16 Best Naperville Restaurants in 2024
What cities come to mind when you think about culinary hotspots? New York? Los Angeles? Most of us tend to think that the best dining experiences are clustered in the glittering metropolises of the world, but lately, an unsung gem has been making waves on the culinary scene: Naperville, Illinois.
Located just outside the Chicago area, there is no shortage of happening restaurants in Naperville, and we’ll be breaking down 16 standout Naperville restaurants we think are worth a shot on your next night out.
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The 16 Best Restaurants in Naperville, IL
1. Mapo Restaurant
Specializing in dishes from the Szechuan and Hunan regions of China, Mapo Restaurant is a favorite Naperville Restaurant for its fresh ingredients and the wide variety of hearty Cantonese dishes. Both spice-loving diners and customers with tamer tastes leave satisfied thanks to Mapo Restaurant’s extensive menu.
The Vibe
Mapo Restaurant is a no-frills place, but it knows how to present itself. You’ll be getting a true sit-down experience — white tablecloths and all — without all the fuss, so while you could take a date here without a second thought, don’t feel the need to dress up.
What to Order
It’s hard to choose one dish to order from Mapo Restaurant’s huge selection, but the Mapo tofu that gives this Naperville restaurant its name earns rave reviews, and so do the crab rangoons and crispy duck.
Mapo Restaurant | 1563 Naperville Wheaton Road, Naperville, IL 60563 | $$
2. Draft Picks
From its trivia night events to its extensive beer menu, Draft Picks is a proud participant in the American tradition of the sports bar, but it’s just as passionate about serving quality eats and drinks – suffice to say that the name of this Naperville restaurant isn’t just a pro sports reference. Come for the big game, stay for the Buffalo chicken sandwich.
The Vibe
If you love the sports bar ambience with brick, high tables and abundant flat-screen TVs, you’ll feel right at home at Draft Picks – a sports bar through and through.
What to Order
The aforementioned Buffalo chicken sandwich – crispy, spicy and hearty – is a winner, and the pressure cooker-fried chicken is a hit with fans of this Naperville restaurant as well.
Draft Picks | 523 Fairway Drive, Naperville, IL 60563 | $
3. Granite City Food & Brewery
The Naperville outpost of this well-loved Midwestern chain restaurant is a great place for two things: hearty comfort food and house-brewed beer. The huge menu at Granite City Food & Brewery ensures that no diner goes home without finding something to love.
The Vibe
Half-sports bar and half-sit-down, this Naperville restaurant’s setting reflects its offerings. Counter seating is available for those who want to catch Thursday night football on the flat-screens at the bar, and diners seeking a quieter experience can take advantage of table seating, too. Granite City is a casual eatery seeking to appeal to a broad range of diners.
What to Order
Almost unanimously among diners, the pretzels. Served breadstick-style, they’re a great start to any meal. Fans of this Naperville restaurant also love the generous salads and pot roast.
Granite City Food & Brewery | 1828 Abriter Court, Naperville, IL 60563 | $$
4. Angeli's
An Italian dinner can mean swanky digs and lofty prices, but at locally-owned Angeli’s, you’ll get some of the best food in Naperville — hearty, delicious meals served by friendly staff in an inviting setting — for a price that won’t break the bank. Without a doubt, Angeli’s is your place if you're seeking an Italian restaurant in Naperville serving authentic comfort food.
The Vibe
Angeli’s is a homey place, capturing the image of a nostalgically old-fashioned Italian restaurant right down to the checkered tablecloths. At this unpretentious sit-down spot, expect surroundings as warm and comforting as the dishes you’ll order.
What to Order
Naperville might be far from the coast, but that doesn’t stop Angeli’s from making a mean calamari: it’s tender, flavorful and well-plated. After that starter, consider the chicken piccata for your entrée.
Angeli’s | 1478 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 | $$
5. Fiammé
At Fiammé, another Italian sit-down eatery, the team has gained a reputation locally for the quality of its generously-portioned pizzas, pastas and Italian appetizers. You’ll get a huge range of options, a lot of bang for your buck and an enviable choice between wood-fired and Detroit-style pizza.
The Vibe
Polished yet relaxed, Fiammé is both classy and comfortable enough to be perfect for a night out with friends. If you’re looking for a festive but welcoming restaurant in downtown Naperville, look no further.
What to Order
In a nod to its Midwestern roots, Fiammé serves a knockout Detroit-style deep-dish straight from the wood-fired oven. If you’ve ever wanted to have a classy night trying to keep your dinner-out outfit safe from several inches of tomato sauce piled onto a thin triangle of pizza crust, this Naperville restaurant would be the place to do it.
Fiammé | 19 N. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540 | $$
6. Kiku Japanese Steak House & Sushi Lounge
Bringing hibachi, a style of Japanese barbecue where your meat is cooked on a flat grill in front of you, to Naperville, Kiku Japanese Steak House is next on our list of must-visits. It also, of course, brings steak, sushi, wine and desserts, all of them exquisitely-prepared.
The Vibe
With a polished look and elevated fare, Kiku is an elegant choice for a night out at a Downtown Naperville restaurant. Sit at the counter or a hibachi grill and watch a chef cook your meal before your eyes for an especially novel experience.
What to Order
The hibachi, of course — whatever meat you order will be cooked to perfection at your table. For a starter, try the rave-reviewed bang bang shrimp.
Kiku Japanese Steak House & Sushi Lounge | 2764 Aurora Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 | $$$
7. Entourage Naperville
One of Naperville’s most upscale restaurants, Entourage offers impeccably prepared and artistically plated takes on classic American dishes. It’s a great place to score a reservation for a special meal, and one that guests rarely leave unsatisfied.
The Vibe
A spacious, well-appointed interior with stylish lighting elevates the dining experience — this Naperville restaurant sets an ideal mood for an upscale Valentine’s Day dinner or a night out with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
What to Order
Chilean sea bass, if you’re feeling posh, or hanger steak if you’re craving something hearty. Either way, finish with a slice of key lime pie and tell yourself the tartness helps to cut the richness of your dinner.
Entourage Naperville | 796 Illinois Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540 | $$$$
8. Ramsay's Kitchen
If you were wondering: yes, Gordon Ramsay is the brain behind one of Ramsay’s Kitchen, one of Naperville’s premiere restaurants. One of only a handful of Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurants nationwide, this branch serves a menu curated by Ramsay himself. It won’t come as a surprise that some of the best Naperville food can be had here.
The Vibe
It’s no surprise that a place with such a famous name attached to it would be swanky, and Ramsay’s Kitchen isn’t only upscale in its menu: its ambience is just as elegant. The setting of this Naperville restaurant is well-appointed and the food is presented as beautifully as you’d expect.
What to Order
One of the restaurant’s simplest dishes is among its best-loved: warm, salty, house-made parker rolls. Don’t miss them for love or money. To round out your courses, try the tender, flaky beef Wellington for an entrée and a sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Ramsay’s Kitchen | 39 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 | $$$$
9. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
One of several locations nationwide, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant in Naperville is a full-service outlet combining a restaurant, a tasting room, a bar and a private dining room to recreate a Napa winery experience in the heart of the Chicago suburbs. It even hosts periodical members-only events for loyal guests. Cooper’s Hawk Winery aspires to be not just another Naperville restaurant, but an experience.
The Vibe
Cooper’s Hawk Winery strives to strike a balance between upscale dining and inviting service: you’ll be warmly welcomed into a vineyard-style experience where upscale food and wine are at the center of your visit. Plan to stay a while and savor the experience.
What to Order
Egg rolls and drunken shrimp are well-loved appetizers among fans of this Naperville restaurant, and chicken Madeira is a standout from the entrée menu. The desserts are also outstanding.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant | 1740 Freedom Drive, Naperville, IL 60563 | $$
10. Sullivan's Steakhouse
For many, the clear restaurant choice for a nice night out is a steakhouse, and among Naperville’s many restaurants, Sullivan’s Steakhouse is your best bet. A well-loved establishment serving all the steakhouse classics, Sullivan’s will satisfy with its elegant ambience and stellar service.
The Vibe
A classic steakhouse: low light, quilted leather booths and pristine white tablecloths. Live music enhances the ambience, and if you’re celebrating a special occasion, the mood at Sullivan’s will be just right.
What to Order
You’re at a steakhouse, so we'd have to say steak. Diners at this Naperville restaurant also highly recommend a side of mashed potatoes and a slice of key lime pie for dessert.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse | 244 S. Main St., Naperville, IL 60540 | $$$$
11. A2B Indian Veg Restaurant
If you’re a vegetarian and you’ve been wondering what restaurants in Naperville you could patronize without resorting to a plain salad and the free bread they bring out before your meal, look no further: A2B Indian Veg Restaurant's entire menu is meatless! A2B brings together regional classics from all over India and combines them with a robust offering of confections for your dining pleasure.
The Vibe
A bustling, family-friendly place, A2B offers the comfort of a casual ambience in lively surroundings and is one of the best Indian restaurants in Naperville.
What to Order
A2B began its life decades ago in the Indian state of Chennai as a sweet shop, and even though this Naperville restaurant is far more than a confectioner’s emporium today, you’ll definitely want to save room for dessert. Try the Royal Falooda, a milk tea-like drink with chia seeds and rosewater jelly, or the pineapple rava kesari. For main courses, sambar, a lentil-based soup, comes highly recommended.
A2B Indian Veg Restaurant | 28244 Diehl Road, Warrenville, IL 60555 | $$
12. Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill
Casual Naperville restaurant Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to Naperville with its selection of Middle Eastern meat, falafel and rice dishes.
The Vibe
Naf Naf is a clean, no-frills counter-serve joint equally well suited to dine-in or takeout. While it won’t be your date night pick, this clean, spacious, unfussy Naperville restaurant is perfect for a weekday lunch or a family meal.
What to Order
This Naperville restaurant offers customers the option to create their own bowl or stuffed pita with the base, protein and sauces of their choice, and you can’t go wrong with custom-made. Opt for their falafel or shawarma for a taste of what they do best.
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill | 1739 Freedom Drive #109, Naperville, IL 60563 | $$
13. SanguCHE
A family-run Naperville restaurant seeking to promote Peruvian culture and cuisine in an area not really known for either of those things, SanguCHE focuses its menu on sandwiches, with sides and empanadas to round it out. If you’re looking for a restaurant in Naperville that offers something novel, it’s definitely the place to go.
The Vibe
Tucked away in a strip mall, SanguCHE is as casual as it gets, but you’re sure to be met with warm, prompt and attentive service. It’s small enough to feel personal and casual enough for your workday lunch break.
What to Order
Vegetarian or vegan diners will love the quinoa burger, and those who opt for one of this Naperville restaurant’s popular meat-based sandwiches like the milanesa can still sample the South American staple through a side order of refreshing quinoa salad.
SanguCHE | 535 Fairway Drive Ste. 115, Naperville, IL 60563 | $
14. Santo Cielo
Few Naperville restaurants are as committed to their concept as Santo Cielo, which cites the perfect fusion of food, drinks, sound, social connection, people and nature to create an atmosphere of “santo cielo,” or “good heavens,” as its goal. To that end, it offers polished Latin fusion cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients.
The Vibe
Santo Cielo’s slick, cosmopolitan atmosphere is perfectly in keeping with the Naperville restaurant’s polished aesthetics and stylish fusion menu, and, with views overlooking the city, a meal at Santo Cielo is one you’ll want to treat like a special occasion.
What to Order
Visit on a Sunday to get a taste of the chilaquiles at this Naperville restaurant’s weekly Sunday brunch. On any other day of the week, grab some bao buns with karaage fried chicken.
Santo Cielo | 123 Water St. Unit 509, Naperville, IL 60540 | $$
15. Quiubo
The Midwest isn’t exactly known for quality Mexican food, but Naperville restaurant Quiubo is striving to change that. As one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Naperville, Quiubo is a must-visit if you're seeking some of the city's most delicious tacos and a margarita in a colorful, welcoming setting.
The Vibe
Located in a notable hotel, Quiubo’s bright, colorful interior — think Mexican-inspired wall murals and agave plants — elevates the casual atmosphere of this Naperville restaurant.
What to Order
Tacos are where this Naperville restaurant shines, and you could order any of them with confidence. That said, if you want to supplement your tacos with something a little heartier, try the refreshing ceviche or creamy poblano soup.
Quiubo | 120 Water St., Ste. 122, Naperville, IL 60540 | $$
16. Empire Burgers + Brew
While it might seem on the surface like any other burger joint, Empire Burgers + Brew prides itself on the quality of its ingredients and of the experience it provides. You can even dine out on this Naperville restaurant’s rooftop terrace year-round thanks to its retractable roof.
The Vibe
In addition to proudly boasting Naperville’s only retractable roof, Empire Burgers is located in two combined historical buildings repurposed with modern decór for a stylish dining experience. This casual but funky atmosphere of this Naperville restaurant gives it character and charm in spades.
What to Order
As far as burgers go, the Empire Burger is always a solid choice, but those in the know highly recommend the appetizers. The Burger Cigars in particular, which contain burger meat and toppings in a crispy egg roll wrapper, come highly recommended by fans of this Naperville restaurant.
Empire Burgers + Brew | 48 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 | $$
Try Cooking Naperville Foods
There is certainly no shortage of fabulous Naperville restaurants to try, but sometimes, you just don’t feel like going out, and that’s where cooking classes in Naperville come in! One-on-one instruction from an expert chef will have you preparing gourmet meals to rival the best restaurants in Naperville in the comfort of your own home.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Whatever you’re craving, the up-and-coming culinary hub of Naperville has something for you, and now that you know where the eating is good, we hope you’ll be inspired to get out there and see what the buzz is about at the best restaurants in Naperville, IL. Where will your next Naperville dining experience take you?
For more ways to explore Naperville and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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