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Champaign, Illinois has a great food scene, with diverse options ranging from Korean restaurants and BBQ spots to cozy cafes and wine bars. If you’re renting an apartment in Champaign, recently bought your first home in the city, or have been living there for a while, you might be on the hunt for a new restaurant to try. We’ve rounded up a list of 16 must-try restaurants in Champaign, IL, that you can grab a bite at in your neighborhood or explore a new area of town.

autumnal road in illinois_getty

#1: Pekara Bakery & Bistro

Cuisine: Bakery
Address: 116 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
Pekara Bakery & Bistro’s Website

Pekara Bakery & Bistro is a fabulous place to have a seasonal coffee drink, a breakfast sandwich, veggie crepe, or chicken pesto sandwich.

#2: Seven Saints

Cuisine: Cocktail bar and American restaurant
Address: 32 E Chester St, Champaign, IL 61820
Seven Saints’ Website

Serving craft cocktails and dishes like pretzel bites, cheese curds, sliders, and sandwiches, Seven Saints’s Champaign location is another option to add to your list of must-visit restaurants.

#3: Nando Milano Trattoria

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 204 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
Nando Milano Trattoria’s Website

An Italian restaurant, Nando Milano Trattoria has a lot of choices for anyone looking for a new place to grab a bite. With options like arancini, gnocchi, rigatoni alla beppe, and branzino, there’s something for everyone.

#4: Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

Cuisine: BBQ joint and American restaurant
Address: 320 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House’s Website

You can find a variety of dishes at Black Dog Smoke & Ale House – anything from pulled pork sandwiches and catfish platters to cornbread and Texas caviar.

#5: Watson’s Shack & Rail

Cuisine: American restaurant
Address: 211 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
Watson’s Shack & Rail’s Website

Another stellar restaurant in Champaign, IL, is Watson’s Shack & Rail. You’ll find a variety of chicken, fish, and tofu sandwiches, as well as plates like gumbo and rice bowls at their location.

#6: Big Grove Tavern

Cuisine: New American restaurant
Address: 1 E Main St, Champaign, IL 61820
Big Grove Tavern’s Website

If you’re looking for a tavern serving New American classics like street corn, grilled ribeye, cheddar grits, and more, make sure to grab a bite at Big Grove Tavern.

scallops on a plate at one of the restaurants champaign il

#7: Farren’s Pub & Eatery

Cuisine: Restaurant
Address: 308 N Randolph St, Champaign, IL 61820
Farren’s Pub & Eatery’s Website

Maybe you’re on the hunt for a new place serving grilled scallops and fried pickles, but also burgers and chicken tacos? If so, head to Farren’s Pub & Eatery for a great meal.

#8: Pizzeria Antica

Cuisine: Pizzeria and Italian restaurant
Address: 10 E Chester St, Champaign, IL 61820
Pizzeria Antica’s Website

Another one of the numerous restaurants in Champaign, IL, you should consider grabbing a bite at is Pizzeria Antica. An authentic Neapolitan restaurant serving amazing pizza, salads, and gelato, there’s plenty to order off their menu.

#9: Maize

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 110 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
Maize’s Website 

Maize has plenty of options for those looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant serving margaritas, tamales, fajitas, and enchiladas. 

#10: KoFusion

Cuisine: Asian fusion restaurant
Address: 1 E Main St Ste 104, Champaign, IL 61820
KoFusion’s Website

KoFusion is a contemporary Asian fusion restaurant serving everything from miso soup and ramen to tempura fried cheese curds and ribeye.

#11: Peking 

Cuisine: Chinese restaurant
Address: 206 N Randolph St Ste 1, Champaign, IL 61820
Peking Garden’s Website

Peking Garden is an excellent spot if you’re looking for a Chinese spot in Champaign. From pot stickers and hot and sour soup to Kung Pao tofu and BBQ pork lo mein, there’s always a new dish to try.

people eating pizza with tomato sauce basil and cheese

#12: Jet’s Pizza

Cuisine: Pizzeria
Address: 512 S Neil St Ste B, Champaign, IL 61820
Jet’s Pizza’s Website

If you’ve recently moved to Champaign and are searching for a pizzeria, you can find deep dish pizzas, thin crust pies, salads, and sides at Jet’s Pizza.

#13: Manzella’s Italian Restaurant

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 115 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820
Manzella’s Italian Restaurant’s Website

Manzella’s Italian Restaurant is home to some delicious authentic Italian food like pasta Pomodoro, ravioli, minestrone, and much more.

#14: Hamilton Walker’s

Cuisine: Steakhouse
Address: 201 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
Hamilton Walker’s Website

A steakhouse serving favorites like lamb chops, mussels, grilled salmon, and meatloaf, Hamilton Walker’s is the perfect place to grab a bite in Champaign.

#15: Golden Wok

Cuisine: Chinese and Thai restaurant
Address: 405 E University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820
Golden Wok’s Website 

At Golden Wok, there are plenty of dishes to choose from – from beef with broccoli and empress chicken to yum talay and mussaman curry.

#16: Sakanaya Restaurant

Cuisine: Sushi restaurant
Address: 403 E Green St, Champaign, IL 61820
Sakanaya Restaurant’s Website

Sakanaya Restaurant is a fantastic eatery to grab a bite in Champaign. It’s a sushi restaurant with amazing options like seared albacore, agedashi tofu, spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls, and chicken katsu.

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