Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central Illinois

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Central Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Firefly Grill

4.8

4.8 (3014)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Effingham

About the restaurant

The kitchen is the heart of the Campbell house which is why we created an expedition kitchen so customers can see all of the love and hard work that goes into our dishes. firefly's vision is a sustainable one; the frame of the building is recycled steel, all of the barn wood is reclaimed as is much of our furniture, the pond irrigates our gardens which greatly reduce our carbon footprint along with all the trash that comes with packaging food, we compost, are constantly upgrading our energy efficiency and NEVER use chemical fertilizers or pesticides in our garden.

Top review

Patricia

Dined 2 days ago

Came to Firefly for a family Christmas celebration. Only 3 people so our server was able to keep on top of refills, special requests, etc. Hubby loves fine dining and thoroughly enjoyed his meal! Grandchild tried a new food (for them) and was pleasantly surprised at how great it was. I appreciated the variety of the menu even though I stuck to my favorite, Steak! Of course the desserts were luscious. Firefly will be our 'extra special' destination in the future.

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Baxters American Grille - Champaign

4.8

4.8 (681)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Champaign

About the restaurant

Baxters American Grille - Champaign offers seasonal menus that boast a variety of signature dishes that you can't get find anywhere else. Our concept provides a variety of steaks, seafood and chops accompanied with a management & chef team that are excited to offer a unique culinary experience. We offer a big-city dining experience within dinner, private dining and catering to the Champaign area. Whether you stop in for one of our new signature martinis or to dine in our upscale dining room Baxters is the destination for your evening out!

Top review

JackVIP

Dined 7 days ago

This is a great south side restaurant. The four of us each ordered different dinners, and everyone complimented our waitress and the chef. The restaurant was packed. We had a reservation, and were seated promptly on time. We go there often, and our experiences have always been good.

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Popular dish

Steak Tacos

The FourNine

4.8

4.8 (239)

$30 and under

American

Mount Zion

About the restaurant

Small restaurant packed with an amazing menu, and cold beer. We give Mt Zion a flavor profile that you do not get in any other restaurant in town.

Top review

Betty

Dined 2 days ago

If you’re looking for a great restaurant in Mt Zion, this is it. Very friendly and efficient wait staff, a well rounded menu and light jazzy background music. We will eat here again soon.

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Popular dish

Smash Burger

Hamilton Walker's

4.7

4.7 (1586)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Champaign

About the restaurant

Hamilton Walker's is the community's gathering place. Founded by three long-time residents of Champaign, this modern steakhouse with a chic 1940's Hollywood vibe is an inviting backdrop for meeting, dining, and socializing; for friends, family, and business; for toasting special events and celebrating life. Our mission is to offer memorable food and flawless service in an extraordinary setting. Stewarded by widely-respected culinarian, Chef Zachary Schweig, Hamilton Walker's never disappoints. The menu-created from the finest premium aged meats, freshest seafood, and hand-selected produce-offers a superior dining experience, presented with Hamilton Walker's signature flair.

Top review

JackVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

This is a restaurant that can compare with the best in the state. Quality and preparation of the food, as well as the entire staff is outstanding. Many of the employees have been at this restaurant for a long time, some since it opened. Pricing is a little high, but you truly get what you pay for.

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Popular dish

Crab Cake

Popular dish

7oz Center Cut Filet Mignon

Saffron Social

4.7

4.7 (320)

$50 and over

Steak

Peoria/East Peoria

About the restaurant

Saffron Social brings Peoria its latest upscale experience. Offering Prime Steaks, Fresh Seafood, and Pasta

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Love Saffron! The pork chop was incredible and it came with the most wonderful Brussel sprouts. The ambience and the wait staff are just amazing. Highly recommend

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Springfield, IL

4.6

4.6 (3576)

$30 and under

American

Springfield

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Mark

Dined 1 day ago

Great food and service as always. I love their lunch options. So good and just enough food.

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Experience

Wine ‘O’ Clock Happy Hour | Mon-Fri 3 - 5:30 pm

Experience

Seasonal Chef Recommendations

Experience

Wine Tasting

Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer

4.6

4.6 (391)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Peoria/East Peoria

About the restaurant

Thyme not only offers the ultimate restaurant experience, but can also provide guests an extraordinary bar experience if so desired. Opened in the old Sealtest building in the heart of the historic warehouse district of downtown Peoria, Thyme Kitchen + Craft Beer offers a variety of unique food items as well as an extensive bar menu that offers choices for all. While keeping the tradition of producing quality food alive, Thyme Kitchen + Craft Beer has superb menu items that provide an exciting and versatile experience for all guests who walk through the doors.

Top review

BRANDY

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Great food and service. The noise level was like that of a club (almost- the base was too low). Packed, cozy, eclectic atmosphere!

Revery

4.5

4.5 (126)

$31 to $50

American

Bloomington / Normal

About the restaurant

Revery can be found tucked in a quaint neighborhood in Bloomington, Illinois. The building, once a locally famous restaurant, will be serving authentic American cuisine once more. Revery’s mission is to provide high-quality food & drinks for all those who wish to combine fun and enjoyable ambiance with skillful cooking into one extraordinary dining experience.

Top review

JenVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food! Great place for a celebration! Everyone was very helpful!

Ko Fusion - Downtown

4.4

4.4 (124)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Champaign

About the restaurant

Description coming soon! New location- 30 E Main St.

Top review

Shari

Dined on Nov 16, 2024

The food is always delicious. This is the second or third visit, though, with slow service from the bar. For such a large seating area, they may need to invest in more bar staff.

William B's

4.3

4.3 (199)

$31 to $50

Steak

Peoria/East Peoria

About the restaurant

Enjoy a dining experience founded on flavor and built on exceeding expectations with succulent steaks, seafood, pasta and more! It's an experience you'll want to share...with cuisine you'll be tempted to keep all to yourself.

Top review

Kendall

Dined 6 days ago

Great service, huge delicious steaks. Really good.

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