Oak Brook: A True Dining Mecca

Chocolate brownie cake with a scoop of ice cream with a mint leaf on a white plate
Chocolate brownie cake with a scoop of ice cream with a mint leaf on a white plate

Oak Brook offers residents and visitors an array of nearly 80 dining destinations, from fine dining to quick-serve restaurants. It has evolved into a dining mecca over several decades.

According to former Chicago Tribune Dining Critic Phil Vettel, a major reason is the proximity to downtown Chicago. “I had a ringside seat over 30 years watching name chefs located in Chicago,” he said. Chefs arrived from all parts of the country and the world, bringing their styles of cuisine with them—famous names like Rick Bayless and Charlie Trotter. Dining entrepreneurs like Rich Melman started in Chicago and grew his passion into nationally recognized Lettuce Entertain You restaurants.

With such close proximity to a dining magnet like Chicago, Oak Brook is a natural extension of the restaurant scene. As the home of Oakbrook Center, one of the most successful shopping centers in the country, along with various businesses and corporations based in the village, there is steady traffic. Meetings, conventions, and vacations also keep the restaurants bustling.

Oak Brook is a restaurant destination, but it can be combined with some fun and games. Puttshack offers mini-golf, Pinstripes offers bowling and bocce, and Game of Irons offers mini-golf, golf simulators, pool games, and arcade games.

Thanks to the Oak Brook Restaurant Association, Oak Brook Magazine has curated a local guide organized by cuisine and style. Enjoy them often. ■

AMERICAN

Alter Brewing & Kitchen
1170 W 22nd St., Oak Brook
630.819.8411
alterbrewing.com

Beatrix
272 Oakbrook Center
630.491.1415
beatrixrestaurants.com

Game of Irons
3041 Butterfield Rd #104,
Oak Brook
630.303.9454
gameofirons.com

Michael Jordan’s
1225 W 22nd St., Oak Brook
630.828.2932
michaeljordansteakhouse.com

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
1775 22nd St., Oak Brook
630.526.4308
lazydogrestaurants.com

Table at Crate
35 Oakbrook Center
630.590.9444
tableatcrate.com

True Food Kitchen
105 Oakbrook Center
630.716.3056
truefoodkitchen.com

ASIAN

Bibibop Asian Grill
1725 22nd St. Oak Brook
630.634.5616
bibibop.com

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
1755 22nd St. Oak Brook
630.791.4721
kurasushi.com

ITALIAN

Antico Posto
118 Oakbrook Center
630.586.9200
antico-posto.com

Labriola Café
3021 Butterfield Rd Ste 105, Oak Brook 630.574.2800
labriolabakerycafe.com

La Barra
3011 Butterfield Rd,
Oak Brook
630.861.7617
labarraristorante.com

Pinstripes
7 Oakbrook Center
630.575.8700
pinstripes.com

 

STEAKHOUSE

Old Town Pour House
8 Oakbrook Center
630.601.1440
oldtownpourhouse.com

Wildfire
232 Oakbrook Center
630.598.9000
wildfirerestaurant.com

HOTEL DINING

Longitude 87, Le Meridien
2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook
630.368.9900
marriott.com

El Tapeo, Le Meridien
2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook
630.828.2044
eltapeooakbrook.com

Hearth Lounge, Hyatt Lodge
2815 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook
630.568.1234
hyatt.com

Water’s Edge, Hyatt Lodge
2815 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook
630.568.1234
hyatt.com

Lakeside Private Parties
2815 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook
630.568.1234
yatt.com

Residence Inn, Breakfast
790 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook
630.571.1200
marriott.com

Hyatt House H Bar
210 22nd St., Oak Brook
630.590.1200
hyatt.com

Hyatt House
Morning Spread
210 22nd St., Oak Brook
630.590.1200
hyatt.com

Doubletree The Lounge
at 1909
1909 Spring Road, Oak Brook
630.472.6000
hilton.com

Doubletree Atrium Café
1909 Spring Road, Oak Brook
630.472.6000
hilton.com

The Drake Colonial Room
2301 York Rd., Oak Brook
630.571.0000
thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com

The Drake Polo Lounge
2301 York Rd., Oak Brook
630.571.0000
thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com

The Drake Aroma de Café
2301 York Rd., Oak Brook
630.571.0000
thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com

The Drake Sunday Brunch
2301 York Rd., Oak Brook
630.571.0000
thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com

Marriott Oak Brook
1401 W. 22nd ST., Oak Brook
630.573.8555
no restaurants

BREAKFAST

Blueberry Hill Café
3041 Butterfield Rd,
Oak Brook
630.575.8401
blueberrybreakfastcafe.com

QUICK CASUAL DINING

Jeni’s Ice Cream
521 Oakbrook Center
630.822.7996

Starbucks Coffee
2407 W. 22nd St
630.368.1091

 

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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