Delve into the rich tapestry of Fairview Heights’ restaurant scene. It’s not just about food; it’s about diversity, togetherness, and unforgettable dining experiences.

We’re Bruce and Karen Carlson. We recently moved to the Metro East area of Illinois. It’s a whole new world out there. Our goal with this website is to share our exploration of the Metro East area. As we find businesses and services we use in our daily lives, we’ll share how these businesses and services have helped make our lives better and easier to live.
We’re calling our move to the Metro East area retirement, but we’re not quite sure what that means. By sharing our story with you, we hope you too will gain a better sense of what the Metro East area has to offer and how their businesses and services can improve your lives and build a better community.
I’m not sure about you, but a good place to eat is always high on my list of places to know about. Today this article explores the places to eat in the Metro East area. Olive Garden is one of our favorite places. The others we’ll get to as time moves on.
Here is the list of the top 10 little-known facts, statistics, and trends related to restaurants in Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Top 10 Quick Facts, Stats & Trends About Restaurants in Fairview Heights, Illinois
1. Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant is the most popular in Fairview Heights according to TripAdvisor.
Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine since 2003. It has a 3.9-star rating out of 853 reviews on TripAdvisor, making it the most popular restaurant in Fairview Heights. It offers a variety of dishes, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and more. It also has a full bar with margaritas, sangria, and beer. Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant is located at 4660 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208.
Learn More Here: Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant
2. Lotawata Creek Southern Grill is the second most popular restaurant in Fairview Heights according to Tripadvisor.
Lotawata Creek Southern Grill is a family-owned restaurant that specializes in Southern-style comfort food. It has a 4.0-star rating out of 689 reviews on TripAdvisor, making it the second most popular restaurant in Fairview Heights. It serves generous portions of dishes, such as fried chicken, ribs, burgers, salads, and more. It also has a dessert menu with pies, cakes, and ice cream. Lotawata Creek Southern Grill is located at 311 Salem Pl, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208.
Learn More Here: Lotawata Creek Southern Grill
3. There are over 100 restaurants in Fairview Heights according to Restaurantji.
Restaurantji is a website that provides information and reviews on restaurants in various locations. According to Restaurantji, over 100 restaurants in Fairview Heights offer a wide range of cuisines and prices. Some of the most common types of food are American, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese. Some of the most highly-rated restaurants are Rio Grande MX Cocina, Joe’s Pizza & Pasta, Sushi Tatsu, Tong Phoon Thai Restaurant, and Lizzie Bob’s Bakery.
Learn More Here: Restaurants in Fairview Heights
4. The average price of a meal at a restaurant in Fairview Heights is $12 according to Numbeo.
Numbeo is a website that provides data on the cost of living and quality of life in various locations. According to Numbeo, the average price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Fairview Heights is $12. The average price of a meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant is $40. The average price of a domestic beer at a restaurant is $4. The average price of a cappuccino at a cafe is $3.75.
Learn More Here: Cost of Living in Fairview Heights

5. According to Yelp, The oldest restaurant in Fairview Heights is Andria’s Restaurant.
Andria’s Restaurant is a steakhouse that has been serving quality beef since 1978. It has a 4.5-star rating out of 167 reviews on Yelp, making it one of the best restaurants in Fairview Heights. It is also the oldest restaurant in the city, having been established over 40 years ago. It offers a variety of cuts, such as filet mignon, ribeye, sirloin, and prime rib. It also has seafood, chicken, pasta, and salad options. Andria’s Restaurant is located at 6805 Old Collinsville Rd O’Fallon IL 62269. Technically, the address is in O’Fallon, but the property is surrounded by Fairview Heights.
Learn More Here: Andria’s Restaurant
6. According to Yelp, The newest restaurant in Fairview Heights is Gauchos Argentinian Steakhouse.
Gauchos Argentinian Steakhouse is a Latin American restaurant that opened in March 2023. It has a 4.0-star rating out of 5 reviews on Yelp, making it one of the newest restaurants in Fairview Heights. It offers a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy unlimited servings of grilled meats carved tableside by gauchos (cowboys). It also has salads, soups, sides, and desserts. Gauchos Argentinian Steakhouse is located at 5900 N Illinois St Ste A-1 Fairview Heights IL 62208.
Learn More Here: Gauchos Argentinian Steakhouse
7. The most vegan-friendly restaurant in Fairview Heights is Taqueria Olvera according to HappyCow.
HappyCow is a website that provides information and reviews on vegan and vegetarian restaurants in various locations. According to HappyCow, the most vegan-friendly restaurant in Fairview Heights is Taqueria Olvera, a Mexican restaurant that has a 4.5-star rating out of 25 reviews. It offers a variety of vegan options, such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and salads. It also has gluten-free and dairy-free options. Taqueria Olvera is located at 341 Market Pl Fairview Heights IL 62208.
Learn More Here: Taqueria Olvera
8. The most gluten-free restaurant in Fairview Heights is Lizzie Bob’s Bakery according to Find Me Gluten Free.
Find Me Gluten Free is a website that provides information and reviews on gluten-free restaurants in various locations. According to Find Me Gluten Free, the most gluten-free friendly restaurant in Fairview Heights is Lizzie Bob’s Bakery. They have a special kitchen just for making gluten-free treats. They use dedicated mixing tools like bowls, utensils, and measuring cups. Why? They totally get how gluten can affect folks with celiac or gluten sensitivity. And when it comes to the goodies, Lizzie’s a legend. Think mouthwatering pies, cookies, jumbo cinnamon rolls, pecan sticky buns, scones, cheesecake, custom cakes, and plenty more deliciousness! is located at 5500 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights IL 62208.
Learn More Here: Lizzie Bob’s Bakery

9. The most kid-friendly restaurant in Fairview Heights is Red Robin Gourmet Burgers according to Zomato.
Zomato is a website that provides information and reviews on restaurants in various locations. According to Zomato, the most kid-friendly restaurant in Fairview Heights is Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, an American restaurant that has a 3.6-star rating out of 103 reviews. It offers a variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and fries. It also has a kid’s menu with items such as macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is located at 6500 N Illinois St Fairview Heights IL 62208.
Learn More Here: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
10. The most romantic restaurant in Fairview Heights is Olive Garden Italian Restaurant according to OpenTable.
OpenTable is a website that provides information and reservations on restaurants in various locations. According to OpenTable, the most romantic restaurant in Fairview Heights is Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, an Italian restaurant that has a 4.2-star rating out of 153 reviews. It offers a variety of dishes, such as pasta, soup, salad, breadsticks, and more. It also has a wine list and a dessert menu. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is located at 25 Ludwig Dr Fairview Heights IL 62208.
Learn More Here: Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

Biggest Takeaway
As we wrap up our culinary journey through Fairview Heights, one key revelation stands out—variety is the spice of life in this Illinois city. With over 100 restaurants spanning flavors from South of the Border to Southern comfort and everything in between, Fairview Heights is a haven for food enthusiasts. Whether you crave a sizzling plate of Mexican delights at Zapata’s or prefer the nostalgic taste of Southern classics at Lotawata Creek, there’s a dining experience for everyone.
The true gem here? Fairview Heights embraces diversity not just in cuisine but also in dining experiences. From the oldest and most esteemed steakhouse, Andria’s, to the freshest sensation, Gauchos Argentinian Steakhouse, there’s always something new to savor. Don’t forget about the vegan-friendly options at Taqueria Olvera and the gluten-free delights at Lizzie Bob’s Bakery, catering to different dietary needs.
And it’s not just about the food. Fairview Heights welcomes families with the kid-friendly Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and sets the scene for romance at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. It’s a reminder that good food brings people together, whether it’s a casual family night out or a romantic dinner for two.
So, what’s the biggest takeaway? Fairview Heights restaurant scene is a reflection of its vibrant, diverse community. It’s a reminder that great food transcends cultural boundaries and provides a taste of togetherness. So, grab your fork, bring your appetite, and explore the flavors of Fairview Heights, where there’s something delicious for everyone.
We hope you are enjoying these articles and are willing to continue to follow along as we share our adventures of learning about life in southern Illinois, This is an exciting area and we are so happy to be part of this area. Our lives are being fulfilled by the people we are meeting. Bruce & Karen.
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