It’s finally the time of year for relaxing by the water and letting all your troubles wash away with the waves. The best places in Illinois for such an oasis are these eight lakeside restaurants that will calm your mind and revitalize your spirit.
Tranquility never tasted so good. Scroll on for a sneak peek at the best places to eat this spring.
- Granny’s Lakeside Diner, 25125 B W Grass Lake Road in Antioch.
Facebook/Granny’s Lakeside Diner
Facebook/Granny’s Lakeside Diner This casual dining restaurant sits on Spring Lake in Lake County and has been in operation since 2011. It is open daily for breakfast and lunch, as well as until 8 p.m. for a fish fry dinner on Fridays. Portions are large and guests enjoy classics like burgers, wraps, salads, pancakes, waffles, omelets, and much much more.
- Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse, 510 Park Avenue in Fox Lake.
Facebook/Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse
Facebook/Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse This seasonal restaurant is the perfect place for your spring or summer party. Bring friends for a fun time like none other at this Pistakee Lake paradise. Inside is a huge sports bar environment and outside, patrons enjoy incredible views and lively decor. The menu offers classic American fare like burgers, BBQ, fried fish, fried chicken, and pizza.
- The Cove at Apple Canyon Lake, 14A158 Canyon Club Drive in Apple River.
Google/John Klopp
Facebook/Apple Canyon Lake The Cove Restaurant Near the resort town of Galena, this marvelous place is one of the most beautiful lakeside restaurants in the state. It sits on Apple Canyon Lake and offers amazing views of the water and surrounding greenery. Guests enjoy comfort food like pizza, steak and potatoes, quesadillas, and various sandwiches.
- Horseshoe Bar & Grill, 19950 East Side Drive in Olive Branch.
Facebook/Horseshoe Bar & Grill
Facebook/Horseshoe Bar & Grill This hometown bar is all about country charm and good eats. Situated on the uniquely shaped Horseshoe Lake, this is a local favorite the people of Olive Branch don’t want you to know about. When you stop by for a bite, be sure to try the chili, burgers, pork chops, and more.
- Lakeview Grille, 604 W Veterans Parkway in Yorkville.
Facebook/LakeviewGrille
Facebook/LakeviewGrille This upscale restaurant sits on a man-made lake but still offers incredible views, not to mention unbelievable eats. You’ll find just about anything you’re craving here. Specialties include prime rib, meatloaf, and baby back ribs, though guests can also order classics like burgers, steak, seafood, soups, and salads.
- The Harbor’s Edge, 175 S Harbor Place in Waukegan.
Goolge/The Harbor’s Edge
Facebook/The Harbor’s Edge This festive, seasonal grill is situated right on Lake Michigan, giving you the most amazing views of all these lakeside restaurants. It is an outdoor live music bar that’s perfect for late nights. Menu items include fresh eats like pizza, tacos, salads, sandwiches, and much more.
- Beach House, 2301 East Lake Shore Drive in Decatur.
Facebook/Beach House
Facebook/Beach House There’s no better place to relax than this lovely nautical eatery on Lake Decatur. They offer delivery, but you’ll definitely want to eat in so you can enjoy the views at this epic place. It features an oyster bar, fresh fish and other seafood, as well as sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and its own version of a classic horseshoe sandwich called “The Toastyshoe.”
- Heron Cave, 14843 N Park Road in Effingham.
Facebook/Heron Cove
Facebook/Heron Cove Offering outstanding views and even better food, this restaurant is situated on Lake Sara just off of where I-70 and I-57 cross. It has been in operation since 2017 and features epic dishes made from wild-caught seafood and other locally sourced ingredients. This lakeside paradise also offers an extensive wine list.
For another fun way to get back to nature this season, plan a trip to this Illinois campground that lets you pitch your tent right on the beach.
Facebook/Granny’s Lakeside Diner
This casual dining restaurant sits on Spring Lake in Lake County and has been in operation since 2011. It is open daily for breakfast and lunch, as well as until 8 p.m. for a fish fry dinner on Fridays. Portions are large and guests enjoy classics like burgers, wraps, salads, pancakes, waffles, omelets, and much much more.
Facebook/Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse
This seasonal restaurant is the perfect place for your spring or summer party. Bring friends for a fun time like none other at this Pistakee Lake paradise. Inside is a huge sports bar environment and outside, patrons enjoy incredible views and lively decor. The menu offers classic American fare like burgers, BBQ, fried fish, fried chicken, and pizza.
Google/John Klopp
Facebook/Apple Canyon Lake The Cove Restaurant
Near the resort town of Galena, this marvelous place is one of the most beautiful lakeside restaurants in the state. It sits on Apple Canyon Lake and offers amazing views of the water and surrounding greenery. Guests enjoy comfort food like pizza, steak and potatoes, quesadillas, and various sandwiches.
Facebook/Horseshoe Bar & Grill
This hometown bar is all about country charm and good eats. Situated on the uniquely shaped Horseshoe Lake, this is a local favorite the people of Olive Branch don’t want you to know about. When you stop by for a bite, be sure to try the chili, burgers, pork chops, and more.
Facebook/LakeviewGrille
This upscale restaurant sits on a man-made lake but still offers incredible views, not to mention unbelievable eats. You’ll find just about anything you’re craving here. Specialties include prime rib, meatloaf, and baby back ribs, though guests can also order classics like burgers, steak, seafood, soups, and salads.
Goolge/The Harbor’s Edge
Facebook/The Harbor’s Edge
This festive, seasonal grill is situated right on Lake Michigan, giving you the most amazing views of all these lakeside restaurants. It is an outdoor live music bar that’s perfect for late nights. Menu items include fresh eats like pizza, tacos, salads, sandwiches, and much more.
Facebook/Beach House
There’s no better place to relax than this lovely nautical eatery on Lake Decatur. They offer delivery, but you’ll definitely want to eat in so you can enjoy the views at this epic place. It features an oyster bar, fresh fish and other seafood, as well as sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and its own version of a classic horseshoe sandwich called “The Toastyshoe.”
Facebook/Heron Cove
Offering outstanding views and even better food, this restaurant is situated on Lake Sara just off of where I-70 and I-57 cross. It has been in operation since 2017 and features epic dishes made from wild-caught seafood and other locally sourced ingredients. This lakeside paradise also offers an extensive wine list.
What other lakeside restaurants do we need to know about? Share your favorites with us in the comments below!
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