Are you looking for great restaurants in Valparaiso? You are in the right place. Costas Restaurant Group is a family of local restaurants rooted in Valpo. There are five places in the family. Each one has its own kitchen and its own style. One is perfect for breakfast. One is made for burgers. One bakes pizza in a coal fired oven. One rolls big San Diego style burritos. And one is a downtown diner with a dinner lounge right next door. This guide will walk you through all five. By the end, you will know just where to go for any craving.
We wrote this guide to make your choice easy. We list what each place serves, where it is, and when it is a good pick. Let’s take the tour.
Why the Costas Family Stands Out Among Restaurants in Valparaiso
Valparaiso has many places to eat. So why start with the Costas family? The answer is simple. These restaurants are local. They are part of the Valpo community. The group describes itself as “a family of restaurants, rooted in Valpo.” Each restaurant has a different menu, but they all share one idea. They care about the people who pull up a chair.
Having five restaurants under one family also helps you. You can eat breakfast at one place, lunch at another, and dinner at a third. Each one does its own thing well. You never have to settle for a menu that tries to do everything.
Le Peep Valparaiso: Breakfast and Lunch Done Right
Le Peep Valparaiso is the place for your morning meal. It sits at 3712 Calumet Avenue. The menu is all about breakfast and lunch.
What to Order at Le Peep
The breakfast menu is big. Here are a few things you will find on it:
- Pancakes, waffles and French toast, like Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes, a Belgian Waffle and Stuffed French Toast with a ricotta and cream cheese filling.
- Omelettes, like the California with sun dried tomato, spinach, goat cheese and avocado.
- Skillets, like the Wanderer with peasant potatoes, onion, tomato and bacon, topped with two basted eggs.
- Benedicts, including a classic Eggs Benedict with ham.
Lunch has sandwiches, salads and crepes too. There is also a kids menu with fun picks like the Funny Face Pancake.
When to Pick Le Peep
Pick Le Peep when you want a sit down breakfast or a light lunch. It is a good choice for family mornings, weekend brunch plans or a meeting over coffee. They even serve lattes, cappuccinos and fresh juices.
Burgerhaus: Burgers, Craft Beer and Wine
Burgerhaus is at 3304 Calumet Avenue. It is the burger spot of the family. The group lists it as the place for burgers, craft beer and wine.
What to Order at Burgerhaus
The menu says all burgers are USDA Prime. Each burger comes with fries, coleslaw or a side salad. Some favorites on the menu include:
- The Haus Burger, a classic with lettuce, tomato and red onion.
- The Vermont, with smoked Gouda, bacon, caramelized onions, apple slaw and a maple Dijon aioli.
- The Santiago, with chipotle Monterey Jack, avocado and fried jalapenos on a pretzel bun.
- The Bozeman Turkey Burger, for people who want something other than beef.
There are also starters like onion rings, cheese curds and pickle chips. Salads and sandwiches round out the menu.
When to Pick Burgerhaus
Pick Burgerhaus for a relaxed lunch or dinner. It is great when you want a big, juicy burger and a cold drink. The kids menu has a Scout Burger, so it works for families too.
Lenny’s Coal Fired Pizza: Pizza, Wings and Pasta
Lenny’s Coal Fired Pizza is at 3800 North Calumet Avenue. Its own website says it takes inspiration from the pizzerias of New Haven, Connecticut. The dining room was renovated with a 1970s style look.
What to Order at Lenny’s
The pizzas are baked in a coal fired oven. That gives the crust a nice char. Here are some picks:
- Signature pies, like Lenny’s Pie, the Margherita and Hog Heaven.
- Build your own pizza with a red or white base.
- Wings that are oven baked, with a sauce or rub of your choice.
- Handhelds like Mom’s Italian Beef and Lenny’s Smash Burger.
There is also a Pizza of the Month, so the menu has something new to try often. Desserts include tiramisu.
When to Pick Lenny’s
Pick Lenny’s for a pizza night with friends or family. It is a good choice when a group cannot agree, since pizza, wings, pasta and salads are all on the table. Check lennysvalpo.com for current hours before you go.
Brick Street Burrito: San Diego Style Burritos
Brick Street Burrito is at 3 Napoleon Street. It serves San Diego style burritos. That style is known for burritos stuffed with meat and fries.
What to Order at Brick Street Burrito
- California Burrito, a San Diego classic.
- Carne Asada Burrito and Surf and Turf Burrito.
- Breakfast burritos, like the Classic Breakfast Burrito and the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito.
- Bowls, tacos and quesadillas, plus a Vegan Burrito and a Vegan Bowl.
- Apps like chips and queso, chips and guac, and carne asada fries.
When to Pick Brick Street Burrito
Pick Brick Street Burrito when you want something filling and fast. It is a great pick for a quick lunch. It also has vegan choices, so more people in your group can find something they like.
Birdie’s and Nextdoor: A Diner and a Dinner Lounge Downtown
Birdie’s and Nextdoor are in downtown Valparaiso. Birdie’s Diner is at 218 East Lincolnway. These two places sit side by side, but they feel very different.
Birdie’s Diner
Birdie’s is a diner. It is a cozy spot for classic diner comfort food in the heart of downtown. Diner favorites like breakfast burritos and biscuits and gravy are the kind of food you can expect.
Nextdoor Lounge
Nextdoor is the dinner lounge. It is a good place for an evening out. The lounge offers seasonal cocktails and craft shots. It is a nice spot before or after a walk around downtown Valpo.
When to Pick Birdie’s and Nextdoor
Pick Birdie’s when you are downtown and want a classic diner meal. Pick Nextdoor for a date night, a dinner with friends or a cocktail in a relaxed lounge.
How to Pick Among These Restaurants in Valparaiso
Still not sure where to go? Use this quick guide. Just match your mood to a restaurant.
- Want breakfast or brunch? Go to Le Peep Valparaiso.
- Want a burger and a beer? Go to Burgerhaus.
- Want pizza for a group? Go to Lenny’s Coal Fired Pizza.
- Want a quick, filling lunch? Go to Brick Street Burrito.
- Want a downtown diner? Go to Birdie’s.
- Want a cocktail and dinner out? Go to Nextdoor.
Tips for Families
Many of the menus have kids options. Le Peep has a full kids menu. Burgerhaus has a kids menu with the Scout Burger, tenders and mac and cheese. Brick Street Burrito has kids tacos and kids quesadillas. That makes it easy to feed little ones.
Tips for Groups
Big group with lots of different tastes? Lenny’s is a safe bet because it has pizza, wings, pasta and salads. Burgerhaus also works well, since it has burgers, salads and sandwiches.
Tips for Plant Based Eaters
Brick Street Burrito has a Vegan Burrito and a Vegan Bowl. Le Peep has veggie omelettes and skillets like the Drifter, made with fresh veggies and cheese. Burgerhaus has many salads to choose from.
Plan Your Food Tour of Valpo
Here is a fun idea. Try all five restaurants in one month. Start with breakfast at Le Peep. Grab a burrito for lunch at Brick Street Burrito another day. Have a burger night at Burgerhaus. Share pizza at Lenny’s on the weekend. Then end the month with a diner meal at Birdie’s and a drink at Nextdoor downtown.
Doing this is a great way to learn the town, too. Three of the restaurants are along Calumet Avenue. Brick Street Burrito and Birdie’s put you close to downtown Valparaiso, where you can walk, shop and explore.
Before you head out, check each restaurant’s hours. Hours can change with the season. You can find each place’s details on our website.
Come Hungry
Now you know where to start. Five restaurants, five different cravings, one local family. Whether you want pancakes, a Prime burger, a coal fired pie, a San Diego burrito or a cocktail downtown, there is a Costas restaurant ready for you. Pull up a chair and visit us soon, or order online and enjoy your favorites at home.
