Taking a few days off to head downstate? In Peoria, there are plenty of great restaurants from which to choose. No matter what you’re craving, there’s something for everyone in P-Town. We have created a list of the 8 best restaurants to try while you’re visiting Peoria.
Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe
305 Southwest Water St, Peoria IL 61602
Get a taste of New Orleans-style cooking with gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and other amazing entrees. Stop in for a bite and some live music!
Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro
826 SW Adams St, Peoria IL 61602
With the wood-fired oven serving as a central part of its menu, Sugar Wood offers pizzas, sandwiches, fish, and more to hungry diners. Popular dishes at this restaurant in Peoria include the smoky pork chipotle pizza and the salmon with dijon apricot glaze.
The Fox Pub & Cafe
7800 N Sommer St Ste 302, Peoria IL 61615
Founded in 2009 by Mike Cheesman (an Englishman) and his family, Fox Pub offers a true English pub experience, complete with a wide beer selection, a weekly quiz night, and fish and chips (among other menu items).
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Jonah’s Seafood House & Oyster Bar
2601 N Main St, East Peoria IL 61611
It can be a little dicey finding excellent seafood in the middle of Illinois, but Jonah’s keeps things fresh with a menu that’s updated every single day. Choose something from the impressive beer and wine menu, followed by sesame-crusted ahi tuna, blackened cod, or perhaps some shrimp.
Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern
212 Southwest Water St Suite B, Peoria IL 61602
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Peoria, the menu at Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern includes smoked meats, sandwiches, and even barbecue-inspired tacos. Chow down on a pulled pork plate, or try the Vietnamese-inspired Banh Mi sandwich.
Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer
736 SW Washington St, Peoria IL 61602
Considering its delicious dishes, 40 craft beers, and unbelievable bourbon selection, it’s not hard to find thyme to enjoy this gastropub in downtown Peoria’s Warehouse District.
Jerusalem Restaurant
2027 W Farmington Rd Ste B, Peoria IL 61604
Its facade may be humble and its menu minimal, but all of the love, sweat, and tears at Jerusalem Restaurant have clearly been put into the most important thing— the food! We recommend trying the chicken shawarma and baklava at this restaurant in Peoria. *Chef’s kiss*
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Hearth
4604 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights IL 61616
Hearth owner Hugh Higgins emphasizes locally-grown, high-quality ingredients at this Peoria Heights restaurant. Entrees here include heavy hitters like jambalaya, jumbo scallops, and duck breast, and their signature cocktail list features a refreshing blood orange margarita.
Featured Image Credit: Youtube.
