Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Chicago / Illinois
  4. North Suburbs
  5. Evanston
Jilly's Cafe, Evanston, IL

Jilly's Cafe

4.6
4.6
663 Reviews
$31 to $50
French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions

Located just outside the city of Chicago, Jilly's Café has been called a "North Shore Treasure" by Zagat's 2002 restaurant survey. Our French Countryside decor, handpicked flowers, and friendly wait staff make for an intimate and cozy atmosphere suitable for all kinds of occasions(NOW PATIO AVAILABLE,ASK FOR HOURS). Here authentic French food is served with an American twist making for enough dishes to keep our specials changing daily. We offer a Sunday brunch that carefully combines a traditional American brunch with French flavors, while champagne effortlessly flows throughout the course of the meal. Jilly's is available for private parties, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (847) 869-7636
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Marcos Sanchez.
  • Private party facilities
    Our French Countryside decor, handpicked flowers, and friendly wait staff make for an intimate and cozy atmosphere suitable for all kinds of occasions. Please contact us for more information about reserving our private dining room!
  • Neighborhood
    Evanston
  • Cross street
    Central St
  • Parking details
    Street parking on Central Street for lunch or anytime. For dinner during weekdays after 6:00 PM, Saturdays after 12:00 PM and Sunday anytime, parking is available at the HEART AutoCare parking lot located adjacent to the North on Greenbay Road. Please do not park outside those time at the HEART parking lot.Thank you
  • Public transit
    Walking distance to "Evanston Central Street" stop on the Metra line (UP-N to Kenosha). Ten minute walk to the CTA Purple line: "Central" stop.
  • Additional
    Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine

Experiences

  • THANKSGIVING DINNER

    $70.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Special Prix Fixe Menu for THANKSGIVING DINNER. ($70 pp) Appetizers: Shrimp vol au vent, Butternut squash ravioli, Crispy goat cheese, Carrot-butternut squash soup, Arugula salad Intermezzo Entrees: Roasted Turkey, Trout Almondine, Pork Chop Desserts selections

What 663 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Chicago / Illinois

    French

  • North Suburbs

    Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Jilly's Cafe offers "amazing food" and "excellent service" in a cozy, intimate setting. Known for traditional French cuisine, standout dishes include crab cakes, steak frites, and creme brûlée. Guests appreciate the "welcoming atmosphere" and attentive staff, especially Angie. While some suggest updates, many find it a "hidden gem" worth visiting.

663 Reviews
  1. Gene

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Jilly's has been around for a long time, and it kinda shows it. The ambience is kinda 1960's rooming house chic (well-worn, unchanged, with crystal chandeliers and second-hand furniture). The clientele is mostly elderly Northshore folks. The food is what was considered fancy French 40 years ago. For the most part it is tasty and well-prepared, although my mussels were overcooked and rubbery and another person in our party has a steak that he ordered as medium rare, but it had no pink in it whatsoever. It still tasted good enough that he didn't send it back. It has a homey feel. The servers are nice. The prices are steep.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Peggy

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The restaurant needs to remove one table for 4. Everything is so squeezed together people can’t get to their seats without causing the people at the next table to get up and move. It really impacts one’s comfort during the meal. Other diners are way too close. I had duck and did not care for the sauce. My partner had lamb chops which looked great. He said they were good and tasted about the same as what we would make at home. He said the mashed potatoes were great, as was the cabbage soup recommended by the waitress. I loved the escargot. A little loud.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Abby

    Chicago

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great neighborhood spot! It feels like you're in a bistro in France. Great ambiance. Will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Zakeya

    Charlotte

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely petite size restaurant in a good neighborhood.

    Is this helpful?

  5. robert

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A wonderful French cafe experience. The staff was wonderful Friendly and Informative. The ambiance was understated and classic. The dinning room is small and perfect for an intimate romantic experience. The food is the highlight of the entire experience. Presentation is wonderful and the taste incredible. I had the short rib while my date had the trout. Both dishes were top notch while the sauce on the mussels is so delicious you should take it home if you can’t finish it. Jilly’s is best French restaurant I’ve eaten at in the Chicagoland area. 5 stars I’m sure to return to experience some other dishes.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Aaron

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Perfectly adequate. Decent wine selection. Presentation is lacking, and some details are off (e.g. mashed potatoes with small chunks in them). Good enough for a casual dinner with friends, but not special.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Dennis

    Milwaukee

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Jilly’s has been great every time we have been there. Still a fine restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Avergirl

    Chicago

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really nice dinner at Jilly’s. Small, quaint place with fairly expansiveFrench menu. Excellent quality and presentation.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Laura

    Chicago

    33 reviews

    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Realized I was here when they first opened. Came with my grandmother years ago! Finally went back with a friend and it was so quaint, cozy, food was delicious. Wish there was better parking options but would definitely go back again.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Doug

    Chicago

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Seafood Linguine and Arugula Salad were excellent

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Jilly's Cafe does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Jilly's Cafe also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (847) 869-7636.

Jilly's Cafe is rated 4.6 stars by 663 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Jilly's Cafe

2614 Green Bay Rd, Evanston, IL 60201

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Central St
  • Neighborhood
    Evanston
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street parking on Central Street for lunch or anytime. For dinner during weekdays after 6:00 PM, Saturdays after 12:00 PM and Sunday anytime, parking is available at the HEART AutoCare parking lot located adjacent to the North on Greenbay Road. Please do not park outside those time at the HEART parking lot.Thank you
  • Public transit
    Walking distance to "Evanston Central Street" stop on the Metra line (UP-N to Kenosha). Ten minute walk to the CTA Purple line: "Central" stop.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Marcos Sanchez.
  • Additional
    Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine
  • Phone number
    (847) 869-7636
  • Private party facilities
    Our French Countryside decor, handpicked flowers, and friendly wait staff make for an intimate and cozy atmosphere suitable for all kinds of occasions. Please contact us for more information about reserving our private dining room!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo