19 Oldest Illinois Restaurants Still Open After All These Years
Illinois has a food scene that goes way back, and we are not just talking about a few decades. Before deep dish had a national reputation and diners became nostalgia machines, Illinois already had places quietly building legends one plate at a time.
Some of these restaurants have been feeding generations for so long that their booths, counters, and neon signs feel almost like local landmarks. This is not just a list of old buildings with menus.
It is a trip through the flavors that helped shape Illinois dining culture: smoky barbecue, cozy delis, classic diners, old-school steakhouses, and sweet shops that still know how to make people grin.
These are the kinds of places where regulars have favorite seats, families return year after year, and every meal comes with a little history on the side.
1. The Berghoff Restaurant
Few restaurants in America can claim a history as bold and flavorful as The Berghoff. Founded in 1898 by Herman Berghoff, this German-American institution on Adams Street has been serving Chicago since before the 20th century even got started.
That is over 125 years of schnitzel, sauerbraten, and seriously good food. The Berghoff is famous for its hearty German classics and warm, old-world atmosphere.
The dark wood paneling and vintage artwork make you feel like you have traveled back in time, but the food is timeless in the best possible way. It is a Chicago landmark that locals and tourists both love deeply.
Visit them at 17 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603.
2. The Walnut Room
Every holiday season, Chicago families make a pilgrimage to one very special spot inside Macy’s on State Street.
The Walnut Room, opened in 1907, holds the title of America’s first restaurant inside a department store, and it has been charming guests ever since with its stunning Great Tree display each Christmas.
Beyond the seasonal magic, the menu offers classic American comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a cold Chicago day.
The chicken pot pie alone has its own loyal fan club. The elegant, high-ceilinged room makes even a Tuesday lunch feel like a special occasion worth dressing up for.
Find it at 111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602.
3. Lou Mitchell’s
Since 1923, Lou Mitchell’s has been waking up Chicago one incredible breakfast at a time. Right at the start of historic Route 66, this diner has been fueling road-trippers, commuters, and locals with fluffy omelets and double-yolk eggs that are practically legendary.
They even hand out Milk Duds to customers waiting in line, which is honestly a power move.
The atmosphere is wonderfully no-frills, with counter seating and booths that have seen millions of satisfied customers over the past century.
Service is fast, friendly, and unapologetically old-school. If breakfast had a hall of fame, Lou Mitchell’s would have its own wing dedicated entirely to morning greatness.
Stop by at 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661.
4. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
Manny’s is the kind of place where politicians, construction workers, and everyone in between line up side by side for a tray of honest, soul-satisfying food.
Open since 1942, this cafeteria-style deli on Jefferson Street is a Chicago institution that has fed presidents, celebrities, and regular folks with equal enthusiasm and generosity.
The corned beef sandwich here is not just a menu item, it is practically a civic landmark. Piled high and served with pride, it represents everything great about old-school deli culture.
The cafeteria format means you grab a tray and point at what looks good, and everything looks absolutely amazing every single time you visit.
Head over to 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607.
5. Gene & Georgetti
Gene & Georgetti has been the gold standard of Chicago steakhouses since 1941, and it shows absolutely zero signs of slowing down.
Founded by Gene Michelotti and Alfredo Federighi, this River North institution has been grilling premium cuts of beef long before steakhouse culture became a trendy thing to talk about at dinner parties.
The menu is classic and unapologetic, featuring thick steaks, massive chops, and Italian-American sides that make every meal feel like a celebration.
The old-school vibe, complete with dark wood booths and a staff that remembers your name, gives the place a warmth that fancy newer spots simply cannot replicate no matter how hard they try.
Reserve your table at 500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654.
6. Calumet Fisheries
Calumet Fisheries is proof that great food does not need a fancy address or a velvet rope.
This tiny shack near the 95th Street bridge has been smoking shrimp, salmon, and catfish since 1928, earning a James Beard America’s Classic Award along the way.
Not bad for a spot that fits maybe ten people inside if everyone is friendly.
The smoked chub here is the stuff of Chicago legend, with a rich, deep flavor that comes from decades of perfecting the craft. You order at the window, pick up your food in a bag, and eat it right there by the Calumet River like a true Chicagoan who knows what real good food tastes like.
Find this gem at 3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617.
7. Superdawg Drive-In
Maurie and Flaurie, the two giant hot dog mascots perched on the roof, have been waving at hungry Chicagoans since 1948.
Superdawg Drive-In on Milwaukee Avenue is not just a restaurant, it is a full-blown Chicago personality, serving up hot dogs in a style that is proudly its own and absolutely refuses to put ketchup anywhere near the bun.
Car hops still deliver your order to your car window, which is an experience that feels wonderfully retro in the best possible sense.
The Superdawg itself comes in a special box with a toothpick flag, because presentation matters even at a drive-in. This place has charm dialed up to eleven.
Cruise over to 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646.
8. Billy Goat Tavern
Cheezborger! Cheezborger!
No Pepsi, Coke! If those words ring a bell, you already know about the Billy Goat Tavern.
Since 1934, this underground legend beneath Michigan Avenue has been serving up no-nonsense burgers and an attitude that inspired one of Saturday Night Live’s most memorable sketches ever. That is a pretty incredible claim to fame for a burger joint.
The walls are covered in newspaper clippings and Chicago history, making it feel like eating inside a scrapbook of the city itself. Journalists from the nearby Tribune and Sun-Times made this their unofficial office for decades.
The double cheeseburger is simple, honest, and absolutely satisfying in a way that fancy burgers rarely manage to achieve.
Go underground at 430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611.
9. Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern
Frank Sinatra was a fan, and once Ol’ Blue Eyes gives a place his seal of approval, you know the ribs have to be extraordinary.
Twin Anchors in Old Town has been serving baby back ribs since 1932 in a building that dates back to 1881, making it one of Chicago’s most historic neighborhood taverns. That longevity is no accident.
The atmosphere is cozy and neighborhood-warm, with a jukebox, vintage neon signs, and regulars who treat the place like their own living room.
The ribs come with a tangy house sauce that has been perfected over generations. First-timers often become regulars after just one visit, which tells you everything you need to know about the food.
Swing by at 1655 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, IL 60614.
10. Margie’s Candies
The Beatles stopped here. Al Capone reportedly had a soft spot for this place too.
Margie’s Candies on Western Avenue has been scooping ice cream and hand-crafting chocolates since 1921, and the magic has not faded one single bit over the past century.
The giant turtle sundaes served in giant clamshell dishes are pure joy on a spoon.
Walking into Margie’s feels like stepping into a time capsule where everything good about old-fashioned sweet shops has been lovingly preserved.
The handmade chocolates are crafted with care, and the ice cream portions are generous enough to make you question every other dessert you have ever eaten. Bring your sweet tooth and your appetite.
Satisfy your cravings at 1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647.
11. Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap
Some restaurants feel like walking into someone’s grandmother’s kitchen, and Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap is exactly that kind of magical place.
Since 1930, this University Village gem has been serving authentic Italian-American cooking that makes you want to call your own family just to tell them about the meal you are currently eating. The lemon chicken is practically famous.
The decor is warm and unpretentious, with family photos and memorabilia that tell the story of generations who have kept this kitchen running with love and consistency.
Regulars have been coming here for decades, and new visitors quickly understand why. Cash only, no reservations, and absolutely worth every bit of planning it takes to get a table.
Visit at 1073 W Vernon Park Pl, Chicago, IL 60607.
12. Orange Garden Restaurant
Orange Garden Restaurant in North Center is widely cited as Chicago’s oldest Chinese restaurant, with roots dating to the 1920s and its famous Orange Garden identity associated with the early 1930s.
That is over nine decades of egg rolls, fried rice, and chop suey that has kept generations of families coming back for more comfort food than they can reasonably finish in one sitting.
The menu leans into classic Chinese-American dishes that feel familiar and deeply satisfying, the kind of food that makes you feel taken care of from the very first bite.
The restaurant has a loyal neighborhood following that spans multiple generations of the same families. Consistency is the real secret ingredient here, and Orange Garden has it in abundance.
Check them out at 1942 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613.
13. Valois Restaurant
Barack Obama used to eat here before he became the leader of the free world, which tells you something important about the kind of place Valois is.
Open since 1921 in Hyde Park, this cafeteria-style diner is known for its motto: See Your Food. What you see is exactly what you get, and what you get is honest, hearty, and genuinely delicious.
The menu covers classic American breakfast and lunch staples with steam-table efficiency and zero pretension. Professors from the nearby University of Chicago share tables with construction workers and students, creating a community vibe that money absolutely cannot manufacture.
Valois is a reminder that the best restaurants feed the soul just as much as the stomach.
Eat like a future president at 1518 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615.
14. Daley’s Restaurant
Daley’s Restaurant on East 63rd Street has been a South Side institution since 1892, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Illinois by any measure.
Over a century of feeding the surrounding neighborhood has given this place a deep, genuine connection to the community that newer spots simply do not have time to build yet.
The menu focuses on solid, satisfying American comfort food that hits the spot every single time without overcomplicating anything.
Soul food influences run strong here, and the cooking reflects a tradition of feeding people well with recipes that have been trusted and refined over many decades. Locals treat it like a second home, and first-timers are welcomed like old friends.
Visit Daley’s at its current Woodlawn location at 6257 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60637.
15. The Village
Right in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, The Village has been serving Italian-American classics since 1927 as part of the legendary Italian Village complex.
Three restaurants share one incredible building, and The Village is the most beloved of them all, with a ceiling decorated to look like a starry Italian night sky. Yes, you eat dinner under a fake but utterly charming sky.
The pasta dishes are made with care and served in generous portions that make you plan your next visit before you even finish your current meal.
The atmosphere is theatrical and romantic in a way that feels genuine rather than forced. Few dining experiences in Chicago offer this much personality packed into one memorable evening.
Book a table at 71 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603.
16. Russell’s Barbecue
Russell’s Barbecue in Elmwood Park has been making the greater Chicago area smell absolutely incredible since 1930.
This no-frills barbecue landmark is famous for its charcoal-grilled beef sandwiches that have a smoky, slightly crispy edge that keeps people driving from across the city just to get their fix. The sauce has a tangy sweetness that is completely its own thing.
The setting is casual and unpretentious, with picnic-style seating that encourages you to roll up your sleeves and just enjoy the food without worrying about making a mess.
Families have been bringing their kids here for generations, and those kids grow up and bring their own kids. That cycle of loyalty is the greatest review any restaurant can earn.
Find your way to 1621 N Thatcher Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707.
17. Marge’s Still
Marge’s Still on Sedgwick Street is one of those Chicago neighborhood spots that has been quietly amazing since 1885, making it one of the oldest continuously operating establishments in the entire state.
The name alone has a wonderfully old-school Chicago ring to it, and the place delivers on every bit of that vintage promise with genuine warmth.
Known for its unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere and solid classic American food, Marge’s has built a loyal following that spans multiple generations of the same families.
The kind of regulars who come here do not just know the staff by name, they know the stories behind the name. That level of community connection is something truly rare and worth celebrating.
Stop in at 1758 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647.
18. The Glunz Tavern
The Glunz family has been part of Chicago’s food and drink culture since 1888, and The Glunz Tavern in Old Town carries that heritage today after being reestablished in 2012.
The building itself feels like a piece of living history, with a beautifully preserved interior that transports you back to an era when craftsmanship in a dining room actually meant something lasting and beautiful.
The menu features hearty, satisfying European-influenced food that pairs beautifully with the historic setting. Every corner of the tavern has a story to tell, and the staff are genuinely enthusiastic about sharing the history of the place with curious visitors.
Coming here feels less like going out to eat and more like attending a delicious history lesson you actually want to stay for.
Visit at 1206 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610.
19. The Village Tavern
Long Grove is one of Illinois’s most charming small towns, and The Village Tavern fits right into that storybook setting like it was always meant to be there.
Established in 1847, it is widely considered the oldest restaurant in Illinois, which means this place was already serving food when Abraham Lincoln was still a young lawyer riding the circuit courts of the state.
The menu blends classic American comfort food with seasonal touches that keep things interesting for repeat visitors.
The historic building adds an atmosphere that no amount of interior design budget can recreate from scratch. Whether you are a history lover or just hungry, The Village Tavern delivers an experience that is genuinely one of a kind in Illinois.
Make the trip to 135 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047.