50 Best Italian Restaurants near North Riverside

“Really good food choices and great staff super nice and very helpful and friendly will recommend 100 times over A++++++++. Around“

“Absolutely amazing experience at Olive Garden! The food was fresh, hot, and full of flavor. The breadsticks and salad were nonstop and delicious as always. Our server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed the entire time. The atmosphere was welcoming and the service was fast even though it was busy. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while will definitely be 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.“

“Family friendly restaurant with food choices for everyone but the made fresh pasta was the best part!“

“I haven’t had a dining experience this wonderful in a very long time. The service was impeccable. The food was fantastic. The wine and cocktails were unparalleled. This is one of those instances where you can go big or go small. Do you want to have just a light meal? That’s easy. Stuffed zucchini blossoms and a plate of pasta. A glass of wine and you’re out the door for $50. On the other hand, you can go for the gold and walk away completely sated. Either way, you’ll love this delightful spot.“

“Cozy small place with open kitchen concept.
I had a mushroom soup, pasta puttanesca & cheesecake with blueberry & hibiscus tea.

Delicious! Great service & attention to details!
Definitely will be back!“

“Wonderful food and service.“

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

“The gm Stephan is amazing. Great experience and great good and service“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“We tried Gaia for the first time on Mother’s Day and were pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the entire experience was. From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. The service was fantastic; the staff was attentive, never letting our drinks go empty, and every course was timed perfectly.

The food was incredible, and every bite was delicious. The bruschetta was perfectly prepared, the Alfredo sauce was rich, creamy, and cheesy, and the chocolate fudge cake drizzled with strawberry sauce was absolutely to die for.

If you’re looking for a charming Italian restaurant for a night out with friends, family, or someone special, I highly recommend giving Gaia a try!“

“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!“

“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“

“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!!!“

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

“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.“

“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..“

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

“Food, service and experience was perfection!“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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!! 🏆👍🏻“

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

“Excellent food, great service, knowledgeable waitress“

“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.“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

“The food and atmosphere were great!!!!!!!! Reasonably priced and attentive service!“

“Outstanding from Start to Finish!

We recently placed a catering order from Lucca for a big company luncheon. They just rolled out their catering menu, so we were one of the firsts to try it. And let me say - the food and service truly exceeded all expectations.

From the very first interaction with Sonia, her team was professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in making our event a success. They were incredibly accommodating with menu options and special requests to make sure our luncheon was a success.

The food itself was absolutely phenomenal—beautifully presented, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Every dish was a hit with our guests, and we received countless compliments throughout the afternoon. It was clear that high-quality ingredients and great attention to detail were a top priority.

The staff that delivered the food were punctual, friendly, and highly organized, ensuring we had everything without us having to worry about a thing.

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality catering service that delivers both exceptional food and outstanding service, I can’t recommend Lucca Osteria & Bar highly enough. We will absolutely be using them again for future events!“

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

“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 🥦“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

“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 !“

“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.“

“Friendly, professional staff and delicious food.“

“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 😄✨“

“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!“

“A hidden gem. I have been here twice now and have loved it both times. Everything is excellent. I love the Gnocchi they are like little fluffy pillows in brown butter, so yummy. The braised short ribs with risotto are fantastic. The Caprese salad was so fresh and tasty. A Great wine selection. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful restaurant. You must try it. A great place for a romantic night out. The service was top notch too.“

“I love this place! Good!!“

“I ate dinner at Donny G's several hours ago and am still thinking about my memorable fine-dining experience. I ordered the cream of broccoli soup, shrimp de jonghe, and chicken marsala. All three were really delicious. The sauces on the shrimp and chicken were outstanding. Hector was my waiter, and I appreciate his excellent service. I always look forward to dining at Donna G's because this restaurant never disappoints.“

“Incredible food. Very high quality“

“Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa“

“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!!“

“EXCELLENT FOOD AND SERVICE EVERY TIME!“