Restaurants in Historic Buildings
Updated: November 12, 2007
These Chicago restaurants revisit history with refurbished looks and vintage details. From old firehouses to elegant mansions, these antique eating spots breathe life into our city's storied past.
On this page:Historic Suburban Spots, Historic City Spots.
Historic Suburban Spots
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Gilardi's Restaurant
Write a review23397 N US Hwy 45, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (map)
This 100-year-old, family-run Tuscan style restaurant still boasts great-grandmother's recipes.
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Wool Street Grill Sports Bar
Write a review128 Wool St, Barrington, IL 60010 (map)
This flat-roof building was recently restored but dates back to the 1860's and is a popular hangout for suburbanites.
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Country Squire Restaurant
Read Reviews19133 W State Route 120, Grayslake, IL 60030 (map)
A winding driveway leads to the restored residence of Wesley Sears, founder of Chicago-based mail order firm in 1938.
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Village Tavern
Read Reviews135 Old Mchenry Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047 (map)
This pub--which survived the Great McCormick Place fire--has been a local favorite since 1849.
Historic City Spots
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Via Ventuno -- CLOSED
Read Reviews2110 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 (map)
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Spring
Read Reviews2039 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)
Once a Russian-style bathhouse for businessmen in the 1920s, it now lures vegetarians for its artful, Asian-tinged New American cuisine.
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Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
Read Reviews1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 (map)
This 1905 yellow brick and limstone building was once the home to Prairie Avenue firefighters.
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Green Door Tavern
Read Reviews678 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
If you knocked on the door of this River North tavern in 1872, you would have been looking for booze--it used to be a speakeasy.
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IL Mulino
Read Reviews1150 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
This 19th century building and historic Biggs Mansion brings old-world charm to this classy Italian restaurant.
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Gene & Georgetti
Read Reviews500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Opening in 1941, this is one of Chicago's oldest steakhouses, visited by old-time celebrities Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball.
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