Southern Illinois Favorites
The Vault Cafe on the Square
Cafe · Marion
In an old bank -- a fun place for breakfast or lunch.
Crown Brew Coffee Co.
Coffee shop · Marion
Cute coffee shop.
Flame Bar And Grill
Bar & grill · Carbondale
Good place for dinner and drinks.
Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
Pizza restaurant · Carbondale
A Carbondale tradition, those of us raised there can recite the phone number by heart. Get the deep dish.
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
Tourist attraction · Union County
A very cool zip line if y’all are into that sort of thing.
Warehouse Antique Mall Marion IL
Antique store · Marion
If you like antiques!
Eccentrics Boutique
Women's clothing store · Carterville
Cute boutique shopping.
Perfectly Posh Boutique
Boutique · Marion
Very cute!
Bloom Ridge Farm (u-pick flower farm)
Florist · Makanda
You Pick Flower Farm (depending on when you are there).
Rendleman Orchard
Orchard · Alto Pass
Farm market!
Faye
Cafe · Murphysboro
Recommended by a friend!
Cold Blooded Coffee & Roastery
Coffee shop · Murphysboro
Amazing and cute!
Makanda Country Store
Tea house · Makanda
Ice cream at the country store and other unique shops.
Mary Lou's Grill
American restaurant · Carbondale
A Carbondale tradition and a great diner. Get there early for the biscuits and gravy before they sell out.
Owl Creek Vineyard
Winery · Cobden District 1
I like the patio here (and the sangria) if the weather is nice.
Cristaudo's
Cafe · Carbondale
The pink cookies are my Proustian Madeline’s, your mileage may vary.
St. Nicholas Brewing Co. MDH
American restaurant · De Soto
I’ve heard good things about the beer and food here — and yes it is in an airport.
Global Gourmet
European restaurant · Carbondale
Carbondale fancy (and they have a nice patio out back).
Giant City State Park
State park · Makanda
Lots of different trails for walks and hikes.
Blue Sky Vineyard
Winery · Union County
Even if the Southern Illinois wines aren’t your favorite they’ve got a nice space to sit if the weather is nice and often music.
Brick House Grill
Permanently Closed
Recommended to me by many people!
Fork & Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar
Restaurant · Cobden District 2
This is a great space (I used to go to the winery that was here) and my family says the new restaurant is good too.
Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
Winery · Jackson County
A beautiful spot to hang out especially if the weather is nice. Southern Illinois wines are mostly sweet, but this one has beer and decent food.
Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
American restaurant · Cobden District 1
Known for their fried chicken and family style dinners. The location is fun though — in the state park and a WPA era lodge.
Taqueria Pequena
Mexican restaurant · Cobden
Amazing little taco stand. Check their Facebook page for their hours.
The Iron Whisk Bistro & Bar
Brunch restaurant · Cobden
Recommended by my family!
New Kahala: Chinese Cuisine
Chinese restaurant · Carbondale
My favorite takeout restaurant.
Big Muddy Brewing
Brewery · Murphysboro
This place is very casual but serves some of my favorite local beers. A great place to hang out indoors or outdoors. Last time I was there they didn’t have food but would let you get food delivered (if they still do Pat’s delivery get the BBQ nachos).
17th Street Barbecue
Barbecue restaurant · Murphysboro
If you are going to eat BBQ on your visit, go to the original 17th Street location in Murphy.
Scratch Brewing Company
Brewery · Ora
A must visit! They are a James Beard award nominated brewery. Most of their beers are made with locally foraged and farmed ingredients. A great spot to visit on the edge of Shawnee National Forest, with indoor and outdoor season (I love when I can sit by the fire). They also have food. Note: they are cash only so come prepared.
Southern Illinois Favorites
A Carbondale tradition, those of us raised there can recite the phone number by heart. Get the deep dish.
A very cool zip line if y’all are into that sort of thing.
A Carbondale tradition and a great diner. Get there early for the biscuits and gravy before they sell out.
I’ve heard good things about the beer and food here — and yes it is in an airport.
Even if the Southern Illinois wines aren’t your favorite they’ve got a nice space to sit if the weather is nice and often music.
This is a great space (I used to go to the winery that was here) and my family says the new restaurant is good too.
A beautiful spot to hang out especially if the weather is nice. Southern Illinois wines are mostly sweet, but this one has beer and decent food.
Known for their fried chicken and family style dinners. The location is fun though — in the state park and a WPA era lodge.
Amazing little taco stand. Check their Facebook page for their hours.
This place is very casual but serves some of my favorite local beers. A great place to hang out indoors or outdoors. Last time I was there they didn’t have food but would let you get food delivered (if they still do Pat’s delivery get the BBQ nachos).
If you are going to eat BBQ on your visit, go to the original 17th Street location in Murphy.
A must visit! They are a James Beard award nominated brewery. Most of their beers are made with locally foraged and farmed ingredients. A great spot to visit on the edge of Shawnee National Forest, with indoor and outdoor season (I love when I can sit by the fire). They also have food. Note: they are cash only so come prepared.
The Vault Cafe on the Square
Cafe · Marion
In an old bank -- a fun place for breakfast or lunch.
Crown Brew Coffee Co.
Coffee shop · Marion
Cute coffee shop.
Flame Bar And Grill
Bar & grill · Carbondale
Good place for dinner and drinks.
Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
Pizza restaurant · Carbondale
A Carbondale tradition, those of us raised there can recite the phone number by heart. Get the deep dish.
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
Tourist attraction · Union County
A very cool zip line if y’all are into that sort of thing.
Warehouse Antique Mall Marion IL
Antique store · Marion
If you like antiques!
Eccentrics Boutique
Women's clothing store · Carterville
Cute boutique shopping.
Perfectly Posh Boutique
Boutique · Marion
Very cute!
Bloom Ridge Farm (u-pick flower farm)
Florist · Makanda
You Pick Flower Farm (depending on when you are there).
Rendleman Orchard
Orchard · Alto Pass
Farm market!
Faye
Cafe · Murphysboro
Recommended by a friend!
Cold Blooded Coffee & Roastery
Coffee shop · Murphysboro
Amazing and cute!
Makanda Country Store
Tea house · Makanda
Ice cream at the country store and other unique shops.
Mary Lou's Grill
American restaurant · Carbondale
A Carbondale tradition and a great diner. Get there early for the biscuits and gravy before they sell out.
Owl Creek Vineyard
Winery · Cobden District 1
I like the patio here (and the sangria) if the weather is nice.
Cristaudo's
Cafe · Carbondale
The pink cookies are my Proustian Madeline’s, your mileage may vary.
St. Nicholas Brewing Co. MDH
American restaurant · De Soto
I’ve heard good things about the beer and food here — and yes it is in an airport.
Global Gourmet
European restaurant · Carbondale
Carbondale fancy (and they have a nice patio out back).
Giant City State Park
State park · Makanda
Lots of different trails for walks and hikes.
Blue Sky Vineyard
Winery · Union County
Even if the Southern Illinois wines aren’t your favorite they’ve got a nice space to sit if the weather is nice and often music.
Brick House Grill
Permanently Closed
Recommended to me by many people!
Fork & Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar
Restaurant · Cobden District 2
This is a great space (I used to go to the winery that was here) and my family says the new restaurant is good too.
Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
Winery · Jackson County
A beautiful spot to hang out especially if the weather is nice. Southern Illinois wines are mostly sweet, but this one has beer and decent food.
Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
American restaurant · Cobden District 1
Known for their fried chicken and family style dinners. The location is fun though — in the state park and a WPA era lodge.
Taqueria Pequena
Mexican restaurant · Cobden
Amazing little taco stand. Check their Facebook page for their hours.
The Iron Whisk Bistro & Bar
Brunch restaurant · Cobden
Recommended by my family!
New Kahala: Chinese Cuisine
Chinese restaurant · Carbondale
My favorite takeout restaurant.
Big Muddy Brewing
Brewery · Murphysboro
This place is very casual but serves some of my favorite local beers. A great place to hang out indoors or outdoors. Last time I was there they didn’t have food but would let you get food delivered (if they still do Pat’s delivery get the BBQ nachos).
17th Street Barbecue
Barbecue restaurant · Murphysboro
If you are going to eat BBQ on your visit, go to the original 17th Street location in Murphy.
Scratch Brewing Company
Brewery · Ora
A must visit! They are a James Beard award nominated brewery. Most of their beers are made with locally foraged and farmed ingredients. A great spot to visit on the edge of Shawnee National Forest, with indoor and outdoor season (I love when I can sit by the fire). They also have food. Note: they are cash only so come prepared.