The 10 Best Restaurants In Aurora Illinois

Often overshadowed by nearby Chicago, Aurora has a lot to offer to those visiting the area, including a growing culinary scene that is bursting with flavours. From fine dining establishments with picturesque views to small restaurants featuring exotic spicy cuisine, there are many appealing options. Here is an updated guide to the 10 best cultural restaurants in Aurora, Illinois.

1. Two Brothers Roundhouse

Gastropub, Pub, Restaurant, American

Located in an 1856 historic building, which also happens to be the oldest limestone roundhouse in the USA, Two Brothers Roundhouse is a brewpub restaurant featuring delicious New American cuisine plus artisan beers and lagers. Keeping the environment in mind, the restaurant procures the best quality ingredients, which are often organic, from local purveyors, which ensures the freshest-tasting dishes. The menu has a host of small plates from crab cake croquettes to vegan tacos, salads, burgers and sandwiches, plus mouth-watering entrées, which include the bison meatloaf with mushrooms and poblano peppers topped with a chipotle beer glaze accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans. Be sure to ask the server which beer would best complement your dish to have the full Two Brothers experience.

2. Ach n Lou's Pizza Pub

Pizzeria, Pub, Restaurant, Italian

Part of Aurora’s culinary scene since 1977, Ach n Lou’s Pizza Pub is a lively locally owned Italian venue featuring delicious pizza. This family-friendly parlour attracts a wide range of diners seeking a variety of pies smothered with house-made sauce, bubbly melted Wisconsin cheese, and fresh toppings. With four crusts to choose from — pre-baked, hand-tossed, ultra thin, or deep-dish — diners have numerous tasty options, including the spinach pizza topped with bacon, mushrooms, and of course, spinach and the supreme with sausage, tomatoes, onions, green olives, green peppers, and mushrooms. Sandwiches, spaghetti, and appetisers are also on the menu plus many beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties.

3. Basils Greek Dining

Restaurant, Greek, Mediterranean

Basil grows all over Greece and is often used in contemporary traditional Greek cooking, plus the Greek word for basil is vasilikos, which also means royal; so Basils Greek Dining is a befitting name for this casual yet elegant establishment. Established in 2009, the restaurant features an open and warm interior with ample seating where diners can feast upon innovative Greek and Mediterranean dishes made with the best quality ingredients available. Delectable highlights to note are the vegetarian moussaka with layers of eggplant, potatoes, zucchini, and cheese topped with a béchamel sauce and shrimp and scallops sautéed in white wine, garlic, olive oil, and basil accompanied by saffron orzo.

4. Chef Amaury at 33 West

Bar, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian

Located on the west bank of Aurora’s scenic Fox River in the heart of downtown is Chef Amaury at 33 West, an eclectic eatery specialising in contemporary American cuisine made with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. Owned and operated by Executive Chef Amaury Rosado and his wife, Trisha, this fine-dining establishment offers delicious dishes on their menus — à la carte or five-course prix fixe — which change weekly to reflect seasonal products. Past notable options included spicy cauliflower soup with chorizo and parsley oil and flat iron steak with caramelised leeks, oyster mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, and oyster mushroom purée. Luscious desserts and an extensive selection of beer, wine, and cocktails round out the offerings all of which can be enjoyed inside or al fresco on the deck.

5. Harner's Bakery and Restaurant

Bakery, Diner, Restaurant, Salad Bar, American

Harner’s Bakery and Restaurant has been serving mouth-watering homemade baked goods and delicious American cuisine to locals for over 50 years. Located in North Aurora along the Fox River, the bakery side offers a variety of sweet rolls, donuts, cookies, pies, breads, and cakes to those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth; the diner, too, has a host of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. For breakfast, freshly baked biscuits smothered with creamy pork sausage gravy is one highlight while those craving lunch might enjoy the hickory smoked ham sandwich on a fresh bun, and for dinner, the house-speciality battered-dip fried chicken is a popular choice. This friendly spot also has a pig roast on the first Friday of every month.

6. Luigi's House

Bar, Restaurant, Italian

Luigi’s House specializes in authentic Italian cuisine plus offers guests several unique dining experiences. While it isn’t a house in the traditional sense of the word, each dining room represents a room that you would find in a house; for example, guests can dine in a rustic kitchen, a library with soft lighting, a warm pottery room with glimmering lights, or a lush patio. Hearty dishes on the menu include the chicken limone with spinach in a white wine and lemon sauce served over pasta; macadamia-encrusted halibut topped with a citrus beurre blanc accompanied by grilled asparagus and rice pilaf; and the classic pasta Bolognese. The restaurant also includes a lounge, Julian’s Piano Bar, where live entertainment takes place three times each week.

7. OMango

Food Truck, Restaurant, Indian, Vegetarian

Established in 2012 by Sandeep Bhargava and Karen Powell, OMango is a vibrant fast casual eatery celebrating the flavours of India — from mild to spicy — in contemporary ways. Taking inspiration from their travels throughout India, the owners wanted to provide the area with healthy Eastern cuisine made with the fresh, responsible ingredients. Diners may try flavourful dishes, such as wraps made with house-made whole wheat paratha or flatbread, which are stuffed with anything from Amish chicken marinated in spices and roasted to organic tofu marinated in tomato, ginger, and garlic. Many tasty curries are also on the menu, including the spicy vindaloo with either chicken, shrimp, or tofu, plus other add-ins. Everyone from meat lovers to vegans will find something to tantalise their taste buds at OMango.

8. Pie Boss

Pie Boss

Opened in 2012 by Tyrel Naidoo who is a native of South Africa, Pie Boss is a casual and friendly eatery specialising in mouth-watering savoury pies with South African and Indian notes. The buttery flaky crust encapsulates a host of flavours from meats to vegetables to unexpected sweet specials. Diners have the option of buying pies and baking them at home, or they can sit in the cosy interior to savour the delicious edibles. While the menu is small, there is something for everyone, including the pepper steak pie, cheeseburger pie, and spicy mixed vegetable pie made with South African curry. They also have speciality items, such as the lamb bunny chow, which is leg of lamb curry in a baked bread bowl, that are available periodically.
Pie Boss, 1649 Montgomery Rd. Suite #6, Aurora, IL, USA, +1 630 898 3448

9. Pomegranate Restaurant

Bar, Restaurant, American, Greek, Vegetarian

Pomegranate Restaurant is an eatery featuring American and Greek fare along with other international flavours. Open seven days a week, this establishment has a full bar and serves lunch and dinner plus all-day breakfast to eager diners looking to sate their hunger. The menus are impressive with numerous culinary possibilities, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, and guests will be happy to hear that everything is made-to-order, ensuring freshness. Breakfast lovers can take delight in the pomegranate waffle, which is a pecan waffle with pomegranate sauce, fresh strawberries, blueberries, plus bananas, while those wanting lunch can try the veggie panini with various vegetables and Swiss cheese. As for dinner, the Greek-style lamb chops seasoned with oregano and lemon is one tasty choice.

10. Sushi Plus

Bar, Restaurant, Japanese, Contemporary, Seafood, Sushi

Sushi Plus is a sleek and modern restaurant specialising in delicious Japanese cuisine. Serving sushi kaiten zushi-style or rotary style, diners can choose sushi from a refrigerated conveyor belt; the different coloured plates designate the price of each dish. A unique dining experience, diners can pick straight from the rotary belt, or order from the extensive menu, which highlights fresh seafood but also includes everything from imported beer and sake to specialty rolls to bento boxes to dessert. Noted options from the menu include the drop and roll maki roll with spicy tuna and shrimp tempura topped with yellowtail, jalapeño, sweet soy, and tobiko, and the chicken yakitori or grilled chicken stick.

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