48 Best Italian Restaurants near Lake Bluff

“I recently stopped in to Half & Half Lake Bluff, on a busy summer Friday night and so should you.

I have enjoyed this establishment several times, eat in and carry out, but have never done a review.

The outside patio area was already busy so I decided to just stay inside at the cozy wood bar.
The bartender was attentive and make a great old fashion and suggested a nice pilsner brew.

Ordered the spinach dip appetizer w/ the pita which was top shelf and a good starter. Moved on a bit later to enjoy their pizza (Johns pizza, sausage, pepperoni, black olives, mozzerella on that Romantate Signature Crest)

Enjoyed the food, drinks and people watching here.
Try this place, but visit early, seating and food availability may be limited in peak times

Shout out to the food and service doing their best on a busy Friday Summer night in hidden gem of downtown Lake Bluff, Illinois.“

“Really good Italian food and ambiance!“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“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!“

“Great, authentic Italian cuisine. Never disappoints.“

“Great Food! Great Service! Always a Favorite❤️“

“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!“

“Excellent service, amazing food. Gelato is incredible! :) Very nice people there, too! Will definitely return!“

“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. 🥰👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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.“

“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“

“Todd and his daughter & staff are incredible . their wonderful service made my family dinner something so special. Everyone who works at this tiny gem is so welcoming. In a time when it seems every restaurant experience is rushed and rotten- Viaggo puts personal touch and love into every moment. Thank you so much Todd we will be back .“

“We had appetizers which were delicious! The place was packed! Our waitress was so great! Everyone who worked there seemed to love what they do! Speaks volumes for the owner! We will be back!“

“Wow, I’m still impressed after our visit! 😍 We recently moved to the area and I think we’ve already found our new favorite Italian spot 🍝✨ It honestly reminded us of the amazing meals we had back in Italy 🇮🇹 My husband booked a table for a lunch date, and we were pleasantly surprised by how cozy and intimate the place felt 💕

The atmosphere was charming, though I can see how it might feel a bit tight for some since the tables are placed quite close together 🤏 But personally, we didn’t mind at all-in fact, it added to the lively vibe! At one point, the people sitting next to us even asked what we ordered because our food looked and smelled so good 🤭

I’m a big seafood lover, so I tried the Seafood Diavolo, and it was absolutely delicious 🔥🦞 The spice level was just right, and the pasta was cooked perfectly, loaded with lobster and a mix of fresh seafood 😋 I’m already excited to come back and explore more dishes from their menu. Definitely a place worth returning to again and again! 💯“

“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.“

“Great place to have Italian food 😊“

“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!“

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

“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 honestly really liked this Olive Garden overall, the food was amazing, wait time was a little eh but nothing crazy and our server was extremely kind, they accidentally charged us for a drink by accident but they quickly removed it and gave our desserts for free as compensation, overall I really liked my experience here and Had a nice time with my family :) 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.“

“Great food. Their supper club menu is wonderful. #iraeats“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“I wanted to reach out and tell you about my son's experience with Moretti's, Emily is EXSPECTIONAL and my son Michael now hangs out Moretti's!!! Michael has told me that Emily is just so kind and always guiding him on her favorite dishes. The most important thing about Emily is she is always smiling and happy to see him :) Brandi VR“

“Absolutely love this restaurant. We had brought a tray of lasagna to a party years ago and had nothing but rave reviews. We moved down to FL 7 years ago so it’s been awhile since we have been able to eat here. We bought another tray of lasagna this weekend for a party. Let me tell you…it was so delicious! We are still hearing people rave about it and hope it brings new customers your way. Your GF ravioli was awesome as well. Great food, wonderful customer service, cute restaurant. Now we just need a location opened in SWFL! We will be back and we will always highly recommend this place. Thank you!“

“We were in town for a convention and staying at a hotel. We decided to order a pizza our last night there. We chose Joe's at random, and we were not disappointed. Our order was delivered promptly by a very nice, and courteous person. The pizza we ordered was delicious. We loved everything about it -the thin crust, delicious sauce (not too much), and generous amount of cheese. I especially liked that the toppings were under the cheese, and there were herbs!! Kuddos to Joe's for great food and friendly service!!“

“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“

“Hi, ordered for my team at work. The manager was very nice, pleasant to talk with, and handled my order well. Provided plates and utensils, forks and serving. I provided him with a headcount and he put together a complete meal for the team at a very reasonable price. If looking to feed your team, check out their catering menu or give them a call. Will definitely be ordering from them again.“

“There’s nothing better than Lou’s! So accommodating for large groups and excellent service! We came for a college send off and the food, like always, is outstanding! Perfect send-off until they return Thanksgiving! ❤️“

“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!!“

“Saranello’s has the right ingredients for a delightful dining experience! The ambience is lovely, food was great and the service could not have been better. Damon made the evening memorable with his knowledgeable and exceptional service along with fun conversation for us foodies!“

“Aside from the pizza being amazing, big plus for whole wheat crust, I really think they grow their own people there! Every single time I call, no matter the reason, they are SO INCREDIBLY NICE. Every person who picks up the phone; helpful, kind, just NICE every time! How do they hire only nice people? I need the recipe. Thank you Pierros!“

“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.“

“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!“

“3.99 pizza and soda lunch special is fire. For a reason their pizza tastes better than most locations.“

“Great food at a good price can't beat it. Hot and ready and on time we ordered it five stars to these guys.“

“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.“

“Always a pleasure to come to Rosebud. Evan at the front is amazing, helpful, and friendly. The bartenders are the best. Danny and Volcan know our orders and are very attentive. TC, Jimmy and Coco are great servers. Great place for holidays, birthdays or just dinner!!“

“Great food. awesome customer service.“