SMPC 2026
Evanston, Illinois
July 22-24, 2026
Please note: The program will run from 9am on Wednesday July 22 until 5pm on Friday July 24.
Dining
Evanston has a vibrant restaurant scene. The following are all located in or near the downtown area, most within easy walking distance of the conference hotels.
Restaurants
Trattoria Demi
1571 Sherman Ave Ste 1
Italian
$$
Local favorite for handmade pasta. Try the asiago-stuffed gnocchi.
NaKorn
1571 Sherman Ave Ste 1
Thai
$$
Upscale Thai with beautiful presentation and live music. Excellent cocktails.
Tapas Barcelona
1615 Chicago Ave
Spanish
$$
Lively tapas spot. Great for group dining. Known for paella and bacon-wrapped dates.
Five & Dime
1026 Davis St Upstairs
American
$$
Rooftop dining with great views. Connected to Blue Horse Tavern and Diablo Tacos.
LeTour Social Kitchen & Bar
625 Davis St
French-Moroccan
$$$
Elegant French-Moroccan fusion. Nice for a special dinner.
Stacked and Folded
824 Noyes St
American/Mexican
$$
Casual burgers, tacos, and brunch. Board games available. Great outdoor seating.
Peckish Pig
623 W Howard St
Brewpub
$$
House-brewed beers, excellent brunch, and a lovely brick patio.
Ten Mile House
1700 Central St
American BBQ
$$
Smoked meats, pizza, and brunch in a cozy setting. Great for groups.
Evanston Corner Bistro
703 Church St
American
$$
Adjacent to the Hilton Orrington. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
17
1710 Orrington Ave
Vegetarian
$$$
Small, creative plant-based dining located in the Hilton Orrington
Bat 17
1735 Benson Ave
American
$$
Casual and spacious pub with an extensive menu and vast sandwich selection
Ridgeville Tavern
1520 Sherman Ave
American
$$
Corner meeting place with classic pub favorites
Union Pizzeria
1245 Chicago Ave
Pizza
$$
Stylish location for Neapolitan wood-fired pizza & small plates; shares location with Space live music venue
The Barn
1016 Church St (rear, enter from alley)
American
$$$
Elegant spot for New American fare, steaks & cocktails in the rustic surrounds of a former stable
Quick Bites
Pono Ono
1630 Chicago Ave
Hawaiian
$
Industrial-chic Hawaiian cafe offering customized, seasoned raw fish bowls & hot chicken options.
Picnic
1619B Chicago Ave
American
$
Casual restaurant serving healthy, creative bowls and salads with vegan options, plus desserts; carry-out only
Soulwich
1634 Orrington Ave
American/Asian
$
Bright, contemporary counter-serve spot dishing up sandwiches & salads with an Asian twist.
Epic Burger
1622 Sherman Ave
American
$
Fast-casual burger joint featuring halal options, chicken sandwiches and skin-on fries along with milkshakes.
10Q Chicken
816 Church St
American/Korean
$
Straightforward restaurant offering chicken sandwiches & chicken wings with fries.
Habibi In
825 Church St
Mediterranean
$
Skewers, shawarma, gyros & other Mediterranean favorites
Joy Yee Noodles
533 Davis St
Pan-Asian
$
An extensive menu of Pan-Asian offerings & smoothies
Buffalo Joe’s
812 Clark St
Wings
$
Classic Evanston food spot featuring chicken wings; cash only!
Coffee Shops
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery
812 Grove St
Spacious cafe with excellent pastries and brunch. Very popular.
Colectivo Coffee
716 Church St
Roomy coffee shop with breakfast burritos. Good for working.
Backlot Coffee
2006 Central St
Beloved local roaster with outstanding pastries and espresso.
Reprise Coffee Roasters
710 Main St
Specialty roaster with creative seasonal drinks. Cozy atmosphere.
Newport Coffee House
622 Davis St
Coffeehouse offering artisan roasts plus pastries, desserts and teas.
Mr. Cachito Bakery & Coffee
1549 Sherman Ave
Small local coffee shop featuring Venezuelan bakery items
Bars and Cocktails
Ward Eight
629 W Howard St
Outstanding craft cocktail bar. Intimate, speakeasy atmosphere. Excellent food.
Five & Dime Rooftop
1026 Davis St
Rooftop bar with city views. Great for after-conference socializing.
The Blue Horse Tavern
1026 Davis St
Connected to Five & Dime. Cozy tavern with good wine and ales.
Oskar
844 Custer Ave
Whiskey bar with expertly crafted cocktails. Small and intimate.
Double Clutch Brewing Company
2121 Ashland Ave
Brewery, eatery, and event space with craft beer, live music, and vintage cars.
Sketchbook Brewing Co - Evanston
821 Chicago Ave
Brewery & tasting room pouring a dozen or more beers on tap or in growlers, with tours.