5 Restaurants in Downtown, Springfield IL That Serve Alcohol
Updated 29 September 2026 · 20 restaurants in Downtown, Springfield IL considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants serving Downtown Springfield, IL and nearby areas that are listed on Google as serving alcohol. It is aimed at anyone wanting a drink with dinner, from a casual Italian counter to a pub known for the horseshoe sandwich. Twenty qualifying places were considered and ranked from Google ratings weighted by how many reviews each has. Each entry notes hours, the address and what reviewers mention about the food and service.
#1
La Piazza Cucina Italiana
★ 4.7 (735 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
La Piazza Cucina Italiana on S 6th St serves lunch most days and dinner Thursday through Saturday, and is closed Monday. You order at the counter, and reviewers say the staff who bring the food are attentive. Dishes mentioned include meatballs, lasagna, risotto, spaghetti, a berry salad and large pizza slices, plus a variety of desserts. It serves beer and cocktails and offers vegan and vegetarian options.
Best for: Casual Italian lunch or dinner
- Address
- 220 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–3 pm, 4–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–3 pm, 4–9 pm; Sun 11 am–3 pm; Thu 11 am–3 pm, 4–9 pm; Tue 11 am–3 pm; Wed 11 am–3 pm
#2
VELE
★ 4.7 (591 Google reviews)Fine dining restaurant$30–80 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
VELE on W Iles Ave is a fine dining restaurant serving coastal Italian food from 5 to 10 pm Monday through Saturday. Reviewers mention mushroom arancini, broccolini, filet, chicken piccata, crème brûlée and spiced pear cheesecake, along with well-made cocktails. Google notes a good wine list and a private dining room, and reviewers describe hosting group dinners in the private space, called The Pearl.
Best for: Special dinners and private groups
- Address
- 3241 W Iles Ave, Springfield, IL 62711, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–10 pm; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 5–10 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 5–10 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#3
Joseph's Fine Cuisine
★ 4.7 (408 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Joseph's Fine Cuisine on Hedley Rd is open for dinner only, 5 to 9 pm Monday through Saturday. Reviewers mention hush puppies with sriracha butter, redfish tempura, wedge salad, a generous pork chop and fried chicken. Google lists a good wine list, cocktails and spirits, and reviewers point to a selection of bourbons and whiskeys. One calls the atmosphere good for a romantic dinner.
Best for: Romantic dinner with bourbon
- Address
- 3153 Hedley Rd, Springfield, IL 62704, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–9 pm; Mon 5–9 pm; Sat 5–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue 5–9 pm; Wed 5–9 pm
#4
D'Arcy's Pint
★ 4.6 (4,416 Google reviews)Irish pub$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
D'Arcy's Pint is a women-owned Irish pub on W Stanford Ave, open 11 am to 9 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Reviewers come for the horseshoe sandwich and advise ordering the smaller pony size because the full one is large. Friendly service and quick, hot food come up often, though one group reported a long wait without updates. It has a fireplace, bar games and a good beer selection.
Best for: Horseshoe sandwich and a pint
- Address
- 661 W Stanford Ave, Springfield, IL 62704, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#5
Gabatoni's Italian Restaurant
★ 4.4 (1,396 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Gabatoni's Italian Restaurant on E Laurel St is a pizza place open daily from 11 am, until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Reviewers mention thin-crust pizza with generous toppings, such as the EBA personal pizza, and a laid-back interior with an older look. Some are longtime customers who return on visits home. It offers happy-hour drinks and food, beer, cocktails, delivery and a drive-through.
Best for: Thin-crust pizza and happy hour
- Address
- 300 E Laurel St, Springfield, IL 62703, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 20 restaurants in Downtown, Springfield IL with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Alcohol”, then by rating. 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
- Book ahead at VELE: Google lists reservations as required.
- 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?
La Piazza Cucina Italiana ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 735 reviews. VELE is second at 4.7 from 591 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Springfield IL are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is VELE, at 10 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: La Piazza Cucina Italiana $10–20; VELE $30–80; D'Arcy's Pint $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for La Piazza Cucina Italiana, VELE, Joseph's Fine Cuisine, D'Arcy's Pint and Gabatoni's Italian Restaurant.
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