Chicago: Evanston and Oak Park are obvious choices considering the sensibilities on this forum, but some other honorable mentions: Park Ridge, Geneva, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Wheaton... I'll even throw in Naperville, even though it is second only to Schaumburg as a lightening rod for Chicagoans' disdain for the burbs.
Park Ridge:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0109...7i13312!8i6656
Geneva:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8878...7i16384!8i8192
Highland Park:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1862...7i16384!8i8192
Lake Forest:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2519...7i16384!8i8192
Wheaton:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8649...7i16384!8i8192
Naperville:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7724...7i16384!8i8192
Any place that has some downtown density+METRA station is usually a sure bet for at least a couple good restaurants and some interesting pre-war architecture.
And actually as I was editing to add google maps, I remembered a dark horse: Elgin, IL. This was a pretty big outpost in the 19th/early 20th century (some of you may know Elgin Watch Company). It's a little rundown these days but it has the bones of a good town:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0372...7i16384!8i8192