Eddie Merlot's
Village Green of Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
Restaurant in Lincolnshire, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
Eddie Merlot's works for a wine-led Lincolnshire dinner, especially with its 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Use it for a planned evening that can run later on Friday or Saturday; cross-shop Yen Yen for stated $$ Taiwanese, Spears for casual burgers and drinks, or Perry's if the group wants clearer steakhouse positioning.
About Eddie Merlot's
In Lincolnshire’s Milwaukee Avenue dinner corridor, the booking question is less about chasing scarcity and more about choosing the right kind of evening. Eddie Merlot's is worth a planned slot when the table wants a wine-led dinner that can run later than a standard weeknight meal. The 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is the hard reason to take it seriously; the weaker use case is a cuisine-first night where the craving points somewhere more specific.
Choose it for the bottle-led dinner, not the cuisine hunt
The clearest reason to choose this room is the wine credential. Let that steer the order: ask for wine guidance first, then choose dishes around the bottle rather than treating the meal as a chef-name or tasting-menu pursuit. If the group wants Taiwanese at a stated $$ level, Yen Yen Restaurant is the cleaner call. If the night is casual burgers, bourbon, beer, Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer makes more sense.
A suburban dinner choice with a stronger late-weekend case
The spatial read is practical: this is a sit-down Lincolnshire dinner decision on a car-oriented corridor, better suited to settling in than bouncing between stops. Friday and Saturday make the late-night case because the posted schedule runs later than the rest of the week; Sunday through Thursday fit earlier dinners better. Cross-shop Perry's Steakhouse & Grille when the group wants clearer steakhouse positioning, Chicago Galbi House when galbi is the reason for the meal, The Brasserie when brasserie atmosphere matters more than wine-list recognition.
For a wider local plan, start with our full Lincolnshire restaurants guide. If dinner is only one part of the trip, pair it with our full Lincolnshire hotels guide, our full Lincolnshire bars guide, our full Lincolnshire wineries guide, our full Lincolnshire experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 185 N Milwaukee Ave, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
- Website
- eddiemerlots.com/lincolnshire
- Phone
- (847) 276-2000
Venue details
Ambiance
Contemporary yet elegant, with a fine-dining atmosphere and private dining spaces; the venue emphasizes attentive service and a polished setting.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Very Large
Signature Dishes
- prime-aged steaks
- fresh seafood
- USDA Prime beef
- filet mignon potstickers
- crab cakes
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if the timing or mood does not fit
If the group wants a clearer value signal, choose Yen Yen Restaurant for Taiwanese at $$. If the night should be casual, Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer is the easier fit. For a steakhouse-framed evening, compare Perry's Steakhouse & Grille; keep Chicago Galbi House for galbi cravings and The Brasserie for brasserie ambience.
Restaurant context
How Eddie Merlot's compares in Lincolnshire
For booking ease and wine credibility, Eddie Merlot's is the low-stress pick in this set. The 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence gives it the clearest quality signal for diners who care about the bottle list. Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is the stronger cross-shop when the decision is explicitly steakhouse-style; choose Eddie Merlot's when wine is the deciding factor.
For value predictability, Yen Yen Restaurant is easier to assess because its Taiwanese $$ positioning is clear. Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer is the better fit for a casual beer, bourbon, burger night, with less occasion pressure. Chicago Galbi House is the move when the table wants galbi and a more interactive group meal.
The Brasserie belongs in the comparison when ambiance is the priority: brasserie mood versus wine-led dinner. For a later weekend meal with a bottle-first focus, Eddie Merlot's has the edge; for a lower-commitment or cuisine-specific outing, Yen Yen, Spears, or Chicago Galbi House will usually be the sharper choice.
Explore Lincolnshire
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Eddie Merlot's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Eddie Merlot's
Comparison snapshot
- Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: choose it for clearer steakhouse framing; choose Eddie Merlot's for the wine credential.
- Yen Yen Restaurant: choose it when stated $$ Taiwanese value matters more than a wine-led dinner.
- Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer: choose it for casual burgers, bourbon, beer.
- Chicago Galbi House: choose it when galbi and a group-friendly format are the reason for the meal.
- The Brasserie: choose it if brasserie ambience matters more than an award-backed wine list.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Eddie Merlot's?
Start with a wine-led dinner order, since the clearest reason to choose Eddie Merlot's is the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (2026). Build the rest of the meal around that focus rather than treating it like a cuisine-first stop in Lincolnshire. If the wine list matters more than the menu style, this is a sensible pick.
Is Eddie Merlot's good for solo dining?
Yes, if you want a sit-down dinner on your own and care about the wine program. The Lincolnshire location and 3–10 PM hours on Friday and Saturday make it workable for an after-work solo meal, while the award gives it more structure than a casual drop-in spot. For a more casual solo meal, Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer is an easier fit.
What are alternatives to Eddie Merlot's in Lincolnshire?
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is the closest like-for-like alternative if you want another steakhouse dinner. Chicago Galbi House makes more sense if you want a different format entirely, while The Brasserie is a better comparison for a broader dinner choice. For a lighter, more casual stop, Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer is the fallback.
What should a first-timer know about Eddie Merlot's?
Go in expecting a sit-down dinner in Lincolnshire at 185 N Milwaukee Ave, not a quick stop. The schedule runs Mon through Thu 4–9 PM, Fri and Sat 3–10 PM, Sun 3–9 PM, so late-week dining is easier than early weekday timing. The main trust signal here is the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (2026), which makes the wine list the reason to choose it.
Is Eddie Merlot's good for a special occasion?
Yes, especially if the occasion calls for wine and a dinner that feels more deliberate than a chain meal. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (2026) gives it a stronger case than a generic steakhouse stop, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is the nearest comparison if you want another special-occasion steakhouse in the area. For a casual celebration, The Brasserie is less formal.
