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The Best of the Best in Galena

These are the Best Galena Restaurants For Your Getaway

The entire guest experience at our Galena Bed and Breakfast is centered around food. From our exceptional multi-course breakfasts to our curated afternoon wine and appetizer trays, we love to bring the best tastes of Galena home to our Guests. So it pretty easily follows that we also love referring our guests out to the best Galena restaurants – including spots where they can find great vegan or vegetarian dishes, as we, too, love to cater to the specific needs of our guests. 

Whether you consider yourself an experienced gourmand or casual food lover, like it not, food will be a prominent fixture of every getaway – and that’s because, unlike at home, you’ll rely on local Galena restaurants (and us, of course) for your daily meals. Luckily, there really are some fantastic establishments right here in downtown Galena, most of which are a short walk from the luxuries of Jail Hill Inn. So whether you’re looking for a romantic place to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, a casual place to grab a quick bite between adventures, or something in between, there are definitely some great restaurants in Galena worth your time. 

Between the food served at our Inn and those you enjoy “out,” you most certainly won’t go hungry. In between meals, we hope you’ll spend some time exploring all the best things to do in Galena. From charming shops and historic attractions to fantastic nature preserves, wineries, and more, there’s truly something here for everyone. We just hope we get to share the best of it with you sometime this year. Book your room at our exquisite Bed and Breakfast in Galena today!

Older couple laughing and having a great time out to dinner at the best Galena Restaurants

Our 11 Favorite Galena Restaurants

Whether you’ve been coming to Jail Hill Inn every year since we opened or this is your first time visiting us in our charming town, we’re often asked for local recommendations for our favorite Galena restaurants. Though it can sometimes be hard for us to choose a favorite, as they all offer something unique and tasty on their menus, there are several Galena restaurants that guests have repeatedly told us they love to visit while in town – and a few we regularly visit as well! 

As always, our list of local Galena restaurants features a broad selection to include something for everyone. Many of these establishments offer vegan or vegetarian options, and some even offer gluten-free options. Our guests are all engaging in different levels of activities while they’re here, too, so your diverse needs are reflected in the curated list of Galena restaurants below, too. 

The Most Romantic Restaurants in Downtown Galena

If you’re in town celebrating a special occasion, whether a birthday, milestone anniversary, babymoon, or something else, there are two restaurants in downtown Galena that are perfect for special dinners and romantic evenings with your sweetheart. 

  1. Fritz & Frites is one of our Innkeeper’s personal favorites and one we always recommend to our guests, particularly those looking for somewhere a little special. It’s a European-style bistro that serves a wonderful combination of French and German fare. Reservations are highly recommended. 
  2. Another of our often-recommended Galena restaurants is Fried Green Tomatoes. It’s casual, friendly, and a great place for a romantic meal out. 

More Great Places to Eat in Galena

  1. Another of our personal favorite restaurants in Galena is Little Toyko, which is often a surprise for our guests. We’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from people we’ve sent there, too – and it just so happens to be one of the closest Galena restaurants to our Inn. 
  2. You can’t go wrong with the pastries, bread, and other desserts at Bread & Vine Bakery, but this charming spot in downtown Galena also serves up a fantastic lunch and dinner menu. Make sure to ask the staff about their favorites – and if they offer you any suggestions, we recommend you take them up on it!
  3. Enjoy casual but delicious food and a fantastic selection of craft beer at the Galena Taphouse
  4. For a solidly good meal featuring scratch-made soups and deliciously crafted sandwiches and salads, head to Embe Eatery and Lounge
  5. In the mood for a great steak? Head down to see our friends at the Log Cabin Steakhouse. It’s the oldest and longest-running among Galena restaurants!
  6. If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee in town or a delicious, casual lunch, head to one of our favorite Galena restaurants, Big Bills Sandwich Shop and Coffee Bar. 

More Fabulous Restaurants Near Galena

Downtown isn’t the only great place to enjoy a fantastic meal while staying at our Galena Bed and Breakfast. If you’re willing to hop in a car for dinner, there are a couple of places we highly recommend!

  1. Just outside downtown Galena toward Chestnut Mountain Resort, you’ll find the Goldmoor Inn. Their restaurant is a superb place for a romantic dinner, offering diners exquisite views of the Mississippi River and rolling countryside.
  2. Speaking of Chestnut Mountain Resort, their restaurant also offers a surprising menu of delicious eats – and is a great place to eat if youre doing any hiking, biking, or skiing in the area. Perhaps you want to ride the Galena River Trail out to lunch? The trail ends at the resort!
  3. We also love supporting our friends over at Brazen Open Kitchen + Bar. The food is divine, and the chef and owner is a Galena native!
After dinner at Galena restaurants, return to this cozy guest room, with sitting area and fireplace, at our Galena Bed and Breakfast

The Best Place to Stay in Galena

Our guests sometimes tell us that we feed them so well that they don’t need to eat anything else. While that may be true (for some), it’d be a real shame to miss out on at least one dinner out at these fantastic Galena restaurants! Luckily, no matter which of these restaurants you choose, you’ll find our Galena Bed and Breakfast is within easy reach. The same can be said about all the other things to do in Galena, Illinois too!

Our location is great, but that’s only one of the reasons we’re considered the best place to stay in Galena. In truth, it’s much more about the luxurious guest experience you’ll enjoy here. Ascend our exterior staircase and step inside, and you’ll be greeted with a charming, historic atmosphere that is steeped in just the right level of grandeur. It’s not too little, and it’s not too much – we’ve carefully curated every aspect of the guest experience at our Galena Bed and Breakfast to be just right.

We offer six distinct guest rooms. Though they are each decorated with unique decor, all offer an incredible 800-square feet, a kitchenette, seating areas, a spa-like bathroom, and a separate bedroom with king-sized beds. Amenities included with each stay are complimentary chocolates and chilled champagne waiting upon arrival, custom-designed plush Frette spa robes and towels, Aveda toiletries, a customizable Bluetooth sound system throughout your suite, and Samsung Smart TVs, daily breakfast, and an afternoon tray filled with appetizers, charcuterie, house-baked cookies, and your custom selection of wine or beverage.

Though many of our guests treat our Galena Bed and Breakfast as a destination, staying close throughout the day, we hope you’ll take the time to explore the historic charms of downtown Galena and any number of these delicious Galena restaurants while you’re here. Regardless, though, we just hope you see you walk through the doors at our top-rated Galena Bed and Breakfast soon. Book your stay today!

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