50 Best Italian Restaurants near Forest Park

“This is our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood, hands down. We've been regulars since they opened, and we're always leaving happy and satisfied. The owner is consistently very welcoming and genuinely glad to see us return. My husband is known for ordering his favorite dish, pork chop, and I for constantly asking for the Chef's cheesecake, which is usually not on the menu. I'm excited to hear about their new uptown location. Congratulations!“

“Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa“

“One of the best spots for authentic Italian and the best traditional atmosphere and great service and customers!“

“I was scrolling Grubhub then decided I deserved better than fast food that’s going to be delivered cold. So went to Google and saw this place which I pass almost everyday without thought. I wish I caught my waiters name but he was a pleasure and very attentive. The fried octopus was unique and flavorful. Short rib wasn’t as tender as advertised but still quite delicious. I got a sample of the lobster bisque which honestly tasted like tomato soup to me. The bread pudding was excellent. I appreciate the balance and gelato on top. I got the mezcal cocktail which was also great. Also ordered tequila on the rocks. I was given a complimentary shot of the pistachio martini which was delicious. Overall ambience was lovely. You can have a great date night right in the burbs. Who knew? Overall, can’t wait to visit again to try different apps and their pasta. All of that was around $140 including 20% tip.“

“Amazing Pizza. Top notch staff and service. This place is a must try!!!“

“This place has the real deal Italian food. It's not cheap, I went during Restaurant Week so I had a good deal and what they offered is not on the regulat menu, but let me tell you, after being disappointed by many an over priced Italian restaurant, this place is well worth the money. It actually delivers on delicious food, portions were also generous. Service was great and the atmosphere was fantastic too. Would return.“

“Cozy small place with open kitchen concept.
I had a mushroom soup, pasta puttanesca & cheesecake with blueberry & hibiscus tea.

Delicious! Great service & attention to details!
Definitely will be back!“

“Wonderful restaurant. Food was excellent very close to what I had in Rome. Staff very friendly and made our dining very enjoyable! Go here!!“

“Best Italian sub I've ever had in my life! The atmosphere epitomizes Old Italy and all its charm. Definitely coming back!“

“Wonderful food and service.“

“Family friendly restaurant with food choices for everyone but the made fresh pasta was the best part!“

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

“If you are looking for a really special food experience with a cozy casual atmosphere, this is an awesome place to visit. The chef, Ms Dani Kaplan, is the daughter of one of my closest bff. OMG! Each bite is a tastebud delight! And the bar - so special! If you want a true, high-quality, Chicago, eating experience don’t miss this place!!!!“

“I have been to Frasca's multiple times and it never disappoints. I went last night with my husband and we enjoyed it very much.

Our server was FANTASTIC! She was kind, quick, and helpful.

We started the night with the arancini, they were delicious risotto balls. There are 5 of them, so be weary if you want to split between two of them. My only critique is that they needed a little salt. My husband had the 4 star old fashion, which was just okay.

We also had the Mezze, which gives you three options. We had the mozzarella, tomato, basil bruschetta which was very good. We also had the red rock cheese and sweet soppresetta for a meat. It came with grapes, pickles, nuts, jam, and a Parmesan lavish. It was very good and a fun way to split some items. It was a lot of appetizers for just the two of us so I'd suggest going smaller depending on your party.

For our mains we had the pappardelle bolognese & orecchiette scarpiello. The bolognese is delicious, you can't go wrong with a classic. The orecchiette scarliello was divine, I could drink the sauce. The chicken in it was also a great add. I did wish the kale was chopped slightly smaller so it didn't overpower some bites. Otherwise, both were great. I would order them again. My husband had a glass of Cantina tritana montepulciano with dinner. It was very good wine, not too dry or sweet. He truly enjoyed it.

We finished the night with the tiramisu. It was pretty good, not the best I've ever had, but it was decent. The portion was worth the cost.

Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun, tasty, reasonably priced Italian dinner.“

“My first time here, and I loved it! Got there early with my own choice of seating. It’s pretty quiet on the inside, so it’s easy to talk with your table. The food is traditional Italian, and delicious. Our server Jeff was patient, friendly and informative. He carded us for drinks and saw it was my birthday. So after our courses, he brought a little dessert and sang me Happy Birthday! Would definitely recommend and go back again.“

“The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, the request to change the potatoes to the mushroom risotto was the best!!! And the spinach was very good as well. I woke up this morning saying wow that was a great meal exactly what I needed! Thank you!“

“We had the pleasure of hosting our wedding reception at Francesca’s Amici Elmhurst. The event coordinator, Nancy, was hands down the best. She is well experienced and has a true talent. Our group of nearly 80 people were very comfortable in the private room. There was plenty of room for our guests to enjoy a standing cocktail hour followed with a sit down dinner. The food was even better the evening of, kudos to the kitchen. And they did any excellent job making sure they were well staffed for the event. The staff was EXCELLENT, attentive and helpful. Thank you again!“

“We drove down from Milwaukee. I’ve been wanting to try Tortello since they’ve opened and I found out that they source their eggs from where I get mine (they are the best). Dario was kind, friendly, and extremely engaging. The food was fantastic. We started with Focaccia Ricotta & Honey which was ridiculously good. I had the spaghetti pomodoro which was perfectly balanced sauce to pasta to cheese. My husband had the Cacio e Pepe and devoured it. Our son had the Kids Lumache and ate half (he’s only two) and inhaled the rest tonight. It smelled even better the second time around if that’s possible. Best authentic Italian I’ve had in the States. Felt great after too, not like I’d eaten a pound of pasta. If you aren’t making plans to go sometime soon…you’re missing out!“

“Grande! Finalmente anche gli americani possono mangiare una pizza seria.“

“I ordered a breaded steak sandwich. It was excellent. Just tell them easy on the red sauce. Overall the steak was darn good. Next time I'm gonna order the jumbo steak sandwich. The restaurant was spotless and the associates were very friendly. Try the fries. Top shelf“

“It is always a pleasure dining here. Wonderful service is always provided. Great food with large portions. The cocktails are amazing! Let’s not forget the tasty appetizers and scrumptious desserts!!! GA must try!! You will not be disappointed!!“

“Last week I hosted a private party for 20 people. We had drinks, dinner, dessert and it was all delicious! The service was outstanding and Eileen went out of her way to ensure the event was beautifully planned. It was everything I could have asked for. Thank you!“

“First time we were here and we will be back. Were looking for a different nice italian place other than our usual ones on the north shore. Excellent food, attentive service. My wife and I split a large caesar salad. I had risotto buscaiolo which was very good and was a huge portion for a risotto. My wife had the veal marsala. Again very good and generous. Finished with lemon mascarpone cake which really hit the spot.“

“Perfect all around. Great atmosphere, prompt perfect service, polite attentive staff. The chef has a gift and talent. The bone in new york strip cooked to my specification and the sauce had a rich deep flavor that complemented the steak perfectly. The grilled calamari and shrimp was perfect, and the flavor was like nothing I had before. Dessert was Bananas Foster was mind blowing and prepared table side. We will be back again. This is a must try and repeat spot. The drinks were also on point.“

“an instant superstar in this community, people will come from near and far for this quality of Italian.“

“The food here is beyond exquisite. Homemade gnocchi and table side polenta steal the show, but everything is amazing. Make sure to ask for a table outside in the wine garden in the back. You will pass through this tiny restaurant into a true oasis in the back. The unassuming front of the restaurant wouldn’t make you think the food is as incredible as it is.“

“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!!!“

“Gpay didn't work and I had no physical card. After trying the Gpay several times, I gave up. The manager asked for the drink I was drinking back, lol. I got in the car, saw my wallet in the seat and decided not to go back in. I drove out of my way to try this food, but this experience with being asked for the drink back was shocking. #theapartmentlady“

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

“Excellent food, great service, knowledgeable waitress“

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

“Love this new for me tasty omg takecare uslike a VIP excellent service quality and oldiest place wonderful“

“From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat—but I had no idea just how satisfying it would be. Let’s start with the French toast: golden, fluffy, and kissed with just the right amount of cinnamon and sweetness. It was perfection on a plate—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with fresh fruit and syrup that made each bite better than the last. Next up? A wholesome egg white omelette that didn’t skip a beat on flavor. Packed with vibrant veggies and just the right amount of seasoning, it was light, fresh, and oh-so-satisfying. And that’s just scratching the surface. The service was warm, the vibe was cozy yet elevated, and every dish was crafted with care. From start to finish, this brunch felt like a hug on a plate. Whether you’re a fellow foodie, a brunch aficionado, or just looking for your next go-to spot, add this one to your list. Trust me—your taste buds will thank you.“

“Food, service and experience was perfection!“

“Nottoli's is the Best Italian Food in Chicagoland Period! Everything is Handmade! The Homemade Italian Sausage is World Class! The Sandwiches are Amazing, They Also Have Frozen Food, The Frozen Handmade Pizza's are Delicious! We Have 4 Generations of My Family that have Shopped at Nottoli's...We Highly Recommend it!! 🏆👍🏻“

“Great vibe! Sat outside.“

“Solid food every time! Had great risotto last night, their pastas are always good & great cocktails. Take home family meals are delicious and a lot of food for the money. Recommend!“

“Raffi is a wonderful host and the server is very attentive. Loved all of the meals I have had there over the years. My favorite is the mostaciolli with spinach and ricotta, better at Raffis than anywhere else I’ve been.“

“La comida estuvo deliciosa, cada platillo con un sabor auténtico y bien preparado. El servicio fue excelente y el ambiente muy acogedor. Definitivamente un lugar para volver muchas veces y para disfrutar en familia o con amigos. The food was delicious, each dish authentic and well-prepared. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. Definitely a place to return to many times and enjoy with family or friends.“

“My FAVORITE grilled chicken sandwich! Everything is amazing! Highly recommend!“

“Had dinner on 12/17/2023 service and food was excellent. Gluten free menu available.“

“From the second we arrived the girls at hostess stand were jovial and inviting. Then waitress and chef table side appetizer and dinner were fantastic! Ordered more food than our table of four could eat, but we got to try a variety of entrees. Everything was top notch quality. Order the Lemoncello shots to round out your dinner! Will be back for more!“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

“My family and I love this place. You can’t go wrong with anything you order. Great service and family atmosphere too.“

“Just had lunch with my neighbor Jorge and as usual was NOT disappointed! Chris was her usual friendly self. She’s always on the ball about pleasing people and sending them home happy and full. Rose was the waitress everyone dreams of. Patient and funny all in the same breath. If you haven’t been to LaVilla I highly recommend a visit. You will want to return again and again! I’d be there more often but I have no self control. 🤣“

“Our entire experience was wonderful, from the valet parking, the excellent service, friendly faces, mouth watering entrees and delicious desserts! We are from southern Illinois and have always wanted to visit. So glad we did, as we had an excellent time, never felt rushed and will definitely visit again!“

“Wonderful all around. Amazing food,amazing wait staff, 10/10 atmosphere as well.“

“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!!“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

“great food, great service, good times.“