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Jilly's Cafe, Evanston, IL

Jilly's Cafe

4.6
4.6
670 Reviews
$31 to $50
French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions

Located just outside the city of Chicago, Jilly's Café has been called a "North Shore Treasure" by Zagat's 2002 restaurant survey. Our French Countryside decor, handpicked flowers, and friendly wait staff make for an intimate and cozy atmosphere suitable for all kinds of occasions(NOW PATIO AVAILABLE,ASK FOR HOURS). Here authentic French food is served with an American twist making for enough dishes to keep our specials changing daily. We offer a Sunday brunch that carefully combines a traditional American brunch with French flavors, while champagne effortlessly flows throughout the course of the meal. Jilly's is available for private parties, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (847) 869-7636
  • Website
    http://www.jillys.cafe/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Marcos Sanchez.
  • Private party facilities
    Our French Countryside decor, handpicked flowers, and friendly wait staff make for an intimate and cozy atmosphere suitable for all kinds of occasions. Please contact us for more information about reserving our private dining room!
  • Location
    2614 Green Bay Rd, Evanston, IL 60201
  • Neighbourhood
    Evanston
  • Cross Street
    Central St
  • Parking details
    Street parking on Central Street for lunch or anytime. For dinner during weekdays after 6:00 PM, Saturdays after 12:00 PM and Sunday anytime, parking is available at the HEART AutoCare parking lot located adjacent to the North on Greenbay Road. Please do not park outside those time at the HEART parking lot.Thank you
  • Public transit
    Walking distance to "Evanston Central Street" stop on the Metra line (UP-N to Kenosha). Ten minute walk to the CTA Purple line: "Central" stop.
  • Additional
    Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine

Experiences

  • CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

    US$90.00 per person

    Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 25, 2024
    CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER 4 COURSE PRIX FIXED DINNER $90 PER PERSON Appetizers : Stuffed Quail, Mushroom Ravioli, (Lobster) Escargot Soup or Salad Entrees: Steak Frites, Branzino, Braised Venison Osso Buco Dessert Selections
    CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER photo

  • NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

    US$130.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER 4 Course Prix Fixed Dinner $130 per person Appetizers: Crab Cake, (Lobster) Escargot, Lobster Ravioli Soup or Salad Entrees: Veal Chop, Chilean Seabass, Filet Mignon, Lobster Risotto Selection of Desserts
    NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION photo

Menu

Hors D'Oeuvres

  • Smoked SalmonUS$14.00

    Served over Potato Pancake with Crispy Onion and Tarragon Crème

    • Mussels MarinieresUS$15.00

      Tossed with Fresh Herbs, Shallots and White Wine Cream. Sauce Served with Garlic Bread

      • Feullette of California Bay Scallops And ShrimpUS$16.00

        Mushrooms, Spinach, and Lemon-Thyme Sauce

        • Escargot a La BourguignonneUS$14.00

          Baked with Herb Butter and Garlic

          • Spring RollUS$12.00

            Filled with Wild Mushrooms, Sweet Cherries, Spinach and Brie Cheese, served with Mixed Greens and Raspberry Vinaigrette

            • Crispy Goat CheeseUS$12.00

              Grilled Asparagus and Tomato Balsamic Relish

              • Shrimp with Herbs And GarlicUS$15.00

                Melted Brie Cheese and Grilled Baguette

                • Crab CakeUS$17.00

                  Sweet Corn Relish and Sauce Remoulade

                  • Seared Foie GrasUS$22.00

                    Caramelized Granny Smith Apples and Raspberry Ale Reduction

                    • With 2oz of Sauternes WineUS$25.00

                  Les Soupes Et Salades

                  • Tomato- Fennel SoupUS$8.00

                    with Garlic Croutons

                    • Soup Du JourUS$8.00

                      • Arugula SaladUS$12.00

                        Arugula, Blue Cheese, Apple, Walnuts, Balsamic Vinaigrette

                        • Cesar SaladUS$10.00

                          Parmesan Cheese, Anchovies and Garlic Croutons

                          • Diane's Beets SaladUS$12.00

                            Mixed Greens, Blue Cheese, Shaved Fennel, Red Onion, Toasted Walnuts and Raspberry Vinaigrette

                            • Spinach SaladUS$12.00

                              Warm Goat Cheese, Red Onion and our very own Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette

                              • Poached Pear and Field Greens SaladUS$12.00

                                Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Red Wine Vinaigrette

                                • Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella SaladUS$12.00

                                  Cucumber, Red Onion, Scallion, Basil, Garlic Croutons and Red Wine Vinaigrette

                                  Les Entrées – Viendes (Meats)

                                  • Cervena VenisonUS$40.00

                                    Butternut Squash Puree, Haricots Verts, and Door County Cherry Demi-glace

                                    • Rack of LambUS$36.00

                                      Blue Cheese Whipped Potatoes, Asparagus and Rosemary Jus

                                      • Steak FritesUS$34.00

                                        Grilled Portabella Mushroom, Tomato Provencal and Maître D' Butter

                                        • French Ribeye SteakUS$45.00

                                          Caramelized Onion, Melted Swiss Cheese, Ponme Fritte

                                          • Barbeque Glazed Beef Short RibsUS$32.00

                                            Horseradish Whipped Potato and Red Wine Demi-glace

                                            • Skinless Breast of Duck And Confit LegUS$32.00

                                              Asian Slaw, Wild Rice Cake and Plum Ginger Sauce

                                              • Roasted Pork TenderloinUS$26.00

                                                Sweet Potato Puree, Broccoli, Lingonberry Sauce

                                                • Chicken PaillardUS$28.00

                                                  Potato Hemispheres, Arugula, Chery Tomato, Citrus Butter Sauce

                                                  Les Entrées – Poissons (Fish)

                                                  • Seafood LinguineUS$36.00

                                                    Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, Shrimp, Chery Tomato, Zucchini, Pea Pods, White Wine, Lemon Cream Sauce

                                                    • Grilled Seafood SkewersUS$35.00

                                                      Shrimp, Jumbo Sea Scallops, Asparagus, Orzo Pasta and Citrus Sauce

                                                      • BoullabaisseUS$34.00

                                                        Scallops, Shrimp, Mussels and Market Fish with Braised Fennel, Roma Tomato, Garlic, Saffron, White Wine and Crouton with Rouille

                                                        • With LobsterUS$42.00

                                                      • Trout AlmondineUS$30.00

                                                        Rainbow Trout, Hericots Verts, Potato Hemispheres, Slices Almonds, Citrus Butter Sauce

                                                        • Herb Crusted Salmon FilletUS$28.00

                                                          Pearl Couscous, Broccoli, Two Mustard Sauce

                                                          Végetarian

                                                          • Gnocchi ProvencalUS$22.00

                                                            Homemade Gnocchi, Chery Tomato, Baby Spinach, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese

                                                            • Mushroom RisottoUS$22.00

                                                              Herbs, Roma Tomato, Asparagus and Garlic, Finished with Parmesan Cheese

                                                              A la Carte

                                                              • Pomme FritesUS$8.00

                                                                • Butternut Squash PureeUS$8.00

                                                                  • Sauteed SpinachUS$8.00

                                                                    • Steamed BroccoliUS$8.00

                                                                      • Sauteed MushroomsUS$8.00

                                                                        • Haricots VertsUS$8.00

                                                                          • Whipped PotatosUS$8.00

                                                                            • Sweet Potato PureeUS$8.00

                                                                              • AsparagusUS$10.00

                                                                                Last updated: February 1, 2022

                                                                                What 670 people are saying

                                                                                Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                4.6
                                                                                4.6 based on recent ratings
                                                                                • 4.5Food
                                                                                • 4.6Service
                                                                                • 4.4Ambience
                                                                                • 4.2Value

                                                                                Noise • Moderate

                                                                                Loved For

                                                                                • Chicago / Illinois

                                                                                  French

                                                                                Review summary

                                                                                AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                Jilly's Cafe in Evanston is a charming French bistro that delights with "outstanding food" and attentive service. Patrons rave about the "cozy atmosphere" and "fantastic dining experiences." While some note the restaurant can feel a bit cramped, the "delicious cuisine" and "welcoming staff" ensure a memorable visit.

                                                                                670 Reviews

                                                                                1. Thomas

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  1 review

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  1 review

                                                                                  Dined on December 11, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                                  Perfect spot for a quiet Tuesday night birthday meal, trying some heretofore unsampled French cuisine in a comfortable and warm setting. Our server was conversant in all aspects of the menu and attentive to every detail, especially the water glasses and bread. I had a pre-dinner Jilly's Fashioned cocktail that really hit the spot, and the appetizers, beet salad, and entrees (bouillabaisse in my case) were winners.

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                                                                                2. Al

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  2 reviews

                                                                                  2.0

                                                                                  2 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on December 8, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 2
                                                                                  2. Food 1
                                                                                  3. Service 3
                                                                                  4. Ambience 3
                                                                                  Food was very mediocre and the others were high. We will not be returning.

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                                                                                3. Christine

                                                                                  VIP

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  13 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  13 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on December 8, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  Food was very good. Not very busy at the restaurant. Staff was nice.

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                                                                                4. bari

                                                                                  VIP

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  93 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  93 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on December 8, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                                  Delicious food and friendly service. The bouillabaisse was amazing and a large portion! Everyone really enjoyed their meal of fois gras, crab cake, caesar salad, grilled octopus, branzino, steak and Chilean sea bass. It was like being at a French cafe for a little while! Definitely will return.

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                                                                                5. Edward

                                                                                  VIP

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  594 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  594 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on December 7, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  Our dinner at Jilly’s was fabulous, as always! After cocktails, our starters were my wife’s butternut squash soup which was great! (She let me taste!) I had the most flavorful, tender escargot I have ever had! Then we had entrees that were incredible! My wife had short ribs and I had venison; both were terrific. Accompanied by a French Pinot Noir, this dinner was simply wonderful. It was all enhanced by our server, Haydee, who paced it perfectly, was attentive, efficient, and the nicest person. We love Jilly’s!

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                                                                                6. Maggie

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  1 review

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  1 review

                                                                                  Dined on November 24, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  We love this place, and when in town, try to get back to it. Always great food, lovely and friendly service. What else can we say?

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                                                                                7. Joanna

                                                                                  VIP

                                                                                  Milwaukee

                                                                                  10 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  10 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on November 23, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  Lovely local dinner with very yummy food. We will definitely come again!

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                                                                                8. Gene

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  16 reviews

                                                                                  4.0

                                                                                  16 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on November 20, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                                                  2. Food 4
                                                                                  3. Service 4
                                                                                  4. Ambience 3
                                                                                  Jilly's has been around for a long time, and it kinda shows it. The ambience is kinda 1960's rooming house chic (well-worn, unchanged, with crystal chandeliers and second-hand furniture). The clientele is mostly elderly Northshore folks. The food is what was considered fancy French 40 years ago. For the most part it is tasty and well-prepared, although my mussels were overcooked and rubbery and another person in our party has a steak that he ordered as medium rare, but it had no pink in it whatsoever. It still tasted good enough that he didn't send it back. It has a homey feel. The servers are nice. The prices are steep.

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                                                                                9. Peggy

                                                                                  VIP

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  23 reviews

                                                                                  3.0

                                                                                  23 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on November 17, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 3
                                                                                  2. Food 3
                                                                                  3. Service 3
                                                                                  4. Ambience 3
                                                                                  The restaurant needs to remove one table for 4. Everything is so squeezed together people can’t get to their seats without causing the people at the next table to get up and move. It really impacts one’s comfort during the meal. Other diners are way too close. I had duck and did not care for the sauce. My partner had lamb chops which looked great. He said they were good and tasted about the same as what we would make at home. He said the mashed potatoes were great, as was the cabbage soup recommended by the waitress. I loved the escargot. A little loud.

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                                                                                10. Abby

                                                                                  VIP

                                                                                  Chicago

                                                                                  21 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  21 reviews

                                                                                  Dined on November 16, 2024

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  A great neighborhood spot! It feels like you're in a bistro in France. Great ambiance. Will definitely be back.

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                                                                                FAQs

                                                                                Jilly's Cafe does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Jilly's Cafe also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (847) 869-7636.

                                                                                Jilly's Cafe is rated 4.6 stars by 670 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                Make a reservation

                                                                                2 people
                                                                                7:00 p.m.
                                                                                Booked 4 times today
                                                                                Experiences are available.

                                                                                Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                Google Map for Jilly's Cafe

                                                                                2614 Green Bay Rd, Evanston, IL 60201

                                                                                Additional information

                                                                                • Cross Street
                                                                                  Central St
                                                                                • Neighbourhood
                                                                                  Evanston
                                                                                • Hours of Operation
                                                                                  Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                                • Price
                                                                                  $31 to $50
                                                                                • Cuisines
                                                                                  French, American
                                                                                • Dining style
                                                                                  Casual Elegant
                                                                                • Dress code
                                                                                  Casual Dress
                                                                                • Parking details
                                                                                  Street parking on Central Street for lunch or anytime. For dinner during weekdays after 6:00 PM, Saturdays after 12:00 PM and Sunday anytime, parking is available at the HEART AutoCare parking lot located adjacent to the North on Greenbay Road. Please do not park outside those time at the HEART parking lot.Thank you
                                                                                • Public transit
                                                                                  Walking distance to "Evanston Central Street" stop on the Metra line (UP-N to Kenosha). Ten minute walk to the CTA Purple line: "Central" stop.
                                                                                • Payment Options
                                                                                  AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                • Executive Chef
                                                                                  Marcos Sanchez.
                                                                                • Additional
                                                                                  Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine
                                                                                • Website
                                                                                  http://www.jillys.cafe/
                                                                                • Phone number
                                                                                  (847) 869-7636
                                                                                • Private party facilities
                                                                                  Our French Countryside decor, handpicked flowers, and friendly wait staff make for an intimate and cozy atmosphere suitable for all kinds of occasions. Please contact us for more information about reserving our private dining room!
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