The 30 best bars and drinks in Galena

We had a great time at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. here in Galeno today. The business model is impressive, focusing on quality and craftsmanship, and it’s clear they take great pride in what they do. The bar area is stylish and well-designed, creating a modern yet welcoming atmosphere. The distillery tour was a highlight, and our guide was exceptional - knowledgeable, engaging, and really made the experience memorable. The only slight downside for me was that some of the products seemed a bit overpriced compared to similar offerings on the market. However, considering the overall quality and the experience, I’d say it’s still worth a visit. Highly recommend for anyone interested in craft spirits and a great tour experience!

Fun store and tasting is $12 of a tasting of 3 whiskey plus a tour of the distillery for $40 per person. Free parking and nice ambiance and the most comfy sink yourself in the leather and enjoy the store. There’s a store with T-shirts and all kinds of bourbon or whiskey items, including cups and whiskey glass cups plus the cutest mini baby whiskey flask glen cairn glass.

Highly recommend stopping by Blaum Brothers Distilling if you are looking for something different to do while in Galena. My husband and I did the tour which was only $12 per person and included three samples at the end. Emma was our tour guide, and she was very engaging and had a lot of knowledge on the company and the processes. The Hellfyre vodka was my favorite! You can definitely taste the freshness of the peppers that are used. It was great in a Bloody Mary (their Bloody Mary mix was delicious also) and in the chocolate martini (don’t knock it till you try it). The tasting room/bar was absolutely beautiful and you can tell that a lot of thought went into every item that was in that room. Even if you are not a whiskey or bourbon drinker, like myself, I am confident you will still have fun and will find a drink you will enjoy!

Had a great time stoping by to check out on our way to Chestnut mountain. Great fun atmosphere with games and a loungy area. Drinks were yummy as well

WOW I had such a great experience at Blaum Bros Distilling Co Tour with Pam in Galena, Illinois. I highly recommend to purchase and set a date for the distillery tour because you can learn so much history and cool details in how they make their great high quality products. There was so many fun facts, 80’s puns, Ghostbuster references I felt like I need to come for a 2nd tour to catch them all. 😹 And to think just months prior we met one of the Blaum Bros at our local Batavia store Smoke N Liquor 🥃. Overall it made our vacation with good friends very memorable. Thank you so much to the staff of Blaum Bros. Distillery! 🙏 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A great store to visit. Offers a great tour of the distillery. It is a kid friendly place. Provides good entertainment in the bar while you wait/drink

My family and I took the tour. Our guide, Adam, was knowledgeable and friendly. The drinks we had were excellent and we met one of the owners, Mark. Very cool place to stop if you're in Galena.

Lovely atmosphere, service, and food! I came right at opening and was able to snag a seat ahead of the dinner rush. The service was attentive and kind all around. Those frites were insanely good, and I enjoyed the steak, too. The ambiance was lovely both with the decor, and the French music playing in the background. Will definitely be back!

Stopped in at Fritz & Frites Bistro after a hot day watching the 4th of July parade. I had the chicken schnitzel, my wife had the half chicken, both were delicious. We split an apple strudel and it was addictive. A cold beer really hit the spot. Excellent service and atmosphere.

So glad we finally tried this place! We lived in Germany for 3 years so when it comes to schweinhaxen I’m pretty particular. This was the best I’ve had since being back in the USA! And the gravy was awesome as well!! Great place and Suzie (our server from Vienna) was a sweetheart. We shared stories of our visits to Vienna and just had a very pleasant evening. Thank you!

Best meal of our weekend trip. Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest beer to start, escargot and baguette and also the French onion soup which was the best we had ever had. Wienerschnitzel with gravy and red cabbage as the main was also a highlight. Will definitely return if in the area again. Had reservation. Waiter was very friendly and attentive.

They play the hits well, but their covers are slightly off. Think of this spot as primarily a German restaurant and you won't be disappointed. Schnitzel and spaetzle were absolutely on point, but the beef bourguignon, which was on the special menu, was seriously lacking in flavor and tenderness. That said, we had hospitable, attentive service, albeit in a somewhat cramped setting. Stick with the traditional German menu and a drink selection you know well, and you will leave happy.

This is such a wonderful restaurant. Mind you, you need to make reservations....we were there on a week night and it was very busy. And there's a reason for that. The service and food were outstanding. I've been telling everyone I know, if they're looking for a special meal out, by all means. Highly recommend.

Food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. We ordered a variety of dishes and enjoyed everything. Our waitress was very friendly and recommended an excellent wine for my entree and the perfect beer for my husband’s dish. Our 6th grader enjoyed the escargot, the salmon and the flourless chocolate cake. Our compliments to the chef. The owner allowed us to dine earlier than our reservation time as well. That was much appreciated. This restaurant is worth a visit. We will be sure to return next time we are in Galena.

The log cabin steakhouse is a unique and wonderful restaurant in Galena. I had the pork chops and my friends steak, and everything turned out delicious. One of the best restaurants in town. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. A must visit in Galena.

My Wife and I had a drink at the bar and the bartenders were excellent. Atmosphere was amazing. Our Server was not very attentive. We had to wave her over to get our bill. She didn’t ask if we needed another drink while our wine glasses were empty. We left her a smaller tip for poor service. My wives chicken breast was a bit over done but the thigh was fine. My steak was very good. Most likely won’t return

Cool authentic supper club in Galena. Steaks are very good and priced accordingly. The service was very professional and attentive . My NY strip was cooked perfectly. Includes salad or soup and nice bread service. Very old school ambience with Rat Pack on the sound system. Reservations are a .must. if you like a good steak,this is the place.

Amazing dinner experience. This is our third time here, and it's always been excellent. Our waiter Adam made sure we were taken care of after we had to move tables and was very attentive. Cheeseburger was cooked just the way I asked, and was delicious. Thank you Log Cabin!

Excellent meal! We had six people and showed up 20 minutes early for our reservation. Staff was very accommodating in finding us a table early. I had the Tomahawk Pork Durok with the Greek fries. The pork was terrific, some of the best I've ever had but the Greek fries were uninspiring. Table bread, appetizers, and desserts were all very good to excellent. The atmosphere is that of a supper club which was enjoyable. Will definitely return!

My family and I have been visiting The steakhouse for the last 20+ years. Not only is it excellent service but the vibes are something out of the 20th century. The staff that work there carefully curate your experience with an excellent meal and incredibly intimate ambience. You can sit at the bar and chat with the bartenders while you eat or grab a table. This place is a must visit if you're coming to Galena for the first time.

I typically do not give poor reviews, but I have to for this one. Took my husband and friends out for my husband’s birthday and have heard excellent things about this place. We made a reservation days in advance, arrived on time and were seated immediately. We were “waited on” by two servers who were extremely inattentive and rarely stopped by our table. We even had to go up to the bar and order drinks throughout the experience. Several food orders were wrong, cold, some cooked to the wrong temp but we weren’t given the opportunity to say something because as soon as our food was delivered to us, the servers disappeared. After about 20 minutes with our food and no service, not even to ask how it was tasting, I had to go up to the front to politely ask if our table could get some service to which they said “yeah” and just brought us some boxes. In addition, throughout our experience of waiting for any interaction with our missing servers, we observed the table next to us receiving excellent and attentive service. Their server provided them with crackers for the same cheese order that we ordered (we didn’t get crackers). He whipped out the large pepper grinder for their salads (we used the ones provided on the table). He stopped by their probably 5-6 times within the same amount of time we had to wait to be seen just once (again, per my request at the hostess station). We were really hoping to have a pleasant experience at a nice restaurant for my husband’s birthday and when we told them it was his birthday, they didn’t even acknowledge it. They didn’t comp his drink that they made incorrectly. We had to go up to the bar to BUY another drink for him. They all but ignored us throughout the experience. I am willing to pay hefty prices for a great meal in a nice atmosphere, but I expect excellent service. Unfortunately, we will not be returning and would not recommend.

Great food and great Irish whiskey selection. I've never seen a white gravy with a texture like this. I would stay at this hotel every business trip if they were open every day and had their kitchen open later. Unfortunately it seems they've cut out their Taylor fladgate port wine selection but they still have a cheaper option that is acceptable. Breakfast is probably better here than any other hotel in town if you can wait until the later serving time.

Best Irish food I’ve ever had. I loved the feel of the place, with all of the authentic Irish/Gaelic decor, and the food/beer were awesome. I got the modern Irish corned beef and the entire plate was amazing! The gentleman performing authentic Irish music was such a cool cultural treat as well. We will definitely be swinging by every time we’re in town.

Irish pub feel with decor to match. Menu and drinks are consistent with the Irish vibe. Entrees are expensive, not the food quality is superb. We shared a shepherd pie with 2 Irish soda biscuits. And added a wonderful O'Dowd's pub salad consisting of artisan greens, carrots, tomato, red onion, fried cheese curds, lightly pickled eggs, mixed in with curry vinaigrette.

A fun time. We came in early as a walk in and they sat our group. Food was delicious and drinks were enjoyed. Food ordered: pub steak pub fish & chips irish cottage shepherd’s pie poutine with stout gravy whiskey glazed salmon (not pictured but very delicious)

Wow! Amazing food probably the best fish and chips I’ve EVER had and the Rueben was piled with meat. They also had live entertainment which was wonderful. True authentic Irish ☘️ vibes and food! Highly recommend and will be back

We stopped here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Having been to Ireland we loved the atmosphere, it really looks like a pub you would find anywhere in Ireland. The food was pretty good, we had the poutine which had a very unique and delicious gravy on it and a couple of burgers which were seasoned very nicely. The Irish Chips (fries) were our favorite part, they were so good. As far as service... I don't know if our server was having a bad day or what because from the start he wasn't pleasant at all. I thought he had just misjudged the distance when he slammed our waters down on the table but then he did it again with our drinks. The rest of the dinner went about the same. We definitely were not his favorite table, fortunately for the other tables he did seem nicer to them.

Ordered the Shepard's Pie. Wrong choice. 2/3 potatoes, barely 1/3 meat. Small portion and while I don't eat a lot, was still hungry. Soda bread was more like tasteless dry muffins. Should have stuck with fish/chips that the wife ordered or would everybody else around me was ordering.....Ruben sandwich. So I ordered it to go. Good menu selection to choose from. Highway 20 Brown Ale to wash it down.

After a couple visits here over the years, u don’t think I’ll be coming back. We had to wait 10+ minutes to be given a table even though the half-empty restaurant had several employees milling about randomly the whole time. The chips we got? Stale. The service? Slow. The beer? Unimpressive.

Tried to grab lunch here yesterday. Apparently the owner thought it would be a good idea to schedule 1 bartender and 1 server for a Sunday lunch on a holiday weekend. Instead of the staff asking people to wait to sit, they continued to let the restaurant volume grow. The bartender complained (to us) about having to serve us after the server was too busy. He came to take our order, tried to run from the table without even asking if we wanted drinks. Appetizer came out with half of our meals. Tried to track him down to ask where missing items were as he ran away again. Never a refill offer or check on our table to ask how things were. Food was overcooked and dry. Had to get up to refill our own sodas. I asked him to take a breath and served us by giving us a second to get the missing items. He then walked behind the bar and continued to talk crap about our table to the server and customers at the bar. He came back to let us know that he transferred our table to someone but no one ever came back to the table. This is not the way Galena should be reflected. Every restaurant and shop works hard to succeed in a seasonal environment. This place has continued to decline over the years due to staffing and employee attitude. We will never return and will take every opportunity to turn others away.

My family and I stopped here on vacation. The service was great and we loved the atmosphere. Husband loves to go to different breweries when on vacation and he was very impressed with this one. We'll definitely stop here again. Galena is such a cute town with great shopping and dining.

The Galena Brewing Company is a fantastic brewery and restaurant. A large group (12) of my friends and I stopped in for some dinner and drinks, we were greeted and sat quickly at a table close to where a stage was being set up for live music that night. The menu is packed full of food that pairs well with the variety of beers they brew. Although I only snapped a couple pics of some appetizers, our table was covered in a large portion of the items that are offered in a minimum amount of time by our server, Carter. The atmosphere coupled with the food and great service definitely put it on the list of places I want to return to eat.

We love going to Galena and usually enjoy the Galena Brewing Company. BUT after today we will NEVER be back.. Bartender, older woman with glasses. Attentive at first then never came bsck to check on us, I had to go get her to order! Specifically said bone in wings. Place was not busy yet over 30 min for wings and club sandwich. Finally came out and boneless. Club was decent but no condiments for his fries. I told her to take the wings away. Never tried to make it better. SAID oh I took the wings off your bill. Duh!!!! I didn't eat them!!!! No compensation. Was starving and left! Service now sucks and why not list eings as boneless or bone in on menu! What a disaster! Thanks for wrecking our long drive and day trip! Beer was awful too! And place smelled! Also haven't has a BEER ME shirt in 10 visits. Order more!!!!!!

Came here on October 2nd 2023. Had the 1 lbs pretzel and the onion rings. Both fantastic!!! D and John are great and fantastic. Fun to talk to. I highly recommend the 1 lbs pretzel. My suggestion is to do a food eating contest with the pretzel. If you can eat it in under 10 minutes, you get a special prize. Took me under 13 minutes. It would be fun to see. Travel photographer from Galena. 11/29/23 Came back and had wings for the first time. Very tasty. Tau was our server was excellent. This place is always really good. I would still recommend this place to anyone in Galena. Travel photographer from Galena.

We stopped in on Easter basically because most other places weren't open. We were seated relatively quickly and both my wife and I ordered different drinks from the server. I had the Kaleidescape and she had some type of Margarita. Neither were bad considering their specialty is beer. We looked over the menu and ordered appetizers only to be informed after the fact they had run out of cheese. That unfortunately reduced the appetizer menu drastically because a large number of items (nachos, 1 pound pretzel...etc) needed the cheese to be made. We ended up settling on the wings and split the 8 by doing 4 barbecue and the other 4 Chipotle barbecue. They were kinda on the small side buy still tasty. My wife ordered the gyro for dinner (spelled Gryo on the menu 😋) and I the much amped House Chicken strips which came with a side ( I chose fries) and either a side salad or soup. My dinner was expensive ($24) but it was quite delicious. My wife also enjoyed her gyro and we both left quite full and happy.

Food wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t great. We were seated upstairs in a back room and it took a while to get our server when we needed her. Generous portion sizes with unlimited bread and salad. I was able to eat the lasagna but the meat inside tasted and looked weird. Cute building and atmosphere

We had a wonderful time at this Italian restaurant! The atmosphere is warm and inviting — cozy lighting, beautiful décor, and a very welcoming vibe. We ordered a cheesy pasta, and it was absolutely delicious — creamy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The staff were friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. It’s a lovely spot to relax, enjoy great food, and spend time with friends or family. Highly recommend if you’re craving authentic Italian comfort food!

Beautiful 2nd floor. The service was wonderful. The drinks were good. The food was unimpressive. I never in my life had chicken Marsala that was almost black. I also can’t stand when they use so much thickening agent. The hubby had baked penne with sausage, I can’t remember the exact name. It was good but both portions are tiny. Definitely not your usual Italian place that gives nice portions.

Great atmosphere. Nice place with good decor. Service could have been a little better. In my opinion the food was like any other Italian restaurant. It tasted fine, but nothing special.

5 stars!! Super cute atmosphere! They were able to accommodate a group of 15 of us (we made a reservation). Food was fabulous! Service was prompt! And Ricky was great !!

Great atmosphere & amazing food! The dining rooms are wonderfully decorated and quaint, there are several little rooms which adds to the charm. The garlic bread is a MUST and the house salad is good too. On my last visit I had the Penne Chicken Romano and it was delicious! We can’t visit Galena without a stop at Vinny Vanucchi’s.

Wow. I loved my meal at Vinny Vanucchi's this week and had to write a review. The Salad and Garlic Bread was fantastic. My Pasta a la Vinny was awesome. It was in my top pasta dishes I have ever had. Flavor was bursting. It had a nice spice, if you can handle that. The atmosphere and service was perfect. Go to Vinny's and enjoy your meal.

The atmosphere was excellent, prices great for the area and our food was amazing! I had the ribeye, it was cooked perfectly, the mashed potatoes are homemade, which will make or break me! I have enough leftover for another meal. my husband said the blue cheese dressing was the best he’s EVER had. We will definitely be back next time we are in the area. Great job guys! Thanks!!!

Luis is fantastic and so on top of things. My fiance and I had a burger and it was so fresh and tasty. Highly recommend as travel photographer from Galena.

Atmosphere is great. Server barely knew English and didn't understand what we were ordering and got it wrong. Then he got another customers wrong who came in right after us. I ordered mountain dew and was served Pepsi. Overpriced food but food wasn't good. Under seasoned and my steak was so tuff I couldn't eat it all. My steak wasn't even seared. My baked potato didn't come with any butter.

At first we were frightened when we got up to the top of stairs as no one was here. Proud to say the staff/chef proved me wrong. The filet Marsala amazing my husband had BBQ cheddar burger loved it. We will return with our family. What a beautiful atmosphere.

So we were in Galena for 4 days. There are a good amount of places but we loved this one so much we ended up eating there three times. That chicken is amazing. I live next to Chicago so I have plenty of options and this is right up there with them but without the steep price tag (for the amount you get, it's very reasonable) and it feels like you are in your mom's/grandma's kitchen, and who doesn't love that? The staff are great. Super friendly (I kept hearing the Cheers themesong in my head) and hilarious. The night we got dessert my mom didn't want any but my dad did so she asked if he wanted an extra spoon, to which he replied it will be the wife portion. She came back with the regular dessert and a mini version with a tiny spoon. She gave that to my dad and gave the regular sized one to my mom. Needless to say we were all dying in laughter. This is why this place is great.

The food was alright. I wouldn’t say it was over the top. For the quality, the prices were really reasonable. We went for breakfast and I would like to try their lunch or dinner because that does look better. The place is older, but is clean. Has great views of the Main Street. Our service was nice as well and fast.

Great lunch spot! Chicken salad on croissant has a very unique flavor with not a lot of mayo which I loved! BLT was loaded with bacon. Chargrilled burger was quickly devoured! Homemade chicken 'n dumplings was yummy! Quick service!

Great service. Excellent wine! Matthew served us our tastings. He was personable and knowledgeable about the wines. We bought a bottle to have in the dining area. And we bought a case to take home.

Good wines for a tasting! There are many options for multiple types of wine. The woman behind the tasting bar yesterday afternoon (with shoulder length, wavy hair) was phenomenal! Very attentive with solid recommendations. It was great having a bar downstairs that my partner could get non-wine at. Had a fun time!

We did a couple wine flights each to try out a few of their different wines and they were all so good. Some very unique varieties I'd never had before that I ended up buying entire bottles of (caramel apple and jalapeno). Highly recommend!

Went for a tasting in the downtown location and had outstanding service. The wine was also very good with a lot of variety. We also went to the Vineyard and was amazed at how big the venue was and the ambiance. This is a wonderful winery and vineyard.

As a frequent visitor to Galena and wine club member, I make sure to stop at Galena Cellars as often as I can! I love coming to this place with most recently being for my bachelorette party in September. (We were also the granny group from last November ;) The new visitors in my group loved finally seeing the winery I talk about so often. Tyler always seems to be working when I'm visiting and he does a great job while having a great sense of humor. This place has everything - a cool environment, great energy, fun staff and AMAZING WINE! After coming to this place for the first time about 5 years ago, I couldn't even tell you how many times I've been back it's been so often. Their wedding cake wine is my favorite!! My husband and I got married on 10.13.23 and we had a bottle on every table for our guests to enjoy as well. But really all of their wines are tasty! I would highly recommend coming here to anyone and everyone! Ps. I have been collecting wine bottles from here for years and used them in our engagement photos and wedding decor at the wedding. It's a small detail, but when a place means a lot to you something as simple as wine bottles can hold so many memories. I included a few photos taken by our fabulous photographer, Rachel Nicole Photography, as well as the decor vision I setup in my kitchen.

They have some great wine and their location is very convenient, but the last tasting experience I had was not a good one. Me and my husband got a spot at the bar right away and were given our tasting menus, but the service quickly went downhill. We were bounced between two different servers as we waited for our pours, and the final pour was done by the cashier who had to jump in and help. Granted they were busy, but all around us the servers were happily discussing wine with other tasting customers, so I couldn't understand how we received almost zero time or attention. It was very frustrating, especially since I walked in wanting to spend money and leave with a few bottles of wine. This experience made me want to walk out empty-handed, and we haven't been back since.

Great time checking out Galena cellars, great tasting area. Multiple levels. Wine slushies were amazing. They also have the actual vineyard not to far but we didn’t get a chance to get out there this trip

They don't upcharge you for a credit card so that alone is 5 stars. But for real, our lattes were delicious and the food was very good. Small menu, but there's enough on there that there'll be something you like.

So good! The food was delicious. I feel like we waited a little while to get served despite the restaurant not appearing all that busy when we were there. But once our order was taken, our food arrived quickly and our server was responsive. The omelette hit the spot! And the hash browns were nice and crispy.

My kids and I enjoyed a lunch here. Decided to visit based on an online suggestion and it was our favorite place we ate while in Galena! Employees were friendly, casual atmosphere and best of all, our sandwiches were so delicious! My kids and I finished every bite of our meals! I also felt like their pricing was great! Not overly priced like other places we visited. If you’re in Galena, I highly recommend!

If you want a great breakfast then make this your first stop. Only served before 11. The waitress was sooo sweet. She made me a breve coffee even though it wasn’t on their menu. So good we went back the next day. Food was spot on. They don’t have it on the menu but they offered biscuits and gravy and are we glad we tried it. They were the best we’ve ever had. The biscuits are homemade. I think I even tasted a little bit of rosemary. More gourmet than standard. My Bills Benedict was with perfectly poached eggs and served with hash browns. You wouldn’t go wrong with anything on the menu. We ordered 3 meals between the two of us because we wanted it all. Great portions and great service.

Delightful breakfast and excellent service. Our server Kendra was great. A large selection of choices on the menu. Interesting sandwich and wrap choices too. The coffee was delicious. Would definitely return. At the east end of historic N Main St. parking is a bit easier here too (at least today)

Food is always fresh! Homemade potato chips with every meal! Amazing food and amazing drinks at the coffee bar! Always look forward to try a new drink ever visit. Definitely recommend trying out lunch wraps!

Another top rated coffee house and restaurant.. My daughter and i had the coffee and found it to be exceptional. The 2 waitresses are very helpful, knowledgeable courteous friendly and patient. I had the soup of the day...excellent. I had a expresso martini...excellent. and they roast the coffee in house. I highly recommend this coffee house and eaterie.

My boyfriend and I decided to do a day trip in Galena & we are so happy we found this place. Everything was SO GOOD. I got the watermelon salad & my boyfriend got the soft shell crab burger. For dessert we got the carrot cake. Beyond our expectations. Our server was also so nice and attentive!!! GO HEREEEE

Had high hopes about this place. Their pastries look good. The guy at the front said that they get them from a French bakery. As for service, the guy at the front is great. But someone else took our order and I don’t think he knew what he was doing. I ordered an oat milk latte. The other server came and gave me a cappuccino. I told her my order and had brought back the coffee. Then the server who served us came back and gave me the exact same cup at room temperature already and I told him that I had ordered an oat latte. He replaced it. The food we ordered came 25 mins later and all of it was completely under seasoned. Very bland escargot, and the soft shell crab burger seemed so good only if they had seasoned it well. It was bland. Would probably only come here for pastries.

This restaurant has a great menu full of fresh choices that you won't find in Galena. I loved the bistro vibe and the service was fantastic. If you don't want anything heavy like pizza or bar food while in Galena, I highly recommend this place. We were so full we didn’t get dessert but it all looked amazing.

My husband and I eat here almost every time we go to Galena. Food is always good. Made with high quality ingredients. Service is always great! Best lunch place in town and a quiet option for dinner.

Bread and Vine in Galena was a great find. I was thrilled to see an Aperol spritz slushie on the menu after our trip to Italy. The bacon potato pizza was ridiculously good. They also have amazing sweets and treats. Friendly service made it even better.

Delicious sandwiches!! We got the Croque Monsieur and the Parma. Their carrot cake was also excellent! Not to mention great vibes and great service. A must try if you’re in Galena!

Had the mini burgers and the pink panther cocktail. Living on a beef farm, it’s difficult to find something that tastes as good as what we raise. And this was excellent. The only regret that I had was that I didn’t order dessert!

If you are a burger person definitely have to come here. They had one of the best burgers I’ve ever had in life no exaggeration flavor 10, size 10, juicy 10. Also food did not take a long time to come. Onion rings was great and cheese curds. My son had a milkshake and loved that as well. Raspberry iced tea banging. I’m mean literally no complaints. We are from Chicago so I know a good burger when I have it.

Visiting from Melbourne, Australia. This place is a great burger joint in Galena. The atmosphere was pleasant, quaint and just what you'd expect for where you are. Our server was welcoming and friendly and our she took good care of us the entire time. The restaurant was clean and well managed and I would highly recommend stopping in for some great food and service!

Located in downtown Galena,this is a casual restaurant offering a good selection of appetizers,salads,burgers and melts. They had nice gluten free options as well. Even tho they are known for their burgers,we decided on the gluten free cheezy beef and the breaded grouper platter. My wife loved the beef sandwich. The grouper was flaky and not oily at all. They also offer a nice selection of specialty cocktails and Boozy Shakes Service was quick and efficient. A decent place to try after a day of walking around Galena.

We were coming through Galena and stopped on Father’s Day for lunch. What a fun atmosphere! Our server was super fun, helpful, knew the menu, and I’ve never had faster service at something that was not a fast food restaurant. Highly recommend! And yes, the food was phenomenal. Definitely took home leftovers as the serving sizes were large!

Lots of food choices and fast service. We had the San Francisco melt and rings. Rings can feed 4 people. The others in our group had burgers they really enjoyed. Save room for ice cream too. We didn’t have milkshakes, but they looked excellent. Jeanette was an excellent waitress and the other staff kept our table clean. Friendly and energetic staff.

Group of five, one had the grouper seafood, other four all had various burgers, seasoned fried, regular fries, and sweet potato fries. Food was good, large half pound burgers, but more on the ordinary side, have had both worse ones and better ones. Prices in line with other Galena restaurants, obviously a tourist destination so a little pricey as would be expected. Server was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.

Casual dining delivering really outstanding food in a folksy, home setting. I ordered the City Diner Burger with sweet potato waffle fries. The burger was a delicious 1/2 pounder with cheddar cheese, BTL, Gurt's special mayo and topped with an over easy egg. It was tremendous! I enjoyed it so much! (I think Chic Fila ought to consider sweet potato waffle fries for their menu.). My wife loved the Grecian Delight Salad with chicken that she chose. Even so the next day as leftovers.

Wandered in after walking in and out of several other restaurants that just didn't feel right with our vibe tonight. We wanted kinda low key, easy going. Immediately when we walked in we knew we found the right place and we left truly impressed. Service was fantastic, very friendly and attentive. Food was super delish, HUGE portions, plus salad AND their fantastic beer nuggets with all entrees. The homemade salad dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, and signature beer nuggets had us raving with every bite. Oh! And the marinara for the beer nuggets was 🤤😋 And the price was beyond reasonable considering the amount of food! We will definitely be back!!

Not a bad pub spot to grab some delicious pizza. The pan pizza was a bit salty from the pepperoni and bacon toppings, but overall it was good. The 12" pan pizza can easily feed a group of 4 people as it comes with a large salad bowl and bread bites. The service here is good as our server was friendly, courteous, and checked in on us from time to time.

The pizza was very tasty and so were the drinks. The waitress was very nice and the overall experience was great.

The food was just okay…not a ton of flavor, we had to salt everything quite a bit. We ordered a pan pizza thinking it would be only a little thicker than thin crust but it was basically deep dish- not bad, but just a heads up if you’re not a thick crust person! The outdoor patio was a nice atmosphere and the service was pretty good. But as for the food, it wasn’t our favorite meal of our trip.

There's a nice selection of great food selection, large portions, and a really chill and relaxed environment. There is a comfortable outdoor seating area too! I would prefer a bigger on-tap beer selection, but they still have some nice options. I'm a vegetarian and I really do love their veggie pita sandwich (it is loaded with fresh veggies and olives and it's so flavorful). They have a great salad, also.

Excellent service. The pizza was out of this world, crispy, lots of flavor and toppings. The house salad and beer nuggets and marinara so good! We were there for lunch and watched Sunday football. We had enough leftovers for snacking on at the hotel. Ice cold beer as well!! We will be back!

Wasn't what we were looking for to eat but the whole town was really busy so we figured we'd give it a try. Wow! Service was efficient and waitress was great. Pizza seemed pricey but we realized after ordering that we got salad and appetizer with it and both were delicious. Extremely pleasantly surprised by the food, the service and the ambiance! Pizza was exceptional, all portion sizes/ food was great

Do this first! Excellent tour of the Galena town with lots of narrative about it’s history and many of the prominent people in the 1800’s. About an hour long and conveniently located on Main Street where all the shopping is located.

Don’t miss out on this activity if you’re in the Galena area! I recommend you make reservations ahead of time. My family and I took the tour and learned a lot about this charming town that used to mine lead. A one hour tour, the driver was excellent, very informational and engaging sharing lots of knowledge on the town. Trolley shop and train was clean. Staff is friendly and helpful! Would totally recommend.

Great touring company in Galena. Friendly staff, fun tour. Informative and scenic, this tour company also has very fair and reasonable pricing for their service they offer. Family friendly also! Definitely an excellent choice if you want to explore Galena and understand a little history about the homes and town itself. Comfortable seating and very vintage/retro. Very beautifully done! I definitely recommend this touring company.

The driver knew his subject matter and kept the tour flowing. The history of Galena is surprisingly deep and the information provided during the tour made us want to learn more. Well worth the cost of the tickets.

We loved the tour! We are so glad we did it. We learned so much about Galena and saw some really pretty houses. Highly recommend if you like history and enjoy sight seeing!

A fun way to learn some history about Galena! Our tour guide Nate was extremely enthusiastic about Galena history and was very knowledgeable about the homes and architectural facts of the town. The tour was about an hour long, and kept our interest the whole way through! We enjoyed the loop through the town and felt like we saw all of the most important aspects of this quaint little town! It made us appreciate the town and its history even more! Would definitely recommend for any first time visitors to Galena!

Highly recommend! Reserve in advance to get your preferred time, show up early to be near front of line for boarding, and choose a seat on the right side of the trolley. Very informative tour and great way to map out the rest of your Galena trip.

Drinks were the highlight—everything else was just fine. We visited Green Street Tavern and while we appreciated the dog-friendly patio (thanks for the water bowl!), the space itself wasn’t especially charming—more functional than cozy, with a railing that blocked the view but offered some privacy. The Hudson cocktail with fig vodka was a pleasant surprise—bright, smooth, and flavorful. The wine also had a nice pear finish. As for the food, the Reuben with onion rings and chicken bacon ranch flatbread were serviceable but underwhelming—not much flavor, nothing memorable. Service was just so-so—we weren’t checked on after our food arrived, which left the experience feeling a bit flat. Overall: Worth a stop for a cocktail, but the food and atmosphere didn’t quite deliver.

Waitress was absolutely amazing! This cute tavern was nestled in a beautiful historic hotel. The food was good. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that the sweet potato fries were almost cold when they got to us and kind of chewy. The sandwich was good. My Gin & Tonic was good as well.

definitely old school place. the history behind the building and all the famous guest they have had is amazing. The food not the best but also not the worst. the drinks were decent. Take a walk in time and enjoy the decor.

Altogether, the dinner was fantastic. I had the brisket sandwich and my wife have the Cuban sandwich. They were really good for sure. I do however have a problem with the price of the appetizer I ordered. I saw a $22 priced bacon wrapped shrimp and thought I'd get a good 8 for the value. Sadly, it came out with 4. It looked nice, and tasted great, but c'mon. Picture included.

Took a day trip to Galena and had lunch at The DeSoto House....in the Green Steet Tavern. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread was amazing. My husband got their special which was beef tips in a bread bowl. He enjoyed it. Atmosphere is always amazing and the staff exceptional!!!!

Place was very cool full of history. We were seated right away. Food was very good and the prices weren't bad. Service was ok. Server was a nice she was helpful answering questions but she was a bit slow. This was in the Desoto House Hotel, I would like to stay there on my next trip.

6/10/23 Cindy is fantastic and fun to talk to. Highly recommend the raspberry ice tea. Also the steaks are great. This place has a great vibe about it. Travel photographer from Lake Mary Florida and soon Galena. 6/23/23 Came back and had dinner. Jodi is fantastic and very friendly. If u come here ask for Jodi. The Chicken sandwich is so tasty. Also the Rasberry ice tea is really good. This place is so much fun. Don't forget to go downstairs for the lady in Black. Travel photographer living in Galena. 7/11/23 Landon is amazing. Very friendly and very attentive. Great ghost stories and would highly recommend you ask for him. As far as food had the fish tacos. Great flavor. Make sure you check out the lady in Black downstairs. Travel photographer living in Galena. 9/19/23 Came back and had Landon as our waiter. Words to describe Landon fantastic and friendly. Being a prior call center Branch Manager I think he would make a great supervisor here at Green Steet. He is always on top of things. Food is always great here. Travel photographer from Galena 3/07/24 Came back today and had Clydee as our server. Friendly and fun to talk to. Was always checking to see if we needed anything else. Green Street is the best place to eat. 4/20/24 Had lunch down in the Generals restaurant for the Paranormal conference 2024 and got our favorite Landon as our server. He always does a fantastic job. Desoto House did a great job of hosting the conference. 4/27/24 Came back and had Angelo. Very good service and very friendly. The food today was really good. Highly recommend the beef brisket and my fiance had the burger which she said was very good. Love eating here. 9/22/24 Colin is an awesome server. From now on when we come here we are asking for Colin or Jodi. We love coming here. The food is really good. If you are ever are in Galena come to Green Street ask for Colin. 07/06/25 Came back today and had Wings. Also Cheese curds. Both were great. Christina is a fantastic server. Really friendly and fun. If you are in Galena ask for her. Travel videographer from Galena. Mike films small towns on youtube

Let me start by saying, that this place rocks! My husband and I had a mini getaway and wanted to check out some local places. We both agreed The Embe checked off the vibe we were looking for. It had a retro neon-color vibe that's great for all ages. ( Yes you heard that right family with kiddo came in as we were exiting.) There was so many drinks that sounds scrumptious. We went with the Embe Collins Cocktail and Strawberry Field Martini, both were not only pleasing to the eye but refreshingly delicious. We also got hot sandwiches...The Dave and The Embe. We loved them so much as asked for takeout. They were super kind and make our to-gos the best as we got sick of cafe food. DO NOT SKIP ON THE BREAD PUDDING!!! I would highly recommend the local spot to anyone looks for a good time.

Embe Eatery and Lounge in Galena serves up a fantastic sandwich with the Screaming MB. The pastrami and corned beef are perfectly stacked, complemented by melted Swiss cheese, tangy horseradish mustard, and a crisp dill pickle. The homemade coleslaw adds a nice crunch, and the seafood chowder on the side is a creamy, comforting bonus. A hearty meal that’s not only delicious but also great value for money!

such a cool place with great food and even better service. our waitress was very nice and always joking, making us feel welcome instantly. also, embe just has a great vibe. we are certainly coming back here on our next visit to galena!

This was our second stop at Embe. The service was fantastic. Our server offered a taste test for the seafood gumbo for our son before he decided what he wanted. He ended up getting the pulled pork hot sandwich, my wife got the "Dave" with turkey, and i had the chef salad with house dressing. Everything was delicious. Our drinks were kept full. My wife ordered bread pudding for dessert. When people walked by and looked in the window I told my wife they don't know what they're missing!

We’ve been going to Galena over 30 years, and somehow missed this place. Wow! Started with the seafood chowder, husband had the mushroom soup. Both fantastic! Then we had Embe salad and “Almost Famous” pulled pork sandwich. Again, fantastic!! Cute little spot and everyone was very inviting. Will become a regular on our rotation.

Cute little bar and eatery with great service and atmosphere. The menu is small, but food is fresh and delicious. They serve a variety of homemade soups that are fantastic, highly recommended! A bowl makes for a great meal, or a cup is a perfect starter. We look forward to returning!

The food was exceptionally good. We particularly enjoyed the corned beef brisket sandwich and the chicken cilantro salad; they were both delicious! The staff were friendly and attentive, and the gentleman who served our food was notably hardworking. The restroom was also very clean.

Visited the park in October! Everything was very clean and well kept. Enjoyed looking at the historical weapons! Nice park to go for a run. Would recommend for anyone who loves nature and history.

It's a nice humble park in honor of Pres. Grant, who was a resident of Galena, IL.

Amazing views and great place to visit with family. Also very close to other major tourist spots.

Photos taken on the walkway along the Galena River. The walkway is a great way to see and take photos of the town of Galena and also its beautiful Grant Park.

Beautiful park very well kept.

Beautiful, quiet park with gorgeous views of Galena! My wife and I enjoy getting a coffee from Galena Bakehouse and sitting in the park to relax and talk

This is a park right across the river from downtown Galena. You can get there via bridge over the river - or there's parking on the eastern side. There's a hill from the main entrance on the east side of the river to get to the top - with great views of downtown Galena. This is such a nice park. There are paved walkways that take you through the park There are a number of benches various views. There's a gazebo, a statue of Grant, historic cannons/howitzers, a water fountain, a playground for small kids, and a basketball court. Can be a good place to just relax.

Kaladi’s Coffee Bar is another wonderful spot along Galena’s historic Main Street! It has such a relaxed, inviting vibe, perfect for a morning coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up while exploring the shops. I had an iced Americano, and it was excellent, smooth, rich, and perfectly brewed. The staff were friendly, and the atmosphere had that small-town charm that makes Galena so special. A great stop for anyone who loves good coffee and good vibes!

I enjoyed an iced honey lavender latte and cinnamon scone in the most relaxing little area in the back of the cafe. The sofas are so cozy, the music calming, and the coffee and scone exactly what I needed to recharge midday.

Very nice place to sit back relax and have a drink. Decor is very nice the staff is friendly. Update I accidentally hit 4 stars instead of 5, if you notice I hit 5 stars on all 3 (food service and atmosphere).

Lovely coffee shop. Kind staff. Clean cafe. Delicious beverages. Still incredibly friendly even under pressure of a busy and long weekend. I adore this coffee shop. I definitely recommend this little gem! The smell of freshly made coffee and the pastries will make you feel so embraced in the moment!!! Love it!!!! Thank you!!!

Such a cute little coffee shop on Main St in Galena. The have a nice selection of tea , coffee , refreshers and baked items. Went there twice during our stay in Galena and was happy with the drinks I ordered and their service. I had the cappuccino and the watermelon cucumber mint refresher and both were great . The refresher us perfect for the hot day. The cappuccino was delicious and aromatic . Didn't get a chance to try the baked goods but they all looked great. Nice little coffee shop, will definitely visit again when visiting Galena.

Lovely coffee shop. We enjoyed our coffee and pastries they were delicious.

Kaladi’s is my favorite coffeeshop in Galena. They have an amazing selection of quality tea and have all the classic coffee drinks plus seasonal options. The atmosphere is great for sitting with your friends, your computer, or your book. I highly recommend.

Best empanadas we ever had in our lives! Very cute little bakery with homemade pastry and empanadas! Strongly recommend! Buttery fluffy texture with flavorful stuffing! Their buffalo chicken empanadas are to doe for

This bakehouse is the best. It's so difficult to explain how good this is. The service was so good, and the lady at the counter took her time to explain each drink. The pastries are as delicious as the coffee, and i highly recommend the empanadas. Delicious!

Absolute must stop, get there early before all the best seller sell out! We tried the egg/sausage/cheese empanada, raspberry/cheese danish, ice Carmel macchiato, and grabbed some macaroons to go! Everything was delicious and the service was great!

I was visiting Galena and love a good coffee shop & bakery. I’m SO glad I stopped into Galena Bakehouse! I ended up going there twice! The empanadas were perfectly flaky and delicious. I tried an apple pie danish fresh - AMAZING. I also got a raspberry cream cheese croissant danish to have the next day and it was still delicious the next day out of the fridge! Cold brew was good and not bitter at all. The cinnamon toast crunch latte was not overly sweet and tasted great with oat milk. On my first visit, one of the owners was doing the coffee bar so I got to chat with him for a few minutes while I waited for my coffee and he was so sweet. I can’t wait to come back to Galena and stop here every day ☺️

The best empanadas that you will ever eat! Their coffee (Cappuccino and Espresso) is excellent, their coffee cakes are delicious, and their cookies are sublime. The best coffeehouse / bakery in all of Galena! A must stop when in town!

This place is a MUST if you’re visiting Galena for the weekend! I had a cold brew & it was the perfect blend, not too bitter. I really can’t explain how gorgeous the bakery spread was, I ended up getting a few things just to try! The empanada was legitimately the best I’ve ever had. I’m eating the cosmic brownie as I write this and it is absolutely fabulous. The staff was super friendly and helpful! They even had a whole shelf of locally made items that were really cute! I’ll be back as soon as I get the chance!

When I say I had an out of world experience at Galena Bakehouse, I MEAN it was out of this world. The service was fast and so helpful. The friendly faces that greet you, including the owner Alex, made you feel so comfortable the moment you walk in the door. And the coffee!!!! It has to be some of the THE BEST coffee I've ever had. Their pastries exceeded my expectations, especially the chocolate croissants! So flaky and full of flavor. An excellent staple in Galena and also a happy 4 year anniversary to them!

Overall, fine experience. It was a super cute place. The wine was good - albeit everything was expensive. But that’s ok. My only real complaint was the charcuterie board. It was very small for the price. When I asked if I could pay for more ingredients (ex crackers, cheese, grapes) they told me they had run out of everything. Maybe they had, but we thought that was odd on a Saturday. I’d still stop again for a glass of wine, though!

This place is incredible! You have to stop if you love champagne. Their cocktails are excellent too along with super friendly servers. Didn’t try any snacks, but all in all wonderful experience. Purple haze margarita 🔥 Pool Boy 🤯 Try 2 sparkling sweet tasting 🔥

What an awesome place to stop for a unique cocktail. We were in town in April for the Spaless weekend. Everyone made us feel at home. We stopped two nights and on the second night we were there twice. Yes you may consider it pricey but so worth it--we were on a girls weekend!!! Highly recommend and will be back on our next trip to Galena!!

I had a delightful beverage here the other day. I popped in to warm up for a few mins and had fully intended to get either a champagne or bourbon flight and ended up having a Sugarplumtini instead because it just sounded so yummy. I can confirm it’s delish so if you’re in the area now, stop by and get one for yourself!

This place is sooo cute and the name is even cuter. The feeling once you step inside is modern, friendly, sophisticated and sparkling. The beverage options are limited, but the drinks were tasty and specially made. Good quality and the bar is cute, too. The staff was friendly and the place was clean. They even have bourbon flights! Only downfall, I wish there were more food options and later hours.

Lovely atmosphere, wonderful champagne, wine and bourbon options. Friendly and helpful staff, tasty snack options. Call ahead for a reservation!

Excellent choices for bourbons! Beautiful interior and outdoor back patio too. A must stop in Galena for consumers of alcohol.

Scenic trail offers beautiful views of Galena's Main Street. We walked with our dogs and did 2 miles of the trail. The trail offers two bridges where you can cross over to Grant Park. We were able to find parking readily, however, we wish there was public restrooms more available on the trail. We only saw private port-potties. Would recommend this trail for a good walk and view of the town.

Start at the Visitor’s Center. There is sufficient parking and across the street you can get a great breakfast at Otto’s Place. Go to the south end of the lot and the trail begins in the woods. Where the path comes to an end, take a right, and you can ride through the wooded area along the river. We were there in June 2024. The Trail needed work and it might have been due to rain and flooding, I’m not sure. There were some potholes and loose gravel that were somewhat dangerous. It would certainly be nice to have the trail paved, but I know that’s expensive. It really just needs some maintenance and hopefully that is on their agenda. I’ve attached pictures of the welcome center and Otto‘s place the east side of the river. It wouldn’t hurt to use bug spray depending on the day.

Poorly designed trail, inaccurate/incomplete and misleading signage, and no readily available/easily accessible restrooms nearby. The maps show city hall as the public restroom. Good luck finding it- the map is wrong. Not a bike friendly town at all!!!

BEAUUUUTIFULA PLACE. Clean, enjoyable and friendly atmosphere. Definitely put on your monthly trips to get the benefit of each season

Decent trail, winds around the river. Wide area to accommodate bicycles and walking. Dog friendly.

Such a great place to just sit & relax with a nice warm coffee. Always something to do in Galena. I'm from Chicago but .... Galena is "my kinda town".

Beautiful area with a short walking trail through some pretty flower gardens.

Wow what a treasure. I’m not a beer person but thought I’d give this place a try. The decor was inviting and cozy. I enjoyed my cocktail and dinner at the bar and did not feel crowded or rushed at all. My only problem was trying to decide what to order because everything on the menu looked amazing. I made a meal of 2 appetizers and was very happy with my choices (fried seafood menagerie and bruschetta burrata). The food quality is what I would have expected at an elegant restaurant. Thank you for an enjoyable evening and such a great meal. I will definitely be back.

Amazing hidden gem right in the heart of beautiful and historic downtown Galena! I’ll be honest, I almost didn’t want to share because it’s THAT GOOD! Private and romantic yet the party vibes are there a bit to. Chef Gino Brandon’s menu is phenomenal. I personally had the Braised Boneless Short-rib which came with a mushroom wine sauce and though I don’t like mushrooms, the flavor was so amazing that I consumed all the mushrooms. Had to save room for dessert and got the Raspberry Matcha dessert which was so light yet so rounded in bold flavors! If you’re in the area, I’d highly recommend popping in to grab a delicious bite to eat or a refreshing drink! A must visit!

Easily became our favorite spot to eat! The food was 10 out of 10 everything was beyond great! As Chicago natives me and my fiance are big foodies and this will definitely be our new regular spot when we vist Galena! Helena,Kane, and Mrs.Kitty made us feel so welcomed and had the best service! Thank you TAPHOUSE!

So happy we stopped here!! They have the most diverse menu of all Galena restaurants. We had truffle fries and grilled octopus for appetizers (I think the octopus was a little overcooked/chewy but the flavor was so so good). The yuca fries that came with the octopus were insanely good. I had the shrimp and pork belly fried rice for my main and it was delicious. My partner had the short rib and it was good but not great. We had the pistachio tiramisu for dessert and it was delicious. We saw two parties walk in and look at the menu then walk out and I was SHOCKED by that. They missed out on a great meal. I would suggest to management that they add a couple of kid friendly items because I think that is why one of the parties walked out. I can’t wait to come back, this is my new favorite place to eat in Galena. Service was great too. Loved being able to bring my dog to the dog friendly patio.

If you’re in Galena and looking for a spot that elevates the typical bar-and-grill experience, Galena Taphouse is an absolute gem. Don’t let the casual vibe fool you – this place serves food with the kind of culinary finesse you’d expect from a fine dining establishment. From their perfectly crafted burgers paired with indulgent truffle fries to their Seafood Paella bursts with vibrant, exquisite flavors that are nothing short of spectacular. Every dish exudes freshness and creativity. If you’re in the mood for steak give the Steak Yakisoba. They also have on their menu Duck Risotto or Vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower. If you love apps or salads they have it. You’ll have to check this place out for yourself! Each dish feels like it was prepared with care and skill, showcasing just how much thought goes into every plate. We stumbled upon this hidden treasure while strolling around Galena, and we’re so glad we did! The cozy seating area and inviting bar offer a great selection of taps, bottles and cocktails, making it a wonderful spot to relax and unwind. Whether you’re grabbing a bite with friends or enjoying a laid-back dinner, Galena Taphouse delivers an experience that’s both satisfying and memorable. We were in Galena on a Sunday evening in mid March and most places were already closing. We found out the Galena Taphouse was still opened from another pub we were visiting. Our server which was great and very informative. We felt welcomed and not rushed. Clean restaurant as well as restrooms. Highly recommend it to anyone in the area! We are not from the area but will definitely make the trip here again, soon!

Love our dinner at Galena Taphouse last night. Our family of four had tasty beers (the blueberry marshmallow beer is amazing!!!). Highly recommend the Bang Bang Calliflower, Catfish and Chips (unbelievable tasty seasoning and breading!!), Chicken and Pineapple Sandwich and the Steak and Noodle dish... they also play great tunes in rhe background and have QR Codes for their seasonal menus which is so handy. Loved our host and service staff too. They were unbelievable actually and soooo attentive. All around amazing place that is intimate and cozy with an amazing custom beer selection from a 200 mile radius of Galena. Go To The Galena Taphouse for an amazing time!

BEWARE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! If you want excelent service, great selection of beers/cocktails and maybe the best wings ever. This is the place for you! We came in from Chicago for the 4th of July weekend and found this gem. The Chimichurri Chicken Wings are phenomenal. They were so good we had to order for pick on our way out of town to drive back to Chicago. 100% recommend this place!

Used this location to bike the Galena Trail. lots of parking

Beautiful view of the city especially during sunrise and sunset with the sun hitting the red colored buildings. It would be nice if two of the bridges were wheelchair accessible although the white bridge and main bridge on HWY 20 is accessible

Whenever I'm in Galena up early I go and pick up my dark roast coffee (to go) and drive over to Depot Park where I can relax & take in the quiet mornings in Galena. I did go this morning and noted the Fever River which runs along the town was a bit swollen due to current ☔ rains. The park was beautiful...so green & lush.

We went for Grant's Pilgrimage with the Boy Scouts. There was a reenactment and lots of walking. The actors around town were very knowledgeable. The park was a great place to play and plenty of places to rest. It runs with paths and access to both sides of town.

Nice park with a good view of the town. Good parking options and lots to do and see.

Love Galena and this park is awesome. It is so nice to live in Galena.

So much history here. This is an all weekend trip which still doesn't provide enough time to really take in all the area has to offer. One of the places we really enjoyed here is the old Blacksmiths Shop where you literally step back in time. The shop has been there since before electricity came to the area. The shop was the first in Galena to have electricity. The used it to put overhead lights in to help the blacksmiths. Make this one of your destinations when in town. Its located in a bright red building along the waterway.

Do not waste your time or money. I am normally really good about reading reviews prior to booking something, but I unfortunately did not this time. Our tour guide spoke incredibly fast and it was hard to follow what she was saying. Everything she said was almost in a riddle and it was very theatrical which took away from the authentic aspect of the stories. I wouldn’t consider anything she said to be interesting; it all seemed made up (I’m sure it wasn’t but the way she presented it really ruined it). We were basically flying past the locations so it was hard to follow what building she was even talking about. We stopped at the old cemetery for way too long considering we weren’t able to go in. I get if it’s a liability thing perhaps that is why we weren’t able to go in, but what was the point in stopping? We literally just stood on the opposite side of the fence, paced around, and waited to get back on the van. Do not waste your time or money on this silly tour. Most definitely not worth $30+ per person. Another thing that really bothered me is another guest had a walker that she was attempting to lift in to van. The tour guide literally stood outside of the van and watched the woman struggle to lift her walker and not once asked if she needed help. After I realized the guide was just going to continue to stand there, I got up and helped the woman. Very rude and off putting.

This place is great! It just opened the restaurant side as Amelia’s dead and breakfast a “haunted cafe”. The Denver omelet is on point. Staff is extremely friendly. A must go to for anyone visiting Galena, IL. They also do cemetery ghost tours and dinner theater.

I wanted to do a ghost tour on a dark ,rainy night, be driven around, and listen to stories. Didn't expect to see anything unusual. Then the stories came. Holy moley, they were demented. It seems the good residents of Galena were suffering from lead poisoning and were murdering each other, and taking up wholesome hobbies such as enbalming and coffin building. Well, except for the guy who put a woman in a glass coffin to watch her decompose. I had this vision in my head of these dementos forming rival clubs and trying to one up each other and having competitions to showcase their hobbies. I've never heard such whacked out stories. They were amazing! The trip goes past notable haunted locations. At one, the guide described a murder and asked us what we thought the perp was doing when he was arrested. I wanted to shout "ENBALMING PEOPLE AND MAKING COFFINS!!!" But it seemed uncouth. He was actually eating a sandwich. I suspect he was one of those hobbyists who preferred to watch decomp. The final stop was a strange old stone house. Thats where they did EVPs, but I knew nothing would happen, because the place was so heavy and still. The floors were solid, but I felt like they were moving. I started getting very tired. Whatever was happening in that place was waiting, and draining my energy. Nothing scary, just heavy and like a dead spot. It was weird and unremarkable but almost like a vacuum. Galena is a very still, odd place. It's beautiful and filled with people, but it seems to be this very heavy spot that is trapped. I'd probably take up enbalming if I lived there, too. Tour was informative and fun. Emily did a great job with these bizarre stories. Sorry I forgot the driver's name, but he was cool too.

5/5 Stars: Spooky Group Fun with Emily at Amelia's Galena Ghost Tours! Amelia's Galena Ghost Tours, Inc. – Galena, IL (October 2025) We were late for our evening shuttle tour, but Amelia’s team was amazing and held the bus for our group of five—such a warm start! The 1-hour tour was perfect, riding through Galena’s haunted spots in a comfy, air-conditioned bus with a few creepy stops for ghost hunting. Our guide, Emily (a regular here), was fantastic! Her spooky stories mixed local legends and Galena’s history, keeping us all hooked with just the right balance of chills and fun. The old cemetery stop felt especially eerie! Great value, super memorable, and ideal for small groups. Highly recommend Emily and Amelia’s for a haunting good time in Galena!

If I could put zero stars I would. We tried to go on this tour, didn't know the pick up point was The Desoto house, where we were staying. May be my fault for not knowing that, but my elderly mother who could barely walk made the trek in the rain only to be incredibly rudely greeted by a woman telling us we were in the wrong place. She continued her very rude behavior and we decided not to even go. No refunds or anything. I would have rather eaten the 200+ dollars than to be on a bus with her. 0 out of 10 do not recommend!

Had a great time. The food was amazing!! Best evening entertainment experience. Waitress was top notch. It’s a MUST do when visiting Galena. 5 stars for sure!!

Would do zero stars if I could. The tour MAY be good but my family never got to experience it. We were celebrating my Aunt's 75th birthday and took my mom who is in her early 80's. We chose this tour for the convenience of a bus ride vs walking for her sake. We booked the 9pm tour. It was cold and raining so we were grateful we had chosen a temp controlled bus tour. We stayed at the DeSoto House and walked the block to the headquarters which we had seen and anticipated since our arrival in Galena. The walk is short but very long for my elderly mother with a cane in the rain. We took cover with a few others on the street in the next door shop because they had an awning with benches. The bus pulls up and we let the driver know we were her 9pm customers at which point her sour attitude started shining through. She immediately commented that we were smoking and should not be doing so close to the building. We immediately moved back into rain and threw our cig butts in trash(3 of 7 smokers) but literally just hung there with the locals to avoid down pour in the cold. Driver then stated " you should be in back of DeSoto Hotel" at which point I told her we were staying there and it would have been nice to know that as the walk was not an easy one for my mother. She grew more agitated by my statement and said " you should have read confirmation" as opposed to " no problem, here now and can see you have a few elderly people in cold rainy weather". I replied with "We didn't make the reservation". My sister who did make reservation pulled up her phone a bunch of fine print that I could not read in dark without cheaters. She said " it does not say anywhere". I mentioned to the agitated, rude driver who then tried to swipe at my sister's phone. My sister then said " no way are we getting on a bus with that woman". The whole night would have been much worse with her as our tour guide so knowing we would have to eat the cost we prepaid, we all agreed. No apology was given and driver couldn't get out of there fast enough..assumimg cuz' it was last tour of the night. My Aunt traveled from Florida and this was supposed to be the highlight of her visit celebrating her 75th bday. It was a huge disappointment but luckily this woman was the only rude, disappointing/ borderline horrifying part of our visit as a whole. We made the best of a bad situatuon and all slowly trudged back through the rain with our mom and her cane...doubling our walking time. Please do not spend you hard earned money on this business as it is the worst customer experience I have ever had in my 50 years. All of the local waitstaff who we became friends with had confirmed this attitude to be a very common theme for this particular tour.

We went on a ghost tour on our anniversary. It's a 90 min tour with many great spooky stories and information. It was a beautiful night and Leah did such an authentic presentation with thrill, laughter, and suspense. Fantastic tour, guide, and company. Thank you for the amazing anniversary walk!

The Spirits and Spirits Tour made for a great afternoon. Bootlegger Ted was a great storyteller. Very engaging and informative. Fun going on an afternoon in October to see the Main Street decorated for Halloween. We’ve been on a tour with another ghost tour company in town and Haunted Galena is the best. Next time we’re in town we’ll do one of their evening walking tours. Spirits and Spirits was a fun way to do a shorter tour but also have a drink at each location (Black Lady martini, wine, beer). Started the evening off fun.

Best ghost tour I’ve been on. It was more informative than expected. The walk was not bad and not too hilly but bring good walking shoes. You do stand the whole time. Our tour guide was excellent and very energetic which made the tour engaging. I would recommend this tour if you are in Galena. It’s worth it.

Went on the haunted ghost walk and had a great time! Tour guide was awesome. As a bonus, we saw passing car blow a stop sign and get pulled over by a passing cop in front of the tour.. which was hilarious lol. Went for this tour because it had much better reviews than Amelia’s and was definitely a good choice. Guides were super friendly too

Ted was excellent. Such a great host and guide. His stories were excellent, and he was so very inclusive and kind to everyone. No stupid tools or gimmicks - just great people, good drinks, lively locations and a wonderful guide. Highly recommend to anyone in the area.

Hello everyone around the Galena area. I have been to over 60 different paranormal adventures in the last 5 years and have to say this tour tops them all. Ted and Robin run this tour company. Ted is so fun and tells some amazing stories at the Dowling House to the Desoto house and around town. He keeps you entertained the whole time. Thank you Ted and Robin. Travel photographer from Galena

We attended one of the monthly Murder and Mayhem in a Mining Town at the Desoto Hotel and it was such a fun experience. You can tell Ted and Robyn really care about their craft and about giving the audience a good show. They were such GREAT storytellers! Wish I could’ve done a walking ghost tour with them during my stay in Galena. Until next time!

Turner Hall in Galena IL is a beautiful location for an event. The historical restoration has enhanced the beauty and warmth. The restrooms are larger and clean. The portable bars are a nice feature when having 300 guests. The kitchen is clean, but small, still workable. Overall experience with staff was excellent! Highly recommend for weddings!

Deceivingly small from outside. Large seating and impressive performance venue that is historic in Galena. Fully enjoyed the musical performance of one man with piano performer too...doing Carol King songs!! He was marvelous! Looking forward to another performance that we will enjoy in the future!! Parking is difficult, be prepared to walk some!

Yearly whiskey fest was another hit!

A Galena landmark and treasure! Turner Hall has a storied history complete with its own ghost stories and historic visitors, it is a local catchall for events from being an election hall, wedding reception hall, playhouse and everything in between. It does have an attached parking lot and a side entrance for those with disabilities and mobility issues. Parking on Bench Street is limited so if you are going to Turner Hall find a spot to park EARLY and wander about downtown which is one block away until your event. The restrooms are SMALL (the building is very old which does cause some limitations) but they have been modernized and are easily accessible. The structure has undergone renovations through the years but still maintains its mystique and charm. More are needed but it is a wonderful facility for small events and lends itself to the charms of Galena. Enjoy your visit!

Beautiful dance floor and the air conditioning works fine

Turner Hall is a beautiful venue at an amazing value. Janelle, the Facilities Manager, is just lovely and so wonderful to work with. She was flexible with scheduling times to come see the venue and always responsive via email. It is a DIY venue but Janelle recommended a lot of great vendors in Galena who know Turner Hall. We would recommend Turner Hall as a wedding venue to anyone! It has great atmosphere and our guests loved it.

This is such a Beautiful Historical Hall, where when my Brother and Sister in law were Married, had their wedding reception. the decorations, lights, the stage, balconies, seating were so enchanting, like a fairy tale, the dance floor was always full everyone had fun. In addition. There has been plays, musicals, concerts, meetings & dinners, dances, & school fuctions there as well. Turner Hall is such a Beautiful Part of the city of Galena. The history of Turner Hall is amazing as it has served so many functions over the years. We are greatful to have been a part of the community that has been able to witness so many of those functions.

Shopping in Galena & we were so excited to see a Gelato place!! I really wish I had known earlier I also would’ve gotten coffee in the morning here! I had the little cup of lemon gelato & it was so good!! Very refreshing on a hot summer day. We went back later to try another flavor but unfortunately the store closed at 5:00pm. That was a disappointment as it makes the perfect dessert after a dinner in town. (Hint hint…you stay open longer people will come!)

Came here today to do something fun in Galena. My fiance and I both had $20 for Christmas and she picked out Earrings. They are so awesome. We also had there Galato. It is so tasty. Kirsten the owners daughter was working today. She is great to talk to and very helpful. One of the best stores in Galena.

Quick stop for lemonade and purchased some earrings. The kids enjoyed the refreshment on this warm day of summer. The gelato looked good.

A must try phenomenal coffee experience, and the home made Gelato is not to be skipped!!! Ask for Kirsten for THE BEST Salted Carmel Mocha ! So much more than a five star experience truly! Order a coffee and just get lost in browsing the very latest fashion finds. Elle & Beck’s customer/fan for life! A.Bell

Honestly don't know about their drinks, but their Gelato is really good. We had the sea salt caramel and coffee crunch. Sea salt caramel was our personal favorite!

We were looking for a local home made ice cream shop and tried gelato here. The gelato was too sweet and it almost felt like you were having a sweet milk drink, we tried butter scotch and blueberry sorbet. They are very reasonably priced but do not offer trials which was disappointing.

We weren't hungry but we wanted something sweet while we were browsing around in Galena and the shops and my youngest wanted some ice cream. We were pleasantly surprised that they have 2 ounce size! Perfect for my little one! It was delicious and flavorful that we went back to try another flavor later on the same day. Super smart for the little 2 ounce taster!

Service was good considering they only had one server for the entire restaurant. The food was good and ok… the Rueben was full and delicious, the cod fish was not so much ( thin and overcooked), Cole slaw I would pass on, the French fries were way under cooked. Oh by the way… you need to pay with CASH or check as noted in the permanent sign. See photo of the sign … they have an ATM on site if you didn’t see the sign.

Not sure why they have a big sign that says Family friendly dining! Completely opposite of that and I will also disagree with the bloody Mary’s. Not the best in town either. Family and I decided to check out galena for the first time and decided to check this place out since the galena brewing company was closed. Not sure why because the sign said open and it was 11:15 am. The food here was alright, wings didn’t come out with the celery and we felt rushed. We asked for menus and he said we needed to wait till after 11 am! It was 11:15 am lol. Food is nothing to brag about, but it did the job after a 3 hour drive. I should’ve read the reviews before going into this place. Not a top choice if we go back. Be aware this place only takes cash and checks. No credit card payments. Found that out at the bar when I had to go pay my bill because the waiter didn’t mention anything! Lady at the bar said the ATM is at the front. Terrible way to start a Galena visit. Here are some pictures of our food and hopefully this place has better management and nicer staff.

My husband and I loved the food, the price. The server was very attentive and he had atleat 7 tables. The food looked good and was hot. I tried the bloody Mary, I thought it was 1 of the best I have tried.

Server was less than friendly. We had to ask three times for her to put the jukebox on. Place was quiet and dead. Prices reasonable and food was ok. Sad this was our introduction to downtown Galena. We were expecting much better. 🙄

We thought we would stop in and sit at the bar, well we were rudely interrupted by the bar maid and told me I could not have my service dog with me, that she had to be on the floor. You may need to train your employees about the law on service animals. As the handler of a 6.5 Havanese Service Dog, I am allowed to carry the service dog with me. Small service animals are allowed to be carried! Your barmaid needs to have a better attitude towards customers! This place deserves less than a 0 💫 star. 🥲

I had a very disappointing turkey bacon sandwich and they advertise how good their Bloody Marys are but I'm pretty sure they just use Zing Zang and possibly add this or that. Otherwise fun atmosphere, we got seated immediately during a busy day, and service was great.

Good bar food. Giving poor service only due to fact that one of four lunch orders came out when others were finished eating. All other lunches were hot sandwiches. Late sandwich was a chicken salad wrap with fries, At that point i wanted to cancel order. I would have expected a comp of something, nada

Nicole is pure awesome! Her service is unparalleled. The locals are extremely friendly. The bar is absolutely a must-see. The kitchen is only open Thursday thru Sunday. The drinks are top-notch, be patient, because quality takes time.

What an AWESOME bar! The ambiance and bar is amazing. Their cocktails are so great, and the food. Very reasonable prices for what you get and the experience. We had the pleasure of meeting Nicole, our bartender, and she couldn't be nicer and super knowledgeable. The bar back (I did not get his name) he was also super helpful and it was nice to see how well everyone worked together. Nicole made some amazing Aperol spritz's and I couldn't get enough of their special, mint and elderflower liquor spritz. So refreshing. This is definitely our go to for drinks the next time we come to visit Galena.

A well curated vibe inside and a super friendly staff. The cocktail mixologist did a great job but was working alone so it took a while. Lots of yummy specialty and seasonal options. Comfy seating too. A little pricey for the area but solid ingredients.

The bartenders here take tremendous care to craft each cocktail into an experience. Small plate dining. The main floor has a speakeasy vibe with comfortable leather couches to choose to sit on. Right on Main Street, just about center of the strip. Highly recommend.

No food, but a top notch distillery. The big leather chairs and "smoking club" vibe really adds to the charm. Definitely do the tour!!! And their Hellfire Vodka is incredible!!

Went here for a friend’s birthday and had a great time! The food was really good - flavorful, well-prepared, and definitely exceeded expectations. Drinks were delicious too (great variety). Seating was a bit tight, but it didn’t take away from the fun. It took a little while to order at first, but the bartender was super friendly and attentive, checking in on us throughout the night to make sure we were taken care of. Great spot for a casual night out with friends. Definitely recommend!

Fantastic food and cocktails. We just went for drinks and appetizers, but ended up staying all evening to listen to some good live music. They’re located in an old bank building, so be sure to check out the old, well preserved teller windows on the second floor.