50 Best Italian Restaurants near North Riverside

“Finally treated ourselves - not disappointed!! Hubby got the chicken piccante & I had the chicken marsala - both were excellent! The pasta fagioli was so good we got a quart to take home. The service and atmosphere were also great - we will definitely be back!!“

“This Olive Garden has always been one of our go-to spots for me and my kids who love coming here! The food is consistently delicious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and it’s always been a great place for families.

On our most recent visit, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that the manager is actually a client of mine! She went above and beyond to take extra care of us, which made the experience even more special. That said, even before we made that connection, we’ve always had wonderful service and enjoyable meals here.

Big thanks to the entire team—and especially the manager Samantha for making Olive Garden feel like a second home for our family. We’ll definitely keep coming back!“

“Just wanted to let you know that everything I ordered for Christmas Eve was delicious. Baked clams were wonderful. Artichokes were do you for 2 pounds of shrimp two stuffed mushrooms, the fried calamari, the calamari fresh salad you made . I will recommend you to everyone in the neighborhood.“

“I've eaten in many restaurants in Italy which are not as good as Il Milanese, right here in Chicago. It's exactly the sort of place you want to be able to walk to in your neighborhood, and go back to again and again. All of the staff is kind, and make you feel at home. (Special thanks to our server, Jason!) The ambience is cozy and fun.
Most importantly, the food is outstanding. The beef carpaccio with truffles was out of this world. So was the tagliatelle al ragu, and the buccatini carbonara. A week later my wife and I returned, and were thrilled with the spaghetti with clams, and a large portion of delicious ossobuco with risotto.
There is a an excellent selection of Italian wines which are reasonably priced.
We look forward to being back again...soon!
Thanks for everyone at Il Milanese for your hard work!“

“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!!!!“

“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.“

“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“

“We were at a holiday/retirement party. Large group. We were well cared for. I highly recommend them for a date night, happy hour or a large party!“

“We’ve been to Buona Terra several times and our experiences have been great. So it made sense to host a party there. We hosted my 60th birthday party at Buona Terra in late April 2024. What made Buona Terra so appealing to us was we could have the entire restaurant to ourselves and the food, of course!Planning the party was so easy with the help of the owner, Eileen. Eileen was helpful and accommodating and walked us through every step from the menu, bar options and different seating options. She emailed sample bar packages and sample lunch and dinner packages. She also said we could create our own menu which was exciting for us. We decided on Caesar Salad, Pasta di la Nona, Chicken Piccata and Tiramisu. When we arrived for the party Eileen had the room set up perfectly for our party of 35. And the weather was so nice she opened the front patio windows. Everyone had a great time! The food was delicious and the staff friendly. Our family and friends all remarked how great everything was and that they’ll all be back, including the Italians;)“

“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!!!“

“Dining at Gaia Italiano is always an unforgettable experience, combining warm hospitality with authentic Italian flavors. Last night my meal started with house-made specialty focaccia, creamy burrata, and tender artichokes, setting the stage for an incredible feast of Italian foods. The cacio e pepe pasta, prepared tableside in a torched Parmesan wheel, is a must-try, while the short rib-stuffed ravioli and braciole showcase deep, comforting flavors. Served alongside crispy roasted potatoes, every bite is pure indulgence. Paired the meal with a glass of Italian wine and a handcrafted cocktail, and don't leave without trying one of their classic desserts, like tiramisu or cannoli. From the perfectly executed dishes to the inviting ambiance, Gaia Italiano continues to offers an authentic and memorable Italian dining experience every time.“

“We've been going to Il Girasole Trattoria since the first month it opened. the team started strong and has improved with every visit, it's now our favorite Italian restaurant in the city. the chicken Milanese, anything with their bologonase sauce, arancini, tiramisu and homemade sorbet. end the meal with a limoncello or an espresso martini. the staff is friendly, the dining is delicious.“

“Well, we just loved it! We expected a slightly more bustling urban Italian experience, but being a bistro, we got a more home kitchen feel. The prices were a little lower than expected, but typical with a dine-in Italian experience.

But the food! We have tried lots of Italian restaurants in Chicago recently. This was a standout. They offer a delicious homemade cornbread and feta spread upon arrival. We ordered the Gorgonzola fettuccine and the linguine putaneska and they were just to die for! The Gorgonzola was creamy and not overpowering. The putaneska was savory, salty in the right way, with lots of umami. The shrimp was cooked to perfection. And the carrot cake with cream cheese icing was delicious. The food was just wonderful.

Going along with the home kitchen feel, the server was casual and friendly. Lovely and personal attention is given. Please give this place a try. It is worth it.“

“Wonderful, creative menu as well as great service.“

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

“Its been decades since I had a breaded steak sandwich. To give you perspective, last time I had a breaded steak sandwich was in early 1990s when there was a Ricobenes on Lake Street in The Loop, at street level, downstairs from a Nevada Bob’s. If you know about this, then you are Gen X!!

This place was recommended by a close friend and it was fantastic!!! It’s a solid 4.6⭐️s!!

From what I recall, this breaded steak sandwich is just about as tasty as I have had since Ricobenes. Tony’s is excellent and messy as I have expected. Its very filling and well worth the price.

Also tried their italian beef, which was very good indeed. Balanced spices and saltiness was all there!!! But I do have my favorites that I lean on when I really need a fixin!!! But this was very good nonetheless.

This neighborhood joint is small and has limited seating, but the friendly staff made the dine-in meal a pleasant experience, albeit a bit confined. Most patrons order take-away. Will try to make it out again next time I am in the Midway area.“

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

“Just a fantastic place everything I order is always excellent! I ordered the sun-dried tomatoes and a side order of meatballs that were fantastic. I highly recommend this place the pizzas excellent the cannolis out of this world, etc..“

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

“We needed to be in Chicago for Thanksgiving this year and wanted to find a nice restaurant open Thanksgiving Day in Logan's Square. So happy we found Saba. They offered a pre fixe traditional Thanksgiving meal but we opted to order from the standard menu. Everything was delicious including the gnocchi with pesto, the linguini basilico with prosiutto, chicken and eggplant parms and cocktails. The staff was very friendly and really made a holiday out of town very enjoyable.“

“We visited for the first time yesterday and it was AMAZING! Great ambience, friendly staff, good music but the food was the star of the show. Absolutely delicious! Everything from the bread, salads, soups and entrees. We will definitely be back!!!“

“lo consigli vivamente su tutto, cibo, locale raffinato personale competente ed infine la proprietaria una persona meravigliosa“

“Excellent food, great service, knowledgeable waitress“

“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!! 🏆👍🏻“

“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.“

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

“Love this place. Great flavorful food, great wait staff. Our “goto” place for great comfort food.“

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

“My FAVORITE grilled chicken sandwich! Everything is amazing! Highly recommend!“

“Food was delicious. Service was great and nice ambiance too. Lunch menu was reasonable & delish.“

“Fantastic place! Pastina is a hidden gem in the neighborhood. By far, the best Italian restaurant in the area. Food is made fresh daily, the service is phenomenal, and the restaurant is charming and cozy. Try this place if you haven't already! You will not be disappointed.“

“Been here a handful of times ..
The pizza is th Star !!
Last few times the food was not as on par with the first 3-4 times.
Staff was slow and food was slow.
The first few times i went was when they first opened.
Seems service went down a bit!“

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

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

“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!“

“Great place to dine and great food“

“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!“

“Today we hosted my daughter’s baby shower at Lucca. Not only was the food delicious but the care that Sonia and Kara provided for our event was outstanding. I highly recommend this restaurant for special events. Be sure to ask for Sonia and Kara!!“

“I always love eating at Mama Luigi’s. My family has often dined there and we never leave without taking dessert because they have the best tiramisu ever! If you have not eaten at Mama Luigi’s you need to cause their food is phenomenal!“

“Great service and always consistent food. They have a partnership until August 23 with @makeawish“

“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!“

“Amazing staff and the food was literally so fresh and DELICIOUS!!!! Worth the trip & portions are HUGE! I had the Diablo shrimp pasta, so flavorful and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. Will be back again! :)“

“There are a lot of good Italian restaurants in Chicago. This meal top to bottom was absolutely delicious. The owner, Rafi, was a gracious host. We'll definitely be back on my next trip back from Dallas!“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

“Good food, good wine and a good time !!!

Came to enjoy diner here with a close friend, although I will say the food was good overall the prices were out of line for what food was being served at this restaurant. They need to be a bit more conscientious about what they are charging for some of the dishes there, although I love pasta I did not enjoy spending as much on the food there as I did when knowing I could’ve easily had a better meal from a restaurant I would’ve preferred for steak, but this is the restaurant my friend wanted to go to in particular for the breadsticks and soup, fortunately that is what made the visit worth going. The unlimited soup and breadsticks helped balance out the value of the meal.“

“I've been here a few times, and each time I come back to the restaurant, it feels like I'm back in Italy! The food is outstanding and the staff is incredible. Whether you dine inside or outside, it's just as good. Great restaurant for date night or going with the family! It's a new all-time favorite without question.

Cin cin ??“

“Incredible food. Very high quality“

“Simply the best food period. As so many in this area I've been coming to see Anthony and his family for 25 plus years. I'll say this, if anyone ranks rexs lower than 4.8 they shouldn't be allowed back because they're insane and a risk to society. 🙃 My #1 spot in the Chicagoland area for anything Italian food. My personal favorite is the eggplant parm sandwich.“