Laura's Favorite Peoria Eats and Drinks : )
Food Scene
Peoria has so many special local food spots, try as many as you can! : ) Several are walk able from my place (1-2 blocks away) which I listed first.
I never miss coming to One World when I'm back home! The menu is eclectic and creative with everything from breakfast, salads, soups and sandwiches, and dinner entrees from various cultures. I love the King Creole Shrimp for dinner and the Southwest Salad with chicken. They also have amazing coffee and dessert!
30 paikallista suosittelee
One World
1245 W Main StI never miss coming to One World when I'm back home! The menu is eclectic and creative with everything from breakfast, salads, soups and sandwiches, and dinner entrees from various cultures. I love the King Creole Shrimp for dinner and the Southwest Salad with chicken. They also have amazing coffee and dessert!
Outstanding Vietnamese food at reasonable prices! Recently expanded & remodeled because the lines were out the door :) I will use any excuse I can to get to the lunch buffet and I also love the Broccoli Pepper Stir Fry or Papaya Salad.
13 paikallista suosittelee
Thanh Linh Restaurant
1209 W Main StOutstanding Vietnamese food at reasonable prices! Recently expanded & remodeled because the lines were out the door :) I will use any excuse I can to get to the lunch buffet and I also love the Broccoli Pepper Stir Fry or Papaya Salad.
Locally owned fast, affordable Italian chain. Eat in or call in an order and walk 2 minutes down the alley to pick up lunch or dinner! *note there are several locations but this one is right behind the house.
Avanti's Ristorante
1301 W Main StLocally owned fast, affordable Italian chain. Eat in or call in an order and walk 2 minutes down the alley to pick up lunch or dinner! *note there are several locations but this one is right behind the house.
Full selection of sushi and Chinese cuisine. Complementary edamame and the super friendly chef always make me smile :)
Note there is some issue with their online presence as they had a name change and both names still exist in different places online (old name Sushi Popo)
Sushi KO
4700 N University StFull selection of sushi and Chinese cuisine. Complementary edamame and the super friendly chef always make me smile :)
Note there is some issue with their online presence as they had a name change and both names still exist in different places online (old name Sushi Popo)
This place is such a treat! Great spot for a super healthy or super indulgent lunch depending on what you are going for :) They also have home made take home meals that you can reheat. A little pricey but worth it! Also has a really cute shop with unique gifts and home made snacks. Great outdoor eating area in the summer as well. Beware last time I checked they close very early, I don't think they serve dinner.
10 paikallista suosittelee
Cyd's in the Park
5805 Knoxville AvenueThis place is such a treat! Great spot for a super healthy or super indulgent lunch depending on what you are going for :) They also have home made take home meals that you can reheat. A little pricey but worth it! Also has a really cute shop with unique gifts and home made snacks. Great outdoor eating area in the summer as well. Beware last time I checked they close very early, I don't think they serve dinner.
Busy artsy restaurant/bar. Great place for a night out on the weekend. Lots of unique dinner options and a wide variety of live music. Gets really packed on the weekends so come early for dinner.
18 paikallista suosittelee
Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe
305 Southwest Water StreetBusy artsy restaurant/bar. Great place for a night out on the weekend. Lots of unique dinner options and a wide variety of live music. Gets really packed on the weekends so come early for dinner.
*Childer's expanded to two locations - University St is closer to the home and Junction City is the new location with a cooler atmosphere* My favorite breakfast spot. Great options for fresh and healthy or delicious and indulgent with a beautiful presentation and great prices. This location is new and absolutely beautiful with walls that open up to the outside in the summer months. The original location is less than 5 minutes from my house with all the same amazing food but less appealing environment. I always get the Southwestern Omelet with poppy seed bread and coffee :)
Childers Eatery
3312 N University St*Childer's expanded to two locations - University St is closer to the home and Junction City is the new location with a cooler atmosphere* My favorite breakfast spot. Great options for fresh and healthy or delicious and indulgent with a beautiful presentation and great prices. This location is new and absolutely beautiful with walls that open up to the outside in the summer months. The original location is less than 5 minutes from my house with all the same amazing food but less appealing environment. I always get the Southwestern Omelet with poppy seed bread and coffee :)
*Childer's expanded to two locations - University St is closer to the home and Junction City is the new location with a cooler atmosphere* My favorite breakfast spot. Great options for fresh and healthy or delicious and indulgent with a beautiful presentation and great prices. This location is new and absolutely beautiful with walls that open up to the outside in the summer months. The original location is less than 5 minutes from my house with all the same amazing food but less appealing environment. I always get the Southwestern Omelet with poppy seed bread and coffee :)
7 paikallista suosittelee
Childers Eatery - Junction City
5805 N Humboldt Ave*Childer's expanded to two locations - University St is closer to the home and Junction City is the new location with a cooler atmosphere* My favorite breakfast spot. Great options for fresh and healthy or delicious and indulgent with a beautiful presentation and great prices. This location is new and absolutely beautiful with walls that open up to the outside in the summer months. The original location is less than 5 minutes from my house with all the same amazing food but less appealing environment. I always get the Southwestern Omelet with poppy seed bread and coffee :)
Fancier Eats
I don't recommend too many spots across the river since there's already so much great food in Peoria :) but Jonah's Seafood House was one of my first jobs and a local favorite for upscale seafood and they also have a casual Oyster Bar connected to the restaurant. Great for groups (call ahead) and the deck has a beautiful (enclosed) view of the river.
9 paikallista suosittelee
Jonah's Seafood House
2601 North Main StreetI don't recommend too many spots across the river since there's already so much great food in Peoria :) but Jonah's Seafood House was one of my first jobs and a local favorite for upscale seafood and they also have a casual Oyster Bar connected to the restaurant. Great for groups (call ahead) and the deck has a beautiful (enclosed) view of the river.
Amazing Italian food, environment and service but you pay for it :) Highly recommended for special occasions. In my experience one of Peoria's greatest kept secrets.
7 paikallista suosittelee
Connected
3218 N Dries LnAmazing Italian food, environment and service but you pay for it :) Highly recommended for special occasions. In my experience one of Peoria's greatest kept secrets.
Local favorite for special dinners (amazing steaks of course) often serenaded by a harp haha :)
9 paikallista suosittelee
Jim's Steak House
110 SW Jefferson AveLocal favorite for special dinners (amazing steaks of course) often serenaded by a harp haha :)
Drinks & Nightlife
Laid back Irish Pub where I like to hang out for a quick dinner or drinks with friends during the week... definitely a step up from traditional bar food. After 11pm on a Friday or Saturday standing room only and a great time for awesome cheese fries :)
8 paikallista suosittelee
Ulrich's Rebellion Room
631 Main StLaid back Irish Pub where I like to hang out for a quick dinner or drinks with friends during the week... definitely a step up from traditional bar food. After 11pm on a Friday or Saturday standing room only and a great time for awesome cheese fries :)
My favorite hangout for a relaxed night with friends. Decent Irish food for dinner and usually a fairly age diverse crowd after 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Great outdoor scene Thurs-Sat in the summer - they close off the street and have live music, dancing depending on the band and the crowd, delicious kabobs on the grill and bags games. Check their website for details.
17 paikallista suosittelee
Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery
619 Southwest Water StreetMy favorite hangout for a relaxed night with friends. Decent Irish food for dinner and usually a fairly age diverse crowd after 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Great outdoor scene Thurs-Sat in the summer - they close off the street and have live music, dancing depending on the band and the crowd, delicious kabobs on the grill and bags games. Check their website for details.
The Fieldhouse Bar & Grill
1200 W Main StGreat place to catch dinner, drinks and a game.
One of my favorite late late night places for dancing! Great beats and an eccentric crowd always make for a an interesting time :)
Club Diesel
629 Main StOne of my favorite late late night places for dancing! Great beats and an eccentric crowd always make for a an interesting time :)
I go here mostly for the chocolate martinis but occasionally will get the espresso :) They have a huge selection of sort of pricey Martinis but no food so make sure you've eaten! They also have a good sized outdoor section with fire pits and heaters to keep you warm on late nights. They host a lot of great live music acts inside and outside, I think it just depends on the season. Also beware there is often a cover charge on the weekends when they have live music.
8 paikallista suosittelee
MARTINIS on water street
212 Southwest Water StreetI go here mostly for the chocolate martinis but occasionally will get the espresso :) They have a huge selection of sort of pricey Martinis but no food so make sure you've eaten! They also have a good sized outdoor section with fire pits and heaters to keep you warm on late nights. They host a lot of great live music acts inside and outside, I think it just depends on the season. Also beware there is often a cover charge on the weekends when they have live music.
Very popular local micro brewery. I always love their cream beers (not sure if that is a technical term:) Environment is not really set up for meeting new people but fun to go with a friend or a group. Limited food selection, I think maybe just premade loacal pizzas but they are delicious :)
8 paikallista suosittelee
Rhodell Brewery
100 Walnut StVery popular local micro brewery. I always love their cream beers (not sure if that is a technical term:) Environment is not really set up for meeting new people but fun to go with a friend or a group. Limited food selection, I think maybe just premade loacal pizzas but they are delicious :)
Chains that make me happy :)
I don't normally recommend chain restaurants in Peoria because we have so much local food but these are chains that make me happy :)
Flat Top is an awesome Asian fusion chain where you can create your own stir fry cooked to order. I am always happy to visit this spot!
Flat Top Grill
West War Memorial DriveFlat Top is an awesome Asian fusion chain where you can create your own stir fry cooked to order. I am always happy to visit this spot!
Great spot for family dinner where everyone can find something they like! I love the buffalo chicken salad and the frozen margaritas :)
Chili's Grill & Bar
4825 N University StGreat spot for family dinner where everyone can find something they like! I love the buffalo chicken salad and the frozen margaritas :)
Fast food done right - all ingredients are organic and chemical free. Quick friendly service and fun high-top tables.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
4512 N Sterling AveFast food done right - all ingredients are organic and chemical free. Quick friendly service and fun high-top tables.
Coffee Specifically
If you specifically need coffee, I hear you, these are my favorites : )
*3030 has expanded to two locations, Main St is closer to the house and has a cooler atmosphere in my opinion :) and Junction City is the new location in Peoria Heights* My favorite coffee shop. Beans roasted on site and great environment for hanging out and getting some work done or relaxing.
18 paikallista suosittelee
thirty-thirty Coffee Co.
734 Main St*3030 has expanded to two locations, Main St is closer to the house and has a cooler atmosphere in my opinion :) and Junction City is the new location in Peoria Heights* My favorite coffee shop. Beans roasted on site and great environment for hanging out and getting some work done or relaxing.
*3030 has expanded to two locations, Main St is closer to the house and has a cooler atmosphere in my opinion :) and Junction City is the new location in Peoria Heights* My favorite coffee shop. Beans roasted on site and great environment for hanging out and getting some work done or relaxing.
thirty-thirty Coffee Co. (Junction City)
5901 North Prospect Road*3030 has expanded to two locations, Main St is closer to the house and has a cooler atmosphere in my opinion :) and Junction City is the new location in Peoria Heights* My favorite coffee shop. Beans roasted on site and great environment for hanging out and getting some work done or relaxing.
I've been meaning to get down to this cute little coffee shop...it's a little further down the street but I'm pretty sure it's less than a 7 minute walk if you want to get some air :)
broken tree
700 W Main StI've been meaning to get down to this cute little coffee shop...it's a little further down the street but I'm pretty sure it's less than a 7 minute walk if you want to get some air :)
Yes we have a Starbucks two blocks from the house :) Franchise coffee shop with plenty of space and outlets for getting some reading or laptopping done :)
Starbucks
1200 W Main StYes we have a Starbucks two blocks from the house :) Franchise coffee shop with plenty of space and outlets for getting some reading or laptopping done :)