Confirm the space fit
Compare hood, grease trap, walk-in, seating, patio, parking, utilities, and build-out condition before touring.
Restaurants for Lease in Evanston
24 properties for lease
New
Full Restaurant
4 photos
For Lease
$1.83/SF/mo
Est. $2,582/mo all-in · 1,411 SF
1021 Fountain View Dr, Carol Stream, IL 60188, USA1,411 sq ft
- Parking
New
Non Hooded
2 photos
For Lease
$2/SF/mo
Est. $2,160/mo all-in · 1,080 SF
1011 W North Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181, USA1,080 sq ft
- Parking
- 3-Comp Sink
New
Full Restaurant
4 photos
For Lease
$2.92/SF/mo
Est. $9,475/mo all-in · 3,245 SF
19 W Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559, USA3,245 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
For Lease
$24.50/SF/yrCAM
Est. $5,502/mo all-in · 1,800 SF
8360 Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546, USA1,800 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
4 photos
For Lease
$1.67/SF/moNNN
Est. $7,169/mo all-in · 2,565 SF
30 Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA2,565 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
2005 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA4,008-8,548 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Shell Space
5 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
721 Green Bay Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA2,000-4,000 sq ft
- Warm Shell
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
$32/SF/yrNNN
Est. $16,856/mo all-in · 6,321 SF
3215 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA6,321 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Bar Area
- Equipment Included
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
$2.25/SF/mo
Est. $2,700/mo all-in · 1,200 SF
2803 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA1,200 sq ft50 indoor · 50 patio
- Outdoor
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Fast Casual
4 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
2408 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA1,000 sq ft
- Turnkey
- Equipment Included
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
1001 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA2,200 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Bar Area
- Turnkey
- Equipment Included
Drive Thru
For Lease
Contact for rate
6622 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, USA2,790 sq ft
- Parking
- Drive-Thru
- Turnkey
- Equipment Included
Other
2 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
7301 W North Ave, River Forest, IL 60305, USA11,979 sq ft
- Drive-Thru
- Ground Lease
Full Restaurant
10 photos
For Lease
$35/SF/moNNN
555 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA6,172 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Parking
- Bar Area
- Grease Trap
Full Restaurant
13 photos
For Lease
$3,000/moMG
Est. $3,000/mo all-in · 1,086 SF
5959 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, USA1,086 sq ft
- Walk-In Cooler
- Walk-In Freezer
- Immediate Move-In
- Grease Trap
Full Restaurant
9 photos
For Lease
$3.33/SF/moNNN
Est. $4,490/mo all-in · 1,000 SF
2114 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA1,000 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
11 photos
For Lease
$4.17/SF/moNNN
Est. $7,875/mo all-in · 1,500 SF
3502 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, USA1,500 sq ft
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
8 photos
For Lease
$5,200/mo
Est. $5,200/mo all-in · 1,980 SF
524 Sheridan Rd, Highwood, IL 60040, USA1,980 sq ft199 seats
- Outdoor
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
$4.58/SF/moNNN
Est. $6,138/mo all-in · 1,100 SF
2010 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA1,100 sq ft
- Bar Area
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Bar Lounge
10 photos
For Lease
$6.25/SF/moMG
Est. $10,438/mo all-in · 1,670 SF
3477 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA1,670 sq ft
- Turnkey
- 3-Comp Sink
Fast Casual
6 photos
For Lease
$5.79/SF/moNNN
Est. $6,618/mo all-in · 1,143 SF
2557 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA1,143 sq ft
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
10 photos
For Lease
$5/SF/moNNN
Est. $5,548/mo all-in · 1,090 SF
1751 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA1,090 sq ft
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
$1.92/SF/moNNN
Est. $14,400/mo all-in · 7,500 SF
1557 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, USA7,500 sq ft
- Bar Area
- Walk-In Cooler
- Walk-In Freezer
- Turnkey
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
$3.17/SF/moGross
Est. $6,340/mo all-in · 2,000 SF
2500 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA2,000 sq ft
- Bar Area
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
24 properties for lease
New
Full Restaurant
4 photos
For Lease
$1.83/SF/mo
Est. $2,582/mo all-in · 1,411 SF
1021 Fountain View Dr, Carol Stream, IL 60188, USA1,411 sq ft
- Parking
New
Non Hooded
2 photos
For Lease
$2/SF/mo
Est. $2,160/mo all-in · 1,080 SF
1011 W North Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181, USA1,080 sq ft
- Parking
- 3-Comp Sink
New
Full Restaurant
4 photos
For Lease
$2.92/SF/mo
Est. $9,475/mo all-in · 3,245 SF
19 W Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559, USA3,245 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
For Lease
$24.50/SF/yrCAM
Est. $5,502/mo all-in · 1,800 SF
8360 Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546, USA1,800 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
4 photos
For Lease
$1.67/SF/moNNN
Est. $7,169/mo all-in · 2,565 SF
30 Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA2,565 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
2005 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA4,008-8,548 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Shell Space
5 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
721 Green Bay Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA2,000-4,000 sq ft
- Warm Shell
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
$32/SF/yrNNN
Est. $16,856/mo all-in · 6,321 SF
3215 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA6,321 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Bar Area
- Equipment Included
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
$2.25/SF/mo
Est. $2,700/mo all-in · 1,200 SF
2803 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA1,200 sq ft50 indoor · 50 patio
- Outdoor
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Fast Casual
4 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
2408 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA1,000 sq ft
- Turnkey
- Equipment Included
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
1001 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA2,200 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Bar Area
- Turnkey
- Equipment Included
Drive Thru
For Lease
Contact for rate
6622 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, USA2,790 sq ft
- Parking
- Drive-Thru
- Turnkey
- Equipment Included
Other
2 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
7301 W North Ave, River Forest, IL 60305, USA11,979 sq ft
- Drive-Thru
- Ground Lease
Full Restaurant
10 photos
For Lease
$35/SF/moNNN
555 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA6,172 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Parking
- Bar Area
- Grease Trap
Full Restaurant
13 photos
For Lease
$3,000/moMG
Est. $3,000/mo all-in · 1,086 SF
5959 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, USA1,086 sq ft
- Walk-In Cooler
- Walk-In Freezer
- Immediate Move-In
- Grease Trap
Full Restaurant
9 photos
For Lease
$3.33/SF/moNNN
Est. $4,490/mo all-in · 1,000 SF
2114 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA1,000 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
11 photos
For Lease
$4.17/SF/moNNN
Est. $7,875/mo all-in · 1,500 SF
3502 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, USA1,500 sq ft
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
8 photos
For Lease
$5,200/mo
Est. $5,200/mo all-in · 1,980 SF
524 Sheridan Rd, Highwood, IL 60040, USA1,980 sq ft199 seats
- Outdoor
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
$4.58/SF/moNNN
Est. $6,138/mo all-in · 1,100 SF
2010 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA1,100 sq ft
- Bar Area
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Bar Lounge
10 photos
For Lease
$6.25/SF/moMG
Est. $10,438/mo all-in · 1,670 SF
3477 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA1,670 sq ft
- Turnkey
- 3-Comp Sink
Fast Casual
6 photos
For Lease
$5.79/SF/moNNN
Est. $6,618/mo all-in · 1,143 SF
2557 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA1,143 sq ft
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
10 photos
For Lease
$5/SF/moNNN
Est. $5,548/mo all-in · 1,090 SF
1751 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA1,090 sq ft
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Full Restaurant
5 photos
For Lease
$1.92/SF/moNNN
Est. $14,400/mo all-in · 7,500 SF
1557 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, USA7,500 sq ft
- Bar Area
- Walk-In Cooler
- Walk-In Freezer
- Turnkey
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
$3.17/SF/moGross
Est. $6,340/mo all-in · 2,000 SF
2500 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA2,000 sq ft
- Bar Area
- Turnkey
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Market Context
Understanding the Evanston Market
Evanston anchors Chicago's affluent North Shore and is home to Northwestern University, one of the country's leading research universities. The city's restaurant economy combines a sophisticated affluent residential customer base, 8,000 Northwestern undergraduates plus 14,000 graduate and professional students, and meaningful Chicago day tripper traffic drawn to the city's walkable downtown.
Lease rates run high relative to most Chicago suburbs but accessibly below the most premium Chicago neighborhoods. Downtown Evanston's prime blocks reach $48 to $62 per square foot annually. Northwestern adjacent corridors run $42 to $54. The rest of the city sits at $38 to $52. Asset sales start from $55,000 and full business sales from $150,000.
Evanston restaurant economics reward concepts with strong design, food media engagement, and the ability to serve both the year round affluent resident base and the Northwestern academic population. The customer base is more sophisticated than typical Chicago suburbs, with food media coverage from Chicago Tribune, Eater Chicago, and local Northwestern publications. Football game weekends, graduation, and parents weekend produce concentrated revenue spikes.
Popular Markets
Explore Other Restaurant Markets
Evanston's restaurant submarkets each carry distinct customer bases, lease economics, and concept fit. Choosing the right one matters as much as the concept itself.
- Downtown Evanston and Sherman Avenue: Downtown Evanston and the Sherman Avenue corridor anchor the city's most active dining scene. Lease rates run $48 to $62 per square foot. Strong year round mixed customer base of Northwestern faculty, students, residents, and Chicago day trippers.
- Foster Street and University Place: The Foster Street and University Place corridors near the Northwestern campus drive student and faculty traffic. Lease rates run $42 to $54 per square foot. Strong volume during academic year with material slowdown over summer break.
- Central Street and Green Bay Road: Central Street and the Green Bay Road corridor support affluent residential dining demand. Lease rates run $38 to $52 per square foot. Strong year round local demand from one of the wealthiest North Shore submarkets.
- Howard Street and South Evanston: Howard Street and the South Evanston blocks bordering Chicago support a more diverse and accessible dining market. Lease rates run $38 to $48 per square foot. Strong opportunity for value driven and chef driven independent concepts.
Tenant Guide
How to Lease or Rent Restaurant Space in Evanston
Review the lease path
Ask whether the rentable opportunity is a direct lease, assignment, sublease, or turnkey build-out with existing restaurant infrastructure.
Check approvals
Confirm landlord consent, use approvals, health permits, alcohol licensing, signage, and local inspections for the address.
Model opening costs
Compare base rent, NNN, tenant improvements, equipment needs, deposits, and permit costs before submitting an offer.
For Owners & Brokers
Why Use Pepperlot to Find Restaurants for Lease in Evanston
Built exclusively for restaurant real estate.
Restaurant Only Listings
Every listing on Pepperlot is a restaurant or F&B space. No warehouses, offices, or unrelated commercial properties diluting your Evanston search.
Restaurant Specific Listing Fields
Hood systems, grease traps, walk-in coolers, liquor licenses, certificates of occupancy, seating capacity, patio availability. The details that drive restaurant decisions are in every listing.
Illinois Market Intelligence
Cuisine gap analysis, demographic data, and competitive landscape information for Evanston. Make a more informed decision before committing capital or signing a lease.
Confidential Listings
Some of the best Evanston restaurant opportunities are listed confidentially. Pepperlot gives you access to off market opportunities not available on general platforms.
Platform
How to Lease a Restaurant Space in Evanston
A step-by-step approach to acquiring your next location.
Browse Active Spaces
Filter Evanston restaurant spaces by submarket, size, lease rate, and specific features like hood systems, grease traps, outdoor seating, and existing liquor license eligibility. Every listing includes the operational details that matter for restaurant tenants.
Identify Second Generation Opportunities
Second generation restaurant spaces save $150,000 to $500,000 in build out costs. Confirm the existing hood type, grease trap capacity, plumbing condition, and electrical capacity match your concept's requirements before committing.
Contact the Landlord or Broker
Each listing displays the contact details for the landlord or listing broker. Reach out directly. Ask for the lease term, base rent, CAM charges, NNN structure, tenant improvement allowance, and any operational restrictions. Evanston landlords vary significantly in flexibility.
Negotiate Lease Terms
Evanston restaurant lease rates range from $38 to $62 per square foot annually. Negotiate beyond just the base rent. Personal guarantee structure, free rent periods, tenant improvement allowance, and renewal options often have more economic impact than base rent reductions.
About PepperLot
Built for Restaurant Space Search in Evanston
PepperLot organizes restaurant space searches around the details tenants need in Evanston: build-out condition, hood, grease trap, seating, rent structure, and permit context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are restaurant lease rates in Evanston?
Evanston restaurant lease rates run roughly $38 to $62 per square foot annually, depending on submarket. Prime locations command the higher end of the range. NNN structures with CAM charges typically add $8 to $18 per square foot annually.
What submarkets in Evanston have the most restaurant spaces for lease?
On Pepperlot, the most active Evanston submarkets for lease listings are Downtown Evanston and Sherman Avenue, Foster Street and University Place, Central Street and Green Bay Road. Each carries different lease rates, customer bases, and concept fit. Choose the submarket where your concept aligns with the existing or growing customer mix.
What is a second generation restaurant space in Evanston?
A second generation space in Evanston is one that previously operated as a restaurant and retains the hood system, grease trap, plumbing, and venting infrastructure. These spaces save tenants $150,000 to $500,000 in build out costs and are the fastest path to opening, particularly in Evanston's established submarkets.
Are CAM and triple net charges common in Evanston restaurant leases?
Yes. Most Evanston restaurant leases are NNN, meaning the tenant pays property taxes, insurance, and CAM on top of base rent. CAM charges in Evanston shopping centers and mixed use developments typically add $8 to $18 per square foot annually. Always request the most recent CAM reconciliation.
Do I need a liquor license to lease a restaurant space in Evanston?
If your concept will serve alcohol, yes. Illinois requires both a state license from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and a municipal license from the city or village. Some Evanston leases include the existing license in the assignment. Others require the tenant to apply separately, which can take 30 to 120 days depending on jurisdiction. Confirm with the landlord and licensing authority before signing.
Can I list an Evanston restaurant space for lease on Pepperlot?
Yes. Listing on Pepperlot is free. Create an Evanston-specific listing with the hood system type, grease trap status, square footage, lease rate, and CAM charges. Confidential options are available for landlords replacing struggling tenants without alerting current staff.