Cyd’s in the Park

We celebrated Valentine's Day here there was a five-course special that began with Zucchini Fritas, followed by Brussel Sprout salad with apples and walnuts, bread and cheese, Porcini and Portobello Ravioli, Filet of Beef Steak w/mushrooms and a dessert plate that had a chocolate covered strawberry, pistachio white chocolate mousse, a chocolate flourless torte and berries in a meringue cloud. The meal was finished with a heart-shaped muffin. We were served pretty quickly. Our waiter was very pleasant, and the first few selections were served quickly. We really did not care for the Zucchini appetizer. There was not enough zucchini, and it was greasy tasting. The salad was nice. The bread was unimpressive, not even as appetizing as Avanti's bread and oil. The "cheese" that we were told was a popular item was a reimagined cheese mixture that contained several forms of cheese along with cream. It tasted bland and lacked authentic cheese flavor. Are ravioli was undercooked and chewy. It had a wonderful sauce and mushrooms with it, but it was hard to get past the texture of the ravioli. After our ravioli was served, we ended up waiting over 30 minutes for our main entree. We noticed that a couple who came in after us received their entry prior to us. We really didn't complain because it was Valentine's Day. Our waitress made an excuse that there was some type of delay in the kitchen, but we could see that it clearly a "mixup." By the time that we received our main course, our dessert plate was already being served. Our waiter and waitress that served us were pleasant, but for the price we paid, we would not revisit this restaurant.

The bartender does not know how to make any drink. I had to return a martini twice, wine was horrid, old fashions tasted completely wrong. The interior is very nice, so we had high hopes. We had their lasagna and seasonal pasta. Both were very tasty. The winter bowl however is tasteless and inedible. We had high hopes for this place. Unfortunately we will not be returning.

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall. All seasons are a great time to head to the wonderful atmosphere of Cyd;s in the Park. Whether you are sitting on the patio or the revitalized mid-century modern space inside, you have lots to visually take in. Summer sunsets on the patio are pretty amazing. But a warm fire ring in the fall is a close second. The food is always top notch and the menu changes frequently. This a welcome relief from other eateries that served the same menu for decades or more. The mixed drink menu and craft beers rotate as well. I would be remiss if I did not mention the surroundings of Donovan Park. If you are early for your reservation (highly recommended) or need a walk after an amazing dinner... Take a stroll through the Peoria Heights Art walk that are a short walk away. Oh, and if you are just hanging out at the park... Stop downstairs and grab something from the bakery.

First tike here! Such a wonderful atmosphere! Staff was very nice & food was prepared fairly quickly & it was SO SO GOOD!!! I got a mimosa & my husband got a iced coffee to start! We ordered lunch, he got a turkey club & salt & pepper fries and I got the BLT & a cup of tomato basil soup! Hands down the best tomato basil soup I've ever had. Our friends got a cheeseburger and the grilled cheese & soup (I'm getting next time) Price is fair!!! I can't wait to come back!!!

The main restaurant is not open Monday and Tuesday’s but their cute little stop and go area is. Was a pleasant surprise to come across. Had the avocado toast with a fried egg. SOO good. Nice little area to sit by flowers on the picnic table. They offer all sorts of smoothies sandwiches salads coffee sodas and adult drinks. Will be back again perhaps on a bike next time!

I think the vibe, the view, and the ambiance is 85% of the appeal of Cyd's in the Park. The outdoor seating area is absolutely gorgeous and if you're there during a sunset? WOW. So far, I've tried their avocado toast and ordered the Hot Buttered Rum. The buttered rum was a great fall drink. The avocado toast was probably the messiest meal I've ever eaten out. The drizzled oil from the roasted tomatoes to the poached eggs... it is NOT easy to eat. And the avocado spread was pretty thin in comparison to the offerings if other restaurants in the area. My biggest deterrant to this place was how expensive it is. From the food to the drinks, everything was incredibly expensive. It's definitely a "for an occasion" type of restaurant.

Jun 2022 – Cyd's is really good for appetizers. We had some really fancy deviled eggs with smoked salmon, bacon, jam & brie bites, and bacon wrapped dates (not shown). Wowzers. You might have to call ahead cos these were served at an event I attended there. Sep 2021 – Cyd's is a really great place for lunch. Burgers & the fried cod sandwich are really great. My friends also like the vegetarian burger and the citrus salmon salad as well. They're also building out a new outdoor bar as well. Can't wait.

Had dinner here with my wife. The appetizer charcuterie board was an amazing value and excellent. The whipped brie with honey was a highlight. The wife had the beet salad that was expertly balanced, I had the autumn bowl which was delicious and perfectly captured a nice winter day. Desserts were chocolate mousse which was rich, delicious and enough to split, and the wife tried the holiday log which was the same. The atmosphere is cozy, and comfortable. The wait staff was attentive and outgoing. Will certainly be back.

I went here for a dinner with colleagues the restaurant itself is very nice looking we sat in the outdoor space We ordered the garlic bread and the mushroom appetizer the mushroom was fantastic almost like a chicken nugget but the butter for the bread really tasted off the bread itself was fresh I got a pasta dish that was really just not good. It lacked flavor and was a little dry because it seemed the pasta was overcooked. I additionally added salmon to the dish and it smelled, like very strong and bad. It made eating the dish that much more painful. The serving sizes were very large The service was also very friendly. We tried the Dubai cheesecake it was not good, the cheesecake filling also just tasted off

I went for a brunch time with Family. Had outdoor seating for dogs visiting the nearby park. Food and drinks were delicious. Customer service was great.

Cyds beautiful, upbeat restaurant! Friendly staff Versatile menus I had avocado toast and superb!! Huge portion, bread toasted, avocado fresh, eggs done perfect! Burgers, sweet potatoes fries and salads at our table all agreed delicious!! My Bloody Mary could have been more tasty. Bland. No spice and very little vodka. Sweet pickles and two tiny olives full presentation! Kick it up a notch to meet standards of Cyds!!!

Shayna recommended the Hokkaido scallops, which were amazing! Great location and atmosphere. Was visiting from out of town.

Used to be my all time favorite but Cyd has lost her ever loving mind. The prices are SO high that lunch for two is over $60 and I'm still hungry! Some other other crazy stuff is: $4 iced tea AND $2 for EACH refill! $7 to SHARE A PLATE! $22 burger - add toppings and you'll be at $30! Desserts are $13 or more and TINY! She took the tarragon chicken OFF the menu even though my whole party would get that every time. I'm not going back and I was going a lot! Sad.

Have always loved this place. The food and service is consistently outstanding. It's our go to place for friends and family. Our out-of-town guests always want to come back when visiting.

I drove up from Shiloh, IL to celebrate it was SUPPOSED TO BE a JOYOUS celebration!! We came with a fairly large group of family members. Unfortunately, shortly after arriving things took a very interesting turn. The waitress was seemingly irritated- about what exactly - your guess is as good as mine! When a comment was made about the dirty glassware- her reply was totally indifferent, rife with annoyance and had the audactity to then retort to say that all of their glasses look like that. So we were just supposed to drink from seemingly dirty glasses- not spotty, dirty. I actually refused to drink my water because there was something floating in my glass. After seeing how she replied to one of the other guests- i just chose to not drink. The appetizers and cocktails were Ok at best. The recommended dish by the waitress was absolutely bland, and not cooked properly. Most dishes went uneaten, because at first glance they looked nice, however, the food was WARM at best, BLAND, massively under-seasoned and even un-edible. When cooked properly short ribs should fall off the bone, not requiring the diner to use an actual steak knife. It was the equivalent to eating braised leather!! FYI-adding raw thyme as a garnish to dress a dish up is also a CRIME! Blah!! The truffle Mac and cheese was absolutely disgusting and i could seriously go on and on about every single dish. No one left satisfied. My sister chose to politely make the waitress aware of our overall dissatisfaction and I sat there and watched as she inspected all of the barely touched plates. She agreed the meat was over cooked in some instances and not cooked properly in others. My sister paid a $600 bill and let's not forget the 20% automatic gratuity- which was NOT DESERVED in any form or fashion, and yet no apology or solution was offered. Then as we were quietly leaving as the proverbial flame on the candle on the icing on the cake....some random man who worked there, walked over to my YOUNG DAUGHTER and proceeded to put his hand on my child- WHISPERING something to her RIGHT IN FRONT OF ALL OF US. Instead of acknowledging and/or addressing the adults in the group he decides that his actions were appropriate. Instead of any of the adults choosing to make a scene- we chose to speak to her because she was visibly upset by this encounter. The fact that I even have to add this aspect to this food review is reprehensible! Totally inappropriate and unacceptable! An adult man should never touch someone else's daughter. We contemplated speaking with the manager at that point but ultimately none of the adults wanted to make a scene which would then ruin the evening entirely for us. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS ESTABLISHMENT!!! Stay away unless you want bland unseasoned food, horrible service and some random man touching your child as you try to leave!

Seasonal changes to the cozy snack tray are super delicious! Love the new sausage/ salami and carrot dip.

Holy shrinkflation Batman! This used to be my favourite place in Peoria. Now, they have less choice and the food is just not as tasty. I guess that's ok, as the portions are smaller too. Such a shame. I got the bolognese and the garlic bread was bigger than the actual dish. And the chocolate cake is less than half the size of the portion back in the fall. We won't be coming back for the food unless things change. I do still like the ambience so this will be a drinks in the summer on the covered patio. I sympathize for the loss the restaurant suffered and hope you can find someone just as amazing to turn things around

We reserved a spot for the Valentine's dinner. So glad we did. It was amazing! The service was above and beyond, but the food was exceptional. From delicious fried zucchini, salad, pasta, and then a choice of the main course. To top off the wonderful meal, we were served three of Cyd's desserts. Cyd's in the Park is a hidden gem, if you haven't eaten there- it's time to level up and enjoy some exquisite food.

This place has recently gone down hill. The service and employees are not what it use to be. If you want to host any event through them I would not recommend it. I spoke with an employee name Laura. Spoke is put lightly when no one will contact you back at all. The times she did it was very clear that she did not care if we wanted to host an event through them or not. I'm extremely disappointed that Cyd's is not that same.

I had a delightful experience dining at Cyd's and would highly recommend it to anyone. The food was fresh, the service was outstanding and the restaurant was clean. My only dislike was drinking wine out of a rocks glass.

I love Cyd's! It's a beautiful restaurant with a great menu and selection of diverse, seasonal flavors. Great cocktails as well!

Wife and I enjoyed a beautiful evening and dinner at Cyd's. Such a nice evening we ate outside next to the fire. Thanks, Keith, for accommodating us and keeping the fire going. A wonderful experience! Pasta bolognese was very good. The crunchy portobellos, Chicken Marbella and flourless chocolate cake were amazing!

always has a decent healthy-ish vegan option. Usually too much oil and salt for me. Delicious though.

Can't say enough good things about the food here. Just unique enough to be interesting but familiar. The service could be quicker, but usually I go during a rush and it seems like only 1-2 waitstaff are on duty. The drinks are incredible. Oh and I love the building, very mid century with a great view of the park.

Food was decent. The price was a lot for the taste. The ambiance was beautiful and the service was great.

Rude staff, overpriced food, and entitled owners who don't care about their customers. I'm honestly amazed that they have any good reviews.

Meh...first time to visit and we were excited to take some out of town guests. Service was OK - seemed a bit rushed by our server. Food was mediocre and a bit over priced. Didnt mind the 20% auto gratuity added since we would have tipped that much anyway- but a 3% charge to split checks ( 3 checks for 6 guests) was silly. We will probably go back because we really wanted to LOVE this place...but not this time

Delicious offerings in the restaurant AND takeout market. Service always great and a beautiful outdoor area. Situated in Donovan Park.

Had lunch here after hearing about the place and food! Our food was excellent, Highly recommended

Very slow service. Tune salad was on the menu, but waitress had no clue. Paid a lot for a tiny salad with a slab of medium to well cooked tuna, not seared rare. Disappointing!

I came to Yelp to see what was good to eat here right before we arrived. I was alarmed by the negative reviews mostly regarding the service. We were happy to have good food and good service. The food is a little expensive, but if you're planning to have a date night, you are probably going to spend that much money anyway. You are definitely paying for the ambiance. It's a great spot when the weather is nice for sure. Drinks are good too.

Nestled in the trees of Donovan park, where the green grass contrasts against the bright blue Illinois sky, lies a true gem for Peoria, Cyd's In the Park.  Elegant country décor, playful and inviting colors, combined with an attention to detail, are noticed immediately felt when walking in the doors. From tables of locals, to visitors new to the area, a sense of community and home envelops you as soon as you enter.  It is apparent that each sentiment is carefully thought out and crafted with love. The star emblems on the bar act as an homage to the twinkling night sky, live plants adorn the tables adding pops of nature to the ambience and the outdoor patio area is enhanced with hand cut wooden details. There are even charming family photos in the restrooms, every detail creating a dining experience is created that cannot be missed.  What is a dining experience without a remarkable and playful menu? The items are simple, yet nostalgic, and taste like something you would eat at your grandmother's house. From the perfectly prepared Citrus Salmon Salad with hints of ruby red grapefruit and creamy avocado-to the delectable made from scratch tomato basil soup, I could have stayed for days touring the menu items.   The Take Away Market is truly impressive, and reminiscent of something that would be found along the cobblestone streets of Europe. The choices there are endless, and could satisfy even the pickiest eater. Again, the attention to detail is not unnoticed. The meatloaf 'cupcakes' are 'frosted' with a sweet potato puree are just as aesthetically pleasing as they are delicious. The goat cheese and red and yellow beet salad with arugula was dressed perfectly and allowed each flavor to come together.   Timeless is what best describes Cyd's in the Park, as this restaurant will certainly continue to be a neighborhood favorite for generations to come. I am eagerly awaiting my next visit to Peoria and another culinary adventure at Cyd's.

While the food was pretty good, the service was less than stellar. We had 2 separate reservations as they couldn't seat 10 of us together. We chose to do 6 adults at one table and 4 kids at the other. The 6 person reservation became available 35 mins late (no big deal). We asked if we could wait to be seated until our kids were seated at the 4 person table and the said no as they had others waiting for a table. Ok. So we sat while our kids ran around (the situation we were trying to avoid). The kids table didn't become available until we asked. 10pm rolls around and lights are turned off. We paid our bill only to be called well after 10:30 that the kids table (next to us that they knew was ours) wasn't paid. Huh? Do you really expect a bunch of 10 year olds to pay their own bill? Cmon. We will not be back.

The biggest plus of this restaurant is the setting. We had dinner here on a lovely summer night. We ate outside, which meant we could look out on the rolling areas of green that previously were a golf course. Perfect. Another big plus for us is that they allow dogs on the outside area. So we brought along our Welsh terrier Lily. She always makes an event more fun! For a starter we had the Burrata & grilled nectarines. Absolutely delicious! For our dinner we had the baked chicken served with broccolini & smashed potatoes. Very good.

Came here for dinner while visiting my partner's parents for a few weeks. It's such a cool spot, in a former golf course turned park. The restaurant has a huge patio with lots of lights, fire pits and sculptures, and tons of seating. We went on a Thursday night and it was busy, but we were able to get a table immediately without a reservation which was nice. We had 5 people in our party - 2 people ordered the Nashville hot chicken sandwich, myself and one other ordered the crab cakes and one person ordered the burger. Everyone grabbed a beer and we grabbed a glass of pinot as well. Our servers were friendly and drinks came out pretty quickly, although I assume that this is place is probably packed on weekends so timing may be a bit different depending on when you go! The food was fairly quick to follow also, with huge portions all around. The crab cakes came with 2 cakes with an aioli to dip in, a small caprese salad, a giant piece of foccaia bread, and a huge pile of fried brussel sprouts. I thought all of the food was pretty tasty, and I ended up clearing my plate completely. Although I was too full for dessert this time that had some tasty things on the menu I hope to try on my next visit!

Had a fabulous casual dinner with the new menu. The Salmon Cake was perfectly cooked with a slight crisp on the outside and excellent delicate herb flavors with the salmon in every moist bite. I could Noah on the brussel chips all night long. The new potato salad in a light vinaigrette with crunchy peas was also a really nice addition to the meal. I stole a number of the duck fat fries from my partner's plate - yummy. Service was fabulous too!! Now out having a nightcap by their fire pit with my dog and friends. What a wonderful evening.

Enjoyed a terrific dinner on the patio and for all the negativity regarding the service, our experience could not have been better. The Chicken Marbella and Crab Cake entrees were delicious which were complimented by the beet salad and cheese appetizer. Great craft cocktails and a good selection of beers on tap. We enjoyed the casual ambiance and friendly, attentive server. Looking forward to a return trip during summertime to take in the outdoor atmosphere.

I really loved my experience here. The staff was super friendly and even gave me a blanket because I was cold sitting on the patio. We ordered the fried burrata and it was really good (the sauce over powered it a little but still worth a try) My friends ordered the fettuccine alfredo and said it was a delicious twist on a classic. I ordered the crispy chicken sandwich and it was one of the best I've ever had. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the honey was so good on it, the bun was also good, and the fries were just amazing to top it all off. I highly recommend going here for a fancy dinner! The price is steep but it's worth it!!

There's one good thing about Cyds. They have a really great server there named Tom who understands and appreciates the importance of customer service. He shines and makes up for the lack of customer service we have received in the last 3 times I have attempted to spend my money there. I have been to Cyds many times over the past two years. Food is always very good, but I was disappointed to see the change in menu as being more casual and sandwich salad oriented instead of dinner. The reservation system is the worst. It may work for Cyds. But not those trying to make them. So in conclusion, It's the lack of professionalism and a blatant disregard for accommodating their guests that makes for a tragic experience with Cyds. I have read several of the reviews on here, and most complaints were centered around just that.

3 stars because service is not good and food is overpriced like, most places in Peoria; however we keep coming back because the food is good and made with fresh ingredients and the location is beautiful specially to eat outside looking at the park. If they improved service and didn't charge us for the mayo we ask for, it'd definitely earn a 4th star.

There are a few different places here. I gave it a 4 mostly for the market which is all take away food. They have great salads and food to take home or eat on their picnic tables. I would give 3 to the grill. We went on a Friday night. Knowing they may be busy on the patio because they had music, we brought our own chairs but still planned to eat. You go to the window and order. The order taker was a bit "gruff". Also we had to ask how we would get the food and when it would be ready. Maybe suggest they provide the thing that turns red when your order is ready to get? The food however was very tasty. We went with the citrus salmon salad, so good! I will be back for that for sure and the salmon burger, also delicious. The fries were just ok. It was nice to sit in the grassy area and eat and listen to the music. If you make it more convenient to do that maybe more people will take advantage. We saw a lot of people walk away since the patio was full.

Excellent atmosphere, great tasting food, and reasonable wait time for our order to come out, considering the crazy lunch rush. We will definitely be back for more! The outside patio is super well kept and just a super unique dining experience.

Honestly shocked to see only 3.5 stars for Cyd's! I love this place! Beautiful setting in the park, interior finishes are unique and fun. I've never had a bad experience with the service here, our servers have always taken care of us in a timely manner and are very pleasant. The food is awesome - fresh ingredients, unique combinations, and a variety of healthier options. Something different from most peoria staples serving the same tired dishes over and over. I keep going back - probably my favorite spot in Peoria!

The BEST atmosphere, awesome drinks, and amazing food! Beautiful patio, great music, great views... their salmon salad is amazing, and I bought a jar of their dressing because I love it so much. I don't even like pickles, but I loved their fried pickles with their sauce! Yum! My absolute favorite restaurant in Peoria, hands down. I hope it doesn't change at all, it's perfect the way it is!

I really really want to love Cyd's in the Park. And have had lovely meals there. However, the poor customer service is the worst I have seen in the hospitality industry. Any negative feedback is usually met with a defensive, degrading and dismissive response. Who calls an unhappy customer entitled, instead of responding to their concerns? Who tries too hard to be clever in a response, as opposed to addressing the concerns of a customer who just paid money to eat at their establishment? Who gives a passive aggressive response to an unhappy customer?Cyd's in the Park does. They have a well documented history of this type of bullying and intimidating behavior. Read the other online reviews. Do yourself a favor, save yourself the exposure to pretension and choose another local restaurant.

This place has good food, drinks, and atmosphere, but absolutely terrible service. We just waited at a table for 30 minutes and finally left after asking three times for a server. It was horrible. Multiple people who sat down after us got drinks when we had no one even come to our table. I had had this issue before, but it was corrected quickly. It is a shame because everything else is great, but sub par service ruins a meal. I am scared to go back there. It is sad because it used to be one of my favorite spots in Peoria.

We had dessert & coffee. It was very good . I had the better than Harry Styles almond cake, it was good but I don't know about better than him.

Our group had a wonderful experience at Cyd's for our reunion. The service and food were above our expectations. We will definitely be returning! Thanks to Keith, Jazmen and Andy for making us feel special!

While the changes and improvements to the outdoor area are obvious and the our lunch was very good, my friend and I may not return. We looked forward to a leisurely lunch, where we tend to linger and catch-up. After paying our bills, our server informed us that they needed our table! There seemed to be several empty tables both inside and out. Upon mentioning the situation to other people, we were repeatedly told.."they are always so rude!"

I've been to Cyd's a few times. they are usually great. One time I ate there, I had limited time. I had a tough conversation to get through. So when they interupted us to ask, was everything good? I did not have the time to say, no, the grilled sandwich was burnt. I did not have the time to get it replaced, and I could not interrupt the conversation to negotiate a replacement. So, yes, I'll remember Cyd's for a long time. Both for the ladies-that-lunch that lunch there, and burnt grilled cheese, and the nice food that I have had (their bacon is AAA-OK!). If three was meh/a-ok, I would do that, because most of the time it's pretty good, but at the price, it should be always good. BTW, you should know the food was good or you should have fixed it before you served it. PS. can you fix it? no. I had one chance at that conversation. it's not replaceable. I got some better food that day after the hospital closed.

Great food. Good service. Love the atmosphere. The take away market is great as well!

Love this place. Cyd herself is a really lovely woman who is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that you have a great experience. The food is delicious and reasonably priced and the views on the outside deck are awesome. Highly recommend!

This was my third visit... they never disappoint. But last night was magical. The food, the ambiance everything was bang on. That blackened shrimp was unbelievably delicious. @cydsinthepark can you please put that on your entree with 2 or 3 shrimp skewers.... my husband had the grouper, I tried that too, the fish was incredibly cooked. You guys have some amazing chefs for sure. And last but definitely not the least, that scallops over potato grits...that is pure those crispy kale, caramelized onions and crispy bacon chunks went sooooo well with the creamy cheesy grits... and on top those buttery scallops... OMG... a total flavor blast. You are amazing @cydsinthepark , thank you...

Terrible terrible service. Good food but unfortunately served with a bad attitude. Why they can't fix this I don't know. Maybe they just don't care. They have history of treating customers rudely and not accommodating customer requests. Just read their reviews. Do yourself a favor and go someplace else.

Drinks were fantastic. Will gladly go back for drinks. Service was poor. My wife and I are a younger couple and felt ignored for the older, more influential crowd that had the propensity to tip more. My wife and I are foodies....thus said the food was average at best for the price you paid for it. I had the burger and would have rather gone to McDonald's. She had a rice bowl which was essentially the salmon bowl without the salmon but for essentially the same price. The atmosphere is beautiful and exactly what I'd hoped for. Light music with a beautiful sunset in the park.

The food is outstanding, the view is amazing... great atmosphere. You won't be disappointed.

Cyd's is really one of the best places to eat in Peoria. The location is surrounded by a park with an Observatory and well-manicured landscaping. You can grab a to-go lunch and relax outside or you can dine-in for dinner and enjoy their large patio, which is creative, welcoming, and good almost year-round, as they keep fire pits and heaters going when the colder weather moves in. There's often live music from local artists and the food is always excellent with good service. Do yourself a favor and check it out!