Location: Golconda
Top Restaurants in Golconda
Golconda Food Guide: 5 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Golconda
Golconda is a city in and the county seat of Pope County, Illinois, United States, located along the Ohio River. The population was 726 at the 2000 census. Most of the city is part of the Golconda Historic District.
Things to do in Golconda
1. Diver Down
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
We visited Golconda and took a romantic trip back to the 1950s, when you attended a high school basketball game on Friday night, then went to the post-game sock hop and ended up at the local soda shop for ice cream and Cokes. Remember? That's what my wife and I discovered at the Diver Down Bar & Grill, which offers old-fashioned jukebox music in an old-style country bar atmosphere complete with a menu of family favorites such as sweet potato fries, American Angus Beef Burgers and cold beers or carbonated beverages and tea. This is a relaxing hideaway to experience small town culture and the flavor of southern Illinois night life. Start with Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The catfish filet sandwich is highly recommended by locals but I couldn't resist the 21-piece fried shrimp platter with a baked potato. My wife chose the chicken sandwich, a grilled chicken breast on a Hoagie. For dessert, we shared a big slice of chocolate cream pie. How many people from Chicago can brag that they had a wonderful dining experience in Golconda?
2. The Chocolate Factory
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Bill G - New Baden, Illinois
Everything we sampled and purchased was delicious especially the turtles, dark chocolate covered espresso beans, truffles and popcorn. ;-) There was a huge variety of sweets.
The salesperson, Aleah, was very personable and provided great customer service. My kids are begging me to order more from the online site because we don't live close to the store. The Chocolate Factory is doing it right!
3. The Levee Lounge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Brad A - Godfrey
The Levee Lounge and Riverview Mansion are a charming place for a retreat from the bustle of urban life. My wife and I stayed here for three nights over President's Day weekend, and we enjoyed being able to get home-cooked meals and an excellent choice of wine and beer, not to mention interaction with the friendly owners and staff of the establishment, only a flight of stairs from our room.
If you're in Pope County, you're hungry, and you enjoy local beer and wine, be sure to check out the Levee Lounge.
P.S. restaurant only open weekends, though lodging is always available.
4. Golconda Dari-Barr
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By MariefromGeorgia - Ludowici Georgia
This place is where the locals like to eat and we could see why, it's the best kept secret around, good food at a low price! The parking lot is not modern nor is the building, but the food speaks for itself. As we drove up along the side and circled to find a good park, we saw a truck pulling a boat with his buddy in the boat! Just like back home, I thought. As soon as you enter, you are reminded of Mayberry in that it is older décor, simple booths and gently worn tables, small counter with stools near the register. I noticed that the menu the smiling waitress brought had a Brief History of Golconda on the front. Seems the town grew out of a ferry business. They had a daily special and my husband decided on the BLT while I ordered the fried catfish(2 big pieces fried golden) with potato salad, French fries, and hush puppies. We sat at the counter while waiting on our food to go. Looking around the cook was busy in the kitchen I could see, the desserts were chanting my name from the case, and I noticed the old Milk shake maker and asked about it. Seems it has been here a very long time and still works! I asked who the owners were and the waitress motioned to a back table where an older man in over halls and a woman sat with a female friend and I was told that Clara and Bill were the owners. Soon our food came and we went back to that chocolate factory and the Dixion Spring Park to eat our meal. Of course it was too much food for me so I let my husband, Gary finish it off. maybe that is why he only ordered the BLT, he new I would not finish it and he would. I think that the more mature traveler(I am age 53) can appreciate the time it takes to make a really good home-cooked meal from stove-to-table just like mama and grandma used to make and focus on the food and not that the place is a little out dated or that the tables are a little worn. I just smile and think of all the wonderful conversations and laughs that have been had over coffee and while eating a meal at these tables. I say it just adds character to the place. We really enjoyed our day in the Forest and so did our two Chihuahuas, Elvis, and Roadie but it was getting on in the evening and we needed to find a hotel. We would drive until we got to Clarksville, TNN. and stay once again at the La Quinta before driving home the next day to recover from our Epic Trip of 27 days!
5. Sweetwater Saloon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By nokinoki - Nashville, Tennessee
Friday, May 16, 2014.. Tony and I went to Illinois for a day trip and once we went to Cave in Rock State Park , we traveled to Dixon Spring State Park. We ended up in Golconda, a sweet little town near the river. They were getting ready for some type of celebration. We drove around the small town and I took some photos. We saw some of the historical sites and then we found this bar on Main Street, called Sweetwater Saloon.
Here we went in and we ordered a drink, Tony a beer and myself a sweet tea. Then we decided to get a few bar appetizers to tide us over so we ordered a 6 piece Hot Wings and some deep fried mushrooms and hot popper basket to share..
The place inside is really clean and large. A lot of Coors Beer signs everywhere, and a few pool tables, large dance floor and band area. Big bar in the center and plenty of tables, both regular and high top. The bartender was also our waitress and she was very friendly.
The food was typical bar fare nothing to brag about. The prices were very reasonable. We had a nice time and visit with the bartender. The place was not all that busy.
I would recommend this place if you are wanting a cold libation but food, well it's bar food, everything is deep fried and greasy...what do you expect...?
