50 Best Italian Restaurants near Downers Grove

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

“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.“

“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!“

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

“just tried it today. I must say it 🔥. Very good“

“good deep dish pizza especially their all meat pizza 😋“

“Downers Grove has the most consistent great tasting pizza. There is excellent service. Last Wednesday 3/18 I picked up a pizza around 5:30 and the young man was very professional, pleasant and efficient. He does the job of 5 employees. I definitely will return next time I’m out there.“

“I LOVE Aurelio's pizza! Crust is great and there's the right balance of toppings. Overall just great pizza!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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!“

“The gm Stephan is amazing. Great experience and great good and service“

“The food is excellent and I cannot say enough kind words about how amazing the staff is. Every time we bring our toddler here, they treat her so special, making her smile, and so attentive to her. She absolutely adores the servers we’ve had. It makes you feel like part of the family.“

“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.“

“Food was excellent. Service impeccable! Will definitely go back again!“

“5 stars for HECTOR in Western Springs!!! Hands down this was the absolute best dining experience I’ve ever had! While the food was delicious and the overall ambiance and decor of the restaurant was cozy, it was our server that made this dining experience over the top, great! HECTOR, you are a gem, a diamond! You have an absolutely charming personality and made my mother in law’s birthday dinner an experience to remember! From your spot on suggestions, to your lovely rendition of “Happy Birthday”, to the funny banter, our whole family left talking about how wonderful you were! We will be back and we will be sure to come when you are serving! Thank you Hector!!!“

“I’ve been eager to try Mortadeli since it first opened, and after hearing so many rave reviews, I finally had the chance to stop by for lunch yesterday. Let me tell you, everything everyone says about this place is spot on! First off, the food is absolutely delicious. Everything on the menu is so tempting, it was hard to choose, but I went with the meatball sub and pasta salad. As someone whose grandmother made the best meatball sandwiches, my expectations were high – but Mortadeli’s version did not disappoint! It was fantastic. The pasta salad was also amazing, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. The atmosphere at Mortadeli is incredibly inviting – it strikes the perfect balance between classy and cozy. The staff are very friendly, and you can tell they genuinely care about making your experience special. The service was top-notch, with attentive staff and quick delivery of our food. One of the owners even took the time to chat with us a bit. Another pleasant surprise was the parking – I had my doubts at first, but we found a spot just around the corner with no problem at all. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I’ll definitely be back. Mortadeli is a must-visit!“

“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.“

“Check see & please tell ?“

“Love this place! We eat here frequently on Sundays!“

“Best calamari and eggplant around. My husband and I go to different restaurants on Friday's for calamari & eggplant parmesan . Antonino's is the best.“

“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!!!“

“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.“

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

“Wonderful place to dine., food was delicious and our server, Fidel, was thee BEST ever! Will definitely return when I’m in Illinois again.“

“The oder placed was completed in a timley fashion was hot and delicious as always. Our experience at this Glen Ellyn location was further enhanced by our interaction with Al. He was extremely personable, attentive and was just somone that made it a great visit. Al is a great face / personality to represent Bouna Beef. As dining out has many options, it is someone like Al that makes the decision easier. Bouna, speaking from the prospective of a former consumer of the the other beef place, starts with a P, Bouna is hands down the best beef, best service, best service individuals in the whole of Chicago area. Al, exemplifies what Bouna is, awesome.“

“The food and atmosphere were great!!!!!!!! Reasonably priced and attentive service!“

“Outstanding from Start to Finish!

We recently placed a catering order from Lucca for a big company luncheon. They just rolled out their catering menu, so we were one of the firsts to try it. And let me say - the food and service truly exceeded all expectations.

From the very first interaction with Sonia, her team was professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in making our event a success. They were incredibly accommodating with menu options and special requests to make sure our luncheon was a success.

The food itself was absolutely phenomenal—beautifully presented, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Every dish was a hit with our guests, and we received countless compliments throughout the afternoon. It was clear that high-quality ingredients and great attention to detail were a top priority.

The staff that delivered the food were punctual, friendly, and highly organized, ensuring we had everything without us having to worry about a thing.

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality catering service that delivers both exceptional food and outstanding service, I can’t recommend Lucca Osteria & Bar highly enough. We will absolutely be using them again for future events!“

“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 was good as hell frfr and u get a lot with the chicken Alfredo and broccoli 🥦“

“This was our second time dining at Positano’s and it was just as fabulous! The food here is superb, the wait staff are very attentive and we love the photos on the wall! The Seabass was to die for and the grilled seafood appetizer was divine! Our only regret is that we live in New York and cannot be frequent patrons of this wonderful establishment! Mille Grazie!!“

“Friendly, professional staff and delicious food.“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

“This past weekend a group ( 14 ) of us experienced a wonderful evening at Pazzi Di Pizza in Elmhurst. It was a fun get-together that was enhanced by great appetizers and varied, delicious pizzas. We also were served by some of the best and most courteous staff we have ever experienced. Marco, the Manager, who attentively scheduled our evening, came over, introduced himself, inquired about our needs, and then introduced us to Charlie, our evening's server. Charlie was exceptional!! It was our second time meeting at this venue, and I highly recommend a visit!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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! 🍕👏“

“First visit here and everyone in our group loved their meals. Karen was our server and she was just awesome. My meal was so good, I couldn't wait to get at my leftovers (and my wife's leftovers when she wasn't looking). They are not close to where we live, but we'd definitely go back next time we're in the area!!“

“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!“

“My first time trying Giuliano’s! I picked up a pizza last evening and literally could not stop eating it. This is arguably the BEST pizza in the entire Chicago suburbs. I got thin crust with spinach and roasted red peppers. The sauce, cheese, and toppings were absolutely amazing. What a great find and will recommend to all my friends!!“

“I love this place! Good!!“

“This gem in Western Springs was a sweet surprise so close to home. Bonus...1/2 price pizzas in Sundays. Food was delicious and service was super fast! The outside of the building is so deceiving...the inside of the restaurant was modern, cozy and comfortable with and open view kitchen and large bar area.“

“Food was delicious. Service was great and nice ambiance too. Lunch menu was reasonable & delish.“

“Best Italian restaurant in the world! Fantastic atmosphere“

“Buona is the adult “fast food” restaurant. It has a great assortment of food items from vegetarian to health conscious to those with dietary restrictions. In addition to soda and shakes, they offer adult beverages. It’s my number one place to go for “fast and healthy food.” Salads, pizza, burgers, protein bowls, arancini beef bites, pasta, sandwiches and chicken tenders - everything is great.“

“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!“

“We had food catered from Two Brothers and it was delicious! Everything was ready on time and the food was hot and plentiful. We had an Anniversary party with 50 people and everyone enjoyed the selection and variety of great food! I highly recommend Two Brothers for your next event! You will not be disappointed!“

“A true favorite—consistently amazing! This restaurant never disappoints. The Risotto of the Day is always outstanding—creamy, perfectly seasoned, and made with care. Pair it with their expertly crafted Old Fashioned or a nice glass of wine for the perfect meal. And don’t skip dessert—the limoncello gelato or tiramisu is an absolute must! The owner’s warmth and hospitality make every visit feel special. From start to finish, it’s a five-star experience every time!“

“Honestly- my Italian family is very picky...

This place was absolutely delicious. Zero complaints on anything that arrived during our dinner service. I even called my other grandma to tell her she needed to taste their vodka sauce because it was so good!“

“We were there for dinner on 5/3. We informed the waiter that we have a garlic allergy. They prepared all of our food separately with no garlic, even making special salad dressing. First time we have been out to eat without pain afterward from garlic! Thank you for your excellent service and accommodation.“

“Best experience at this Olive garden! Our waiter Jacob was awesome! He was extremely attentive, quick service, and very friendly. All of our food was amazing, it was flavorful, fresh, and all modifications were made perfectly. 10/10 best Olive Garden I've ever been to.“

“Our server Esmeralda was so fun and energized! Checked on us frequently! We had excellent fruity (happy hour) drinks and mozzarella cheese sticks for our appetizer! (They were served with a delicious warm tomato sauce! Approved! I'm Italian, so very picky about my pasta and sauces and don't usually order pasta dishes at Italian restaurants, for that reason! We both opted for the white fish entree, because a friend recommended it! Glad we did! (The generous fish portion was served with a delicate white sauce and sautéed spinach & grilled carrot slices!) Don't miss the whitefish!!! (I added a side of garlic & oil linguine; but l I ended up taking home half of my dinner! Excellent portion size! The room had enough light and was spacious; the tables were spread out~ in a good way... it was a Friday night and we did not feel crowded or rushed, at all! Because it was my birthday, we HAD to have dessert~ even though our bellies were full! Lots of dessert choices.... Thankfully, because I am not a tiramisu lover and that's usually what most other Italian restaurants offer! Our sever surprised me with a chocolate Dubai torte which really sounded good. We nibbled on it... It was crunchy and different; didn't love it, so we opted to add coffee and cannolis. Very nice firm shells, freshly made, and not too sweet... however, there were NO chocolate chips inside! I usually prefer mini chocolate chips on the outside ends, too, but definitely mini chocolate chips belong on the INSIDE of a cannoli~ for me! That would be my only complaint! We will go back to try the pastas! Buon Appetito!“

“Very nice. Highly recommend. Excellent food, very good service, great atmosphere and ambiance. Will definitely be back.“

“Delicious pizza ! But unfortunately our waitress Lisa was not the friendliest ….. in fact she was pretty rude !“