro meat was amazing!! There were 11 of us in our group! Service was super friendly and extremely fast! We will be back on our next trip!“

“great service!!! the hostess was very polite and professional 👍“

“Excellent food and relaxed atmosphere…our new favorite place!“

“The staff is very friendly. The food was good. The atmosphere was wonderful. I recommend you guys to get the hamburger there they have different ones.“

“Let me point out one key detail to why the hotdogs are so good at u dog u. Take a really good look at the photos that I’ve posted. you see that end of that hotdog you see how it’s twisted you see how it overhangs the bun well those are all great signs. Have a wonderful delicious hotdog. Also, I would like to point out the toppings sauerkraut ,sport peppers. These are the two things that we really should have on every single Chicago style hotdog and the only ketchup you see insight is on them fries and let me say ,them fries were crispy delicious warm in the center just the way you expected crinkle cut fries to be. they have mastered the art of the Chicago style hotdog and the crinkle cut fry.

Parking: It’s certain times of a day it might be a little difficult to get a prime spot so you might have to walk about 25 to 50 feet to the door but man is that walk worth it and you’re gonna need it once you leave because the food is so damn good!

Wheelchair accessibility: All the tables are wheelchair height and all the chairs can be moved to accommodate anyone in a wheelchair“

“Went with family for the Friday night fish special. Was pretty good, but the gem was the variety of sizes that came with the platter. Everything could have used a bit more seasoning, except the veggies provided with it were done well. Typical decor for this type of establishment.“

“Whether you’re from Mars or Venus, if you ask yourself, “When we go out to eat, what do I do?” then Ten Mile House is for you. Cool artwork, good food and great tunes if the owner is there.“

“Menu is amazing. Food is great. Awesome service awesome drinks. mediterranean chicken Greek style fish fry on Wednesdays and Fridays… cheeseburger sliders are really good“

“Always a wonderful meal at Meg’s. Food, service, ambience, staff....all are outstanding!!!! A true treasure in Glencoe!!!“

“First time at Valley Lodge Tavern and it was an outstanding experience. Cozy atmosphere, great service, top notch management, impressive menu and food. Thank you!“

“So bummed, we were coming here a couple of times a month. Since the remodel and menu revamp, their delicious Blackened Steak Wrap is no longer available.👎“

“I was pleasantly suprised. The Fillet was fantastic . Served medium rare the way I like it. I could almoat cut it with a fork. The baked potatoe was asume as well. My server Holly was exceptional! She was pleasant, funny, and very helpful! Thank you Holly.“

“Excellent food and great service every time I'm there!!!😋“

“Bluegrass Restaurant is a wonderful, family-owned restaurant. We have been ordering takeout and eating in since we came to Highland Park three years ago. The owners take pride in managing the restaurant on a daily basis. They prioritize customer service, great food, and a warm, welcoming experience. Last night, they hosted the Highland Park/Highwood Professional Moms group. We had only expected 15 women to attend, but 25 women ended up coming. The owners and the staff were AMAZING. They brought over additional chairs. They provided us with top-notch service, including separate checks. They respected us when we were speaking to the group and quietly took orders in the background. I can't say enough nice things about this restaurant.“

“I can't say enough about my whole experience with the staff, accommodations and food!! I must have called 6 times changing the number of people and requesting a round table and they were so patient and accommodating. I'm sorry I don't remember the names I spoke with on the phone but they were wonderful. Our server Miguel was great, we wanted for nothing and the room we were in was outstanding. We all had an excellent time I could not have been happier!!“

“Chef Jonathon Silver cooks a phenomenal meal to perfection! Everything was incredible from the tempura fried cauliflower, the wood grilled pear & vegetable salad, seafood bisque and to the perfectly grilled steaks. What an incredible meal.“

“Love Valley Lodge. It's just nice enough to feel like a semi-elegant dinner out and just casual enough to feel like a cozy neighborhood tavern. The Porch is awesome, feels kind of northwoodsy. And, it's much quieter than the front/bar area. Food is always excellent.“

“This was the perfect place for my daughter's baby shower. The room was lovely. The staff was excellent and the food was so good! We opted for the buffet. There was plenty of food. The ice cream sundae bar was a hit. All around? The perfect place. I cannot say enough good things.“

“My daughter had her wedding at this venue on 8/4/25. From the point of discussing the space, to reviewing the contract, to discussing options, to answering ALL of our questions, to the tasting, to the day of, our event coordinator (not sure that's her specific title) Amanda was nothing short of stellar. She was patient, thorough, and accommodating ensuring that my daughter was comfortable in a very important time of her life. Our event captain (again not sure of her title) Kylie also was amazing -- handling each of our requests quickly and pleasantly. These two ladies are an asset to your company & should be commended for their fantastic work ethic. All the event staff from the bartenders, to servers, to bus boys were pleasant and efficient. The food was delicious as well. Our event was amazing & memorable largely due to the associates we interacted with.“

“Special thanks to Epic Burger for sponsoring the Pony Shop Juniors Cyclocross team, which practices over at Meadowhill Park in Northbrook. Speaking for my family, we've really enjoyed the chicken fingers, plant-based burgers and, of course, the smashburgers. We greatly appreciate their support.“

“Grate food and service acutely and fast“

“It is so refreshing to meet an owner who is actively present in his restaurant. Mark Salmon enthusiastically and creatively arranged for my friend and I to dine outside (our request), despite the rain. We stayed dry under umbrellas and thanks to Sandra, our amazing waitress, we celebrated my birthday with fine food (impressive menu choices and food presentation) and great company! It was my first time dining at 501 Local and this restaurant met and exceeded my high standards in every way! It is a hidden gem and our new fav restaurant. Highly recommend!!“

“There yummy burgers n fries 😋😋😋😋😍😍😍😍🍔🍔🍔🍟🍟🍟🍟“

“Great great service! We were waiting on like they were a sit down restaurant. Food was good, place clean and staff friendly! I would definitely recommend.“

“Great customer service Great food,“

“Delicious burgers, fried chicken, ice cream, etc.“

“We had a 30th high school reunion meet up at the Caldwell Grille last night. Mayra and Bridget were awesome with our group the whole evening. They were very accommodating for our group that kept expanding, friendly, and professional. The food and drinks were also great.“

“Finally tried The Claim Company in Northbrook last night and omg… that Motherlode burger is no joke 🤤🍔. Juicy, messy, and absolutely worth it. Fries were crispy perfection too. Such a fun, laid-back spot to hang out with friends. Totally coming back! 🙌✨“

“To the staff at Libertyville Culver’s, thank you so much for taking care of Hanna during her Special Needs Transition Pathways work program. Hanna loved working there. Not to worry, we love Culverts and Hanna will be back!“

“Highland Park's BACKYARD GRILL is a delicious counter order eatery. The servings are large and the quantity is deliciously excellent.

The cashier knows the menu and is familiar with the Ingredients. The short order, visible kitchen creates the meal quickly. Both vegan and conventional entrees are offered. Beef, chicken, and vegan options are available. The three in our party ordered gyros with pita, roasted chicken, and homus platter. They were delicious.
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STUFF: Parking is difficult. I ended up using the city lot, a block away. This eatery has two levels connected with a ramp. Everything is ADA compliant.“