Restaurants in Champaign
Best Restaurants
Steak House • $$$
Sushi • $$
“Such a nice place to visit! Staffs are very friendly and always has an energy. The foods were excellent as well. I had bunch of rolls and I love salmon and the quality of the fish were so good. Very fresh :) I would definitely come here again”
American • $$
“I find the food items are honestly delicious, generous portions, prices are comparable to other establishments. The atmosphere is welcoming. I give Neil St. Blues a A+.”
Asian • $$
“Great food great service, authentic Asian food. Special drink selection :)”
Sushi • $$$
“Love it here! Amazing sushi from Ken and incredible pastries from Kaori. Must-visit if you’re in town, one of the best Japanese restaurant experiences you will have!”
Chinese • $$
“It was soooo goooood
The crunchies of the fried red peppers the peanuts the green peppers
Then the salty egg tofu was so nice and salty but sweet and the temp is so warm it’s like eating yummy soup with no liquid
The fried sweet and sour pork was okay”
Restaurants by Cuisine
American • $$
“1st time visiting. Very nice, and clean restaurant. Staff was very nice but most of all the food was delicious! So many options to choose from made it hard to decide. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. Definitely will be back. Instead of 5 stars, I'll give them 10!”
American • $$
“Thank you, Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch. We host an event for families frequently to coincide with our celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. One of our customs is dipping apples in honey - so apple picking, eating donuts and drinking cider is the perfect way to celebrate! Planning events is so easy, organized and efficient. Our families love the activities and appreciate that there is tons to do in addition to picking apples. The activities in Land of Oz are fun, and there is PLENTY to do for kids of all ages that is available at no cost. The wristbands for Land of Oz make the extra activities easy to access. The host and coordinator I worked with were polite, respectful, friendly and managed all the details! Thank you for another great event!”
Steak House • $$
“Our meals were excellent. I had the chicken and shrimp pasta. he had the Tasmanian shrimp scallops and pasta. We had Abbi for our server. and Jon, the manager is terrific Definitely my favorite restaurant”
Restaurants with Delivery
Chicken • $
“Very kind staff. I wish that I could remember her name. Great service is definitely part of a "Best Around Me" experience!!! Dave's Hot Chicken is a Best Around Me, am I right?”
Hamburger • $
“I cannot say enough good things about Smith Burgers. We have had over half the items on their menu and have never found something we didn't like. My favorite 2 items are the Swiss N Shroom and Bacon Mac Attack Ripper. If you haven't tried them yet, do it. You won't be disappointed.”
Steak House • $$$
“Dinner was fantastic. Service was superior. Wonderful evening and can’t wait to eat here again!”
Breakfast • $
“Although it’s been a while since I’ve been there I have to commend The Original Pancake House for their most recent post stating they were going to be closed on a upcoming day to install a new dishwasher. In this post they suggested other area restaurants for customers to visit for breakfast. There are not many places i know that would do this! Kudos to them! That speaks volumes to me on the type of people they are. Can’t wait to visit again!”
Middle Eastern • $
“I have eaten here several times. One of the best places in town for falafel. Their bowls are large and can easily be divided into two meals. Their pita bread is hot and delicious. The staff is friendly and fast.”
Fast Food • $
“food is always hot and fresh. always have to stop when I'm in town”
American • $$
“I find the food items are honestly delicious, generous portions, prices are comparable to other establishments. The atmosphere is welcoming. I give Neil St. Blues a A+.”
Chinese • $$
“It was soooo goooood
The crunchies of the fried red peppers the peanuts the green peppers
Then the salty egg tofu was so nice and salty but sweet and the temp is so warm it’s like eating yummy soup with no liquid
The fried sweet and sour pork was okay”
Mexican • $
“Best taco truck in the CU! Radishes on the side with caramelized onions! 🤤 The food is always fresh and service is great!”
Chinese • $$
“My friend and I came in for dinner and had a fantastic time. The restaurant was beautiful, and we were seated as soon as we walked in. The menu was by QR code, which was convenient for a hot pot restaurant because you could order more food at any time. The menu also had suggested cook times for every ingredient which was helpful as this was our first time getting hot pot. We got the ribeye, a portion of noodles, a vegetable plate, and a tomato soup base. The soup base was delicious! The staff were super nice as well, they were very friendly and would frequently come over to check on us. Overall, it was a very good experience and I am very excited to return with more friends. We dined for approximately 2 hours.”
Sushi • $$
“best sushi in town. they make it fresh and you don't have to wait forever for it. they have a huge team of sushi chefs behind the counter. The selection is vast and the staff is extremely accommodating and friendly.”
Cocktail Bar • $$
“Drinks were delicious. The waiters/ waitresses were very friendly and nice. This place has great cocktails and the appetizers were amazing.”
Online Reservation Available
American • $$
“1st time visiting. Very nice, and clean restaurant. Staff was very nice but most of all the food was delicious! So many options to choose from made it hard to decide. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. Definitely will be back. Instead of 5 stars, I'll give them 10!”
Thai • $
“The food was amazing. We had the gree thai curry with chicken which came with a side of rice and the basil fried rice. The wait time is longer (I guess because they make things fresh). Chef's kiss :)”
Indian • $
“I think this is literally the best Indian food place in the Midwest! Please go here!l, you won’t be sorry.”
Chinese • $
“The perfect local hole in the wall, locally owned place. Pho broth was exquisite, the seafood plentiful, fresh rolls perfect, chicken and broccoli sauce on point and pad Thai exemplary. The chili oil is really well done too. 10/10 Would recommend.”
Mediterranean • $
“Awesome quick serve food! The mango lassis are yummy and the service was great!”
Chinese • $$
“July 2025
Tried couple other items… the stir fry fish was not great but …
Cabbage still awesome
Coconut curd super yum
Salted egg yolk tofu - proper
Mango sago ok
May 2025
Ok we are in love 😆
The matcha mousse 🌟
The 雙皮奶 💫
Crispy coconut milk curd 💎
Stir fry cabbage 🥬 😋
We WILL be back for fish 🐟 😂”
Steak House • $$
“It was great service!!! The guy who waited on us was wonderful!!!”
Chinese • $
“The dining environment is good, and every food is very good! Parking is convenient and there is no charge.”
Italian • $
“Fantastic experience! Everyone was super friendly (special shout-out to our server, Bri, who made our experience amazing!) and the food was amazing! Would highly recommend, definitely worth an hour or upwards of a wait if it’s busy!”
Buffet • $
“i thought that the food selections were great. the food was hot and displayed well. we will definitely go back again.”
Chinese • $$
“This is one of my go-to places to eat when I really don't feel like cooking. They have so many options available for tofu and vegetable dishes. You only need to specify vegan (no fish/oyster sauce) when ordering and everything should be good! It is pretty affordable for the portions, so I have ordered food from here on multiple occasions. My favorite dishes are the Kung pao tofu and the tofu with broccoli.”
Italian • $$
“My favorite meal was so delicious, I enjoyed it so much. I’m ready for more. Piccata so good”
Chinese • $$
“July 2025
Tried couple other items… the stir fry fish was not great but …
Cabbage still awesome
Coconut curd super yum
Salted egg yolk tofu - proper
Mango sago ok
May 2025
Ok we are in love 😆
The matcha mousse 🌟
The 雙皮奶 💫
Crispy coconut milk curd 💎
Stir fry cabbage 🥬 😋
We WILL be back for fish 🐟 😂”
Seafood • $$
“Food was excellent. our server was very polite and helpful.”
Steak House • $$
“It was great service!!! The guy who waited on us was wonderful!!!”
Takeout Restaurants
Barbecue • $
“Had family lunch here & enjoyed the ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Pit beans were a favorite. Wished we had got the cornbread. Overall a great experience”
American • $
“I was there after what I assume is the busy time, so I had the dining room to myself. There was a steady stream of folks in the drive thru though. The "Deluxe Single Basket" was more than enough to fill me up. I had to buy a take-home pint, too full for dessert. The staff were friendly and at least one was always cleaning something.”
Steak House • $$
“Our meals were excellent. I had the chicken and shrimp pasta. he had the Tasmanian shrimp scallops and pasta. We had Abbi for our server. and Jon, the manager is terrific Definitely my favorite restaurant”
Ramen • $
“I loved the cute anime things on the wall, after we got in there was minimal people, making find seating a whole lot easier. The person serving us was super nice and got us water even though u were supposed to get ur drink from the water dispenser. The food was ok, the chicken a bit hard to chew but the soup and ramen overall really good.”
Bar & Grill • $
“Great food and great beer! And our server Mesa was an absolute sweetheart! Thanks so much for the positive first experience! We will be back for sure.”
Mexican • $
“I love this place! I’ve been out of Champaign for 5 years now, and still think about margarita night here and their amazing Alex Tacos and Fajitas!!!”
Coffee Shops • $
“Great Latte and Macha Latte! We love that you use organic milk and fresh ground Italian coffee! 😊❤️☕️”
Mexican • $
“In our opinion, it's the best Mexican restaurant in town. The portions are substantial, the service is great and the prices are well within line. You cannot go wrong here!”
Sports Bar • $
“Joshua was a fantastic server. The double frozen strawberry margaritas with salt, truffle fries and cheese curds were terrific. It was my first visit there and I look forward to going back. Our party of 7 had a blast.”
Chinese • $$
“This is one of my go-to places to eat when I really don't feel like cooking. They have so many options available for tofu and vegetable dishes. You only need to specify vegan (no fish/oyster sauce) when ordering and everything should be good! It is pretty affordable for the portions, so I have ordered food from here on multiple occasions. My favorite dishes are the Kung pao tofu and the tofu with broccoli.”
Bar • $$
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Japanese • $$
“Small and unpretentious Japanese/Korean place. Food is delicious. The nigirizushi have really big and generous portions of fish.
Wheelchair accessibility: Completely wheelchair accessible. No public restroom.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
Mexican • $
“Wonderful service wonderful food made you feel welcome. Great little place third time we’ve been there we will go back.”
Chinese • $$
“My friend and I came in for dinner and had a fantastic time. The restaurant was beautiful, and we were seated as soon as we walked in. The menu was by QR code, which was convenient for a hot pot restaurant because you could order more food at any time. The menu also had suggested cook times for every ingredient which was helpful as this was our first time getting hot pot. We got the ribeye, a portion of noodles, a vegetable plate, and a tomato soup base. The soup base was delicious! The staff were super nice as well, they were very friendly and would frequently come over to check on us. Overall, it was a very good experience and I am very excited to return with more friends. We dined for approximately 2 hours.”
Ice Cream Shop • $
“Fast, friendly service and the snowstorms definitely were the move! Booger loved his pup cup of whipped cream too! 🐾”
Middle Eastern • $
“Absolutely love this place! Naf Naf never disappoints. The food is always fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. Their chicken shawarma and steak are tender and juicy, and I’m obsessed with the fluffy pita and creamy garlic sauce. The falafel is crispy on the outside and soft inside—one of the best I’ve had.
The staff is super friendly and patient, always happy to help customize my bowl just the way I like it. The restaurant is clean, bright, and comfortable, making it a great spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner.”
Mexican • $
“Stopped by the food truck for beef tacos and was pleasantly surprised. The meat was well-seasoned, the ingredients tasted fresh, and the service was efficient. A solid choice for a quick, satisfying meal. The owner was very polite as-well.”
Barbecue • $
“Bobos is the place we go when we want that blue collar environment while eating amazing food!”
Vietnamese • $
“MUST TRY WHEN VISITING UIUC
Pho Noodle Station tastes great with many combination of meat. The pork chop rice also tasty. But skip the banh mi, preferably baquette instead of regular roll/bread
Vegetarian options: only one menu
Dietary restrictions: non halal
Parking: looking for street parking
Kid-friendliness: yes
Wheelchair accessibility: yes”
Cocktail Bar • $$
“Drinks were delicious. The waiters/ waitresses were very friendly and nice. This place has great cocktails and the appetizers were amazing.”
Food Trucks • $
“We shared the breakfast burrito and chips with chorizo and queso. Absolutely delicious. The chips were light and crisp. We happened upon the truck when we stopped at Triptych Brewing on a road trip. Perfect dinner and beer stop!”
Mexican • $
“This is our favorite Mexican restaurant ever! We went today for lunch, and as usual, it did not disappoint! Best grilled shrimp and rice I've ever had in my life! I don't know how they prepare their grilled shrimp, but it is ahhhmaazzinnggg and bursting with flavor!! And the side salad is so fresh and tasty. 😋 Great atmosphere, along with fast, friendly service! Five stars!!Highly recommend!!”
Italian • $$
“My favorite meal was so delicious, I enjoyed it so much. I’m ready for more. Piccata so good”
Indian • $$
“This is hands down my favorite spot to eat in the Champaign-Urbana area. Anytime someone visits and hasn’t been here before, it’s always my go-to recommendation. The food is consistently delicious, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the staff are friendly and attentive. I’ve had Indian food from a lot of different places, but this one really stands out. Who would’ve thought you’d need to come to east-central Illinois to find such great Indian food!”
American • $$
“Had early dinner at the Big Grove and was completely blown away. Food was excellent with a variety of menu items that had me wishing my stomach was a bit bigger. I sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender did a great job of explaining the various items I inquired about as well as suggesting a perfect craft beer pairing. I only get to Champaign a couple of times a year, but this will be my go-to anytime in the area.”
Cheap Eats
Pizza • $
“Great calzones in a timely fashion! Never disappointed by these guys. Definitely recommend!”
Breakfast • $
“Hi...My hubby-Bryan & I have gone here recently & its the Best Breakfast Restaurant in Champaign Illinois & we will be trying their lunch meal next time!! The Waitress- Olga is always the Best, the Owner is Always Friendly!! The Food is Fast & Delicious!!”
Italian • $
“I’ve been coming to the Italian Patio since I was a kid. I loved it when Frank would give me a balloon on my birthday! I love the atmosphere, the staff is always friendly, and most importantly the food is delicious!”
Chicken • $
“great customer service 10/10 very friendly guys at the food truck and very good food. I recommend you stop if you see the truck 🔥🔥🔥”
Bar • $
“Need to check your food orders. I ordered a cup of clam chowder and the container it came in was half full. Good thing I'm not starving.”
Pubs • $
“The burgers and cocktails are amazing! The staff was super friendly!”
Middle Eastern • $
“Absolutely awesome food you can find around here. It's like homemade cuisine—fresh, well-seasoned, juicy, tender, and served with delicious sides and stews. Words can't describe how good the hummus is: creamy, fresh, and of high quality. You have to try this place. You may have to stand in a long queue between 10:30 am and 2 pm since only one unique man does all the work. His face is serious, but he is kind and generously offers extra food and fruit on the side. The portions are even enough for two people, and the sandwiches are a specialty here. I've never had such amazing sandwiches anywhere else. Give it a try, and you will be addicted to food.”
Chinese • $
“I’ve been eating at this place since I was 7, the flavors haven’t changed and I’m glad. It’s absolutely delicous in my opinion, it’s also not that expensive so it’s a good option if you are on a budget.”
Thai • $
“Employees are very friendly. Always get the pineapple fried rice, always delicious
Vegetarian options: Good vegetarian options. Tofu as a substitute for meat.”
Sandwich Shop • $$
“Absolutely love eating here! Would LOVE to see a baby changing station to be more family friendly”
Bubble Tea • $$
“As a Bay Area resident, the bubble tea here needs a bit more flavor to really compare well to the best of the best but I really like the ordering experience here. The kiosks are super easy to use and the kitchen is super fast. The dining area gets pretty crowded quickly so you're really best off taking out and eating in the comfort of your own dorm room ;)”
Italian • $$$
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nando Milano in Champaign was an absolute dream to work with for our rehearsal dinner! From the very start, Nando was incredible—timely, professional, and so easy to communicate with. They worked closely with us to curate a perfect menu of appetizers, salads, pastas, meat entrées, and desserts that fit both our taste and our party size. The food was absolutely incredible—our friends and family raved all night! The family-style service made the evening feel warm, personal, and exactly how a rehearsal dinner should feel as we brought two families together. The service was fantastic, and everyone we worked with was so kind and accommodating. I was able to drop off menus, place cards, and signage beforehand, and they gladly set everything up, making the tables look beautiful. I honestly wish I had photos of all the stunning food and the gorgeous table setup, but our guests (and myself!) were having such a wonderful time that no one was on their phones during dinner—a true sign that we were fully enjoying the moment. Even when we had to switch from our original outdoor seating plan to indoors, they seamlessly accommodated us without any stress. If you’re looking for a restaurant space that offers true elegance, phenomenal service, and unforgettable food for any special occasion—rehearsals, graduations, birthdays—you can’t go wrong with Nando Milano. Highly recommend!”
Steak House • $$
“The chef even fixed my favorite parmesan encrusted asparagus that hasn't been on the menu for several years. It was perfect! The waitress was also exceptional!”
Latest Reviews
Fast Food • $
“This isn’t a five star restaurant, it is an Arby’s. I eat here often since it close to work. It is, however, one of the best Arby’s I have visited. The main reason is the crew. The food is fresh and tasty, and the crew is really friendly. Like all restaurants, they have staffing issues, but the ones they have do an excellent job.”
American • $$
“Had early dinner at the Big Grove and was completely blown away. Food was excellent with a variety of menu items that had me wishing my stomach was a bit bigger. I sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender did a great job of explaining the various items I inquired about as well as suggesting a perfect craft beer pairing. I only get to Champaign a couple of times a year, but this will be my go-to anytime in the area.”
Barbecue • $
“Bobos is the place we go when we want that blue collar environment while eating amazing food!”
Coffee Shops • $
“To all of you complaining about the drive-thru wait times, I have an idea: get out of your car and order INSIDE! Oftentimes, you can find 2-3 employees taking orders at the same time. You can see how many cars are in the drive-thru and figure that it's going to take a while to take each car's order, payment, make your drink &/or food, package your food, hand you your food, and then wait for the car to pull out! For those of you stewing at the drive-thru wait times, you may wish to think about just how unreasonable your expectations and demands are and make some changes to your thinking patterns & life! You CAN become a more patient and better person. I agree with the man who posted that this is the busiest Starbucks - both inside & the drive-thru! I also agree with him that it is the best-managed Starbucks (that I have ever been to) and that their employees are second to none in the industry! They work extremely hard & put in long hours, put up with rude people, have to make ridiculously complicated drinks for some people, and then if they have to close the store at night, have to thoroughly clean everything and vacuum & mop the floors before leaving! How many of you seemingly over-indulged & privileged people could do ALL THAT for the (most likely) $13-14/hour they earn??? I'm 65 years old and have been going to this Starbucks since they opened. I have been to Starbucks all over the U.S. and can state, without a doubt, that THIS Starbucks makes their drinks EXACTLY as Corporate requires! That is not true of every Starbucks I've ever visited. In closing, if you don't want to wait your turn, may I suggest you go to the Starbucks in Campustown.”
Restaurant • $
“Our favorite breakfast spot in Champaign or Urbana. Our waitress, Lacy, was first-rate. Love this place.”
Mexican • $$$
“As a long time lover of Mex cuisine, I'm very impressed by Black Bull. Owner is very sweet, friendly, accommodating. My meal was PERFECT. ENCHILADAS VERDES. I will return”
Hamburger • $
“I cannot say enough good things about Smith Burgers. We have had over half the items on their menu and have never found something we didn't like. My favorite 2 items are the Swiss N Shroom and Bacon Mac Attack Ripper. If you haven't tried them yet, do it. You won't be disappointed.”
Most Popular Restaurants
Chicken • $
“Very kind staff. I wish that I could remember her name. Great service is definitely part of a "Best Around Me" experience!!! Dave's Hot Chicken is a Best Around Me, am I right?”
Diner • $
“As you may or may not know.. me and Tha' Thunder Chicken travel tha' country in search of Denny's that we've never been to and also to reconnect with our Denny's friends we've met along the way... Today I found tha' Mothership !! This place is huge and tha' food and service was outstanding as always !! We will Definitely Be Back and hope ta' meet more of tha' great folks that go above and beyond to keep our bellies full...”
Italian • $
“Fantastic experience! Everyone was super friendly (special shout-out to our server, Bri, who made our experience amazing!) and the food was amazing! Would highly recommend, definitely worth an hour or upwards of a wait if it’s busy!”
Barbecue • $
“Had family lunch here & enjoyed the ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Pit beans were a favorite. Wished we had got the cornbread. Overall a great experience”
Bar & Grill • $
“Great food and great beer! And our server Mesa was an absolute sweetheart! Thanks so much for the positive first experience! We will be back for sure.”
Fast Food • $
“Do not go through the drive through here! It's horrible! We eat here a lot inside but the drive through is horrible. Ex: today attempted it and there was only 1 car in line ordering. I guess they didn't know what they wanted at first so they took a really long time to figure out what they wanted. Then they pulled up and we are right behind them. I kid you not we waited about 20 minutes behind this 1 car! so I called the store letting them know they need to get this drive through going cuz there's a huge line behind us now. They could have easily had this car pull to the side in order to service the other vehicles. Well some one eventually came out to put up the other cars orders. It's just ridiculous really. Please get a better system going for the drive through. Food and inside service is great!”
Mexican • $
“In our opinion, it's the best Mexican restaurant in town. The portions are substantial, the service is great and the prices are well within line. You cannot go wrong here!”
Breakfast • $
“Although it’s been a while since I’ve been there I have to commend The Original Pancake House for their most recent post stating they were going to be closed on a upcoming day to install a new dishwasher. In this post they suggested other area restaurants for customers to visit for breakfast. There are not many places i know that would do this! Kudos to them! That speaks volumes to me on the type of people they are. Can’t wait to visit again!”
Sports Bar • $
“Joshua was a fantastic server. The double frozen strawberry margaritas with salt, truffle fries and cheese curds were terrific. It was my first visit there and I look forward to going back. Our party of 7 had a blast.”
Pizza • $
“Chicago got nothin on y'all. Best pizza I have ever had in my life.”
Fast Food • $
“Amazing service! We had a group of 6 with 2 small children. Were met at the end of a long line and led to a table where are order was taken. Quickly got our food and were often asked if we needed anything.”
Middle Eastern • $
“I have eaten here several times. One of the best places in town for falafel. Their bowls are large and can easily be divided into two meals. Their pita bread is hot and delicious. The staff is friendly and fast.”
New Restaurants
Bar • $
“One of the chillest spots in town!
Fantastic beer selection, amazing food and super friendly staff. This spot is perfect for post work chats, after class snacks and game day drinks and food that’ll please everyone! A staple in the community and a definite place to bring anyone! The Pretzels are soo good as well as the Patty melt!”
“Dinner was fantastic. Service was superior. Wonderful evening and can’t wait to eat here again!”