15 Best Restaurants in Peoria, IL

Peoria, Illinois, is the largest city in the United States along the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County.

The city has a population of 113,150 residents, according to the 2020 census.

U.S. News & World Report, a nationally recognized publication, has named it the finest place to live in Illinois.

It offers several attractions, such as The Peoria Riverfront Museum, located on the banks of the Illinois River, which is an impressive example of modern architecture.

It has a sculpture garden, a fine art collection, and a planetarium.

The city also offers various options, from casual cafes to upscale dining.

Here are the 15 best restaurants in Peoria, Illinois:

Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe

The Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe is a trendy, laid-back watering hole that serves various international fare.

The restaurant is located in downtown Peoria, on Southwest Water Street, close to the art gallery's back entrance, and is known for its signature live music.

Inside, the restaurant's chandeliers add a festive touch, while the bar's blue lighting and soft music create a pleasant ambiance.

If you're looking for a new restaurant in the downtown area, give this one a shot.

The food is delicious, and they consistently provide outstanding service.

The salmon salad with strawberry vinaigrette is one of the best salads on the menu.

This generous salad combines perfectly grilled salmon with fresh goat cheese, walnuts, blueberries, and strawberries.

The salmon B.L.T., one of their most popular items, comes with a side salad and in-house pesto dressing.

Other tasty options at Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe include pizza, Jamaican jerk chicken, Chickpea Burgers, B.B.Q. shrimp, salmon dinners, and portobello pizzetta.

Gebby's Family Restaurant

Gebby's Family Restaurant has been around for a while and serves classic American breakfast and lunch fare.

Without a doubt, it's Peoria's best spot for breakfast or lunch.

This pleasant, family-run restaurant serves a wide variety of tasty dishes.

The service is excellent, and the food is cooked to order.

Gebby's Family Restaurant is the place to go if you're craving a classic American breakfast.

Get the mushroom omelet; it's delicious and loaded with mushrooms and melted cheddar cheese.

The Eggs Benedict is also delicious and perfectly done.

Make sure to have the biscuits and gravy; they won't disappoint.

The standard hash browns are also excellent, with a crisp exterior and tender interior.

Try a Belgian waffle with strawberries if you want something a little lighter.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast by visiting them at War Memorial Dr.

Childers Eatery

The food at Childers is a modern take on American comfort food.

There's something on the menu for everyone, and both the meal and the service are excellent.

They have everything you may want for a traditional American breakfast or lunch.

Try the cheeseburger with fries or the supreme omelet, which are flavorful and have the ideal amount of ingredients.

Sample the incredible Lemon Berry French Toast made with grilled brioche, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and lemon zest.

This restaurant's perfectly done eggs benedict pair well with the strawberry cheesecake pancakes.

Other tasty options include beef tacos and a breakfast burrito.

Visit them at 301 N University St. to sample some of their other mouthwatering offerings.

The Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern

The Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern is a locally owned and operated establishment known for its delicious artisanal barbecue and extensive craft beer and liquor selections.

This restaurant, housed in an old train depot, is renowned for its house-smoked barbeque, specialty beers, cocktails, and whisky.

Guests rave about their sliced brisket, sauces, and the hip atmosphere.

For appetizers, try the brisket quesadillas; they're delicious and come in large servings.

Delicious pulled pork can be ordered with any side dish you choose.

Don't miss their unique sandwiches, such as the brisket torta, brisket sandwich, or Banh Mi Sandwich, which features beef tossed in soy garlic and is served with pickled vegetables, fresh jalapenos, and other ingredients.

If you're in the mood for some juicy beef brisket, stop by The Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern at Southwest Water Street.

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer

If you're looking for the best restaurant and bar experience in town, look no further than Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer.

It is located in the restored Sealtest building, along SW Washington St, in Peoria's historical warehouse neighborhood.

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer stays true to its mission to serve only the highest quality food by giving a fantastic variety of options that everyone can enjoy.

There is a wide selection of dishes, including burgers, steak, shrimp, and calamari, as well as exotic ones like bone marrow, root salad, and duck.

You should also try the Philly cheese egg rolls, meatloaf sandwich, Cajun shrimp and grits, and chicken Marsala.

Finally, refresh your palate with a tuna poke with generous pieces of tuna and special vinegar sauce.

Zion Coffee Bar

Zion Coffee Bar is a sleek, bright, modern cafe serving espresso beverages, pastries, and small plates.

The Zion Coffee Bar can be found in the old Warehouse District in downtown Peoria at SW Adams St.

It's a vital part of Peoria's expanding specialty coffee scene.

It boasts a spacious and inviting environment with plenty of seating.

It's also an ideal spot for solitary pursuits like reading or writing.

If you're looking for a good cup of coffee in Peoria, you should stop by Zion Coffee Bar.

Coffee is just one of its many offerings; it also serves freshly baked pastries and one-of-a-kind alcoholic beverages.

The cafe's sources, cultivation methods, and relationships with farmers set its coffee apart from the competition.

Sit back and relax in the air-conditioned comfort of this hip coffee shop while sipping on a creamy Americano or a latte.

Agatucci's Restaurant

Perhaps the most well-known eatery in Peoria is Agatucci's Restaurant.

Dating back to 1926, this Italian restaurant is a longtime favorite among locals and serves pizza, sandwiches, spaghetti, salads, and fried dishes.

To this day, Aggituccie's Restaurant is unrivaled in its delicious food, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere.

It is dedicated to providing excellent service at a reasonable price.

Their pizza and grilled Italian sausage sandwich are some of the best in the neighborhood.

Try their signature pizza topped with your pick of meats and veggies, including pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, shrimp, green peppers, black olives, and onions.

The Pasta Family Special is perfect for big groups and includes a half gallon of spaghetti with meat sauce, a large salad, and a loaf of bread.

Visit N University St. to gratify your cravings for Italian food.

One World Cafe

Located in beautiful downtown Peoria, One World offers a one-of-a-kind and delicious dining experience.

The cafe has an excellent ambiance and decor.

Its extensive menu guarantees that you'll find something to your liking.

There's a wide selection of breakfast dishes, burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and specialties from different countries.

Classic bacon cheese fries are always a good choice, or go for an appetizer sampler with chips, bread, and dips like hummus, salsa, and tzatziki.

Order one of their best-sellers like the Garden Vegetable, Hearty Country, or Denver breakfast pizza.

You also can't go wrong with the cajun salmon pasta or the Alfredo with grilled chicken, crispy chicken, or shrimp.

Meanwhile, the buffalo chicken and Reuben sandwiches are excellent choices for a quick bite.

You should stop by One World Cafe at W Main St. if you want more options.

Ulrich's Rebellion Room

If you're ever in Peoria, Illinois, stop by and visit Ulrich's Rebellion Room, a traditional Irish bar with vintage furnishings and TVs playing sports events.

This restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and late-night meals at N. Main St., in the heart of downtown Peoria.

It has a wide selection of pizzas, burgers, and specialty beers.

It also offers various domestic, imported, and microbrew beers and cocktails.

Ulrich's Rebellion Room, which has been around since 2009, is known for its comfortable setting and high-quality food and drinks.

In addition, it has several TVs for live N.F.L., N.H.L., MLB, N.B.A., soccer, NASCAR, and college sports broadcasts.

If you have a big appetite, try Ulrich's Half Pound Cheeseburger with 100% Black Angus and your choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle on the side.

Also, try the hand-cut, eight-ounce ribeye steak sandwich, grilled and served on a hoagie roll with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle on the side, if you need a quick meal on the go.

Connected

Connected is a cozy bar and restaurant that serves a variety of delectable Italian and American dishes, as well as handcrafted cocktails.

After 13 years in business, Connected has established itself as one of Peoria's finest eating establishments.

The service is impeccable, and the staff is warm and welcoming.

In addition, the restaurant has a lovely, romantic ambiance, making it ideal for a private dinner for two.

The menu is extensive, featuring steak, seafood, pork, pasta, a variety of vegetarian options, and a decent wine list.

Every single dish is a culinary masterpiece.

It's an excellent venue for commemorating important events.

For an appetizer, try the Calamaretti Fritti—squid lightly breaded with seasonings and then cooked till golden brown.

Then, order an entree, such as the veal scaloppine sautéed with julienne of prosciutto, morel mushrooms, cream, Brandy, and excellent Marsala.

Finally, try one of their specialty cocktails to round out your meal.

If you're in the Peoria area, head to N Dries Ln for some delicious fine dining experience.

Jim's Steakhouse

The prime rib and steaks of Jim's Steak House are widely regarded as the best in Peoria.

It all started more than 50 years ago, and now it's known as a place to go for flavorful meats.

You can trust that they use only the highest quality beef in their dishes.

Only the finest restaurants in the country, such as Jim's Steak House, go through the laborious process of dry-aging their beef, but the results are worth it.

They boast well-cooked steaks and rib roasts delicately seasoned and served in generous portions.

Try the amazingly delicious Jim's Pot Roast with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Also, order one of their exquisite seafood selections, like the sea bass with Parmesan crust or the Atlantic salmon.

Sample one of the house wines, like the Moscato or Chardonnay, to round off your meal.

Have a fantastic time in Peoria, Illinois; go to Jim's Steakhouse on SW Jefferson Avenue.

Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery

The food and drinks at Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery are unlike anything else in town.

The venue is a refurbished church with gorgeous glass windows and rich history.

Beers, upscale bar food, and bocce are all on offer.

The place has a unique and exciting vibe, and the old church building is fascinating to explore.

You can't go wrong with any of their specialty flatbread pizzas or pub burgers.

They also serve their own locally crafted beer that they produce in the building next door.

Get the lamb burger with pulled pork or mac and cheese, which are both delicious.

You may enjoy the delicious dishes and the beautiful weather on the large outdoor patio.

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas.

Visit them on NE Madison Avenue to sample some comfort food and local craft beers.

Kelleher's Irish Pub

Since its opening in December 2001, Kelleher's Irish Pub has been a mainstay in the Peoria community.

It's an Irish pub located on Southwest Water Street, Illinois, with live music and drinks.

Kelleher's Irish Pub serves authentic Irish food on Peoria's picturesque Water Street.

You can sit outside and enjoy the river view while listening to the rumble of a passing train.

For a hearty meal, order the roast beef with mashed potatoes or the deep-fried cod grilled fish with parmesan coating served with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

The BBQ wings are also a must-try.

In addition, you can grab a quick meal on the go, such as their Trinity Burger and fries or turkey pretzel bun with avocado.

The Fish House

The Fish House is a classic American eatery serving seafood and other traditional dishes in a dimly lit retro setting with a fish market and a full bar.

The Fish House opened in 1976 and has provided Peoria residents and the surrounding area with the finest seafood for over 44 years.

The service and quality of the cuisine are always excellent.

Fresh fish meals from all over the world are the house specialty at The Fish House, but there's also an excellent selection of steak, chicken, and pasta options.

The Oysters Rockefeller, topped with cheese and enormous oysters, is a must-order.

You also can't go wrong with the shrimp cocktail, chili Chilean sea bass, or crab turnovers.

Come to N University St. to sample their menu's other offerings.

Seafood House

Jonah's Seafood House is a chic seafood restaurant on the waterfront with an oyster bar serving fresh seafood, chowder, and more.

As always, Jonah's serves seafood that has been flown that day. Jonah's Seafood Restaurant was opened in August 1986 in East Peoria, Illinois.

Their menu is revised twice daily to reflect the ever-changing "catch." They are honest about the source of their fish and provide information on how they prepare it.

Jonah only serves the freshest seafood, poultry, and meats, so you know they will always be of the highest quality.

Jonah's has created various sauces, garnishes, and sides to complement their dishes.

If you're in the mood for some delicious, freshly prepared fish, head to Jonah's, located at N Main St.

Final Thoughts

Aside from Peoria's thriving art culture and numerous parks are excellent dining options to try.

If you're looking for local eateries or watering holes to refuel after a day of hiking or sightseeing, the city offers a wide selection of dining spots.

Don't miss these best restaurants in Peoria, Illinois for a one-of-a-kind dining experience during your travel.