Champaign, Illinois is home to an amazing selection of different cultural foods, with some of the best restaurants in the state. The University of Illinois brings a large population of students to Champaign, which introduces a variety of many new food options and restaurants to the city. We at 212 East want to make it easy for you to find your new favorite restaurant, that’s why we compiled this incredible list of some of the best restaurants in Champaign.
DESTIHL Restaurant & BrewWorks
DESTIHL is known for a classic American pub fare experience, with a variety of delicious foods made from scratch, and some of the freshest brewed beer in the city! This restaurant also serves a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, from house cocktails to a generous list of wine and locally crafted spirits. DESTIHL features an all-day menu with something for everyone, this includes pizza, pasta, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and so much more, you’re able to choose from a huge variety of foods!
Restaurant Style: Gastropub
Location: 301 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
Restaurant Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Black Dog Smoke & AleHouse
Get the best fall off the bone smoked barbeque in town at Black Dog Smoke & AleHouse! Black Dog Smoke & AleHouse uses a wood fire smoker to cook their barbeque from four to fourteen hours to get their legendary tender meats cooked just right. Remember to try to get there as early as you can, as they do run out of barbeque!
Restaurant Style: Barbeque
Location: 320 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
Restaurant Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Maize Mexican Grill
If you like Mexican food, this place will have you coming back for more, and maybe have you running off with their tortillas as well! This local Mexican grill serves fresh handmade corn tortillas for every order. Maize’s makes sure to use the freshest ingredients in all their food which are all made in-house. Maize also features a 90 percent gluten-free menu to make sure everyone and anyone can enjoy their delicious foods!
Restaurant Style: Mexican
Location: 60 E Green Street Champaign, IL 61820
Restaurant Hours:
- 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sakanaya
Get your chopsticks ready and go check out the best Japanese restaurant in town, Sakanaya! Sakanaya is a great authentic Japanese restaurant in Champaign with a large amount of different fish to choose from. Sakanaya translates to “fish market” in Japanese, they chose this name because they are known for ordering a huge amount of fish, more than any restaurant in the city! Sakanaya also features a modern interior design with attention to detail. This is a great place to go on a nice date night or to just enjoy some sushi with your friends!
Restaurant Style: Japanese
Location: 403 E Green St. Champaign, IL 61820
Restaurant Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Papa Del’s Pizza
This is the place to go for the best Chicago style pizza in town. They offer their pizzas in four variations with a variety of toppings. You get a choice of original pan, super stuffed, American thin, or even gluten-free. This is great gluten-free option for you or your friends who normally can’t eat pizza! They sure do know how to make a good pizza, but it doesn’t stop there. Papa Del’s Pizza also offers a variety of pasta, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more! Stop by this amazing place and take a whiff of their fresh pizzas!
Restaurant Style: Pizza
Location: 1201 S Neil St Champaign, IL 61820
Restaurant Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
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