50 Best American Restaurants near Winnetka

“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!!“

“Cool place excellent service!!!“

“Atmosphere was ok. Bit smaller than i was expecting and a bit of a hole in the wall. But clean with nice wall art. We came at 11:30 and it was not crowded. Got busy at noon. I saw the specials online. They were not on their handout menu so you may have to ask for them. The short rib wrap was delicious. Loaded tator tots were too intriguing to pass up. Generous portion enough for three or four. Delightfully cheesy . Like nachos but with tots instead of chips. Burger was greasy but otherwise fine. Sweet potatoe fries looked dark, like the oil needed cleaning but tasted fine. Service was fast and friendly. Unique choices. Try it.“

“We were in last week. Had chicken noodle soup and a poultry salad sandwich on a salted pretzel bagel. Both huge and delicious. Great value for what you get and the man at the counter was very kind and patient with these first time visitors!“

“We went last night for the first time… Great menu options, food was delicious, portions were perfect, staff was really nice. I had the Grilled Salmon, he had the Braised Pork Shoulder…definitely recommend both.“

“Great food, family friendly!“

“Had a short but super nice visit. 10/10 friendly and awesome people. $5 Mimosa get in my belly. Will visit again, will rave about it to anyone who will listen.“

“Met for a brainstorming session…their coffee is a catalyst for sure! Great selection of healthy options with just enough sinful options to keep it balanced!“

“Super…Great service from Ashley!!“

“Vincent is a wonderful place. Love the food and frequently live performers as well.“

“I had heard Monti's was the best place to get a Philly in Chicago, and since I've been craving one lately, I had to give it a try. I can honestly say it's the best Philly I've had in Chicago and the surrounding areas. It definitely did not disappoint.
I ordered mine with extra mayo and white American cheese, and it was absolutely delicious. The staff was friendly, the service was great, and the whole experience lived up to the hype. I highly recommend giving Monti's a try if you're looking for an authentic Philly cheesesteak!“

“Honestly one of the best fried chicken spots in Niles! The chicken was super crispy from the outside and juicy inside 🔥 The seasoning is on point and the fries are fresh and well-seasoned.

The place is clean, service is fast, and the staff are friendly. Perfect spot if you’re craving comfort food or a quick bite.

Definitely coming back again and highly recommended! 👍🍗🍟“

“Decided to stop in after seeing how long their line was at Taste of Chicago. Just a rock solid Burger place. Had the Merktz cheese burger, and I quite enjoyed it. I don't have too much much more to say about this place. Its worth the stop“

“great food, friendly staff, excellent customer service“

“One of my favourite breakfast spot! They have grits!!“

“Im embarrassed it took us a couple of years to finally dine here but I'm SO grateful we FINALLY arrived and assure you we will be back again soon. Fun cocktail menu, great wine list and an impeccably delivered menu and great service! Thank you for the perfect date night!“

“Veggie fajitas were fresh and delicious. Everyone in our party of 6, enjoyed their meal. Great graduation breakfast.“

“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 !“

“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.“

“One of the most beautiful meals I have had in a long time. Stunning presentation, thoughtful bite construction, fresh ingredients, and well cultivated flavors. The service was incredibly attentive. Warm and inviting ambience. Can’t wait to go back!“

“Such great service (Alex) and food! Fantastic time and we were a large group.“

“Best burgers in the area!“

“Great customer service and food“

“Not a bad item on their entire menu! By far one of the best places in the Sauganash/Edgebrook neighborhood.“

“This is our second visit to Burl, and it did not disappoint! The food is ultra fresh and the flavors are vibrant. The ricotta honey spread, the carrots with a dreamy black lime yogurt sauce and the trout were standout dishes.
The service was attentive and unfussy, which I appreciated
This spot is such a great addition to the North Shore.“

“The Arvin Place, a hidden gem for authentic Mongolian food!
Stopped by The Arvin Place and was genuinely impressed. Ordered the khuushuur (fried meat pies) and a traditional meat platter with boiled beef, potatoes, carrots, and a delicate dough wrap. Portions are generous, the meat is tender and flavorful, and the khuushuur came out golden with a thin, crispy shell, exactly how it should be. The broth on the side was a nice touch.
The space is clean and welcoming, with photos of the Mongolian steppe on the walls that set the mood. Friendly service, fair prices, and a rare chance to try real Mongolian cuisine in the Chicago area. Highly recommend, and I’ll definitely be back to try more of the menu.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“

“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!“

“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.“

“Service and food all outstanding. I will be going back.“

“This is one of the best family-run restaurants in Des Plaines. Sunrise Grill has been serving the community for 18 years, and you can taste the experience in every dish. Chef Jose cooks with passion, and Sylvia’s hospitality is unmatched. Ask the staff for their recommendations—they’ve never steered me wrong!“

“Great experience from start to finish! The customer service was exceptional, and the food was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, I’m not from the area, but if I’m ever back, I’ll definitely be stopping in again. This is the kind of customer service every restaurant should strive to provide. A special shout-out to Miguel for making the experience even more memorable!“

“our friend/landlord brought us to you all and it was so good and fresh and juicy and it was the best food I've ever had in a long time! I really recommend this place!!“

“Great portion sizes and friendly service made for a nice meal as we're visiting town for a local convention.“

“Root beer float was delicious and we also had a chance to try the Italian Ice!! Can’t wait to keep coming back this summer! Staff was so friendly too!“

“Very friendly and excellent service, highly recommended.“

“So awesome! Great burgers great service“

“We've never heard of a Bloody Mary bar before, and we've never been to Highway House before, but everything was great today so we will be back.“

“Excellent food made from scratch. Love the chicken pot pie 💕“

“Don’t order the short rib mini sandwiches! They were 90 percent fat. When I informed the waitress she indicated that there is always fat on those sandwiches. My sandwich was mostly grizzle and fat. My friend had the same thing but hers at least had some meat.“

“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.“

“that has a splendid attention to its clients and a very variable and very familiar menu I adore it“

“LOVE this place. It’s a throwback to how restaurants used to be before everyone became allergic to everything. Classic, no frills, basic food and friendly fast service. We come here with our young kids and it never disappoints. Don’t come if you want culinary extravagance. It’s a diner! Kids items come with a free scoop of ice cream and they have a bowl of candy at the cashier desk.“

“Grate food and service acutely and fast“

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

“We love backyard grill as an option for our teachers when ordering lunch. Food is delicious, portions are perfect and with the extensive menu everyone can find something that they love. Thank you!“

“It's hand down one of the best diners around state. Friendly atmosphere, great food and this Hash Skillet is the BOMB. Don't forget to also include a Sunrise Smoothie to your meals, makes the day feel so much better.

Love it since I've been coming here after my early 5am work shifts. Always leave contently full.“

“Best hot chicken in Chicago“

“It’s a great place for family to come eat and have fun ..I love it“

“Ask for Carl for your server!!! Extremely educated on everything on the wine menu and both of his food recommendations were absolutely phenomenal!!! Very friendly and welcoming!!! We will definitely be back to see Carl soon!“

“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!!“