Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Northwest Suburbs

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Northwest Suburbs? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

PL8 Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1046)

$30 and under

Chinese

Barrington

About the restaurant

The exciting, new restaurant in Barrington. The yin and yang of food and ambiance creating a whole new trend in Asian cuisine. pl8 offers a fresh, imaginative menu of classic Chinese cuisine side by side with Japanese kitchen creations and sushi. pl8 is where you will find a chic city restaurant located in the suburbs. Where you'll find superd et unpretentious service. A menu that is sweet and savory. Classic dished with a smart twist that are 'simply Asian'. We can't wait for you to experience the best of Asian cuisine coming together on one pl8.

Top review

Randall

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

We had Christmas lunch here, so it was pretty quiet and the staff weren’t so busy. With that in mind, service was friendly, prompt and attentive. The food was excellent: pot stickers for starters, then mutton stir fry, beef fried rice and Singapore noodles. Mutton is unusual in Chicagoland but it was surprisingly good. PL8 is now in our top 2 Chinese restaurants in the NW burns.

Mockingbird Bar + Garden

4.8

4.8 (174)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

East Dundee

About the restaurant

Healthy Food with a Stylish Flair

Mockingbird Bar + Garden is a food and drink focused gathering place in a lively, convivial setting, stylishly designed to create memorable experiences. Inspired by our desire to serve and create a sense of community we offer the perfect mix of locally sourced healthy food all cooked from our wood-fired oven. Our incredible cocktails, local beer and coffee bar combined with our events will certainly make you a regular. Al fresco dining available either in our garden, patio, or around the firepit.

Top review

Patti

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

We came for a holiday dinner with our adult kids and had a great time! Drinks were top notch! Appetizers yummy. Pizzas and gnocchi fantastic. The owner has decorated the whole place just beautifully for Christmas and it was the perfect place to share an evening together. Thank you Mickingbird! Merry Christmas!!

Hey Nonny

4.7

4.7 (1073)

$30 and under

American

Arlington Heights

About the restaurant

Located in downtown Arlington Heights, Hey Nonny offers an intimate live music experience where great music, outstanding food, and excellent drinks.

Hey Nonny is comprised of two parts: a music listening room where great musicians engage with the audience, and a New American Bistro. We also have a Chef's Table experience available Tuesday and Wednesday between 7-8 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, a late night menu is served at 9 p.m. Please book a reservation to reserve a spot, we will also have some walk-in tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Top review

RosieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Hey Nonni is a restaurant we visit frequently through out the year. The food is always fresh and very consistent every time we come. It’s always a fun atmosphere because there is also live entertainment next-door.

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Chef's Table Experience

Pennyville Station

4.7

4.7 (57)

$30 and under

American

Park Ridge

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Terri

Dined 5 days ago

Service and food were excellent. Manager checked in on us twice and thanked us twice for coming.

Sal Pique

4.6

4.6 (67)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Park Ridge

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Park Ridge, IL, Sal Pique exudes warmth and welcomes guests with open arms. With its cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu bursting with mouthwatering dishes, it's the perfect place to unwind and savor a delightful meal. Our diverse menu caters to every palate, whether you're looking for a leisurely dinner with loved ones, catch-up with friends, or a solo meal at the bar. Sal Pique offers a relaxed setting where laughter flows as freely as the conversation. Come as you are, and leave with a satisfied heart, a full stomach, and a smile.

Top review

Klaudia

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Food was very yummy! We got the elote enchiladas, and pastor tacos and the churros which were our favorite. But the service was top notch. Staff was very attentive, and visited the table often. Would recommend!

The Lucky Monk

4.5

4.5 (3321)

$30 and under

American

South Barrington

About the restaurant

When you name your restaurant after Trappist monks who've spent centuries perfecting their craft, you're serious about your beer. That's why we hired a master to craft our house brews and why our beer list spans the globe. With everything from refreshing pilsners that match the lightness of our thin-crust pizza to dark, rich ales that stand up to our decadent burgers, you're certain to find a new favorite at The Lucky Monk. We're sure that our Prime beef burgers — served with hand-cut fries — will be the juiciest you've ever had. Our other house specialty is pizza. It is crisp and generously topped with fresh ingredients. And we round out our menu with vibrant, flavorful salads; a handful of classic, satisfying American entrées; and some sweet surprises.

Top review

Deborah

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

Although wait staff was very good and pleasant. We waited almost an hour for our food. When it arrived it was very good.

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Popular dish

Wisconsin Cheese Curds

Wok n Fire - S Barrington

4.4

4.4 (1221)

$30 and under

Pan-Asian

Barrington (Township)

About the restaurant

Wok 'N Fire features contemporary Pan Asian cuisine and fun creative sushi all set in a lavish downtown style dining room. When you first walk in to a Wok 'N Fire the first notice the beautiful modern decor. We combine a splash of western cooking techniques with flavors and ingredients from all across the Asian Continent, and have fresh fish delivered daily to serve you the best quality, freshest sushi in town.

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined on Dec 19, 2024

Everything was exceptional. Our service was great and so was our food.

bleuroot

4.4

4.4 (450)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

West Dundee

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bleuroot!
Farm to Table restaurant located in Downtown West Dundee. We are open for lunch Thursday-Saturday and dinner Wednesday-Saturday!

Top review

Noe

Dined 5 days ago

The food was exquisitely prepared and beautifully presented. Our server was attentive without being overwhelming, which contributed to a delightful evening.

Tokio Pub

4.3

4.3 (1503)

$30 and under

Contemporary Asian

Schaumburg

About the restaurant

Tokio Pub is a spot for creative sushi, one of a kind ramen and other unique Japanese creations. The restaurant offers specialties ranging from hand rolled maki to signatures such as the Ramen Burger, an interactive Japanese Hot Rock and Housemade Pork Belly Ramen..

Located in Schaumburg’s Streets of Woodfield next to Shaw's Crab House, Tokio Pub lends a vibrant setting with an edgy design and lively music.

Top review

RichVIP

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

A wonderful place that we come to three or four times a year

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City Works - Schaumburg

4.2

4.2 (982)

$31 to $50

American

Schaumburg

About the restaurant

90 local and global crafts on draft highlighting local brewers, American fare with chef-driven twists, upbeat vibes, and best-in-class service. The unique marriage of ultimate sports bar and delightful restaurant.

Top review

Danny

Dined 3 days ago

The food was great. The service was ok. Overall the night went great. We were the last to enter. They still treated us with kindness.

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