Take a Bite Out of Peoria: 6 Must-Try Restaurants

Simantel

Seth Boyer, a Peoria Heights native who lived in Chicago for nearly half a decade and now resides in Peoria, Illinois, has made it his mission to highlight the region’s restaurant scene. The actor and content creator boasts over 120,000 followers on his social media platforms, where he goes by @chowcago.

“My favorite thing to do is explore local places. I figured I was doing it a lot anyway,” he says of sharing his food adventures on social media. “I love showing that there’s more to Illinois than Chicago.”

Boyer points to affordability (“It’s a little cheaper and more affordable here”) as well as passion (“There’s a certain pride a lot of Peoria people have that I don’t know that I see in Chicago”) as hallmarks of the region’s dining scene. Here’s a breakdown of six local spots you need to try.

1. The Queen of Squash

Heather Wolbeck

The Queen of Squash opened in Peoria in 2023 with a “very unique” menu, Boyer says. He’s referring to the menu’s healthy lean, as it includes an extensive list of salads and options like flatbread toppings on a cauliflower crust. 

“It gets a lot of its food and produce locally, and you can really taste the difference,” Boyer says. “You walk out feeling light and energized.”

2. Sweetwater Kitchen & Cocktails

A popular spot, thanks to its location on the shores of Lake Peoria, reliable and friendly service, and creative cocktails, Sweetwater Kitchen & Cocktails in Chillicothe can get busy, so reservations are a must (note Friday and Saturday night reservations require a $20 deposit). The entrees and decor boast an island flair, and be sure to check out the bar’s concoctions, like tiki drinks or giant “fishbowl” cocktails served in oversized fish-shaped punch bowls to share with a group.

3. Connected

“I really enjoy Connected,” Boyer says of this Italian spot tucked into an unassuming Peoria strip mall. “It’s one of my favorite places in central Illinois and maybe Illinois as a whole.”

His advice? Don’t skip the bread service (called “bread and spread” here) at Connected, which consists of a fresh baguette accompanied by a savory eggplant dip. He’s also a huge fan of the rigatoni, which is served with sweet Italian sausage and dressed in a cream sauce.

4. W.E. Sullivan’s Irish Pub & Fare

W.E. Sullivan’s Irish Pub & Fare is a lively Peoria Heights bar that serves gallons of Guinness as well as British fare like boxty, fish and chips, and Scotch eggs. The kitchen also turns out a truncated menu until midnight for diners looking for late-night bites. Be sure to follow its Facebook page to keep abreast of regular live music performances on Friday nights as well as bingo and trivia throughout the week.

5. Casa de Arte

When it comes to atmosphere, you can’t beat Peoria’s Casa de Arte, a taqueria that doubles as an art gallery. It hosts an opening reception for a local artist on the first Friday of every month and displays the person’s work for the next 30 days. Art aficionados will always find something interesting on the constantly changing walls, while diners searching for good food and drink won’t be disappointed, either.

6. Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery

Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery occupies a former church that dates to 1889, and even though it’s a bit of a drive from his home, Boyer says it remains one of his favorite spots in Peoria. 

©Journal Communications/Jonathan David Sabin

“The first time I went, it felt like I was walking into a castle,” he says.

While the space boasts a sizable patio, he recommends dining and drinking inside – under soaring architectural ceiling beams and stunningly colorful and elaborate stained glass windows – for the full experience.