Do you want to know the best restaurants in Gurnee, IL? If yes, then you are in the right article.
Gurnee is a small town in Lake County, Illinois State. This village was founded in 1928 and is a popular tourist attraction site within the Chicago Metropolitan area.
Some sources say that the name of the city originates from Louis J. Gurnee, who was in charge of surveying for the railroad; however, other sources point to Walter S. Gurnee, who was a one-time Mayor of Chicago and one of the first settlers in the city.
Gurnee has everything you want in an ideal getaway location, from exciting shopping centers to historical sites, entertainment centers, and restaurants.
Regarding restaurants, this lively city boasts lots of unique and amazing dishes, much like everything else.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Gurnee, IL.
Best Restaurants in Gurnee
1. Tina’s Italian Bake Shop
If you want an exquisite fine dining experience, Tina’s Italian Bake Shop is the perfect place to visit.
This restaurant has an interior decor that gives a classy and warm ambiance. The lighting and arrangement of the tables will dazzle you as soon as you step in.
This family-run bakery serves a wide range of meal options, from warm, homemade breakfast and pastries, to delicious pasta dishes, gourmet sandwiches, and classic desserts.
Have a taste of Tina’s Insalata Di Pollo sandwich made with Tina’s signature homemade bread topped with her famous homemade chicken salad.
Tina’s Homemade Lasagna will sweep you off your feet with its layers of cheese, baked until melted to perfection.
If you have a sweet tooth, Tina’s Homemade Italian Cookies made from an ever-changing selection of Italian favorites are delicious treats.
A vegetable-lover will enjoy Tina’s Antipasti Salad, a delicious mix of salami, mortadella, capicola, provolone cheese, fresh mozzarella, artichoke hearts, tomato, and kalamata olives.
Tina’s Italian Bake Shop opens from 10:30 am – 03:30 pm from Monday to Saturday but is closed on Sunday.
Address:5101 Washington St Ste 14a, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-244-9001.
2. The Chocolate Sanctuary
The Chocolate Sanctuary reminds you of the movie Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, but without the actors and all the chocolate. This amazing restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Gurnee, IL.
This chocolate-inspired restaurant offers an incredible range of American dishes prepared creatively with chocolate.
Enjoy the famous Sanctuary Chocolate French Toast Bread Pudding made with sourdough and brioche bread baked in eggs, cream, and spices.
The House-Made Bagels with Fresh Lox, made with smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese, red onion, and sliced cucumbers, is a delicious and enjoyable pick.
If you love freshly-baked goods, check the Scratch-Made Pastries list for fresh Doughnuts, Scones, Biscuits, Sticky Buns, Bagels, and more!
You can have your sweet treats with Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Milk, Coffee, or Fountain drinks.
The Chocolate Sanctuary opens from 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm from Wednesday to Friday, from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm on Saturday, and from 10:00 am – 03:00 pm on Sunday, but is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Address: 5101 Washington St, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 224-944-0808.
3. Royal Thai
Royal Thai restaurant offers excellent service with classic Thai cooking and delicious meals.
Royal Thai gives you a traditional Thai feel with the interior decor of the place.
Start with Keaw Todd, crispy fried wontons filled with shrimp and served with sweet and sour sauce.
The Kra Tong Thong is a delicious option of crispy pastry cups filled with Thai chicken salad.
If you love Thai Soups, the Tom Ka Gal and Keow Nahm are both delicious options; where the former is a rich and aromatic coconut milk-based soup with chicken and mushrooms, and the latter is Thai wonton soup with shrimp filled wontons, carrots, peas, and a slice of honey-roasted pork.
Royal Thai serves a good range of seafood meals, salads, and vegetarian-friendly options.
Royal Thai opens from 11:30 am – 03:00 pm and from 04:00 pm – 08:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, from 11:30 am – 03:00 pm and from 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 5324 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-244-2409.
4. Stevens’
Imagine a classic steakhouse where you can enjoy a bottle of wine or a classic martini. Stevens’ stands out as one of the best restaurants in Gurnee, IL.
This restaurant is an excellent choice if you want a white tablecloth fine dining experience. The table setting is ideal for a semi-formal gathering like a business meeting, a romantic date, or an organized, friendly reunion.
This family-owned restaurant serves a delicious range of steaks and chops, fresh seafood, classic wine, craft beer, and martini.
Stevens’ has all the elements required to turn a romantic evening for two into a memorable mystical experience with its soft lights, classic arrangement, and warm ambiance.
Start with Blue Point Oysters or Lobster Mac from the appetizer list if you love seafood.
You can try the Seafood Pappardelle made with jumbo scallops, jumbo shrimp, lobster cream, and pappardelle noodles from the Seafood list.
Stevens’ opens from 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm on Tuesday, from 11:00 am – 08:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm on Friday, and from 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Saturday, but the restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Address: 401 N Riverside Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-599-8533.
5. Momcorn
Momcorn is one of the places you walk into and feel at home immediately. This cozy restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Gurnee, IL.
Enjoy your meal in the beautiful outdoor seats of Momcorn with a lovely spacious view of the restaurant’s beautiful courtyard.
Everything at Momcorn is kept tidy, and the restaurant has a spacious dining area.
Momcorn offers exquisite Mexican dishes made from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients. This delightful Mexican restaurant creates quality meals in new creative ways.
Start your meal with a serving of Guacamole with Chips or Pico de Gallo.
Enjoy the Flauta option of spicy golden taco filled with your choice of chicken, ground beef, Chorizo with Potato, or Potato with peas, topped with Lettuce, Onion, Avocado, Sour Cream, and Cheese.
Momcorn serves a range of soups, tacos and flautas, salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
Momcorn opens from 10:00 am – 08:00 pm from Monday to Saturday but is closed on Sunday.
Address: 5101 W Washington St #2, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 224-610-0407.
6. Big Ed’s Bar & Grill
Big Ed’s Bar & Grill offers you delicious steak, good drinks, and a lovely space to have your meal without being bothered.
The restaurant has a fully accessible bar with a good range of drinks you can have with your delicious meals.
Big Ed’s Bar & Grill serves tasty BBQ dishes made fresh, seasoned with a special dry rub, and slow smoked to perfection.
The restaurant offers a wide range of spicy appetizers, grilled dinner options, burgers, Sandwiches, soups & salads, desserts, and an exciting kids’ menu.
Start your mealtime at Big Ed’s with BBQ Nachos (Pork, Chicken, or Brisket) made with slow smoked pork or chicken, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, and jalapeno peppers.
You can try the Fried Butterfly Shrimp; Six shrimps served with cocktail or tartar sauce.
Treat yourself to the Half A Yard Bird Dinner of well-seasoned and slow-cooked chicken, or you can try the Catfish Dinner of two catfish filets tossed in a special dry seasoning and deep fried to perfection.
You cannot go wrong with the Peach Cobbler made from scratch for dessert.
Big Ed’s Bar & Grill is open from 11:00 am – 07:00 pm on Sunday and from Tuesday to Thursday, from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm on Friday and Saturday but is closed on Sunday.
Address: 4030 Northpoint Blvd, Waukegan, IL 60085, United States. Phone: +1 847-473-5333
7. Giordano’s
Experience authentic Italian fine dining in this classy restaurant.
This beautiful Italian restaurant and pizzeria has a warm ambiance and great lighting. The place has a mystical look at nighttime.
The large side windows make window seats ideal spots to bask in the setting sun while you enjoy your delicious meals.
Giordano’s serves a wide variety of meals from starters to salads, extra-thin crust pizza, thin crust pizza, famous stuffed deep dish pizza, classic Italian dishes, sandwiches, desserts, beverages, and frozen pizzas.
Treat yourself to a healthy choice of Chopped Salad made with chicken breast, diced tomatoes, bacon, red onion, red cabbage, pasta, and blue cheese with romaine, iceberg lettuce mix tossed in a honey mustard dressing.
The restaurant also serves gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
Giordano’s opens from Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Address: 7105 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States, Phone: +1 847-856-6100.
8. Mama K’s Pizza and Grille
Mama K’s Pizza and Grille is a lively dining space with excellent service and a colorful interior. This restaurant also has a festive look that matches the pace of the service.
Enjoy tasty appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, entrees, salads, gourmet specialty pizzas, and frozen yogurt treats at affordable rates at Mama K’s Pizza and Grille.
The James’ Favorite Gourmet Specialty Pizza made with pepperoni, and feta cheese is a delicious thin-crust pizza option.
Start your Italian dinner with Chicken Quesadilla made of flour tortilla with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and tomato.
The Spaghetti & Meatballs served with garlic bread are an excellent lunch or dinner entree option.
You can have the Fruit & Berry Nut Sundae as a sweet treat to end your perfect dinner date.
Mama K’s Pizza and Grille opens from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 pm – 09:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 5250 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-249-8229.
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9. Spice Restaurant & Lounge
Enjoy delectable dishes made from scratch at Spice Restaurant & Lounge. This restaurant is recognized as one of the top Gurnee restaurants.
Grab a bite of the Spice Signature Club Sandwich made with smoked turkey, ham, crispy bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato on toasted seven-grain bread.
Enjoy the Asian chicken marinated with tamarind & hand-breaded with Panko, then glazed with raspberry and sweet chili sauce.
If you are out with friends, the Chicken Florentine Pizza made with ricotta cream sauce, tender roast chicken & wilted spinach is a delicious choice.
The Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops, served with mint coriander chutney and seared polenta cakes, is an excellent entree choice.
Spice Restaurant & Lounge is open from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm from Monday to Saturday and from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 6161 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031. Phone: + 1 847 336-6300.
10. Backyard Steak Pit
Are you looking for a nice steakhouse to enjoy tasty ribs or grilled meals? Backyard Steak Pit is an excellent place to eat in Gurnee.
This family-owned restaurant was established in 1985 and has served well-grilled meat to the community since then.
Have you ever tried a coconut-seafood combination? The Coconut Shrimp served with an orange mandarin sauce is a delightful appetizer choice.
Enjoy the lightly Breaded Mushrooms served with ranch dressing or the lightly breaded Mozzarella Sticks served with marinara sauce as your starter.
The Australian Coldwater Lobster Tail is an excellent entree choice. This delicious meal is made of sweet and succulent lobster with warm drawn butter and served with warm bread, a side salad or a cup of soup, and a choice of sides.
You can try the Shish Kabob made of tender chunks of prime sirloin and a veggie kabob, grilled to perfection.
The Backyard Steak Pit opens from 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm on Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday, and 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Address: 1818 N Grandwood Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-356-5200.
11. Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel serves homemade meals with excellent cooking and is one of the top restaurants to eat in Gurnee.
Cracker Barrel has beautiful outdoor seating with a scenic view of the surrounding garden and its beautiful flowers. The restaurant gives off a homey serene atmosphere that will make you comfortable and relaxed.
Treat yourself to a delicious variety of meals, from appetizers to soups, salads, desserts, drinks, and much more.
Enjoy delicious marinated and grilled Chicken Tenders or Fried Chicken topped with sawmill gravy.
Cracker Barrel opens from 07:00 am – 10:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 07:00 am – 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Address: 5706 Northridge Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-244-1512.
12. The Point Pancake House
Among the best Gurnee restaurants, The Point Pancake House is a family-owned and operated restaurant with a lot of amazing dishes to offer.
Enjoy fresh orange juice squeezed daily with your meal at The Point Pancake House.
This restaurant serves a delicious variety of breakfast and lunch options that you will look forward to during your stay in Gurnee.
The Point Pancake House serves delicious well-prepared Crepes, Nutella Banana, Greek Yogurt with different flavors, and Cheese Blintzes with your choice of fresh fruit.
The Point Pancake House opens from 07:00 am – 03:00 pm from Sunday to Saturday.
Address: 1952 North, US Hwy 41, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-662-4130.
13. Outback Steakhouse
This lively Australian-themed restaurant serves a fantastic range of delicious dishes and is a top place to eat in Gurnee.
Outback Steakhouse has a beautiful outdoor seating area on its porch where you can enjoy your meals and catch an enthralling view of the setting sun.
The restaurant serves gluten-free options and vegetarian-friendly meals and has a Kids’ menu.
Enjoy a crispy combination in the New Steak’ N Mate Combos featuring a center-cut sirloin with a choice of Bloomin’ Fried Shrimp, New Nashville Hot Wings, or Alice Springs Chicken, served with two sides.
Outback Steakhouse opens from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 pm to 09:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 6210 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-599-1300.
14. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Beauty meets good cooking at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. This warm spot is among the best Gurnee restaurants.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant has comfortable outdoor seating with protective shades for each table, adding warmth and privacy to your fine dining experience.
The restaurant serves a delicious variety of Antipasti (appetizers), Zuppe E Insalate (soups & Salads), Pizza (pizzas), Cucina Classica (classic Recipes), Carne (beef), Pasta Ripiena (filled portions of pasta), Pollo (chicken), Pesce (fish & Seafood), and Desserts Dolcini.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant opens from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Address: 5590 Northridge Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-336-3628.
15. Primo Italian American Cuisine
This excellent restaurant serves creatively prepared Italian and American dishes. It is recognized as one of the top restaurants in Gurnee, IL.
Primo Italian American Cuisine Restaurant serves a variety of appetizers, soups & salads, family meals, Italian classics, steaks & chops, seafood, sides, kids’ menu, desserts, lunch features, and has an exciting bar menu.
Primo Italian American Cuisine restaurant opens from 12:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, from 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday.
Address: 720 Milwaukee Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, United States. Phone: +1 847-378-0154.
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Plan a Trip to Gurnee
This lively town is a great vacation spot, solo or with a group. The city encourages fun and memorable experiences.
Six Flags Great is there for amazing adrenaline-packed rides and incredible shows. You can visit Hurricane Harbor Chicago for an endless, fun-filled time of water sports for all ages.
The food in this town is also amazing and boasts a lot of flavors as well as appearance.
You do not need to search further for an excellent place for the next family vacation; just visit Gurnee.