9 Must-Try Elgin Restaurants: Where the Elgin Locals Eat

Elgin, IL, bisected by the Fox River, is home to picturesque riverfront views, a quaint downtown, and a food scene representative of everything Illinois has to offer. With hometown bakeries and diners to authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and innovative food halls, there’s plenty to please anyone living in Elgin. 

But if you’re new to the area or recently moved into your first apartment in Elgin, you may be wondering where the locals go for a bite to eat. Well, look no further, Redfin has a list of 9 must-try Elgin restaurants to try this year. Let’s check them out.

#1: Elgin Public House

Cuisine: Bar and American restaurant
Address: 219 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120
Elgin Public House’s Website

Situated in Downtown Elgin, Elgin Public House is an awesome spot to spend the evening with a signature cocktail or beer and a pub classic like a patty melt, Kobe burger, chicken or fish sandwich, or mac and cheese.

#2: Dog’s Paw Brewing

Cuisine: Sports bar and American restaurant
Address: 74 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Dog’s Paw Brewing’s Website

A brewery serving upgraded classics like fried green beans, corned beef sandwiches, gyro burgers, and cheesecake, Dog’s Paw Brewing has a lot of dishes for anyone looking for a new place to grab a bite.

#3: Danny’s on Douglas

Cuisine: Pizzeria
Address: 231 Douglas Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Danny’s on Douglas’ Website

Situated in the heart of Elgin, you can find a variety of dishes at Danny’s on Douglas – anything from pizza, French fries, sandwiches, pastas. They also have live music and events throughout the week.

#4: Delicia Tropical Cafe

Cuisine: Puerto Rican restaurant
Address: 780 Villa St, Elgin, IL 60120
Delicia Tropical Cafe’s Website

Another one of the countless Elgin restaurants you should consider stopping by is Delicia Tropical Cafe. An authentic Puerto Rican spot, you can find them serving dishes like tostones, bacalaito, Cubano sandwiches, jibaritos, pernil and carne guisada plates, and mofongo.

#5: Ray’s Diner

Cuisine: Diner and American restaurant
Address: 801 Saint Charles St, Elgin, IL 60120
Ray’s Diner’s Website

Ray’s Diner, serving the community since 1969, has some awesome options for those looking for a diner that’s dishing out all-day breakfast like steak and eggs, and pancakes, or dinner options like ham steak and fried haddock, and a malt or old fashioned shake to end your meal.

#6: Herb’s Bakery

Cuisine: Bakery
Address: 1020 Larkin Ave, Elgin, IL 60123
Herb’s Bakery’s Website

Herb’s Bakery is an excellent spot if you’re looking for a bakery serving pastries like kringle, Danishes, donuts, pretzel rolls, and custom cakes. Opened in 1954, make sure to check out this Elgin restaurant.

#7: Las Gorditas De Don Angel

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 165 E Highland Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Las Gorditas De Don Angel’s Website

In Downtown Elgin you’ll find Las Gorditas De Don Angel, a Mexican restaurant, known for their gorditas with a variety of fillings like hot peppers and cheese, pork, ground beef and potatoes, nopales and eggs, and barbacoa. 

#8: Dream Hall

Cuisine: Food hall
Address: 51 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Dream Hall’s Website

If you’ve recently relocated to Elgin and are searching for an innovative food hall with a variety of unique restaurants and coffee shops, you can find that at Dream Hall.

#9: Taqueria El Cokito

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 81 Villa St, Elgin, IL 60120
Taqueria El Cokito’s Website

A Mexican restaurant serving tortas, tacos, huaraches, and burritos with a variety of meats and veggies, Taqueria El Cokito is the perfect place to grab a bite in Elgin.