These Illinois Restaurants Are Open For Memorial Day 2026
Memorial Day weekend always sounds easy until dinner plans turn into driving around hungry, hoping somewhere good is actually open. Luckily, Illinois has plenty of great spots ready for a long-weekend meal, especially around Chicago and the nearby suburbs.
Maybe you want seafood with a view, a big steakhouse dinner, cozy comfort food, or something a little more unexpected. This list is packed with places that make the weekend feel like a real celebration, not just another meal out.
Bookmark these Illinois favorites now, because your Memorial Day weekend plans are about to taste a whole lot better.
1. Avli Taverna, Chicago
Greek food has a magical way of making any celebration feel like a sun-soaked vacation, and Avli Taverna in Chicago delivers exactly that kind of magic every single time.
Situated at 1335 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, this charming Lincoln Park spot brings authentic Greek flavors to the city. Expect beautifully plated mezze, perfectly grilled proteins, and ingredients that taste like they were shipped directly from the Aegean.
Memorial Day at Avli Taverna means gathering around a table loaded with spanakopita, saganaki, and some of the most flavorful lamb you will ever try in Illinois.
The warm, inviting atmosphere makes you feel like you have been transported to a cozy village tavern somewhere along the Greek coast. Families, friend groups, and couples all find something to love here.
The staff treats every guest like a long-lost relative, and that hospitality alone is worth the trip. If you have never experienced a proper Greek feast, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect excuse to finally make the reservation you have been putting off.
2. RPM Seafood, Chicago
Fresh oysters, buttery lobster, and a view of the Chicago River make RPM Seafood one of the most spectacular places to spend a holiday weekend in the entire state.
Found at 317 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, this upscale restaurant combines elegant design with a menu that celebrates everything the ocean has to offer. Seafood lovers genuinely lose their minds over this place, and honestly, the hype is completely justified.
The menu rotates with the seasons, so a Memorial Day visit means you are getting the freshest possible catches prepared by some seriously talented chefs.
Think perfectly seared scallops, whole roasted fish, and raw bar selections that would make a seasoned sushi chef raise an eyebrow in admiration. Every dish is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.
RPM Seafood is the kind of restaurant where you dress up a little, take approximately forty photos of your food before eating, and leave absolutely convinced it was the best meal of your life. Book ahead because this place fills up fast on holidays.
3. The Little Sherpa, Chicago
Not every Memorial Day meal has to follow the same old cookout playbook, and The Little Sherpa in Chicago is living proof that adventure belongs on the plate too.
Located at 6031 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60646, this spot serves Nepalese, Indian, and Himalayan-inspired cuisine that will completely reshape your idea of comfort food. Momos, those irresistible little steamed dumplings, are practically the stuff of legend here.
The menu is a fascinating journey through bold spices, tender meats, and rich curries that warm you from the inside out. Every dish tells a story rooted in centuries of culinary tradition from the Himalayan region, and the chefs clearly pour a tremendous amount of heart into every single plate.
First-timers often end up ordering way more food than they planned because everything sounds too good to skip.
The cozy, intimate setting makes The Little Sherpa feel like a neighborhood secret that only the coolest people know about. Treating yourself to something completely different this Memorial Day is a genuinely brilliant idea, and this restaurant makes that easy and delicious in equal measure.
4. Flossmoor Social, Flossmoor
Community vibes and seriously good food collide in the most satisfying way possible at Flossmoor Social, a gastropub that has become the heartbeat of its south suburb neighborhood.
You will find it at 1040 Sterling Ave, Flossmoor, IL 60422, and the moment you walk in, the warm energy of the place hits you like a friendly high-five. This is exactly the kind of spot where Memorial Day feels like the celebration it was always meant to be.
The menu leans into crowd-pleasing classics with creative twists that keep things exciting. Juicy burgers, loaded shareables, and comfort dishes with just enough flair to feel special make every visit feel like a mini event.
The kitchen clearly takes pride in sourcing quality ingredients, and you can taste that commitment in every bite.
Flossmoor Social has a way of turning strangers into regulars and regulars into friends, which is honestly the highest compliment any neighborhood restaurant can earn. Whether you roll in with a big group or just a plus-one, the staff makes sure everyone feels like they belong.
Memorial Day plans officially sorted.
5. Merichka’s Restaurant, Crest Hill
Some restaurants do not need a fancy rebrand or a trendy social media makeover because they have been getting it right for decades, and Merichka’s Restaurant in Crest Hill is the ultimate example of that timeless approach.
Sitting proudly at 604 Theodore St, Crest Hill, IL 60403, this beloved institution has been serving classic comfort food since 1933 and is especially known for its famous Poorboy sandwiches. Yes, you read that correctly.
Since 1933.
The menu is a love letter to classic Midwestern comfort food, and the fried chicken alone is worth making the trip from anywhere in the state.
Golden, crispy, and impossibly tender, it is the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes and just appreciate being alive. The sides are equally impressive and hit that nostalgic sweet spot every single time.
Merichka’s has a warm, unpretentious atmosphere that feels like eating at your favorite grandparent’s house, except the kitchen is even better stocked.
Memorial Day at a place with over ninety years of history feels genuinely special, like you are participating in something much bigger than just a meal. Show up hungry and leave ridiculously happy.
6. Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook
Route 66 has produced some truly iconic roadside stops over the decades, and Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook stands proudly among the most legendary of them all.
Located at 645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook, IL 60527, this historic gem has been frying up golden, crispy chicken since 1946 and has not lost a single step since then. The retro neon sign out front is basically its own tourist attraction.
Stepping through the doors feels like a cheerful time warp back to classic American roadside dining at its absolute best. The fried chicken is the star of the show, arriving in satisfying baskets with sides that have been perfected through generations of cooking.
There is a reason this place has been featured in national food publications and road trip guides repeatedly over the years.
Memorial Day is a holiday built on honoring history, and there is something wonderfully fitting about celebrating at a restaurant that is itself a piece of living American history.
Dell Rhea’s draws families, nostalgia seekers, and first-timers alike, and every single one of them leaves with a smile and a very full stomach. Absolute must-visit energy.
7. Beatrix, Oak Brook
Eating well and eating deliciously are not mutually exclusive concepts, and Beatrix in Oak Brook makes that point with every single dish it sends out of its kitchen.
Located at 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523, this bright and stylish restaurant has built a devoted following by serving food that is both nourishing and genuinely crave-worthy. The menu reads like a love note to fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
From vibrant grain bowls and stunning avocado toast to heartier entrees that satisfy without weighing you down, Beatrix covers all the bases with impressive flair.
The space itself is gorgeous, flooded with natural light and designed to make you feel energized just by sitting in it. It is the kind of place that inspires you to eat better every single day, not just on special occasions.
Memorial Day brunch or lunch at Beatrix is a genuinely refreshing alternative to the usual holiday fare, especially if your crew includes health-conscious eaters who still want to feel treated.
The staff is consistently warm and attentive, and the coffee program is serious enough to keep caffeine enthusiasts very happy. Bring your appetite and your best brunch outfit.
8. Port Edward Restaurant, Algonquin
Waterfront dining has a built-in romance that no amount of interior design can fully replicate, and Port Edward Restaurant in Algonquin uses its stunning Fox River location to absolute maximum effect.
You can find this treasure at 20 W. Algonquin Rd, Algonquin, IL 60102, where the combination of scenic water views and exceptional seafood creates a dining experience that feels genuinely special from start to finish.
Memorial Day weekend on a waterfront patio? That is basically a perfect afternoon.
The menu leans heavily into fresh seafood with a classic, elegant approach that has kept guests coming back for over fifty years. Lobster, shrimp, fresh fish, and a raw bar that commands serious attention are all part of the Port Edward experience.
The portions are generous, the preparation is skilled, and the setting makes everything taste even better than it already would.
Families celebrating Memorial Day here often make it an annual tradition, and once you experience the combination of riverside views and outstanding food, you will completely understand why.
Reservations are strongly recommended because this beloved spot fills up quickly on holiday weekends. Go ahead and make that call right now.
9. Texas de Brazil, Orland Park
If the words “unlimited grilled meats carved tableside by servers in traditional gaucho attire” do not immediately make you want to celebrate Memorial Day at Texas de Brazil in Orland Park, please check your pulse.
Situated at 856 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462, this Brazilian steakhouse delivers a full-on feast experience that makes holiday dining feel like an actual event. The concept is brilliantly simple: eat meat until you are happier than you have ever been.
The churrascaria-style service means that skewer after skewer of perfectly seasoned, fire-roasted meats comes to your table in a continuous parade of deliciousness.
Picanha, lamb chops, chicken wrapped in bacon, and so much more rotate through the dining room in a glorious procession. The elaborate salad and hot bar alone could qualify as a full meal at most other restaurants.
Texas de Brazil is the ultimate spot for groups with big appetites and even bigger senses of fun. The lively atmosphere, attentive service, and sheer volume of outstanding food make it one of the most memorable dining experiences in the entire Chicago suburb area.
10. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Oak Brook
There are steakhouses, and then there is Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille in Oak Brook, a place that approaches the art of beef with the kind of reverence usually reserved for fine art museums.
Located at 5 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523, this acclaimed restaurant has earned a reputation as one of the premier steakhouse experiences in the greater Chicago area. Celebrating Memorial Day here feels less like going out to eat and more like attending a very delicious event.
The prime cuts are aged to perfection, seasoned with precision, and cooked exactly to your specifications by a kitchen team that clearly takes no shortcuts. Beyond the steaks, the menu offers an impressive lineup of sides, appetizers, and entrees that round out the experience beautifully.
The famous pork chop, a Perry’s signature, is the kind of dish that guests talk about for weeks afterward with an almost reverent tone.
The interior is warm, sophisticated, and designed to make every occasion feel genuinely memorable. Service at Perry’s is attentive without being intrusive, striking that perfect balance that great steakhouses always nail.
Make your reservation early because Memorial Day at Perry’s is one of the most sought-after dining experiences in Oak Brook.