"A lake is a landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature," said American poet, naturalist and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau.
There’s a je ne sais quoi when sitting at a table with your family and friends while nibbling on spectacular eats. The experience is just exponentially better while lakeside dining in the land of lakes.
Soak up the natural beauty while tasting the mouthwatering cuisine along one of the land of lakes’ inland bodies of water.
This authentic Mexican Restaurant has a beautiful scenic view on Nippersink Lake, connected to the Chain O’Lakes. Watch a beautiful sunset on the Chain while enjoying the best Margarita in Lake County. The menuincludes Enchiladas, Chimichangas, sizzling fajitas, tacos, steak, seafood, burritos, combination platters and a variety of drinks and desserts. The restaurant offers three indoor dining rooms, a seasonal outdoor patio and a full bar jam-packed with unique homemade beverages.
El Puerto Mexican Restaurant, 200 N. Forest Ave., Fox Lake.
Lindy’s Landing is an exceptional bar and restaurant with a beach in the backyard to waltz into the Bangs Lake pre or post-meal. Lindy’s delectable eats include burgers, seafood, sirloin medallions, macaroni, jambalaya, chicken piccata, rock salt prime rib, and a plethora of other fare-favorite items. The Wauconda family-owned business celebrated its half-century birthday in 2015.
Lindy's Landing Restaurant & Marina, 115 Park St., Wauconda.
Named after storied-Waukeganite Ray Bradbury’s fictional town, Green Town Tavern is the city’s local hang-out spot that distributes an exceptional array of drinkables and fare. Since the public health crisis began, the City of Progress neighborhood tavern opened an extension of the eatery called GreenTown on the Rocks that hugs Lake Michigan so patrons can get a panoramic view while enjoying some tunes and booze. So bask in the sights and beauty nestled between the city's municipal beach and harbor resting on the Great Lake. Green Town on the Rocks is open on select days through late September.
Green Town On The Rocks, 175 N. Harbor Pl., Waukegan.
The Winthrop Harbor microbrewery produces adventurous ales. The Lake County suds maker is also highlighted by a taproom, beercade and live music. Since 2018, Habor Brewing has taken innovative flavors and created exceptional libations. The Lake Michigan bordering brewhouse offers 12 different potables on tap. The Lake County Libation Trail participant launched Lake County’s first Lakefront Biergarten in partnership with North Point Marina in late May. Like Greentown, you can experience unique suds along Lake County’s Great Lake. The actual taproom is closed for the foreseeable future, so enjoy the Lakefront Craft Biergarten for the time being!
Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Craft Biergarten at North Point Marina, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor.
Blarney Island is the premier summer party located a mile offshore on the Chain O’Lakes. The unique Antioch bar hosts events, fests, live entertainment, Thunder on the Chain and many others. Take the Blarney shuttle boat out from Port of Blarney, and in just a few minutes, you will be living on island time. Blarney Island is open from May-September. The Antioch venue isn’t just a weekend destination. Thursday’s Thunder on the Chain is a must-see event!
This local favorite has been a staple in southwestern Lake County since 2003 as it sits on a 20-acre quarry. The brewhouse creates handcrafted beers and hearty comfort food. The Lake Barrington brewery’s philosophy is firmly grounded in a passion and respect for many world-class beer styles in today’s brewing renaissance. The Onion Pub’s signature brews include the Misfit American IPA, the Hop Slayer Double IPA and Beggar’s Brown (English-style). The brewpub’s menu is highlighted by soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafoods and more. The Lake County Libation Trail maker was the March 2020 Libation of the Month.
Onion Pub & Brewery, 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington.
This sleek and savvy brewery knows what’s up with a stellar selection of beers on tap. The Wauconda brewhouse is a rustic, reclaimed and lounge. Cool, welcoming color palettes and friendly faces. Whether it’s craft beer, microbrews, craft spirits, boutique wine or even locally-roasted coffee, the Side Lot Brewery has something for your taste buds. Established in 2015, the Wauconda suds staple is highlighted by 11 brews on tap. In addition, the Wauconda brewpub provides a slew of snacks and small bites.
Overlooking pristine Lake Zurich (also located in Lake Zurich), Sunset Pavilion at Breezewald Park adds to the visual statement venue. The Lake Zurich entity serves wines by the glass, craft brew and other libations, flatbreads, sandwiches and desserts. You can’t help but be mesmerized by where the sun sets at this beautiful location while sipping down your favorite adult beverage of choice.
Sunset Pavilion at Breezwald Park, 125 N. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.
Summer has a flavor like no other, as does the local suds at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. Experience this Lake County Forest Preserve District’s beer flights for sippers ages 21 and older while viewing the area’s natural beauty. The beer garden’s Mile 15 Hazy & Lazy created by Waukegan Lake County Libation Trail partnerZümBier Brewery and the Lake County Forest Preserves is the featured adult beverage this summer in its inception year. The New England India Pale Ale dons its name from Independence Grove’s hiking and biking location along the Des Plaines River Trail. The Libertyville forest preserve encourages libationers to find marker 15 on the aforementioned Illinois-Wisconsin trail and snap a photo with the brew. Besides the Waukeganite “liquid courage,” the beer garden is also highlighted by Lake County Libation Trail partners Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville, Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein, Half Day Brewing in Lincolnshire, Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, Ravinia Brewing Co. in Highland Park, Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake, Black Lung Brewing Co. in Round Lake Beachand Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich. The Beer Garden also offers non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. The Independence Grove Forest Preserve entity is open on weekends and Tuesday nights for its summer Concerts in the Plaza.
Beer Garden at Independence Grove, 16400 Buckley Rd., Libertyville.
The 50+-year-old eatery reopened its indoor and outdoor seating. Outside, you can enjoy a splendiferous view of Mundelein’s Diamond Lake. The Mundelein pizzeria is renowned for its thin crust and double-decker pizzas, sandwiches, desserts and so much more. While they lost to Lou Malnati’s in their national television appearance on “GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke,” they are undoubtedly one of the renowned pie makers in the country.
Slyce Coal Fired Pizza is located in Wauconda, Vernon Hills and Highwood, IL. However, the lakeside views you yearn for are in Wauconda as it sits across the street from Bangs Lake. The menu is steeped in age-old traditions, cooking methods, and the best quality ingredients possible. Their passion for food, coupled with recipes made from scratch daily, offers their guests a truly unique dining experience each and every time. Slyce invites you to sit back, relax and experience the true authentic taste of coal-fired za.
Slyce Coal Fired Pizza Company, 127 N. Main St., Wauconda.
Offering a casual dining experience that is exceptional is Wright’s Brew and Bistro, located inside the Lincolnshire Marriott. While it’s not a lake, you have a view of the Des Plaines River. The Lincolnshire bar and restaurant provides the honey to Five Eyes Honey Ale brewed by another Lake County Libation Trail partner, Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein. In the eats department, Wright’s serves traditional Midwest comfort food with a modern twist of spices.
To find out more about lakeside dining and other alfresco options, continue here. Click here to view a complete list of our restaurant, brewery, winery, distillery, and brunch spots.
