Where to Eat in Springfield, Illinois: Best Restaurants to Try

‘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 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

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 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