31 Best Italian Restaurants near East Peoria

“I was very impressed!!! I really enjoyed the privacy curtains. The food was very good cooked perfectly! the service was perfect as well very polite and checked in frequently to be sure everything was good and we had everything we needed. I will be back and recommend to all my friends! If I had 1 complaint I guess I'd say the prices but in reality you get what you pay for all around here. It's worth it to me! I do not recommend this as a restaurant for kids. ☆☆☆☆☆“

“I no longer even live in Illinois. But I always make it a point to go to a Michael's and get some subs, garlic bread, and some of their amazing cinnamon bread. You just don't find the bread density and sweetness anywhere else. That combined with pretty decent ingredients. Makes for something that I always seek every single time I make my way into Illinois again. Good deals and decent prices also definitely help. Everybody also loves their bucket of spaghetti which always comes out great and is always a good staple whenever we order the family feasts“

“Nice local joint. The server was excellent, sadly I can't recall her name. I had the specialty, a deluxe gondola sandwich. It was good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about. I got mine toasted which in my opinion made it better. The toasted raviolis were very good as was the marinara sauce that came with.“

“Their pizzas are the best around. I order one every time I’m in town. Every time.“

“Great atmosphere, great staff, and even better food.“

“I would recommend Michael’s to anyone looking for great Italian food. The food is great and the staff is extremely friendly. The restaurant has a great atmosphere.“

“We absolutely love this place. The staff is always friendly. The food is always amazing and the drinks are on point.

We always know it’s going to be a good experience.

Thank you for being our “go to” place.“

“It was the husband and I’s first time and we were very thankful for our waitress, Melissa. She took the time and went over things with us, and she was very pleasant and helpful to us. All of the food was great… and we will be back with friends!“

“Swung by to grab a bite for lunch. Nice little place, has about 7 or so booths to dine in. I ordered the tuna melt, it's was okay. They use a tuna salad with all the trimmings vs just tuna, so it had a little more 'flair' and crunch than I was expecting, but was still good and covered in a heafty amount of cheese. Family also got the pizza bread, that also come covered in cheese and was good. I didn't have it this time, but in the past have gotten their pasta and garlic bread and is really good, I like what they do with their sauce, has a good flavour to it! Will def swing by again when around!“

“I dined with a party of 3 and we were extremely impressed with the service we received from Dallas Brown. Friendly, willingness to adapt dishes to our preferences, efficient and continual checks with all of us are a few of the qualities that describe her service. She definitely makes me want to come back again! Thank you!“

“great food“

“The food is easily a 10 out of 10. The service is exemplary, friendly and personal. I love eating there. The only con is the price of a Caesar salad, on our last visit my wife and I each got a Caesar salad to start our meal and the two salads alone was $25.00, everything else was inline with the service and atmosphere which is the best.“

“Went in thinking I was gonna do to go but found out they do all you can eat bread and spaghetti on Wednesdays. Was tasty like every other LaGondola I've been to and service was very quick and polite. Made sure to get a loaf of garlic bread to go for lunch the next day. They always have the best garlic bread from any restaurant fast food to fancy.“

“Good food/Thanks, Chefjohn C.E.C., Hunt“

“Just moved to the Peoria area and originally from
Chicago suburbs. Out of all the pizza places I’ve tried around here this is the BEST pizza by far! The boneless wings are top tear with a side of their homemade ranch dressing that is absolutely mouth watering! I will definitely be coming back! The gentleman that was working was so sweet too and very personable!“

“The bread is the softest and I ordered two loaves of bread and it never disappoints. They bake it fresh every day and it is so good. Plus I grew up on this place!! Walk don’t run go grab a torpedo or a family feast and you will forever love this place!! The family that runs this are also pretty humble and family focused!! shop local“

“Ate there today with friends - service was great and friendly and everything was DELICIOUS!“

“Their pizza is good, but it's their pasta sauce for me that puts them over the top. I've had quite a few spaghetti's and baked mostaccioli dishes at other restaurants, but Avanti's by far has the best pasta sauce around making their spaghetti and mostaccioli mmm mmm good. Sad thing, I moved to Kentucky and for 2 years have gone without their spaghetti. Recently I took a trip to Peoria and of course I had to stop off at Avanti's and bought back spaghetti's and of course it didn't last that long lol. I've never had their gondolas, which they're famous for, but I do love their bread. I wish there was an Avanti's here in Kentucky. Thanks for the great food
🍝🍕🥖“

“From the moment we stepped into Saffron Social, we knew we were in for something special. The décor is extraordinary, every detail feels intentional, elegant yet inviting, and immediately sets the tone for a memorable evening.

The food was nothing short of a revelation. The chef is a true culinary mastermind, deftly combining flavors that caught us off guard in the best way possible. Each course was a surprise, playful yet refined, and left us eager for the next plate. The smoked old fashioned I enjoyed was among the finest I’ve had and perfectly complemented the meal.

But beyond the menu, the service elevated the entire experience. Jeremy was an absolute delight, warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making our evening special. Rob was on constant watch over the dining room, checking in on tables, answering our (many) questions, and even sharing exciting previews of future dishes in the works.

This is more than just a dinner — it’s a full culinary journey from the second the door opens to the final sip of your drink. If you want beautifully crafted food, top-tier ambiance, and service that doesn’t just meet expectations but exceeds them, Saffron Social is a must.“

“Server was friendly and helpful. Salad was a little small.. Food came out fast and hot. Meatballs added were a little disappointing. Were tiny in size was figuring more close to golf ball size. Cost of extra dressing was a tad too high IMO for a paper cup of maybe an ounce and a half of dressing. Overall had a nice meal. Will stick to ordering no extras, not really needed and would rather be better spent on dessert.“

“I definitely recommend the food is great! The staff however is constantly rude. The last 3 times we’ve been there we’ve had terrible experiences with the staff.“

“Love the da Vinci delight 🍕“

“Fast, friendly service and the food was great!“

“Rough dinner service. Food was good and reasonably priced. Bill was $42 for four of us. Service was slow it was a long time for our waitress to visit the table. 2 other staff were trying to help. Waitress got one of the four orders wrong. When we went to pay there was some sort of issue with another table paying for the wrong bill so checkout took way too long. We will go back because we have had good service before and its a good value.“

“Love this place! There is a reason that it’s been a local favorite for more than four decades. Always a great experience.“

“I am amazed by how well the atmosphere and the food and the drinks in the service are“

“BEST. CUSTOMER. SERVICE. EVER. My son and I came in today before a Dr. appt. As we were boxing up our pizza I biffed and dropped half of it on the floor. Immediately our waitress came over and said she was going to get a fresh one to go because of my accident!!! Amazing customer service. She definitely didn’t need to that because it was my fault!! Thank you so much!!!!!“

“I visit Monicals once during the week for lunch with some of my colleagues from work. The store is well managed and the woman who works lunch taking orders and bringing the food and drinks out to the tables is friendly and has come to know our faces and what we typically order! We always have great service and definitely come back weekly for the atmosphere, speediness and quality!“

“Ronnie is an absolute treasure and adds such value to this restaurant. His personality draws you in immediately and his kind and helpful demeanor exceeded our expectations for service. Despite dining here numerous times in the past, we have never had an experience as good as this one at this location.“

“We arrived around 6:00 p.m. on a Friday night. There were only 10 people in the restaurant. We were seated and got our drinks right way. We sat for 20 minutes before anyone took our order. We got two different waitresses. The first waitress gave us poor service. The other one at least tried. It took 1 half hours just to get served and paid. I usually leave a decent tip but after this experience I left $2.00. Our food was watery and had poor flavor. We will not be returning which is sad because we usually love the food and always had good service.“

“Pizza Hut on Perkins offers a satisfying dining experience with a wide variety of pizza options, pasta dishes, and sides. The restaurant provides a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere, making it a great choice for casual meals, gatherings, or takeout. The interior is clean and well-maintained, with a friendly staff that ensures a welcoming environment.

The menu at this Pizza Hut location is extensive, featuring classic favorites like the Supreme, Meat Lover’s, and Veggie Lover’s pizzas, along with specialty pizzas and new, limited-time options. The pizza is consistently fresh, with a crispy crust and flavorful toppings that many patrons appreciate. The pasta dishes, including the popular Tuscani Pastas, are also a hit, offering hearty portions that complement the pizza selections.

The service is typically prompt, with staff members providing attentive and courteous service. However, during peak times, the wait for food can be a bit longer. The restaurant also offers convenient delivery and carryout options for those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home.

Overall, Pizza Hut on Perkins delivers good food and great value for the price. The variety of menu options, consistent quality, and friendly service make it a reliable choice for pizza lovers and families looking for a casual, enjoyable meal.“