Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central Illinois

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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!

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 6 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

Baxters American Grille

4.7

4.7 (1286)

$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

Kartheek

Dined 5 days ago

The food and ambience were truly exceptional—thoughtfully crafted dishes in a beautifully designed space. However, the overall experience was dampened by the service. Despite multiple polite requests, we weren’t offered bread until after placing our order, which felt unnecessarily rigid. Our server also struggled to answer basic menu questions, leaving us a bit uncertain. I was hoping for a seamless celebration for my birthday, but unfortunately, the service left a lasting impression for the wrong reasons.

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 3 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 4 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 (391)

$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

Krysty

Dined 3 days ago

We had a delicious meal! I had the chicken dish it was a stuffed chicken breast on a bed of mashed potatoes with a serving of mushrooms. It was delicious. One of the other ladies in my party had the same but she does not care mushrooms so they substituted for asparagus. She also had the bread pudding and stated it was awesome! My husband had his favorite the fish and chips. We had wonderful cocktails. It’s a great atmosphere and it never disappoints!

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Springfield, IL

4.5

4.5 (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 6 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!

Revery

4.4

4.4 (157)

$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

Jean Claude

Dined on May 15, 2025

This is my fourth time coming to Revery and I just love it. The food is always good, but their crème brûlée is my favorite! I also really enjoy their mocktails — super tasty and refreshing. The place feels cozy and the staff is always kind. Always happy to come back.

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Popular dish

Steak Frites

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