Japonee has reincarnated into a smaller, sleeker venue. Semi-private booths create an intimate vibe. The extensive list of specialty rolls is only matched by the countless sake options. Shelves are lined with bottles of flavored sakes, many served warm. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Wed. 4 p.m.–1 a.m.; Th.–Sat. 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sun. 4 p.m.–midnight • Bar: Sake, wine, beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

Located on the north side of the downtown Square, Samira features Afghan dishes in an elegant, relaxing atmosphere. Specialties include kebabs and dumplings as well as a wide array of vegetarian dishes. Do not miss the samarok (a spicy mushroom appetizer) — you’ll want to sop up every drop of sauce with the chewy and delicious flatbread. Great baklava. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Lunch: Mon.–Fri. (buffet and lunch menu) 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Dinner Mon.–Th. 5–9 p.m. and Fri.–Sat. 5–10 p.m.; Closed Sun.; Reservations recommended. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Read our review of Samira's Restaurant here! 

Chef Drew Nickless’ eclectic menu emphasizes fresh food and offers specials every day in this romantic, 150-year-old brick mansion complete with fireplaces and an outdoor dining deck. The café serves creative dinners, burgers, and shareables. Definitely a place to bring a date! • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Sun. brunch 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Dinner daily 5–11 p.m.; Desserts and appetizers until midnight; Reservations recommended. • Bar: Full • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal
Read our review of Scholars Inn Gourmet Café & Wine Bar here! 

This sleek lounge offers more than 20 martinis, an extensive wine list, and a variety of savory tapas and entrées. Don’t miss the Petite Fleur, an herbal gin cocktail. Tapas, or small plates meant for sharing, round out the menu. Snag one of the few couches to take in the free live music on weekends. Half-priced martinis on Mondays. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Th. 6 p.m.–midnight; Fri. 6 p.m.–1 a.m.; Sat. 6 p.m.–2:30 a.m. • Bar: Yes • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

The 90-item menu was one of the first local restaurants to list vegetarian options using healthy, fresh foods. Specialties include pad thai, curries, combo seafood platters, spicy Thai and coconut-milk soups, and miang kom (fresh spinach leaves folded into a cone and filled with ginger, peanuts, coconut, etc.). • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. (lunch buffet 11 a.m.–2 p.m.); Sat. noon–10 p.m.; Sun. noon–9 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

Chef Jack Cody—“Smokin’ Jack”—specializes in (what else?) smoked ribs, but be sure to try the pulled pork, too. He offers five different sauces: regular, Jack’s sweet barbecue, Louisiana hot, barbecue hot, and Jamaican jerk. Collard greens and cornbread salad are among the sides. Monday is buy-one-get-one-free night for seniors from 4–9 p.m. Specials are offered every day. • Prices: $–$$$ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Sun. • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

This casual joint serves up fast Korean fare. Walk up to the counter and order off the large menu board, and in a few minutes you’ll have a tray of steaming Korean cuisine. For some comfort food with a twist, try the bibimbap. This traditional dish is served in a stone bowl, filled with rice, veggies, slices of meat, and a fried egg. Mix it all up and enjoy. • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

Serving up the best latte in town, Soma works magic with coffee beans and an espresso machine. A prime downtown location and another in Jordan Square means more to love. Constant traffic means the coffee is always fresh. • Prices: $ • Hours: East Kirkwood Mon.–Fri. 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; East 3rd Street Mon.–Fri. 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 7 a.m.–9 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Serving juices, smoothies, wellness shots, smoothie bowls, oatmeal, and gourmet toasts, Soul Juice puts the focus on fresh, organic ingredients. Consider the Blueberry Nut toast with almond butter, mashed blueberries, and granola. Or try the Muscles By Nature smoothie with coconut, banana, spinach, kale, blueberries, and honey. Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Tu.–Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Closed Mon. • Bar: No. • Outdoor Seating: No

Drive to the North Walnut location of Square Donuts to get your morning doughnut fix straight through your car window. Yeast doughnuts are light, airy confections that make it far too easy to go back for seconds. Night owls can score freshly fried doughnuts through the pickup window starting at 1 a.m. • Prices: $ • Hours: Tu.–Sun. 6 a.m.–2 p.m. and midnight–4 a.m. at North Walnut location.; Closed Mon.• Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

Homey and quaint, this gem of a restaurant with wood floors and folksy memorabilia on the walls serves fresh food made from local ingredients. On weekends, live chamber music is featured. • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–8 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–8 p.m.; Dinner reservations always required; reservations at other meals required for parties of six or more. • Bar: Full • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

Read our review of The Story Inn here!

Dine-in or carryout, the east side’s Sunny Palace (find it near Kroger in Jackson Creek Shopping Center) offers a tempting array of Asian cooking — mostly Chinese but with a smattering of Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese. Try the delicious scallion pancakes, the boneless spare ribs, and the fried dumplings. Kung pao chicken and orange beef are also good choices. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. daily • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

There’s karaoke on weekends at Sushi Bar, which offers regular $1 sushi specials. The Birthday Roll includes tempura shrimp, eel, spicy shrimp, avocado, and crab. • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Lunch: Mon.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Sun. noon–2:30 p.m.; Dinner: Mon.–Wed. 4:30–10 p.m., Th.–Sat. 4:30 p.m.–3 a.m., Sun. 4:30–10 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine, sake • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No