Where To Eat In Springfield Illinois: Best Restaurants To Try

Every year tourists flock to Springfield, Illinois to explore the rich history – President Abraham Lincoln lived and worked there – and to experience new adventures. From museums to festivals and other events, plenty is waiting to be discovered, including delicious cuisine from farm-to-table eateries to lively pubs. Here is an updated look at some of the best culinary offerings in Springfield.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Cozy Dog Drive In

‘Cozy dogs’ were launched in 1946, but it was not until 1949 that the Cozy Dog Drive In was established on the historic Route 66. The original site is now an historic landmark — the present location is right next door. Famous for the hot dog on a stick or corn dog, which was perfected by Ed Waldmire Jr. and his friend Don Strand, this American casual eatery also features an array of other tasty edibles, from breakfast sandwiches to hamburgers to a host of side dishes. In addition to the famous ‘cozy dogs’, diners can sample the bacon and egg sandwich; the chilli cheese hot dog; and the BBQ sandwich, to name but a few options.

Cozy Dog, 2935 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL, USA, +1 217 525 1992

Café Moxo

Café Moxo is a locally owned café located downtown, specialising in delicious espresso drinks as well as savoury and sweet treats. The made-from-scratch edibles and the relaxed atmosphere of this delightful café keep customers coming back again and again. Delectable highlights of the savoury kind include cheddar bacon biscuits with gravy; the four eleven sandwich with Portobello mushrooms, tomato, roasted onion, and artichoke spread on marbled rye; and chicken pot pie. As for sweet bites, diners’ taste buds will be tickled by a host of baked goods, from scones to muffins to colourful cupcakes – such as the banana chocolate chip cupcakes topped with peanut buttercream, banana chips, and chocolate drizzle.

Café Moxo, 411 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL, USA, +1 217 788 8084

D’Arcy’s Pint

Sliced Angus Ribeye Steak with Fries, Mustard and Horseradish

Locally owned and loved by locals, D’Arcy’s Pint opened in 1998, creating a great place for tourists to have a local experience while savouring American and Irish fare. A cosy and friendly Irish pub, this eatery features a warm interior, with decorations that pay homage to Springfield’s history, and an outdoor beer garden. American dishes include everything from Black Angus burgers to pizza, while tasty Irish delights include traditional corned beef and cabbage served with parsley buttered Irish taters and marble rye and horseradish sauce. A variety of boxtys boxtys are available as well, which are potato pancakes stuffed with savoury items, such as steak, mushrooms, and caramelised onions.

D’Arcy’s Pint, 661 W. Stanford Ave., Springfield, IL, USA, +1 217 492 8800

Little Saigon

Little Saigon is a lovely restaurant serving authentic Vietnamese and Thai cuisine to hungry diners seven days a week. In a warm and inviting atmosphere, foodies can feast upon a host of delicious dishes, from appetisers to soups to noodle dishes and many more. Many of the flavourful recipes can be customised to a guest’s desired spiciness. Highlights include the pho tai bo vien, which is rice noodle soup with medium-rare sliced beef, meatballs, onion, and cilantro; the bahn xeo (crispy Vietnamese crepe) filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh vegetables; a thick sweet curry with coconut milk, shrimp, mussels, and scallops; and squid stir-fried with red curry and veggies, known as Soldier in the Red Sea. With plenty of vegetarian options, Little Saigon will appeal to many palates.
By Marcelina Morfin

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.