Jilly's Cafe in Evanston - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Always fantastic! Brought my daughter and husband here for Sunday evening and had wonderful food as usual: Gnocchi, Branzino and the Chilean Sea Bass. Angie is such a joy to have help us through the evening . . . We always enjoy her service!

We were very pleased with the willingness to accommodate our toddler, the staff and management were friendly. This is a very intimate dining experience, there are probably about 30 seats in the entire restaurant. The food was exceptional, top quality ingredients and perfectly executed. We advised of a food allergy and the server was diligent in ensuring that we had options to substitute anything that might contain the allergen with something that did not. When we requested a mocktail and it was not to our liking they gladly brought us a different one which was excellent. The drinks and deserts complemented the food very well, would feel confident ordering anything on the menu. We will definitely be back. Not an inexpensive date night, but a good value for the price. I believe the prices were fair for the quality of food received and as such it was a good value for the experience and service.

We have been dining at Jilly’s for decades and keep returning thanks to the consistency of quality and service. From the ambience of a Parisian bistro to the excellence of food and drink, Jilly’s never fails to exceed expectations. We love the total experience here!

Nice quaint space with all the right touches, including the music in the background. Service was fine, but as the restaurant filled, attention was reduced. Food was interesting - not the typical style (read sauces) I've encountered in other French experiences. That's not a bad thing, simply different.

Great bouliabaise! Outstanding crème boule. Very comfortable atmosphere, excellent service. I’ll go back.

A great French Restaurant in a small setting .Good Food ,Great wine .wonderful desserts

My sister and I dined at Jilly’s last night. I am visiting from San Francisco and wanted to treat her to something special. It exceeded our expectations on all levels. The food was delicious, the portions are substantial and the waiter charming.

My foie gras was delicious. I had the mushroom risotto which was well made and as described but I did not love it. The seasoning was not as subtle as one expects in French cuisine. (It is an Italian dish so what did I expect?) I still ate it all. Katie our server was gracious and attentive without being intrusive. The place was fairly empty… I home it stays open.

We had been wanting to dine at Jilly's for years; last night was our first time and my impressions are decidedly mixed. The restaurant is cute--and very small. While it is Bastille Day weekend, I'd arge that in general Jilly's needs 3-4 fewer tables, both for customer comfort and for the restaurant's ability to adequately several them. If you don't like eating packed like a sardine, I suggest going on a weeknight. Our server was polite and as attentive as he could he for how busy the place was. Other tabes I know (because I could hear them talking) were not so lucky. In general service is a bit hurried, a lot harried, and generally too herky-jerky for a $30+/plate restaurant. Lobster Risotto and Bouillabaisse w. Lobsterre generously portioned, perfectly hot, and competently prepared. That said the sauce on the lobster in both dishes was excessive (too much) and aggressive (unnecessary). Both dishes are broth based--zero need to add another, heavy sauce and different (clashing) flavor to the mix. In short, there's work to be done at this restaurant that appear to me to be simple management fixes. Doing so would turn a hit or miss experience into a great one... if only the owner would consider a few choices (cut some tables, better stagger reservations, better train staff, let the food, not a saucy cover-up, sing) that might trim revenue but increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Last comment: patrons were, on this night at least, almost all very late middle-age to geriatric (trending to the latter).

What I wrote on Facebook: For my wife's birthday, we had an especially fine dinner at Jilly's Cafe, quietly serving exceptional French cuisine here in Evanston since 1986. Less than ten minutes from our home, it's a shame we had not been there before tonight. The menu was delightful, and our choices were perfectly prepared, elegantly plated, and expertly served in a quiet, tastefully appointed, and entirely unpretentious storefront with only about ten tables. She had grilled seafood skewers with shrimp, scallops, asparagus and orzo pasta in a light citrus sauce. I had barbeque glazed beef short ribs over horseradish whipped potato and a red wine demi-glace. She chose the chocolate mousse chocolate layer cake, which arrived with an unexpected second dessert; a moist and complex carrot cake over a clearly homemade caramel sauce, with a candle to quietly note her birthday.

Wonderful anniversary dinner. Only two occupied tables the Tuesday night we ate there. Show this legit French restaurant some love.

Jilly's is an old-school French bistro, but it's always a solid meal! I go at least once per year and should really go more often than I do.

Wonderful food in a very welcoming atmosphere. Large portions and very reasonable price point. It’s an adorable small restaurant and a great find! Would definitely recommend 😊

A wonderful brunch. It was elegant and quiet . How wonderful to be able to have a conversation without screaming. The scones and muffins when you sit down were a bonus. My only negative was they need larger cups for for coffee atbrunch.

We visited Jilly’s for the first time recently to celebrate our anniversary. Our experience was fantastic! We started with wonderful cocktails. We shared a bottle of wine and had trout and steak frites. We finished with two delicious desserts. Our server did a great job taking care of us. Everything was fantastic. We look forward to returning!

Food was great, good and fast service. Angie was very sincere sweet with us. Would recommend venison!

Food was good but not as good as I would have expected for the price.

We went to celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary with our family whilst staying with them in Evanston from the UK. Easy to book through open table and had a lovely time celebrating. The food was very good as was the service. What more could we ask for. Thank you.

Lovely ambiance with excellent service - great food

We had a lovely dinner at Jilly's Cafe. There was an event happening in town, so there were quite a few large groups, but they seated us (party of 2) in a cozy corner and the service was very attentive and wonderful. Everything we had, from starters to dessert, was delicious. Would highly recommend Jilly's Cafe.

The appetizers were just fabulous. I did not like my entrée. I had the ribeye steak. It wasn’t cooked properly. It had no char on it it was raw. I asked for medium rare. I should’ve sent it back. That’s my fault. In addition to that, it looks like Evanston added a 6% extra tax on alcohol. We’re not returning.

Lovely place, great waiter and really tasty food! It need a little maintenance and maybe a deep cleaning though.

Absolutely love this place. The food is amazing, so are the staff. My favorite place in NorthShore.

Took my wife here for her birthday and it was amazing. The food was great. Angie was our server and she was the best. She took our picture and had it printed out right away to give to us. Nice touch!

Unfortunately we were disappointed by our experience here. We made a reservation for a celebration and upon arrival it was so dark and empty we thought it was closed. There was still Christmas and Easter decor up in late May and the service was sub-par. The food was not great. Steak was super fatty and the crab was not good. I hope they can make some updates to improve their service and experience.

Quiet atmosphere and perfect place for relaxing dinner.

The fish was good, but the lamb and beef were disappointing - not on par with previous experiences at Jilly's.

Excellent meal for Mother’s Day. Angie took great care of us!

Excellent service and amazing food! Angie was welcoming and thorough, ensuring was perfect. The crab cakes, frittata, and chocolate lava cake were all exceptional. This place is a must-visit!

Jilly’s excels at traditional French food. We were there for Mother’s Day brunch. The escargot, mussels, steak frites and all of the desserts were outstanding. Our server, Angie, was so pleasant, and all of the service was attentive. The noise level was perfect for conversation. We had a wonderful time.

We had a lovely Mother’s Day lunch! The crab cake, seafood fritatta, and creme brûlée I chose from the prix fixe menu were delicious, and the jam and zucchini bread too. Our waitress was very sweet (from Turkey, don’t recall her name apologies) as well as the young man who refilled my water glass several times. A very nice splurge! We don’t go often but when we do it is always a treat.

Wonderful small restaurant with excellent food, perfect for spending time with loved ones. Delicious wine and desserts, too. I’d love to go back. Thank you, Angie, for such quality service and food!

We hadn't been to Jilly's in many years, and this visit made us wonder why we waited so long. The menu is extensive, and the wine variety is excellent. The food itself was outstanding and beautifully presented. Our server was very friendly and efficient. It was a great night out for our friends and ourselves.

Really sweet, atmospheric little spot, classy vibe, engaging menu. Servers were very attentive, friendly, and focused on the customers. Delicious food, especially the pate that came with the wonderful small bread slices before the meal. Other offerings were tasty, as well. We would go back in a heartbeat.

What a French bistro should be. The server was very helpful with finding gluten free options that were also delicious.

It is a very small neighborhood cafe with few customers.

Overall a disappointing experience. Did not feel like a French cafe. Bouillabaisse was not fresh.

Disappointing. Beet salad tasted not fresh at all. Duck wasdrebched in a way too heavy sauce with the patti underneath tough. Servers seemed miserable. Won't go back until things change

Our daughter and her husband took us to Jiffy's, yesterday, a Saturday night. To be fair, I am not a big fan of French food or seafood so for me the options were limited. I ordered the $48.00 Ribeye steak which was small, fatty, and not too tasty. Not worth half the price. Our waiter was not familiar with the menu the wines or the English; language. The room was conversation-challenged at best. Again my wife and daughter enjoyed their seafood entrees. The check was $200+.

Food and service were both excellent. It was loud, loud enough that it was difficult to hear each other across a small table. But it was a Saturday night, so one should expect a crowd. The only disappointment was that it was my wife's birthday, I mentioned the special occasion on open table when I made the reservation, but it was ignored by the restaurant.

Every time we visit the food is always outstanding. We love the ambience of the restaurant. We will keep returning. Thank you to all of the staff!!

2 for 2 on great dining experiences! Food is amazing! Cocktails were delicious. Can’t wait till my next trip to Evanston.

How recommended the food was excellent the Server was very thoughtful and caring and informed I would go back

Jilly’s is a wonderful dining experience. The food is terrific and the service and ambience superb.

What a treat! This is the second time I have had the pleasure of dining here recently. The food is truly of French high quality . . From the fish and seafood down to the vegetables. Well selected and very fresh. The saucier is of high calibre and finished each dish expertly. The service is particularly wonderful—Angie, whom I have had serve both times—is professional, attentive, warm and gives spot on recommendations! Needless to say, we will be coming back time and again. A beautifully relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable evening!

The lobster risotto was bursting with unexpected flavors. We'll definitely be back! Also, the chef's specials were so good. The service was excellent, especially for our birthday celebration. The waitress made our celebration extra special. Great service overall!

This was our first experience with this restaurant. The entire experience was average; however, very highly priced. Unfortunate.

I know it has been around for awhile but our first time. The food was fresh and well prepared. If I lived closer, I would go 3-4 times a month.

We had an early table (6:30) and the restaurant was about 70% filled. It’s a charming space that’s obviously established and most likely has its frequent diners that have been coming for years. We were sat in the very back table near the cash wrap - a table that shouldn’t be there in my opinion, as it was near a soiled wall and next to a beeping computer system - it sounded like nonstop text messages throughout the dinner (the table next to us even complained about it, and they were another 5’ away). Our server didn’t greet us with a hello, etc - just simply walked up and asked “are you ready to order or not?” It was a pretty cold start to the night. Tablecloths were stained / dirty, we went without silverware for a good portion of the meal, the music kept starting / stopping… just an unfortunate environment and atmosphere. The pear salad was good. Trout almondine had good flavor but definitely overcooked (it was also massive portion - they could size it down to focus on flavor and keep costs down). The Bouillabaisse broth was great; the skin-on, large chunks of salmon was an odd choice / flavor for the fish option (as it’s usually a whitefish). Overall, it was okay. We aren’t looking for anything wild – clean environment, kind & attentive service, food that matches the cost… but with places like Pomeroy nearby and Le Bouchon a short drive away - Jilly’s can easily make a few small changes that would add up to a big difference.

What a beautiful, quaint little place. I felt like I was back home in Europe. Food was exquisite but the atmosphere was perfection. We will be back!

Charming, delicious neighborhood bistro. High quality food and very reasonable prices. They decorated for Valentine's Day which was cute.

Last week, my wife and I met another couple at Jilly's. I'd never been there before. Although the place was full, the service was fast, friendly and helpful. The food and wine were great. I had bouillabaisse, and it was large and perfectly done, with lots of shellfish and saffron. Prices were very reasonable. The decor was warm and welcoming. I will definitely be back.

Had been a while since we last visited but were looking forward to good french food. Unfortunately the food was spotty and not as good as we expected. Oysters had way toooo much breading, the sea bass was over cooked and average at best. Of the 4 dinners and 4 appetizers half were good and half were at best average. Disappointed

Loved the food! We were hoping for after dinner drinks too. Sweet server

We regularly dine at Jilly’s, and this was our Valentine’s dinner. It did not disappoint! As usual, service was impeccable, provided by the owner! Friendly, efficient, attentive! My wife started with the spring roll, which she found different but delicious! I had excellent escargot which is one of my go-to choices. I also stayed with one of my faves, the venison: many slices of tender, tasty meat in a cherry sauce. My wife ventured out to the pricey special veal chop, which she loved, with enough to bring some home for the dog! As we finished our wine, we were too full for dessert…until we were surprised by an unbelievable crème brûlée to share! All in all, a fantastic evening from all sides! That’s why we come back!

Everything was just okay, nothing really stood out. The waitress recommended the short rib entree. It had barbecue sauce on it - not very french or very good. Other folks got the seabass. Everyone agreed that it was lacking flavor. The spring roll and the escargot were pretty good. The service was pleasant but very slow. Our waitress was very overwhelmed. Also had to ask for different napkins since ours had lipstick on them - clearly not washed. So many good restaurants in the area, I see no reason to come here.

First time dining at Jilly’s Cafe for dinner and it’s a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. I tried their French version of Lobster Risotto and sadly, the lobster tail was overcooked to the point it stuck to the shell. This should not happen if lobster was cooked correctly. For a $50 entrée this is a silly mistake but would suggest quality check in the kitchen. The French Onion soup was also a bit small serving, served in cup size for $12. Other members in my party enjoyed their entrées which I’ve shared below. For dessert, the carrot cake was delicious. I do not recommend the lava cake, as it’s not a lava cake but chocolate cake. The “lava” was on the outside and a bit disappointing. Due to some other interesting menu items, I would like to return to give it another shot. The last suggestion for this restaurant is to offer better parking options. You have to park several blocks away and it’s paid parking only.

Very cute French restaurant with excellent food. Romantic and quaint.

A quiet French bistro with simple but tasty fare up and down the menu. Superb steak frites, very nice bouillabaisse, shrimp and Brie with toasts appetizers unique fresh and appealing. Non intrusive wait staff. Affordable but very limited wine list. This was our first time and it is already one of our favorite neighborhood gems.

Fabulous dining experience. Small and intimate restaurant with lovely food.

Good was amazing, however service was quite slow. I understand the servers were doing everything between the two of them, but I just felt like the server was annoyed by our presence. And we just kind of felt forgotten. Honestly would not go back due to the service and drinks were way over priced. Food is 10/10, that kitchen does not deserve that front-of-house.

Excellent food- love having such a charming and delicious restaurant so close by 👍

I always love coming to Jilly’s for any occasion. They have the best French food and always have great service.

What a disappointment for New Year’s Eve. Drafty seating, rushed service. No butter for over cooked lobster tail. Scallops needed better sear. Fatty, tasteless veal chop, none of the guilty pleasure escargot. Outrageous price. We used to love this place. We won’t be back.

We concluded 2023 with a spectacular dining experience at Jilly's Cafe, deserving a 5-star rating. Their three-course meal was exceptional, starting with the fluffy Crab Cake with Remoulade sauce; rich garlic butter Escargot; and Lobster Vol Au Vont with buttery lobster on flaky pastry, for appetizers. A Pinot Noir Sorbet served as a delightful palate cleanser. For entrees, the veal chop was tender and flavorful, resting on a horseradish potato puree and Hericots Verts with mushroom cream sauce. The Filet Mignon was remarkably tender, paired with whipped potatoes, creamy mushroom sauce, and perfect asparagus. The standout was the Lobster Risotto, rich in flavor with creamy pesto sauce, scallops, and shrimp on heavenly risotto. Our wine, a 2019 Chateau Puynormond Lawargue, beautifully complemented the meal with its complex notes and balanced tannins. For dessert, the crème brûlée with its light custard; the fresh-tasting key lime pie; and the indulgent chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream provided a grand finale to the meal. Jilly's Cafe excels in both cuisine and service, ensuring a top-tier fine dining experience. It's a place that's sure to impress and linger in your memories.

Expensive and, without question, 100% worth it. We weren't rushed, the appetizers, drinks and meals were all superb. I look forward to coming again. Just...wow. Well done!

Totally worth the trip. Our favorite French restaurant went down over COVID and this may have stepped up and taken the new crown. Amazing appetizers, thoughtful and delicious main courses, and desserts that finished things off perfectly. Well done!

At Ida's place you feel the real essence of French food. Just had dinner at that French spot. Table settings classy. Tried the smoked salmon; rich and earthy. The boullabise with lobster? A perfect land-sea combo!! And those wines? Spot on. Definitely a top-notch french dining experience

This is a beautiful way to spend a little of your rainy day cash. The space is intimate, not intrusive. There were a few folks who were very loud. The appetizer, salad and entre were the best I can recall. Our server was so lovely and helpful with wine choices. Highly recommend Jilly's for a special lunch, brunch or dinner.

wonderful!! It was absolutely fantastic! The staff was also extremely friendly and hospitable. I can't wait to come back again

We had a most enjoyable evening with excellent food and service.

We had a wonderful dinner at Jjlly’s cafe! From appetizers to dessert everything was delicious. I had the bouillabaisse and my husband had the Chilean sea bass which was cooked to perfection. A true Northshore gem!

Two of us went to Jilly’s on Dec.8. Angie was our server. We both ordered and shared the fried calamari. It was well irritated and delicious. We both ordered the bouillabaisse. Spectacular! Bravo! It is a small, cozy and busy restaurant. Angie was great. I’ll be back soon.

This was our most recent of many visits to Jilly’s. The Parisian atmosphere, the food, and the service are always wonderful. Our server was the owner, who we well know, and, as always was friendly, engaging, and efficient. I started with the baked onion soup, which was out of this world! My wife and I shared the Caesar salad, which is one of the best. She then had the roast pork loin which was tender, juicy and delicious, and left some for our doggie. I left nothing of my venison loin, which, as usual was unique and terrific. We have been coming to Jilly’s since it opened and continue to be regular visitors.

Overall a lovely little storefront restaurant but you need to be at the right table. We were not. We got seated in the back by the bar and the overhead lights were right in our eyes. The service was pretty slow....they had only one server for at least 10 tables. Excellent wine list. Food was good and the servers were very nice.

Jilly’s Cafe is always terrific. We went there recently with a large group, and we were quite pleased with our dining experience. Great menu with something for everyone. The dishes were well prepared and beautifully presented. We would definitely recommend this local gem.

Cozy (read: very small), intimate French restaurant just over the border from Evanston in Wilmette. Nice bottled wine selection with reasonable prices. I had rack of lamb, my husband had duck confit, another in our party had risotto and the 4th had seafood linguine, all of which were excellent, as were the generous salads the two couples split before our entrees. We didn’t have dessert, maybe next time. Excellent and attentive service as well.

Low quality food for high prices served by a friendly waitress who struggled to make herself understood.

This is such a charming place. It's a great local bistro. Unassuming yet the food and wine are both delicious and a great value for money. I heartily recommend!

We went to Jilly's for our wedding anniversary, and were joined by a few family members. The food and service were great. Cuisine and atmosphere-wise it is the closest to a small Parisian cafe that you will find on the Northshore.

Excellent small restaurant with A 5 -star experience . Spectacular food excellent service and a wonderful selection of French wines . Especially appreciated the quiet atmosphere -for the first time in ages, we didn’t have to shout to carry on a conversation.

Excellent as always! Thank you most especially for working on Thanksgiving!!!

A real restaurant!! where you go to have EXCELLENT FOOD, in a pleasant ambiance where you can talk while you enjoy the service which is as good as the food. Really good wine selection also. I dream with the Tournedos Rossini and can't wait to go again?

The food was wonderful and the restaurant is very cute. We loved it and will be back.

Entrees and dessert were so good. Steak and creme brûlée was my favorite.

It was okay but I wouldn’t return. The service was inattentive and the waiter substituted a completely different entree for one guest without consultation and then tried to blow it off. Our guest was gracious and ate the the entree though it was meat and she had ordered a fish dish. There was no apology for the error.

I meant to suggest that the noise level was lovely. Very little extraneous noise. We gave a truly lovely tome - in EVERY respect. I wish Jilly’s was closer to us in Minneapolis.

Four of us had different dinners and all agreed it's French cuisine at its best. Good wine selection (although a bit pricey). We enjoyed conversation for several hours and the server never rushed us, just wished to ensure we were well taken care of.

We went for my daughter's birthday brunch on a Sunday. We loved the quaint small bistro atmosphere of the restaurant. It was so nice being able to hear each other which seems rare in restaurants now! The food was a bit touch and go... some dishes were great and others missed the mark. One guest ordered french toast which is said to come with strawberries... no strawberries. Another friend order banana and nutella crepes... the crepes came filled with whipped cream, no nutella and no banana. She was told they were out of bananas when she requested some. Another guest's order was the wrong dish, twice. The food that was received correctly was good. My daughter's crab eggs benedict was delicious and very generous with the crab. My husband's omelet was delicious. I think this restaurant has the potential to be great, but needs to execute better on service and getting the food made as advertised.

It was really well executed dinner. First time at Jillys. It is pleasant bustling Parisian style bistro. Comprehensive wine list. Very good , friendly and competent service. Amazing goat cheese appetizer, arugula salad, Lobster risotto highly recommended.

Small with a relaxed atmosphere. Excellent well prepared food.

I was set to find a local gem that I could go on about for months. Sadly, though quaint and comfortable, Jilly’s was a disappointment. The Foie Gras appetizer was great! Well prepared with an excellent Granny Smith apple accompaniment and sauce. So imagine my disappointment when the Rib Eye I was steered to because they were out of the venison appeared and was no thicker than the sole of my shoe. That makes it very difficult to get any sear onto the meat. So covered in onion soup au gratin method made the meal very unenjoyable. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing but memories of I’ll prepared cheese steak was foremost in my mind

Excellent food. My wife's duck dish was outstanding. We got a good bottle of wine at a reasonable price.

Servers could have been more attentive but the food and atmosphere are wonderful.

We have been dining at Jilly’s for many years, and it is always a wonderful experience! This visit, we shared the excellent shrimp and scallop feuillette which was perfect for two! We each had the duck breast confit, which was huge and tasty beyond belief! Service was impeccable, and the ambience was very neighborhood French! We love this place and will continue to come back!

We had a spectacular dinner here . The food and service were incredible . Our out of the town guests kept remarking how much they enjoyed the meal.

Jilly's Cafe takes us right back to our favorite trip to France.

Great food in a cozy little restaurant. Great for a date night!

Jilly’s Cafe has a true European feel to it, like a tiny little Parisian restaurant hidden somewhere on the smallest of streets. White tablecloth, but it’s not a super fancy place. I was here for brunch - they have a champagne brunch for $45 or you can eat a la carte. We opted for the latter, and had the breakfast trio and the crab Benedict. The food was absolutely delicious, and the prices were not obnoxious at all, however I wasn’t impressed by the plating: it was visually bland and lacked effort in my opinion. There was only one waiter and the small place filled up nicely, so he was working very hard to keep everyone satisfied. If you drive here, you can park on Central and just walk back here - there is no convenient parking on Green Bay.

I had the greatest dinner of the year last night via grubhub. Your restaurant gave me one of very few comforts during the unnecessary tyrannical lockdowns. I had the pleasure of enjoying their French rib-eye, Grilled octopus and Cervena Venison and chocolate lava cake. The venison was my favorite.