Location: Makanda
Top Restaurants in Makanda
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Makanda Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Makanda
Makanda is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 561, up from 419 in 2000. In the early 20th Century it used the slogan "Star of Egypt."
Things to do in Makanda
1. Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
Great Deep Pan Pizza, Fresh Salads, Italian Beef, Reuben's, and Philly Steak Sandwiches, and Plenty of your favorite Beverages. Very Kid friendly also.
Reviewed By Julie C
I called to place an order for an employee that had surgery. I needed an extra 10 seconds to get her phone number. The lady on the other end of the phone was curt and acted put out. I asked a question about the food, as I am not familiar with this establishment being from another city. She did not want to be bothered with me. It was not even lunch or dinner rush. It was 2pm. Good thing they are known for their pizza because their customer service sucks.
2. Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By StrangeTripper - Chicago's North Shore, Illinois
I had breakfast at the Giant City Lodge after staying the night in a cabin. The Lodge is gorgeous inside and out---you couldn't ask for a nicer setting.
I ordered biscuits and gravy and a side of hash browns----what a great deal! And the food was great too, albeit the hash browns were slightly on the oily side..... Service was really quick as the server had my delicious B's & G on the table within minutes of sitting down. In addition, the main lobby of the Lodge is a cozy area to hang, especially in the evenings.... It also has Wi-Fi, so if you're staying in the cabins, this is the place to be if you wanna go online..... Staff at the Lodge were friendly all around.
In conclusion, i highly, HIGHLY recommend grabbing a bite at the Giant City Lodge restaurant while visiting the park (or even if you aren't).
3. Yellow Moon Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Some vegetarian selections, tries to use locally grown/produced or sustainable ingredients. In the heart of Southern Illinois wine country.
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
Cobden, Illinois, a small town of 1,135 people located in Union County in southern Illinois, is noted for its fertile orchards that produce apples, peaches and other fruits. It is in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest and surrounded by Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon and Pomona Natural Bridge. It is at the center of the Shawnee Wine Trail, which features 12 local wineries. But Cobden's greatest claim to fame is and always will be the high school basketball team that finished second in the 1964 state tournament. The Appleknockers, representing the second smallest school ever to reach the state final, emerged as the darlings of Illinois. No local vineyard will ever surpass what they accomplished. But Jennifer Buchbeit is trying. She opened Yellow Moon Cafe at 110 North Front Street in Cobden in 2008 and has been making a reputation ever since. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts and marketing from Columbia College in Chicago, then interned at exclusive Medinah Country Club in suburban Chicago before opening her dream cafe almost 10 years ago. Lunch is a popular occasion in this tiny hamlet, drawing visitors from Anna, Jonesboro, Carbondale and Marion, even Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Paducah, Kentucky. The last time I visited Cobden was in 2002, when I was doing research for my first book on high school basketball in Illinois. The new gym was being built and the huge picture of the 1964 team was being stored in the administration office. Unfortunately, Jennifer Buchbeit is too young to remember the 1964 team. Too bad. But today's generation remembers her cooking, especially the cakes, scones, cookies, pastries and brownies she makes daily. The lunch menu also includes Caesar salad, spinach salad, pastrami Reuben sandwich, tuna cheddar melt sandwich, soups, Mediterranean flatbread, roast beef, ham and cheese and spiced Turkey. Medinah Country Club was never like this.
4. Hedman Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Hedman Vineyards is a winery and restaurant located along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Opened in 2005 by the namesake of the vineyards, Anders & Gerd Hedman, they have grown into a staple of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail by offering some of the best food and wine to be found in Southern Illinois and the Heartland.Hedman Vineyards sits at the foot of the road leading to Bald Knob cross and is easily accessible from Illinois routes 127 & 51. Full service for guests who chose in- and outdoor dining, available reservations, and an accessible ten acres of vineyards make Hedman Vineyards a fantastic choice for spending the day and/or evening with friends and family.More important to the experience at Hedman Vineyards is the culture which supports the business. Anders and Gerd can be found, on most days, prepping traditional Swedish cuisine for lunch and dinner. To compliment our rich tradition of delectable Swedish cuisine we also offer wines made with strong European and Swedish influences.For the dry wine drinker we offer a Norton (Our favorite) & Chambourcin, along with several other dry and semi-dry wines. For those with a taste for something a bit more sweet we offer wines made from both peaches and grapes, including our award-winning Peach Dessert Wine.Whether for conversation, great wine, fantastic food, specialty gifts from our Scandinavian gift shop, or just the beautiful scenery, we hope you'll join us on your next trip to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
Reviewed By SeeJessTravel - Peoria, Illinois
We stopped here on a Friday afternoon while touring some of the wineries on the wine trail. Even though it was a gorgeous day, we happened to be the only people here at the time, which was perfect! We did a wine tasting downstairs, and the woman working there was super friendly and we enjoyed some great conversation with her. The wines were delicious and we also loved the warm mulled wine.
However, the best part of our visit may have been our lunch outside. We sat out on the patio overlooking a little lagoon, and it was so peaceful. We had the lobster bisque (amazing!) and the pecan-crusted chicken salad. I would have loved to try the Swedish meatballs, but as we were heading out hiking soon, I didn't want a huge lunch. Everything about our visit here was great, and I only wish we lived closer so we could visit more often!
5. Abbey Ridge Brewery and Tap Room
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Galen T - Arthur, Illinois
This is a fun place to stop for lunch while doing the Southern Illinois Wine Trial. They offer a nice selection of food and drinks.
6. Blue Sky Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
It's part of Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, http://www.shawneewinetrail.com/. Also has a couple of B&B rooms, but I would only be reviewing their food.
Reviewed By Craig W
Great selection of all type wines. Great wine tasting. Return your glass for 3 dollar refund. Food is good but the setting is fabulous. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Vineyards are right there to inspect. Periodic live entertainment. First class all the way, plenty of signs on all the country roads to get there. Large selection of refrigerated drinks and cheeses. You can bring your own food just purchase the wine.
7. Harbaugh's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By happyfamilyMacomb_Il - macomb, il
In town visiting our SIU student who recommended this place. Awesome breakfast selection, great and quick service and a comfortable atmosphere(nothing fancy, but clean and festively decorated). The place was packed..obvious sign of a favorite place to dine. We will be back.
8. Peach Barn Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
The Peach Barn Cafe is the restaurant at Hedman Vineyards. Offerings include many traditional Swedish dishes such as Swedish Meatballs, Wiener Schnitzel, & Beef Tenderloin in a Bearnaise Sauce. Dining may be experienced both inside the cafe and outdoors. Indoors, guests may browse a selection of gifts imported from Scandinavian. Outdoors guests can walk our 10+ acre vineyards or enjoy the vine-wrapped patio for seating.Our winery, Hedman Vineyards, was opened in 2005 by the namesake of the vineyards, Anders & Gerd Hedman. We have grown into a staple of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail by offering some of the best food and wine to be found in Southern Illinois and the Heartland.Hedman Vineyards sits at the foot of the road leading to Bald Knob cross and is easily accessible from Illinois routes 127 & 51. Full service for guests who chose outdoor dining, available reservations, and an accessible ten acres of vineyards make Hedman Vineyards a fantastic choice for spending the day and/or evening with friends and family.More important to the experience at Hedman Vineyards is the culture which supports the business. Anders and Gerd can be found, on most days, prepping traditional Swedish cuisine for lunch and dinner. To compliment our rich tradition of delectable Swedish cuisine we also offer wines made with strong European and Swedish influences.For the dry wine drinker we offer a Norton (Our favorite) & Chambourcin, along with several other dry and semi-dry wines. For those with a taste for something a bit more sweet we offer wines made from both peaches and grapes, including our award-winning Peach Dessert Wine.Whether for conversation, great wine, fantastic food, specialty gifts from our Scandinavian gift shop, or just the beautiful scenery, we hope you'll join us on your next trip to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
Reviewed By kkpfeif - Illinois
The food at this winery is very good and delicious. We sat outside under the canopy for a relaxing twilight dinner. I had the swedish meatballs which were delicious. Many people in my group had the salmon and they were not disappointed. Our appetizer consisted of several different types of meats (quail, bison, elk, etc) in sausage form. It was good but not exactly what I expected. Still a great evening, great food and great friends.
9. Taqueria Pequena
Overall Ratings
5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Dennis F - Albers
Wonderful full flavor Mexican food. It just tastes very good. Simple authentic food. They run out of items each day. You know it's fresh when they are only making small batches. No heavy sauces or anything covered in cheese. Some of the best tamales I have ever eaten. The town is in the heart of Southern Illinois. Wonderful, polite people. Orchards, wineries and small locally owned shops everywhere. Small eating area inside. But you really want to sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy your visit.
10. Longbranch Cafe & Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By L H - Chicago, Illinois
Returned for espresso drinks made to order, and tried the coconut cake...pretty much perfect, moist and flavorful. Wonderful cinnamon roll too. Almond cream is an interesting variation on the classic scone. Again, the staff was awesome - a friendly young woman searching the shelves tirelessly to find the t-shirt I wanted (100% cotton & supercool designs), while a gracious man packed my order carefully. Fabulous eclectic decor, and local art for sale.
