5 Underrated Restaurants in Downtown, Peoria IL Worth Trying
Updated 29 September 2026 · 8 restaurants in Downtown, Peoria IL considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide highlights five underrated restaurants in and around Downtown Peoria, including East Peoria and the north side. Each has a high Google rating but a modest number of reviews, so they may be easy to overlook. The ranking uses Google ratings weighted by review count, drawn from eight qualifying businesses. Each entry notes hours, address and what reviewers mention, which helps locals and visitors find pizza, empanadas or allergy-friendly food worth a try.
#1
Brienzo's Pizza + Bar
★ 4.9 (23 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Brienzo's Pizza + Bar is a pizza restaurant at 451 West Washington Street in East Peoria, open from 11 am daily. Reviewers mention a lunch special pairing a small two-topping pizza with a fresh side salad, and describe the food as unique. They also point to comfortable bar seating and friendly service at this newer location. It stays open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Best for: Pizza lunch special at the bar
- Address
- 451 West Washington Street Suite 1, East Peoria, IL 61611, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–11 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–11 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–10 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#2
El Mirador En El Rio
★ 4.8 (262 Google reviews)Latin American restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
El Mirador En El Rio is a small Latin American spot at 110 Northeast Water Street. Reviewers mention empanadas, a Spanish latte, a Java Mocha cold drink, banana bread toast and a wide choice of drinks and desserts. They describe a distinctive setting with an outdoor patio and a welcoming team. It opens at 8 am most days, with shorter Wednesday hours.
Best for: Empanadas and coffee on the patio
- Address
- 110 Northeast Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8 am–8 pm; Mon 8 am–7 pm; Sat 8 am–8 pm; Sun 10 am–6 pm; Thu 8 am–7 pm; Tue 8 am–7 pm; Wed 8 am–2 pm
#3
The Queen Of Squash
★ 4.7 (366 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Queen Of Squash at 1108 W Glen Ave serves lunch and dinner and is closed Sundays. Reviewers praise its care with allergies, describing gluten-free, celiac-friendly, dairy-free, vegan and nut-free food, such as a burger on a gluten-free bun with dairy-free cheese. They mention a bright interior and shaded outdoor tables. Google lists cocktails, a beer selection and a fireplace.
Best for: Allergy-friendly meals
- Address
- 1108 W Glen Ave, Peoria, IL 61614, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon 11 am–8 pm; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–8 pm; Wed 11 am–8 pm
#4
Nick-N-Willy's Pizza Peoria
★ 4.7 (161 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Nick-N-Willy's Pizza Peoria at 4700 N University St is a pizza restaurant known among reviewers for take-and-bake pizzas. They mention the Outback pizza, stuffed cheese bread, a chicken wrap and a Friday special with pizza, side salads and garlic bread. Reviewers describe the shop as clean and organized with crisp crusts. Google lists catering, curbside pickup and outdoor seating.
Best for: Take-and-bake pizza nights
- Address
- 4700 N University St #90, Peoria, IL 61614, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–8 pm; Mon 11 am–7 pm; Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun 12–7 pm; Thu 11 am–7 pm; Tue 11 am–7 pm; Wed 11 am–7 pm
#5
Fat Jack's Pizza LLC
★ 4.7 (129 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Fat Jack's Pizza LLC at 7016 N University St serves Quad City style pizza during short evening hours, 4 to 7:30 pm, and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Reviewers describe a very cheesy pie with a chewy, floppy crust, house-made sausage with a mild kick and plenty of toppings. Several say it travels well for takeout. Google lists a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking.
Best for: Quad City style pizza to go
- Address
- 7016 N University St, Peoria, IL 61614, United States
- Hours
- Fri 4–7:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 4–7:30 pm; Sun 4–7:30 pm; Thu 4–7:30 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 4–7:30 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 8 restaurants in Downtown, Peoria IL with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- The Queen Of Squash takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, El Mirador En El Rio opens at 8 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Brienzo's Pizza + Bar ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 23 reviews. El Mirador En El Rio is second at 4.8 from 262 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Peoria IL are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Brienzo's Pizza + Bar, at 11 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Nick-N-Willy's Pizza Peoria $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for The Queen Of Squash and Nick-N-Willy's Pizza Peoria.
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