The Best Wilmette Restaurants List

Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen

Pizza is a Chicago staple. Pizza lovers from all over can come to enjoy Lefty’s authentic Chicago-style Pizza Kitchen. Whether you’re in the mood for thin crust or their featured pan recipe, you will be left completely satisfied. Their pan pizza is similar to a deep-dish but takes its own approach with a breadier crust and Sicilian style. The unique recipe dates back to the 1970s, making this restaurant extremely unique for its kind.

According to a local survey, Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen was “favored by more than a third of respondents” and “emerged as the clear favorite. “One reader described the pizza joint as, “Classic Chicago-style thin crust, just the right amount of caramelization, great sweetish sauce, and well-executed toppings.”

On walking into Lefty’s, the environment is fun and family-friendly. Whether you decide on the thin crust or pan pizza, you are sure to be satisfied!

Located conveniently on the North Shore, only .2 miles or 5 minutes from A Space 2 Work.

Get Directions from Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen to A Space 2 Work

Homer’s Ice Cream

Gus Poulos, the owner of Homer’s Ice Cream, made his first batch of homemade ice cream in 1935 and found great success in Chicago with people raving about his ice cream recipe. Apparently, even the notorious gangster Al Capone was a regular at Homer’s and one of Gus’ most pleasant customers. The legacy continues with Gus’ sons, Steve and Dean, who continue to carry on their father’s legacy and tradition.

Homer’s mission is “to create incredible homemade ice creams that taste as good as they look. We mix and match unusual combinations so that every scoop that we serve meets your highest ice cream expectations.” Transplants and locals alike, come from far and wide to get a taste of the delicious ice cream, and even are able to get their ice cream fix shipped to them overnight!

With over 80 years in business, “Critics and readers of Chicago Magazine and Bon Appetit, as well as judges from the American Tasting Institute, have awarded Homer’s ice cream numerous accolades. By using fresh and natural ingredients for our ice creams, and by still using the original recipe created by Gus Poulos in 1935, we make our ice cream with care”. Some of the awards and titles they’ve received include:

• “Number one ice cream” – Pioneer Press
• “Best in Chicago” – Chicago Magazine
• “Best of North Shore” -North Shore Magazine
• “Top Ten in the country” – Bon Appetit
• “Finest in the Nation” – American Tasting Institute

No matter what you’re hungry for, this ice cream is too good to pass up for places to eat.

Located conveniently on the North shore, Homer’s is steps from shopping, .6 miles and 2 minutes from A Space 2 Work and bustling downtown Wilmette.

Get Directions from Homer’s Ice Cream to A Space 2 Work

Pescadero

Who doesn’t enjoy fresh seafood and a delicious craft cocktail? This family-friendly restaurant is upscale, and a classic local favorite. With outdoor dining options and a bar, the atmosphere is chic yet also casual. “The cuisine focus is on accessible seafood.”

The menu is filled with diverse choices ranging from traditional seafood, food-inspired with a modern approach, and even raw bar options. This seafood joint is great for brunch, lunch, or dinner. They have a complete oyster bar and wonderful options such as their popular brussels sprout appetizer, a crowd favorite.

You can’t really go wrong with ordering at Pescadero as one happy customer writes, “Every bite I’ve had at Pescadero has been delicious! Super fresh high-quality ingredients prepared to perfection. Service doesn’t miss a beat…great atmosphere… can’t wait to come back!!”

Whether you are looking for a night out with the family, or a date night out on the town, Pescadero is sure to not disappoint.

Located in downtown Wilmette, a Chicago suburb, north of Central, south of Lake, it is only minutes away from local shops and .3 miles and a 6-minute walk to A Space 2 Work.

Get Directions from Pescadero to A Space 2 Work

Sophia Steak

Sophia Steak takes the steakhouse to a different level. With many options such as fresh seafood, appetizing salad options, delicious sides, and more, you are sure to find something that will leave your taste buds singing.

At Sophia Steak, they strive to “set the bar high for everything we do, but we stop short of fancy. Paired with personalized service, a comfortable room that feels like home, and the care of our founders, Glenn Keefer and Ryan O’Donnell – lifelong friends who know a thing about steak and hospitality – Sophia Steak is the neighborhood steakhouse for the North Shore.”

Book Sophia Steak for a private event in one of their many private, comfortable dining areas. You will be treated right as you enjoy raw oysters paired with a perfect bottle of wine.

Located conveniently on the North Shore, you are only .3 miles and 2 minutes from A Space 2 Work.

Get Directions from Sophia Steak to A Space 2 Work

Torino Ramen

Torino Ramen began in 2019 as a Kaiseki pop-up restaurant. The reservation-only experience caught on and quickly became one of the North Shore’s top dining locations. With a complete bar and full seating, you can order a genuine Japanese-inspired cocktail and eat fresh sushi from their award-winning sushi program.

So what does Torino Ramen mean? According to the restaurant, “tori” means chicken (which is our signature broth), it comes from the “Torino Festival.” Every November, many people in Japan go to a festival called “Torino Ichi (酉の市).” Business owners purchase a decorative rake to wish (rake in) good luck and business prosperity. There are many street food vendors where you can enjoy traditional food as well. We want TORINO to be a place where our customers can enjoy the tastes of Japan – not just food and drinks, but even culture.”

Known for creating delicious and authentic ramen, Torino’s philosophy extends beyond their flawless execution of creating delicious ramen and has found much success with their sushi menu as well. They were voted for Best Ramen and Sushi Restaurant on the North Shore.

The ambiance is tasteful and magical.

Located conveniently on Chicago’s North Shore, Torino Ramen is only .3 miles and 2 minutes away from A Space 2 Work.

Get Directions from Torino Ramen to A Space 2 Work

Walker Bros. Original Pancake House

Walker Bros Pancake House is a historic diner that has been serving the best breakfast on the North Shore for over 50 years.

Some of the numerous awards and achievements Walker Bros has received include:

• Recognized as Chicago’s “best breakfast-bar none” and the “North and Northwest suburban family favorite” by Zagat
• Recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as “#1 for Family Dining”
• Forest & Bluff magazine for “Best Breakfast”
• Make it Better magazine as “Best Brunch – North Shore”
• AOL’s City’s Best for “Best Breakfast”
• USA Today as one of the “Top Ten Pancake Restaurants in the Nation.”
• Voted Chicago Magazine’s Critic’s Choice Award for the “Best Breakfast”.

Ray Walker, the owner of Walker Bros, says “as we continue to grow, our commitment to excellence has strengthened. Our philosophy of personal warmth and a truly “out of the ordinary” experience will greet you at Walker Bros. It is my constant objective and sincere wish to serve you the finest pancakes available “anywhere.” Our entire staff, at all seven locations, takes pleasure in serving you time and again.

With multiple locations in Arlington Hts, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire, Schaumburg, and Wilmette, the business continues to grow and keep customers coming back.

It is conveniently located only .6 miles and 3 minutes from A Space 2 Work.

Get Directions from Walker Bros. Original Pancake House to A Space 2 Work

Depot Nuevo Restaurant

Depot Nuevo is a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, where people can go to have a casual meal among the brightly colored interior, live music, and good drinks. The menu itself is modern Mexican and serves all kinds of different tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and more. Their true specialty is their paella which is a definite crowd-pleaser.

One happy customer described the restaurant as “one of the coolest places to eat in the neighborhood.” Whether you’re in the mood for a margarita or freshly brewed beer, Depot Nuevo is the spot to go. Not only is the food delicious, but the building itself is also reason enough to go. The Depot Nuevo Building is the most historic building in Wilmette and is decorated beautifully with fine art and photographs taken by the Depot Nuevo staff of the Jalisco region of Mexico, the tequila capital of the country.

Located .4 miles and 8 mins away from A Space 2 Work, this is a great place to grab a drink with friends after work or a quick lunch.

Get Directions from Depot Nuevo Restaurant to A Space 2 Work

The Noodle Cafe

If you like pasta look no further than The Noodle Cafe. They are a local eatery offering American-Italian pasta and seafood. Locals and tourists alike love this place for its authenticity. All pasta is made on-site and served mouth-watering fresh. They specialize in fresh, made-from-scratch pasta and sauces and fresh seafood, and do a good job of it.

The European-style cafe is very laid back and inviting. The perfect place for a date or night out with friends or family, this is the spot.

Located conveniently on the North Shore in the Wilmette Village Center across from Village Hall & the train station, it is a convenient .2 miles away and 5 minutes walk from A Space 2 Work.

Get Directions from The Noodle Cafe to A Space 2 Work