Empire Burgers + Brew
About
Empire Burgers + Brew is a burger and craft-beer bar at 48 W. Chicago Avenue in downtown Naperville, built from two combined historic buildings with reclaimed barn wood and a rooftop under a retractable roof. The burgers are half-pound Angus patties cooked to order on pretzel buns; the namesake Empire mixes beef and bacon in the patty and adds an egg and maple-bourbon syrup. Burger cigars, tater tots and fried doughnuts round out the menu, with a long draft list and cocktails.
What to know
- The Cullen family, owners of the Ballydoyle Irish pubs in Aurora and Downers Grove, opened the bar in July 2016.
- Empire Restaurant Group now also runs Fiammé, The George and The Belmont nearby.
- No reservations are taken; seating is first come, first served.
- The bar is 21 and over after 10 p.m.
- Empire was a finalist for burgers in the 2026 Best of Naperville awards, and the Central Parking Facility at 75 E. Chicago Avenue is two blocks away.
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