Guidebook for Champaign
Food Scene
friendly service, craft cocktails, tons of craft beer, and please-everyone bar food (sliders!)
32 locals recommend
Seven Saints
32 E Chester Stfriendly service, craft cocktails, tons of craft beer, and please-everyone bar food (sliders!)
Big Grove Tavern
1 E Main Stgreat brunch, farm-to-table, cocktails, cool vibe
V.Picasso
122 N Neil Stoysters! amazing cocktails, great for a fancy bar snack or a full hearty meal
cinnamon rolls! Delicious organic coffee, pastries, great wraps for a quick lunch. Good gluten-free options.
11 locals recommend
Aroma Cafe
6 Taylor Stcinnamon rolls! Delicious organic coffee, pastries, great wraps for a quick lunch. Good gluten-free options.
Fresh baked bread, cakes, cookies, pastries. Good sandwiches at lunch.
19 locals recommend
Pekara Bakery & Bistro
516 East John StreetFresh baked bread, cakes, cookies, pastries. Good sandwiches at lunch.
Farren's Pub & Eatery
117 N Walnut StGourmet burgers, truffle chips, good craft beer selection
Jupiter's Pizzeria & Billiards
39 E Main StThin-crust pizza, grinders, pool, watch the game
Downtown location is new and larger--still expect to wait. Burnt ends, twice baked potato casserole, CORNBREAD
67 locals recommend
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
320 N Chestnut StDowntown location is new and larger--still expect to wait. Burnt ends, twice baked potato casserole, CORNBREAD
Sushi Kame
39 E Green Stattentive service, great sushi, free miso and cucumber salad
Sam's Cafe
115 N Walnut Stkiller biscuits and gravy, best classic breakfast downtown
Bacaro
113 N Walnut Stthe best food in town--pricey, elegant, worth it
amazing Mexican food, small space, take-out recommended, lots of chorizo recommended, tiny parking lot
22 locals recommend
Maize Mexican Grill
60 East Green Streetamazing Mexican food, small space, take-out recommended, lots of chorizo recommended, tiny parking lot
Quite possibly my favorite restaurant in town, biggest menu I've ever seen, great for groups, good takeout, huge parking lot
17 locals recommend
Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
505 S Neil StQuite possibly my favorite restaurant in town, biggest menu I've ever seen, great for groups, good takeout, huge parking lot
Sakanaya
403 E Green Sta splurge for the best sushi and ramen in town, parking is tricky
Spoon House Korean Kitchen
616 East Green Streetdelicious Bibimbap and other Korean offerings, parking is tricky
Cocomero Frozen Yogurt
709 S Wright StDIY frozen yogurt shop with all the fixins and a colorful, bright space.
The best place for a spacious sit-down Mexican food experience in CU. Ask to sit in Amy's section! She's famous!
Fiesta Cafe
216 S 1st StThe best place for a spacious sit-down Mexican food experience in CU. Ask to sit in Amy's section! She's famous!
Best coffee/espresso in Champaign-Urbana (located inside Cafeteria & Company on Main)
8 locals recommend
Flying Machine Coffee
208 W Main StBest coffee/espresso in Champaign-Urbana (located inside Cafeteria & Company on Main)
Drinks & Nightlife
Guido's Bar & Grill
2 E Main StBoozy milkshakes, griddle burgers, watch the game, NACHOS
Live rock music, DJ's, food from April-October on their insanely huge patio
17 locals recommend
Cowboy Monkey
6 Taylor StLive rock music, DJ's, food from April-October on their insanely huge patio
Quality Beer
110 N Neil Stspacious craft beer bar with an excellent dart set-up
My favorite campus bar, a hipper spot for grad students and underclassmen who don't want their flip-flops to stick to the floor in a bar, parking is tricky
10 locals recommend
Murphy's Pub
604 E Green StMy favorite campus bar, a hipper spot for grad students and underclassmen who don't want their flip-flops to stick to the floor in a bar, parking is tricky
Bunny's Tavern
119 W Water StGreat bar food, low-key atmosphere, old school bar.
Very old school country bar, Thursday night house band is fantastic
7 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Tavern
106 N Race StVery old school country bar, Thursday night house band is fantastic
Entertainment & Activities
Worth the 15 minute drive if you have kids. Basically like a Dave & Buster's in the basement. Huge event space, pizza, pool, three floors of awesomeness.
11 locals recommend
Jupiter's At The Crossing
2511 Village Green PlWorth the 15 minute drive if you have kids. Basically like a Dave & Buster's in the basement. Huge event space, pizza, pool, three floors of awesomeness.
West Side Park
400 W University AveFountains, playground, gazebo
Orpheum Children's Science Museum
346 N Neil StTons to see and do for kids of all ages!
Spalding Park
900 North Harris AvenueSkate park! Very walkable from my house.
Shopping
Exile on Main Street
100 N Chestnut StAwesome record store.
Circles Boutique
114 N Neil StLocally-owned women's clothing boutique. Say hey to Danelle!
Shares a space with Exile on Main Record Shop. Take a browse through the midwest's finest second-hand items.
Dandelion Vintage & Used
100 N Chestnut StShares a space with Exile on Main Record Shop. Take a browse through the midwest's finest second-hand items.
A treasure trove for mid-century modern fanatics. Some serious finds here.
7 locals recommend
Furniture Lounge
11 E University AveA treasure trove for mid-century modern fanatics. Some serious finds here.
Arts & Culture
A cooperatively owned movie theater that shows current indie releases and fun late-night classics.
24 locals recommend
The Art Theater
126 W Church StA cooperatively owned movie theater that shows current indie releases and fun late-night classics.
World-class performing arts center. Check out their website and catch a performance, if you can.
24 locals recommend
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 S Goodwin AveWorld-class performing arts center. Check out their website and catch a performance, if you can.
Essentials
Awesome grocery store for organic, whole food, alternative items
20 locals recommend
Common Ground Food Co-operative
300 S Broadway AveAwesome grocery store for organic, whole food, alternative items
World Harvest International & Gourmet
306 W Springfield AveWorld foods, spices, interesting finds
Sightseeing
A beautiful, serene, oasis that is truly a treasure to our area. They do tea ceremonies. Check out their calendar.
Lincoln at Japan House station
A beautiful, serene, oasis that is truly a treasure to our area. They do tea ceremonies. Check out their calendar.