50 Best American Restaurants near Lake Forest

“Super…Great service from Ashley!!“

“Best burgers in the area!“

“Grate food and service acutely and fast“

“Happy Susan Simms has brought this iconic spot back to life! The menu now offers vegan choices as well as those “dogs” we love. Couldn’t resist the chili cheese dog! Warm bun -perfect amount of cheese and chili. A yummy blast from the past back and better than ever😀“

“The atmosphere at the English Room in Lake Forest is very nice calm, classic, and a beautiful setting. The drink presentation was gorgeous. But the food itself was just okay, nothing special. I went to see what the hype was about, but overall I wasn’t very impressed.“

“Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere“

“I had a really pleasant stay here! 😊 From the moment I arrived, everyone was welcoming, friendly, and happy to help, which made me feel comfortable right away. 💙 The rooms were spotless, well-maintained, and very comfortable, making it easy to relax after a long day. 🛏✨ I also appreciated how spacious everything was—the layout made it simple to move around without feeling cramped. 🚪👌 Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable experience with excellent hospitality. I would gladly stay here again and definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a clean, comfortable, and welcoming stay! ⭐🏨“

“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!“

“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!“

“We recently had a very special family event at The Board Room, and it was absolutely amazing. The room, decor, and food were all fabulous! Working with the team to coordinate the event was so easy, and the staff that worked our party was attentive and friendly. Would 100% recommend!“

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

“Staff is always friendly, gave us a free t-shirt as well. Food is amazing every single time! Best chicago style food in the area.“

“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.“

“There is a home flavored taste to all the dishes. Very home style foods every time. very spacious atmosphere inside or outside .“

“This has quickly become one of our favorite places to eat. Every visit feels welcoming because the staff are genuinely kind and always make us feel right at home. That level of hospitality keeps us coming back just as much as the food.

The meals are consistently delicious, and we've never had anything less than a great experience. It still feels like one of those hidden gems that's waiting to be discovered. If you appreciate flavorful food, friendly people, and a relaxed atmosphere, this place is absolutely worth a visit.“

“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 !“

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

“great food, friendly staff, excellent customer service“

“Food is always good as usual“

“First time in 10 years since I haven’t had Dennys in general. As my return. Good customer service, staff are pleasant, The Triple Burger is delicious. Highland Park is very safe and I will be coming back!“

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

“I Love Culvers!
The food is Always fresh, hot and made to order. Staff is always friendly and they greet you with a smile. If you love ice cream like I do, their shakes are the frosting on the cake....just incredibly great burgers!“

“Amazing Enchiladas at Wilmette location! Beautiful outdoor seating. 👍🏻“

“Solid local breakfast spot in DF, the staff is super friendly and good service. The food tastes great and they have a wide menu. I personally love their Mexican breakfast dishes. It’s got a cute diner vibe inside and is easy to just walk in and grab a seat for breakfast. I do enjoy their breakfast but it’s not my #1 spot in the area.“

“Last night we celebrated my birthday at Abagail's. Dinner was delicious and a fantastic experienced . Robin our server helped to make the night fun and a memorable occasion. Everyone had a great time and raved about the food. Thank you for the wonderful experience.“

“GREAT SERVICE!! our waiter, June, was the best! he was very nice and so funny, good vibes the whole time! The food was so yummy and our waiters recommendations were very helpful!! thx!!!!“

“Cool dive bar & grill! Check out the Rondout pics on the walls“

“Great food all around and fast service. Will definitely return.“

“We had a wonderful dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe. The spring rolls were loaded with delicious perfectly cooked shrimp and the accompanying sauce (sweet chili with garlic and cilantro) plays nicely with them. The flounder with roasted carrots and parsnip-potato purée was as delicious as it looks. It was generously portioned and beautifully plated. We also enjoyed the mussels with parsley, shallots, and breadcrumbs pasta. My husband is Sicilian and it reminded us of the pasta con le sarde that we love to have in Sicily. The mussels were plump and delicious. The wine list is very nice. We found wines we really enjoyed and they were reasonably priced. We enjoyed the Attems, Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy ‘22 with our mussels and flounder, and the Fritz Haag, Riesling, Germany ‘21 with our pumpkin pie for dessert. Service was perfect.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Reasonable prices, Good food“

“My fiancé and I went for breakfast at the Gurnee location yesterday. Both mens and womens bathrooms were out of order. No additional bathrooms for the employees!!! How can a restaurant be able to be open without facilities for patrons let alone the employees working an 8 hour shift!?!? Our waitress pleaded for me to call OCHEA!! She also said it is not the first time!!“

“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.“

“This is really a wonderful restaurant. The price point is excellent and the value for money superb. The food was really, really good, and we all enjoyed our meal. The skirt steak, the lamb chops, the beet salad and the ceviche. The poached pear is something different (not sweet at all) and the chocolate cake was very tasty. And for 10 bucks you get a really solid pour of wine (probably around 9 oz), which is just unheard of in a restaurant. Service was good and we really enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommend you try this new place. They deserve to be more busy. It’s new and people need to get the word out.“

“Mrs Brandy take care about our table. She is very kind of very nice lady. She helped us for choice , food she’s amazing lady. When I come again I would like to she take care about us.“

“We love the welcoming & friendly staff to my husband and I as well as my dog when eating on the comfortable and shady patio! The menu is very interesting & diverse ! Hard decisions each time! The cheese curds are delicious and unlike any other restaurants”s version! Highly recommended!!!!“

“what a great place food is delicious and atmosphere is good to have to say the chef is the best“

“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!!!“

“People were just as amazing as the food!“

“Very Good Dinner tonight. We had Brisket dinner over mashed, dark chicken thighs with mashed and garlic shrimp over pasta. All meals were quite good. Ample portions. Only fault today, Food came out too fast... salad was 2 minutes behind our appetizer, and main course was out before we were done with our salads. We will be back.“

“What a great spot for breakfast! 🍳☕ I had a wonderful experience from the moment I walked in. The staff was welcoming, attentive, and made sure everything was just right. 😊 The food arrived fresh, hot, and full of flavor, making it the perfect way to start the day. 🥞🥓 There were plenty of tempting options on the menu, and everything looked delicious. I’ve heard great things about the chili, so that’s definitely at the top of my list for my next visit. 🌶️😋 I’ll absolutely be coming back and would happily recommend this place to anyone looking for a tasty breakfast and excellent service! ⭐👏“

“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!“

“Amazing experience friendliest bar tenders that make you feel at home! Customers are so friendly if you come alone you’re not alone! 100% recommend!“

“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.“

“Awesome experience, love that they support local youth sports organizations. Culver’s is awesome“

“This restaurant is one of a kind. I love the decor, especially during a holiday. At the moment it's Valentines and Mardi Gras. The food is delicious. Be sure to check out the specials.“

“Great staff and delicious reasonably priced menu. If you are looking to support a small local business, start here. You will not be sorry. Oh, did I say they have the BEST tuna salad in town? SnarfOn!“