Location: Normal
Top Restaurants in Normal
Normal Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Normal
Normal is a town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town's population was 52,497. Normal is the smaller of two principal municipalities of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area, and Illinois' seventh most populous community outside the Chicago metropolitan area. Normal's mayor is Chris Koos.
Things to do in Normal
1. Fort Jesse Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Pursuing a vision of fantastic, fresh, homemade fare; in an unpretentious and uplifting atmosphere.
Reviewed By Beachman2142 - Decatur, Illinois
atmosphere is great. This place is a perfect candidate for Diners, Drive ins and Dives... Delicious food and nice twists on flavor. I had the chicken and waffles and they did not disappoint. Others around me were ordering the shrimp n grits, which is what...MoreThank you for the awesome review, Beachman2142. You should definitely try the Shrimp & Grits next time and then put the Cornmeal Pancakes on your To-Do List. Can't wait to see you back!
2. Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By rlecroy1 - Jeonju, South Korea
Some friends and I visited this place. It is a hole in the wall in Itaewon, near some indoor shopping markets, but it left a memorable impression. It is coolly decorated with a nice, relaxed vibe.
It is actually an American chain, and as an American expat who is living in Korea, I could taste a little slice of home. Korean ice cream isn't that creamy - it usually tastes icy or like it is made from a powdered mix - but this place was delicous.
I got the caramel moose prints and cookie monster on an elaborate and fattening-looking Fruit Loop and marshmellow-dipped cone (food Instagrammers would be chomping at the bit to document this), and my friend got a refreshing raspberry sorbet.
The caramel moose prints ice cream was seriously the best I've ever eaten (expats who are fans of American Moose Tracks ice cream will appreciate this), and the cookie monster was chock full of of oreo chunks and cookie dough.
My only complaint was the price. It was around 10,000 ￦ ($9) for my double scoop on a Fruit Loops cone . If you have a good ice cream joint back at home and are here on travel, you might want to save your money until the trip home. But, for those that live in Asia or don't have a good ice cream place at home, GO NOW!!
3. Coffee Hound
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By normalwriter - Normal, Illinois
Coffee Hound's owners toiled to make this a hangout for old and young, students and dropouts, locals and visitors. Don't miss the pourovers and the cranberry orange scones. Steve, one of the owners, brings European baking skills to the mix. Enjoy!!!!!
4. Sugar Mama Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
We are a custom boutique bakery. We specialize in cupcakes, wedding and special occasion cakes, desserts, coffee and more!
Reviewed By rduinc - Saint Louis, Missouri
Stopped in here for sugar cookies and try a couple of their mini cupcakes and have to say they were excellent. In addition, I sampled some of their cookie dough which was great as well. A little pricey, the one cookie and two mini cupcakes were $7, but these sweets were exceptional. Business is located in a cute shopping section of Normal.
5. Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
DESTIHL(R) Restaurant - Normal is two amazing worlds merged into one: the fusion of craft beer and artisan foods. We are a growing gastrobrewpubTM concept which creatively combines and reinvents craft beer and full-flavored dishes from America's melting pot using many local ingredients and both modern and traditional techniques. Our mission is to fill our gastrobrewpubs with fun, energy and passion for great artisan food and beers while providing a 'down to earth', high level of service.
Reviewed By Barbara and Dav... D - Paris, IL
Our group of friends ate here on a Friday evening. Food and especially the desserts were amazing. It was so NOISY we barely could speak with the person right beside us. Plan on eating somewhere else if you want a quiet dining experience.Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback about your experience. We appreciate the support. Cheers!
6. Epiphany Farms Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
*Epiphany Farms will be closed from 1/4/6 - 1/7/6 for restaurant improvements. We will be open again for dinner service this Friday 1/8/6*<br><br>Epiphany Farms believes in creating a new food system that provides exceptional food with a sustainable future. Epiphany Farms combines products from its land with those of local producers to supply the ever-changing, always seasonal menu. Our mission is to blend socially conscious farming techniques with comfortable fine dining, to produce something that customers not only enjoy, but also believe in. We use only the freshest and finest ingredients, always giving preference to food grown by local farmers. Inspiration from our Midwestern culinary tradition roots our dishes in the Central Illinois community, while impeccable execution and flawless presentation add a global edge. We're elevating the simple, familiar foods of our home kitchen to meet the standards of the world stage.
Reviewed By Deggto
This is the best restaurant in Central Illinois in my book. Menu is varied and excellent. Service excellent, and I love the ambiance. Truly a special spot, for a delightful meal. Prices reflect the excellence, and you pay for the outstanding full experience.
This is my “special meal” place, but you will pay for it. Still worth it, but don’t be shocked.
7. Fusion Brew
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By ColoradoJojo - Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
This coffee house has great coffee, wonderful tea, fun bubble tea and a lot of variety to choose from. It is a very friendly place and a nice place to meet friends.
8. Carl's Ice Cream Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By TLH_mom_of_3 - Illinois
Went here for dinner one night. The drive thru is a little slow, but they make your food fresh and there is a sign that states that right above the window/over hang in the drive thru. Their speakers in the drive thru were super quiet, so if you have a hearing loss (I do!) it was hard to hear the girl asking about my order. There is quite a lot of items on their menu but I went with a cheese burger and fries. Both were really good, but the burger was great! I would definitely get it again. The only thing I was super disappointed about was I ordered a medium diet coke and got a CAN of diet coke. If I wantd a can of pop I could have gone to the grocery store...I really wanted a fountain drink. That was weird!
9. Medici
Overall Ratings
4 based on 328 reviews
Reviewed By Where2GoWhere2go - Honolulu, Hawaii
I had the beer can chicken and it was delicious. Would order it again. Nice restaurant, but it gets busy. Popular spot with good food. Can't go wrong.
10. Biaggi's - Bloomington
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
Casual Italian restaurant offering an extensive selection of house-made and imported pastas, soups & salads, pizza, seafood, steaks and desserts. Large portions of affordably priced menu selections are prepared with the freshest ingredients available.
Reviewed By Jill W - El Paso
I love this restaurant because the ambiance is such that it can be elegant or casual, the food is fantastic, and so is the service. Even the location is good. We have never had a poor experience at Biaggi’s. Highly recommended.
