Whether you’re in Frankfort, IL for business or pleasure, you’ll want to find something good to eat. Thankfully, there are plenty of restaurants in a variety of styles budgets to satisfy you. As you consider where to go, take a look at some of the best restaurants in Frankfort.
Dancing Marlin Restaurant
$$ | (815) 464-6646 | WEBSITE
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For great food in a comfortable, yet classy atmosphere, Dancing Marlin can provide for everybody. They’ve got fresh seafood, steak, and an assortment of tapas.
Dancing Marlin also caters to people with dietary restrictions, meaning that vegetarians, those on gluten-free diets, and those with allergies can get an equally delicious experience without worry.
Highlights include the Off the Hook seafood taco, as well as the General Tso cauliflower bites and the Sunday chicken dinner.
Sorriso Ristorante & Bar
$$ | (815) 534-5074 | WEBSITE
If you want authentic, delicious Italian and Italian-American cuisine, Sorriso Ristorante is a great choice in Frankfort. The menu is full of down-home classic pasta options like the three cheese lasagna and fettuccine alfredo.
However, make sure you don’t miss the entrees like blackened salmon, chicken marsala, or filet medallions. Sorriso is perfect for date night, business lunches, or a family celebration, with good meals available for a range of budgets.
Camino Viejo
$$ | (815) 534-5613 | WEBSITE
For high-quality, affordable Mexican cuisine, you can’t beat Camino Viejo, which has options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Get the classics like burritos and tacos for a very reasonable price. The tilapia taco comes highly recommended.
If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, check out the platillos, which come with a side and a salad. There are options ranging from the $10.99 flautas plate to the more indulgent, yet worthy, $19.99 tampiqueña strip steak.
The Wine Thief
$$ | (815) 277-2954 | WEBSITE
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This family-owned wine bar is perfect for either a drink or a full meal. Order red or white wine by the glass or the bottle. If you’re looking to try something new, check out the themed wine flight options like the Featured Pour or Liquid Ambrosia Sweet Flight.
For food, you can choose among the entrees or consider pairing a sharing board of specially chosen meats and cheeses with a matching wine. The location is classy, yet welcoming, making it ideal for both long-time wine lovers and those who are exploring.
Trails Edge Brewing Co.
$$ | (815) 277-2502 | WEBSITE
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If you’re a beer lover, you’ll enjoy a meal at Trails Edge and Brewery. The beer is brewed onsite, making it as fresh and delicious as possible. Highlights include the blonde ale, The Old Plank Trail, as well as the sturdier The Sunday Morning coffee stout.
For foods, you’ll find that meat dominates the menu. Hearty burgers and meaty sandwiches provide plenty to help soak up the beer. However, there are also fantastic vegetarian options available among the flatbreads and starters.
Kup a Joe Cafe
$ | (815) 464-0909 | WEBSITE
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If you’re looking for breakfast or lunch in Frankfort, Kup a Joe provides a casual atmosphere with inexpensive, tasty coffee and meals. The breakfast menu includes the standards like French toast and omelets as well as specialty options like pot roast benedict and Rocky Road crepes.
The lunch menu includes a lot of thick, filling sandwiches like burgers and patty melts. However, if you’re looking for something lighter, they’ve got an entire section for you, with options like the Diet Delight and dinner salad.
Pizza Pete
$$ | (815) 806-8300 | WEBSITE
Pizza Pete is a classic pizza joint with everything you’d want for a casual family dinner. They’ve got specialty pizzas, with Chicken Veggie Ranch standing out among the options. If you’re looking for pasta or sandwiches, there are plenty to choose from.
If you’re looking for a salad to share, or maybe just something a little lighter to go with your meal, check out the antipasto salad. Highlights for the side orders include the breaded cheese curds and hot fries.
Opa! Modern Greek Cuisine
$$$ | (815) 806-7303 | WEBSITE
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Opa! provides both traditional and modern Greek cuisine and is perfect for a date night. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients, the chef has created an elegant menu with options for any tastes. There are both domestic and imported wines, including the house white, Apelia, which has notes of citrus.
To go with the wines, look at their selection of spreads and appetizers. Highlights there include the tzatziki and potato croquettes. While the entrees are expensive, they are luxurious. Try the braised short ribs or leg of lamb.
La Dolce Vita
$$$ | (815) 806-9989 | WEBSITE
La Dolce Vita is an upscale Italian restaurant with a comfortable bar and delicious food. The menu options range from the simple, like ravioli, to the classy Costolette di Maiale.
Choose from their varied wine options, with highlights including the Anterra pinot grigio from Italy, as well as the Matua sauvignon blanc from New Zealand.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet after dinner, La Dolce Vita has the classics. Enjoy a fresh cannoli or an espresso as you relax in their beautifully decorated dining room.
Mikey’s Gyros
$ | (815) 464-1011 | WEBSITE
Despite the name, Mikey’s Gyros actually has a wide menu, with options like burgers, rib dinners, and Italian sausage alongside their namesake gyros. The gyros are delicious, loaded with meat, and sold for a very reasonable price.
If you’re buying for a lot of people, they’ve got party specials for some of their best food, like the BBQ ribs and Italian sausage. Or you can get the specialty combos, which serve enough gyros to feed up to 25 people.
Chef Klaus’ Bier Stube
$$ | (815) 469-0940 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience for a work lunch or family dinner, check out Chef Klaus’ Bier Stube for authentic German cuisine. Chef Klaus creates comforting German food inspired by his mother’s recipes.
But simple and approachable does not mean it is lacking quality. Instead, the food is fresh and delicious, using the best ingredients available. Lunch and dinner entrees include highlights like the sausage schnitzel and Bavarian-style pot roast.
Cultivate Community Table
$$ | (815) 277-2790 | WEBSITE
With its friendly staff and its emphasis on locally sourced food, Cultivate Community Table is a great way to experience some community in Frankfort. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with options that fit any budget.
For breakfast, try the brunch tacos or Fancy French Toast. Lunch and dinner options include the staples like burgers and paninis, but also consider the Wall-Eye Basket or Noodle Bowl if you want a unique entree.
New Hong Kong
$$ | (815) 469-8388 | WEBSITE
New Hong Kong is the perfect place to get Chinese takeout. The menu provides all the usual Chinese takeout options, like lo mein and sweet and sour pork. However, there is also a wide-ranging Szechuan section for anyone who wants some good, spicy food.
New Hong Kong uses fresh ingredients and it shows in their food. The highlights include the Szechuan chicken, pot stickers, and beef with broccoli. Don’t forget to look at the chef’s recommendations, which include sauteed chicken and vegetables or moo shu pork.
Buenas Nachos
$ | (815) 469-8353 | WEBSITE
For authentic Mexican food, you need to track down this hidden gem. The menu is large, containing all of the standards you’d expect to find. With burritos available in multiple sizes, you can get a filling meal cheaply here.
Buenas Nachos is perfect for a quick meal on the go. Or, if you’re looking to feed an office full of people, consider their catering trays. For a very reasonable price, you can get trays full of favorites like rice and beans, flautas, and nachos.
Bear Down Barbeque and Catering
$$ | (815) 464-1000 | WEBSITE
At Bear Down Barbeque and Catering, you can get a quick lunch or feed an entire party of people. With homemade rubs and careful consideration put into every recipe, the food at Bear Down is some of the most authentic and delicious barbeque you can get in Frankfort.
The menu highlights include the pulled chicken sandwich and the smoked mac and cheese with meat. However, take a look at the new one-pound Mega Burger if you’re feeling hungry and up for a challenge.
Jimmy O’s Bar and Grille
$$ | (815) 534-5084 | WEBSITE
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Jimmy O’s has delicious food and fantastic portion sizes. With its comfortable bar and thoughtful staff, you feel welcome as soon as you walk in. The chef is passionate about the menu and it shows in the variety available.
The food is classic American bar food, with both personal pizzas and lobster mac and cheese on the menu. Go for a drink or have a full meal. Either way, you’ll be comfortable, full, and satisfied by the end.
Enrico’s Italian Dining
$$ | (815) 469-1000 | WEBSITE
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Enrico’s is a place with both delicious food and a sense of humor. If you’re coming for the annual spaghetti eating contest, you’ll be up against some fierce competition. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing dinner, you’re in the right place.
The food is downhome and filling, with options like baked mostaccioli and garlic shrimp with linguine among the best entrees. There’s a large appetizer menu as well, so make sure you check out some of the highlights like the baked minestrone and fried mozzarella.
Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar
$$ | (815) 534-1640 | WEBSITE
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With four locations, Fat Rosie’s is a local chain that emphasizes fun and food. If you’re feeling brave, check out the El Patron Gordo burrito, a three-pound burrito stuffed with steak, rice, French fries, and more. Eat it in under twelve minutes and it’s free!
If you’d rather eat at a more relaxed pace, there are plenty of options to choose from. Check out the enchiladas de mole and mar y tierra for some of the best entrees on the menu.
Jameson’s Pub
$$ | (815) 469-0500 | WEBSITE
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Jameson’s Pub is a sports bar located in a unique log cabin-inspired location. With multiple high-definition TVs located throughout the dining room, you can always find a good seat to watch the game.
The food is solid pub food, with plenty of delicious burgers and sandwiches to choose from. If you’re feeling extra hungry, the entree plates are generously portioned, with highlights like fried chicken or fish and chips.
At Last
When you’re looking for the best restaurants in Frankfort, there are many options available to you. Frankfort is filled with different cuisines and unique options.
So whether you’re in town for work or just looking for something new, consider these options next time you’re choosing a restaurant to go to.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
