50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lincolnwood

“The food was very good. Our server, however, was so hyper, it was hard to even communicate with him. NOT fine dining experience for sure, but not worthy of a diner even. The “music” continues to be merely a pounding sound, not an addition to ambience as it should be.“

“Wonderful all around. Amazing food,amazing wait staff, 10/10 atmosphere as well.“

“Nuovo is one of the finest restaurants I've ever eaten in. The food is all fresh and expertly prepared. The dishes are all very artistic and beautifully presented. The flavors are authentic and fantastic. I am always excited to have a night out here, even if I am on my own for the evening.“

“My friend and I haven’t been to Olive Garden in awhile - but we were blown away. Both of us are vegan and we had the minestrone soup and angel hair pasta with broccoli and mushrooms. Andres was our server and he knocked our socks off. He was charming and attentive - and to be honest we didn’t want to leave. Thanks so much Andres, you are a smooth criminal!“

“Overall everything was great. The only negative was the noise level. But that is understandable due to the restaurant being full due to it being Father's Day. Our server(sorry don't recall his name) was OUTSTANDING. Food was top notch! Very delicious. Made for a very enjoyable Father's Day for me and a great birthday for my adult son. Way to go Lou Malnati's staff! Excellent job!“

“My Fiancé and I discovered this restaurant after watching “Somebody Feed Fill” and were inspired and intrigued by Sarah’s restaurant and craftsmanship. We had our eye on getting reservations here for a very long time and we ended up landing lunch reservations for my Fiancés birthday (whom is also a Chef). We just happened to be seated by the expo line near the kitchen where we saw Sarah working. From start to finish our server Rose, and Sarah made sure our experience was personalized special. Sarah even signed the cookbook we bought and menu! Everything was on point from the food to the service. I can see why it’s so hard to get a reservation here! If we could rate our experience higher we would. We greatly appreciate the hospitality and dedication that this restaurant displays!“

“Alla Vita is an exceptional restaurant for several reasons. First, their menu offers a delicious variety of authentic Italian dishes, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere is warm and elegant, perfect for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. Additionally, the service is impeccable, with a friendly and attentive staff that ensures every diner has a memorable experience. The combination of exquisite flavors, charming ambiance, and excellent service makes Alla Vita an outstanding choice for any occasion.“

“I have never eaten food like this before! It is so good and I am leaving beyond satisfied!“

“Wonderful Birthday/ Father’s Dinner tonight…Ambiance, Food and Staff absolutely incredible!!! John and Cole, along with the rest of the Ciccio Team are the consummate professionals!!!“

“I am late writing my review but I had to write it !! I visited provare chicago On july 8th !! From start to finish this restaurant gets 5 starts . The decor was nice and set a perfect atmosphere for a great night . We were greeted immediately upon arrival and seated within 5 minutes of being there . Once seated the wait staff began their introduction's on drinks and popular menu item's. After my party ordered drinks and appetizers a gentleman came over (not sure if he was the manager) and introduce himself and made sure we were having a great experience. Appetizers were amazing!! We couldn't wait for dinner!! Our entrées we just as good if not better ! Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection! When we didn't think the night could get even better the entire wait staff and the gentleman that came over before stopped and recognized my friend for her birthday and brought over a birthday surprise!! I live 307 miles and this place was definitely worth the drive !!!“

“Wonderful meal while on our van Galder day trip to a concert. Wonderful service, food and atmosphere. They even packaged up a tiramisu for our bus driver!“

“The deep dish pizza was rich, cheesy, and packed. The crust was thick but still buttery and soft, which made it really satisfying. Each slice was filling, so it’s definitely a meal to share with friends or family. The place had a laid-back atmosphere and the staff were friendly, making it a spot worth visiting again.“

“Intimate place with great food and service. Chicken parmesan and rigatoni were delicious. If I lived closer, I certainly would be a regular.“

“Pasta Veneta offers a good range of Italian classics, and we definitely had a nice meal. The burrata was a highlight — fresh and flavorful — and the pasta dishes were enjoyable, especially the truffle gnocchi, which had great depth of flavor. We also really liked the red wine blend. Worth a visit if you're looking for a dependable Italian option in the area.“

“Celebrated my birthday here and had a wonderful time! Great food, and really enjoy the Cosmopolitan martini! 🍸 I had the Branzino. All delicious! Recommend!👍🏽“

“Best pasta I’ve had in so long. Had a great experience there, have had 4 different pastas: the fried truffle, the bucatini arabiata, the Torchio special, and the Cacio E Pepe. All of them are fantastic. They told me at the table once I inquired how they learned the recipes that the owner and his wife studied in Italy with the “Nonnas”. This restaurant is their retirement project… go figure. Anyways 10/10“

“I have food allergies. They made a delicious pizza that I could eat and enjoy instead the usual tasteless salad that I have to get so often. Couldn't be happier.“

“The focaccia alone is worth writing home about—pillowy, warm, and absolutely addictive. I nearly had food FOMO when I saw my friend’s dreamy mushroom risotto… but then my short rib arrived and I stopped questioning my life choices. It was fall-apart tender and full of rich, deep flavor.

My husband ordered the veal ossobuco, and let’s just say—every dish at our table was to die for. From start to finish, the meal was unforgettable.

Can’t recommend Il Milanese highly enough. 10/10. Already planning our return.“

“We've never been disappointed in our half dozen visits to Peanut Park. The pizzas are great, sausage and peppers appetizer, the pastas, and a great hazelnut gelato! The service is friendly. Parking is easy. There's a certain kind of nostalgia in a neighborhood restaurant like this. We'll be back!“

“Chef Wilson is a culinary genius! All ingredients are responsibly sourced and a crafted with such attention to detail. His flavorful pairings are out of this world.“

“Wonderful place! Loved the grilled calamari, alpino bianco pizza and orecchiette. Our server Hector gave us great recommendations and made it a very special evening.“

“I made reservations for Saturday, July 19th, but upon arriving and noticing the bar wasn't busy, I opted to sit in the back corner. It was my first time at the restaurant, and the space looked beautiful. Unfortunately, the service didn't match the ambiance. I sat for several minutes before anyone acknowledged me. Someone eventually handed me a brunch menu—which surprised me since I came for dinner. I had to request both the regular food and cocktail menus from the male bartender. I ordered the fried calamari and vegetables, which were quite good—tender calamari and lightly battered vegetables. After finishing, Amelia asked if I wanted another drink. I told her I was ready to order dinner. Frustratingly, no one had asked if I planned to dine—something typical at a bar. I ordered the Branzino based on her recommendation. The tomato sauce was flavorful, though the vegetables weren't hot. Still, no one checked on my meal or offered more silverware, which had been cleared with my appetizer. Thankfully, a tall, slim, dark-haired barback noticed and brought me a fresh set. He also asked how everything was—something none of the bartenders did. He later brought a to-go container and followed up with the dessert menu, showing far more attentiveness than the bartenders, who didn't seem busy—just disengaged. After my meal, I waited for someone to bring the check. With a to-go bag in front of me, I sat at the bar for several minutes without a single bartender stopping by. Again, the barback stepped in and brought it. The food and ambiance were great, but the bartenders' service was lacking. The barback truly saved the evening—he was the star of the night. Sadly, the overall experience makes me hesitant to return.“

“The food and service were AMAZING. Will most definitely be coming back here again!“

“Traveling to Chicago for a concert and this place stood out for a bite to eat. Our expectations of the food were exceeded and the staff was amazing!“

“If you are looking for old school Italian with a modern flare, this is the place!“

“Had supper at the bar before the ELO concert. Service was great, the food was delicious! I definately would go back!“

“Absolutely the most delicious pasta I have ever had in my life! The scampi is like no other and the toffee carrot cake was so good I almost cried. The service was incredible. You feel so welcome. Like instant family.“

“Great old school Italian food and atmosphere, always good food and service.“

“Love this spot in the heart of Gold Coast. Fantastic dinner options and you can’t go wrong wjth an Aperol spritz. I recommend sitting outside!“

“We drove down from Milwaukee. I’ve been wanting to try Tortello since they’ve opened and I found out that they source their eggs from where I get mine (they are the best). Dario was kind, friendly, and extremely engaging. The food was fantastic. We started with Focaccia Ricotta & Honey which was ridiculously good. I had the spaghetti pomodoro which was perfectly balanced sauce to pasta to cheese. My husband had the Cacio e Pepe and devoured it. Our son had the Kids Lumache and ate half (he’s only two) and inhaled the rest tonight. It smelled even better the second time around if that’s possible. Best authentic Italian I’ve had in the States. Felt great after too, not like I’d eaten a pound of pasta. If you aren’t making plans to go sometime soon…you’re missing out!“

“Outstanding Northern Italian-inspired cuisine! Wonderful dining experience. Delicious food and excellent service.“

“We had such a great date night here! We did the wine pairing dinner and they collaborated with Planeta from Sicily. Such a special evening 🤎“

“Great Italian authentic food… Love the family atmosphere ❤️“

“Come see Elizabeth, service and food were superb! Best Italian Beef sandwich in Chicago.“

“This was by far the best authentic Italian dinner I've experienced since living for 3 years in Naples Italy 22 years ago. AMAZING food and service with extremely reasonable pricing for the quality. A special acknowledgent and appreciation to Maria that brought the experince to the next level. Great conversations, so inviting and professional! Thank you Maria, I'll certainly recommend to all my frineds and colleagues to come and enjoy as well!“

“Great food and atmosphere“

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

“Wonderful restaurant. Food was excellent very close to what I had in Rome. Staff very friendly and made our dining very enjoyable! Go here!!“

“Cute streetside dining. Food, drinks and service... Excellent!“

“Nice ambiance! Great food.“

“Best Italian sub I've ever had in my life! The atmosphere epitomizes Old Italy and all its charm. Definitely coming back!“

“Great food, great people!“

“If you are looking for a really special food experience with a cozy casual atmosphere, this is an awesome place to visit. The chef, Ms Dani Kaplan, is the daughter of one of my closest bff. OMG! Each bite is a tastebud delight! And the bar - so special! If you want a true, high-quality, Chicago, eating experience don’t miss this place!!!!“

“The risotto in the arancini was undercooked (crunchy) and the pasta vesuvio and shells were bland. Atmosphere was cool and wine was delicious. Would be a good place just for drinks and possibly apps. Otherwise, there are so many other better pizza and pasta restaurants in the city.“

“Very friendly and accommodating - I usually go alone but never feel alone - the staff always stops by to chat with me and make sure I have a good experience. By the end of my wonderful meal, I’ve chatted with lots of them, they’ve learned my name and when I go back, they greet me by my first name - wonderful feeling 🥰“

“It’s great place with great service, a variety of wine options, and delicious pasta!! 100/10“

“**Long Review – Worth the Read!** I first noticed this charming restaurant while driving by a month ago. Intrigued, I did some research and couldn’t wait to visit. Unfortunately, each time I attempted to dine there, they were closed. Lesson learned: always check the hours! Finally, eight days ago, I arrived on a busy Saturday evening. With no seats available inside, we opted for the patio near a heater despite the chilly weather. **What I Loved**: I was impressed as the staff graciously apologized to walk-in guests without reservations, offering them the option to wait or take food to go. Once seated, we were informed about the busy night ahead and things may take a little longer. They made sure to take care of us, even inviting us inside when seats became available. Walking into the restaurant felt like stepping into a trattoria in Italy, the kind only locals know about. The pizza was divine—and reminded me of Naples. The homemade pasta was perfection, and the mussels were absolutely to die for! This meal transported me back to my days living in Italy, away from the tourist trap restaurants. **A Second Visit**: I returned today, craving pizza and pasta, but they were out of pizza. While disappointing, it’s a sign of their growing popularity. Pamela, my server, delivered the news with grace and empathy, which made the experience enjoyable despite the setback. We quickly and playfully switched gears, and she suggested some fantastic alternatives that I loved! I truly appreciate good communication and understand the importance of patience in the dining experience. To those leaving negative reviews: It’s easy to critique from the sidelines. I challenge anyone who thinks they could do better to step into a server's shoes. Patience and kindness are free and go a long way.“

“An intimate space, but the entrées and desserts were excellent and the service was pleasant and efficient. A modest, but reasonable wine list.“

“We were in Chicago for a couple days from Austin, Indiana, and stopped in at Pat’s for dinner based off of the great reviews and it did not disappoint! The food was amazing and excellent service. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“This is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. While there are many great items to choose from on the menu, the real standout is their amazing thin crust pizza. The atmosphere is an eclectic mix of families, neighborhood folks, couples and groups. They have a friendly host, wait staff and bar staff. Reservation recommended if you want to go on a Friday or Saturday.“