Jilly's Cafe

4.6

670 Reviews

$31 to $50

French

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 24, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 2 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
Website
http://www.jillys.cafe/
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!

Location
2614 Green Bay Rd, Evanston, IL 60201
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

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
$90.00 per person
Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 25, 2024
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER 4 COURSE PRIX FIXED DINNER $90 PER PERSON Appetizers : Stuffed Quail, Mushroom Ravioli, (Lobster) Escargot Soup or Salad Entrees: Steak Frites, Branzino, Braised Venison Osso Buco Dessert Selections
NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION
$130.00 per person
Multiple dates available
NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER 4 Course Prix Fixed Dinner $130 per person Appetizers: Crab Cake, (Lobster) Escargot, Lobster Ravioli Soup or Salad Entrees: Veal Chop, Chilean Seabass, Filet Mignon, Lobster Risotto Selection of Desserts

Popular dishes

Smoked Salmon$14.00
Served over Potato Pancake with Crispy Onion and Tarragon Crème
Mussels Marinieres$15.00
Tossed with Fresh Herbs, Shallots and White Wine Cream. Sauce Served with Garlic Bread
Feullette of California Bay Scallops And Shrimp$16.00
Mushrooms, Spinach, and Lemon-Thyme Sauce
Escargot a La Bourguignonne$14.00
Baked with Herb Butter and Garlic
Spring Roll$12.00
Filled with Wild Mushrooms, Sweet Cherries, Spinach and Brie Cheese, served with Mixed Greens and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Crispy Goat Cheese$12.00
Grilled Asparagus and Tomato Balsamic Relish
Shrimp with Herbs And Garlic$15.00
Melted Brie Cheese and Grilled Baguette
Crab Cake$17.00
Sweet Corn Relish and Sauce Remoulade
Seared Foie Gras$22.00
Caramelized Granny Smith Apples and Raspberry Ale Reduction
- With 2oz of Sauternes Wine$25.00

Les Soupes Et Salades

Tomato- Fennel Soup$8.00
with Garlic Croutons
Soup Du Jour$8.00
Arugula Salad$12.00
Arugula, Blue Cheese, Apple, Walnuts, Balsamic Vinaigrette
Cesar Salad$10.00
Parmesan Cheese, Anchovies and Garlic Croutons
Diane's Beets Salad$12.00
Mixed Greens, Blue Cheese, Shaved Fennel, Red Onion, Toasted Walnuts and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Spinach Salad$12.00
Warm Goat Cheese, Red Onion and our very own Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette
Poached Pear and Field Greens Salad$12.00
Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Red Wine Vinaigrette
Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella Salad$12.00
Cucumber, Red Onion, Scallion, Basil, Garlic Croutons and Red Wine Vinaigrette

Les Entrées – Viendes (Meats)

Cervena Venison$40.00
Butternut Squash Puree, Haricots Verts, and Door County Cherry Demi-glace
Rack of Lamb$36.00
Blue Cheese Whipped Potatoes, Asparagus and Rosemary Jus
Steak Frites$34.00
Grilled Portabella Mushroom, Tomato Provencal and Maître D' Butter
French Ribeye Steak$45.00
Caramelized Onion, Melted Swiss Cheese, Ponme Fritte
Barbeque Glazed Beef Short Ribs$32.00
Horseradish Whipped Potato and Red Wine Demi-glace
Skinless Breast of Duck And Confit Leg$32.00
Asian Slaw, Wild Rice Cake and Plum Ginger Sauce
Roasted Pork Tenderloin$26.00
Sweet Potato Puree, Broccoli, Lingonberry Sauce
Chicken Paillard$28.00
Potato Hemispheres, Arugula, Chery Tomato, Citrus Butter Sauce

Les Entrées – Poissons (Fish)

Seafood Linguine$36.00
Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, Shrimp, Chery Tomato, Zucchini, Pea Pods, White Wine, Lemon Cream Sauce
Grilled Seafood Skewers$35.00
Shrimp, Jumbo Sea Scallops, Asparagus, Orzo Pasta and Citrus Sauce
Boullabaisse$34.00
Scallops, Shrimp, Mussels and Market Fish with Braised Fennel, Roma Tomato, Garlic, Saffron, White Wine and Crouton with Rouille
- With Lobster$42.00
Trout Almondine$30.00
Rainbow Trout, Hericots Verts, Potato Hemispheres, Slices Almonds, Citrus Butter Sauce
Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet$28.00
Pearl Couscous, Broccoli, Two Mustard Sauce

Végetarian

Gnocchi Provencal$22.00
Homemade Gnocchi, Chery Tomato, Baby Spinach, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese
Mushroom Risotto$22.00
Herbs, Roma Tomato, Asparagus and Garlic, Finished with Parmesan Cheese

A la Carte

Pomme Frites$8.00
Butternut Squash Puree$8.00
Sauteed Spinach$8.00
Steamed Broccoli$8.00
Sauteed Mushrooms$8.00
Haricots Verts$8.00
Whipped Potatos$8.00
Sweet Potato Puree$8.00
Asparagus$10.00

What 670 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
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Chicago / Illinois
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Jilly's Cafe in Evanston is a charming French bistro that delights with "outstanding food" and attentive service. Patrons rave about the "cozy atmosphere" and "fantastic dining experiences." While some note the restaurant can feel a bit cramped, the "delicious cuisine" and "welcoming staff" ensure a memorable visit.

670 Reviews

T
Thomas
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Perfect spot for a quiet Tuesday night birthday meal, trying some heretofore unsampled French cuisine in a comfortable and warm setting. Our server was conversant in all aspects of the menu and attentive to every detail, especially the water glasses and bread. I had a pre-dinner Jilly's Fashioned cocktail that really hit the spot, and the appetizers, beet salad, and entrees (bouillabaisse in my case) were winners.
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A
Al
Chicago
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Food was very mediocre and the others were high. We will not be returning.
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C
Christine
VIP
Chicago
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very good. Not very busy at the restaurant. Staff was nice.
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b
bari
VIP
Chicago
93 reviews
5.0
93 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Delicious food and friendly service. The bouillabaisse was amazing and a large portion! Everyone really enjoyed their meal of fois gras, crab cake, caesar salad, grilled octopus, branzino, steak and Chilean sea bass. It was like being at a French cafe for a little while! Definitely will return.
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E
Edward
VIP
Chicago
594 reviews
5.0
594 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinner at Jilly’s was fabulous, as always! After cocktails, our starters were my wife’s butternut squash soup which was great! (She let me taste!) I had the most flavorful, tender escargot I have ever had! Then we had entrees that were incredible! My wife had short ribs and I had venison; both were terrific. Accompanied by a French Pinot Noir, this dinner was simply wonderful. It was all enhanced by our server, Haydee, who paced it perfectly, was attentive, efficient, and the nicest person. We love Jilly’s!
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M
Maggie
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love this place, and when in town, try to get back to it. Always great food, lovely and friendly service. What else can we say?
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J
Joanna
VIP
Milwaukee
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely local dinner with very yummy food. We will definitely come again!
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G
Gene
Chicago
16 reviews
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2024
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.
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P
Peggy
VIP
Chicago
23 reviews
3.0
23 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
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.
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A
Abby
VIP
Chicago
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2024
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.
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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 670 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 24, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 2 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

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

Website
http://www.jillys.cafe/
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!

Jilly's Cafe

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

Steak Frites

Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Escargot

Hors D'Oeuvres

Smoked Salmon$14.00

Mussels Marinieres$15.00

Feullette of California Bay Scallops And Shrimp$16.00

Escargot a La Bourguignonne$14.00

Spring Roll$12.00

Crispy Goat Cheese$12.00

Shrimp with Herbs And Garlic$15.00

Crab Cake$17.00

Seared Foie Gras$22.00

Les Soupes Et Salades

Tomato- Fennel Soup$8.00

Soup Du Jour$8.00

Arugula Salad$12.00

Cesar Salad$10.00

Diane's Beets Salad$12.00

Spinach Salad$12.00

Poached Pear and Field Greens Salad$12.00

Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella Salad$12.00

Les Entrées – Viendes (Meats)

Cervena Venison$40.00

Rack of Lamb$36.00

Steak Frites$34.00

French Ribeye Steak$45.00

Barbeque Glazed Beef Short Ribs$32.00

Skinless Breast of Duck And Confit Leg$32.00

Roasted Pork Tenderloin$26.00

Chicken Paillard$28.00

Les Entrées – Poissons (Fish)

Seafood Linguine$36.00

Grilled Seafood Skewers$35.00

Boullabaisse$34.00

Trout Almondine$30.00

Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet$28.00

Végetarian

Gnocchi Provencal$22.00

Mushroom Risotto$22.00

A la Carte

Pomme Frites$8.00

Butternut Squash Puree$8.00

Sauteed Spinach$8.00

Steamed Broccoli$8.00

Sauteed Mushrooms$8.00

Haricots Verts$8.00

Whipped Potatos$8.00

Sweet Potato Puree$8.00

Asparagus$10.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Jilly's Cafe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Jilly's Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Jilly's Cafe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information