New Restaurants & New Year Plans

The best new restaurants of 2024, New Year's Eve plans, holiday events, and more

Author

Joe Arendt
December 19, 2024

Morning, it’s Burbs Explored, your (new) favorite Chicago Suburbs weekly newsletter! Heads up, we will be off next week so this will be our last newsletter of the year. We will be back in your inbox on January 2nd, 2025.

Before we sign off, we have one favor to ask. As you gather with friends and family over the next couple weeks, we would love if you could share our newsletter with anyone that might find it useful or interesting. As always, we appreciate the support and hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and happy new year!

Weekend Routine

Weekly highlights from the Burbs Explored team and community on where they eat, drink, shop, and play across the Chicago suburbs.

  • Took the kids for a drive through Willow Hill Lights (Northbrook), followed by dinner at Great Coast Commons (Kenilworth). We love their General Tso's Cauliflower and Spicy Thai Curry. They also have a great kids menu.

  • Picked up holiday cookies and cupcakes from Buck Russell’s.

  • Date night at the new DeNucci’s in Highland Park. A great addition to the North Shore dining scene. I went with the Little Gem Caesar and the Cavatelli, which were both excellent. We will definitely be back.

- Katie (Winnetka)

Weekly Updates

  • The latest project from Michael Lachowicz and the George Trois Group, Fondita Miguel, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Winnetka opened last week (link)

  • After decades of trying, DuPage finally acquired the horse farm that will link the Morton Arboretum to Danada Forest Preserve (link)

  • The owners of Great Coast Commons (mentioned above) will be opening an Irish pub and a family pizzeria in Kenilworth (link)

  • One of our favorite burger spots, Small Cheval, will be opening a Wilmette location in 2025 (link)

  • While another favorite, Edzo’s, will be closing this week (link)

  • Worth the drive: The Shedd Aquarium rotunda opened it’s first new exhibit in 53 years called the Wonder of Water (link)

  • Still need a photo with Santa? Kidlist put together a great list of places you can find the big guy before he arrives on Christmas day (link)

  • Looking for last minute holiday gifts? Shop local and skip the shipping. Pick up coffee from a local roaster, beer or merch from a local brewery, a cookbook from a local bakery, or a gift card from your favorite restaurant.

2024 Best New Restaurants

This week we shared our list of the top new restaurants that opened in 2024. It was a great year for the Chicago suburbs restaurant scene. From top chefs and renowned restaurant groups debuting new concepts to new spots that are quickly getting attention beyond the suburbs. You can view the list on our Instagram page or by clicking the image below.

New Year’s Eve Plans

While we know the holidays are top of mind for most of you right now, New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. Whether you like to stay in, go out, or pretend new years came early for the little ones, below are some fun ideas for how you can celebrate the new year across the Chicago suburbs.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

GO OUT

STAY IN

Upcoming Events

FEATURED EVENT: Common Good Cocktail Class

NORTH SHORE

NORTHWEST SUBURBS

WESTERN SUBURBS

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