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Elmhurst has no shortage of great places to eat. From local cafés to upscale spots, there’s something for every craving, so you rarely have to leave town for a good meal. Keep reading to check out some of Elmhurst’s top restaurants.
Elmhurst has no shortage of great places to eat. From local cafés to upscale spots, there’s something for every craving, so you rarely have to leave town for a good meal. Keep reading to check out some of Elmhurst’s top restaurants.
American cuisine can be tricky to define – it covers a wide range of familiar comfort foods that don’t always fit neatly into one category. Think burgers, steaks, fried chicken, and shareable bites like wings or flatbreads. Whether you’re in the mood for something casual or a modern twist on the classics, Elmhurst has plenty of great spots to satisfy your craving. Hamburger Heaven is a classic old-school spot that’s been serving up tasty burgers, fries, and shakes (a favorite of ours) since 1948. They also serve soft-serve ice cream, a perfect summertime treat to enjoy in their outdoor seating area on warm evenings. Another fun, laid-back spot is Southtown Hot Dogs, a local favorite with a nostalgic, old-school vibe that never disappoints. From hot dogs and burgers to Italian beef, cheese curds, ice cream, and more, it’s the perfect spot to treat the kids after school – or yourself when you’re in the mood for some quick, comforting bites. Modern Plate offers an elevated take on classic favorites, blending modern flair with timeless flavors. Try standout dishes like the short rib grilled cheese, chicken skewer plate, bacon-wrapped dates, or short rib risotto.
Elmhurst features numerous options for those seeking Chinese, Indian, Japanese, or Thai food. For “take-out” Chinese, enjoy Ni Hao Asian Cafe close to the train in downtown Elmhurst. Ming Chef on York Rd. offers a large menu including orange chicken, fried rice, crab rangoons and other classic entrees with a large, modern seating area. Hunan Palace Chinese Restaurant is also worth a try with chef specials like the Hong Kong steak, governor's chicken and twice-cooked pork.
Maharaj Indian Grill is an Indian restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, such as gobi manchurian, masala pappadam, lentil donuts and vegetable pakora – be sure to check out the tandoori specials and chef’s recommendations. Tucked away downtown is Kan Ya, a Japanese option featuring tasty ramen with custom toppings, signature entrees, fried rice, sushi, signature maki and sashimi. Also find sushi in a bowl or burrito (a combination poke wrap in seaweed paper) at Poke Burrito, where every dish is freshly made and customized. Lastly, BNK Thai & Sushi offers a great combination of Thai dishes (soups & noodles, pad thai, sushi, curries, rice dishes, etc.) with the liveliness and excitement of an exhibition kitchen.
If you’re a fan of classic Texas-inspired barbecue, Golden Boy Barbecue is a local favorite. Their menu features plenty of mouthwatering options, including fan-favorite pulled pork and brisket. With live music and a spacious seasonal patio, it’s also a great spot to kick back and enjoy warm summer evenings. Firewater BBQ N Brew brings the flavors, traditions and hospitality of Southern-style BBQ including slow cooked meats, grillmaster’s signature selections, signature sides and homemade desserts. Firewater also does party platters/packages, catering and a local favorite – pig roasts.
Elmhurst has a number of places to start the day or grab a quick treat. Courageous Bakery is a local favorite south of the train that offers fresh breakfast, lunch, and baked goods. Best known for its amazing “Cupcakes for Courage,” a portion of all sale proceeds support cancer research. Nearby is Brewpoint Coffee offering award-winning coffees, teas and more (also a Brewpoint coffee bar in the Elmhurst Public Library and another location in north Elmhurst). Moving east of York Road, Stray Hen Cafe has a large menu of traditional breakfast items, breakfast bowls and signature dishes as well as sandwiches and salads for lunch. Elmhurst City Centre has several great options for breakfast. Egg Harbor Cafe is part of a family-owned chain with 20+ locations that offers an extensive selection of breakfast and lunch options. Moving north, Rainbow Cafe (owned by a Greek family) is a place where friends “meet n’ eat” with a hand-crafted menu and a warm, welcoming vibe. In south Elmhurst, Fresh Start Cafe and Prairie Cafe have a traditional diner feel serving breakfast, lunch specials, sandwiches and wraps. Also stop in for a quick coffee or espresso at Lezza Spumoni & Desserts on Spring Road; this place is also known for cannolis, spumoni, cake, cookies, gelato, and Italian ice made in-house.
We could write an entire blog post focused only on Italian food in Elmhurst…there are so many great options with more than a dozen locally owned restaurants. Residents are enthusiastic about their preferences, so there is no doubt this list will be controversial. For those wanting top-tier pizza, we generally prefer Armand’s Pizzeria, Mama Maria’s Pizza, Pazzi di Pizza and Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria. Honorable mention goes to DiLeo’s Pizzeria (carryout) and Rosati’s (great deep dish option). If a broader Italian dining experience and ambiance are important factors, you won’t be disappointed by Angelo’s Ristorante, Francesca’s Amici, Gia Mia, and Ella’s Italian Pub. Additional local options include Mangia Napoli and Two Brothers from Italy Restaurant, and we know locals that love these places! If we had to pick just one restaurant in this category, it would be Pazzi di Pizza, followed closely by Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria … but why choose?
Elmhurst has several great Mexican options. Primos Locos downtown is hard to beat when you combine the great food (tostadas, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, etc.) and drinks (margaritas, cocktails, Mexican beers, etc.) with their garden bar (open during warm weather). This restaurant also offers Sunday brunch. Just across the street is locally-owned restaurant, Guac N Tacos, which opened up a second Elmhurst location on North Avenue. Known for their tacos, they also offer quesadillas, burritos, salads, etc. as well as sides and sweets. On the north side of Elmhurst, Cilantro Taco Grill offers fast-casual, authentic Mexican-style food made-to-order. This Illinois-based family business has 18+ locations and recently secured Pitbull as an investor and its public face to begin franchising. Another family-owned option with more than 10 locations across Chicagoland (on the north side of Elmhurst), El Famous Burrito has a variety of traditional fast-casual menu items and creatively reinterpreted ‘specials’. Another great quick option in south Elmhurst is Steak Burrito, offering great fajitas, burritos, and tacos. Bonus, they also have breakfast offerings!
If you're a fan of high-quality meats and seafood, Victory Meat & Seafood is a great option in the heart of Elmhurst. This upscale establishment offers a curated menu featuring prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and expertly crafted dishes. Victory will be moving a few doors down on York Road in 2024. Visit 100 South Chop House and Grill for a swanky-hip 1950’s supper club feel that’s upbeat but still relaxed. The steaks are USDA center cut and minimum aged for 21-28 days to ensure freshness and flavor, the martinis are tall and each dish is made to ensure an exceptional dining experience. One Fifty One Kitchen | Bar should be at the top of your dining list if you're a supporter of the farm-to-table movement. This Elmhurst eatery prides itself on sourcing fresh, local ingredients to create dishes that showcase the very best of the region. Start here with a charcuterie platter and move on to the pan-seared salmon or grilled ribeye.
Elmhurst has so many great options across all types of cuisine. Whether you're a local looking for a new dining spot or a visitor eager to explore the hidden gems in town, these picks are sure to leave you with a full stomach and appreciation for this vibrant suburb.
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