Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Evanston

46 restaurants available nearby

1. Blind Faith Cafe

4.8

Exceptional(1512)

Price: Moderate

• Vegetarian / Vegan • Evanston

Booked 2 times today

Serving globally inspired menus, Blind Faith is a certified green restaurant transforming the way people enjoy vegetarian cuisine. Just twenty-five minutes from downtown Chicago and only blocks from Northwestern's Evanston campus, our dinning rooms offer a casual warmth perfect for any occasion.

2. Khmai

4.8

Exceptional(126)

Price: Expensive

• Cambodian • North of Foster / Rogers Park

Booked 13 times today

Khmai Cambodian is a culinary journey that celebrates rich heritage and indomitable spirit of Cambodia. Named as an homage to Khmer, the native language, Mai means mother, which pays homage to Chef's mother. Our restaurant is a testament to the enduring bond between family and food.Khmai Cambodian is Inspired by the childhood experiences of our founder, Mona Sang, and her mother, Sarom Sieng, who survived the Cambodian genocide, our menu pays tribute to their unwavering resilience and passion for cooking. As a James Beard Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2023, Khmai Cambodian has earned acclaim for its commitment to preserving and showcasing the culinary treasures of Cambodia.Also enjoy our new concept Kaun Khmai, where the spirit of Cambodia comes alive through bold flavors and vibrant experiences. Translating to "Children of Cambodia," our lively and casual atmosphere invites you to explore the innovative fusion of traditional Khmer street food with a generational twist.

3. Libertad

4.8

Exceptional(3212)

Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Skokie

Booked 8 times today

Libertad is a casual, chef-driven neighborhood restaurant featuring Latin American inspired cuisine.Executive Chef Mark Mendez, whose experience includes Chicago’s most notable restaurants, pairs bold and exciting flavors for a seasonal menu of small plates ideal for sharing and experiencing the diverse mosaic of the countries that make up Latin America.Noted mixologist Ziyad Asrar has put together a fun and creative cocktail menu while Sommelier Shebnem Ince compiled a succinct wine list that complements the menu with by the glass and bottle selections.You'll quickly find that Libertad personifies the true neighborhood restaurant - a place you want and can dine at all the time because it's welcoming, relaxing and offers a menu so good it's hard to choose. The answer to that dilemma? Visit often.

4. Aboyer

4.7

Exceptional(637)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Winnetka

Booked 13 times today

Aboyer, a French-American brasserie in Chicago's North Shore, is worth the drive. It's praised for its 'excellent food' and 'knowledgeable staff', with reviewers describing it as a 'gem of a restaurant'. Aboyer's 'impeccable service' and 'beautiful presentation' add to the overall high-quality dining experience. Plus, the 'knowledgeable servers and staff' make every visit a pleasure.

5. Anteprima

4.8

Exceptional(3548)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Andersonville

Booked 20 times today

Anteprima is a gem in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, offering a unique Italian dining experience. With reviews raving about its 'consistent high quality in food, service and overall excellent dining experience', it's clear this restaurant is a hit. The 'exquisite, high-end Italian cuisine' is a favorite among patrons. The attentive service, coupled with the 'beautiful food and amazing ambience', makes Anteprima a must-visit destination for any food lover.

6. Zentli

4.9

Exceptional(70)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Evanston

Booked 5 times today

Hear the joyful music of Mexico with a mix of Latin American and world rhythms, enjoy the colorful art, and taste delicious tacos in a warm community space. Zentli (indigenous Nahuatl Language for "corn" or "maize"), is a casual restaurant that serves the best locally sourced Mexican street food in Evanston, Illinois. With fresh, natural ingredients and vegan & vegetarian options in eclectic, artistic digs, we’re your new local favorite. We built Zentli to honor the ingenuity and hard work of Mexican people by bringing you the genuine flavors of street vendors through tasty food and mouth-watering drinks.

7. Kabul House

4.8

Exceptional(89)

Price: Moderate

• Afghan • Evanston

Booked 6 times today

Kabul House offers a taste of appetizing Afghan dishes that have existed in the history of Afghanistan for thousands of years. Our restaurant emphasizes high quality Afghan food, as if prepared from the fingers of any Afghan mother. Our extensive full course menu includes lamb, seafood, beef & chicken dishes as well as vegetarian specialties that include pumpkin, eggplant, spinach & other fresh vegetable options. Our menu hosts a large variety of selections fit for anyone, from vegetarians to meat lovers alike. In most of our recipes, a limited amount of fresh spices & seasonings are used to season the dish in order to create a sensational taste that is not too overwhelming. This makes our Afghan cuisine very enjoyable for anyone & everyone. The atmosphere we provide for our patrons is one of which would be produced in our homes, relaxing, invitingly warm & unforgettable. We could go on & on claiming how exquisite our foods are, but we invite you to come & taste for yourself.

A photo of Andies Restaurant - Andersonville restaurant

8. Andies Restaurant - Andersonville

4.4

Awesome(273)

Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Andersonville

Booked 3 times today

Andies Restaurant in Andersonville is totally worth the drive! The place is warm, inviting, and the staff is friendly and efficient. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the ambience is perfect for personal conversations. Reviewers are consistently impressed with the great service and value, with phrases like 'fab food', 'exceptional staff', and 'won't be disappointed' popping up frequently. It's a winner for locals and visitors alike!

9. Ema - Glenview

4.7

Exceptional(471)

Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Glenview

Booked 201 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.

A photo of Summer House - Chicago restaurant

10. Summer House - Chicago

4.6

Exceptional(7942)

Price: Moderate

• American • Lincoln Park

Booked 199 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.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mark
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great food and attentive service. Carmine's was able to accommodate guests with dairy and gluten allergies.
More info
Carmine's RosemontPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rosemont
•
4.5
S
StevenVIP
Grand Rapids / Western Michigan •33 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The sauces were outstanding!!! I had the veal ravioli and my wife had the Carbonara pasta. Each were fantastic and the sauce was completely different. It was hard to decide which was better. One of the best Italian restaurants we've been to in quite a while. Very small setting as max capacity is 49 people. Service was wonderful. Will definitely return. Compliments to the chef. The only negative I could give this place is the 3% add on for use of a credit card, but this is becoming universal in Chicago so I guess it's the future.
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IL GIRASOLE TRATTORIAPrice: Moderate• Italian• Logan Square
•
4.5
R
RigoVIP
Chicago / Illinois •42 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The food, drinks, and service was outstanding. We enjoyed our visit to the restaurant and will definitely come back.
More info
LibertadPrice: Moderate• Latin American• Skokie
•
4.8
R
Rizwan
Chicago / Illinois •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Love the food , the best Afghan food in Chicagoland
More info
Kabul HousePrice: Moderate• Afghan• Evanston
•
4.8
J
JaneVIP
Chicago / Illinois •69 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We were welcomed and seated, with the menu explained, and questions answered, and recs given when asked! We started with cocktails and wine (free corkage night!). We shared the escargot and the charcuterie board. What a beautiful selection of cheeses!! Our entrees included Whitefish, the Berkshire pork chop, and the garlic prawns. Everyone was delighted with the choices, which we also shared!! Our server, Mylene, was excellent, with great timing of courses! We were never rushed. Staff members mad it a point to stop by the table to say hello and check on any needs we had. Overall, a fabulous evening of food and new tastes!!
More info
AboyerPrice: Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Winnetka
•
4.7

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Evanston

Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Evanston

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46 restaurants available nearby

1. Blind Faith Cafe

2. Khmai

3. Libertad

4. Aboyer

5. Anteprima

6. Zentli

7. Kabul House

8. Andies Restaurant - Andersonville

9. Ema - Glenview

10. Summer House - Chicago

See what locals rave about

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