Restaurants in Lake Forest

“Stopped in for a farm to table experience and found just that. Every bite was impeccable. Highly recommend to anyone traveling through the area. Great cocktails and appetizer selection.”

“Fantastic food and service highly recommended.”

“Always a fantastic meal and wonderful service at Francesca’s!”

“Best burgers in the area!”

“good goodàaassssssssssssss”

“Love this place... use to come here since I was in 5th grade many years ago, and now I'm bringing my kids also to eat here. We take a 40 min drive just to have lunch here once a month”

“We recently dined at The English Room at the Deer Path Inn and had a lovely experience. We started with the Wedge Salad and it was decent, though not particularly memorable. It was missing some of the ingredients that were listed on the menu. I had the Mushroom Risotto, which was absolutely fantastic! It was rich, creamy, and full of flavor. My husband opted for the Airline Chicken, and he thoroughly enjoyed it, praising its tenderness and seasoning. For dessert, we indulged in the Big Arse Chocolate Cake, which was as decadent and delicious as its name suggests! We sat outside so the photos are a little dark. The service was top notch! The atmosphere is why we will be coming back, it is something you have to experience in person. We then explored the lobby and became very interested in the history!
Overall, it was a delightful evening with some standout dishes, and we look forward to visiting again.”

“Visited for the first time last night! What a lovely experience admiring beautiful art and sampling light hors d’oeuvres. Can’t wait to try again for dinner!”

“Our family has been coming here for over a decade; at least a couple of times/month. Every single time the food has been consistently great and the sushi is fresh. The staff know exactly who I am when I am there and always get the “Red Carpet” treatment.”

“Simply amazing for the last 15 years running!”

“God bless Egg Harbor Cafe and all personal, The best service”

“Got the cantina chicken quesadilla meal, the food was fresh, hot and pretty quick, and they had by far the freshest tomatoes, lettuce, and onions I've ever had at a tacobell. And the employees were very kind. Of course being on the oasis, this is best view I've ever had while eating tacobell. 10/10 ? ? experience.”

“It was my first time in but definitely won't be my last. I had the tuna melt and tomato bisque and it was delicious! Everything was so fresh and had great flavor. They also had a great selection of spirits and wine! I loved how relaxing the atmosphere was and everyone there was very friendly and welcoming! I can't wait to come back and try everything else on the menu.”

“We stopped in for lunch on Sunday and were thrilled to see that they have made some changes their menu. The new Smash-burger is outstanding!
We’ve loved the new and improved menu!”

“My daughter and I happened to be in Lake Forest on this beautiful morning, and she was craving some coffee. We did a quick Yelp search and Hometown Coffee was the top rated place.

My daughter ordered an iced Latte, and I ordered a Cafe Au Lait. My coffee was delicious and she said her Iced Latte might be the best she's ever had!!

We both agreed this place deserves five stars!”

“it was my first time trying this place after finding it on social media, and oh my you need to check this place out! the staff is wonderful, the place is super clean, and it was over all a very friendly environment.”

“A favorite stop when traveling. Well monitored, clean, and a nice selection of eateries. More of a police presence after dark however would be beneficial, as I've noticed opportunists scoping patrons for a money handout, or a quick grab and run. The elderly and disabled are prime targets, and potential victims.”

“I do not usually review chains, but this Starbucks has to get a shoutout. Starbucks gives you many options in the app, items to add, take out, lessen and so on. I have never had a Starbucks be so accurate to changes as much as this one. When I select "less ice", I get Less ice. When I ask for blended, it's blended. Usually I don't have these asks listened to, but this Starbucks does that.”

“Nice spot for a meeting with a very special realtor! Me! (Weichert Realtors) Sell Buy Haus (dot com)”

“Great food. awesome customer service.”

“This past March marked the very 1st time trying this Kung Fu Tea and just like other locations I've been to, same consistently delicious bubble tea.

Pretty sure Lake Forest never had any bubble tea parlors or if there's any Asian/oriental restaurants that serve bubble tea but I'm guessing this place is the town's 1st parlor.

Bubble tea/boba is the in-thing now and is rapidly growing all across the country. Anytime a new boba shop opens in the area, I can't wait to try it.

Friendly service at still reasonable prices in a new spiffy clean venue in beautiful downtime LF and I hope this place gets oodles of business and stays open for decades to come.”

“Never judge a book by its cover. When I arrived, the empty parking lot and the restaurant being inside a hotel initially raised red flags. However, with limited options and an open mind, I decided to give it a try—and was blown away. The cuisine and customer service were exceptional! They even fresh squeezed lemonade for me!

Oaken Bar + Bistro: A Taste of Elegance in Every Bite

Beef Tenderloin Empanadas
The empanadas set the tone with their flaky crust and tender, perfectly seasoned beef filling. Accompanied by vibrant chimichurri and a zesty lemon tomato sauce, this starter balances richness and brightness with precision. Each bite feels indulgent yet fresh, leaving you eager for more.

Oaken Salad
This salad takes simplicity to an elevated level. A mix of fresh greens pairs unexpectedly well with juicy orange segments and velvety whipped ricotta. The lavender vanilla vinaigrette adds a subtle floral sweetness, tying the dish together beautifully. A sourdough crostini provides the perfect crunch, making this a standout plate for anyone craving a sophisticated yet light option.

Atlantic Salmon
A dish that seamlessly combines comforting and refined elements. The salmon, cooked to perfection, sits atop a silky potato purée that practically melts on the tongue. Earthy wild mushrooms add depth, while the buerre rouge sauce lends a rich, tangy finish. Every element works in harmony, creating a dish that’s both comforting and memorable.

And of course, my signature cappuccino…

Oaken Bar + Bistro shows its mastery in weaving together thoughtful ingredients with elevated techniques, making each plate a well-orchestrated delight.

Here’s a bit about the venue:
Oaken Bistro + Bar is a modern, upscale American bistro located in Lake Forest, Illinois. It offers all-day dining with a menu that blends elevated American classics, such as burgers and salads, with globally influenced dishes like Beef Tenderloin Empanadas and the Cubano sandwich.

The restaurant features a sleek lounge serving craft cocktails, including signature herbal-infused options, alongside an eclectic wine list and local beers. Guests can enjoy their meals in a contemporary dining room, a 25-seat outdoor patio, or opt for take-out and delivery services.

Executive Chef Christian Alejandro leads the culinary team, offering a diverse American menu with international influences from Latin America, Italy, and Creole cuisines. Chef Alejandro was recently inducted into the Disciples Escoffier organization, highlighting his culinary expertise.”

“Another amazing experience at Le Colonial. The best food, great service and the ambiance is the best in town. Can’t wait until our next visit.”

“Nice atmosphere and very good food. My friend introduced me to this place and I’m glad he did.”

“Great location and reasonable pricing for fashionable, downtown Lake Forest. Fun to have the model train running around the ceiling and historical pictures on the walls. The food was the disappointment. Meatball, cheesburger, and BLT sandwitches were mediorce at best for lunch. Several different options for sides. If in the area and want a reasonably priced meal, a good option, but I would not go out of my way to eat here”

“Great food. awesome customer service.”

“Not authentic Mexican food even though the name is Authentico. I ordered the veggie mushroom Rojas which was very bland and had no flavor absolutely so I had to dose with lot of salsa to make it flavorful. Ambience is nice and outside seating is great but nothing about food to rave about.”