Guidebook for Champaign
Food Scene
The best BBQ in town. Some would say the best in the state. Some would say the best in the region. Great beer and cocktails. Get the burnt ends if they’re not 86’ed.
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
320 N Chestnut StThe best BBQ in town. Some would say the best in the state. Some would say the best in the region. Great beer and cocktails. Get the burnt ends if they’re not 86’ed.
Sliders, mix-and-match soup/salads/sandwiches, AMAZING cocktail and whiskey selection, fantastic service, enjoyable atmosphere.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Seven Saints
32 E Chester StSliders, mix-and-match soup/salads/sandwiches, AMAZING cocktail and whiskey selection, fantastic service, enjoyable atmosphere.
Nashville hot chicken, excellent veggie options (tofu Po’boy!), big beer list and interesting cocktails. Slushies in the summer!
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Watson's Shack & Rail
211 N Neil StNashville hot chicken, excellent veggie options (tofu Po’boy!), big beer list and interesting cocktails. Slushies in the summer!
Local legendary spot for deep dish, but the thin crust is incredible and much better in my (humble) opinion.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Papa Del's
1201 S Neil StLocal legendary spot for deep dish, but the thin crust is incredible and much better in my (humble) opinion.
A very cute and small wine shop with table service, snacks, and the most knowledgeable staff. The owner used to have a full service fine dining spot around the corner. He closed that and opened this up and it’s truly a gem.
Ladro Enoteca
A very cute and small wine shop with table service, snacks, and the most knowledgeable staff. The owner used to have a full service fine dining spot around the corner. He closed that and opened this up and it’s truly a gem.
Best French toast I’ve ever had in my life. I think it’s still cash only.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sam's Cafe
115 N Walnut StBest French toast I’ve ever had in my life. I think it’s still cash only.
Super hip and friendly food hall featuring five restaurants with something for everyone. Plenty of space for large groups, very chill place to relax and study or work too.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Broadway Food Hall
401 N Broadway AveSuper hip and friendly food hall featuring five restaurants with something for everyone. Plenty of space for large groups, very chill place to relax and study or work too.
Hopscotch Bakery + Market
802 W John StBest Mexican food in town. Authentic and delicious. Small spot, good outdoor area in the summer.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Huaraches Moroleon
805 Philo RdBest Mexican food in town. Authentic and delicious. Small spot, good outdoor area in the summer.
Excellent Mexican food spot in downtown Champaign.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maize at the Station
100 N Chestnut StExcellent Mexican food spot in downtown Champaign.
Punch! Bar & Lounge
Beautiful and interesting cocktails, great small plates, upscale interior.
Local legendary custard spot. Lemon in a waffle cone for me, please.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jarling's Custard Cup
309 W Kirby AveLocal legendary custard spot. Lemon in a waffle cone for me, please.
Parks & Nature
A nice paved trail for bikes, jogging, dog walking, roller blading, or just walking. Enjoy sculptures and prairie landscape along the way.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Meadowbrook Park
2808 S Race StA nice paved trail for bikes, jogging, dog walking, roller blading, or just walking. Enjoy sculptures and prairie landscape along the way.
Beautiful park with a splash pad for kids, volleyball and tennis courts, and several pavilions for picnics and grillin’ and chillin’.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hessel Park
1400 Grandview DrBeautiful park with a splash pad for kids, volleyball and tennis courts, and several pavilions for picnics and grillin’ and chillin’.
Arts & Culture
Local artists, with rotating exhibits that feature more well-known works. Must stop by if on campus. Suggested donation to enter.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Krannert Art Museum
500 E Peabody DrLocal artists, with rotating exhibits that feature more well-known works. Must stop by if on campus. Suggested donation to enter.
Shopping
Artsy and upscale gifts and toys, clothing, housewares, wine, deli, groceries, bakery. Incredible milk chocolate chip cookies. Beautiful cheese selection. Fun fact: it’s the oldest woman-owned business in the state of Illinois.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Art Mart
1705 S Prospect AveArtsy and upscale gifts and toys, clothing, housewares, wine, deli, groceries, bakery. Incredible milk chocolate chip cookies. Beautiful cheese selection. Fun fact: it’s the oldest woman-owned business in the state of Illinois.
Record store with selections old and new, shares a space with Dandelion -- a vintage store with something for everyone. There is a small stage that often has live performers in the store!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Exile on Main Street
100 N Chestnut StRecord store with selections old and new, shares a space with Dandelion -- a vintage store with something for everyone. There is a small stage that often has live performers in the store!
The Literary
122 N Neil StCute cute cute local woman-owned bookshop, cafe, and bar. Amazing gift selection.
Essentials
Nice, clean, affordable, good produce. My go-to spot.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Schnucks Champaign
109 N Mattis AveNice, clean, affordable, good produce. My go-to spot.
Harvest Market
2029 S Neil StEntertainment & Activities
Live! Music! Every! Day! Huge Wednesday night trivia. Great, casual vibes with excellent service. Awesome tent in the summertime for patio table drinking.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rose Bowl Tavern
106 N Race StLive! Music! Every! Day! Huge Wednesday night trivia. Great, casual vibes with excellent service. Awesome tent in the summertime for patio table drinking.
If you’re going to a movie, go here instead of AMC. Clean, friendly staff, consistent snacks and service.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
GQT Savoy 16 IMAX
232 Burwash AveIf you’re going to a movie, go here instead of AMC. Clean, friendly staff, consistent snacks and service.
Getting Around
Amtrak, CU Mass Transit Buses, Greyhound Bus
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois station
45 E University AveAmtrak, CU Mass Transit Buses, Greyhound Bus