Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe

Great local spot offering Cajun food and New Orleans vibes. Local products and delicious cocktails are featured. Excellent service; warm yet professional.

Total hidden gem in downtown Peoria! We popped in on a Tuesday night (jazz night!) and the little trio playing was AMAZING!! Seriously, so much talent packed into an intimate space, it felt like a private concert. The food did not disappoint either. I had the salmon beet salad and it was fresh and delicious. Service was super friendly, and the whole vibe of the place with live music made for such a fun night. It's rare to find a place that nails both the food and the music scene, but this spot absolutely delivers. If you're in Peoria on a Tuesday, check it out. Great food, great music, and a super cool atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!

One of my favorite restaurants in Peoria. They have live music every Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM. Their service is impeccable. Their food is the best in town. Wide drink selection that’s very reasonable. I wish I could go here more often and try everything on the menu.

Really cool and unique atmosphere. Great service and staff!! Awesome view of the kitchen too!! Good pricing on the specials had the chili and 4 cheese grilled cheese if your wanting to save money

What are great find while traveling through town. Our meals were excellent and can’t say enough about the friendly service. Would definitely recommend and stop back again.

Like a trip to da bottom...atmosphere exceptional...the staff quite involved and knowledgeable. Food ...the barbeque shrimps straight smakin...the hurricane put a lil something something on me...down on the water front...outstanding location... artist has artwork displayed on the restaurant walls and for sale.

Wow! This had high ratings and I expected it to be pretty good, but they went well beyond my expectations!!! All the food was perfectly seasoned and super juicy (the meat) and the service was excellent 😁 Awesome mocktails helped make the meal even more enjoyable, but the bread pudding for dessert won my heart over!!

My date and I had a great time here. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was very cozy and welcoming. I had the salmon BLT; a unique dish that was delicious and went great with the side of red beans and rice. We will be returning soon!

Quite literally a hidden gem. Went here while visiting Peoria on a work trip with a group of six and this place did not disappoint! Service was spectacular. Food was absolutely phenomenal (pic of the jerk chicken below). Dessert was divine. Ambiance was lovely as we dined on a Tuesday evening when there's live music! If you're in town for work and haven't been, I highly recommend!

Very cool little place. Never expected Cajun food in Peoria. Loved the hip vibe, creative cocktails and friendly wait staff! Also as a bonus, there was a guest artist spinning vintage vinyl.

Great vibes and totally tasty food! Fun Mocktails and appetizers. We had the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with creamy grits, Salmon Berry Salad, Grilled Aha Tuna with mashed potatoes. Everything was delicious!

Excellent gumbo with pecan roll. Upon recommendation from the bartender, I got it with the grits instead of rice. Good option. Great service and attention during the whole meal. The desserts were EXCELLENT, especially the carrot cake.

Food is always good! The ambiance has a very New Orleans vibe. Great drinks! In a fun near the River neighborhood

Love the food, atmosphere and people that dine here! Jazz nights are a thrill and some of the best jazz players frequent this spot for a night of wonderful music! We love going here. And all the servers and staff are so nice!!

Despite it being our first time going there, we were warmly greeted like long friends and were quickly seated. The menu was great and we had a hard time deciding. We ended up splitting the Cajun caviar and Caribbean pizza - we chose well? The ambiance was fun and quirky and the drinks were great. Definitely going back to try more.

LOVED the Portobello Pizzetta as an entree. My companion had the Carribean and was not as thrilled, nice flavor but could have more sauce. Service was excellent. Ambiance nice, a little loud for conversation. Looking forward to returning on a Tuesday for the live music!

Small cafe with fantastic food, service and ambiance! We were outta-towners looking for a local cafe with a taste of its own and we found it at Rhythm Kitchen! Owner is in the kitchen with staff and preparing and approving each dish before it's served. Gotta get the BBQ shrimp & grits! Light spice with a bold flavor layered over amazing grits! Try the gumbo with grits if you favor a heftier spice kick!

Dinner is always consistent and flavorful. They have a diverse menu that can accommodate many diets. The servers are attentive to your needs. They have some amazing desserts too; we do our best to fit them into our experience.

The food and the vibes were amazing. The moment you walked in, jazz music was playing and placed smelled amazing. The bartender Dylan, who helped me with my order, was very kind and held a great conversation while I was waiting for my order. I got the crawfish etouffee and bread pudding. The crawfish bowl was a bit small for the price, but still delicious. The bread pudding was a big hit in my book. If I'm ever in the area, I will definitely be back!

Incredibly delicious food in a charismatic space! And there was live music (we went on a Tuesday) which was a tiny bit loud and also delightful. Get the bread pudding because it's a game changer! Highly recommend!

Unique menu. Everything fresh and flavorful. Service was spot on. She was very busy- but no waiting. Eclectic but homey ambiance.

Wonderful food and fun atmosphere! Service is good! Highly recommend checking this place out!

The staff was all women and very kind and helpful. The food was delicious. Even the sweet tea was good (I am from the South). The red beans and rice were so good. I got the gumbo and the muffin was charred and hard as a rock, but I was given a biscuit when I asked. The atmosphere was amazing. I noticed everyone was a couple on a date, so it is a good spot for that. It was surprisingly not very busy for a Friday night!

Your typical scam restaurant experience in 2025, overpriced food, bad portioning, cheap ingredients, $12+ drinks. Please don't charge $20 for a sandwich and use cheap store bought bread. Terminal POS also shouldn't default to 20% minimum tip as the lowest recommended option. Definitely not coming back.

Great food ,great staff, sweet place to hang out and enjoys life. E erything we have tried has been great.

A group of us went there for the first time. The service was top tier during our entire dining experience. Two of us had the shrimp creole, two had the blackened grouper and one person had the grilled Ahi tuna. All of it was fabulous. We shared bread pudding, chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, carrot cake and sugar/ cinnamon cream pie They definitely did not disappoint us either. The drink menu has something for everyone I can't wait to go back again.

What can I say about RKMC that hasn't already been said. This has been my go-to first choice in Peoria for many years. I dreamt about the food when I had moved away, and could not find any restaurant that came close to the excellent quality of food found here. Always, always, always: get the muffin! Get the biscuit! Get the pie! Jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp and grits... I know what it's like to miss n'awlins, but RKMC helps me alleviate that longing!

We had an excellent meal at Rhythm Kitchen. The service was wonderful and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. The Caribbean pizza and carrot cake were amazing! Thank you for a great experience!

This was by the BEST did the city has to offer, I would've never expected to find Creole food of this caliber in Peoria.. And yes I mean CREOLE, their chef has surpassed Cajun. Anytime I'm in the area I will definitely have to make this place a MUST go. Highly recommend anyone who wants an authentic New Orleans cuisine experience .. This is your place to go.

First time at Rhythm Kitchen great food and great service. Homemade desserts. Live music only on Tuesdays.

Really neat restaurant on the river. Service was great. Everyone was so friendly. And the food was superb! They don't lie about the BBQ grits being amazing! We also tried the homemade sugar and cinnamon cream pie and the bread pudding for dessert and they were both delicious! Would love to come back for the live jazz they have on Tuesdays.

Came with a group from Chicago for a visit. This restaurant did not disappoint. Everyone loved the food, lots of different dishes. Great price, Great food and great service. Will be back again.

I've been going to the Rhythm Kitchen since my early college days in the late 90's. Had my first major experiences with art, music and poetry in that building so it will always be special to me! Although I moved away several years ago, I try to visit this spot every time I go back to the area and make it my place to visit friends and family. There are many new "local eats" to try in Peoria now but RK is my old faithful. I've never experienced this level of consistency in any restaurant. Even though owners have changed hands, most of the menu items offered are the same as 22 years ago and they always look and taste the same! Also, I have a place to go that satisfies a variety of dietary needs (veggie, vegan, low carb, meat and potatoes). I visited with my family a few days ago - party of five. We sat near the open kitchen as I always try to do. So crazy how the view never seems to change. Love watching the family going crazy behind the counter and kudos to anyone who can sit so close to the homemade desserts and not order something. We all ordered classics: burger, salmon dinners, portobello pizetta and my all-time favorite, the salmon BLT with the side salad and house pesto dressing (which I have been able to replicate pretty closely at home). They cook salmon perfectly with beautiful grill marks! The night became busy but the kitchen kept up and our food came in very reasonable time and I was so into our meal that I forgot to take any pictures. Servings are not overly sized but satisfying, leaving plenty of room for a dessert. Our table tried the pecan pie, chess pie, bread pudding and the lemon pie. No complaints. I will also say that I feel the prices here are ridiculously reasonable! Due to this, leaving a larger tip (deserved) is easy to do. I implore the community to keep this spot going including the neighboring vendors in the building - the Fiber Universe, the CAC upstairs, Running Central next door and I see a new bakery as well but I've not yet been there during their open hours. Thanks, RK, old friend. See ya soon.

In town for business, and I had no idea we'd walk into the most delightful and delicious restaurant! Live jazz was playing (a wonderful Tuesday night surprise)...I enjoyed the perfectly seasoned and proportioned blackened grouper salad, served with with a side of remoulade. It's tucked away, somewhat eclectic, and entirely fabulous! Highly recommend!

Had a fantastic patio dinner here on a Saturday night! The staff is the best here and owners really cool people! We had some beers and bourbon mules for drinks...they make a mean signature cocktail! Started with the portobello pizzaz app ..tasty but not really enough for more than one person. I had the strawberry vinaigrette salmon salad-without a doubt the best salad Ive ever had. Large portion of perfectly cooked salmon with plump chunks of fresh goat cheese, walnuts, blueberries and strawberries. The housemade dressing was fresh and complimented it perfectly! Boyfriend had the gumbo specialty...the meat in it was flavorful and juicy and the dish itself was balanced well with spice and topped with a bran muffin (we thought it was). Ended the evening with the bread pudding...I was reluctant but it's not to be skipped! Cannot say one bad thing... ordering again soon! Peoria gem!

The shrimp and grits was pretty damn good. Just the right amount of spice on the shrimp and grits. The service was great too and they brought out my shrimp and grits rather quickly. I'm glad they also served Stone Delicious IPA, a perfect pairing for my shrimp n grits.

Really excited to try this place. Knocked it out of the park. So glad we gave it a chance. Looking forward to going back soon. Definitely have a repeat customer.

Food was delicious and imaginative. Great service and funky ambience. Close to the river walk. Would definitely return.

The food at Rhythm Kitchen is excellent, served hot and always with friendly and attentive service. I highly recommend. On a recent Saturday night I enjoyed their salmon dinner and my wife had their Jamaican jerk chicken. Rhythm kitchen is one of our favorites and It's always consistently good!

We found this place while looking for a varied manu in Downtown Peoria that was open for dinner. Located along the river, it is easy to miss since there minimal signage and the restaurant is located in the back of art center. The atmosphere is pretty fun with lots of chandeliers, blue lighting a bar and light music some nights. They also have an open kitchen which is pretty cool. The weekday night was quiet but service was pretty slow. They have a range of items on the menu which was refreshing after all the bar food we found in Peoria. I had a grilled blackened grouper over greens which was flavorful. The dressing was very thick though and more like mayonnaise so I used only a bit. My coworker enjoyed her This would be a fun place to try when there is live music. I also bought the chocolate chip bar located at the counter; it was very good. The cool atmosphere and an eclectic menu make this place a good spot to try if in the downtown area for dinner.

Most amazing restaurant! The Smoked Gouda Cheeseburger - with its bacon jam - is eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head good! Crawfish etouffe is memorably satisfying! Friendliest greeter in the world, and top-notch table service. Kitchen view is intimate. World-class experience.

Great food. Great wait staff. Owner's nice. Never had a bad experience here. Favorite place to eat in Peoria

Was so happy that I came across this place. The first day that I was supposed to check it out, they were closed. Thankfully, they were open the next night. Being downtown on a weeknight, they were not very busy and I found a spot. Waitress came over quickly and I ordered the chickpea sandwich with red beans and rice, with a side of bean soup and a beer. All of it was delicious! As a vegan traveling, I'm always happy to support a local spot and glad that I had a meal here. Would recommend.

No rhythm in this kitchen. I don't know where the jerk chicken recipe came from, definitely far from authentic. Disappointing... saturated in sugar? Tried it one time... will not be returning for food.

I give this place five stars because everything is spot on. Service, price, menu options, food quality and a funky atmosphere. The kids burger which my daughter got was delicious as were her homemade mashed potatoes. I got the Jamaican Jerk Chicken and it was fantastic. I will certainly go back next time I am in Peoria!!!

For starters, everyone's reviews seems to complain about the wait time. Our food was was on the table within 20 minutes of placing the order. Now that I've addressed that...the Food! I ordered the Chickpea Burger and it was a delicious meatless option; probably the best I've ever Had! So very flavorful. I almost want to go back for dinner. When I'm in Peoria, this will be a regular stop for me.

Met some friends for dinner. Everything on the menu sounded fantastic. I chose the Ahi tuna with mashed potatoes. Mouth watering goodness. The staff was fantastic and attentive to our needs. Everyone looked like they were having a great time. I will definitely go back again.

Really great food and atmosphere. AMAZING, friendly staff. Wish they had this place up in Chicago. Definitely check this place out.

Rhythm kitchen is great! Everyone there is so nice and the service is always fantastic even if they're busy. The owner is always there which shows her dedication and I respect that. Cute place and great to see local art there

Wonderful, hidden gem. From about 2 hours away visiting family and figured we would give this a try. My husband and I are foodies and to say we were impressed was an understatement. I am vegan, hubby a carnivore. Enjoyed vegan black bean chili and a portobello-quinoa burger. Hubby even liked it! He enjoyed the smoked Gouda cheeseburger. Waitress was very friendly and accommodating to vegan diet. Good price for the quantity of food! Staff are wearing masks and social distancing as much as possible. Would definitely recommend to family/friends in the area! Will hopefully be returning!!

One of my favorite spots in Peoria, right up there with One World and Zion Coffee, Rhythm provides a unique, relaxed, and Southern inspired menu in a hipster flower-child dazzled dugout. There's a lot of cozy dark atmosphere and bedazzled lighting with basic tables and chairs strewn from the live performance area past the bar towards the kitchen. Our group of four went for lunch time to find a friendly but slow experience. I think we waited nearly 5 minutes for a waiter to turn up and another 30 for the food. Thankfully we had time but some of you might want to ensure things are sped along if you're on a tight clock. I tried the Tandoori salad and black bean chili combo. Very tasty and super array of flavors, the others did burgers and sandwiches as you can see in my photos. Everyone was very happy with their meals. Upon leaving I had to ask about the bread pudding, realizing there was one left took up the offer. My friend and I were both spoiled rotten by it! I'll have to come back and check out that gumbo!

Yum! My family and I LOVED all our meals. I had the chickpea burger with rice and beans. I am usually not impressed with rice and beans at restaurants but this was great and had the perfect kick to them. The curry ketchup was a very yummy sauce with my meal. My parents loved both the Jamaican jerk chicken with grits and salmon dinner! Support local, this place is amazing!

First time at the Rhythm Kitchen. Dropped in for dinner last night, sat at the bar and was promptly greeted by the bartender, Sarah. They have an encouraging beer menu, but not overwhelming, so I went with a reliable Stone IPA. I asked Sarah for the best creole/cajun dish on the menu and she recommended the crawfish étouffée without hesitation. She added that her preference was to have it with grits (vs. rice), and I ordered as she suggested. A great decision. I requested that the étouffée and grits be individually served and they arrived almost immediately in separate bowls, served by the lovely and talented Christina (who claimed the she took a bite, but I refused to believe her). The grits were rich and buttery, the étouffée deeply savory with plentiful crawfish and the right amount of heat. Even better together! It was an altogether enjoyable experience (great service, great food and friendly ambiance) and I'll be back next time I'm downtown to probably have the same thing (or try the gumbo) - and perhaps be able to have some of the pecan pie that I'm told shows up occasionally on the dessert menu.

Wow. Delicious food. Lots of items to choose from on the menu. The prices were not shocking either. We were simply amazed. You won't regret going here.

Great place! They were really busy on a Friday night at 6.30. We were lucky to get a table in the main room. They had a band that started at 7pm. Service was slow only reason for 4stars but they were trying really hard. Appetizer Cajun caviar dip was a good way to start. Waitress made good suggestion of crawfish étouffée with grits instead of rice, it was so good. Bottle of wine was good price. The hostess was very pleasant and worked hard to find a table for everyone, she had a plan. We will be back.

Great food. Great people running the show. Tremendous portions. "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" on the burgers and sides. Best potato salad I've had in a while. Bacon Jam is ON POINT! Homemade salsa is everything. Salmon salad makes a fantastic lunch.

I am in Peoria for a conference at the civic center. I came here for lunch due to the limited vegan options in the area. I am so glad that I came here. The food was fresh and delicious. They were very accommodating of my nutritional needs and the service was amazing. The vibe of the restaurant is very cool as well.