Great Date Night Restaurants in Champaign-Urbana

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

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.

Kofusion, downtown Champaign – Walking into 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, 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.

Nando Milano, downtown Champaign – The Nando experience makes for a special and memorable date night, any time of year. The lighting sets the mood for an intimate and romantic date, and if you enjoy drinking wine, you’ll be delighted with Nando’s selection. The food is artfully prepared and some of the very best fusions of flavor around the Champaign-Urbana restaurant scene. While unofficial of course, this takes the lead for the best Italian restaurant in Champaign-Urbana.

Silvercreek, Urbana – The ambiance of Silvercreek makes it a one-of-a-kind spot in Champaign-Urbana. While you will find many of the restaurants on this list located in the same general area of town, Silvercreek stands all on its own, tucked in a quiet n nook of Urbana. If you are looking for an intimate date night with terrific dishes, you’ll find it here. As an alternative date idea, we absolutely adore brunch at Silvercreek (dates don’t have to happen at night, you know).

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.

Writers Room at Hotel Royer, Urbana – If the idea of having a date night adjacent to the lobby of a hotel seems untraditional, we would understand why. However, the Hotel Royer is the newly renovated, vintage Urbana hotel makes the perfect back drop for a unique date – whether that be drinks or a full meal. You can order burgers here, yes, but you’ll find more elevated culinary dishes, too. One of the more unique menu items here may be hibiscus flower tartare.

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.

Punch! Bar and Lounge, downtown Champaign – Stop into Punch! any time you’d like a pre-dinner drink, or stay to nosh on some shareable plates. Punch! rotates out their menu seasonally, so you may be pleasantly surprised to try something new each time you visit. Punch! wins for the most unique and interesting cocktails around 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.

Seven Saints, downtown Champaign – A favorite of team Chambanamoms, Seven Saints remains a consistent spot on our go-to date night list. Sliders, fried green beans, seasonal/fun mule cocktails and all-around relaxing atmosphere make this a great date night spot. While this is certainly a nice place to dine, you don’t feel like you need to dress up to visit Seven Saints.

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!