It’s pretty easy to lose track of time when exploring The Morton Arboretum. The outdoor garden and museum contain many awe-inspiring exhibits, hiking trails, and more. Naturally, you’ll start to feel your stomach rumble after a while.
If you’re in search of the best restaurants near Morton Arboretum in Lisle, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll be listing the five top-rated restaurants within driving distance of the Arboretum. Read on to learn the best places to satisfy your hunger cravings so you can return to learning more about trees.
#5: The Ike & Oak Brewing Company
6315 Main St., Woodridge, IL, 60517
Number five on our list is 4.7 miles away from the Arboretum, which is about a 10-minute drive. If you and your friends are craving tasty craft beer and pizza to end the day, it’s well worth making the drive. The Ike & Oak Brewing Company features a fun and friendly atmosphere where everyone can unwind and have a good time.
Their head brewer, Nathan Tertell, has been crafting beer for a decade now. He’s the creative talent behind beers such as the dark Monkey Nut and the beautifully amber Broken Carabiner.
If you’re visiting the Arboretum on the weekends, you can catch an early lunch at this pub. Monday through Friday, they open at 4:00 PM, but on Saturday and Sunday, they open at noon. That’s the perfect time to pop by for some artisan pizza before heading back to the museum of trees.
The Menu
Here’s a tiny sampling of what you can find on their menu:
- Four Cheese Pizza
- Fennel Sausage Pizza
- The Ike and Oak Pizza
- Grilled Octopus
- Korean Poutine
- BBQ Brisket Pizza
- The Ike Burger
- An extensive craft beer list
There are many fantastic artisan pizzas to be had here, so be sure to give them a try.
#4: It’s a Southern Thing: Kitchen and Bar
1727 Freedom Dr. Ste 121, Naperville, IL, 60563
Is your family craving some homestyle food while exploring the bike trails at the Arboretum? Then you should take the 11-minute drive out to It’s a Southern Thing: Kitchen and Bar. As the name implies, southern-style cooking is their specialty, and they knock it out of the park.
Comfort food is the name of the game here, with offerings such as chicken fried steak, pork chops, BBQ, and more. They even have ‘Crabby Patties,’ delicious blue crab cakes over avocado, and chorizo hash.
This restaurant is ideal if you’re hungry during an early visit to the Arboretum. Monday through Friday, they’re open from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. On the weekends, they open even earlier, at 9:00 AM. It’s a family-friendly restaurant that’ll have you leaving feeling stuffed and happy.
The Menu
Highlights off the menu here include:
- Hushpuppies
- Smoked Wings
- Smoked Half Chicken
- Calabash Catfish Plate
- Crabby Patties
- Shrimp and Grits Dinner
- Chicken Fried Steak
- Pete Loaf
- Slow Smoked Pulled Pork BBQ
You should try the ‘Pete Loaf,’ which is owner Pete’s famous take on meatloaf if you visit here. It contains special homemade ketchup as well as a 1/2 beef, 1/2 bacon meatloaf.
#3: The Bavarian Lodge
1800 Ogden Ave, Lisle, IL, 60532
The Bavarian Lodge offers traditional German recipes, making it unique in the area. It’s also right there in Lisle and is a quick 6-minute drive from the Arboretum. If you’re a fan of Schnitzel, there’s an abundance of it here. If you’ve never tried German food before, this is a great place to start. Their kitchen staff is highly renowned, and their food gets rave reviews online.
The interiors have a lodge feel due to the wooden decor. Besides German food, you’ll find plenty of traditional pub fare here. There are amazing burgers and sausage sandwiches on pretzel rolls.
We recommend visiting on the weekend, as they open early at noon. They’re closed on Monday and Tuesday, and their regular opening time is 4:00 PM. The Bavarian Lodge is an upscale, elegant option for dinner while still retaining a pub feel.
The Menu
Here’s a taste of what you can find at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle:
- Liver Dumpling Soup
- Bavarian Pretzel Basket
- Wiener Schnitzel
- Veggie Schnitzel
- Chicken Schnitzel
- Red Cabbage
- Hunter’s Schnitzel
- Scotch Egg
- Sausage Sandwiches on Pretzel Rolls
- Gourmet Burgers
- Roast Duck
- Extensive beer list
Reviews often mention their Liver Dumpling Soup and Pretzel Baskets as being especially good. If you find yourself craving some draft beer and sausage, now you know where to go!
#2: Carnivore & The Queen
2241 Maple Ave, Downers Grove, IL, 60515
If upscale fine dining is your thing, then this location will not disappoint. It’s a little bit of a drive, coming in at 11 minutes from the Arboretum. Yet, the food quality and the impeccable atmosphere make it more than worth the drive out. It’s an elite dinner club that’s long been a staple of Downer’s Grove.
Carnivore & The Queen is well known for its fantastic service. The owner is personable and often visits with each table. They also train their staff extensively on their menu, beer, and wine offerings. Feel free to ask away if you have any questions about what you see.
You can order everything from Roasted Chicken to Veal Chop here, as well as lots of cocktails. They’re closed on Monday and Tuesday but are open every other day at 3:00 PM. A visit to this fine dining establishment can put a great cap on a trip to the Morton Arboretum.
The Menu
Here’s a quick snippet of menu items from the Carnivore & The Queen:
- Walleye Ceviche
- Veal Chop
- Roasted Chicken
- Fried Chicken
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Scallops
- Chilean Sea Bass
- Relish Tray
- Wedge Salad
- Freshly Baked Key Lime Pie
Every menu item is cooked to perfection and presented in a very pleasing manner.
#1: NWB: Next Whiskey Bar Lisle
4732 Main St., Lisle, IL, 60532
Our top pick is straight in the heart of Lisle and is a quick 6-minute drive from the Arboretum. It’s also one of the highest-rated restaurants in the entire area, with a near-perfect rating on Yelp. While it’s a bar, the food here has something for everyone. There are burgers, bacon-wrapped shrimp, grilled cheese, tuna melts, and more.
They’re open for both lunch and dinner, which is perfect for visitors to the Arboretum. Of course, there’s a wide selection of wine, cocktails, and beer. You can’t leave without trying the NWB Fashioned, their unique take on an old fashioned.
The Menu
Here’s what you can find at NWB:
- Four Citrus Smash cocktail
- NWB Fashioned
- Whiskey Sour
- NWB Burger
- Four Cheese Grilled Cheese & Soup
- SW Chicken Rolls
- Sliders
- Homemade Mac & Cheese
- Shrimp Citrus & Avocado Salad
- Pulled Pork Poutine
- Beer-Battered Cheese Curds
As you can see, there’s something for everybody at NWB. Due to their versatility and proximity to the Morton Arboretum, they top our list.
Closing Thoughts
The Morton Arboretum is close to some truly fantastic restaurants. There’s southern food, German cuisine, pizza, and pub food. If you’re starving in Lisle, refer to this list to find the best restaurants near Morton Arboretum.
