50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lincolnshire

“Great, authentic Italian cuisine. Never disappoints.“

“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.“

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

“Food was excellent as always and our server Moses made it extra special. Always one of my favorites!“

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

“Really good Italian food and ambiance!“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“Amazing and now I love the tacos 🥰“

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

“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“

“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!“

“My favorite Italian restaurant in the northern suburbs. Great food and awesome atmosphere 👍.“

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

“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. 🥰👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

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

“Came here for Mother’s Day! Great food we each had a different dish and shared Calamari for the table. Delicious. The sauce was just like Nonna makes!“

“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.“

“Tre Amici is fire. I appreciate the staffs and managers kindness to me even though I have autism and their food is amazing and really good. Owner is very nice. They cook the food fresh and ready to eat and they maintain the restaurant clean. Amazing pizza. Must come back. 10/10“

“I’ve had three parties here. The Prices are affordable and the food is absolutely delicious. Shout out to the service! every thing was phenomenal as usual!“

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

“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“

“I came here on 09/21/26 to bring my lady out for her birthday. I definitely made the right choice! Coming into the restaurant your set with a beautiful fire place scenery on top of nice jazz music playing. Mikita would be my server, to which was SUPERA KIND & FRIENDLY! After getting us our water and providing us with some drink recommendations on our wine, I asked him to start us with the calamari. The calamari was ANAZING! Super fresh, tasteful and literally probably best calamari I’ve had! I also got the Blue Fire Ribeye Steak to which was cooked medium rare and came out exactly that! The food came out so hot and fresh, literally the steak melts in your mouth when biting into it. The steak carried so much FLAVOR!! The sauces added on the side, I kind of wish I would had shook the Chef hands before I left! Mikita then came out with a honey cake for dessert which my lady really ENJOYED! We were completely full but somehow managed to make some room for that cake. The atmosphere was amazing and the service was beyond amazing! If you are truly looking for a nice scenery for a date night, trust my me when I say don’t second guess yourself to come here! Thank you to the Red Bottle team and the chef in the back, you keep doing what your doing! Did not let me down!“

“Came for a celebratory dinner on Saturday evening with my family. CJ was patient and hospitable and took great care of us. The food was fresh, with hearty portion sizes and full of classic Italian flavors.

We look forward to dining here again! :)“

“They had great food !! I liked their chicken with sauce on it !! Very tasty !!“

“Great service and food. 100% recommend“

“Modern Italian Restaurant with great service and food.“

“Very tasty, good service. Great food. Much better than the Italian restaurant that used to be here.

We had grilled octopus, shrimp, calamari platter and it was awesome. The house salad is made with arugula and baby tomatoes and delicious.

Meatballs and pasta is also fantastic.“

“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 .“

“Exceptional Italian food“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What an incredible experience at Follia! From the moment we walked in, everything was absolutely wonderful. The restaurant is beautiful and elegant, with such a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food was outstanding, every single thing we had was delicious and beautifully prepared.

The service was exceptional, and the entire staff made us feel so welcome. Bruno, the owner, went above and beyond to make our evening special. His warmth, hospitality, and attention to detail truly set Follia apart. He even surprised me with a beautiful gift, which was such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture.

Follia is truly a gem. Amazing food, gorgeous atmosphere, wonderful people, and an experience we won’t forget. We absolutely loved it and can’t wait to come back!“

“amazing food and awesome staff!!“

“Ovvio provided the best dining experience I've had this year. The service was excellent. With its open air dining, weather permitting, the atmosphere is amazing. The food was outstanding. We had the muscles and chicken parmesan. I especially want to recognize Nate, the restaurant's manager, who went above and beyond to make our visit incredible. We will return very soon.“

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

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

“Delicious sourdough bread, eggplant parm, veal marsala, and tiramisu! They were out of mint for a Hugo spritz, but thoughtfully suggested their special spritz instead. Though the dining room got quite noisy as it filled up, the staff was extremely helpful throughout the evening.“

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

“Dinner was wonderful!! We both had the salmon special. Broiled salmon filled with crab meat, with a light sauce. It was absolutely sublime!! I asked for a side of pasta rather than mashed potatoes. The bow tie with meat sauce was just wonderful!! We were too full for dessert. Next time.“

“Francesco's Hole in the Wall is one of those restaurants that reminds you what dining out used to feel like. Every dish is made with care. Nothing is over-seasoned or trying too hard. Everything is balanced. The pasta tastes fresh and homemade, cooked perfectly every time. The tomatoes taste like tomatoes, the herbs are fresh, and every dish feels light instead of weighing you down.

The atmosphere isn't fancy, and that's exactly why it works. It feels like stepping back in time. They somehow fit what feels like 60 people into a space that's about 25 by 25 feet. The tables are small, everyone's close together, and somehow it all works. There isn't a menu at your table either. You walk over to a giant handwritten board, take a picture with your phone, and order from that. It's part of the experience.

The service is what really impressed me. It feels like everyone has worked there forever. The owner is there, watching everything, and the staff runs like a well-oiled machine. Plates disappear as soon as you're finished, silverware is replaced without asking, food comes out quickly, and they somehow keep all those small tables organized without making you feel rushed or cramped.

This is a great place for a birthday, anniversary, or just a really good Italian meal. They don't take reservations, so you have to decide if you're willing to wait. After eating here, the answer is easy. Absolutely. I'd wait every time.“

“Great food and even better customer service. We ordered food for delivery and Grub Hub only delivered our pastries, not our dinners. When I called Sorelle, the manager apologized and said he would bring us our food. It is so rare these days to have that kind of service and we were so appreciative. We will definitely be return customers!“

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

“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 had a great time at Old City Pizzeria & Sports Bar! Everything we ordered was fresh and really delicious. The pizza was excellent, the appetizers were great, and the portions were very generous. The atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming, and the service was friendly and attentive. We really enjoyed our evening here. Thank you guys for the great food and hospitality! We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend! 🍕👏“

“I went here today with my daughter and niece, and let's just start with the service, so nice, so friendly!
The atmosphere, cozy.
The food, I'm a city girl and a foody, I just moved to Des Plaines about 4 yrs ago and the only thing I miss about the city is the food.
This place took me back. 👌🏽
We'll be back!“