Brookfield Zoo offers a variety of dining options within the zoo, including restaurants, snack stands, and food carts. From classic American fare to international flavors, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, the Brookfield Zoo has you covered.
Restaurants and Snack Stands at Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo boasts several full-service restaurants and snack stands that cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Here’s a closer look at some of the top dining options:
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BZ Red Hots: Located near the Seven Seas exhibit, this eatery offers a menu of pizza, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and seasonal salads.
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Café del Sol: Situated near the Living Coast exhibit, Café del Sol serves up vegetarian bowls, burgers, hot dogs, and more.
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Cup & Cone: Found near the North Gate and South Gate tram stops, Cup & Cone is the go-to spot for ice cream, ICEE flavors, custom-made coffee drinks, and cold brew.
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Graze: Located on the East Mall, Graze features a menu of hamburgers, barbecue and smokehouse options, seasoned fries, and a selection of beverages.
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Leinie’s Lodge: Situated near Carousel Plaza, Leinie’s Lodge offers cold beer, bottled water, Gatorade, popcorn, and pretzels.
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SWEETY BIRD: Between the South Gate Market and Hamill Family Nature Plaza, SWEETY BIRD serves up ice cream, funnel cakes, gourmet popcorn, and other sweet treats.
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Wild Burger: Near the Great Bear Wilderness exhibit, Wild Burger specializes in all-beef hot dogs, burgers, and more.
Food Carts and Trucks at Brookfield Zoo
In addition to the full-service restaurants and snack stands, Brookfield Zoo also features a variety of food carts and trucks throughout the park, offering convenient and delicious options:
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Bites & Brews Stations: Located around the zoo, these stations offer festive favorites like beer, pretzels with cheese, popcorn, and cotton candy.
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Dippin’ Dots Carts: Found throughout the park, these carts serve up ice cream and seasonal snow cones.
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The Coop FOOD Truck: Situated on the East Mall, The Coop FOOD Truck offers hand-breaded chicken sandwiches (open seasonally).
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Taco Caja Food Truck: Also located on the East Mall, Taco Caja serves up street tacos with meat and vegetarian options (open seasonally).
Nearby Restaurants Outside Brookfield Zoo
For those looking to explore dining options beyond the zoo, there are several restaurants in the surrounding areas of Riverside, Brookfield, and La Grange that are worth considering:
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The Chew Chew: A contemporary American restaurant in Riverside, known for its great food and hospitality.
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La Barra – Riverside: An Italian restaurant in Riverside, offering sharable small plates, award-winning pizza, and hand-crafted cocktails.
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Maya Del Sol: A Latin American restaurant in Oak Park, offering a variety of dishes and a heated patio area.
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Petite Vie: A French restaurant in Countryside, offering classic dishes with a modern twist.
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COA – Drake Oakbrook: A Spanish tapas restaurant in Oak Brook, offering a fusion of Spanish and Latin flavors.
Online Ordering and Delivery
For those who prefer to dine at home or in their hotel rooms, Brookfield Zoo Eats offers online ordering and delivery services. The service is available from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, making it a convenient option for zoo-goers.
By offering a diverse range of dining options, both within the zoo and in the surrounding areas, Brookfield Zoo ensures that visitors can enjoy a satisfying and memorable culinary experience during their visit.
References
Brookfield Zoo. (n.d.). Dining. Retrieved from https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/dining
OpenTable. (n.d.). The Best 45 Restaurants Near Brookfield Zoo. Retrieved from https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-brookfield-zoo-965
TripAdvisor. (2024). THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near Brookfield Zoo in IL. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g35719-d131606-Brookfield_Zoo-Brookfield_Illinois.html
Brookfield Zoo Eats. (2024). Home. Retrieved from https://brookfieldzooeats.com.