50 Best Italian Restaurants near Riverside

“A delivery app made a mistake with my order. LaBarra took charge and the general manager personally delivered 2 delicious pizzas to make up for the outside apps mistake. Above and beyond! Thank you!“

“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.“

“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!!!!“

“**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.“

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“AMAZING!!!

Decided on a vacation week! Chose Berwyn due to its proximity to Chicago. Glad we did!

What a great community!

We stopped in around 5pm. Nice greeting! Quickly seated.

We started with the Bruschetta. Instantly knew we were in the right place! Grilled bread! Not to hard not to soft. Fresh ingredients, great flavor.

I chose the lamb chops. Holy Smokes! Best I’ve ever had and that’s saying something!! I don’t know how they did it!!?? Grilled! Breaded! Crunchy! Tender! Perfectly cooked. Broccoli perfectly! Served with potatoes that were a little crispy with big flavor!

My wife had the Crab Cake. It was huge! Loaded with crab and perfectly seasoned and fried. The sauce paired perfectly with this dish. She also had penne pasta in their Marsala sauce. Again, everything was fresh and amazing.

Ended it all with 2 desserts because why not!
Tiramisu….Amazing
Crème Brûlée…Amazing

We ate all over Chicago, this was our #1 favorite!

Thanks for a great meal! I’ll be dreaming about those chops!! 🤤🤤😃“

“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!“

“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.“

“Been wanting to try this place and it did not disappoint. Service was great and waiting time isn’t long, I would definitely recommend the Italian beef combo, and the Mexican grilled chicken sandwich if you’re looking for something more spicy. Overall fantastic experience and I highly recommend coming to Tony’s.“

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

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

“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“

“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..“

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

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

“Reserved for Valentine's Day a week out and had a great experience! Naturally it was busy given the night but we were still sat by our reservation time and the service was flawless. We will definitely be coming back and going to their other businesses.“

“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. 🤣“

“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.“

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

“My first time dining experience was amazing 👏🏾 Our server Madeline was super sweet and so attentive to our party of 5. It was my first time but not my last time.“

“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!“

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

“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!! 🏆👍🏻“

“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!“

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

“This place is the best! The sauces are thick and creamy. Best fried calamari, fettuccine Alfredo and lasagna!!! I love sitting outside in a cool night on the weekends too!!’ Love it!!!“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

“The best Italian Cusine in the northside of Chicago.“

“SHAME! On me for not writing this sooner. My family and I have been going here faithfully for years. If you are looking for real Italian cooking, the cooking that reminds you of sitting around a family table on a Sunday with your loved ones, this is it. I can't speak highly enough of the staff and management who all want to ensure you have the best experience possible! From large milestones events to a quiet table for two, this place is what you call Italian! See you soon!“

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

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

“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“

“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 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! :)“

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

“Ohmygoodness... From the get-go, we knew this was going to be a wonderful venue for our daughter's bridal shower. To start, I met Steven and Karen at an exciting fundraising event many months ago. We dined at Lucca several times thereafter. Each time we experienced the food and service to be impeccable! We then met Sonia, the Sales Manager, who was lovely to work with! We were assured that that our event would be terrific! Indeed, Karen and Shannon were amazing at anticipating our guests' needs. They seemed to know exactly what everyone needed at the exact time they needed it. Our guests were so impressed with the delicious homemade dishes and the attentive service! I can't speak highly enough of the entire experience at Lucca!“

“My husband made reservations at capri a great surprise. I love seafood and pasta. Great place to celebrate a special occasion.“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

“Exquisite presentation, excellent service, outstanding dinner!“

“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.“

“We go often but I must comment on how the hostess greets us every time we come in no matter how long it's been between visits. She is so happy to see us. She's such a joy. Then, of course, we get our favorite waitress, Tina, who is always smiling. And then there's the extra large piece of lasagna and chicken Caesar salad and don't get me started on the warm bread. I just wish we were younger when we used to be able to eat appetizers and desserts in addition to our meals instead of taking half our meal home :(“

“One of the few remaining ethnic food festivals around. The old-time carnival rides were full of fun for the grandkids. The food was provided by many mom & pop shops who have been cooking Italian for years. No admission charge and each vendor charging $2 - 3 per item. Adjacent Taste of Mexico section provides even more variety. The Folklorico dancers put on a most professional show as did the other entertainment stages. Will definitely bring the family back next year.“