Best Fun Restaurants in Machesney Park

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

ChicagoGalenaKenoshaLaSalle CountyLake GenevaMadison

Areas

AddisonAftonAlbany ParkAlgonquinAndersonvilleAntioch

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

954 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Famous Dave's - Rockford restaurant

1. Famous Dave's - Rockford

5.0

Exceptional(1)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Rockford

Our authentic BBQ starts in a live-wood smoker stoked with genuine hickory logs. Our pitmasters hand-rub the meats with a custom blend of spices and cook for hours to extract the natural flavors. We source the highest quality meats and trim them up like we’re in a competition and hand-rub them with the freshest seasonings available to create mouthwatering experiences! In addition to our BBQ and grilled meats, our menu features a selection of salads, sandwiches, side items, and made-from-scratch desserts.

2. Daisies Chicago

4.8

Exceptional(343)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Logan Square

Booked 93 times today

Midwest Italian restaurant focusing on house made pastas, utilizing vegetables from Chef Joe Frillman’s family farm. Our bakery and cafe serves La Colombe Coffee alongside an array of pastries and sandwiches crafted by Chef Leigh Omilinksy.Dinner reservations are available Tuesday - Sunday; we are closed for dinner service on Mondays. Our cafe operates from 7:00am - 3:00pm every day. Lunch is available from 11:00am - 2:00pm every day. We do not take lunch or cafe reservations, it is first come first served. Please note that there will be a 25% service charge applied to all bills. This goes to pay our staff equitably as well as provide health and other benefits not typically offered in restaurants.

3. Ema - Glenview

4.7

Exceptional(647)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Glenview

Booked 184 times today

Ēma is a Mediterranean and California-inspired restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants located at 1320 Patriot Blvd. The menu, crafted by Chef Partner CJ Jacobson features spreads, dips and assorted mezze, Mediterranean small plates, with an emphasis on Hummus & Spreads, Raw, Vegetables and Kebabs. Signature dishes include Moroccan Onion Dip, Spinach & Feta Spread, Tahini Caesar Salad, Octopus Carpaccio and Spicy Brisket Kefta Kebab. The beverage program showcases cocktails with flavors crafted from Mediterranean ingredients like chinola, fig, fresno chile and coriander. The wine program, curated by Sommelier John C. Slatter, features a globally sourced list of over 70 selections with a strong focus on wineries practicing organic and natural production across the Mediterranean, including ancient grape varieties from Greece, Lebanon and Italy.

4. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

4.8

Exceptional(9429)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • Lincoln Park

Booked 144 times today

Cancellation policy: For parties of 5+ you need to cancel by 9am on the day of your reservation, otherwise it is a $25 fee. For smaller parties, please give us one hour in advance, in the event of a last minute cancellation or no show it is a $25 fee. Located in Lincoln Park, the All-Season Courtyard and Dining Rooms at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! are open with our new AIRPHX Air Filtration System. Your health is our top priority in all that we do. Steps we are taking: disposable and digital menus, continuous sanitation procedures & hand washing.

5. Boka

4.8

Exceptional(7295)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Lincoln Park

Booked 64 times today

Michelin-starred Boka Restaurant has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s dining scene since 2003. In 2014, following a major renovation, Chef Lee Wolen joined as Executive Chef and Partner, quickly gaining critical acclaim. Named “Chef of the Year” by both Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago in 2014, and again in 2015, Lee has helped elevate Boka to new heights. The restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine that highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The sophisticated yet inviting ambiance sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience, with daily-changing tasting menus that showcase timeless and seasonal American flavors.

A photo of Summer House - Chicago restaurant

6. Summer House - Chicago

4.7

Exceptional(8030)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Lincoln Park

Booked 318 times today

Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Summer House is the place for sunshine all year round. Enjoy seasonal specialties, market-driven pasta, artisan pizzas, and fresh antipasti from Chef Ben Goodnick’s California-inspired menu. Reserve your table today and be transported to the West Coast by the beach house decor, retractable glass ceiling, and all-season courtyard. For parties of 9 or more, email shsbparties@lettuce.com. Carryout and delivery are available, or visit The Cookie Bar for a selection of fresh-baked goods, sourdough English muffins, Summer House's renowned oversized cookies, small-batch coffee, and specialty espresso drinks.

7. Mirra

4.7

Exceptional(174)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Bucktown / Wicker Park

Booked 42 times today

Mirra is centered around the excitement of exploring the South Asian and Mexican culinary and collaboration that is really an unknown story up north. A la carte service, wine-focused with a small curated cocktail menu. Our chef's counter will offer a casual prix fixe experience for guests to enjoy. Mirra is a space that is warm, cozy, and comforting, whilst simultaneously executing a bold and vibrant food and beverage program. Mirra is a unique representation of how 2 different cultures can be 1 presented to you by Rishi Kumar, Zubair Mohajir, and David Mor.

8. Juno

4.6

Exceptional(1559)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Lincoln Park

Booked 27 times today

Now offering a signature Omakase menu with a selection of seasonal ingredients crafted by Chef BK Park.The Omakase experience will include approximately 20 bite size pieces including sashimi, appetizers, warm plates, nigiri, and dessert. Price is $125 per person, plus tax and a mandatory 20% gratuity will be added to the final bill. Cancellations within 24 hours will be subject to $25.00 fee per person. Please alert our team of any allergies or dietary restrictions when booking. Juno is an intimate Japanese restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park. Led by the expertise of Executive Chef/Owner BK Park, Juno strives to perfect a combination of quality and consistency in food and service. Juno offers a variety of traditional & non-traditional Japanese dishes as well as an extensive list of sashimi, nigiri and premium sake.

A photo of Le Bouchon - Chicago restaurant

9. Le Bouchon - Chicago

4.8

Exceptional(2155)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Bucktown / Wicker Park

Booked 64 times today

Le Bouchon has been thriving in Bucktown since 1993, serving classic French Bistro food in a dining room that will transport you to Paris. Voted one of the best French Restaurants in America by Timeout Magazine. Open from 11am-10pm Monday - Saturday.

10. Akahoshi Ramen

4.8

Exceptional(419)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Logan Square

Booked 33 times today

Akahoshi Ramen is a humble ramen shop in the city of Chicago. Everything is made in the restaurant, including all soups, seasonings, toppings, and noodles. We are not an authentic ramen shop, though we value the history of ramen, and our ramen is influenced by its past and its future potential. The dish, popularized in Japan after World War 2, is symbolic of both struggle and perseverance. It is both a simple dish, and a fantastically complex one that we treat with reverence and respect. Roughly translating to “Red Star,” the name “Akahoshi” is a love letter to two cities; Sapporo, Hokkaido, where red stars adorn city monuments, and Chicago, Illinois, where the red star decorates the city flag. Our ramen is influenced by Japanese and American ideals in cooking. We hope you will join us to enjoy a bowl of ramen, made with the respect and passion it deserves.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

K
Ken
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Ema had a great ambiance and service was great. Absolutely a great social gathering place to enjoy good food and great talks.
More info
Ema - GlenviewPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Glenview
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food was fabulous and while traditional pasta dishes, they really elevated with interesting spices and layers of flavor. The service was A+ and gave her a 30% tip.
More info
Daisies ChicagoPrice: Expensive• American• Logan Square
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lively atmosphere. Great selection of GF tapas. The wrapped dates & paella were my favorites!
More info
Café Ba-Ba-ReebaPrice: Moderate• Tapas / Small Plates• Lincoln Park
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Really loved the food and service was excellent.
More info
BokaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Lincoln Park
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Our server Aubrey was amazing she is super friendly and super attentive. Everyone there was super friendly from the time we walked in, to the time we left. We went for our daughters 23rd birthday we had 8 kids under 14 yrs old most under 10 they where a little loud and the kids haven't seen each other in a while so they where excited but they accommodated for it. We did make a reservation for 16 people we had 15 people total, and we had extra seating for about 5 extra spots, so everyone wasn't crowded when we got there, i really APPRECIATED that. Our daughter had the best birthday dinner. Thank you, Famous Dave's in Rockford. Thank you again Aubrey.
More info
Famous Dave's - RockfordPrice: Moderate• American• Rockford
•
5

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