Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Central Illinois

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Jonah's Seafood House

4.8

4.8 (1673)

$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

Steven

Dined 4 days ago

Food was excellent as was service. A little on the expensive side, but some of the best food in the area for sure.

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Popular dish

Crab Cake

Popular dish

Clam Chowder and Gumbo

Hamilton Walker's

4.8

4.8 (1649)

$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

Michael

Dined 7 days ago

We had a great experience for our first time to Hamilton Walker’s. The steak was amazing!

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Popular dish

7oz Center Cut Filet Mignon

Firefly Grill

4.7

4.7 (3057)

$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

AndreaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Solid experience overall, their specials had fresh offerings with bold flavors. My steak was a bit over salted and dessert was just ok. But definitely worth visiting again.

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Baxters American Grille - Champaign

4.7

4.7 (700)

$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

Bruce

Dined on May 24, 2025

Food was excellent, our server was knowledgeable, the staff was attentive and efficient.

The FourNine

4.7

4.7 (274)

$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

Jane

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Very good food & service. The cocktails & whiskey selection is really good

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Popular dish

Smash Burger

Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer

4.6

4.6 (421)

$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

Candy

Dined 5 days ago

We went there for our anniversary. We were fortunate to have Taylor as our server, and she was amazing the whole time we were there! She even offered to take our picture for us! We had the Ricotta & Feta Dip appetizer which was REALLY good! I had the Meatloaf dinner (again, really good!) and hubby had the Shrimp & Grits (again, really good!) We splurged and each had a dessert, which were both good. We will definitely be returning (we live in the area!) and hope to have Taylor again as our server!

Saffron Social

4.6

4.6 (392)

$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

Tina

Dined 2 days ago

Saffron went above and beyond to honor the request of a quick turnaround for lunch as my boss was on tight timeline. The service is truly impeccable! Highly recommend.

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Springfield, IL

4.4

4.4 (3688)

$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

NickVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Our serving was outstanding and everything went well!

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

Ko Fusion - Downtown

4.4

4.4 (144)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Champaign

About the restaurant

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

Top review

RachaelVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Our waiter was kind and wonderful! The food was excellent. The place is beautiful. We come here very time we visit and we are always happy. It’s seriously an amazing restaurant!

Saltgrass Steak House - Danville

4.0

4 (661)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Danville

About the restaurant

Saltgrass Steak House is an award-winning steakhouse in Danville, IL famous for serving Angus Beef steaks. Each steak is cooked to perfection with Saltgrass-7 Steak Spice, and topped with garlic butter. All breads, dressings, soups and desserts are made from scratch daily. Great food and legendary hospitality make Saltgrass an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

The salmon when thick tends to not be completely done in the middle. Otherwise everything was great, service was great.

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