7 Chef-Recommended Restaurants in Champaign, IL
Fueled by fertile farmland and deeply-rooted connections among farmers, producers and restaurants, the farm-to-table movement is flourishing in Champaign, IL, and its surrounding region.
Chef Garron Sanchez
Chef Garron Sanchez champions local ingredients at his restaurant, Caprae at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery. For him, it’s the proximity to the land and the people behind it that defines the area’s food scene. In fact, locals can often see the ingredients for an upcoming meal growing just outside their window.
“The connection changes how you cook,” Sanchez says. “It makes you more thoughtful, more respectful of what’s on the plate. And it keeps us grounded, creative and constantly inspired by what’s growing around us.”
To best experience the area’s collaborative food scene and intentionality behind the dishes served, Sanchez recommends the following Champaign-Urbana, IL, region restaurants.
In This Article
1. The Space
A restaurant that’s true to its name, The Space in Champaign, IL, welcomes creativity and community. Sanchez says it’s “probably my favorite place to hang out on a day off,” and it’s easy to see why. The restaurant delivers a unique dining experience, offering fun, inventive food served in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
“It’s hands down one of the best burgers I’ve ever had in my life,” Sanchez says. “They’re one of the few places here really taking risks, serving modern cuisine with a lot of thought and preparation behind it.”
The restaurant’s spirit of experimentation shows up in every detail, from its housemade ketchup, mustard and hot sauce to its lineup of live music, comedy shows and open-mic nights.
2. Sticky Rice
Owned and operated by the Phetchareune family, Sticky Rice offers great service, a warm atmosphere, a unique bar menu and some of the best authentic Lao and Thai food you’ll find in the region. Many of the Champaign, IL, restaurant’s ingredients are sourced from its own farm in nearby Villa Grove.
After a long day, Sanchez enjoys the deep-fried pork jerky with spicy fish sauce or the shrimp-in-a-blanket with sweet red chili sauce.
“Wash those down with a cold Thai pale lager, and you can’t get much better than that,” he says.
3. Ladro Enoteca
Ladro Enoteca in downtown Champaign is the go-to spot for wine lovers, whether you are having a cozy date night or a relaxed evening with friends. Part bottle shop, part wine bar, it offers a thoughtfully curated selection of bottles alongside tinned fish, artisan cheeses, snacks and seasonal bites.
Sanchez calls it one of his top recommendations for visitors and locals alike. The atmosphere is intimate and inviting, making it an ideal spot to unwind over a snack or the monthly gin and tonic special.
4. Silver Tree Beer & Spirits
A short drive to Paxton leads you to Silver Tree Beer & Spirits, a family-run distillery and brewery rooted in Irish tradition. Founded by the three Glazik brothers who grew up farming the same land they now harvest for their grains, Silver Tree began with small-batch beers before expanding into fine spirits, like vodka and whiskey.
Today, the distillery and brewery crafts everything from its own farm-grown ingredients to its limited-edition beers. Its newly opened tasting room (still with limited hours) offers a warm setting to sample what’s fresh. Deeply involved in the local community, the brothers often host collaborative dinners and events at the tasting room.
5. Lexington Social
Another gem of a restaurant about an hour outside the Champaign-Urbana, IL, region is the Lexington Social in Lexington. It serves up stunning contemporary American cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood, housemade pasta and seasonal ingredients.
A standout bar program complements the food, featuring creative cocktails and an elevated wine list. Open Thursday through Saturday, the Lexington Social offers an intimate dining experience that feels special from start to finish. Just be sure to make a reservation.
6. Baldarotta’s Porketta & Sicilian Sausage
For hearty Italian comfort food, Baldarotta’s Porketta & Sicilian Sausage is an Urbana favorite. Run by husband-and-wife team chef Jordan and Paris Baldarotta, the deli celebrates authentic Italian-American fare made with heart and heritage. Chef Jordan, a third-generation Italian American, brings family recipes and original creations to life through hot and cold sandwiches, housemade deli meats and salads, ready-to-eat pastas, and gelato and cannoli.
“It’s great to see where this town is heading in the culinary world,” Sanchez says. “This place is a must-try.”
7. Martinelli’s Market
In the heart of downtown Champaign, IL, Martinelli’s Market is a beloved restaurant that brings classic Chicago-style deli fare to central Illinois. Now owned and operated by the grandson of founder Frank Martinelli, the market continues a proud family tradition of serving meaty sandwiches, soups, salads and freshly baked breads and pastries.
House-smoked and -roasted meats anchor the menu, while the retail shop offers an impressive selection of local cheeses, produce and specialty ingredients.
Sanchez’s go-to order is a toss-up between the Ybor City Cubano, the hot pastrami or a classic Reuben.
“Paired with a bag of Voodoo chips, a pickle and a side of matzo ball soup, you can’t go wrong,” he says.
This article was sponsored by Experience Champaign-Urbana.