Nestled in the heart of Highwood, Illinois, Miramar Bistro stands as a welcoming destination for those who appreciate the art of fine dining in a relaxed, approachable setting. Located at 301 Waukegan Ave, our establishment serves as a gathering place for the local community and visitors alike, offering a space where culinary passion meets genuine hospitality. We believe that a great meal is defined not just by the quality of the ingredients, but by the atmosphere in which it is shared, and we have dedicated ourselves to creating an environment that feels both sophisticated and comfortable.
Our philosophy centers on the belief that food should be an experience that brings people together. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to enjoy a conversation, a place to celebrate a milestone, or simply a reliable spot for a well-prepared meal, Miramar Bistro aims to exceed expectations. We take pride in our location in Highwood, a town known for its vibrant culinary scene, and we are honored to contribute to the local culture by providing a consistent and high-quality dining experience for every guest who walks through our doors.
What Defines the Miramar Experience
Commitment to Quality Ingredients: We prioritize sourcing fresh, seasonal components to ensure that every dish reflects the best of what is available. By focusing on the integrity of our raw materials, we allow the natural flavors of our preparations to shine through, creating a balanced and memorable palate for our diners.
A Welcoming Atmosphere: The interior of Miramar Bistro is designed to foster connection. We have curated a space that balances modern elegance with a warm, inviting aesthetic, making it an ideal backdrop for everything from intimate dinners to lively gatherings with friends and family.
Dedicated Service: Our team is the backbone of the bistro. We believe that exceptional service is rooted in attentiveness and a deep understanding of our guests' needs. From the moment you arrive until the conclusion of your meal, our staff is committed to ensuring that your time with us is seamless, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Community Integration: Being part of the Highwood neighborhood is central to our identity. We value the relationships we have built with our patrons and strive to remain a staple of the local community by maintaining a standard of excellence that keeps our guests returning time and time again.
A Culinary Destination in Highwood
The culinary landscape of Highwood is diverse and competitive, and at Miramar Bistro, we embrace this by focusing on the fundamentals of good cooking and hospitality. Our approach is simple: we listen to our guests, refine our techniques, and maintain a steady focus on consistency. We understand that dining out is a choice, and we are grateful for every opportunity to serve our community. Our kitchen team works diligently to ensure that every plate leaving the pass meets our rigorous standards, while our front-of-house staff works to create an environment where you feel truly taken care of.
We invite you to visit us at 301 Waukegan Ave to experience the unique character of Miramar Bistro for yourself. Whether you are a long-time resident of the area or just passing through Illinois, we look forward to welcoming you into our space. Our goal is to remain a place where memories are made, one meal at a time, and we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the experience for our guests. Thank you for considering us for your next dining occasion; we are eager to share our passion for food and service with you soon.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Service options
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great wine list
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Organic dishes
Private dining room
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale
Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free street parking
Usually plenty of parking
Valet parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Menus
Photos
Reviews Miramar Bistro
LAURA HEDIEN
30-05-2026
Had a Tuesday lunch here. Pretty quiet with no problems. Attentive, pleasant service. Had the lunch special- choose two between 1/2 sandwich, soup or 1/2 salad for $22. Cuban sandwich and French onion soup was good. Also came with fries. More
Omar
30-05-2026
Went on Monday for lunch. Service was great . Very nice ambiance. Loved the fresh bread. Got the French onion soup which was delicious. Cuban sandwich with shoestring fries, the sandwich was good but far from a Cuban sandwich. Fries were a … More
Hugo Potchebout
30-05-2026
My experience at Miramar was amazing, the food was spectacular and really tasted amazing, our server, Sebastian really made us feel welcome and was really what made us feel special, If you are planning on visiting I would definitely … More
ChrisVar
30-05-2026
Great place for lunch or dinner. I highly recommend the “country pate and chicken liver mouse” appetizer! This alone is a full meal. The “highwood” burger was very good. Service is excellent. More
Katy Hisrich
30-05-2026
This place is a unique gem in the area. I felt like I was back in Europe due to the sophisticated yet casual ambiance (decor, music, and layout). The staff was very friendly as well. … More
Barbara Dedić
30-05-2026
My experience here was amazing. Everything that we ordered was delicious, portions were generous and food had much flavor. They absolutely know how to use ingredients well. Staff was incredibly nice. Our server Ximena made sure that we had … More
Shawna Gerstein
30-05-2026
We were celebrating a birthday. My husband had called earlier during the week and asked for a booth. They didn't honor our request. We were seated at the worst table in the restaurant; the very first table as you enter the restaurant. … More
Grcly44
30-05-2026
Loved it and we can't wait to go back! Great atmosphere. Really great attentive servers that all help make your experience A+. Worth the 50 minute drive over for us from Crystal Lake. More
Carolina Polo
30-05-2026
Miramar offers a casual French dining experience with great food and a relaxed vibe. The fried calamari and goat cheese beet salad were both excellent, and the service was attentive. It’s more of a neighborhood bistro than a fancy French spot, perfect for a comfortable meal with quality food. More
John Lee
30-05-2026
We love their French food - good size portions & save room for dessert. I cannot emphasize enough the great indoor/outdoor atmosphere! Still waiting for it to be packed again. Waiter was professional, pleasant, but going through the motions. My favorite place in the Northshore & always look forward to the experience. More
Joe King
30-05-2026
After hearing about this place for years, we finally made the trip, and it was worth the wait. From the moment we walked in, you could tell it was a classy spot, great atmosphere, clean, and just the right vibe. … More
Gregoire Guetat
30-05-2026
Great food, both quality and quantity, and really liked the atmosphere.
Price per person
$60–70
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Zoya
30-05-2026
I absolutely loved this place. The feel inside is very European. It feels like you are transported into another world. Every single dish we ordered tasted amazing. The service was top-notch, especially from our drinks guy Antonio. He … More
Diana Gómez
30-05-2026
Family-like restaurant, but you can reserve a section of the restaurant for a private, 20ish-people reunion. … More
Melissa Modro
30-05-2026
My husband and I got married at Miramar at the end of June this year, and it was nothing short of incredible. We had a very small wedding (30 people) and worked with Phillipe during the planning process. He made our day perfect. He was very … More
Vahid Mir
30-05-2026
The food is too pricey compared to the quality and quantity. There are lots of options available in the area. More
Scarlet
30-05-2026
Well this one is a doozy I had the tomato basil gnocchi and my partner had the pressed pesto sandwich. I'll start with mine which was just okay I'm gonna judge this harsh because it's almost double the price of other gnocchi dishes I've had from other restaurants and I'll be real. It was not double as good I would describe it as slightly better than olive garden it was quite acidic and for a 28$ item it didn't come with a salad or anything. My partners dish was also poorly put together first off it was just covered in fries which while in my opinion not visually appealing is fine but all the tomatoes were randomly spread out in the sandwich so some bites didn't even have all the ingredients while some bites had only tomato. Overall the food was fine to below average but way over priced I'd pay 15 for most the menu personally the staff was kinda odd also there was a part where the waitress walked up behind my partner stared at him then walked away and when I asked where the bathroom was they just all vaugely pointed and didn't say anything 😅 very strange there was also a loud fan and a high pitched buzzing around the restaurant randomly and the staff would just stare at you from around the room which was a little uncomfortable. Overall in my experience wasn't the best but this is just my opinion maybe I just went on a off day.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 2
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 1
Group size
2 people
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Aizik Zimerman
30-05-2026
Miramar Bistro is one of those places I find myself coming back to again and again, mainly because of the atmosphere. The mood is incredible—dim lighting, candles on the tables, and a really nice indoor/outdoor flow that makes it feel both … More
Old Sal
30-05-2026
Had dinner tonight at Miramar Bistro with another couple. Seated right away at a four top in the back. Food and service were all very good! Attached are pictures with description. Our server was really attentive and personable. Our food … More
Green D
30-05-2026
"Steak frites" was very hard to cut though cooked to temperature. Table next to ours had same issue. The menu curiously doesn't identify the cut of steak; server struggled when he said it was New York Strip. Certainly did not taste like … More
Gregoire Guetat
30-05-2026
Great food, both quality and quantity, and really liked the atmosphere.
Price per person…
More
Paul Macbeth
30-05-2026
Miramar in Highwood is outstanding. The French onion soup is next-level—deep, rich, and absolutely addictive. And the lamb chops? Best I’ve ever had. Perfectly cooked, insanely tender, and packed with flavor. On top of that, the staff is … More
Tiffany Laczkowski
30-05-2026
We ate here about a week ago for my husband’s birthday dinner. We’d never been before. The food was delicious but what I was really blown away by was the level of service. Very professional, courteous and extremely efficient. I really get … More
Ray FIZZLE
30-05-2026
Excellent experience. Food and service were just great. Street parking was easily found. Service was very attentive and just right. The escargot was very good. Tried to control ourselves with the bread basket. Wine pairing was also pretty good. The atmosphere was cozy and the music welcoming. More
mj Weber
30-05-2026
It was a beautiful afternoon as we drove by this restaurant. We were hungry, so we sat at a table outside. The server came out and asked what we wanted for a drink, and I asked what the specials for the day were. He mentioned sea bass with … More
Iryna
30-05-2026
Miramar Bistro is a charming French bistro with a unique “pre-Castro” Cuban flair that makes it stand out in the Highwood dining scene. The atmosphere is lively yet cozy, with rustic French touches mixed with colorful Cuban décor that … More
T
30-05-2026
This place is so charming! Beautiful candles on each table, a very European vibe, and the food is just delicious. You can’t beat their lunch special either. I had the tomato soup and the salad Niçoise and they were both incredible.
I also have to acknowledge the incredible weight staff. We were kind, attentive, and super helpful.
I will definitely be back
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Eeshan Lal
30-05-2026
Everything on the menu looked fire. Plus, what we ordered delivered. Specials were creative, classics were solid, and my stomach left very satisfied. I got the mac and cheese, and let me tell you that they turned “simple comfort food” into a gourmet main event. That cheese stretch? Straight NASA-level! It went so far.
The outdoor patio had a perfect sunset view, which made the whole vibe feel like vacation mode. Service was on point too. My water glass was rarely empty (I am huge on refills because I love my H2O).
Overall, Miramar Bistro nails flavor, service, and scenery. 11/10 would recommend. And bring your appetite (the desert is filling and scrumptious too)
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Stewart Ramirez
30-05-2026
First time here, and probably the last for my wife and me. Everyone else in our party seemed impressed, but for the price, I expected to be blown away. Dinner for 7 was over $1,000 (before tip), and honestly, it just didn’t deliver. Service was fine, presentation was nice, but the food was just… okay. My linguine and clams came out lukewarm, and my wife’s Italian crepes were basically a bowl of sauce with limp pasta floating in it. Drinks, on the other hand, were solid. We were here for a birthday party, and the birthday girl was happy- that’s what mattered most. For me though, the hype didn’t live up to the bill.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Wait time
No wait
Victoria Garmash
30-05-2026
Absolutely love- love- love this place. Even if the food sometimes not the "Michelin level", but the atmosphere and service always amazing. Romantic music, actual candles and very nice interior. Parking is not that hard to find and there is a valet.
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–40
Wait time
No wait
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Bar area, Booth seating, Private dining room
Recommendation for vegetarians
Not sure
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free street parking, Valet
Nathaly Ruelas-Castillo
30-05-2026
From beginning to end the whole experience here was excellent. Our waiter and servers were very attentive. I absolutely loved the complementary bread. I’ve never had bread with black olives and it was delicious. The oysters were very fresh and our dishes were full of flavor. Thank you Miramar Bistro for the excellent experience.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
2 people
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Bar area, Outdoor patio / terrace
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Kid-friendliness
It is a tiny restaurant and candles are lit at every table.
Reviews Miramar Bistro