Where to have a fancy dinner in or around Springfield, Illinois
When it comes to having a nice meal out, what are you looking for in a restaurant?
Are you going for the ambiance? Maybe for the food they serve or a special bottle of wine that you just can’t seem to find anywhere else.
This list of fine dining restaurants is sure to hit the spot when you are starting the evening for your bachelor/bachelorette party or when you and your fiancé want to go out for a nice, relaxing meal. This list covers everything from Steak house to seafood and more!
1. I am starting off the list with a vegetarian option! Located at 801 E. Monroe St. in Springfield, IL., this restaurant is a top favorite for special occasions. Saputo’s has been a staple of Springfield since 1948! Family owned and operated; this Italian restaurant is amazing! It’s known for its amazing dishes such as baked lasagna and open-faced beef poorboy, but there isn’t anything on the menu that isn’t amazing. But, if you are looking for a vegetarian option, start with bruschetta and then order the eggplant parmigiana!! You will not be disappointed with this outstanding restaurant, guaranteed! This is my favorite place to go for special celebration with my husband. It’s quiet, dark and delicious!
2. Are you a seafood lover? Do lobster, crab & filets all call your name? How about blackened Florida gulf grouper or gulf shrimp scampi? Guys, if you are looking for a spot to have dinner before hitting the casino in East Peoria, Illinois, look no further! Jonah’s Seafood House hits all the spots! Chai Thai Hawaiian Ahi tuna, crab stuffed mushrooms, or even buffalo bang shrimp – no matter what you order, you can’t go wrong. The menu changes everyday and you can have your celebrations printed on the day’s menu when you call ahead! My husband and I go to this restaurant every chance we get, and we never miss the opportunity to ask for a window seat. His favorite is oysters Rockefeller, while my landlubbing self gets the chicken platter, with ketchup. But alas, watching the sun set over the river while dining in this restaurant is peaceful. Check the times and locations before you go! This restaurant has expanded from the seafood house to an oyster bar and delicatessen. They all have different hours and menus, but whichever one you pick, it is worth the trip!
3. Do you want to stay local, have a great dinner with good wine options? Look no further than Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant. With an outside entrance at White Oaks Mall (2501 Wabash Ave, Springfield IL), this upscale restaurant is sure to make an impression on the hardest of critics. Come for Wine O’clock with cocktails and international wines by the glass for just $8! Or, if you want to have a few ladies get together, have them attend brunch & bubbles on Saturday & Sunday from 10-2, where this is no judgement for day drinking! They have different memberships you can join, a wine trip and an ambassador’s club. My favorite appetizer is the over the border eggrolls!
4. Epiphany Farms Restaurant. Refined farm to table dining at its best! It’s roughly located about an hour away at 220 East Front St. in Bloomington, IL., so not a far drive. For those who have not yet experienced a farm-to-table dinner, we strongly recommend doing it! When you do, choose the Epiphany Farm Hospitality Group. Not only is this dinner a community experience, but the entire farm is dedicated to the community. The menu gives you a plethora to choose from. We recommend you start with Anju Classic Shushi and then order a charbroiled steak! This farm has it all. Choose from 1 of 3 menus, including EFR & ANJU, the Harmony menu and even the bakery & pickle menu! Reservations are mandatory for the summer farm dinners.
5. Finally, if you and your group are looking for a nice place, good prices and flowing wine, then you can’t forget about a Springfield, Illinois classic: Bella Millano! Everything from bridal showers to business presentations can be hosted here, in one of two of their private diner rooms.
I went to a work meeting once in The Godfather Room. It can hold 12 or less guests. And I attended a holiday party in the other room, The Tuscan. This room can accommodate up to 60 guests and there is a minimum spend requirement.
This Italian restaurant is known for 2 big things: Friday afternoon happy hour with reduced rates for wine and small plate bites and secondly, their house salad! If you don’t make it to the one in Springfied, there are two other locations in the state: Edwardsville & O’fallon, Illinois.
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Pole Barn Chic is locally owned and operated. We hope to encourage engaged couples to consider choosing a locally owned wedding venue. We go to great lengths to exceed expectations, and you will find that locally owned wedding venues have far less turnover and that leads to better communication!