Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Southwest Suburbs

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Southwest Suburbs? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Frankie's Since 1988

4.9

4.9 (3883)

$30 and under

Italian

Tinley Park

About the restaurant

The Santoro Family has been in the food service industry since 1988. Our Tinley Park location was renovated AND re-branded in May of 2023. We created a new MODERN CHIC vibe...The new name "Frankie's Since 1988" as an ode to our original restaurant on the Southside of Chicago.

No longer a fine dining white tablecloth restaurant. Our new concept more energetic music, vibrant craft cocktails & mocktails along with the same homemade pastas and signature dishes, such as Ciambotta (sausage & peppers), meatballs, Chicken "limone" with a lemon butter & capers sauce amongst others that have been loved throughout the years from Frankie's. We also added authentic southern Italian style pizzas from our Marra Forni oven in the dining room.

Our updated menu is a combination of old classics from the past 16 years in Tinley Park and new items with the same wonderful service guests have come to know and love from Frankie's.

Top review

Tammy

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great and so was our server Don! Thank you for a wonderful experience.

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Mama Maria's Taco and Tequila Bar

4.8

4.8 (209)

$30 and under

Mexican

Orland Park

About the restaurant

Mama Maria's Taco and Tequila Bar is a festive Mexican restaurant in Orland Park. The dining room is sleek and modern, with an oversized wooden bar, trendy lighting, comfortable seating, big screen TVs and charming accent pieces. Mama Maria’s Taco and Tequila Bar has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that is created through the tasty aroma and intimate design of the dining room.

The menu that is offered at Mama Maria’s Taco and Tequila Bar is referred to as “Mexican street food – fresh to your table.” The menu consists of traditional Mexican favorites, which include taquitos, guacamole, sizzling fajita platters, an assortment of tacos, enchiladas and burritos with a modern twist.

Top review

Bill

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Hannah and the staff were great as usual! Tamales are phenomenal and ask for the red sauce to go with it!

Highlander House Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (88)

$30 and under

Polish

Palos Hills

About the restaurant

Welcome to Highlander House Restaurant and Bar. Our beautiful restaurant attracts our clients with unique styles, friendly atmosphere, and delicious food. The name of the restaurant was greatly influenced by our family's roots, which are originated from the mountains in Poland.

The style of the restaurant consists of many of souvenirs, wooden decorations, regional costumes, and traditional instruments to give our guests that authentic atmosphere. Dishes are prepared from scratch according to recipes originating from the south region of Poland called Podhale.

We offer regional and traditional Polish cuisine. Our European plate, sauerkraut soup, sheep cheese soup, unique taste of lamb plate and pork shank ranks highest in popularity amongst our guests.

Every Sunday we have live entertainment featuring Polish Highlanders. With the help of our friendly staff and delicious food, we hope you continue to come back and visit us at Highlander House.

Top review

DanVIP

Dined on Mar 25, 2025

They have a great menu of Polish/ European style dishes.

Vinny's Clam Bar

4.8

4.8 (723)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Tinley Park

About the restaurant

WHETHER IT'S DROWNING IN BUTTER OR GLAZED IN TOMATO SAUCE, UNCLE VINNY WANTS EVERY GUEST TO ENJOY OUR FAMILY RECIPES THE ITALIAN WAY: ONE HAND TO EAT, TWO HANDS TO SPEAK.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a wonderful time from start to finish celebrating our friend’s 60th birthday. Becky was a phenomenal server and put an extra special touch with everything she did. Thanks for a memorable night.

The Phoenix Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (915)

$30 and under

American

Homer Glen

About the restaurant

A modern upscale casual, dining experience, serving locally sourced New American Cuisine.
In addition to the traditional 3 course meal, we offer shared plates. Shareable food is fresh, fun and exciting! Mixing and matching food selections, allows guests to try an array of different cooking techniques, styles and flavors. Spanning the globe for exciting inspiration to provide unique high quality dishes. Our wood fired grill, 600º degree pizza oven, hardwood smoker and hydroponic organic micro-greenhouse allow Chef the freedom to bring his culinary ideas to your table. Pair your evening from a selection of handcrafted cocktails, small batch bourbons, craft beer or enjoy a bottle of organic, bio dynamic wine from our temperature controlled wine cellar. Experience The Phoenix; where family and friends gather, food and drink is shared and new traditions begin!

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food, drinks, and service are ALWAYS Amazing!!!

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Seasons 52 - Orland Park

4.7

4.7 (487)

$31 to $50

American

Orland Park

About the restaurant

Seasons 52 is a Fresh Grill and Wine Bar offering a seasonal menu that is naturally lighter and always flavorful. Our seasonal menus feature ingredients at their peak of freshness, oak-fire grilled or brick oven roasted (without a fryer in sight) to be naturally lighter and more flavorful. We also offer an extensive list of wines by the glass and bottle. Here, you'll always feel free to enjoy every bite, every sip, every moment. Lunch and dinner daily with happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-6PM.

Top review

MarioVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We came here to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary and Kiarra was our server. Everything was fantastic. Atmosphere was great. Kiarra was very attentive and offered great suggestions throughout the evening. She even brought us an anniversary sign and a complimentary champagne toast 😊🥂! Food was wonderful as always. The evening was perfect for our celebration 😊❤️🙏🏾🎉!

Mago Grill & Cantina - Bolingbrook

4.6

4.6 (1226)

$30 and under

Mexican

Bolingbrook

About the restaurant

Mago Grill is a modern twist on everyday dining featuring a delicious menu of authentic Mexican and Latin dishes created by chef Juan Luis Gonzalez. Open for lunch and dinner daily, 7 days a week. Family friendly dining, great for groups, too!

Top review

ValerieVIP

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Great food and great service!!! Had the guacamole which is made right in front of you and a taco salad. So delicious!!

Oasis Mexican Kitchen & Bar

4.3

4.3 (25)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Lockport

About the restaurant

Experience the vibrant flavors of Mexico in a modern, upscale setting. Oasis Mexican Kitchen & Bar offers handcrafted cocktails, premium steaks, and fresh seafood, all served with warm hospitality. Start your day with our brunch or enjoy an evening in our hidden speakeasy. A taste of Tulum in Lockport!

Top review

Jim

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Nice place, friendly employees, good service. Both of us had skirt steak. It was a little tough. Sides, presentation, drinks all very good… I’d go back, but probably wouldn’t get the skirt steak again.. lol

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Orland Park

4.2

4.2 (116)

$30 and under

American

Orland Park

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we’ve continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ’s a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ’s to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back.

We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better.

So in many ways we haven’t just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it’s because of them we’re continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts.

Welcome to BJ’s, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Danielle

Dined 5 days ago

We had great service and the daily specials and prices were great!

Dave & Buster's - Orland Park

3.8

3.8 (102)

$30 and under

American

Orland Park

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster's has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we've got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we're stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

Brittani

Dined on Apr 2, 2025

Pretty cool experience!! My family and I enjoyed ourselves. Food was good took a little time to get the food but it was kind of a busy night.

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