Illinois, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Galena

August 30, 2019 Rosalyn Ihle

Reviews on American food in Galena, Illinois, United States. If not for the modern-day goods sold in the retail establishments, you might think Galena was frozen in time. The six-block Main Street boasts striking examples of various architectural styles, ranging from French Colonial to Greek Revival, and a whopping 85% of the town is a national historic district. General Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th U.S. President, lived here briefly before leaving to head the Union troops in the Civil War. Upon his triumphant return, the town presented him with an elegant mansion. That house and other restored historic homes are open to the public. There's much more here to fascinate the history enthusiast: the Old Market House and the Historical Society and Museum, housed in a stunning Italianate home. Before its Civil War glory days, Galena was a booming lead-mining town. Today, you can descend underground into the Vinegar Hill Lead Mine. But don't stay down there too long, or you won't get to enjoy the rolling hills and lush valleys of this charming getaway, which also offers fine dining, numerous bed and breakfasts, golfing and antiquing.
Things to do in Galena

10. The Generals' Restaurant

230 S Main St DeSoto House Hotel, Galena, IL 61036-2227 American, International Dinner Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 815-777-0090 http://www.desotohouse.com/restaurants.html
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 200 reviews

The Generals' Restaurant

Reviewed By set2go52

This restaurant never fails to deliver the best meal. I enjoyed a wonderful local beef filet mignon done to perfection. The salad was crisp and fresh and the bread was artisan and totally delicious. My husband raved about his seafood plate with crab legs, scallops and shrimp. The service is wonderful and the ambiance inviting and restful.

9. Victory Cafe

200 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2244 American, Cafe, Diner Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Drinks Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Takeout, Seating, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Wheelchair Accessible [email protected] +1 815-777-4407 https://www.facebook.com/victorycafe/
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 558 reviews

Victory Cafe

Victory Cafe is located in the heart of Main Street serving up great food in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy our breakfast specialties all day long including fresh baked cinnamon rolls, pancakes, waffles, and omelets. Don't miss daily lunch sp

Reviewed By RogerB1

We enjoyed the experience and the comedic wait staff. Especially Marcos/Bob! Would recommend. We came for Breakfast and were not disappointed.

8. Embe

233 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2226 American, Bar, Pub, Soups, Healthy Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Takeout, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +1 815-777-2323 http://www.embegalena.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 393 reviews

Embe

Also has a fully stocked bar.

Reviewed By MNwannaB

Ate here for a Fourth of July lunch on a great recommendation from the barista at Kaladi's. Turkey salad sandwich was delicious! My traveling partner had the turkey and roast beef. Love that you can order smaller portions! Both sandwiches were very fresh and tasty. So tempted by the menu. The hot sandwiches and soups sounded delicious but it was just too hot out to go that route :)Service was absolutely top notch. Such nice people!Amazing bargain as well- 2 delicious lunches with sodas for under $17. Can't wait to come back.

7. Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub

9853 W US Highway 20, Galena, IL 61036-9186 American, Irish, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +1 815-776-0707 http://www.theirishcottageboutiquehotel.com/galena-restaurant.aspx
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 728 reviews

Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every day at Frank O’Dowd’s Irish Pub & Grill. The beating heart of The Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel, the Pub’s rich ornate interior, designed and handcrafted in Ireland, embraces an earlier time.The menu includes American favo

Reviewed By photobug429

We looked at the menu before deciding where to have dinner. The restaurant had plenty of parking. The atmosphere was nice and we were seated so we could see the screen with pictures of Ireland. Irish music was playing part of the time. We both had salmon which came with a nice serving of good vegetables and mashed potatoes. We decided against dessert, but they all sounded good.

6. Durty Gurt's

235 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2245 American, Bar Lunch, Dinner Free Wifi, Takeout, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service +1 815-776-9990 http://www.durtygurtsburgerjoynt.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1072 reviews

Durty Gurt's

Reviewed By Christilee

We were in town visiting family and decided to stop here for lunch while walking around downtown. I wasn't sure if they would have anything to offer my 18 year old who doesn't eat meat, but was pleasantly surprised to find they offer veggie burgers and also turkey burgers. Not much in the way of "lighter fare", but the turkey burger option lightened up the standard burger a bit. The kids shared a malt and it was really malty!! Fun place, if a bit cheesy!

5. Log Cabin Restaurant

201 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2245 American, Steakhouse, Greek Dinner, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +1 815-777-0393 http://www.logcabingalena.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1383 reviews

Log Cabin Restaurant

Reviewed By stillalarm

Fantastic! I’d highly recommend Log Cabin to friends and family. A++++A must stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

4. Otto's Place

100 Bouthillier St, Galena, IL 61036-2302 American Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch Full Bar, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Ser [email protected] +1 815-776-0240 http://www.ottosplace.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 961 reviews

Otto's Place

Breakfast and Lunch

Reviewed By sandraleed

Very pleasant breakfast this morning and our waiter Dillon was super. The owner stopped by to say hi which was nice...Nice relaxing atmosphere

3. Fried Green Tomatoes

213 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2245 Steakhouse, Italian, American Dinner Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 815-777-3938 http://www.friedgreen.com/
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 1871 reviews

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes proudly serves wonderful steaks and boasts a Wine Spectator Award winning wine menu. Outstanding service and an inviting atmosphere make Fried Green a must stop while in downtown historic Galena, Illinois. Fried Green Tomatoes is the

Reviewed By joseph5734

This was our first time, and we will be returning! My wife had the Filet special and I ordered the Scallops ( diver scallops) my favorite served perfectly prepared. We both ordered Bloody Marys made with Tito’s vodka ( yum yum) which were fantastic! Took dessert Togo as we were really full from our very delicious prepared meals. Our next trip to Galena will include dinner here.

2. Root Beer Revelry

228 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2227 American Drinks Wheelchair Accessible +1 779-207-5639 http://www.rootbeerrevelry.com/#
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 250 reviews

Root Beer Revelry

Reviewed By GoHawksAnkenyIowa

We did root beer flights here for $5 each. Fun to taste the different types(vanilla, regular, cinnamon, etc). You can buy on tap or there are several varieties from around the USA. You can also get a root beer float. Connected to the Marriott hotel next door. No food. On the main strip in Galena so with any of the other stores you have to hunt for parking if it is a busy day.

10 Things to Do in Galena That You Shouldn't Miss

1. Goldmoor Dining

9001 W Sand Hill Rd, Galena, IL 61036-9341 American Dinner, Late Night Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Table Service [email protected] +1 815-777-3925 http://www.goldmoor.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 442 reviews

Goldmoor Dining

Unmatched Old World decor, a diverse wine cellar, and premier personal service are all complemented by our chef"s creative cuisine. Enjoy dining in one of our cozy booths or elegant tables with breathtaking views overlooking the Mississippi River.

Reviewed By panielsen

This is an exquisite place inside and out and we were glad we tried it but were just not blown over with our meals as we expected to be. The salad however was the exception with pears, burrata cheese, mixed greens and other touches, it was beautifully presented and tasted wonderful! Hubby had the Red Snapper which he said was ok. I the Vegetables with Homemade Gnocchi with a Pesto Sauce. It was a huge disappointment. Gnocchi was fried and hard not the tenderness I expected, the veggies were big chunks and the carrots were very hard all with little sauce which really would not have made much of a difference. Perhaps because we dined during the week not enough attention was given to our entrees which seemed to lack freshness. The pour of our wines was quite generous! With all the positive reviews I would suggest you try this restaurant. Perhaps ours was a fluke. The owner does come to your table, we just do not like to complain but first impressions really do count.Dear panielsen, thank you for your feed back and we are dissapointed that you did not allow us to make it right. We would have gladly corrected your meal had we known.We will discuss you experience with the chef so we do not have the same experience.

Where to Eat in Galena: The Best Restaurants and Bars

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