Resident Picks for Best Restaurants & Things to Do

What makes a visit to the Elgin Area unforgettable? Our residents have the answer. We’ve tallied the votes for the best local spots to host visiting family and friends. From fabulous food and romantic date nights to live music and post-tournament group hangouts, these are the resident-approved favorites. There are so many amazing businesses in our 11 communities, but these top picks are the ones our locals never want their guests to miss!

Things to Do with Kids on a Rainy Day

1. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin and South Elgin
2. The Edward Schock Centre of Elgin, Elgin
3. Epic Air Trampoline Park, South Elgin
4. Marcus Elgin Cinema, Elgin
5. Underground Retrocade, West Dundee

Places to Listen to Live Music

1. Old Republic Kitchen + Bar, Elgin
2. RocHaus, West Dundee
3. Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin
4. Martini Room, Elgin
5. Bannerman’s Sports Grill, Bartlett

Best Ice Cream

1. The Milk House Ice Cream, Pingree Grove
2. Van’s Frozen Custard and Burgers, West Dundee
3. La Michoacana Ice Cream Shop, Elgin
4. Dairy Queen, East Dundee
5. (tie for 5th) Creamery, Elgin
6. (tie for 5th) Andy’s Frozen Custard, Elgin

Best Place for Group Gatherings

1. Nick’s Pizza & Pub, Elgin
2. Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, Elgin
3. The Assembly American Bar & Cafe, West Dundee
4. Bennigan’s, Elgin
5. Moretti’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, Elgin

Best Place for a Romantic Dinner

1. Al’s Cafe & Creamery, Elgin
2. Aliano’s Ristorante, East Dundee
3. Cafe Roma, Elgin
4. Le P’tit Fusion Tapas and Bar, Bartlett
5. Jimmy’s Charhouse, Elgin

Best Place to Watch Sporting Events

1. Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, Elgin
2. Chicago Street Pour House, Elgin
3. Zamboni’s Sports Bar, East Dundee
4. River Street Tavern, East Dundee
5. Old Republic Kitchen + Bar, Elgin

Best Tacos

1. Sammy’s Mexican Grill, Elgin
2. No Manches Mexican Grill, Carpentersville
3. El Paraiso Restaurant, Elgin
4. Taqueria El Tio Ramos, West Dundee
5. Tacos Jerez, Elgin

Place for a Glass of Wine

1. Eastside Café – Coffee & Wine Bar, East Dundee
2. Plank Road Tap Room, Elgin
3. Aliano’s Ristorante, East Dundee
4. Al’s Cafe & Creamery, Elgin
5. Woodfire, West Dundee

Best Fish Fry

1. Culinary Fox Cafe & Catering, Elgin
2. Gilberts Eagles Club, Gilberts
3. West Dundee VFW Post 2298, West Dundee
4. RK’s Bar & Grill, South Elgin
5. (tie for 5th) Pub 72, Gilberts
6. (tie for 5th) Dutch Inn West, Elgin

Best Pizza

1. Chicago Pizza Authority – CPA, Elgin
2. (tie for 2nd) Danny’s Pizza, Elgin
3. (tie for 2nd) Village Pizza & Pub, Carpentersville & Elgin
4. Woodfire Dundee, West Dundee
5. Mel’s Pizza, Elgin

Best Breakfast Spot

1. Sweet Berry Cafe, South Elgin
2. (tie for 2nd) Alexander’s Cafe, Elgin
3. (tie for 2nd) Benedict’s Eggs & More, East Dundee
4. Briana’s Cafe, Multiple locations
5. Maple & Hash, Pingree Grove & West Dundee

See here for a full list of all the wonderful Elgin Area restaurants! There is something for everyone! 

Special thanks to our team of interns who created a promotional campaign for these businesses on Pinterest. Incoming high school seniors Riley Penar, Nirvi Patel, Risha Lakkadi, and Manna Ashta partnered with Explore Elgin Area through a 60-hour AI marketing internship hosted by Alignment Collaborative for Education, creating promotional content for residents’ best picks.