Local Restaurant Makes Yelp's Top 100 List

CAMPTON HILLS, IL — A local restaurant is among two in Illinois to be named to Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants list for 2023.

Balmoral Restaurant, which is located at the intersection of Illinois Route 64 and La Fox Road in Campton Hills, came in at number 63 on Yelp's list, which was released last week. The only other Illinois restaurant to make this year's list was XOchimilco Mexican Restaurant in Chicago.

Yelp says the list represents the “most popular and highly rated restaurants according to users." The final list ranking is tabulated based on ratings, reviews, geographic representation and Yelp survey responses.

Balmoral Restaurant offers Grand Scottish Fare – one of the few restaurants in America to offer a “truly authentic Scottish” menu, according to owner Colin Smith.

Smith founded Balmoral in 2018 after a successful earlier career as a restaurateur back home in Scotland and England, according to a news release. The namesake for his first American restaurant is Balmoral Castle, where Smith had dined and been truly moved by the experience.

He believed everyone should get the chance to dine like he did while at Balmoral and set the goal to establish a concept restaurant based on this incredible experience.

Yelp diners who gave the restaurant rave reviews say they enjoy the “Scottish fare,” but also enjoy being transported by the interior and décor of the Scottish-themed restaurant.

Balmoral joins an elite group of Illinois restaurants to make Yelps Top 100 list, which has been around for the past 10 years. Over that time, only six Illinois restaurants have been selected.

Meanewhile, Balmoral will be offering a special “Restaurant Week” menu on weekdays in February and will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special menu as well. Balmoral offers Scottish Tea in the afternoons from Monday through Thursday —advance bookings are required for the tea time — and a roast dinner menu on Sundays. Its regular menu for dinner has 20 entree choices.

The restaurant is open from 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are available by calling the restaurant at 331-901-5224.