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!“

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

“I discovered this gem during restaurant week two years ago, and I've been a fan ever since. The food is amazing, I'm particular the Carbonara pasta is one of the best I've ever had. The apps are also all winners. The best part about this place is Rudy, the bartender, who makes best drinks and is always so much fun to chat with! I love to bring friends who've never been here, it has such a fun and welcoming atmosphere.“

“We moved to North Center right around the time Armano opened. This has become our go to spot for dinners out as well as our favorite place to bring friends. The food is exceptional with a menu just big enough to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The team at Armano is also wonderful and we've consistently received excellent service. Can't recommend this place enough.“

“Wonderful food and service.“

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

“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!!!!“

“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!“

“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. 🤣“

“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 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.“

“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“

“I recently dined at Gaia and had a wonderful experience. The garlic butter shrimp stuffed with crab meat was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were fresh and well-balanced. Our server was very attentive and gave us great menu recommendations. The cacio ee pepe is a must try, they cook the pasta in a cheese wheel at your table. The atmosphere was cozy, making it a great spot for a relaxed dinner. I will definitely come back!“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“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..“

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

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Absolutely the best Italian Beef sandwich on the south side, arguably the best in Chicago. The home made Giardiniera is also very good, with the perfect amount of heat. The sandwich is huge and the price is very good. Wish they had fresh cut fries. People working there are always nice. Small place, not a lot of seating, but has the old school Chicago vibe that I like. I live an hour away, but if I'm in the area I always stop in for a bite.“

“In 2017, I picked up my older brother at Midway to come home to the funeral of our youngest brother that committed suicide at 23 yers old. We swung over to Vito and Nick's to get a pizza and talk. It was our first time there. We ended up telling the waitress the situation because we had both been crying. Next thing we know, the kitchen had par-baked like 8 large pizzas of all types, and gave us a hand-written note giving us condolences and instructions on how to finish baking the pizzas. They said they wanted to make sure my family was well-fed in our time of tragedy ❤ And the pizza is INCREDIBLE ❤ SPECIAL, SPECIAL PLACE“

“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!“

“My sister Shelly Nagy purchased tickets to a Sunday afternoon drag brunch to celebrate my birthday! Marco not only held the door open for his guests, but he was also very kind and generous! He offered 2nd helpings (my only regret is that I did not indulge on that offer). Our meal was plentiful, delicious and presented beautifully! The bartenders cocktails (garnished w/ fresh flowers!) are pure elegance and his customer service skills are excellent! The drag show was a blast! The music was a hit (inside and out) and the upscale atmosphere will always have me anxiously waiting to come back soon! Thank you Marcos & Shelly for the most wonderful birthday celebration anyone will ever dream of! Gorgeous Downtown LaGrange is lucky to have Marco’s Kitchen! Take me back already!“

“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“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

“Amazing food and it tasted awesome .. Would love to visit again .. Staff were very helpful and ambiance was excellent .. 5 stars !!“

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

“One of our favorite restaurants! The food is nothing short of amazing—every dish is beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. You can tell a lot of care is put into both the quality and the flavors. The service is always friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making every visit a great experience from start to finish. We love it and highly recommend Lucca Osteria to anyone looking for an exceptional meal!“

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

“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.“

“I don't have pictures because of course we pigged out...this place is the gem they say it is...the food is awesome...they have an eating area. I had the penne bolognaise..my husband the timballo..for give me if I misspelled it..baked spaghetti....the gelato is great...they make their own bread..I bought their homemade sopressata to take home...I am sure I will not be disappointed..I highly recommend it..“

“The food was excellent. We were a party of 6 and everyone had something different. Portion sizes were large. Food was piping hot when served. Wait staff was friendly. The owner came over to check on our group at least twice during our dining experience. Loved the atmosphere. I will come here every time I’m visiting Chicago!“

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

“Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa“

“awesome place thank you Jackie and Gio“

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

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

“We were looking for new places to try this week and I came across Ella’s. Not too far from home and the menu looked great. Stopped in early on Saturday evening and grabbed a spot at the bar. Great bar for sure!! The whole place looks great. A little swanky and dim lights so it makes for a great date night. They had a super inviting patio out front but it was a little hot out so we stayed inside. We will be back to dine outside for sure!
We love to share plates so we got two appetizers and a salad. The Arancini alla Vodka was absolutely delicious, should have ordered two. The bacon wrapped dates were amazing. The house salad, perfect. Great drink selection as well. The menu has a great variety, not just Italian.
The staff was great, super friendly and attentive.
I love when smaller local places just do it right and Ella’s does it right!
Can’t wait to come back and dine alfresco.“

“Posto 31 is arguably the best restaurant and ambiance in the La Grange/La Grange park area. The food is consistently high quality at a fair price point. Portion sizes are great and the drinks are delicious.“

“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 !“

“Great cappuccino and dessert menu. Try the vegetable empanadas!“

“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!“

“I love this place! Good!!“