The best restaurants in Evanston

D’Andre Carter acquired an appreciation for barbecue at an early age, when he helped his grandma prepare Sunday dinners for family and friends. After working at some of Chicago’s premier restaurants, Carter partnered with Heather Bublick to open Soul & Smoke, a fast-casual joint featuring slow-cooked meats, with impressive attention to detail. Spring for musts like smoked brisket, mac and cheese, and cornbread muffins, and go big on the sauce—it’s Chef’s signature creation.

College students and locals line up for Buffalo Joe’s signature crunchy, greasy wings; simple but quality char burgers; and crispy waffle-cut fries, which are great with ketchup or doused in nacho cheese. The spot is cash-only and the decor is pretty basic, but the food is at its best fresh out of the deep fryer. All of the sauces are fairly mild so don’t be afraid to go up a level or even try the suicide, which is topped with slice jalapenos.

Inspired to open a modern steakhouse in honor of her father Arnie Morton (of Morton’s The Steakhouse), Amy Morton opened this smart, welcoming restaurant in the heart of downtown Evanston. Situated in a 19th-century barn that once served as a horse stable for Borden Milk, the space boasts soaring ceilings, a well-dressed bar and rich, mahogany hues throughout. Settle in for sophisticated eats from James Beard-winning chef Debbie Gold, including a caviar sandwich, roasted half chicken and a solid surf-and-turf selection.

Be prepared to get messy when ordering a four-ounce griddled burger or juicy eight-ounce char-grilled burger, with your choice of toppings like giardiniera and sauteed mushrooms, at Edzo’s. The no-frills counter service spot dishes out trays of excellent hand-cut fries slathered in buffalo sauce or garlic butter plus rich milkshakes that are so big you’ll get a bit of extra on the side. You’re sure to leave full, happy and hopefully without sauce on your shirt.

Oceanique is a true family affair, with chef and owner Mark Grosz preparing creative seasonal dishes while his wife, Renee, serves as general manager and their sommelier son Philippe suggests pairings from their cellar of more than 750 bottles from around the world. The elegant space specializes in seafood from chilled oysters to wild caught swordfish and lobster, available a la carte or as a tasting menu.

Hewn owner Ellen King had been making bread in her home kitchen for an "Underground Bread Club" when word and demand quickly grew. Soon enough, she partnered with longtime customer Julie Matthei to open the bakery, where the team employs an entirely in-house and from-scratch approach for their daily goods. Opt for loaves like the country or whole wheat seeded, and when it comes to pastries, don’t miss the monkey bread or morning buns.

The team behind The Barn opened this French American brasserie within a striking, mid-century “rotunda” building in downtown Evanston. The menu showcases dishes rooted in French technique and Moroccan influences, as evidenced by orders like lamb couscous (with merguez sausage and chickpeas) and grilled oyster mushroom kebabs (with French lentils and sumac). Patio season can’t come soon enough—they boast one of the largest alfresco spaces in town.

Kabul House proved so popular it had to move from downtown Skokie to Evanston to find more room to accommodate diners. The large space is great for groups looking to get a taste of Afghan food with platters of grilled kabobs and lamb chops served with saffron rice sweetened with raisins and shredded carrots. Vegetarians will find a lot to love with excellent salads and spiced roasted eggplant topped with garlic yogurt.

One of the few places in Evanston serving food until midnight, Evanston Chicken Shack has been fueling late night study sessions and satisfying post-bar cravings for more than 30 years. Crispy and juicy chicken breasts, thighs and legs are served atop a slice of white bread with crinkle cut fries covered in your choice of sauce, such as honey barbecue or Jamaican jerk. The rib tips are also top notch (seriously).

A true Evanston institution, Bennison’s has been open since 1938 and run by the same family since 1967. Lines regularly stretch out the door on weekends, when families flock in for baguettes and sourdough along with sweet treats like sprinkle-covered doughnuts and tart lemon bars. There’s always something special available for holidays, whether it’s banana cream paczki, traditional German stollen or chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Evanston's top spot for pizza is also a must for music—it’s attached to SPACE, an intimate concert venue hosting acts like The Lumineers, John Hiatt and Suzanne Vega. Score tickets to an upcoming set and fuel up beforehand with the restaurant’s raved-about pies. Crusty-chewy dough is topped with the likes of lamb sausage, broccoli or bacon (and for takes on Detroit-style ‘za, check out their neighboring sister spot Union Squared). The small plates and specials here rotate with the seasons—opt for musts like Calabrian sausage-filled dates or PEI mussels, with Pernod, saffron and fennel.

Named for its collection of rare and classic cars, Double Clutch Brewing Company always has something going on from trivia to live music to bingo to brewmaster-led tours and tastings. The brewery, which has earned accolades from the Great American Beer Festival, focuses on German styles like helles lager and kolsch, which complement dishes like pork schnitzel, smoked brats and pierogies.

The owners of Skokie favorite Libertad opened Zentli in Evanston in 2023, with the more casual concept delivering the same creative approach to Mexican fare. Named for the Nahuatl word for corn, the restaurant offers a wide variety of tacos including housemade chorizo and a vegan mushroom tinga wrapped in blue corn tortillas and served with cilantro, onions and green and red salsa. Complete the meal with a Chicha, a mezcal cocktail made with purple maize, hibiscus and pineapple.

Those on the go but seeking a good-for-you fix will find it at this carry-out spot, which specializes in expertly crafted salads and grain bowls. Expect a locally driven menu packed with flavor, found in options like the Ode to the Roast Veggie (with cauliflower, carrots, sweet potato and almond quinoa crunch) or the New School Chicken Salad, a Waldorf salad riff turned house favorite. If you’re jonesin’ for something sweet, you’re in luck—Kiki Bakes Pie whips up finales like lemon tart and chocolate chip cookies.

Housed within the Graduate Evanston hotel, this restaurant features updated takes on traditional American dishes. The kitchen spins out flavorful plates like king salmon rillette with chips, herbs and endive; braised lamb shank with lentils and root vegetables; and cacio e pepe gnocchi with pecorino romano and black pepper. The drinks list draws inspiration from local movie mogul John Hughes’ 1980s hits for the shiso and St-Germain-laced Don’t You Forget About Me and the Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, a modern play on the paper plane.

Celebrated chef Michael Lachowicz and the George Trois Group opened a Mexican concept in Evanston in 2023. Inspired by the roots of its team, Fonda Cantina offers an authentic taste of regional Mexican cuisine through generational recipes from the staff’s family and hometowns. Enjoy dishes like shrimp ceviche, quesabirrria, carne asada and barbacoa de res, paired with classic sips like a margarita and paloma. 

After working at popular restaurants in Boston and Chicago, Jack DeMar opened this poke restaurant, an ode to his Hawaii upbringing. Enter a lush urban escape (adorned with more than 100 plants), saddle up at a table and get to work ordering. More than a dozen different options are on offer, with specialties like the spicy tuna or citrus salmon (with edamame, onion and miso citrus sauce). Wear a Hawaiian shirt for fun, and for perks—those who do receive a 10 percent discount on orders.

The focus here is on good food made with good ingredients. For an edible slice of heaven, try the salmon with braised lentils and horseradish creme fraiche, octopus with braised gigante beans and honey or balsamic-glazed short ribs. Peruse selections from their predominantly Italian wine list, which offers some exciting pairing possibilities.

The Joy Yee mini empire took root in Evanston back in 1993 and continues to pack in the crowds. Stop in for mussels with chili paste, garlicky chicken or a gargantuan bowl of pho. Enjoy it all alongside any of their teas, which include flavors like rose, mango and lychee.

Visit this mainstay for quirky décor and comfort fare, such as buttermilk fried chicken, pot pie and a medley of hearty sandwiches (from Philly cheesesteaks to BLTs). The menu also features several versions of eggs benedict, a solid burger lineup (including a half dozen renditions) and global influences found in dishes like tandoori grilled salmon and chicken piccata.