By Fiona Good-Sirota By Fiona Good-Sirota | December 3, 2024 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Style & Beauty, Style & Beauty, Food & Drink, Guides,
Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, The Village of Glencoe is a popular pick for locals and visitors alike. It is home to historic architecture, a buzzy business district, scenic natural surroundings and a charming central downtown. We’ve compiled the best spots to dine, shop and visit as you explore one of the top destinations on the North Shore.
Where To Eat
694 Vernon Ave., Glencoe / Website
Chic American spot Guildhall has remained a favorite for over a decade. It serves bistro-style fare crafted with locally sourced ingredients, such as Neopolitan-style pizza, mouthwatering burgers and hearty tagliatelle. The restaurant also offers a curated selection of sake, nigiri, sashimi, makimono and specialty rolls on its ever-evolving Tori Dasu menu.
317 Park Ave., Glencoe / Website
Whether you’re gearing up to host your next event or want to pop by for fresh salads, tempting burgers, gourmet tacos and sandwiches, this catering company and cafe has you covered. Visit to sample house specialties like lemon chicken piccata, homemade Maryland crabcakes and chicken pot pie, or peruse An Apple A Day’s catering menu for party platters, hors d’oeuvres and sweets.
51 Green Bay Road, Glencoe / Website
Since 1984, this neighborhood mainstay has served made-from-scratch dishes that pay homage to French culture and cuisine (all while incorporating a dash of Californian-inspired flair). Dig into specialties like oven-baked brie, cocktail meatballs or Louisiana-style crab cakes to start, followed by your pick of entrees like pomegranate or grilled Meyer lemon chicken, tri-color rotini pesto, Colorado lamb shank and more.
700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe / Website
Get your morning (or afternoon) pick-me-up from this downtown Glencoe cafe, which features a wide-ranging menu stocked with smoothie bowls, lattes, juices and delectable brunch staples. Don’t skip out on favorites like the avocado and Lox hometown toast, the blueberry banana smoothie, the harvest kale salad, the scrambled egg breakfast wrap and the bagel tuna melt.
667 Vernon Ave., Glencoe / Website
Originally located on Roger Williams in Ravinia, this family-owned Italian eatery reopened its doors in Glencoe last year, bringing a menu of daily specials, crowd-pleasing main courses and decadent desserts to locals. Start small with tasty antipasti like baked clams and eggplant stacks, or go all in with orecchiette, homemade ravioli, pork chop calabrese or skirt steak Velasco, to name a few.
Where To Shop
346 Park Ave., Glencoe / Website
This small business is the place to go for small-batch, locally sourced and handmade merchandise, including housewares, baby items, toys, spa products, jewelry, gourmet food, stationery and more. Peruse the shop’s wide selection and follow their Instagram for intel on upcoming events.
339 Park Ave., Glencoe / Website
Shop for home essentials from this hidden gem, which features a curated selection of contemporary and vintage decor, gifts and more. The Glencoe store also offers designer trade programs, corporate gifting services and customized wedding and gift registries.
372 Hazel Ave., Glencoe / Website
Luxury consignment shop North Shore Exchange houses an array of high-end apparel, handbags, jewelry, furniture and decor. Fashion aficionados can shop for their favorite brands while giving back to the community with the store’s Fashion on a Mission campaign, which has donated over $1 million in charitable gifts to local organizations since its inception.
657 Vernon Ave., Glencoe / Website
Shop for the little ones in your life at this must-visit small business home to toys, games, activities, crafts, apparel and baby essentials. After noticing a hole in the toy market for sustainable and organic children’s items, owner and mom-of-two Gretchen Miller opened the boutique in 2015 to help other parents source engaging, interactive, safe and eco-friendly offerings for kids of all ages.
What To See & Do
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe / Website
With 27 picturesque gardens across 385 acres, the world-renowned Chicago Botanic Garden is known for its serene scenery and awe-inspiring seasonal events (Lightscape and the annual Orchid Show, to name a few). Gather your loved ones and partake in a day of exploration, flora and fauna education and tranquil garden walks.
160 Hazel Ave., Glencoe / Website
Pack a picnic basket, round up your crew and plan a day trip to this lakeside beach, which features on-duty lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Off-season entry is free of charge from sunrise to sunset, and an admission fee is required during the summer season.
621 Westley Road, Glencoe / Website
Join for tee times, golf lessons, league meets and more at this 18-hole golf course, which has been a North Shore staple since 1921. After a long day out on the green, don’t forget to visit the on-site restaurant for shareable bites, burgers, salads and handhelds (think buffalo chicken wraps, Reuben sandwiches, tuna melts and more).
325 Tudor Court, Glencoe / Website
For over 30 years, this stylish theater has featured an array of classic and contemporary productions and events, from renowned plays to educational programming for guests of all ages. Check out the Writers Theatre website to explore the venue’s upcoming matinees, day camps, subscription seasons and more.
See also: The Ultimate Guide To Winnetka
Photography by: Getty Images
