Restaurants near Island Lake

“If you haven’t tried this hidden gem, GO! Great food, great prices, friendly owners. Everything is fresh and delicious! In my opinion, they blow away the local competition.”

“My favorite place to get tacos! Love the salsa 😋”

“Best Mexican food you’ll love this place great service and super clean environment”

“I grew up by the Nancy’s on Central Ave near Montrose and it was a staple. When they closed, I was so mad. Fast forward to today, I took me right back eating my first slice. Thanks for not changing the recipe!”

“Usually great service and people, but you guys missed the mark tonight. The delivery person outside tried to give me at least 3 different orders that weren’t ours, and when we got home the chicken nuggets were missing the sauce, and the chili was missing the toppings and sour cream. Not a great outing tonight.”

“We came for the band. The is always plenty of space to dance. Server was attentive and the sweet potato fries were among the best I have ever had. Thank you for supporting local musical talent. Rosie and the Rivets are awesome.”

“I have been going there for over 25 years I have never had a bad meal, I have tried many different items, they are doing something right, cause luck dose not last that long I highly recommend this cafe.”

“Friendly fun bartenders and a great atmosphere. Lots of fun games”

“Barbara @ Julies In Monee, IL was a very pleasant & sweet young lady.. Great customer service.. Nice place to go to have a drink and play slots.. �”

“ordered 2 chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef combo w/ mozzarella cheese and Giardiniera, jalapeño poppers and onion rings. $33.00 ☹️ the combo had barely any beef or Giardiniera on it. the onion rings were a big clump of a soggy greasy mess. the poppers were soggy too. They were not edible, threw them away. I don't know what happened, they used to be really good.”

“This is a great place to stop for a drink or two play 🎱🎱 they bartenders are very nice and friendly and the people around are very nice they always smile to you .”

“We love picking up a quick lunch here, our go-to are the Chicago style dogs. Always a treat for a work lunch!”

“Great. Asked for no oil or minimum oil, and they did it. Lots of flavor. Thanks.”

“Cute updated play area...”

“Amazing people with healing smile and excellent customer service. Highly higly recommended to all. Five star place and seevice. Jacky is the best!”

“We came tonight for the first time for my husband’s birthday. Food was so good. Service was excellent! The cook even came out to ask us how our food was. We will be back!”

“Delicious, fresh, healthy smoothies on a hot day were absolutely perfect. William made our daughter a minion milkshake (and secretly made it healthy without her knowing, which was perfect for our very picky eater), and our son enjoyed a taro boba tea with popping mango boba. Such a great find, and fabulous owner!”

“Wonderful service and food! Eric, the manager, is excellent checking in with diners and ensuring they have everything they need.”

“We’ve visited multiple times and has had Jessica as a server multiple time as well. She’s always professional, kind, and has great nails. Food is always good and of course, the drinks are great! Will be coming again.”

“I took my boys here on a Saturday at around 4:30 after a trip to the Volo museum. We were immediately greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable and attentive waitress. The appetizer plate had the best onion rings and these creamy smoky bacon Gouda Mac n cheese bites that were to die for! Pan pizza came out as a deep dish and my teenager loved it. My oldest and I got the rib and broasted chicken combo…. OMG No regrets! The chicken was seasoned well with a delicious, crispy, light breading and the ribs were fall off the bone scrumptious with a perfect smoky/sweet bbq sauce. Do NOT skip the peach cobbler!! The warm, crispy peaches and streusel topping tasted like it was made with love. What a great place and we absolutely love our server. She was engaging and knew the menu. Will definitely return!”

“Hidden in plain sight in Lake Villa, this Italian restaurant is the kind of unassuming neighborhood gem critics quietly root for. It isn’t flashy, it isn’t loud, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a place that consistently serves excellent food at fair prices. In the Lakes region—where Italian options can feel uneven—this spot rises confidently to the top. On my most recent visit, I was seated immediately at a corner table, a small but meaningful luxury in an age of hour-long waits. The dining room, typically hushed enough for actual conversation, again delivered one of its underrated pleasures: a peaceful meal without the intrusive din that plagues so many suburban restaurants. Service followed suit—friendly, attentive, and genuinely eager to help, never hovering or rushing. The kitchen remains the star. My spaghetti with vodka sauce was outstanding—rich, balanced, and among the best renditions I’ve had anywhere in the region. Other entrées at the table echoed the same strengths: sauces with clarity and depth, pastas cooked with confident restraint, portions generous without tipping into excess. Cocktails, too, arrived promptly and properly mixed, further reinforcing the sense of a kitchen-and-bar team that takes pride in their craft. If there is a shortfall, it lies in the ambiance. The room carries a certain charm, but the décor feels a step behind the quality of the food. A refresh of tables, finishes, and overall presentation would elevate the experience from very good to genuinely special. The warmth is there—the aesthetics simply haven’t caught up yet. Even so, the value proposition is undeniable. For reliably excellent Italian cuisine, low noise, easy seating, earnest service, and honest pricing, this restaurant more than earns its “highly recommended” status. It is, in every meaningful way, Lake Villa’s little culinary treasure.”

“First time there. It’s a 30 minute drive, but we plan to go back. Best ingredients done to perfection. We have loved Lou Malnati’s , but this is equal to if not better. Our family agreed. They drove 1 1/2 hours and said they would come back”

“Loved our food tonight, trying the place out for the first time. Good fish, good choices. Let me try the sauces to decide which. Love that they have more things than just poke bowls. Will eat here again.”

“Vince and his crew do a great job and the Pizza is delicious- would recommend 100% of the time- and they serve RC Cola!”

“Cozy cafe and nice staff. Always freshly baked cakes. Very tasty cakes, every piece has a pleasant taste. Thanks. ---------------------- Затишне кафе та приємний персонал. Завжди свіжоспечені торти. Дуже смачні торти, кожен шматочок має приємний смак. Дякую!”

“The sweetest team/family, the best cannolis and focaccia bread I’ve ever had 🫶”

“So I went on for my free cookie and this year they changed the program you have to be higher than bronze status To get your birthday cookie. The gentleman that was working, gave me a free mini after telling me this.”

“Delicious crepes and paninis!! Fresh ingredients made to order! Very nice location! Definitely recommend!”

“Delicious coffee with a wide variety of choices. My wife and I got an Oreo ice coffee and an iced honey latte. We will definitely be going back.”

“Once you eat here, you will not want to eat anywhere else.”