50 Best Italian Restaurants near Carol Stream

“Had a catered order for a work function food was amazing.“

“We come here quite often because the food is outstanding. The one problem is the manager Frank who is very loud and rude. Not directly but when sitting at the bar, he will YELL right over our heads at another employee and in front of all the customers. or stand behind the bar and complain very loudly about stuff...we can also hear him YELLING at employees in the kitchen. He's very UNprofessional and whineyl!!! Everybody else is great!“

“Delicious! I got a Heart Shaped Pizza for Valentines Day! Best thin crust pizza around!“

“This restaurant has been consistently good for over 15 years. I remember my family ordering from this same location when I was a child. The pan pizza is the must-order menu item. I live further away now and gladly take the 30 minute drive to pick a pie up. The sandwich and wing options are also tasty. If you haven't tried them yet, stop on by! You will not regret it.“

“Very good pizza...loved it! Wish there was a Twin Cities location.“

“BEST Italian food in Illinois, this place is absolutely amazing. We got the poblano soup and the rigatoni alla traverstin and it was the best pasta and soup I have ever had. I requested it to be spicy, and they made it exactly how I wanted it, it was wonderful! My husband ordered his without the spice and it was just as amazing. Also, it is very refreshing to have a restaurant where all of the waiter and waitresses have conversations with the guests, it was so great to see. We had Susanna and her sister and they were so sweet to us. They all are so hospitable and genuinely great people. We have tried many many Italian restaurants in the area, and this is by far the best one and a must try.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our team had the absolute BEST experience at La Sorella di Francesca! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, the food was incredible, and the service was next-level. A huge shoutout to Donny Greco, who went above and beyond to make us feel right at home—like we were dining with family. It’s rare to find that kind of genuine hospitality and care these days. If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine with heartfelt service, this is the place. We can’t wait to come back!“

“Food and service fantastic. They were running behind with reservations but they comped us drinks an an appetizer...which is pretty unheard of these days. Rachel, our server, was phenomenal, I liked her so much I even asked her to help me "customize" my pasta dish, which she happily did (and it turned out great! The lobster diavolo but with vodka sauce...keeping the spice level.) Caesar salad good but not traditional...and missing anchovies (I know, I'm weird. Very fresh ingredients though.) We were a party of 6 and everyone loved their food. Reasonable prices too. Will definitely be back! Only wish it weren't so cramped inside.“

“I worked for Francesca’s, the Italian restaurant, for over 12 years and loved the food there. When I ate I Sonny’s, I told the owner that the chopped salad and pasta that I had at Sonny’s was better than Francesca’s 100%. The dressing on the salad was unmatched, and the bolognese sauce had such depth to it, it was insane. Thanks Sonny’s!!“

“Check see & please tell ?“

“First time experience, went for Happy hour. Bar area is a little loud. Daily specials are only for take out not even for a dine in price! Happy hour special pricing and food was very good. The monthly special appetizer of escargot was great! Bread served with it would have been better soft, for enjoying the total dish, rather than hard toasted. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and sausage was better than I expected. Involtini was really good. Wife said the garlic dressing was good. We plan on making it on our frequent list.“

“Had the best server tonight! Great service and personality. Thanks so much Paige!“

“I used to eat here all the time, unfortunately, I moved away and it’s been almost 10 years since I’ve eaten Serino’s. The food is amazing! It’s just like going to grandma‘s house and getting some fresh made Italian food!!!“

“Food was fabulous! Margarita Pizza and cheesecake crepe both delicious“

“Solid italian food. I've only tried their pastas and they were very good. Good quality chicken and servings are plentiful. The only suggestion I would make to the restaurant is to better set up their online ordering systems and encourage customers to use them versus calling in orders. Also, allow take out ordering on holidays such as new years eve when you're open.“

“Recently celebrated a 70th birthday with the D'Alexander family. What a great event. The staff could not have been nicer, and attentive. You only thought you might need something at the table and it would appear out of no where. The food was all home made and you could tell made from traditional old recipes and a lot of love thrown in. You feel like you are in a small cafe in Italy. If you want a great Italian dining experience please take the time to enjoy Made In Italy, because my wife and I plan to go back.“

“Any time I leave the area for work trips or anything like that, I’m always stopping at Buona as soon as I get back. The food here is phenomenal and the employees are second to none. I’ve been to multiple locations and they are all great, but my favorite is the one in Glen Ellyn!“

“Best italian food ever!“

“It’s a nice place to eat. Unfortunately there was a party of 10 celebrating a birthday. They was very loud and obnoxious. Couldn’t really enjoy the atmosphere. Staff didn’t tell them to lower their voices. Maybe they need a special room away from the front so that other paying customers can enjoy their meals and conversations.“

“Dined with Pietanza's several times and each time we're more impressed. Quickly becoming my favorite restaurant.“

“Angeli’s had been our go-to for showers and funeral. We lost my Dad this month and they were so accommodating. Thank you so much for being a part of our family.“

“Food is fantastic with great portions. Get you some good food here.“

“Just WOW!!

The Italian beef was exactly what I was hoping for — perfectly dipped, with mozzarella cheese and hot giardiniera. The beef was tender, juicy, and had so much flavor. It was one of those sandwiches where you take the first bite and immediately know they did it right.

We also ordered a pizza and asked for it to be well done. I asked them to go a little heavier on the hot giardiniera and a little lighter on the green peppers. When the pizza came out, it was cooked exactly the way we wanted. The crust had that perfect crispiness from being well done, and the toppings and giardiniera gave it a really good kick without overpowering everything else. It was honestly one of the better pizzas I've had in a while.

What really stood out to me, though, was how well everything was taken care of. The people working in the lobby were very attentive, friendly, and actually communicated with us throughout the experience. You could tell they were paying attention and making sure people were being taken care of instead of just going through the motions.

The restaurant itself was also extremely clean. Everything looked well maintained, and the bathrooms were absolutely spotless. I'm not exaggerating when I say they were some of the cleanest restaurant bathrooms I've seen in a very long time. That definitely says a lot about the people who work here and how much they care about the overall experience.

We came in around lunchtime, so it was a nice, relaxed dining experience. From the food to the service to the cleanliness, everything was just really well done.

Definitely impressed with this place. The Italian beef, the pizza, the service, and the cleanliness all exceeded our expectations. We will absolutely be coming back!“

“Villaggio Ristorante Dear Beto, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible experience my family and I had at Villaggio Ristorante for my daughter's wedding shower on May 18, 2025. From start to finish, every detail was handled with such care and professionalism. Your dedication to excellence shines through in every aspect of your restaurant. The service was impeccable—your staff was attentive, kind, and ensured that every guest felt welcomed and comfortable. And the food—absolutely exquisite! Every dish was prepared to perfection and left a lasting impression on everyone who attended. You truly go above and beyond for your guests, and it does not go unnoticed. This special day was made even more memorable because of the warmth and hospitality you and your team provided. Thank you again for everything. I will happily recommend Villaggio Ristorante to all my family and friends, knowing they will receive nothing but the best. Warm regards, Julie Loverdi“

“Stayed at the doubletree hotel and was very pleasantly surprised how great the food was at Osteria Italian restaurant. We dined here two nights in a row because it was so delicious. Julio our waiter was very attentive and friendly. Made our first evening at the restaurant memorable. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana and Caesar salad. It was wonderful. I had plenty of leftovers and can’t wait to enjoy the other half when I get home. My husband ordered rigatoni with chicken and the soup of the day. He had plenty left over for another meal also. Had two Tiramisu martinis and unfortunately ran out of room for dessert. The second night we sat in the bar for happy hour. Joey, the manager remembered us and made us feel like we were friends dining at his home. Handsome gentleman and incredibly friendly. Tony the bartender managed a full bar of people yet was very available to take our order. Happy hour is a great deal with $7 martinis and affordable large appetizers. Luckily we saved room to share a piece of Tiramisu. Absolutely divine. Can’t wait for our next visit to Chicago to dine here again. Highly recommended.“

“Excellent food and service. Will definitely be back. Great happy hour options as well.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding Experience at Paisans Pizzeria! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Paisans Pizzeria, and a big reason for that was our waiter, Tony. From the moment we sat down, Tony was attentive, personable, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. The food was excellent — fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you expect from a top-notch pizzeria. Service was quick without feeling rushed, and the overall atmosphere was warm and inviting. If you’re going to Paisans, ask for Tony — he truly takes the experience to another level. We’ll definitely be back! 🍕👏“

“The white sangria was tasty and so was the mini fredo - Alfredo sauce was like butter with perfectly cooked Italian pasta. They use real butter and fresh ingredients. All of the sauces were delectable with our entrees. Don't miss the gluten-free chocolate dessert..delicious“

“I just had a "Picante" sub sandwich. Wow, what a delicious meal! Bring your appetite, because your taste buds arent going to want to stop.“

“We were a fan of the fabulous food already. But when my husband and daughter planned a surprise Birthday party for me, we were VERY impressed. They said whenever they asked Ricardo for something the only thing they heard was: No problem! OR… Whatever you need! And ALL of our guests complimented the food and most took home doggie bags. If you need a party room and want to work with the most accommodating staff - give Ricardo a call. If I could give a 10 star rating - I would. I promise you won’t be disappointed!“

“Best Italian restaurant in the world! Fantastic atmosphere“

“Had lunch there today with special friends. All our meals were excellent. Had cocktails & Merlot, soups, salad, eggplant parm, Pollo Al Marsala, create your own pasta. Will make this place a favorite place for delicious food as well as customer service above & beyond expectations. Oh, had bread pudding(heaven), Italian ice too(nice presentation)Our waiter Marco informs you of daily specials, makes recommendations, very informative & engaging. Thanks to all servers too!“

“Phenomenal food. The entire setting (dimmed lights, old school Italian color scheme) was tremendous. The food was exceptional. Looking forward to coming back.“

“I love this beautiful restaurant. The ambiance is perfect. The food matches the ambiance. The staff is lovely and I can't wait to go back. The dining room and rooftop are a noncompete. It's a gem you would never know about in Wheaton unless someone informed you. Love it. I liked the Aioli bread, the Cacio Pepe they do table side and Tiramisu. Def make a reservation. They are really busy.“

“I was on a soft diet for that diet and I thought of Olive Garden. I place a take out order because i had just left the hospital. I got there they was closed. I was willing to wait and i am glad i did. The food was great, Customer service meet my expectation. Branden was very friendly and professional. He is an asset to the company. I had not been to Olive Garden since you guys moved. I enjoyed my food. Hat off to the cooks. I will return very soon.“

“Great pizza and great service!“

“This is our first time visiting Cucina Casale and definitely won't be our last! We are visiting from out of town and the food was OUTSTANDING! Very authentic and HUGE portions! Can't wait to visit again! 10/10!“

“The service was great love the decor and the pizza was delicious.“

“We had a private 70th Birthday at the Downer’s Grove location last weekend The food (buffet) was great, and the service was top notch. Our server Rocky and his team were on top of every detail. Our 55 guests were taken care of like we were family. I’d highly recommend this restaurant for your events!“

“I have been shopping at Jewel for many years. Also I’ve had my prescriptions in the pharmacy I moved my prescriptions to the Fox Lake pharmacy years ago because it’s the closest to me before that I was at the Grayslake one, so I’ve been with them for many years. I’ve had enough. The pharmacist behind the counter has done nothing but give me a hard time about getting my prescriptions, I don’t overtake. I am there just at the time that I should be and there should be no reason he held my prescriptions back. I’ve had enough for one month. I went completely without my prescription because he refused to hand it over same thing happened when I wanted to leave town and get my prescription one day early as the doctor released it the insurance released it, but he would not , I’ve had enough it’s time to go on social media and let them know what’s going on and I put it off. I didn’t say anything for over a year. I’m tired now I’ve had enough!!!!“

“This restaurant is my favorite go to when i visit Chicago. I live in Yorktown Virginia but i was born and raised in the west side of Chicago. For the past 5 years i have been going to Rocco Vinos because the food is great , the service was wonderful, and the price was good. As A result , I have been able to transport many pizzas back to Virginia. I will be clear , Virginia is not known for their pizza. Tino Mola , the manager , has helped me by preparing pizzas for me to be able to transport by car back to Virginia. My friends are overwhelmed by these great pizzas I bring back. They always want to know when I'm coming back and ask me to get them more. We have an Uno's pizza here but that's not a good representation of Chicago food. I will drive to Chicago before going to Uno's. And when I do , I'm going to see my friends at Rocco Vino's.“

“We arrived late and were tired and hungry. Miss Maria was so nice and kind to serve us. My burger and my daughters salmon Caesar salad were wonderful. Miss Maria knew we were stressed out, she was there to take care of us. We were in town for my cousins funeral and Miss Maria was most accommodating of our needs. We returned in the am for a very nice breakfast.“

“We love their pizza, this is our go to pizza place. Staff is friendly, pizza is Great and fast delivery, what more could you ask for from your pizza place??!!“

“Great pizza right here, used to love Little Caesar’s now I changed to Pizza Now because the pizza is way better“

“Pizza was good! Great place to dine in at Downtown Downers Grove! I will be coming back!“

“Fantastic food, awesome people and highly recommend if you enjoy delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere.“

“The wings were really really good and burger was soo cheesy and delicious! Perfect comfort food to fulfill your cheesy cravings!! Absolutely recommend :)“

“Great food, fast service and great restaurant to enjoy lunch especially with my big brother. Stop for lunch at Buona Beef tell them Shirley sent you to enjoy their menu.“

“They make a delicious pie!!!“

“Fabulous food and service.“