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!“

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

“Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa“

“Went to dinner here with my friend, we had an awesome experience! I've worked in Italian restaurants before and it felt like an authentic Italian experience 🤌 the servers/bartenders were great and guided us in our choices. We got the scallops which were phenomenal! Also had short rib, salmon, and white chocolate creme brulee for dessert. Just wow 🔥 I'm coming back for the branzino, didn't get to try it but I could smell it cooking 🐟“

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

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

“I haven’t had a dining experience this wonderful in a very long time. The service was impeccable. The food was fantastic. The wine and cocktails were unparalleled. This is one of those instances where you can go big or go small. Do you want to have just a light meal? That’s easy. Stuffed zucchini blossoms and a plate of pasta. A glass of wine and you’re out the door for $50. On the other hand, you can go for the gold and walk away completely sated. Either way, you’ll love this delightful spot.“

“The brussels sprouts and cauliflower appetizers were so delicious and came in big portions. Most of the dishes here are large enough to share with another person! We came for Mother's Day with a reservation, and it was pretty busy. They also have outdoor seating available. The service was nice and attentive, checking on us frequently throughout the meal. It's a great place to try something new, and I thought it was such a sweet touch that they gave my aunt a free tulip for Mother’s Day.“

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

“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 food and service.“

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

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

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

“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.“

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

“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!!!!“

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

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

“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.“

“Quite possibly some of the best Italian we have had in the US. If you've been to Italy, and miss it, or just want to taste authentic Italian pasta, come here. Dario is amazing. Signore, siamo lieti di averla incontrata! Torneremo! Grazie mille!“

“We tried Gaia for the first time on Mother’s Day and were pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the entire experience was. From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. The service was fantastic; the staff was attentive, never letting our drinks go empty, and every course was timed perfectly.

The food was incredible, and every bite was delicious. The bruschetta was perfectly prepared, the Alfredo sauce was rich, creamy, and cheesy, and the chocolate fudge cake drizzled with strawberry sauce was absolutely to die for.

If you’re looking for a charming Italian restaurant for a night out with friends, family, or someone special, I highly recommend giving Gaia a try!“

“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!“

“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“

“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!!!“

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

“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.“

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Food, service and experience was perfection!“

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

“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.“

“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!! 🏆👍🏻“

“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!“

“Great vibe! Sat outside.“

“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.“

“Excellent food, great service, knowledgeable waitress“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

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

“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!“

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

“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!“

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

“What an amazing experience! My daughter had the best birthday meal and we enjoyed all our amazing food! Fresh and homemade doesn’t get much better than that. The place is smaller which was fined we got there during the dinner rush. She had been wanting bread bowl with her pasta, and this place did not disappoint! Such flavor and so delicious! Worth the 2 hour drive! We will definitely be back!“

“If your looking for a true hidden neighborhood gem come to Pastina. I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and all the recommendations were on point. The chef was also able to make anything off menu but we went with the offerings. The Chicken Lemon I had was delicious and very well prepared with fresh capers. My wife had the chicken Vesuvio and loved her food and enjoyed the fresh mushrooms in the sauce, she said it was like eating two different meals at the same time. We also had the spinach soup which my wife fell in love with and now wants the recipe. The Bruschetta with the sweet roasted tomatoes is a must try. For dessert we topped it off with a delicious creme brulee cheese cake. Our server was very kind and attentive and everything she recommended was 5 stars. I will say this is a very date night spot and cozy space but don't let that stop you from coming with a small group of friends though I'd recommend a reservation for that. Neighborhood parking isn't too bad but I'd say give yourself a little time to get here and find a spot. I can't wait to come back and try more.“

“great food, great service, good times.“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“