Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant- Springfield is an upscale-casual New American restaurant, wine bar, and Napa-style tasting room at 2501 Wabash Ave on the Southwest Side of Springfield, Illinois, directly across from White Oaks Mall. Founded in Illinois in 2005 by CEO Tim McEnery, the Cooper’s Hawk concept combines a scratch-made dining room, an artisan retail market, and a guided tasting counter pouring more than 50 proprietary wines produced at the company’s central Illinois winery. Travelers and central Illinois locals visit for guided eight-pour wine tastings, bin-numbered menu pairings, and contemporary dining minutes from Interstate 72 and historic Route 66.
What to Expect at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant- Springfield
Every visit begins in the front Napa-style Tasting Room, where guests stand at a curved wooden tasting bar as a Tasting Room Attendant pours a rotating flight of eight wines—ranging from crisp Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc to bold Lux Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, and fruit-forward sweet blends. Surrounding the bar, a retail market stocks house bottles, hand-dipped chocolate truffles, decanters, aerators, and gourmet gifts. Beyond the retail area, the main dining room features warm wood finishes, stacked stone accents, high-backed booths, a full-service bar, and an outdoor patio for mild weather.
The kitchen prepares scratch-made New American dishes designed specifically to complement the house wine portfolio. Every item on the official Cooper’s Hawk menu carries a specific Bin Number that matches a recommended wine varietal, simplifying food-and-wine pairing for guests. Signature plates include Asian Pork Belly Tostadas, Crispy Brussels Sprouts with sweet Thai chili and sesame-sriracha aioli, Dana’s Parmesan-Crusted Chicken, Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, Soy Ginger Atlantic Salmon, and Pan-Roasted Barramundi. A dedicated gluten-free menu, vegetarian entrées, a children’s menu, and a weekend brunch lineup with sangria flights round out the culinary program.
- Napa-Style Tasting Room: Open seven days a week without reservations, the front tasting counter offers guided flights of eight proprietary wines alongside artisan chocolate truffles and wine accessories.
- Bin-Numbered Wine Pairings: Every appetizer, steak, seafood dish, and pasta on the menu lists a corresponding Bin Number linked to one of over 50 house-crafted wines.
- Scratch-Made Signature Dishes: Standout plates include Drunken Shrimp, Gnocchi Carbonara, Prime Churrasco Grilled Steak, Pistachio-Crusted Grouper, and Trio of Medallions with horseradish, bleu cheese, and parmesan crusts.
- Cooper’s Hawk Wine Club: Wine Club members can pick up monthly Wine of the Month releases, redeem complimentary tastings, and enjoy member dining perks at the Springfield outpost.
- Full Bar & Patio Dining: Alongside single glasses, flights, and bottles, the bar shakes craft cocktails and pours house sangrias, served either indoors or on the seasonal outdoor patio.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant- Springfield at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2501 Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL 62704 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Southwest Springfield / White Oaks Mall Corridor |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Thu 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Fri 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM–10:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM–9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$–$$$ (Appetizers $12–$19; Mains $18–$44; Wine Tastings around $12–$15) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours (including tasting room and dining) |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site surface parking lot; SMTD Route 8 & Route 9 stops at White Oaks Mall |
| Official Website & Phone | chwinery.com/locations/illinois/springfield | +1 217-321-9100 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because Friday and Saturday evenings draw steady crowds for date nights and celebrations, booking a table several days ahead through the official OpenTable reservation page or the restaurant website is strongly recommended. Plan to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before your dining reservation so you can complete a guided eight-wine flight at the front Tasting Room counter at an unhurried pace; tasting bars operate on a walk-in basis. Weekday lunches between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM offer quieter tables and lighter-portioned lunch entrées.
Located at the intersection of Wabash Avenue (Illinois Route 4 / Veterans Parkway corridor) and White Oaks Mall Drive, the restaurant sits five minutes north of Interstate 72 Exit 93 and provides a large, free surface parking lot with designated accessible spaces right outside the entrance. The single-level building features step-free entryways, wide aisles between booths, and ADA-compliant restrooms. Before or after your meal, you can browse the shops directly across the street at White Oaks Mall, walk the botanical gardens and carillon paths at Washington Park five minutes northeast, or drive 12 minutes into Downtown Springfield to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Dana-Thomas House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant in Springfield, and when is the best time to visit?
The Springfield restaurant and tasting room open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For a relaxed tasting and immediate seating, visit during weekday lunch hours or between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM before the dinner rush begins.
Do I need a reservation for the wine tasting room or the dining room?
Walk-ins are always welcome in the Napa-style Tasting Room for guided eight-pour wine flights and retail bottle shopping. For the main dining room, advance reservations are recommended for Thursday through Sunday evenings and weekend brunch, though walk-in seating is available at the full-service bar and high-top lounge tables.
How much time should I budget for a visit to Cooper’s Hawk Springfield?
A standalone guided wine tasting and browse through the artisan market takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you are combining a pre-dinner wine tasting with a multi-course meal in the dining room, budget 1.5 to 2.5 hours total.
What is the dress code, and does the restaurant accommodate dietary restrictions?
The dress code is smart casual, making guests comfortable in anything from neat denim and business casual attire to cocktail wear for special occasions. Cooper’s Hawk maintains a comprehensive dedicated gluten-free menu, vegetarian options, and a children’s menu, and servers can guide guests with food allergies through safe kitchen preparations.
When planning your Springfield travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and american restaurant in Springfield, pair this stop with standout local spots including Illinois State Museum, The Pump Cafe, Statehouse Inn & Conference Center, and Courtyard Springfield (2.1 km away).
