The best restaurants in Southern Illinois

27 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 27 places · showing the latest additions first

Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant

Restaurants

From Pollo Loco to Papa’s Special rice bowls and sizzling fajitas, Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant leans chicken in the best way, with plenty…

1160 E Main St (Carbondale)

“From Pollo Loco to Papa’s Special rice bowls and sizzling fajitas, Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant leans chicken in the best way, with plenty of beef and seafood backup. Pair it with a lime margarita or a mangonada and call it a solid Southern Illinois weeknight win.”

From the Southern Illinois newsletter, August 3, 2026

Gresa's Cafe

Restaurants

If you’re craving a no-frills, family-run spot that turns out hearty breakfasts and classic homestyle plates, Gresa's Cafe delivers. Warm…

108 N Chestnut St (De Soto)

“If you’re craving a no-frills, family-run spot that turns out hearty breakfasts and classic homestyle plates, Gresa's Cafe delivers. Warm vibes, generous portions, and a menu with real variety make it an easy meet-up choice this week when you want simple food done right.”

20's Hideout | Steakhouse & Bar

Restaurants

Classic American steakhouse fare served in a Roaring '20s setting with a full bar & live music.

2602 Wanda Dr (Marion)

“Classic American steakhouse fare served in a Roaring '20s setting with a full bar & live music.”

Bandana's Bar-B-Q Carbondale Il

Restaurants

Regional chain dishing Southern-style barbecue & sides in a cowboy-themed space.

309 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Regional chain dishing Southern-style barbecue & sides in a cowboy-themed space.”

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Papa Johns Pizza

Restaurants

Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.

602 E Grand Ave (Carbondale)

“Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.”

Sam's Cafe

Restaurants

Casual eatery serving gyros and burgers, plus other staples such as pizza puffs.

521 S Illinois Ave (Carbondale)

“Casual eatery serving gyros and burgers, plus other staples such as pizza puffs.”

Italian Village

Restaurants

Longtime wood-paneled eatery with a salad bar, pizzas, red-sauce Italian favorites & video games.

405 S Washington St (Carbondale)

“Longtime wood-paneled eatery with a salad bar, pizzas, red-sauce Italian favorites & video games.”

Aban Kitchen

Restaurants

Casual eatery dishing up Middle Eastern fare, including vegetarian options, and family-style dining.

114 S Illinois Ave (Carbondale)

“Casual eatery dishing up Middle Eastern fare, including vegetarian options, and family-style dining.”

Qin Guan Restaurant

Restaurants

Asian buffet and restaurant with fresh sushi plus a grill where guests have raw food cooked.

1285 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Asian buffet and restaurant with fresh sushi plus a grill where guests have raw food cooked.”

Tequila's

Restaurants

Fajitas, margaritas, and other familiar Mexican offerings in a casual space with happy hour.

100 N Glenview Dr #2275 (Carbondale)

“Fajitas, margaritas, and other familiar Mexican offerings in a casual space with happy hour.”

Chili's Grill & Bar

Restaurants

Family-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.

1240 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Family-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.”

17th Street Barbecue

Restaurants

Local BBQ chain serving ribs, brisket, burgers, loaded potatoes & more in a casual setting.

32 N 17th St (Murphysboro)

“Local BBQ chain serving ribs, brisket, burgers, loaded potatoes & more in a casual setting.”

Culver’s

Restaurants

Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.

2401 Reed Station Pkwy (Carbondale)

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

Buffalo Wild Wings

Restaurants

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

1435 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.”

MOD Pizza

Restaurants

Counter-serve, industrial-chic chain restaurant known for build-your-own pizzas.

1376 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Counter-serve, industrial-chic chain restaurant known for build-your-own pizzas.”

Yamato Steak House Of Japan

Restaurants

Japanese restaurant offering sushi rolls and bento boxes, plus steak and hibachi fare.

1013 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Japanese restaurant offering sushi rolls and bento boxes, plus steak and hibachi fare.”

Cummare’s

Restaurants

Modest restaurant offering homestyle Italian dishes & wine, including pasta, pizza & salads.

1023 Chestnut St (Murphysboro)

“Modest restaurant offering homestyle Italian dishes & wine, including pasta, pizza & salads.”

The Iron Whisk Bistro & Bar

Restaurants

Petite casual, family-run spot serving pancakes and egg dishes, plus a menu of specialty cocktails.

200 S Front St (Cobden)

“Petite casual, family-run spot serving pancakes and egg dishes, plus a menu of specialty cocktails.”

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Restaurants

Fast-food eatery specializing in Cajun-style fried chicken, plus wings, seafood, breakfast & more.

534 E Main St (Carbondale)

“Fast-food eatery specializing in Cajun-style fried chicken, plus wings, seafood, breakfast & more.”

Sunny Street Cafe

Restaurants

Casual regional chain serving hearty American fare for breakfast & lunch, with gluten-free options.

900 E Walnut St (Carbondale)

“Casual regional chain serving hearty American fare for breakfast & lunch, with gluten-free options.”

Don Sol Mexican Grill

Restaurants

Tacos, burritos & other Mexican dishes offered in an upbeat cantina with colorful decor.

715 N Giant City Rd (Carbondale)

“Tacos, burritos & other Mexican dishes offered in an upbeat cantina with colorful decor.”

Thai Taste

Restaurants

This eatery on the bottom floor of a stately older building serves both classic & unique Thai fare.

100 S Illinois Ave (Carbondale)

“This eatery on the bottom floor of a stately older building serves both classic & unique Thai fare.”

Chango’s Bar & Grill

Restaurants

Simple counter-serve with late-night weekend hours doling out tacos, burritos & Mexican drinks.

519 S Illinois Ave (Carbondale)

“Simple counter-serve with late-night weekend hours doling out tacos, burritos & Mexican drinks.”

Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza

Restaurants

Straightforward fixture for Chicago-style & thin-crust pizzas, pasta, sandwiches & salads.

218 W Freeman St (Carbondale)

“Straightforward fixture for Chicago-style & thin-crust pizzas, pasta, sandwiches & salads.”

Fujiyama Japanese Cuisine

Restaurants

Japanese eatery offering teppanyaki and hibachi menus plus traditional dishes, sushi and sake.

4809 Broadway St (Mt Vernon)

“Japanese eatery offering teppanyaki and hibachi menus plus traditional dishes, sushi and sake.”

Fujiyama Japanese Cuisine

Restaurants

Lively hibachi dining, classic dishes & sushi are the draw at this bustling Japanese outpost.

225 N Giant City Rd (Carbondale)

“Lively hibachi dining, classic dishes & sushi are the draw at this bustling Japanese outpost.”

Moe's Southwest Grill

Restaurants

Counter-serve chain dishing up Southwestern staples from burritos to nachos in lively environs.

715 N Giant City Rd (Carbondale)

“Counter-serve chain dishing up Southwestern staples from burritos to nachos in lively environs.”

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