You don’t have to venture into the city to enjoy a diverse and vibrant culinary landscape. From cozy cafes to high-end dining, gourmet burgers to Mediterranean small plates, pizzas to Burmese curries, Naperville has the variety and quality to satisfy any palate.
As a keen foodie who has lived in Naperville all my life, I’ve probably tried every restaurant in the area. I visit every new eatery that opens near Naperville and I regularly return to my favorites to try new dishes and work my way through their menus!
Of course, not all restaurants live up to expectations, and it can be disappointing to look forward to a meal and then feel let down by the food, atmosphere, or service. I’m going to spare you that disappointment by sharing my list of the best Naperville restaurants.
2024’s Top-Rated Naperville Restaurants
Each of the restaurants below offers incredible food and top-quality service in a delightful setting and comes with my personal seal of approval. Give them a try, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
1. Greek Islands Restaurant West
From the moment you arrive at Greek Islands Restaurant, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Greece, ready to enjoy some authentic food at a real Greek taverna.
When the sun is shining and Naperville is enjoying Greek-style weather, you can enjoy your meal in the outdoor patio area, while on cold days and winter evenings, there is an indoor fireplace that ensures the restaurant’s temperature is as warm as the staff’s welcome.
The restaurant serves classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes – including lots of vegetarian options – in an informal and unpretentious setting. The walls are adorned with vistas of the Greek islands and the restaurant is spacious and impeccably clean. But Greek Islands isn’t about decor. It’s all about stunning Greek dishes and charming personal service.
At a Glance:
- Location: 300 E 22nd St. Lombard, IL. 60148
- Website: greekislands.net
- Contact: greekislands.net/contact
- Phone: (630) 932-4545
- Amenities: Parking | Outdoor Seating | Fireplace
- Best for: Authentic Mediterranean cuisine
2. Meson Sabika
You might not expect to find a Spanish tapas restaurant hidden inside a historic mansion with four acres of landscaped gardens, but that’s what you get with Meson Sabika and it certainly works!
The small plates are delightful, the sangria is delicious, and the outdoor patio seating gives you the chance to enjoy the taste of Spain in the picturesque surroundings of a traditional garden estate.
With lunch, dinner, and a special Sunday lunch menu, Meson Sabika is the perfect destination for a weekend treat or a weeknight date, and the beautiful mansion is also a popular wedding venue.
At a Glance:
- Location: 1025 Aurora Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
- Website: mesonsabika.com
- Phone: 630.983.3000
- Amenities: Parking | Outdoor Seating | Fireplace
- Best for: Tapas / Small Plates
3. Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant
If a bright and modern Burmese dining experience sounds appealing and intriguing then don’t hesitate to visit Pa Lian! I can’t recommend it highly enough and can confidently say that Pa Lian offers the best Burmese food in Chicagoland.
The restaurant serves traditional noodle and rice dishes, Burmese curries, and a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options. Eating out at restaurants isn’t always good for your health or your wallet, but Pa Lian is kind to both, with a wide selection of dishes that are both healthy and affordable.
Dietary requirements are also well catered for, with several gluten-free dishes available as well as halal meat.
When I’ve told friends and family about Pa Lian, they have often seemed interested but unsure about trying Burmese food, which is unfamiliar to many people. Well, there’s no need to fear. The knowledgeable staff are happy to guide guests through the menu and offer helpful recommendations to suit individual tastes.
Pa Lian doesn’t have an alcohol license, so there are no beers, wines, or spirits on the menu, but you can buy soft drinks or bring your own alcohol without paying any corkage fee.
At a Glance:
- Location: 254 E Geneva Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187
- Website: https://www.opentable.com/r/pa-lian-burmese-restaurant-wheaton
- Phone: 331-716-7905
- Amenities: Parking | BYO alcohol
- Best for: Vegan & Gluten-free
4. Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House
Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House is an upmarket seafood restaurant known for its fresh fish, bustling dining room, and friendly welcome.
Though it can get busy, the restaurant and bar always has a nice atmosphere, occasionally featuring live piano performances to add to the ambiance.
My top tip is to try the frog’s legs! They might not be at the top of your list of dishes to sample, but if you take a risk then I bet you’ll be surprised by their tenderness and delicious garlicky flavor.
I also recommend arriving during happy hour (usually 3pm – 6pm) when you can enjoy a half-price bottle of wine with your meal.
At a Glance:
- Location: 55 S. Main Street, Naperville, IL 60540
- Website: hugosfrogbar.com/locations/naperville
- Reservations: hugosfrogbar.com/naperville-reservations
- Contact: hugosfrogbar.com/contact
- Phone: 312-640-0999
- Amenities: Delivery/Pickup | Private Dining
- Best for: Seafood
5. Fire + Wine
Fire + Wine is a family-friendly restaurant that offers Neapolitan pizzas and small plates alongside an extensive bar menu of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. The spicy chicken wings are also excellent!
The restaurant is welcoming, with a cozy fireplace and staff who really go the extra mile to make you feel at home. It can get busy, and sometimes can even be quite loud, but I like the buzzing atmosphere and enjoy the opportunity to talk and laugh with friends.
Fire + Wine has ample seating, but because it can get busy I highly recommend making a reservation. There is a limited amount of outdoor seating at the front of the restaurant.
At a Glance:
- Location: 433 N Main St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
- Website: fireandwine.net
- Contact: fireandwine.net/contact
- Phone: 630-793-9955
- Best for: Craft beer & cocktails
6. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Describing itself as an upscale casual restaurant, Naperville’s Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is part of a chain of 54 Cooper’s Hawk locations.
The best thing about Cooper’s Hawk is undoubtedly the wine-tasting room and the opportunity to combine a wine-tasting with a delicious meal out.
No reservation is required for a wine tasting, so I recommend booking your table and then arriving in advance to try 7 or 8 wines in the expert company of an expert Tasting Room Attendant. As well as being enjoyable in its own right, the tasting will also mean that you know exactly which wine to order with your meal!
When it comes to food, Cooper’s Hawk offers a varied menu of steak, chicken, pasta, seafood and vegetarian dishes. You will be seated and served in a sophisticated and modern dining setting, with bottles of wine adorning the walls and both tables and comfortable booths on offer.
At a Glance:
- Location: 1740 Freedom Dr, Naperville, IL 60563
- Website: chwinery.com/locations/illinois/naperville
- Contact: chwinery.com/contact/contact-us
- Phone: 630-245-8000
- Amenities: Online ordering | Tasting room | Private dining
- Best for: Wine
7. Santo Cielo
Perched on the top floor of Hotel Indigo, Santo Cielo is a classy establishment with a business-casual dress code.
The restaurant offers a modern, bright space to enjoy Latin American cuisine and the chance to marvel at breathtaking views over downtown Naperville as you enjoy your meal and sip on a tasty cocktail.
Best of all, the cocktail menu changes regularly, giving you plenty of reasons to return and try the bartenders’s latest concoction!
At a Glance:
- Location: 123 Water St UNIT 509, Naperville, IL 60540
- Website: stcielo.com
- Contact: stcielo.com/contact
- Phone: 630-323-0700
- Amenities: Parking | Private dining
- Best for: Scenic view
8. Quiubo
For modern Mexican flavors, look no further than Quiubo! With colorful decor, friendly and attentive staff, and a spicy menu served alongside dangerously drinkable pitchers of margarita, Quiubo is the perfect setting for a lively meal out with friends or a fun fiesta to mark a special occasion!
The restaurant is easy to reach, has ample parking, and accepts bookings for large groups and parties.
At a Glance:
- Location: 120 Water St Ste 122, Naperville, IL 60540
- Website: quiubomx.com
- Reservations: quiubomx.com/reservations
- Contact: [email protected]
- Phone: 331-702-2711
- Amenities: Outdoor seating | Private events | Online ordering | Gift cards
- Best for: Birthday parties & celebrations
9. Empire Burgers & Brew
Housed in refurbished downtown buildings, Empire Burgers & Brew is a trendy restaurant with an industrial aesthetic that features lots of reclaimed wood, brickwork, and metal finishes.
Perhaps the most notable feature of Empire Burgers & Brew is its cool riverside deck with a retractable roof. I highly recommend looking for a spot outside and enjoying a beer and a burger as the river flows by.
As well as meaty burgers and sandwiches, the restaurant offers a vegetarian menu and a children’s menu, which means everyone should be well catered for. There’s also an ample variety of drinks on offer, with a huge selection of draft beers, canned and bottled beers, several non-alcoholic beers, plus wine and cocktails.
At a Glance:
- Location: 48 W Chicago Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
- Website: empireburgerbar.com
- Contact: empireburgerbar.com/contact
- Phone: 630-355-9000
- Amenities: Online ordering | Outdoor seating
- Best for: Riverside al fresco dining
Tips for choosing a perfect restaurant Naperville, IL
Trying new restaurants not only helps to keep things varied and interesting but also opens the door to new dishes from around the world and lets you discover new favorite places to share with loved ones.
However, your choice of restaurant can also make or break your evening. So how do you manage the risk of trying somewhere new? The answer is to follow my top tips for choosing the perfect restaurant.
- Occasion: Not all restaurants are right for every occasion. For a romantic date, opt for a cozy and intimate setting, while a lively celebration may be better suited to a spacious, vibrant family restaurant. Matching your occasion to a style of restaurant is a useful first step to narrowing down your options and deciding where to dine.
- Mood & ambiance: What kind of evening are you in the mood for? And what kind of ambiance does each restaurant offer? The restaurant you choose when you want to get dressed up and spoil yourself will be very different from the place you choose when you simply want good food in informal surroundings.
- Location & accessibility: Think about everyone in your group. Is the restaurant conveniently located for everyone to reach easily? How long will it take them to get there? Is there free parking or are there public transport options nearby? Does anyone have any special accessibility needs? However great a restaurant may be, you’ll only enjoy it if it’s easily accessible for everyone.
- Budget: Naperville restaurants cater to a range of budgets and most establishments publish their menus online. If you’re concerned about how much your meal may cost then it’s a good idea to set a budget in advance and go online to check the menu before you book your table.
- Reviews & reputation: Whatever a restaurant may say about themselves, there’s no substitute for genuine customer reviews and word of mouth. I highly recommend checking reviews for insights into a restaurant’s quality of food, service, and overall experience. However, it’s waldo worth remembering that every restaurant gets a bad review at some point, so don’t let one person’s negativity put you off. You should look at the overall trend to get the most accurate picture of a restaurant’s quality.
Final Words
I strongly believe that Naperville’s culinary scene is impressive and that we should do more to celebrate having such a tantalizing array of dining experiences on our doorstep.
Whether you want authentic Mediterranean small plates, Burmese rice and noodle dishes, upscale seafood, or modern Mexican fare, you can find it right here in Naperville. And it’s not just variety, it’s quality too. The standard of food, drink, atmosphere, and service at these top Naperville restaurants is astounding.
So, if you haven’t tried all nine of these restaurants, what are you waiting for? The best restaurants in Naperville are open now and waiting for you too book your table.
