7 Great Date Night Restaurants in Champaign-Urbana (and Beyond)

A list of our favorite date night restaurants in Champaign-Urbana and beyond

Where to go when it’s just you and your favorite dinner companion

Maybe the grandparents are in town. Maybe you’ve splurged for a babysitter. No matter the reason, it’s date night, and you’re all about having a nice, leisurely grown-up meal. You know, the kind of meal where you don’t have to worry about taking the kid to the bathroom the moment your hot food arrives, or eating so fast you can barely taste what is in your mouth because the toddler is about to have a meltdown.

Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for more ideas for what to do on date night besides dinner, we’ve got you covered! Check out our 75+ ideas for what to do on date night, where we list everything from throwing axes to seeing great theater to getting outside. Want to receive a monthly email where we highlight unique scheduled events geared towards grown-ups? Click here and check “Date Night.”

How we made this list

We’ve divided up our date night restaurant suggestions into a few different categories. The “time to splurge” category features Champaign-Urbana area restaurants that are a splurge in resources — not just money, but also time. These are places to savor, and may require some advance planning (e.g., reservations recommended for weekends especially). Our “quick and fun” category features restaurants that don’t require much planning ahead.

Time to splurge

Sun Singer, Champaign. If you’ve never been to Sun Singer for dinner, you’re in for a treat. Features include steaks, fish and other dishes (four different kinds of paella!), plus you can still get everything from the lunch menu. If you like oysters, watch out for the oyster week specials; if you like lobster rolls, this is the place locally to find them. This is a fantastic option if you just want drinks and appetizers, as the depth and the variety is beyond compare; cheeses, antipasto, spreads — to name a few. A great place to dine al fresco, when the weather warrants it. The quality and consistency of Sun Singer keeps us coming back again and again.

Kofusion, downtown Champaign. If you’re not aware, Kofusion moved to a new location around the corner in 2022. Walking into the new Kofusion feels like being transported to a swanky bistro in a larger city. It is elegant and serene at the same time. The menu is fairly diverse, featuring a steak — my meatatarian appreciates that — while serving some of the best and most unique Asian fusion dishes in town. We especially appreciate the delightful outdoor patio, which is top of heap in our opinion. It is covered and also has fans.

Timpone’s, Urbana. An Urbana classic. Located on campus not far from the Canopy Club and Krannert Center, this is a great place to eat if you are going to an event at one of those places — or if you just want to have some darn good food in a comfortable, relatively quiet place. Fish is a specialty; some people rave about the pizza. The spinach tagliatelle is my favorite meal, it’s a menu staple. No matter what you get, I always leave Timpone’s feeling like it was a great value. Not that it’s cheap — it’s just quality at reasonable prices. Parking is mostly metered.

Hamilton Walker’s, downtown Champaign. There’s no question in our mind that Hamilton Walker’s has some of the best cuts of meat in town. If you’re craving a steak, this is The. Place. In. Town. To. Get. One. Being at Hamilton Walker’s just feels fancy. It’s the impeccable service (we have fun watching them!) and the various little touches. And did we mention that we think the bar area is absolutely one of our favorite spots to get a drink in town? Tell Nathan chambanamoms.com sent you.

Quick and fun

Big Grove Tavern, downtown Champaign. Great atmosphere, great people watching. And we love the popcorn you receive when you sit down. The chicken is mouthwatering. The Brussel sprouts (a seasonal item) are one reason I look forward to the weather getting cooler. Sitting on its lovely patio makes this a great summer destination. Looking for a spot to meet up before dinner? Big Grove Tavern also has one of our favorite bars in Champaign-Urbana.

Sakanaya, Campustown in Champaign. OK I’ll admit it, my husband won’t eat sushi — but if you and your partner do sushi, this is a great place. Walk in, and you feel like you’ve been transported somewhere else. It’s pretty small and intimate, with modern, upscale decor. Its menu is different than other sushi restaurants in the area, and we enjoy the effort it puts into beautiful presentation as well as delightful food. Pro tip: go when the students are not on campus. See our Mom Review of Sakanaya here.

The Wheelhouse, St. Joseph. This hidden gem in St. Joseph presents some of the most unique dishes in the area. We’ve always been impressed with the food, and the ability to get out of town makes this feel like a bit of a “getaway,” yet it’s only 15 minutes up the road. The drink menu is equally interesting and ingenious. This is a place where you want to savor your food — perfect for date night. (And if your idea of date night is a bike ride, this place is right off the Kickapoo Rail Trail, and don’t worry — you won’t feel out of place there arriving in your bike attire). See our review of The Wheelhouse here.

Want more ideas? Check out a “destination restaurant” on your next date.

“Destination restaurants” necessitate a short drive out of Champaign-Urbana, but we think these spots are worth the trek. Get some fresh ideas now and get to planning!

7+ Great Date Night Restaurants in Champaign-Urbana