Best Areas for Buyers Who Want a Strong Restaurant Scene Without Living in Chicago
Chicago gets all the love for dining, but buyers do not have to live in the city to enjoy the area’s outstanding restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and places to see and be seen. Several North Shore communities offer vibrant restaurant districts, residential streets, Metra access, and suburban amenities. It depends on the kind of restaurant scene you want. Some areas have a walkable downtown, while others have more restaurants in a larger mixed-use development or on a few upscale blocks.
Keep reading to learn the best areas for buyers who want to enjoy Chicago restaurants without living in Chicago.
What Makes a Suburban Restaurant Scene Feel Complete?
A strong dining area is not about three or four national chains tucked between gas stations. Today’s buyers want a mix of casual dining, date-night spots, independent cafes, ethnic eats, takeout, and places to see and be seen without committing the an out-of-town restaurant visit. Equally important, a walkable district where residents can meander from one restaurant to another on the way to a movie or train ride feels different from restaurants on a larger road or highway.
Downtown Evanston
Evanston has the best of both worlds: a Chicago restaurant feel without the Chicago address. Evanston’s downtown area features restaurants, cafes, and entertainment plus residential buildings, condominiums, and upscale homes for discerning buyers. It is also home the Northwestern University.
Downtown Evanston has more than 85 restaurants and is located within walking distance of the Davis Street Metra and CTA station. You will find everything from quick noshes and cafes to international fare and prime-rib dinners. Evanston is a great pick for buyers who want an active lifestyle and a wide selection of dining options, though traffic and parking can be more challenging than in smaller, more suburban North Shore communities.
Why Does Highwood Stand Out for Dining?
Highwood has created something of a culinary reputation in its small footprint. The downtown area has many locally owned and operated restaurants, bars, bakeries, and specialty food shops. Highwood even has restaurant-centric festivals such as Taste of Highwood and a local restaurant week.
The vibe is more lively than expected in a North Shore community. Homes range from modest and smaller footprint residences near the downtown area to larger single-family residences in surrounding areas such as Highland Park and Fort Sheridan. Buyers should explore Highwood on a slower weekday and during the busy restaurant festival weekend to get an accurate sense of what the community has to offer.
Downtown Highland Park
Highland Park features a larger downtown restaurant district, plus shopping, services, and cultural attractions. It offers casual dining, upscale eateries, cafes, and ethnic restaurants. Its restaurants are perfect for a night out on the town when a concert or festival is in town, or for a simple evening after a matinee in Highland Park’s downtown area.
The city boasts annual restaurant and culinary festivals, including Taste of Highland Park, and seasonal al fresco dining. Buyers who want a wider range of restaurant choices but still want a more traditional suburban housing market may find Highland Park a good fit.
“Buyers who love dining out should look beyond the number of restaurants in a town and focus on how easily those places fit into daily life. The strongest areas offer a mix of local favorites, walkability, convenient parking, and homes close enough for a spontaneous dinner.”–Jake McClure, Team Leader/Real Estate Broker
Is Downtown Wilmette Right for Buyers Who Prefer a Quieter Scene?
Compared to Evanston, Highland Park, and Highwood, Downtown Wilmette has a smaller restaurant district. However, for buyers seeking value, convenience, and a traditional village setting, it can be a compelling option. The village center includes a Metra station and features locally owned and operated eateries, shops, and cafes.
The restaurant scene feels more like a part of the community than an end in itself. Seafood, Italian, breakfast, and casual dining are all available within walking distance. Properties within walking distance in a residential area might have added value because of their proximity to the Metra station, the restaurant district, and the downtown village core. This is a great option for those who want to avoid the urban feel of other “downtown” restaurant districts.
The Glen in Glenview
The Glen features a different take on the North Shore restaurant district. It is less about a historic downtown and more about a planned district of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, along with residences and gathering spaces. Currently, the food options include steakhouses and seafood, sushi, Mexican, Indian, and casual dining.
This could be a great option for buyers who want a less urban feel in the restaurant district. Condos and single-family residences near the Glen could offer convenience without urban intensity. Those seeking more traditional single-family residences, however, will find them in other areas of Glenview as well.
How Should Buyers Compare These Areas?
It starts with your personal preferences and lifestyle. Evanston has the greatest range of restaurant options and the most urban feel. Highwood is a great option for an independent restaurant scene in a contained downtown. Highland Park offers a wider variety of restaurants and a more traditional downtown feel, while Wilmette suits buyers seeking a less urban vibe. The Glen could be a compelling option for those who want to live near the dining district in a less intensively developed residential area.
Absolutely go out to restaurants in these communities, and if you can, spend the night. See what the parking options are like, how far away a residence might be, and how much traffic and overall noise there is after dark. A “near downtown” residence may still require a car trip, especially in bad weather or at night.
Choosing the Right North Shore Community
A strong restaurant scene makes suburban life more convenient, offers more options for dining out and spending time with friends, and can support a more walkable lifestyle when the residence is close enough. A dining district can also have a significant impact on the overall appeal of a residence, especially when it creates a more active village-style atmosphere without having to sacrifice other suburban amenities such as schools and parks.
A North Shore real estate professional can help buyers weigh the differences in housing styles, taxes, transportation, and overall distance to the various restaurant areas. The ideal community is the one that reflects both the buyer’s dining preferences and the overall lifestyle they prefer. Reach out to the professionals at Burling Square Group for more information on areas for foodies who want to avoid Chicago crowds while still finding worthwhile food spots.
What Do Buyers Ask About Living Near North Shore Restaurants?
Q: Which North Shore community has the largest restaurant selection?
A: Generally speaking, Evanston has the most diverse selection because of its downtown area, other commercial areas, the presence of Northwestern University, and Metra and CTA accessibility. Buyers seeking something more contained but with a range of independent restaurants may well be drawn to Highwood, but so could Highland Park.
Q: Can I walk to restaurants in these communities?
A: It is possible, but from specific streets and in specific neighborhoods. Downtown Evanston, the central part of Highwood, the Wilmette Village Center, and the downtown area in Highland Park, as well as residences near The Glen in Glenview, have the best pedestrian accessibility. Again, it is important to actually walk the route rather than relying on information provided in a listing.
Q: Does living near restaurants mean dealing with more noise?
A: It can be, depending on where the residence is located and on what side of the street. Homes near patios, bars, train tracks, parking lots, and other entertainment venues may find that the ambiance carries into the home, especially on weekends. If possible, visit the residence in the evening and on a weekend to assess actual noise levels and parking challenges for larger vehicles.
Q: Which area is best for buyers who want dining without an urban atmosphere?
A: Perhaps Downtown Wilmette because it offers restaurants and cafes in a more traditional village setting. Glenview offers similar advantages in proximity and variety in The Glen, without the traditional downtown feel. Those seeking a more urban restaurant feel may find more options in Highwood, Highland Park, and Evanston.