2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

Will County welcomed a lot of new businesses in 2025 – and saw a few long-time ones close their doors. The restaurant and coffee scene is bustling.

Rochelle Apple Roasted Cafe & Family Restaurant opened in mid-December at 134 May Mart Drive in Rochelle at the former site of Dog Hub.

The only constant in life is change and in 2025, like most years, there were plenty of changes which took place in Kankakee County.

Celebrate the new year at these elegant holiday brunches.

The Feathered Fork restaurant recently opened at 20631 Renwick Road.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

El Molino has been a staple in Carpentersville, just over the border from Algonquin, for 40 years, reopening after a six month remodel. The new owners have long run an Elgin taqueria.

For nearly 30 years, ye olde pub in Stockton has rolled out a welcome mat that gives people the Red-carpet treatment, with friends and hospitality from people on both sides of the bar.

Storybook Cafe offers authentic matcha lattes made with premium Japanese green tea, artisan pastries baked fresh daily and more.

Hilldale Cafe in Lanark combines creativity and comfort to craft dishes that surprise and delight.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

Here are the winners for the best coffee shops in the Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley, DeKalb County's Finest and Sauk Valley Favorites contest.

The Dixon City Fire Department, Dixon Rural Fire Department and Advance EMS responded Tuesday, Dec. 23, to a report of a grill fire at McDonald’s, 207 N. Galena Ave., Dixon.

Leave the cooking and clean up to someone else on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

A grill fire broke out at Dixon's McDonald's early Tuesday afternoon. The restaurant is expected to be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, before reopening Friday after Christmas.

The new New Year's Eve party will have a late-night food menu, hand-crafted cocktails, DJs and more.

State Rep. Haas recently toured Chicago Dough and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation, citing the restaurant’s history and community involvement.

The Village Greek restaurant in downtown Sycamore will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve, said owner Makie Maratos, who also owns Sycamore State Theater next door.

Margaret Mary Gillespie purchased the assets of the former Thayer Bros. in 2023 and then opened Magpie’s Joy of Eating in that space in January 2024.

Bring the kids to see Santa Sunday, Dec. 21 at Hank's Farm in Ottawa.

Dixon American Legion Post 12 will serve plain or barbecued pork ribs, cheesy potatoes, roll, vegetable, salad and dessert from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

The restaurant, also known by its former name – Babe’s Hot Dogs – serves a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps and its legendary Daisy Brand hot dogs, which Babe’s owner Tim Reilly said he’s used “from day one.”

This new location at 1351 Shale Road in Joliet, will feature Chipotlane, a drive-thru pick-up lane where customers can pick up their digital orders.

Collection bins are located at Silver Spoon Restaurant, 1701 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet and Busey Bank, located at 2801 Black Road, Joliet.

The Greggory is centered around live-fire cooking in an open-show kitchen with a menu that includes dishes such as bone-in prime rib, Slagel Farms rotisserie chicken and Mediterranean sea bass.

S&T Too Pizza will host a grand opening Friday, Saturday and Sunday to celebrate its new Shorewood location.

Keg Grove Brewing Company opened in a former fire station in Morris in 2024.

The new Portillo's restaurant, located at the corner of 135th Street and Illinois Route 59 in Plainfield, is drive-thru only. Other pick up only locations are in Joliet, Rosemont and Orland Park.

Portillo’s Vice President of Restaurant Support Michael Portillo will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Plainfield location, which will include a check presentation to Bags of Hope, Portillo’s charity partner.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 27 in 2025. Make your dinner reservations now and leave the cooking and clean up to someone else!

Fine dining is not often associated with Momence, but that is about to change as a new upscale restaurant is nearing completion in this eastern Kankakee County city.

Jalen Davis, 18 of Joliet, has been charged with three counts of burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal damage to property and obstructing identification.

This popular sports bar and grill in Amboy offers creative twists to its traditional menu, including their famous Philly cheesesteak.

The owner of Kankakee's latest restaurant addition, the New York City Deli, is targeting an April opening, however, much site work will first be in order.

The American Legion will be serving a turkey dinner with all the trimmings from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Post 12, 1120 W. First St., Dixon.

810 Billiards & Bowling is expected to open in early 2026.

Check out this nostalgia-filled diners in Batavia, Geneva, Elgin and more Kane County communities.

The owners of a Sycamore restaurant that was heavily damaged in a September fire said their property was deemed a total loss, but they’re still exploring the next steps for their family business.

National Sandwich Day is Monday, Nov. 3 Check out these award-winning sandwich shops in DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties, Illinois Valley and Sauk Valley.

Check out this list of the best bakeries and donut shops in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, the Sauk Valley and the Illinois Valley.

Restaurant will replace MyGrain Brewery, plans to reopen brewhouse.

Joliet officials estimate that Casa Catrina Mexican Heritage Cuisine restaurant at city-owned Union Station would generate nearly $700,000 in rent and taxes in five year.

The first fast-casual concept in the Bien Trucha Group will close for a rebrand Saturday, Nov. 1.

A Morrison family gels well, jellies well and delis well in owning Peanut Butter and Deli – a downtown restaurant known for its sandwiches and drinks, keeping their customers fed and invested in the town they love.

Less than a year after purchasing the Flight 102 Wine Bar in Bourbonnais, Ryan and Abby Magruder are at it again with the purchase of another well known business.

Check out these award-winning pizza places in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, as well as the Sauk Valley and Illinois Valley, to celebrate National Pizza Month during October.

Prime Cut is a contemporary restaurant that focuses on making exceptional foods by scratch.

Check out these Halloween-themed events this weekend happening in the western suburbs.

The Joliet Noon Lions are collecting items for Cornerstone Services group homes.