Restaurants in Champaign

“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?”

“Amazing food for a great price.”

“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.”

“my new favorite place to eat in champaign”

“Excellent food and service!!! Tons of options. Can't wait to go back.”

“Great food great service, authentic Asian food. Special drink selection :)”

“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!”

“Consistently delicious and lightening fast.”

“Dinner was fantastic. Service was superior. Wonderful evening and can’t wait to eat here again!”

“Erica is the best waitress!”

“The daily specials are always delicious and affordable!”

“Shoyu ramen= amazing. Comforting and delicious every time.”

“First time been there
Tried their steak bowl
Rice its very soft and tasty
Steak its little bit dry
Service its amazing and friendly”

“The tarts were delicious and the service was a 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“Delicious treats! Great customer service! very friendly”

“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+.”

“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 🐟 😂”

“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!”

“Great food and great atmosphere”

“The name of the restaurant is just right. I tried thier beef fried rice on a quest to find my favorite Chinese restaurant and now I crave thier food (something about the taste is unique and I can seem to place my finger on it or find that anywhere else) every once in a while. I drive an hour from my house just to get it when that craving hits. The customer service is also top notch, really nice and friendly people. 10/10 would recommend”

“Kimbap is great! Lots of filling and I heard that the other flavors are really good too. Only thing was that the chicken inside the Kimbap was cold. I was also a little disappointed with the fish cake soup as the fish cake was pretty bland. The broth itself was alright but I wouldn’t buy it again. Would definitely come back to try the other Kimbap though!

Teriyaki Chicken Mayo Kimbap - $7.50
Fish cake soup - $4.50”

“I think this is literally the best Indian food place in the Midwest! Please go here!l, you won’t be sorry.”

“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 :)”

“Awesome quick serve food! The mango lassis are yummy and the service was great!”

“It was great service!!! The guy who waited on us was wonderful!!!”

“My favorite meal was so delicious, I enjoyed it so much. I’m ready for more. Piccata so good”

“I tried Stango for the 1st time at the West Side Arts festival from the food truck. The food was fresh, hot and absolutely delicious. I ordered the beef samosas and wow!!!! I can't wait to try other items offered.”

“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.”

“Amazing food, especially the noodle dishes. I try to go here whenever I am in the area.

Personal favorites are the Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao. They are also able to accommodate special requests. Want no tail on your shrimp? No problem! They can even do things like make Pad Thai with wide noodles (for a very minor price difference).

When they say spicy, they mean spicy though!”

“Fantastic lunch special prices and the portion sizes are always large which is just a bonus as I can usually do two meals out of one meal order. Great, friendly service and always quick with our order, either online or in person. Clean dining area and very open with nice decor. Definitely worth the 5 stars!”

“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...”

“I went here to get the Travis Scott meal and a sprite. The McDonalds sprite is so good I think it might be Ambrosia. The Travis Scott meal was pretty good, I liked the BBQ sauce. The workers got me my food fast. I got takeout so I didn’t get to experience the inside of the restaurant, but I have been past it many times and it seems fine.

Vegetarian options: Salad pretty much and some desert options. Probably get a wrap with no meat too.

Dietary restrictions: I’m sure there is a detailed list online where you can find all the ingredients of all the menu items

Parking: Lot of free parking in the lot

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes”

“Great food and wonderful atmosphere!”

“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”

“food is always hot and fresh. always have to stop when I'm in town”

“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”

“Best taco truck in the CU! Radishes on the side with caramelized onions! 🤤 The food is always fresh and service is great!”

“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.”

“Amazing! Best coffee we have ever had!”

“Thank you for the wonderful dinner! The young lady at the front counter who took our order and made it, was super friendly and accommodating. We love having dinner takeout here.”

“Just a great experience. We will be returning!”

“Bobos is the place we go when we want that blue collar environment while eating amazing food!”

“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”

“Great food served by wonderful people. The owners care so much about the quality of food and most often they are the ones cooking it. That’s why I recommend The Space! Swing by for lunch sometimes they get busy at dinner. Highly recommend!”

“staff super friendly and knowledgeable. Great selection of coffee, tea, candy. something for everyone! Staff in masks, items are covid "safe".”

“Fast, friendly service and the snowstorms definitely were the move! Booger loved his pup cup of whipped cream too! 🐾”

“Great calzones in a timely fashion! Never disappointed by these guys. Definitely recommend!”

“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.”

“Love playing at Huber’s! Where else can you see great, local live music in such cool climes???”

“Delicious food with reasonable price!”

“Wonderful service wonderful food made you feel welcome. Great little place third time we’ve been there we will go back.”

“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!”

“Great lunch experience - nutritious food (lunch plate had fruits, vegetables, protein and a curry) and it was homemade food that looked like homemade food.

Definitely going back sometime soon.”

“Group of 7 seated right away. Always great food and smiling faces. I ordered the Down Home Sausage Pie the vegetables were so fresh and the potatoes the right tenderness with gravy and chunks of sausage it was so good. My husband got the Sea Farer omelette and because the portions are so big we shared the blueberry pancakes that didn’t miss”

“Great Latte and Macha Latte! We love that you use organic milk and fresh ground Italian coffee! 😊❤️☕️”

“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.”

“Great food and great vibes!”

“Drinks were delicious. The waiters/ waitresses were very friendly and nice. This place has great cocktails and the appetizers were amazing.”

“Always friendly and fast great food.”

“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.”

“I'm so happy that there are now two gluten-free options for bundt cakes. I tried the lemon-raspberry today and it was outstanding. Customer service is always great! 5-stars!”

“Food is excellent especially the salsa and chips. The serve staff are friendly, professional, and respectful. It is a little dark at times as the lighting is turned down, but not in a bad way as it lets the wall lights shine and actually add to the atmosphere somewhat more. Overall, enjoyable experience every time.”

“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.”

“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!!”

“Lively coffee shop right by campus with an excellent offering of coffee drinks and tasty breakfast treats. Exotic mix of Asian ingredients in their pastries looked quite amazing and will have to come back to sample. Ample seating in a side room with a mix of tables and couches. Small outside seating area on the sidewalk is somewhat underwhelming.”

“Consistently delicious and lightening fast.”

“Great food! Great atmosphere! Excellent service!!”

“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.”

“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!!”

“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!!!”

“I recently worked with Paris Super Crepes to coordinate a stop on a dessert crawl which raised money for a children's museum! The staff was very flexible in finding the right menu item and price that fit our budget, and was easy to work with as I always received communication back in a timely manner. The simpler and more decadent crepes are all delicious, and the staff working at the time of our dessert crawl even threw in some extra fruit for the last couple crepes which was very sweet of them! I highly recommend Paris Super Crepes for a dessert stop, you must try the crepes and bubble tea!”

“Tastes just like my favorite boba store back at home! I recommend doing 50-75% sweetness for the mango smoothie. Also highly recommend the brown sugar milk tea :)”

“Review written 9/29/2024. If you order through their app they have a medium pizza deal for $6.99 which is less than a lot of frozen pizzas nowadays.

This location is located in the Old Farm Shops at Champaign. There used to be a Papa Murphy’s in Urbana but now this location in Champaign is the only remaining Papa Murphy’s in Champaign-Urbana.

The sign on door says open at 10:00am daily but their Google hours say 11:00am, not sure which it actually is.

Papa Murphy’s has very fresh pizzas because they are raw dough and you take them home and cook them.

they are one of the only restaurants I know of that takes the Illinois Link card food stamps card if you have that because it’s not hot food since you have to cook it at home.

You can order ahead through the app and skip the line. They have a rewards program through their app too and if you sign up for it you get a free pizza for your birthday!
(Unless it’s changed)”

“Just tried it for the first time today! And it was awesome! Bought steak burrito with Spanish rice, everything extra spicy and ate it is 3 min. So much flavor and biggest authentic burrito I’ve tried so far.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Amazing coffee. amazing staff”

“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.”

“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.”

“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”

“Excellent food, never had a bad meal here. A very good spot if you have a short lunch break, I'm usually in and out within ten minutes. Ordering is sometimes a little awkward because the staff speaks limited English and I speak no Chinese, but pointing and nodding and smiling has always gotten me a wonderful meal anyway. I recommend the roasted pork with mushrooms, comes with mixed veg and a lot of savory sauce for your rice.”

“Bobos is the place we go when we want that blue collar environment while eating amazing food!”

“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.”

“Our favorite breakfast spot in Champaign or Urbana. Our waitress, Lacy, was first-rate. Love this place.”

“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”

“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.”

“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?”

“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...”

“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”

“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!”

“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!”

“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.”

“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!”

“The best sushi in Champaign-Urnana!”

“Chicago got nothin on y'all. Best pizza I have ever had in my life.”

“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.”

“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.”

“i thought that the food selections were great. the food was hot and displayed well. we will definitely go back again.”

“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!”

“Erica is the best waitress!”

“Food is excellent especially the salsa and chips. The serve staff are friendly, professional, and respectful. It is a little dark at times as the lighting is turned down, but not in a bad way as it lets the wall lights shine and actually add to the atmosphere somewhat more. Overall, enjoyable experience every time.”

“Got the beef bone broth, and it was delicious. Wide variety of fresh options to choose from, and they cook it for you very fast. However some of the meats and veg needed to be restocked which took more time than I wanted.”

“A very nice ramen place. They have quite a variety of dishes to choose from. Their appetizers are also good. I ordered deep fried oysters. It was delicious!! Their Tonkotsu ramen is very flavorful. The staff here are very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is very nice. This is a good ramen place!!!”

“The strawberry matcha was fresh and delicious despite the fact that the matcha could’ve been stronger. The hojicha latte was lacking sweetness even at 75% sugar level but the toasty flavor was just right.”

“Mad Goat Coffee is a really nice spot! There are plenty of tables, which makes it great for studying, working, or catching up with friends. The drinks are a bit on the higher side price-wise, but the quality definitely matches — everything I tried was excellent. The only thing that felt a little off was the lack of music; it was surprisingly quiet inside. A little background music would make the atmosphere even better, but overall, it’s a great coffee shop worth visiting!”

“Place is completely different than when the last owners had it.

The service was excellent and friendly
The food was especially tasty and huge portions.
Can you believe they have a 20 foot LED screen where you can watch the game?

Oh, and they even have an arcade room!!!

very impressed and I’ll definitely will be back.”

“The hounds rest used to be the blind pig. The new ownership has done a fantastic job keeping the local charm while making tasteful updates. The aesthetic is old English and it's on point.

I can't say it enough. I love their support of local breweries and the community. They participate in so many events and even host events. I consider this bar whenever I want a night out or just a quick drink with friends.”

“I went there for karaoke on a Friday, had a blast.”

“It's primarily a take-out-only place with a few seats available. The interior was clean, and the service was quick. It also offers self-ordering kiosks. The coconut latte tasted great, and their default sweetness level is definitely much more subdued than that of some other chains.”

“24 different beers to try & amazing food! Love the pizzas and sandwiches. Boyfriend says that they have the best Ruben in town. I love the cup and char pizza and the turkey bacon pepper jam sandwich.”

“UPDATE: we had a rough time going the first time after making my review the manager and owner made it right. The wings were better. The wings were good. I do recommend this place because the customer service was corrected. Thank you so much.”

“One of my absolute favorite spots in town! This restaurant offers an incredible selection of flavors for Malatang and Malaxiangguo. All the ingredients are laid out beautifully, allowing you to pick exactly what you want – from meats to fresh vegetables and noodles. The ingredients are always super fresh and the broths are rich and flavorful. Whether you're craving something spicy or mild, there's something to choose from.”

“Great atmosphere. I love sitting out in the patio area on summer evenings. The expanded cocktail menu really works well for non-been drinkers like myself but there are still plenty of beer options for others”

“I saw this place while walking around campus and decided to come because my brother had never tried duck before. You order at a kiosk and then wait for your food. The staff was really friendly and happy to answer all our questions. I got the rice porridge soup with shrimp and it was 10/10. The duck was also amazing, they chop it up right in front of you so you can watch and it was so flavorful and chewy. The cucumber salad was fresh and spicy to help balance the richness of the duck. My brother got chicken wings which were simple but still good for anyone who is not into duck. Seating is limited, about 20 spots inside but I would definitely come back.”

“Employees here are consistently great. John was fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. He clearly cared about the store and wanted to give the best service possible. I will certainly be back.”