50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Lake Villa

“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.“

“Absolutely love this restaurant and family that owns it! Very welcoming and cozy!“

“Definitely worth the few extra minutes driving up here from Round Lake. I showed up on Thursday to find out they’ve got an all you can eat taco special 👀 I gotta roll myself out to my car after this. Don’t let the previous rough construction out front fool you, this place is gold. I had the steak and chorizo tacos that were superb. Mango margarita slapped 👏🏻“

“The food!!! The staff!!! I've tried most everything and loved it.“

“It’s always a fun time had by all. Everybody is very friendly.“

“I came to try the meat loaf stack and my wife the steak sandwich. We thought the food was delicious, and the service was great. We arrived a little before 5 on Friday which was a good time because the restaurant filled up quickly after wards. We’ll definitely be coming back.“

“Had a great experience! We had a large group and they were very accommodating! The guys in our group did the Big Timmy food challenge and loved it! Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a great atmosphere, good food, and fun!“

“Wonderful and pleasant experience. Food and service is AAA+++. Always check specials listed in front counter when you come in. We strongly suggest the "Stuffed Green Pepper Soup" when it i available!!!“

“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!“

“Modern decor, great service, excellent meal. Nice couples place. Not sure what to get? Our server gave us great recommendations. Will be back.“

“We were in Chicago for a visit from Texas and I decided I was really craving dumplings. I googled dumplings and Dangelas popped up. Reviews were amazing so we put it in the GPS and off we went. We arrived 30 minutes before closing but it didn’t matter. The best dumplings I’ve ever had. I wish I didn’t live so far away because I would be there at least once a week!“

“My husband and I have enjoyed our dinners here for 45 years. Similar menu and same receipes. We celebrated our wedding rehearsal dinner here. Our favorite restaurant for our anniversary and birthdays, the best restaurant for Friday fish fry in the state of Wisconsin!“

“Drive by daily dropping kids off at Goddard, today we decided to pop in for dinner. Wife had a great idea because the food was on point! Will be back, maybe when it’s warmer and eat outside. Keep up the good work!“

“I can't say enough good things about this restaurant! They went above and beyond to take care of my veteran fiancé for Veterans Day, (even though we were a day late in being able to visit), taking care of us like family, from the regional director to all the restaurant staff. The food was terrific and my fiancé loved everything; the food, the staff, and the military/first responders decor, and the respect given to veterans. They even put his picture from his Army service days on their wall, which gave him a huge smile when he saw himself displayed on their wall along with photos of so many other veterans. And even though we don't live nearby, we will make it a point to visit them every time we get the chance to. Thanks again to everyone there!!“

“I stop at Hayashi’s for lunch on a Saturday. Only one table was occupied, so I got a seat right away. The menu offered a wide selection of items to choose from.
I ordered two of the special rolls and a green tea, and they arrived at the table promptly. The rolls were good but not outstanding.
I went to the women's bathroom and found it needed some cleaning, although it was spacious.
Hayashi has very good service, a special menu, and is well-decorated. They just need to make their rolls extraordinary.“

“Stop! If you miss it, turn around! You’ll go, “Really? Golf balls and good food?” Yep, leave the clubs home - too cold for that - and don’t whiz by without stopping for a bite. There’s a reason so many cars are parked in the lot. The locals get it. Be a local!“

“The first thing I like is George standing by the door greeting people and saying welcome home. I love the food. The food is homemade and excellent. I love the service. I love the prices, they are very reasonable. There isn’t a thing about that place that I could criticize. I love everything, and that’s why we keep going all the time. Thank you for listening to me. George is a wonderful guy and I recommend that everybody go there. Thank you, Ele & Larry“

“THE BEST breakfast I have ever had! My family visited for the first time today (tourists) and Loved the atmosphere, our server (didn’t catch his name. But he had the PRETTIEST nails!) and food! 10/10 highly recommend if you are visiting Chicago!“

“It's not much to look at from the outside, but inside has a friendly, hometown diner atmosphere. The prices are probably apt for the area. The servings were surprisingly large, and the food delicious“

“Friendly staff, great food!“

“I try to support our local restaurants as much as possible. When this Thai place popped up I had been happy to try it. It took me a few months to remember todo so. After a busy day I decided to order an pick up. Atmosphere is a modern sleek Asian fusion. Almost spa like. Families and groups of all ages were there enjoying their meals. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Always greeting you with a joyful hello amd smiles, even when they are swamped. Food is pretty good for a lower cost place. You can tell it is fresh ingredients and chefs that know how to create comfort food that looks beautiful and tasty. I have alot of food allergies and this place was open to working with me. I recommend them for a casual to nice dine in and definitely for any take out party!“

“We’ve dined here a number of times over the years, and it’s always managed to deliver that satisfying, slow-smoked comfort that keeps regulars coming back. But this latest visit stood out—worthy of a fresh review and renewed praise. Service, which in past visits could occasionally feel uneven, hit all the right notes this time. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, moving with a quiet confidence that set the tone for the evening. It’s a small but important improvement that elevated the experience considerably. As for the food—the heart of any smokehouse—the kitchen was clearly in fine form. I opted for both the ribs and smoked turkey, and each showcased why this spot has earned its loyal following. The ribs arrived perfectly glazed, with that balance of bark and tenderness that only comes from skill and patience. The smoked turkey, too often an afterthought at lesser establishments, was moist, flavorful, and subtly infused with smoke—no small feat. Cocktails rounded out the evening, each one thoughtfully mixed and balanced, adding a polished touch to the rustic fare. If there’s one shortcoming, it’s the setting. The restaurant occupies a strip mall space that, while perfectly functional, lacks the atmosphere its food deserves. The interior and seating are serviceable but uninspired—a missed opportunity to extend the warmth and authenticity of the menu into the design. A bit more “smokehouse soul” in the decor would bring the full experience together. Still, those quibbles fade with the first bite of those ribs. BBQ'd Productions remains one of the best spots around for great smoked meats and hearty, satisfying meals—now with service that finally matches the kitchen’s skill.“

“Very inviting folks! Absolutely delicious and HUGE portions for a very good price! I'll be eating off the chicken teriyaki for a week!! HIGHLY recommend!“

“We loved stopping in before our metra train back to Chicago! Would be back if in the area. Homemade cookies were fantastic and chicken wild rice soup.“

“My fiancé and I went for breakfast at the Gurnee location yesterday. Both mens and womens bathrooms were out of order. No additional bathrooms for the employees!!! How can a restaurant be able to be open without facilities for patrons let alone the employees working an 8 hour shift!?!? Our waitress pleaded for me to call OCHEA!! She also said it is not the first time!!“

“Excellent food and customer service!“

“Chips were to die for! Best chips I’ve ever had! Light, crispy, salty, pockets of air out it over the edge! Guacamole and salsas were perfect!!!! Customer service was full of smiles and enthusiasm. Made my day!!!! I can’t wait to go back!!! Thank you for a wonderful experience!“

“The lengua tacos were delicious and the tamales were loaded with shredded pork. I’ll be back again soon.“

“Corey was our fabulous server on this busy Saturday night. He was Extraordinary!! Attentive, helpful, so kind and thoughtful. Best dinner I’ve had in a long time with a fabulous server experience!“

“We went there for the first time over the weekend. Everything was delicious and everyone was so nice! We’ll be back.“

“This place was hands down THE BEST Mexican food spot around town. If i was on death row, I would order from this place. The tamales are out of this world, better than Mexico itself. My moms food does not even touch the level of Michelin this place deserves.“

“We had a holiday party for a bunch of girls. Ignacio was a wonderful server and did a great job. So much fun.!“

“Great atmosphere and Taylor always takes care of her customers!“

“Great Food! Great atmosphere and Great service! Highly recommended!“

“Food is always good as usual“

“We have been going here for a while. The other breakfast places around here are nothing compared to whistle stop. The food is always fresh, hot, friendly professional staff and every guest is treated the same which makes us feel comfortable and wecome. I have not had one bad dish everything is great. Their fries are really good too. Keep up the good work. My kids love you guys!

Kid-friendliness: Yes totally kid friendly. They have a kid menu and accomodate to each kid needs.“

“Food was out of this world. Super super delicious! Food came out extremely quickly. We ordered filet mignon and golden shrimp combo with fried rice and the chicken teriyaki entree. California roll was tender and fresh. Fried rice was cooked perfection as well. Perfectly balanced overall. Excellent service. I really appreciate the attention to filling waters /drinks when necessary. Atmosphere was friendly and so is the staff.“

“I have been to your restaurant three times first time had steak tacos ,second time ribeye burrito, tonight tampiquena dinner all three were delicious!!!! Don't change anything. You really have it going on!!!!!“

“My wife and I have become a little picky with our restaurant selection but this place was great and the food was fresh, it has fancy atmosphere with decent pricing. We have come a couple of times with my wife for their lunch specials and they are the best. Pricing is very fair for what you get. We had the 2 sushi roll option and I had the Chicken pad Thai which was great. The server was a little serious and dry but it's been great every time.

Definitely recommend it.“

“Amazing food and great service! One of the faves in lake county! Highly recommend! A+!!!!!“

“Did some stuff this weekend. This place? Hell yea.“

“Exceptionally excellent food and peeps!!!“

“We went here for dinner tonite. Was just as amazing as what we remember when they were in McHenry!! We sure miss you in McHenry!!! Please hurry and come back 🙃😊 The staff is always friendly and very good customer service!! Always was a favorite place of ours.“

“Not as much fun as thirty years ago but still not bad.“

“Awesome place to eat and drink. Outside tables on the sand overlooking the water. Great service by Kylie.“

“When I ordered my pizza the man on the phone was super kind, he listened to what I needed and let me know in advance that there would be a delay on delivery. When I called back to upgrade my order he was kind about it and updated what I needed. Our pizza came hot fresh and delicious.“

“The best bakery in the area. Great breads and baked items. very friendly family owned and fair prices. The best stop with the kids for a lil weekend start up.“

“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“

“Love this place. Always get the tostados!!! Great chips and salsa too. Friendly people!“

“Best place ever“