Rockford's Best Appetizers Ranked

These Rockford restaurants are serving up the top appetizers in town, according to Yelp users.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A look at the five Rockford-area restaurants that are serving up the best appetizers, according to reviews on Yelp. The list includes The Norwegian, Abreo Restaurant, Sahara Palace Restaurant, 8th Ward Pub, and Trop Club, with Trop Club taking the top spot.

Why it matters

Appetizers are a popular way for diners to sample a restaurant's offerings without committing to a full meal. This list highlights the Rockford establishments that are excelling at providing high-quality, crave-worthy small plates that are drawing rave reviews from local diners.

The details

The article examines Yelp reviews to determine the top five Rockford restaurants for appetizers. The Norwegian, located at 1406 North Main Street, was praised for its unique menu and small breakfast plates. Abreo Restaurant at 515 East Street was highlighted for its tuna appetizer, duck nachos, and fries. Sahara Palace Restaurant at 5890 East State Street received a positive review for its hummus and shawarma sandwich. 8th Ward Pub at 3905 Broadway was noted for its great service and satisfying small plates. Finally, Trop Club at 6282 East Riverside Boulevard was called out as the top spot, with its sandwich and appetizer impressing diners.

  • The article was published on February 12, 2026.

The players

The Norwegian

A restaurant located at 1406 North Main Street in Rockford, Illinois that was praised for its unique menu and small breakfast plates.

Abreo Restaurant

A restaurant at 515 East Street in Rockford that was highlighted for its tuna appetizer, duck nachos, and fries.

Sahara Palace Restaurant

A restaurant at 5890 East State Street in Rockford that received a positive review for its hummus and shawarma sandwich.

8th Ward Pub

A pub at 3905 Broadway in Rockford that was noted for its great service and satisfying small plates.

Trop Club

A restaurant at 6282 East Riverside Boulevard in Rockford that was called out as the top spot for appetizers, with its sandwich and appetizer impressing diners.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This list highlights the Rockford restaurants that are excelling at providing high-quality, crave-worthy appetizers that are drawing rave reviews from local diners. Whether you're looking for a unique breakfast small plate, an impressive tuna dish, or a satisfying pre-dinner snack, these top-rated spots have you covered.