Best of Evanston Winners 2024

Best All Around Restaurant
Sea Ranch

Sea Ranch Sushi not only has high quality, fresh sushi, but also sells udon noodles and doubles as a Japanese grocery store. That’s not to mention …

A round, white sign that reads “Five & Dime.”

Best Bar:
Five & Dime

As someone who always dreamt of a rooftop dinner, Five & Dime made it come true in a way that went above and beyond...

The front of a brick building with windows and a black sign that reads “Happy Lemon” in yellow lettering.

Best Boba:
Happy Lemon

Happy Lemon’s wide array of flavors and colorful atmosphere have earned it the title of Best Boba...

A plate with an omelet, steak, potatoes and pancakes.

Best Breakfast & Brunch
Frida's Breakfast and Lunch

hether you’re looking for breakfast, an early lunch or a combination of the two, Frida’s Breakfast and Lunch is the best place to go...

Outside view of a white building near the street.

Best Budget:
10Q Chicken

10Q Chicken doesn’t just offer a delectable fusion of fried chicken and East Asian cuisines...

Best Building:
Grosse Point Lighthouse

Constructed in 1873, it stands today as a national historic landmark...

Edzo’s Burger Shop storefront with yellow awning and name of the store in brown letters.

Best Burger:
Edzo’s Burger Shop

Edzo’s Burger Shop is the ideal destination for foodies looking to spice up their typical fast-food...

Best Date Night Spot:
Taco Diablo

Covered with folk art of “diablo” masks and “lucha libre” wrestlers and shrouded in curated candlelight lighting...

The Lakefill and Lake Michigan are pictured from outside the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts.

Best Family Weekend Spot:
The Lakefill

From picnics at Centennial Park to swims at one of Evanston’s six beaches to walks along the shoreline...

Best Fun Activity:
Evanston SPACE

So, next time you are looking for a fun activity or concert, look no further than down the street...

A white building with a sign that says “Graduate Hotels”

Best Hotel:
The Graduate

Situated on tree-lined Hinman Avenue, the Graduate Evanston invites guests to bask in dark academia aesthetics while enjoying a cozy hotel stay...

Best Grocery Store:
Trader Joe's

From the bright display of tulips greeting you right at the entrance to the corner stand of free samples, Trader Joe’s knows exactly what you need...

Three people prepare bagel orders behind a counter.

Best New Restaurant:
Mensch’s Deli

No matter what you order from the Jewish deli-style pop-up, blissful bursts of flavor await...

A sign on top of a building that reads “The Chicken Shack” in addition to providing a phone number and food options.

Best Late Night Bite:
Evanston Chicken Shack

It used to be possible to count Evanston’s late-night food options with just one hand. Chicken Shack, an eclectic barbeque joint on Ridge Avenue, became a place of refuge in those early morning hours...

Front of a store that has the words 'BARBER SHOP' in red LED lighting

Best Haircut:
Art + Science Salon

Every cut comes with a complimentary shampoo, conditioner and blowdry by the stylist...

Best Pizza:
Union Squared

Whenever a family member or friend visits Evanston for the first time, the first thing I do is take them for a meal at Union Squared...

Best Splurge:
Tapas Barcelona

Whether you want to have a fancy night out, to catch up with friends or just to eat as many bacon-wrapped dates as possible, Tapas Barcelona is the spot for you...

Best Sweet Treat:
Bennison's Bakery

There’s always room for a sweet treat from Bennison’s Bakery, where sugary delights line display cases...

Best Takeout:
Tomate Fresh Kitchen

If you haven’t already, briskly bolt for a bite of these banging burritos...

TDowntown Evanston’s Crossroads Trading location along with products displayed in the store.

Best Threads:
Crossroads Trading

Looking for a pre-loved leather jacket? A bolo tie? A reason to get in-store credit and buy something new...

A black sign on a building reads “Blind Faith Cafe” in white letters next to a picture of a sunflower. A blue sky borders the building.

Best Vegetarian:
Blind Faith Cafe

On the corner of Dempster Street and Chicago Avenue, Blind Faith Cafe fulfills every vegetarian’s dream...

An image of five treadmills located on the upstairs tack within Henry Crown Sports Pavilion.

Best Workout Spot:
SPAC

The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, commonly known as SPAC, is the go-to place...

Winners

Best All Around Restaurant Sea Ranch

Best Bar: Five & Dime

Best Boba: Happy Lemon

Best Breakfast & Brunch Frida's Breakfast and Lunch

Best Budget: 10Q Chicken

Best Building: Grosse Point Lighthouse

Best Burger: Edzo’s Burger Shop

Best Date Night Spot: Taco Diablo

Best Family Weekend Spot: The Lakefill

Best Fun Activity: Evanston SPACE

Best Hotel: The Graduate

Best Grocery Store: Trader Joe's

Best New Restaurant: Mensch’s Deli

Best Late Night Bite: Evanston Chicken Shack

Best Haircut: Art + Science Salon

Best Pizza: Union Squared

Best Splurge: Tapas Barcelona

Best Sweet Treat: Bennison's Bakery

Best Takeout: Tomate Fresh Kitchen

Best Threads: Crossroads Trading

Best Vegetarian: Blind Faith Cafe

Best Workout Spot: SPAC