50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lyons

“I stopped by Pop's Italian Beef today with my usual plan of attack — the legendary ribeye steak sandwich that normally has my name written all over it. But then I saw the sign…

“Mondays in March – 46th Anniversary Special.”

And suddenly my carefully crafted sandwich strategy went right out the window. Instead of the steak sandwich, I audibled and went with three of the cheeseburger specials, because at those prices it felt almost irresponsible not to participate in the celebration.

Apparently the entire population of Lyons had the exact same idea.

The place was absolutely slammed. The poor girls behind the counter — Cecilia and Celeste — were running around in circles like contestants in the Italian Beef Olympics. Orders flying, people everywhere, the grill working overtime. They were hustling nonstop and doing their best to keep the whole operation moving.

Because of the anniversary madness, I ended up waiting quite a while for my food. At one point I started wondering if I might still be standing there when they roll out the banner for their 47th anniversary.

But when the burgers finally arrived? Totally worth it. Juicy, cheesy, messy in the way a proper burger should be — the kind where you need a pile of napkins and absolutely no dignity while eating it.

So yes, the wait was real, but between the great food, the anniversary chaos, and Cecilia and Celeste working like absolute champions, it was still a memorable stop.

Pro tip: If you see an anniversary special at Pop’s… bring your patience. The reward at the end is still delicious.“

“Salerno’s in Lyons always gets it done! We order from Salerno’s for pretty much every party. Their stadium sized pizzas are great for a crowd and we love their thin crust pizza! They are always so accommodating and they are easy to order from. Their Italian beefs on garlic bread are DELICIOUS as well! Highly recommend!“

“Wonderful food and service.“

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

“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!!!!“

“This is our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood, hands down. We've been regulars since they opened, and we're always leaving happy and satisfied. The owner is consistently very welcoming and genuinely glad to see us return. My husband is known for ordering his favorite dish, pork chop, and I for constantly asking for the Chef's cheesecake, which is usually not on the menu. I'm excited to hear about their new uptown location. Congratulations!“

“The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, the request to change the potatoes to the mushroom risotto was the best!!! And the spinach was very good as well. I woke up this morning saying wow that was a great meal exactly what I needed! Thank you!“

“We had the pleasure of hosting our wedding reception at Francesca’s Amici Elmhurst. The event coordinator, Nancy, was hands down the best. She is well experienced and has a true talent. Our group of nearly 80 people were very comfortable in the private room. There was plenty of room for our guests to enjoy a standing cocktail hour followed with a sit down dinner. The food was even better the evening of, kudos to the kitchen. And they did any excellent job making sure they were well staffed for the event. The staff was EXCELLENT, attentive and helpful. Thank you again!“

“Grande! Finalmente anche gli americani possono mangiare una pizza seria.“

“I ordered a breaded steak sandwich. It was excellent. Just tell them easy on the red sauce. Overall the steak was darn good. Next time I'm gonna order the jumbo steak sandwich. The restaurant was spotless and the associates were very friendly. Try the fries. Top shelf“

“Gpay didn't work and I had no physical card. After trying the Gpay several times, I gave up. The manager asked for the drink I was drinking back, lol. I got in the car, saw my wallet in the seat and decided not to go back in. I drove out of my way to try this food, but this experience with being asked for the drink back was shocking. #theapartmentlady“

“Last week I hosted a private party for 20 people. We had drinks, dinner, dessert and it was all delicious! The service was outstanding and Eileen went out of her way to ensure the event was beautifully planned. It was everything I could have asked for. Thank you!“

“Perfect all around. Great atmosphere, prompt perfect service, polite attentive staff. The chef has a gift and talent. The bone in new york strip cooked to my specification and the sauce had a rich deep flavor that complemented the steak perfectly. The grilled calamari and shrimp was perfect, and the flavor was like nothing I had before. Dessert was Bananas Foster was mind blowing and prepared table side. We will be back again. This is a must try and repeat spot. The drinks were also on point.“

“an instant superstar in this community, people will come from near and far for this quality of Italian.“

“The food here is beyond exquisite. Homemade gnocchi and table side polenta steal the show, but everything is amazing. Make sure to ask for a table outside in the wine garden in the back. You will pass through this tiny restaurant into a true oasis in the back. The unassuming front of the restaurant wouldn’t make you think the food is as incredible as it is.“

“5 stars for HECTOR in Western Springs!!! Hands down this was the absolute best dining experience I’ve ever had! While the food was delicious and the overall ambiance and decor of the restaurant was cozy, it was our server that made this dining experience over the top, great! HECTOR, you are a gem, a diamond! You have an absolutely charming personality and made my mother in law’s birthday dinner an experience to remember! From your spot on suggestions, to your lovely rendition of “Happy Birthday”, to the funny banter, our whole family left talking about how wonderful you were! We will be back and we will be sure to come when you are serving! Thank you Hector!!!“

“Excellent food, great service, knowledgeable waitress“

“Food, service and experience was perfection!“

“Love this place! We eat here frequently on Sundays!“

“Love this new for me tasty omg takecare uslike a VIP excellent service quality and oldiest place wonderful“

“From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat—but I had no idea just how satisfying it would be. Let’s start with the French toast: golden, fluffy, and kissed with just the right amount of cinnamon and sweetness. It was perfection on a plate—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with fresh fruit and syrup that made each bite better than the last. Next up? A wholesome egg white omelette that didn’t skip a beat on flavor. Packed with vibrant veggies and just the right amount of seasoning, it was light, fresh, and oh-so-satisfying. And that’s just scratching the surface. The service was warm, the vibe was cozy yet elevated, and every dish was crafted with care. From start to finish, this brunch felt like a hug on a plate. Whether you’re a fellow foodie, a brunch aficionado, or just looking for your next go-to spot, add this one to your list. Trust me—your taste buds will thank you.“

“Nottoli's is the Best Italian Food in Chicagoland Period! Everything is Handmade! The Homemade Italian Sausage is World Class! The Sandwiches are Amazing, They Also Have Frozen Food, The Frozen Handmade Pizza's are Delicious! We Have 4 Generations of My Family that have Shopped at Nottoli's...We Highly Recommend it!! 🏆👍🏻“

“Raffi is a wonderful host and the server is very attentive. Loved all of the meals I have had there over the years. My favorite is the mostaciolli with spinach and ricotta, better at Raffis than anywhere else I’ve been.“

“Solid food every time! Had great risotto last night, their pastas are always good & great cocktails. Take home family meals are delicious and a lot of food for the money. Recommend!“

“Was perfect. Great wine great food. Great service. Will be back. Thank u.“

“La comida estuvo deliciosa, cada platillo con un sabor auténtico y bien preparado. El servicio fue excelente y el ambiente muy acogedor. Definitivamente un lugar para volver muchas veces y para disfrutar en familia o con amigos. The food was delicious, each dish authentic and well-prepared. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. Definitely a place to return to many times and enjoy with family or friends.“

“Had dinner on 12/17/2023 service and food was excellent. Gluten free menu available.“

“From the second we arrived the girls at hostess stand were jovial and inviting. Then waitress and chef table side appetizer and dinner were fantastic! Ordered more food than our table of four could eat, but we got to try a variety of entrees. Everything was top notch quality. Order the Lemoncello shots to round out your dinner! Will be back for more!“

“Just had lunch with my neighbor Jorge and as usual was NOT disappointed! Chris was her usual friendly self. She’s always on the ball about pleasing people and sending them home happy and full. Rose was the waitress everyone dreams of. Patient and funny all in the same breath. If you haven’t been to LaVilla I highly recommend a visit. You will want to return again and again! I’d be there more often but I have no self control. 🤣“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

“My family and I love this place. You can’t go wrong with anything you order. Great service and family atmosphere too.“

“Best calamari and eggplant around. My husband and I go to different restaurants on Friday's for calamari & eggplant parmesan . Antonino's is the best.“

“Food was good as hell frfr and u get a lot with the chicken Alfredo and broccoli 🥦“

“If your looking for a true hidden neighborhood gem come to Pastina. I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and all the recommendations were on point. The chef was also able to make anything off menu but we went with the offerings. The Chicken Lemon I had was delicious and very well prepared with fresh capers. My wife had the chicken Vesuvio and loved her food and enjoyed the fresh mushrooms in the sauce, she said it was like eating two different meals at the same time. We also had the spinach soup which my wife fell in love with and now wants the recipe. The Bruschetta with the sweet roasted tomatoes is a must try. For dessert we topped it off with a delicious creme brulee cheese cake. Our server was very kind and attentive and everything she recommended was 5 stars. I will say this is a very date night spot and cozy space but don't let that stop you from coming with a small group of friends though I'd recommend a reservation for that. Neighborhood parking isn't too bad but I'd say give yourself a little time to get here and find a spot. I can't wait to come back and try more.“

“I have loved this place my whole life! Best pizza on the south side!“

“This location of Olive Garden turned out to be a really great experience 🍝✨ Everything felt organized and well-managed, which made the whole visit smooth and enjoyable from the start. We were seated almost immediately with barely any wait ⏱️😊, which is always a big plus!

The service was attentive and friendly throughout our meal 👏🙂 — we felt well taken care of without being overwhelmed. Of course, the salad and breadsticks were just as amazing as always 🥗🥖, fresh and super tasty. Our pasta dishes came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor 🔥🍝.

We specifically came for the unlimited pasta bowl deal, and it did not disappoint 😍 We tried a few different combinations, but honestly, the classic Alfredo and the meat sauce were the clear winners 🏆👌 — simple but so good!

For the price, the portion sizes and quality are seriously hard to beat 💸👍. You definitely get great value for your money here. We left full, happy, and already planning to come back again soon 😄✨“

“I ordered the mid-week take home special last week and we loved the selections. The soup was gnocchi with a short rib meat filling and a short rib broth. The dinner was boar's meat and sauce with kale. The dessert was fill your own cannoli. Everything was delicious and the instructions for reheating were easy. It's my third time getting it. So fun!“

“Very good food. We enjoy the dinner. Very good service too“

“Best Lasagna hands down ! See you next month when I return to Chicago!“

“This past weekend a group ( 14 ) of us experienced a wonderful evening at Pazzi Di Pizza in Elmhurst. It was a fun get-together that was enhanced by great appetizers and varied, delicious pizzas. We also were served by some of the best and most courteous staff we have ever experienced. Marco, the Manager, who attentively scheduled our evening, came over, introduced himself, inquired about our needs, and then introduced us to Charlie, our evening's server. Charlie was exceptional!! It was our second time meeting at this venue, and I highly recommend a visit!“

“Great place to dine and great food“

“Donny G’s is a great restaurant! Starting from the manager George to his staff! They all are very welcoming and make sure that the food is cooked to your liking to your cocktails made great! I went with a party of ten for my daughter’s birthday and we all had different plates and we loved our tasty food . To our surprise they had entertainment which added to our experience. We will definitely be going again soon💕.“

“My first time trying Giuliano’s! I picked up a pizza last evening and literally could not stop eating it. This is arguably the BEST pizza in the entire Chicago suburbs. I got thin crust with spinach and roasted red peppers. The sauce, cheese, and toppings were absolutely amazing. What a great find and will recommend to all my friends!!“

“Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa“

“Friendly, professional staff and delicious food.“

“EXCELLENT FOOD AND SERVICE EVERY TIME!“

“One of the best spots for authentic Italian and the best traditional atmosphere and great service and customers!“

“I have been coming to this location for a little over a year now and they just. don’t. miss. You walk in that front door and they are always ready to push out orders! I go so often I’m starting to think I annoy them a little 😂 all jokes aside, I have tried pizza from all over the state and others too, but nothing can compare to a slice from Anthony B’s. They never have the pizza just sitting it’s always fresh and piping hot. It’s HONESTLY the BEST PIZZA I have ever tasted in my life. I find myself coming back at least once a week (or more 😂) if you feel like you’ve never tasted REAL pizza come to Anthony B’s, you’ll never want a slice from anywhere else. Thank you to the amazing employees who are dedicated to providing AMAZING quality and thank you specifically the young lady with the blonde streaks, she is so so amazing, kind and SUCH a hard worker. Thank you Anthony B’s for being so MARVELOUS !“

“First time visiting and I can honestly say this place is my new spot! Great thin crust pizza sauce is perfect sausage was tasty crust had the crunch I look for! They beat Vito and nicks any day! Highly highly recommended! Thank you Robbie for a good pizza!“

“Amazing food and hospitality“