Searching for the best dining in Naperville? As an award-winning Chicago suburb, it’s become a popular food destination with diverse cuisine from local businesses. From authentic Cantonese to Mediterranean and farm-to-fork, your taste buds will have many options to discover.
Learn the best places to eat in Naperville, their popular dishes, and why they’re worth checking out.
10 Best Restaurants in Naperville, IL: Your Local Food Guide
Below are the top 10 restaurants in Naperville with public transit directions.
1. Empire Burgers + Brew
Source: Empire Burgers + Brew
Elevate your burger experience at Empire Burgers + Brew. It’s a modern two-floor burger bar serving upscale American comfort food and unique flavored seasonal cocktails.
They have the only retractable rooftop in the area, so you can eat al fresco with sky-high views of the DuPage River and Naperville Riverwalk year-round. The space also combines two historic downtown buildings into one, giving a charming industrial vibe.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•100% certified Angus beef burger on a pretzel bun
•Turkey burger with maple bourbon glaze
•S’mores Old Fashioned
•Frozen passionfruit margarita
Empire Burgers + Brew is among the most popular dining spots in downtown Naperville. They’re located at 48 W Chicago Ave in the heart of downtown, where it’s walkable to several shops. The Naperville Metra station is a 15-minute walk away if you’re visiting from the city or out of town via the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Line.
2. Old Town Pour House
Source: Old Town Pour House
As a brand-new Naperville bar and restaurant, Old Town Pour House is worth a visit. It’s a trendy bar serving upscale American pub food with 90 beers on tap from local breweries. They have HDTVs with state-of-the-art audio, a glass-enclosed private dining room, and a gorgeous outdoor patio with a fireplace.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Truffle mushroom deuxelle beef burger with gruyère on a brioche bun
•Sesame ginger-marinated ahi tuna nachos on crispy wonton chips
•Angus steak chilli with milk stout and chipotle peppers
•Hot honey maple flatbread with spicy marinara, goat cheese, and arugula
Old Town Pour House is located at 1703 Freedom Dr in the Freedom Commons shopping district. The closest public transit option is the Diehl Rd & Legacy Cir (E) bus stop via Bus 714, a two-minute walk. The Naperville Metra is about a 10-minute drive via the BNSF Line using a rideshare to the restaurant.
3. Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Source: Lazy Dog Restaurants
Did you know you can bring your dog with you to eat outside at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar? It’s a casual dining chain serving global comfort food in a lodge-inspired setting. The patio features an outdoor fire pit, comfortable seating, and complimentary water bowls for your furry friend.
They even have a dog menu, including a grilled hamburger patty or chicken breast bowl with brown rice and vegetables.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Wyoming bison and Wagyu beef meatloaf in a burgundy wine sauce
•Grilled Idaho trout with walnut citrus butter and crispy smashed potatoes
•Smoked maple bacon Old Fashioned
•Apple huckleberry open-face pie with vanilla bean ice cream
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar’s Naperville location is located at 436 Route 59. The closest public transit option is the Illinois Route 59 & Aurora Ave/New York St bus stop via Bus 559, a three-minute walk. The Route 59 Metra is less than a five-minute drive via the BNSF Line using a rideshare to the restaurant.
4. MingHin Cuisine
Source: MingHin Cuisine
Serving authentic Cantonese cuisine, MingHin Cuisine is a top-rated restaurant in Naperville with six locations throughout the Midwest. They’re a five-time Michelin Guide award winner that’s well known for their dim sum, hot pots, and seafood. It has a bright, open, multi-room layout with contemporary Asian aesthetics that’s spacious for large parties without feeling crowded.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Chestnut and pork dumplings
•Duck wings with pepper sauce
•Creamy king crab meat with fish maw soup
•Ox tail with honey and pepper casserole
MingHin Cuisine’s Naperville location is at 1633 N Naper Blvd. The closest public transit option is the Diel Rd and High Point Dr bus stop, a five-minute walk via Bus 714. The Naperville Metra is about a five-minute drive via the BNSF Line using a rideshare to the restaurant.
5. The White Chocolate Grill
Source: The White Chocolate Grill
Craving American cuisine in a relaxed setting? Check out The White Chocolate Grill. It’s a highly rated contemporary grill with an open-plan layout, featuring high ceilings and exposed wooden slats. They serve sandwiches, burgers, BBQ, entrees, and cocktails.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Maryland-style crab cake with chipotle aioli and apple cider coleslaw
•12-hour Memphis-style pulled pork sandwich
•Blue cheese crusted filet steak
•Warm white chocolate brownie with French vanilla ice cream
The White Chocolate Grill is located at 1803 Freedom Dr in the Freedom Commons shopping district. The closest public transit option is the Diehl Rd & Legacy Cir (E) bus stop via Bus 714, which is a five-minute walk. The Naperville Metra is less than a 10-minute drive via the BNSF Line using a rideshare to the restaurant.
6. Allegory
Source: Allegory
Enjoy true farm-to-table dining in Naperville at Allegory. It’s one of the best restaurants in downtown Naperville, serving seasonally local farm-to-fork dishes with a Southern twist in a casual atmosphere. They won Yelp’s People Love Us award in 2024 and Top Places to Eat in the Chicago Burbs by Yelp Elites.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Fried buttermilk chicken thighs with maple bourbon brown butter griddled cake and bacon
•Mac & cheese with toasted blue cheese pistachio crust
•Farm-fresh vegetable quiche in a creamy egg custard with skillet taters
•Blackened shrimp with cheesy white corn grits and scallion in browned butter
Allegory is conveniently located in central downtown Naperville at 224 S Main St. The Naperville Metra is a 15-minute walk via the BNSF Line.
7. Vasili’s
Source: Vasili’s
Bringing hearth-inspired Mediterranean cuisine, Vasili’s is not one to miss. It’s a family-owned downtown Naperville restaurant serving generational seafood and classic recipes cooked over a blazing hearth. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner so you can eat at various times of the day.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Greek lamb, chicken, or shrimp skewers (Souvlaki)
•Braised pork shoulder with burned cabbage, lentils, red onion, and radish
•Whole grilled sea bass stuffed with spanakorizo and blistered cherry tomatoes
•Baklava with spiced Greek honey and homemade frozen yogurt
Vasili’s is located in downtown Naperville near the Naperville Riverwalk at 135 Water St. The Naperville Metra is a 20-minute walk via the BNSF Line. The Washington St & Aurora Ave is also a five-minute walk via Bus 530.
8. Avocado Theory
Source: Avocado Theory
If you’re searching for healthier dining in Naperville, Avocado Theory is a highly-rated option. It’s an innovative Avocado-driven restaurant with four Midwest locations, the first of its kind in the U.S. They have a wide range of food, including avocado bowls, breakfast, salads, smoothies, and entrees. You’ll also find many gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and vegetarian options.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Avocado-infused chicken tikka masala rice bowl with mint chutney and cucumber-tomato mix
•Avocado vegan chorizo tacos with sautéed bell peppers, pico de gallo, green onions, and seasoned fried potatoes
•Strawberries and cream crepes with avocado cream
•Avocado dragonfruit smoothie with pineapple, coconut, and agave
Avocado Theory is located at 22 E Chicago Ave in downtown Naperville. The Naperville Metra is a 15-minute walk via the BNSF Line. The Washington St & Benson Ave bus stop is about a five-minute walk via Bus 530.
9. La Sorella di Francesa
Source: La Sorella di Francesa
Looking for date night downtown restaurants in Naperville? Add La Sorella di Francesa to your plans. It’s a highly-rated upscale Italian restaurant in an elegant venue. It has large arched windows, two antique bars on both floors, and a flower-filled patio for outdoor seating.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Spinach and ricotta arancini with black truffle fondue
•NY Strip carpaccio with capers, tomatoes, parmesan, and mushrooms
•Warm cream puffs with pistachio gelato and chocolate sauce
•Housemade limoncello with Grey Goose-infused strawberry lemongrass
La Sorella di Francesa is located in central downtown Naperville at 18 W Jefferson Ave. The Naperville Metra is less than a 15-minute walk via the BNSF Line. The Washington St & Benson Ave bus stop is less than a five-minute walk via Bus 530.
10. Mesón Sabika
Source: Naperville.com
Mesón Sabika isn’t your traditional Spanish restaurant. It’s in a historic 1874 mansion on four acres with a beautiful outdoor garden that even hosts special events like weddings on the pavilion.
They’ve won several awards, including Best of Naperville 2024, Certified Quality Restaurants from Spain, and OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice in 2024 and 2025. They specialize in Spanish tapas and sangria that you can also take to go.
Some of their popular menu items are:
•Spanish-style chilled vegetable soup with red peppers, celery, garlic, tomatoes, and cucumbers (gazpacho)
•Lobster tail tostadas with dill sour cream and mixed greens
•Grilled skirt steak with sautéed onions, potatoes, and Cabrales blue cheese in a goat cream sauce
•Red or white Sangria pitchers with prickly pear, peach, pomegranate, strawberry, and mago
Mesón Sabika is located at 1025 Aurora Ave, about a 15-minute walk west of downtown Naperville. The closest public transit option is the Aurora & Devonshire Ave bus stop, which is across the street via Bus 530. The Naperville Metra is a seven-minute drive using a rideshare to the restaurant via the BNSF Line.
Find Your Next Apartment Home Near the Best Dining in Naperville
Want to live near Naperville’s dining scene? At TLC Management Co., we can help you find your next apartment home. Our apartment community, The Iroquois Club, offers studio to two-bedroom floor plans conveniently located one block away from Freedom Commons.
You can enjoy resort-style and upscale amenities, including:
•Heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools with a retractable roof
•Bark Park, pickleball court, 24/7 fitness center, and an outdoor fire pit
•Oversized bay windows, glass showers, and available heated garage parking
Ready to see The Iroquois Club in-person?
Contact us at info@chicagorentals.com to schedule your tour today!
