Hewn, one of Evanston’s most popular bakeries, has earned such a large following it’s expanding to Lake County. The backbone of Hewn’s offerings is its assortment of hand-shaped, freshly baked bread upon which staff build various sandwiches. It’s a perfect spot to pick up breakfast, as it offers a plethora of warm pastries and a substantial coffee menu.

Once one of the most popular spots in downtown Evanston, Dave’s Italian Kitchen abruptly shuttered in 2016, only to quickly reopen further north on Noyes with a wide selection of pasta, pizza, and traditional chicken dishes. Prices remain low and while the restaurant is no longer BYOB they offer a selection of affordable wines by the glass and bottle as well as beer from Evanston’s Sketchbook Brewing Company.

Chef D’Andre Carter has made a big splash in Chicago with his rich, smokey barbecue and soul food like shrimp and grits, earning a sizable following that’s spawned virtual outposts and a food hall stall. Now ranked among the area’s top barbecue contenders, Soul & Smoke actually originated in Evanston and patrons can still snag pickup orders from the operation’s out-of-the-way home base. The brisket is world class and a full restaurant is in the works.

For breakfast in downtown Evanston, few places have developed the reputation that La Peep has consistently held. A favorite for both NU students and residents alike, the chain’s menu covers the essential breakfast groups, from French toast to skillets and everything in between. Plus, it offers an especially popular pancake of the month, ranging from chocolate chip cookie to pumpkin pecan.

The Korean fried chicken experts at 10Q put out destination-worthy pieces of crispy, juicy poultry for carryout and delivery in Evanston. Customers can also find chicken wings, rice bowls, and more from the owners of BopNGrill.

Expand your knowledge of Thai food at NaKorn, which eschews common dishes like pad thai and pannang curry in favor of soft shell crab with mango and braised duck with egg noodles and shiitake mushrooms. The beautifully presented plates are meant to be shared and the friendly staff will guide you through the menu to explain how much to order. Pair your meal with a Bangkok mule featuring housemade kaffir lime-infused vodka.

This revamped suburban hit — known for more than two decades as Chef’s Station — leans toward fine dining with intricate dinner options such as pan-seared foie gras (caramelized peaches, toasted brioche) and oven-roasted New Zealand rack of lamb. Find it under the Davis Metra stop.

Serving Venezuelan-inspired Latin American street food, La Cocinita specializes in arepas — delectable cornmeal patties in crowd-pleasing varieties like El Pabellon (brisket, black beans, sweet plantains) and El Vegano (sweet potato, corn and carrot sofrito, salsa verde, guacamole). All the food is served in carryout containers so you can eat there or enjoy the weather by snagging seats a block west at Fountain Square. La Cocinita also operates a food hall outpost in New Orleans, as well as food trucks in both Illinois and Louisiana.

A vast menu of tapas encourages groups to sample through a medley of Catalonian and Andalusian flavors at this Spanish mainstay, which is best known for crowd-pleasing plates like bacon-wrapped dates, Spanish tortillas, croquetas, and grilled octopus. Consider all of them the perfect pairings for either of the house sangrias or the Spanish margarita, a cross-Atlantic spin on the classic with brandy and lemon juice.

This downtown Evanston spot from Sandy Chen, the owner of Chicago’s Le Sud, offers a wide selection of Chinese cuisine — Mongolian beef, garlic shrimp, and sesame chicken — as well as sushi and a weekend dim sum brunch with bottomless mimosas. Those who like to give back while dining out can call ahead to reserve table 23 and the restaurant will donate 23 percent of the check to a charitable organization.

Located in the heart of downtown Evanston, Edzo’s is arguably a top burger contender around the Chicago area. The massive burgers are obviously its main attraction, but Edzo’s also offers hot dogs and a wide selection of other sandwiches. The fresh-cut, never frozen fries are popular too — they come in a dozen varieties and are perfect for dipping in a creamy milkshake.

Get a taste of traditional Afghan fare such as juicy beef and chicken kabobs served with rice seasoned with saffron, carrots and raisins and housemade chutneys. Kabul House offers an extensive selection of vegetarian fare including sweet pumpkin topped with yogurt and a date salad served with pomegranate vinaigrette. Their lunch specials are a great value.

Chef and owner Mark Grosz and his wife Renée André have been operating this seafood-centric new American restaurant since 1989. Refined starters include Maine lobster with buffalo mozzarella and sea scallops with housemade kimchi. Continue the meal with indulgent entrees such as branzini with eggplant or filet mignon with foie gras. Pair your meal with something off their menu of 300 wines or bring your own bottle on Thursdays when there’s no corkage fee.

Chef Vince DiBattista serves rustic Italian cuisine at this neighborhood restaurant, which has been in operation for more than two decades. Expect seasonal and locally sourced ingredients peppered throughout the menu’s dishes, from ricotta gnocchi with spinach and toasted walnuts to roast duck with polenta and sour cherry mostardo.

Located right on Evanston’s border with Chicago, Peckish Pig offers a very different dining experience than most nearby competitors as it works to elevate the standard brewpub experience. Its menu is impressively extensive, featuring popular items like bacon-wrapped dates and chicken wings but also more adventurous options like coconut curry mussels. Additionally, Peckish Pig offers eight to 10 house-brewed beers at all times, as well as multiple cocktails including a rotating slushy.