Italian Restaurants near Great Lakes

“We came to this spot for lunch. we heard about this restaurant from many people. Well, it was a winning. The crew were very polite and we had a fantastic feeling. The meal was fresh and delicious. We loved this spot a lot and we shall absolutely come back again. Recommended.“

“Really good Italian food and ambiance!“

“Omar gave great service! Good was very good (ravioli with tomato cream). Good for kids too!“

“My husband and I had lunch today for the first time. The atmosphere was very nice and our waiter Louis was exceptional. The food was delicious. We were also told that to reserve space there that holds up to 80 is $200. I thought that is very reasonable. I highly recommend Olivia’s for a wonderful dining experience“

“This restaurant is beautiful inside with chandeliers and nice tables and chairs I really enjoyed the fried calamari we had as a appetizer. The Lasagna is wonderful! The cannolis are so delicious too! Antonio our server was outstanding and goes out of his way to make it a enjoyable experience. Thank you Salvatore for your kindness! I highly recommend them for a delicious dinner!“

“After a couple of years away following an uneven prior experience, a recent return to Bottaio with friends proved both reassuring and mildly frustrating. The dining room remains one of the restaurant’s strongest assets: warm, attractive, and inviting in a way that signals classic Italian comfort. Unfortunately, that promise is undercut by one persistent flaw—seating that is simply uncomfortable. After fifteen minutes, the chairs distract from the experience, an avoidable misstep in a restaurant that otherwise understands ambiance. Service, by contrast, was a highlight. Our server struck an engaging balance between edgy and personable, and—most importantly—demonstrated genuine knowledge of the menu and wine list. Wine selections, guided by their recommendations, were uniformly well received by the table, showing thoughtful pairing and sound judgment. The meal began on a high note with excellent crusty bread, a simple but well-executed opening gesture that set expectations optimistically. The entrées, however, struggled to rise beyond adequacy. While none were poor, they failed to deliver the refinement or depth one hopes for. The veal parmigiana arrived in an impressively large portion but was overly breaded, sacrificing balance and nuance. In contrast, the risotto stood out as the best dish of the evening—properly executed, flavorful, and satisfying. Other diners echoed a similar sentiment: the food was good, but never quite great. This mirrors past experiences and suggests a recurring issue rather than an off night. Bottaio remains a solid option for casual Italian dining, particularly for those who value ambiance, wine, and congenial service. With greater attention to detail in the kitchen—and a renewed focus on authenticity and precision—the restaurant has the potential to elevate its culinary standing meaningfully. One hopes that future visits will see that promise more fully realized.“

“My palette’s lack of sophistication prevents me from doing justice reviewing the menu items I enjoyed, but my belly is satisfied , and there were no leftovers; however, no matter the exquisite culinary notes I, likely, missed that a more refined pallet might’ve identified, there’s no way there was anything on a plate in the Chicago land area this evening that matched the atmosphere, service, and proud history shared by the staff and current owner, a descendant of the original owners who established the restaurant 123 years ago. A truly delightful experience that I intend to repeat as often as I’m able!“

“So glad I tried and continue to enjoy Maria’s Italian Bakery and Cafe! This authentic spot offers wonderful service and excellent quality menu items— highly recommend!“

“Great, authentic Italian cuisine. Never disappoints.“

“perfectly cooked steak- very creamy mac and cheese- sausage and peppers were perfection- service was top tier- Batman was was playing on the television behind the bar which was in perfect viewing from our table. Thanks for helping make a Daddy Daughter Day a huge success.“

“We went to Washington Garden’s last night with friends hoping to enjoy some good Italian food. The food was delicious! The portions were large and the waitress couldn’t have been nicer. We will be returning soon. 🥰👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Was there Thursday night we had Braised Short ribs and crispy Brussels sprouts was delicious service was great the bartender colie made me a special drink Wow will definitely be back“

“Delightful owners, excellent customer service. The best lasagna we have ever tasted. It melts in your mouth. Beyond delicious!!!!“

“This is our family's favorite restaurant for birthdays, anniversaries, dinners with large groups...At this point we've been here probably 10 times and never once have we had a bad experience. Every server goes above and beyond to ensure that you have a WOW experience. The food and drinks are amazing every time. Last night we decided to try somewhere new since we just ate at Primo the previous weekend. The prices were the same yet the service and food did not compare. From now on we'll stick with here, where we know we'll have an amazing experience.“

“Great place to have Italian food 😊“

“I lived overseas for a number of years and came back after Covid only to find my go-to pizza spots had all closed. I spent the next three years chasing that real Chicago stuffed-crust fix and kept coming up disappointed.

Then, on my birthday today, I finally found the place that fills the void.

The sauce is robust, the cheese is generous, and the crust is exactly what you want from a quality Chicago stuffed crust pizza. Hands down, it’s the best stuffed crust I’ve had in Illinois in over 10 years, and the price is better than Lou Malnati’s (bland) and Giordano’s (#2 stuffed crust in il IMO, but far away from my location).

Great value for the money, and the people here are genuinely nice. First visit, and now loyal customer now.“

“This restaurant is my preferred one. I visit many restaurants but to this one I keep coming back again and again. The crew is very attentive and the food they offer is so fresh and tasty. I never decline to have a decent dinner in this place. Highly recommended.“

“Great time last night good all of this world remember when grandma used to make it“

“We arrived after a soccer game looking tired and worn out so we weren't the best dressed. The staff didn't mind and treated us with kindness and respect. We had an efficient and friendly waiter Cervantes making sure to stay on top of our requests including drinks. We also appreciated a pleasant talk from the manager Daisy who stopped by our table to ensure everything was running smooth. Overall good food and good service! Would recommend.“

“I went to this place just today, the waiters were amazing, so kind and on top of stuff. The place is so big, and although they were busy, it was very sanitary. The food was amazing and had many options. The atmosphere overall was so great, everyone was so nice and it was decorated beautifully. Overall, I give this place a 10/10, definitely would recommend.“

“Walked out of this place, hit with scent of drugs being used as I opened the door. No need to spend my money at an establishment who has no regard to regulations.“

“We order from here 1-3 times a week for lunch at my shop and dinner at home. The food is always fantastic, delivery is fast and the staff are very friendly and helpful. We've also gotten catering before too and that service was fantastic. Night driver Scott is awesome too!“

“Louie's is the best place to eat in Waukegan. Great Italian food, thin crust pizza, fried chicken and fish. Everything is great. They give you the best bread hot from the oven when you sit down. Huge bar. Family friendly. You can't go wrong at this place.“

“Our pizza arrived quickly and cooked perfectly. We love Maciano’s! They used the best ingredients-quality cheese, great crust and the Italian sausage is wonderful!!“

“I have been going there for 60 years and it is still the very best. You order it with double sausage and what ever else you like on it and don't forget to order it well done. Everyone I take there said it is one of the best pizzas they ever had.“

“Best pizza, and a good price“

“We held a family funeral lunch at Lino’s. The staff was welcoming, attentive and very friendly as they took care of our party, which filled their banquet room. We had a couple of chicken dishes, a couple of vegetable dishes, a garden salad, potatoes, and cannoli for dessert. Our guests raved about the food, which was delicious and hot! We could not be more enthusiastic in our recommendation of Lino‘s!“

“Not only was this location able to time a delivery to accommodate a train’s brief stop at the Metra station, the pizza seemed to have come right out of the oven. Fantastic food and service to match!“

“The place was very hyped up and I had a very memorable experience here! I came with my family on a Tuesday and there was a big bingo game where you could get free drinks, we won almost every round and even won the blackout where we won 50 dollars!! It was very fun and the food was bomb!! Definatley recommend coming here again!!“

“I can't thank Erica and her staff enough. We had a large outdoor group. They ran to get table clothes to make the tables look nice. Service was awesome and kind. First visit not our last. Much appreciated.“

“First time at Half and Half Pizza Co. tonight and I will return. The pizza is incredible! and on top of that the atmosphere is great and the staff were equally incredible. A very impressive selection of wine so I can’t imagine you wouldn’t find something you’d like. Great experience.“

“Since the day Lenny opened the place, I have been a loyal patron. Even though I moved out of state in 87, 5 times a year I come in for for the best beef and sausage in them we state.“

“Had a great experience at Rosati’s Pizza in Vernon Hills! The food was delicious, the service was amazing, and everything came out fresh and quick. A special shoutout to Jay for being such a friendly and attentive server. He made our visit even better. Definitely coming back!“

“Great food. awesome customer service.“

“Awesome location! Store looks amazing, food taste great, and the staff are AWESOME!!“

“I had a look at some of these reviews and some are misplaced. I been to around 7 Sbarros in 3 countries and this one is up there with the best ones. I asked for a cheese and they made me a new one no fuss. I was also not asked to tip and I spoke English.“

“I am a tour director in Chicago. My company booked Giordanos on Belmont for 2 bus loads of high school students at 6pm. We unexpectedly got there at 5pm! Luis and his team were able to seat and serve us in short order. Thank you Luis and team. Giordanos pizza is the best!“

“I’ve been eating pizza here since before I could tie my shoes. I can tie my shoes now that I’m of age but I opt for Velcro due to poor knees. The pizza was fantastic then and it’s only gotten better. The customer service from tonight’s order was so incredible I had to write a 5 start review. If your knees are weak like mine, kick back tonight and treat yourself to delivered deep dish. You’ll be happy you did!“

“I have been dining at Lou's since the 1st pizza joint opened in 1971. The thjn crust order i received today shows how they took the shrink-flation game with their pizzas. I took a picture of the scant sausage toppings as opposed to how Lou's dressed their pies in the past. Note that there is only one piece of sausage per piece. I have been ordering thin and deep dish for years, and the cost cutting shows! I would rather pay an extra buck or two and get what I have loved for years. Sad...“

“This is the face of a guy who’s having pizza for dinner tonight ! Stopped by to trade in some charity vouchers for frozen pizzas, and it couldn’t have been easier. Service was fast, friendly, and they had all the flavors ready to go. Clean and organized store. Super smooth experience. Big thanks to the Gurnee team for making it quick and easy!“

“I ordered a extra cheese and sause with half sausage and half pepperoni. Maybe I should of ask for a little less sauce. The sauce flavor was over powering. Last time I ordered it was perfect. But it was sausage and pepperoni mixed. With extra sauce and cheese. But not bad. It's a good pizza. 12 Buffalo wings are ok. I wish they were crunchier. The sauce was ok. With a 2L Pepsi. But Awesome customer service.“