Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Central Illinois

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Hamilton Walker's

4.8

4.8 (1640)

$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

Jeff

Dined 2 days ago

Overall it was an exceptional Mother's Day outing. One of our steaks was over-cooked, however it was still a very good cut and seasoned perfectly. We highly recommend the mussels, very tasty. I will definitely come back to try other menu options.

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Popular dish

Crab Cake

Popular dish

7oz Center Cut Filet Mignon

Firefly Grill

4.8

4.8 (3047)

$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

Laci

Dined 3 days ago

Love the atmosphere of Firefly. And you are guaranteed good food!

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4.8

4.8 (139)

$30 and under

American

Peoria City

About the restaurant

Megan & Todd invite you to the humble Midway Duck Inn. Our menu is printed DAILY! We post your celebrations on our menu. Join us for our Famous Pan-Fried Bone-In Chicken, the worlds Best Chicken Tenders or Juicy Chicken Breast Entrees! Get 'em Bombed! Our Lusty Pub Sandwiches range from our Half Pound Hamburger, Crispy Chicken or Catfish Sandwiches or Bite into our Two Fisted Filet Sandwich or Beefy-Cheesy Philly Cheesesteak! Our Waterside Catch includes Bluegill, Whole Catfish & Catfish Fillets! We also have many Seasonal Specials! Our Daily Specials are as follows: Wednesday-AYCE Fish & Chips, Thursday-Country Fried Steak, Chicken or Pork! Friday- Fresh Catch with Catfish Fillet, Saturday-Lobster Saturday, Sunday-Funday with Bacon Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf! No visit is Complete without a Batch of our World Famous Corn Fritters or Seasonal Fritters-Pineapple, Pumpkin, Chocolate Chip, Peach, Oreo, Blueberry and more! Check us out at midwayduckinn.com for updates. Who wants some?

Top review

John

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food & prompt service; happy we had a reservation!

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Popular dish

Catfish Fillet

Jonah's Seafood House

4.6

4.6 (1662)

$30 and under

Seafood

Peoria/East Peoria

About the restaurant

Jonah’s Seafood House specializes in fresh seafood with a diverse mix of steak, chicken, and sandwich options. The menu is printed everyday to keep pace with seafood seasons and offers a wide variety of choices. Children’s menu, too! The house specialties change with the menu. The Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna is a Jonah’s Classic.

The 2601 Oyster Bar is a casual, seat-yourself atmosphere set in a world class oyster bar. The menu is an exciting mixture of oyster bar selections from around the nation. New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, Tampa and Miami are all represented. The house specialty is a wide offering of flat breads and the signature Cuban sandwich.

Jonah’s "Down Under" Banquet Bar & Grill is a banquet facility with capacity from 20-300. Jonah's offers river level views and the cook-to-order style will make your next function the talk of the town!

Top review

Tanya

Dined 2 days ago

Food was great! Service from waiter could have been better.

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Popular dish

Crab Cake

Popular dish

Jonah's Famous Chocolate Cake

Popular dish

Devil's Double Dark Chocolate Cake

The FourNine

4.6

4.6 (269)

$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

John

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

My first time at The FourNine and I was impressed on all levels. The service level was outstanding. All of the staff were very attentive and polite. The food was fresh and delicious. Drinks were expertly made. A great value for the price.

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Popular dish

Smash Burger

Baxters American Grille - Champaign

4.7

4.7 (698)

$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 or 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 in the Champaign area as well as private dining and catering events. Whether you stop in for one of our new signature martinis, or to dine in our upscale dining room, Baxters is the destination for you!

Top review

Bradley

Dined 2 days ago

Mother's Day brunch was superior to any brunch I've ever attended. The food was delicious and the presentation was immaculate. Our server was wonderful and so attentive. The drinks were perfect for the occasion. I will be booking again next year for Easter and mother's Day!

Baxters American Grille

4.6

4.6 (1285)

$31 to $50

American

Bloomington / Normal

About the restaurant

Experience the contemporary decor, freshly made entrees from our professional chef and exceptional service. The restaurant offers seating for groups from 1- 80. Our outdoor patio is perfect for the summer evenings and our lounge is an exciting setting to view your favorite sports game with friends.

Dinner Menu includes: Fresh seasonal entrees & appetizers including: Tuna Tartare, Drunken Stuffed Mushrooms, Hand Cut Steaks, Fresh Seafood & Signature Dishes such as our Herb Crusted Lamb Chops & Chicken Picatta.

Top review

Anita

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent restaurant and my favorite in Bloomington, Il. The food is very delicious, desserts are decadent, and they have a wonderful drink list (the Sweet Caroline martini is my favorite). We’ve tried about every type of entree from shrimp tacos to the prime rib. Delicious every time. The service is amazing too! We are always greeted by friendly hosts and the wait staff is readily available and attentive to our needs.

Saffron Social

4.6

4.6 (375)

$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

TimVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We have been to Saffron Social many times, but this was by far our best experience. The food was amazing, but it was our waitress that helped make a very busy evening an exceptional experience.

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Springfield, IL

4.6

4.6 (3664)

$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

Donald

Dined 2 days ago

Our favorite place to go for special occasions. It was a very busy evening staff was very great at taken care of us .

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Experience

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

Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 2pm

Ko Fusion - Downtown

4.4

4.4 (133)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Champaign

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Sherri

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Experience was fantastic. Service and food, 5 star. We shared sushi rolls and all four were delicious. Our server was very attentive and professional. Great experience.

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