Where to Dine on Chicago’s North Shore

This ‘60s-era garage has been renovated into a sophisticated Italian spot in the heart of Winnetka. While the vibe is decidedly upscale, there are still plenty of families dining with young kids, making Mino’s a nice fit for celebrations both large and small. The menu is packed with beautifully plated options, but the fresh pastas are a standout, including the tortelloni alla Modenese that’s drizzled with sweet balsamic, a rich tagliatelle Bolognese, and a warming cacio e pepe spiked with Lampong peppercorns.

Pomeroy is a newer addition to the Winnetka dining scene from Ballyhoo Hospitality (Gemini, Old Pueblo Cantina, Coda di Volpe, and many more), but walk in and you’d think it’s been in the neighborhood forever. This charming and refined bistro is always buzzing with couples on dates and large parties toasting to a special occasion. Stick with classic French fare, like onion soup gratinee, a buttery and warm tomato tarte with fromage blanc, trout amandine with brown butter, and steak a la Bordelaise with maitre d’butter and shallot confit.

From executive chef Yoonseok Jang (and the team behind 501 Local) comes Jimoto, a Winnetka standby for excellent sushi in a cool, contemporary atmosphere. Saddle up to the sushi bar or park at a table near the windows for everything from creative maki to fresh poke bowls topped with tuna, salmon, eel, octopus, or shrimp. Pair your meal with a potent sake cocktail, a highball with Suntory Toki whisky, or a Japanese beer.

How is it that a spectacular French bakery ended up in Highland Park? Well, you can thank a little French guy named Ben, who grew up in Paris and baked across the city, for moving to the North Shore. Visit his shop for fresh-from-the-oven chocolate croissants, cravates filled with pastry cream, crusty baguettes, and classic French patisserie (macarons, eclairs, and the like), along with a savory menu of eggs, salads, sandwiches, and quiche. From the French music playing to the smell of butter browning, it’s a little taste of Paris right in Highland Park.

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Perhaps you’ve biked from Evanston to Lake Bluff, or you’re visiting the area to go to the beach. Either way, a stop at Inovasi for a beautiful lunch or dinner should be part of your itinerary. The culinary team sources their ingredients from over 30 local farms, and it shows. There’s a black cod stew with bok choy and squash, roasted cauliflower with sesame vinaigrette, and hazelnut-fed pork with Anson Mills farro verde and whipped black garlic. If you’ve got more time, try the tasting menu for Inovasi’s greatest (and most creative) hits.

For a romantic night with a cozy, dimly lit vibe, Valor is the spot. Tucked into downtown Glencoe, come here for elevated-yet-comforting bistro dishes, like wild diver sea scallops with melted fondant potatoes, and a thick burger with Mojo sauce and onion marmalade. The cocktail menu is loaded with colorful options like the Night Star, with Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, black tea reduction, and lemon.

You’ll find farm-to-table fare in a vibrant space at Everett Farms, from the team behind Inovasi and TheOtherDoor in Lake Bluff.  Come lunch or dinner (or the excellent happy hour), and don’t sleep on the Hewn bread with hand-churned butter, shrimp jambalaya, and slow-cooked Jurgielewicz Farm duck leg confit. The cocktail menu delivers on a good time with drinks like the “Schitt’s Creek”-inspired “la la la la la la a little bit Alexis” with El Dorado white rum, lavender agave, cranberry, lemon, and Seedlip Garden non-alcoholic spirit.

Brothers Isaac and Moishe Nava hail from Huitzuco de los Figueroa in Mexico, and their eponymous spot (with a sister location in Highland Park) specializes in family recipes. Sure, there may be a cheeky salad in a huge taco shell (standard fare at a Tex-Mex spot), but there are also tacos, chile rellenos, and a can’t-miss vegetarian burrito with an array of summery vegetables and guacamole. Afterwards, be sure to check out the attached grocery shop for Mexican ingredients and specialty goods to take home.

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Another great spot from the Ballyhoo group (Gemini Chicago, Coda di Volpe, Old Pueblo Cantina), this steakhouse is known for its dry- and wet-aged grass-fed meats. If you’re having trouble deciding, opt for the eponymous Steak Sophia: a prime flat-iron cut that’s crusted with peppercorns and topped with Cognac cream. And should you come on a Sunday, try the fried chicken special that’s served with hot cornbread and a side of your choice (go for the pommes Anna). 

From rice noodle bowls to chicken or beef pho with all the fixings, Pho Nam Bac is a strip-mall gem in Highwood for delicious Vietnamese food in a no-frills setting. The cheery little shop has a greatest-hits menu of soups, noodles, banh mis, and more. 

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Need a spot with loads of outdoor seating, food that’ll please even the pickiest eaters, and great cocktails? Greenwood American Kitchen and Bar is your answer. Perched on a pretty corner of Highwood, Greenwood is a neighborhood standby for the classics: hot skillet cornbread with honey butter, a double cheeseburger layered with gooey American cheese, and a chocolate-chip skillet cookie for your inner child. There’s also an impressive amount of vegan options, including a crispy deep-fried portobello mushroom burger with creamy Oaxacan cashew salsa.

While there are many excellent restaurants in Highwood, Longitud315 stands out for its lovely service and massive menu of South American specialties. Visiting for just apps and drinks? Go for the arepas and empanadas, though bigger appetites should steer toward the moro a la São Paulo (mushroom-stuffed skirt steak), along with anything that’s served with Longitud315’s signature flatbread — a special in its own right.

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On a quieter corner of Highland Park’s Central Ave is Cafe Dacha, an Eastern European restaurant that sticks to tradition and does it well. Sit on the sun-drenched patio for Slavic comfort fare like buttery potato-filled pierogi, beet borscht with pork and cabbage, and a rich beef stroganoff. The drinks are strong, but with food this hearty, the combination is welcome.

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Ravinia, home to the namesake music festival, may be one of the North Shore’s most-visited areas. At this unpretentious neighborhood bistro, there’s not a thing on the menu that disappoints, from the brussels sprouts with fish sauce caramel to the whole roasted branzino with pickled grapes. If you think you’re too full for dessert, think again, because you’re not leaving without warm doughnuts. 

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