Glen Ellyn is one of the best suburbs in Western Chicago, and its dining is a big reason for that. The city is famous for its food, and there’s no shortage of options. With more than 30 restaurants to choose from, it can seem a tad overwhelming at first.
If you’re looking for downtown Glen Ellyn restaurant options, you’re in the right place. We’ll be counting down our top 5 picks for the finest dining in the downtown area in particular. So read on to learn where you can find excellent five-star restaurants that are well worth your time and money.
#5: Main Street Pub
466 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137
First up, we’ll look at Main Street Pub just off North Main Street. It’s a highlight of downtown Glen Ellyn that lots of locals visit for delicious burgers and beers. They have great reviews online, with many patrons raving about their burgers, pretzels, and beer cheese.
It’s genuinely a midwestern bar that has a strong Chicago feel. The pub is excellent for a night out drinking with friends or for a quick lunch break. Main St. Pub opens up every day at 11:00 AM. On Fridays and Saturdays, they stay open until 2:00 AM.
They offer takeout, so you can drop by to enjoy your burgers at home. If a classy restaurant/bar is what you’re looking for, then the Main Street Pub will be more than satisfying.
The Menu
Here’s a taste of what you can find on the menu:
- Beer cheese and pretzel sticks
- Chorizo chowder
- Bacon-wrapped dates
- Fried Pickle Burger
- Bulleit Bourbon Burger
- Western Burger
- Heart Attack Burger
- Flatbreads
- Maui Waui Burger
As you can see, there are lots of gourmet burgers available here. That’s what the pub is known for, so trying out at least one is a must when you visit.
#4: Glen Prairie Local Flavor Fine Food & Drink
1250 Roosevelt Rd., Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137
Coming in at fourth is a fine-dining favorite in the downtown area, Glen Prairie. They feature diverse menu offerings that the cooking staff nails every time.
Glen Prairie is an excellent spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner due to its extended hours. The restaurant is open Monday – Thursday from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Fridays stay open until 11:00 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays, they’re open from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
You can order everything from duck tacos to braised short ribs. There’s a strong emphasis on embracing the flavors of the Midwest. It’s genuinely a Chicagoan’s restaurant, as well as an excellent spot for wine lovers.
They boast an extensive wine list that highlights ‘green’ farmed wines. The restaurant also provides lots of gluten-free options, which is excellent news for those with gluten allergies.
The Menu
Here’s a brief look at what’s on the dinner menu at Glen Prairie:
- Bison Burger
- Chicken Avocado Sandwich
- Amish Chicken
- Pork Tenderloin Medallions
- Scottish Salmon
- 12 oz Angus Ribeye
- Key Lime Pie
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae
These are but a few of the options that Glen Prairie has available. Check out their website for the full menu.
#3: Fire + Wine
433 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137
Do you love Italian food? If so, then this is the Glen Ellyn restaurant for you. Fire + Wine offers pizza, Tapas, meatball sliders, vodka pasta, and so much more. Located off North Main Street, it’s not far from the Main Street Pub.
Its classy interior makes it ideal for date nights. If you want to impress your special someone, you’ll undoubtedly make an impact by taking them here. The cooking staff is exceptional, with tons of raving reviews online about the food.
As the name implies, there’s a lot of wine available here. After all, what would an Italian restaurant be without an extensive wine list? There’s everything you need here to have a fantastic dinner that you won’t soon forget.
Typically a dinner-only restaurant, it’s open from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM from Tuesday through Friday. Lunch is an option on the weekends when they’re available from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM on Sunday.
The Menu
Here’s a sample of the menu at Fire + Wine:
- Hanger Steak
- Asiago Stuffed Gnocchi
- Wood-Fired Wings
- Whitefish
- Chilean Sea Bass
- Beef Medallions
- Pepperoni Burrata Pizza
- BBQ Chicken Pancetta Pizza
- Spaghetti Meatballs
- Spicy Chicken Tortellini
- Lobster Shrimp Rigatoni
They have many specialty pizzas and pasta, as well as salads and tapas plates. The versatility of the menu is one of the reasons why they’re so high on our list.
#2: Maize + Mash
430 North Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137
Coming in at second is the fabulous Southern restaurant, Maize + Mash. As the name implies, they offer traditional Southern food, as well as Tapas. It’s a whiskey bar that provides a myriad of delicious cocktails. Of course, they have raving reviews online praising their delicious food.
If you enjoy good homestyle cooking, you’ll be in heaven here. While it’s a Southern restaurant, the decor is quite classy and refined. It has the appearance of an elegant library complete with a brilliant bar area.
You can enjoy both lunch and dinner every day of the week at Maize + Mash. They’re open Monday from 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Tuesday – Thursday from 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Sunday from 12:30 – 9:00 PM.
The Menu
Here are a few items to give you a taste of the menu at Maize + Mash:
- Tuna Poke
- Scotch Eggs
- Maize + Mash Burger
- Short Rib
- Smoked Pork Poutine
- Shrimp & Grits
- Bacon Steak
- House Board
- Cheese Board
As you can see, lots of fantastic Southern food is on the menu here. It’s a must-visit if you find yourself craving some homestyle cooking in downtown Glen Ellyn.
#1: Common Good Cocktail House
560 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better reviewed Glen Ellyn restaurant than this. Boasting a nearly perfect 4.9-star rating, the Common Good Cocktail House does everything right. They have delicious and creative cocktails, outstanding service, and mouthwatering food.
The cocktail bar is all about celebrating life, and its decor reflects that sentiment. The place is overflowing with positive energy.
Food-wise, they have burritos, picnic packs, empanadas, and more. It’s a great place to have dinner and drinks with friends. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
The Menu
Here are just a few staple food items and cocktails:
- Shredded brisket burritos
- Savory crust empanadas
- Mahon cheese cracker plate
- Homemade pretzels
- Craft Beer
- House Old Fashioned
- House Manhattan
- Mountain Top Dew Wop
There’s a whole host of unique and creative cocktails here to enjoy. If you’re in downtown Glen Ellyn looking for a great night out, you owe it to yourself to come here.
Final Thoughts
There you have our top 5 picks for the best restaurants in downtown Glen Ellyn. We hope that you’re able to use this guide to find the absolute best Glen Ellyn restaurant for you.
Better check Prairie Glen’s website and hours. Since being closed during lockdown they have changed. Closed M and T, not open till4 pm. You need to drop in!
Glen Prairie isn’t downtown Glen Ellyn. 😂