50 Best American Restaurants near 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.“

“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.“

“Best burgers in the area!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“As a Chicagoan, I know my hot dogs, and left bank is, in my opinion, the only acceptable choice for delicious and high quality hot dogs in the area. If you know lake forest, you know it’s a town that takes pride in its history and tradition, and no place exemplifies this history and tradition quite like left bank. This modest little hot dog place has been operating for over 60 years at the same location in market square! New owners in the past couple of years have also done an excellent job of honoring this rich history by returning to the original recipes served in the 60s! Left bank is one of those spots that all the lake forest locals have been coming to their entire lives. Whether you’re in town for college, are just passing through, or even if you’ve lived in the area your whole life, you absolutely have to give these incredible hot dogs a try—careful though, because you’re bound to end up hooked just like myself and everyone else who’s had the privilege of tasting the delicious options available at left bank.

Kid-friendliness: Very family friendly“

“Great bar and food would recommend to everyone“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“Alexis is a wonderful incredible waitress“

“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 !“

“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.“

“Just ate here and we will be back every time we visit the area. From the incredible food, to the on-point staff, to the owner who was engaged with all of the patrons. Just every element not only provided a great meal, but a great experience and served to build a relationship with us that I hope will continue into the future. 5 out of 5!“

“Bluffingtons has THE best Reuben’s, THE best BLT with over easy egg sandwich and THE best Greek salad on the North Shore. They aim to please!“

“Had a great dinner here before our concert at Ravinia. Our server, Tobyn, was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. We had the Roasted Beets with goat cheese fritters, the Rigatoni, and the Eggplant Flatbread. It was all delicious!! And what a fun winelist.“

“Best chilaquiles in town it’s a very good atmosphere“

“The smoothies, juices and atmosphere are all amazing!“

“Great service, dinner choices and the wine is amazing! Will definitely be back!“

“Absolutely Impressed at the taste, friendliness, & cleanliness of this restaurant. This was my first time trying mediterranean food but have to say Im absolutely impressed at the balance of all the ingredients and spices coming together to form such a beautiful pallet of light but flavorful aroma and taste NOT led by salt as many restaurants do, but then again Im not sure if that is exclusive to mediterranean. Entering the restaurant and being GENUINELY greeted so kindly was refreshing in this day & age. The lemon water with ice was such a tasteful touch to the experience that made me GLAD to dine in instead of take out that night, & influenced me to dine in after I came back the day after. Yes, It was that good I had to come back the day after. I ordered the chicken & beef shawarma not knowing what to expect. Im hispanic so when it arrived, seeing the pita cut up into triangle pieces, seeing the seasoned rice, juicy beef, chicken and grilled vegetables, I knew what had to be done and did exactly that by instinct. There is no understatement and even less exaggeration when I state that I will quite literally never forget my first bite of that pita with grilled vegetables, beef, chicken, rice, tajini & gyro sauce. The following sip of that lemon infused water quite literally cleansed my pallet and let me savor the following forkful of that yellow rice and grilled vegetables I just HAD to try on its own. The 3 sauces given to me during my time there gave the restaurant and its food a sense of solidarity, like It was almost a sin to eat without them. The server then gave me a small square of baklava to try near the end of my meal and I fell in love with this spot even more. Restaurants really don't do it like this anymore, and Im glad to have found a spot that still cares & provides to their customers at this caliber. Will be returning with the family for sure, fan of this place at first bite. Oh, I forgot to mention, I paid $15.01 for this experience, that should be more than enough convincing if you are on the fence about visiting here!“

“Drinks and dinner was spot on! Joy, Colton and team nailed it. Never a disappointment.“

“Really good food with wonderful waitstaff. #iraeats“

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

“The Mr. and I went for an early Saturday dinner, 5:00. I got Chicken N Dumplings with green beans, carrots and Mac N Cheese. He got the sampler with meatloaf and fried chicken, with green beans and mashed taters. Sooo good!! Biscuits were excellent. Server very nice and regularly checked in us. Great portions, reasonably priced. I even bought some Christmas decor, a nice young lady was very helpful.
Only complaint is the tables are kinda close together. We'll be back!!“

“Very personable people, a family owned restaurant with excellent breakfast/ brunch menu and decent for lunch as well. Ordered chilaquiles with chicken. It was awesome. Service was excellent. Would go there anytime esp for brunch

Parking: Parking is on the backside on Deerfield road“

“Food is always good as usual“

“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.“

“Before Chick fil A became popular, there was Culver's, who also served quality fresh food with amazing service, which is also expensive lol. Culver's has a bigger array of choices for food. Just expect to wait because every order is made fresh. If you're in a rush, go to McDonalds. If you have time and money? Go to Culver's.“

“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!“

“Had my very first experience here at Butterfields this morning! The service and food was wonderful! Awesome atmosphere, everything was great! Would recommend this restaurant to all!!“

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

“A must try. Many options. Affordable. Great comfortable seating. Nice decor. Full bar.“

“Our experience was fantastic, thanks to our waitress, Alejandra! She was amazing – extremely attentive and ensured our food was served quickly and correctly. Alejandra checked on us frequently, and we never waited more than a minute for refills or any request. She was friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond to make our visit enjoyable. Highly recommend dining here with service like hers!“

“Great blue gill,casual good food“

“Although I asked for no cheese on my burger, I still loved my experience. Thank you for fixing that do quickly!“

“People were just as amazing as the food!“

“Love the staff. Especially the women who has owned this place for many years. Food and service is super.“

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

“Visited Culver's in Buffalo Grove, and it was a hit! The ButterBurger was juicy and flavorful, fries were perfectly crisp, and the frozen custard was a creamy delight.

**Service:** Staff was incredibly friendly and quick, making the experience even better.

**Atmosphere:** Cozy and clean, great for families or a quick meal with friends.

**Value:** Excellent quality for the price.

**Overall:** Highly recommend for anyone seeking quality fast food in a warm, inviting setting. Can't wait to return!“

“I ordered delivery for my son for his birthday. Although, they don’t have pasta I was able to get him some wings and a pizza. They gave me an estimated time frame but delivered before it. They also gave me a courtesy call before showing up. He said the food was delicious as well. Therefore, they get a five star from us ?“

“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.“

“Amazing food! I definitely say yes to this place!“

“Reasonable prices, Good food“

“a lot of stuff to choosenot that crowded“

“We picked Maevery last minute for our son's navy graduation dinner and it didn't dissapoint. They accommodated a last minute reservation and put us in a corner great table for easy catching up. Service was great (which we didn't experience in multiple fine dining restaurants downtown) and food was yummy and a good selection. .. they had awesome recommendations and treated us wonderfully! Didn't rush us and from 5-6pm we nearly had the place to ourselves before the dinner rush! Highly recommended by this out of town visiting family! Thank You (from Southern CA) We will be back if we are in Chicago again!“

“This is probably one of the worst food pics I've ever taken only because I knew how super delicious everything was going to be and I took it in a hurry to dive in! My husband and I travel through the area a few times a year on the way to see a medical specialist. We discovered this restaurant about 4 years ago and the roasted Greek chicken dinner is ALWAYS a homerun! You know how you hyper fixate on a certain meal, but eventually it loses its shine so to speak, well I keep thinking that will happen with this chicken. But it is consistently amazing. You get a nice big salad or soup, rice with Greek potatoes, freshly cooked vegetables, half or whole chicken, (the whole chicken order only comes with the sides for one like the half chicken, but it could easily feed two) warm pita and a lemon wedge. I happy dance from the first sprinkle of squeezed lemon over my plate on through the last bite. We always have enough to bring home for lunches as well. Such good food that really makes you feel good. Friends back home always ask if I had the chance to stop by during our trips because they know what a highlight it is for us.
The atmosphere can be a little loud and echoey at times. I had an injury that makes bright lights and loud spaces pretty painful at times. When we can't eat in, we order for carry out and picnic in the very nearby, super beautiful park with great facilities, Sunset Woods Park. Greek chicken in a beautiful park? **Chef's kiss**“

“Quality of the burger I had was good. My companion was less pleased about his seafood meal. He also indicated his tap beer flavor was off/flat, which the server indicated may be from their gas line. Service was a bit spotty/slow. Not crowded for lunch.“

“Great food and a great atmosphere!“