The Lantern Of Lake Forest

Great place to go after a Lake Forest sports game. We came here after watching the Foresters hockey game and had some drinks and food. The free popcorn was a great start and we also got wings, cheese fries, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. I would recommend the jumbo Michelob Ultra.

Great atmosphere, friendly bartenders and fun overall place to be.

Not much needs to be said about the lantern! An institution. I appreciate that they keep updating their menu. Today’s special was Korean beef bulgogi wrap and it was declared delicious at the table. Also a patty melt and taco salad were consumed. Friendly local service.

The best bar in the north shore, hands down. Fun and creative decor and ambiance. Excellent service and friendly and professional employees. Food is fantastic and drinks are high quality yet affordable. The miniature trains running between the three rooms add the perfect amount of whimsy to the atmosphere. There’s a reason why the majority of patrons in here at any given time will tell you they’ve been coming their entire lives. Honestly, I’ve never interacted with an employee there that wasn’t exceptional, but Kosta the bartender in particular has been there for years and is a very well-known and well-loved face of the Lake Forest community. What’s not to love?

Such a joy filled restaurant! Definitely the sort of place you'll want to sit for a good while and cozily catch up with friends and other regulars, or watch a sports game. The food is excellent, and large portions that match the price. We had the blackened salmon sandwich (absolutely fantastic with a pesto mayo and a massive piece of salmon) and the fish n chips (a nice ratio of breading to fish). Our server was so much fun, and we enjoyed watching the little train that circles around over the dining area.

Best shrimp tacos I ever had hands down. Great service. Great regulars. Plenty of stuff to talk about with the nice locals. Too young to get a beer, but Im sure they got great beer too!

Old-line LF institution that - unlike Lake Forest’s stodgy private clubs ( Onwentsia , Knollwood and perriferal Exmoor and that other place in lake bluff Shore Acres ( where the decades old CaddyShack schtiche of blind elitism ad absurdiio comes true, The lantern manages to deliver a simple yet robust array of stiff drinks and a cut above pub grub. I can’t speak for the more 5 o’clock weekend family attendance to show young trust fund enfants Buffy and Biff how to order a burger, so I can say weeknights cater first to the after work crowd followed by the Divorceds and happily married octogenarians and then until boysterious LF College preppies descend to learn the hard way what a hangover feels like b. The service headed by Dan is superb.

very good restaurant . the chicken pot pie was good , a little soupy more like cream of chicken soup. trains were very cool but only the engine was moving. but will go back again.

Best Shepard pie I've had. The potatoes were nicely toasted on top, and the gravy was spot on. Beyond that, the service was very fast and very friendly. Great place, great food!

My husband and I have been coming here for years. The staff is incredible, the atmosphere is classic. It's a staple. Hands down my favorite bar ever.

Great spot! Kosta, Dave, and Marcus are amazing bartenders! The food is always good and I’ve met some great friends here. 5 stars all around

Came in late but they were still able to whip up a lantern burger for me. Amazing! Still tastes the same after all these years.

Great food! Great service! I've been coming here for 30 years. The Tiffany's do a great job. And yes, it's a family owned place.

Love, this place! Great menu no matter what you want..bar food, salad, dessert...the pieces are excellent for this location and can not beat the old time train atmosphere. Definitely will go again.

Great bar in downtown Lake Forest. Typical bar offerings. Good service, great prices. It's not a fancy place like some other ones in Lake Forest, but if you want a place to bring the kids for lunch/dinner or simply a place to catch a beer with a friend than this is your place.

This place is kind of a hole in the wall but it's a gem!! They have a fried goat cheese salad that I think about. The food is delicious!!!!
The kids meals are sized well and come with homemade cake pops.
They have little model trains on suspended tracks above your head which the kids love. Cheap beers in several sizes. Yum yum yum. Definitely go

I came here for lunch with friends and had the cheeseburger. The service was great and the food was even better!

Outstanding service. Servers were attentive, prompt, accurate, friendly, clean, and exceeded customer service. Kid friendly. Sunday special was fillet steak sandwich with loaded tots, delicious! No cake pop but little one loved pizza and fries. Loved my experience!

Classic bar in Lake Forest. Fish and chips were great - cold beer on tap.

Wonderful place to eat, has good veggie and vegan options, affordable cost and delicious food.

I want to say this a hidden gem, but by how busy it was I know that’s not the case. Food is wonderful and the service was amazing.