Location: Oak Park
Top Restaurants in Oak Park
Top Things to do in Oak Park
Oak Park Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Oak Park
Architecture buffs will be well acquainted with Oak Park, once the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, where he designed and built some of his earliest buildings. Unity Temple, the Nathan G. Moore House and Wright's own former home and studio are among the many Wright buildings still preserved in the village, while buildings such as the Cheney Mansion were designed by his students. Oak Park is also the famed birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, whose childhood home is now a museum open to visitors.
Things to do in Oak Park
1. Freddy's Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By Leslie M - Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Freddy's is some of the best food I've ever eaten!!! My husband and I have enjoyed this place for over 15 years since we saw it on Check, Please. Now we live in South Carolina, but will always find a way to go when we're in the area. The lemon chicken is so good that I could drink the juice. They give you free bread to sop up all that deliciousness. The seafood salad is the freshest and has most tender calamari and octopus I've ever had. They weigh the seafood first and then add the olive oil and lemons. I also highly recommend the risotto, rapini, and Italian sausage which comes a jus with peppers and potatoes. All the salads are incredibly flavorful and fresh. There are also a variety of pasta dishes, meat entrees, sandwiches, and pizza. It doesn't matter how full you are, get the gelato! I've never found any better! My favorite is the Don Vito which has a cherry base with brandied whole bing cherries and chocolate. The Oreo, dulce de leche, and fruits of the forest are also delicious!! I'm sure they all are! Get a taste of any before you buy. So hard to decide. The place is very small and the food line is at the back of a tiny and charming Italian grocery store. They will heat the food up on paper plates and you can eat in an adjacent room (outside too when the weather is nice). Or you can get it all to go. This place never disappoints! Expect long lines that move rather quickly. Holiday times are especially crowded. They do not take credit or debit cards. It's not especially cheap, but such a great value for the quality and freshness of the food. The staff who waits on you is very pleasant, many speak Spanish, and have been there for many years. Enjoy!
2. Johnnie's Beef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Allen21096 - Chicago, Illinois
Johnnie's Beef is located on the northwest corner of North Ave. and 75th Ave. Part of the reason that the beef is so good, is that Johnnie's Beef is competing with about six or seven restaurants within one city block. There is parking for Johnnie's Beef which does give it an edge. Though there is only a counter to stand at to eat inside, there are about eight picnic tables on the outside. Johnnie's Beef is cash only. We ordered two beef sandwiches. The first was just a regular beef with only sweet peppers. Mine was the beef with both types of peppers and dipped. I could not believe the amount of peppers on the sandwich of both types - sweet and giardiniera. But the beef, even with the extra peppers, really had a balanced taste. The peppers really did not overpower the sandwich. Johnnie's Beef is reasonably priced.
3. Vesecky's Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Sinaida C
It looks like a store from my childhood in Eastern Europe. The stuff they sell looks authentic, but the rohliki are very different from what they should be. Kolachky with poppy seeds are nice, but the jam things are way too sweet for any non-American. I mean, I do like sweet things, just American things are way to sweet for me.
Overall, even if this place is not exactly the same as it would be in Prague, but it brings good memories of Eastern Europe:)
4. Gaetano's & Ristorantino Mediterraneo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Analyzing who Gaetano is, and where he comes from (Bagheria, Sicily), he decided to go back to his roots and the basic fundamentals of Mediterranean cuisine, honoring the chef’s who taught him, his parents, and his mentor, Francesco Paolo Sanmarco, the proprietor of A’Cuccagna in Palermo, Sicily. The Mediterranean diet is more about education and a cariety of simple, aromatic, healthy and organic ingredients. For centuries, Sicily (in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea) was invaded by Spain, Greece and the Normans, to name a few. Every invading country left their ‘mark’ on Sicily, by adding to and enhancing the cuisine. At Ristorantino Mediterraneo, you will find many flavors, more well known in other cultures, for instance, ‘sweet and sour’ flavor is more of an Arabic influence, however this is the flavor you will find in traditional Sicilian Caponata.
Reviewed By BK_overdrive - Chicago, Illinois
We have been to Gaetano's many times and always have a great meal and great service. This time was a little more special as the owner, who was doing a tasting menu for a table near us, was very willing to prepare a particularly interesting looking appetizer that went by on the way to 'the tasters'. It was wonderful (halibut and calamari) -- but more importantly what was wonderful was how happy Gaetano was to prepare it for us. Doesn't matter where you live in Chicagoland - you should make a trip to Gaetano's, at least once!
5. Autre Monde Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
An Absolute Jewel-quite A Find-exceptional Food Not Found Anywhere Nearby
Reviewed By sandbag7 - Chicago, Illinois
Like most people, when I think of Berwyn I think Fitzgeralds, Svengoolie ("It Came From Berwyn"), and Wishbone (Closed). Now Autre Monde is trying to be the other reason to visit.
First, a word about water: what's with this new trend of serving luke warm water in small glasses with milk bottles? Not Good in all respects; cold water is refreshing, and does not interfere with flavor; you can even find cold water in Europe sometimes; please nip this trend in the bud.
AMC's menu is divided into various categories starting with Pinxtos :small tapas (pinches) popularized in Barcelona and Basque country. We tried the 4 that were available, and the clear winner is the Prawn: two crispy prawns with heads and tails, served with a mild calabrian chili sauce; if it was me I'd serve it with small rounds of bread to sop up the chilis and maybe offer a shot glass of some fiery liquor, but that's me. The Pinxtos were $9 each, and each was enough for two to try. My wife liked the other three but I found them mild in flavor.
We had a small plate of sweetbreads crispy fried, stuffed with with a mild chorizo verde and served on a potato like spread: if the sweetbreads had been a little larger the dish would have worked: their flavor was overwhelmed by the preparation.
We also tried a pasta, which on this night was a ravioli with peas, mushrooms and cheese, and the secret ingredient, prosciutto. I was advised that all pastas are house made and this one was very good.
We skipped the large plates and flat breads and went straight to desserts: the lemon/lavender cheesecake had a good thick texture and good flavor and the hazelnut chocolate pot de creme was also worthy.
With one drink apiece (interesting wine list) the bill came to $116 before tip, so this is a bit of a splurge; I will give it another try to see if they get a bit more consistent.
Service was fine, but as we came at 5 due to an early concert it was no challenge for the staff.
6. Oberweis Dairy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By rpm1774 - Chicago
First, this is fresh dairy. I had a frozen coffee drink and it was amazing. Great taste. The price was great and it's a great atmosphere. Highly recommend this place even for a small cone
7. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Kevin H
If you’re not from Chicago and want the “chicago style pizza” This is the place. The food is always great. Hot and fresh. This location has something that sets it aside form other locations. THE STAFF IS AWESOME.
Our waiter, Dong(?), was great. Took our order with our writing down, got it right and was polite, funny and respectful. He treated us like family and didn’t see my kids as a nuisance but interacted with them. Something I didn’t realize was missing from today’s service until he showed us.The meal was timed perfectly and was just another in what is becoming a long line of successes at this location.
This is the place that has it all. Good atmosphere, cold beer, great staff and awesome deep dish pizza. A can’t miss experience.
8. Maya Del Sol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Located in Oak Park, Maya Del Sol is just minutes away from the city and surrounding suburbs of Chicago. Prepare to be whisked away by the exciting flavors and tastes from some of Latin America's most vibrant countries. The unique menu is complemented by an inventive cocktail menu and extensive wine list. Relax on one of the best patios in the Chicago area when weather permits or dine in one of our two comfortable dining rooms. If you prefer, pull up a stool in the lively bar area, which has live music on some Friday nights from 9pm - midnight. Join us in celebrating numerous special occasions throughout the year, including Mother's & Father's Day, Cinco de Maya, Day of the Dead and many more. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Maya is also available for private parties - on or off-site - perfect for weddings, rehearsals and showers.
Reviewed By klynnkitto - Oak Park
One of our favorites. (in fact -- have I really never reviewed this place before??) I'll give a specific review from our meal this past Sunday, rather than try to roll our years of dining at Maya into one long review. We started with the...MoreHello! Just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to leave this wonderful review! We are so pleased that you have enjoyed your visits over the years! Hope to see you again soon. Cheers!
9. Bodhi Thai Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By TMD0307 - Berwyn, Illinois
This quaint contemporary restaurant is amazing. The ambiance is great and so is the food. I was there for lunch with a co-worker and we had Spring Rolls and Pot Stickers as an appetizer and Chicken Pad Thai for our entrée. It was a great and I cannot wait to take my family there for dinner. Menu is priced great!
10. Portillo's Hot Dogs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Home to America's favorite Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads, and chocolate cake.
Reviewed By Yogini109 - Oak Park, Illinois
I love Portillo's! My favorite is Italian Sausage on a hotdog bun with mustard, onions, and sport peppers. I love everything they have though. Their fries are always delicious. I can't remember one time not getting fresh fries. But again, consistency is the key. I can always expect my food to taste good and to be freshly made. Sometimes the wait is annoying, but usually not.
