50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lake Zurich

“They fit us in on New Year’s Eve and made us feel at home. The food was excellent. Kids and adults loved the food. Great, friendly service and a warm atmosphere. Thank you for making a memorable night and saving our New Years Eve!!“

“I decided to go to LAGO for the first time last night, and I’m so grateful I did! From the moment we arrived, the valet was incredibly kind, and the ambience struck the perfect balance—upscale yet cozy and welcoming. I felt at home immediately, with that unmistakable “city” energy that makes a night out feel special. Our server, Lexi, was absolutely wonderful—beautiful, vibrant, and genuinely attentive. She went above and beyond to make my birthday feel truly special, and we all adored her. The food was delicious, the service was impeccable, and every detail reflected how much care and expertise go into this restaurant. I’ve been missing a place like this, and I can’t wait to come back. LAGO is something special.“

“This pizza I just ordered was among the Best Giordano's we've ever had. We just moved to the area so this was our first time ordering from this location, we've always liked Giordano's but this was excellent! Perfect thin crust, perfect bake, lots of cheese and delicious toppings.
Will definitely be ordering from this location again. Thank you!“

“Best pizza and wings out there! Always fast and hot delivery!“

“We ordered take out! Pizza was very tasting with quality sausage and pepperoni. Between my wife and I, the calzone was absolutely incredible. The perfect amount of dough accompanied with a heavy amount of cheese. Will definitely be ordering again!“

“What a great experience. We got out of a late wake and we’re excited Lous was still open. The person who answered was great as this out of Towner asked a bunch of questions. Pizzas were ready exactly when they said they would be and they were fantastic. First time having Lou’s thin crust and it was just as good as the deep dish.“

“BEST Italian food in Illinois, this place is absolutely amazing. We got the poblano soup and the rigatoni alla traverstin and it was the best pasta and soup I have ever had. I requested it to be spicy, and they made it exactly how I wanted it, it was wonderful! My husband ordered his without the spice and it was just as amazing. Also, it is very refreshing to have a restaurant where all of the waiter and waitresses have conversations with the guests, it was so great to see. We had Susanna and her sister and they were so sweet to us. They all are so hospitable and genuinely great people. We have tried many many Italian restaurants in the area, and this is by far the best one and a must try.“

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

“We tried the meatball & sausage sandwich. It was huge & delicious! The meatballs tasted just like mine! Staff/ owner really nice!“

“From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and exceptional hospitality. The ambiance at Francesca’s Tavola is unmatched—classic, classy, and comfortable. The Pollo Arrosto Romana was divine—crisp skin, tender meat, and the rosemary lemon flavor was out of this world. Highly recommend!“

“Tina G’s in Mundelein is truly a gem! As happy multiple visit repeat customers, we can’t say enough about the outstanding food, warm atmosphere, and the incredible people who make every visit so special. Tina and her husband, Chef Phil Gilardi, pour their hearts into every detail, from the creative and delicious dishes to the welcoming hospitality that makes you feel right at home. Dining here is always more than a meal—it’s a memorable experience filled with flavor, comfort, and joy. We can’t wait to return again and again, and we recommend Tina G’s to anyone who loves great food and genuine warmth!“

“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!“

“Our reservation was for 5pm and we walked in at 502pm. The food for both my wife and I were absolutely the best Italian food we have ever had. The price was excellent for such great quality. We will try to come at least once per month. Thank you very much for our delicious meals. We will see you soon.“

“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.“

“we had a table reservation 10 people walked in what a pleasant surprise interior was nicely done our waiter was excellent ordered drinks excellent our dinner order was great food was amazing we all had different entrees very well done I can't say enough about the staff we will definitely be back“

“Great food , charming atmosphere . Excellent service from Anna“

“We catered for a party this past weekend and were amazed with the quality and value! The food was delicious and probably one of the best perks was that the Italian beef was given to us hot instead of in cold packs like some of the bigger chains do. We’ve always loved Tre Amici’s pizza, but had no idea their catering was so good! Highly recommend to anyone looking to cater a party!“

“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.“

“Great service and food. 100% recommend“

“Had a wonderful, leisurely dinner for four. Food and service were impeccable.“

“Excellent food and service. Will definitely be back. Great happy hour options as well.“

“My girls and I just had a quick dinner here before ballet class and it was awesome! Can’t believe we waited so long to visit, we’ll be back soon! Food and service were 👍🏻👍🏻 all the way!“

“The food was amazing!! I need to go back and try more of their menu.“

“hot oven grinders with extra hot peppers tomatoes &pickles one to eat there one to take home“

“Great Place and the staff is always there for you“

“Last night's dinner was truly wonderful. The amazing food and exceptional staff made our anniversary celebration unforgettable. Special thanks to Armando, Pete, and Brennan for their outstanding service. We will definitely be back.“

“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“

“Very fresh ingredients. All entrees have exceptional flavor and presentation. Cocktails are well made. Classy ambiance. Attentive service.“

“Gianni’s is amazing, best food around. 10/10 highly recommend“

“Great place to have Italian food 😊“

“great atmosphere,quick and friendly.“

“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!“

“hot oven grinders with extra hot peppers tomatoes &pickles one to eat there one to take home“

“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.“

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

“Authentic cucina italiana. Quality has dropped a little in the past few years. Eating here since 2015. Good portions and fair pricing. Inside of the restaurant looks good.“

“I think Buona is great because every time I go there, the food and service never disappoint me. The employees are always friendly and efficient, which makes me feel welcomed and taken care of. I really enjoy the food because it’s flavorful, fresh, and consistently well prepared, especially the Italian beef, which is one of my favorites. The atmosphere is comfortable, and my order is always ready quickly without feeling rushed. Overall, Buona stands out to me because it gives me a reliable, enjoyable experience with great service and great food every time.“

“Food was good and because they forgot my shake homie hooked it up with a large, the review if you you my booii“

“We love going for the entertainment, including Adam behind the bar lol“

“Modern Italian Restaurant with great service and food.“

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

“I always have a great experience at Olive Garden and this time was no different. Rather than dining in this time, I placed an order for pick up. My order was ready when promised, quickly delivered to my car, and when I got home, the food was hot and as delicious as if I had died in.“

“The food was wonderful and the service was fantastic!“

“. Good Food The Italian sub was delicios Good Food The Italian sub was delic They are too expen though“

“Our family’s favorite pizza in Barrington. Always great food!“

“First time visit, 10/14, won't be our last. Service was spot on, the staff was backing each other up to make sure everyone was being serviced quickly. Food was amazing. We only spend a few days each year in the area, but will definitely add this place to our list of must visit places.“

“You can bring dog. Fast and good service.“

“delicious sandwiches and I wouldn't consider anybody else for my catering needs.“

“The pizza is so delicious. The right amount of sauce and cheese. My boys love the pasta and meatballs. Keep up all the great work Little Joey's.“

“Pizza was delicious and was delivered hot!“