Carbondale Dining for all Tastes



Got a taste for...not sure?
It shouldn't take long to find a restaurant to turn that longing into exactly what you need.

If you're heading to Carbondale, here are a few of our favorites that highlight the diverse flavor of a University town. Many of the restaurants are located along Illinois Avenue, ("the strip") or in the downtown square which still reflects the roots of Carbondale as it began as a bustling stop along the railroad.
There are, of course, many chain restaurants, but we will feature more of the
locally owned and operated businesses in Carbondale. 

Global Gourmet
Sitting right on the square, Global is probably one of our favorite restaurants, with its eclectic atmosphere, gourmet cuisine and full bar. There is an outdoor patio for the warmer days and there will occasionally be some cool, classic jazz. If you are here around Christmas time, call ahead for the figgy pudding. They won't serve it until it is perfect.
102 E Jackson St / (618) 549-0771

Newell House
Newell House has a nice ambiance with steaks, seafood, and pastas all on the menu. Go downstairs to the Grotto and enjoy appetizers, drinks and maybe even some classic jazz.
201 E Main St / (618) 549-6400

Thai Taste
Thai food. Gotta have it at least a couple of times a month. Pick your spice level from zero to ten. Don't forget to order the curry puffs as an appetizer.
100 S. Illinois Ave./ (618) 457-6900

LongBranch Coffee House
Looking for vegetarian or vegan? Longbranch serves delicious, innovative vegetarian and vegan entrees. Also located right on the town square,  Longbranch serves the best coffee in town and has an array of homemade bakery items.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
100 East Jackson St. / (618) 529-4488

Curbside
This family style bar and grill has great American cuisine with a flare. Here you'll find some of the best wings in town. Curbside is also becoming known for its performance venue, featuring Bluesday Tuesday and Open Mic Thursday. Weekends you'll find plenty of good music. Dancing strongly encouraged. Call ahead and they'll pick you up once you get into town.
Check them out.
227 W Main St / (618) 490-1539

 Melange Cafe
Melange Cafe has reopened with a full morning to evening menu. A casual style atmosphere with  unique indoor/outdoor seating.
607 S. Illinois / (618) 549-9161

Kaya
Of course there's sushi!  The locally owned Kaya restaurant features Japanese Sushi and Korean Foods. Wonderful sushi, Bento Boxes, Bul Go Gi, teas, hot saki and plum wine. Authentic and delicious. On the strip.
817 S. Illinois Avenue / (618) 457-0968

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse
OK, so it is a chain restaurant but still, very good sushi plus a fun Hibachi bar. We do like our sushi.
715 North Giant City Road / (618) 549-2000

Tom's Place
I know it is not technically Carbondale, but if you want to really impress a date, you need to call Tom's Place for a reservation. Tom's Place is located in De Soto, Illinois, a little further north of Carbondale. It's a top notch five star restaurant. Ask for one of their elegant private booths. Come during morel season and the chef might be featuring the coveted morel mushroom on the menu.
(618) 867-3033
17107 N US Highway 51
De Soto, Il

Pizza!

Carbondale has some great pizza. The three best pizza spots, in our opinion, have been around for decades. If you were a student at SIU at one time, you will remember 
Quatros, Paglias, and Italian Village.

Quatros Deep Pan Pizza
Quatros has the ever popular deep pan pizza but of course, you can get it thin if you prefer. They don't skimp on the ingredients and the pizza has that same Quatros flavor you remember. Quatros still has Wednesday night pitchers and whole wheat pizza is available Mondays. There is a full menu, but we're talking pizza!
218 West Freeman / (618) 549-5326

Paglias
Watch the Paglias cooks work the homemade dough and build the famous pizza as you walk into the restaurant. Old family recipes and only the freshest ingredients make it a top notch pizza. Thin and crispy is the usual style but you can certainly get thick.
Same restaurant but in a newer, bigger location.
509 S Illinois Avenue / (618) 457-0321

Italian Village
Gotta include IV's. Good pizza cut into squares and a popular salad bar is what you'll find at Italian Village. While you're waiting for your order, check out the thousands of names etched into every possible surface in the building. Any chance your name is there? They've expanded by adding a new eating area and bar along with an outdoor patio.
405 S. Washington (618) 319-4156
Let's Talk Breakfast
Craving a relaxing, hearty breakfast before a day of hiking?

Mary Lou's Grill
Breakfast or lunch, Mary Lou's is a must have. People from all over will tell you about Mary Lou's biscuits and gravy, omelettes, plate sized pancakes... The hot coffee keeps coming and the portions are not small.  Don't forget Mary Lou's for lunch too for some down home cookin'.
118 South Illinois Avenue / (618) 457-5084

Harbough's Cafe
Another restaurant open for breakfast and lunch is Harbaugh's. Good coffee, a nice twist on breakfast and lunch plates. Look for the yellow on orange spots on the awning outside Harbaugh's.
901 B Southern Illinois Avenue / (618) 351-9897








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