Convito Cafe & Market’s quiche
Wilmette is home to some of the best restaurants on the North Shore—here are 10 of our favorites.
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1137 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette / Website
Visit this Downtown sandwich shop to try specialties like fried chicken and meatball parmesan sandwiches, super green salads and Wisconsin cheddar-topped smash burgers. The hot spot is also known for its crave-worthy root beer float, a combination of vanilla ice cream and Dr. Brown’s root beer.
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1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette / Website
This Wilmette restaurant spotlights regional European fare, with a focus on Italian and French classics like spaghetti al pomodoro, veggie crepes and manilla clam-topped linguine blanco. The food and wine market offers prepared foods like beef stew, pot roast and parmesan chicken, along with imported groceries, Italian wines, baked goods and fresh pasta and sauces.
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1167 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette / Website
This beloved seafood restaurant is a North Shore staple, featuring a top-notch raw bar and tempting signature cocktails like the Pescadero gin-infused “Castaway” and the Wilmette Beach negroni made with Hendrick’s Gin, Luxardo Bitter Bianco and Carpano Bianco vermouth. Dig into culinary creations like Maine lobster sliders and sesame-crusted ahi tuna, or go all in with the seafood tower, a culmination of Maine lobster tails, chilled crab legs, East and West Coast oysters and a wood-grilled Gulf shrimp cocktail.
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1168 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette / Website
This Texas-style spot dishes out mouthwatering brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken from its wood-burning smoker dubbed “Big Earl.” Situated in downtown Wilmette, Pit & Tap is just the place to curb comfort food cravings with offerings like poutine, Tex Mex chili bowls, smoked barbecue wings and Texas cheesesteak sandwiches crafted with shaved brisket, green chile queso and sautéed onions on an Amoroso roll.
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1133 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette / Website
Start off your visit to this popular pizza joint with shareable small bites like garlic knots, buffalo chicken tenders and chopped Italian salad and move on to tasty entrees like spicy sausage rigatoni, chicken piccatta and spicy pepperoni pizza, topped with hot pickled peppers and giardinera. Finish off your meal with Pizza by Sal's famous tiramisu or an ice cream sandwich.
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1146 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
This neighborhood steakhouse is known for its exceptional cuts, from 45-day dry-aged porterhouse and tomahawk steaks to black Angus filets. Restaurant-goers can also opt for specialties like Marcona almond swordfish, miso-glazed salmon and grilled Forza burgers with sweet onions, aged white cheddar, horseradish aioli and a sesame bun.
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111 Green Bay Road, Wilmette / Website
Dine on authentic Greek fare, like pan-fried kefalotiri cheese, layered baked eggplant moussaka and baked pastitsio pasta at this cozy eatery. Pair your meal with Taverna Naxos' selection of craft cocktails, including the "Aphrodite's Kiss" with Old Forester, Metaxas, angostura bitters, peychaud bitters and cinnamon syrup or the "Cycladic Pama" martini with Kettle One vodka, Pama liqueur and fresh lemon juice with a Mastiha rinse.
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1162 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette / Website
Offering miso, chicken and pork-broth ramen with lots of add-ons, as well as sushi, bao buns and izakaya-style options, this buzzy spot was started by three women who all grew up in Japan and intend to bring the authentic flavors they missed to their new home. Don’t miss out on favorites like the takoyaki octopus puffs, the crispy karaage chicken lettuce wraps, the shrimp bao buns with Siracha aioli and the “Sammy” pork-based ramen with chicken broth, a soft-boiled egg, bok choy, kikurage mushrooms, scallions, ma-yu garlic oil and Beni Shoga ginger.
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153 Green Bay Road, Wilmette / Website
This iconic breakfast spot has been serving delectable breakfast and lunch dishes for more than 50 years. Try the famous apple cinnamon pancakes, light and crispy waffles or oven-baked omelets. For the full experience, pair your meal with the spot’s crispy, thick-cut bacon and a glass of Walker Bro’s freshly squeezed orange juice.
See also: The Ultimate Guide to Evanston
Photography by: ROBERT WARNER
