21 Best Italian Restaurants in Springfield

“Saturday was our Anniversary, we had such a wonderful meal with outstanding service. We will definately be back. 😊❤️“

“Consistently one of the best restaurants over many years. Interesting monthly menus, great pizzas, and fantastic salads. Last night we had the October special Vampire pizza (White sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Sausage, Spicy Soppressata, Peppadew Peppers & Drizzled with Bourbon Glaze). It was one of the best pizzas I've ever had.“

“Got a pizza at Mario’s on Piper Glen tonight and it was delicious! I wanted to make sure the pizza guy, Alvin got a shout out! Thanks for the great pizza!“

“Went to Mario’s tonight and my server, Lauren was so sweet! She gave us excellent service and the food was great as always. The chef salad is huge and a good price!“

“Attended a Wedding Saturday that Fulgenzi's catered. Wow, wow, wow! Best Wedding food ever, by FAR! Every comment we heard (which were many) was all great and bragging about the flavor of the food. Staff taking care and keeping the food filled up were so friendly, courteous (offering to carry plates if someone couldn't carry their own), just all around making you comfortable! Definitely recommend Fulgenzi's Catering for any occasion!!!! Thank you for making our dining experience the best ever!“

“Major shout out to Olive Garden in Springfield, Illinois. You guys are truly sitting in the bar for excellence with regards to customer service. Thank you so much for the Veterans Day meal that you offer. The flags of all the different branches and the missing man table are all deeply appreciated. Thank you so much for all that you do to honor the service men and women of our country. Our table deeply appreciated the level of service and hospitality in which we received while we dined there.“

“All recommendations were phenomenal!“

“This spot is one of our favorite places for great food! The pizza flavors are amazing. The Sophia Lauren is my favorite even made vegetarian style. Yeah, they managed to make it for me vegetarian style and it was perfect! The sandwiches are loaded with meat and flavor. They have frozen take and bake items, a wall of Italian pastas, sauces, cookies, oil and dressings.“

“best Italian restaurant Ever.“

“A fantastic restaurant, great service and delicious food.\nOur server, Brad, was very friendly and helpful. Hubby has Celiac disease, Brad made sure everything would be gluten free. \nI had the hand battered shrimp with the best salad ever. I’m highly allergic to wine, so Brad made sure my sauce was wine free. Absolutely delicious. \nHubby had the gf Shrimp Scampi and Crème Brûlée.\nThe ambiance of the restaurant was also very welcoming. Wish there was one in our area.\nThank you for a wonderful experience!“

“Best pizza ever! Really love the chef salad too.“

“We have made this our go-to pizza for Friday night dinner and movie with the family. Always consistent and delicious. We get a large thin crust, a two ply pizza, and an order of garlic cheese toast.“

“My wife and I were there last evening, Saturday, March the 22nd., and there were well over forty of us in the group. The atmosphere was perfect, and the service was perfection. In addition to that, the owner of the restaurant was genuine and helpful, and an extremely wonderful person. I wish everyone was just like her! We will most definitely be returning there! John Elliott“

“Been going here for many years, old school pizza place in a residential area. Great pizza at a low price“

“It's been years since I had Monical's Pizza. But last Wed I needed to grab lunch while waiting to bring my dog home from the vet's. I did take out, but the staff was so very cordial. Then I had a personal thin crust cheese and a small salad, but wasn't really able to focus on my food. This weekend I decided to get a pizza and their pecan salad delivered. I got a 16' inch thin crust extra crispy. The food was delivered before the stated arrival time, and even then the young man apologized for the delay. The pizza was hot. And both the pizza and the salad were amazing. They are my new "go-to" for pizza and salad.“

“This was our 1st time eating at this establishment today as we’re from Peoria. We ordered pizza and a calzone! The pizza is the best we’ve ever had!!! My daughters, grandson and I absolutely loved this place! They were absolutely so kind and we felt so comfortable! Mama Rosa, she warms my heart with kindness! Thank you to all for giving us a great experience and we will definitely be back! Highly recommend!!!!❤️🇮🇹“

“Highly recommend!! Food was absolutely AMAZING! Service was expecially amazing. Our waitress reviewed the history and the menu and answered our questions thoroughly! Again highly recommend this restaurant. Not outrageously expensive but great food!“

“The best food & service! The restaurant is always clean.“

“Craving a smash burger served with a side of warm, family-style service? This is the place! I had the double cheeseburger with sautéed onions—made to order, piping hot, and absolutely delicious. The fries were fresh and crisp, the perfect pairing. The service was outstanding—genuinely welcoming and friendly from start to finish. I’ve heard the chili mac is a must-try too… I’ll definitely be back!“

“My name is Mike Lawrence. I began coming to Joe’s when it was still located in a somewhat decrepit house located just one door west of the building it’s now in. The front porch on that old house was loose and would bounce or sag a bit when you walked across it and my joke to guests I took in there with me, was they should carefully walk around that bad spot when we left because we’d all be heavier from having eaten and would probably fall through.

My daughter lost her first baby tooth while eating Spaghetti at Joe’s. She’s now 43 so, yeah, we’ve been coming for decades; certainly since the days when Joe Porcasi ran it.

All the food was great and, through all those years, I NEVER heard anyone say anything bad about the food, the service, the price, nothing … until now.

I guess it’s to be expected, especially in the food industry. Over time people weary of doing the same job day after day, get tired of serving the same food to the same people. Pride in performance gives way to pet peeves and personal pity parties. Oh, I get it. I do.

The reviews I read now talking about bad service, bad food, no longer being able to dine in … none of that would EVER have been true back in the day. Back when we came and sat down, talked, laughed, took in the awesome smells, and delighted when the food came. Even standing up to get the door for someone exiting with boxes of pizzas and more to take home to loved ones. Man, those were the best of times.

When we first found Joes, we didn’t go to any other shop in town. Why, when you’d found the best, would you want to go anywhere else?

We had even talked, briefly, with the original owners about opening a franchise on the east side of Springfield. Wish we’d carried through with that instead of opening a restaurant. Ah, well.

I don’t know if it’s still there, but I donated a kitchen chef statue to Joe’s when Jeff bought the place. Used to be right up on the counter.

I live in St. Louis now but, from time to time, when I long for one of Joe’s pizzas, or meatball subs, or lasagnas … and it’s only a 200 mile round trip but, frankly, some of the reviews have kinda bummed me out about doing it.

Ah, well. We’ll see.“

“Great pizza and salad. Fast delivery.“