39 Best Italian Restaurants near Third Lake

“We usually order on fridays, love this location where the manager and the guys are always helpful and friendly. Our personal favorite is the Chicago deep dish. Their Mike's hot honey wings are a little gem we discovered recently. So glad that's on the menu to stay forever :) :)“

“This is a rustic woodsy atmosphere. Peanut shells are all over the floor. Probably not a great choice for those with peanut allergies. We order the wings they are meaty and flavorful without any sauce. We also had the Double Decker pizza. This is one of our favorites.“

“Hidden in plain sight in Lake Villa, this Italian restaurant is the kind of unassuming neighborhood gem critics quietly root for. It isn’t flashy, it isn’t loud, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a place that consistently serves excellent food at fair prices. In the Lakes region—where Italian options can feel uneven—this spot rises confidently to the top. On my most recent visit, I was seated immediately at a corner table, a small but meaningful luxury in an age of hour-long waits. The dining room, typically hushed enough for actual conversation, again delivered one of its underrated pleasures: a peaceful meal without the intrusive din that plagues so many suburban restaurants. Service followed suit—friendly, attentive, and genuinely eager to help, never hovering or rushing. The kitchen remains the star. My spaghetti with vodka sauce was outstanding—rich, balanced, and among the best renditions I’ve had anywhere in the region. Other entrées at the table echoed the same strengths: sauces with clarity and depth, pastas cooked with confident restraint, portions generous without tipping into excess. Cocktails, too, arrived promptly and properly mixed, further reinforcing the sense of a kitchen-and-bar team that takes pride in their craft. If there is a shortfall, it lies in the ambiance. The room carries a certain charm, but the décor feels a step behind the quality of the food. A refresh of tables, finishes, and overall presentation would elevate the experience from very good to genuinely special. The warmth is there—the aesthetics simply haven’t caught up yet. Even so, the value proposition is undeniable. For reliably excellent Italian cuisine, low noise, easy seating, earnest service, and honest pricing, this restaurant more than earns its “highly recommended” status. It is, in every meaningful way, Lake Villa’s little culinary treasure.“

“Tina G’s in Mundelein is truly a gem! As happy multiple visit repeat customers, we can’t say enough about the outstanding food, warm atmosphere, and the incredible people who make every visit so special. Tina and her husband, Chef Phil Gilardi, pour their hearts into every detail, from the creative and delicious dishes to the welcoming hospitality that makes you feel right at home. Dining here is always more than a meal—it’s a memorable experience filled with flavor, comfort, and joy. We can’t wait to return again and again, and we recommend Tina G’s to anyone who loves great food and genuine warmth!“

“We had drinks and dinner at Mundelein restaurant on Saturday 10/5/24. We didn’t have reservations so we ate at the bar. It was all excellent! Friendly staff and the bartender made an excellent Margarita! Will be going back“

“My husband and I had lunch today for the first time. The atmosphere was very nice and our waiter Louis was exceptional. The food was delicious. We were also told that to reserve space there that holds up to 80 is $200. I thought that is very reasonable. I highly recommend Olivia’s for a wonderful dining experience“

“After a couple of years away following an uneven prior experience, a recent return to Bottaio with friends proved both reassuring and mildly frustrating. The dining room remains one of the restaurant’s strongest assets: warm, attractive, and inviting in a way that signals classic Italian comfort. Unfortunately, that promise is undercut by one persistent flaw—seating that is simply uncomfortable. After fifteen minutes, the chairs distract from the experience, an avoidable misstep in a restaurant that otherwise understands ambiance. Service, by contrast, was a highlight. Our server struck an engaging balance between edgy and personable, and—most importantly—demonstrated genuine knowledge of the menu and wine list. Wine selections, guided by their recommendations, were uniformly well received by the table, showing thoughtful pairing and sound judgment. The meal began on a high note with excellent crusty bread, a simple but well-executed opening gesture that set expectations optimistically. The entrées, however, struggled to rise beyond adequacy. While none were poor, they failed to deliver the refinement or depth one hopes for. The veal parmigiana arrived in an impressively large portion but was overly breaded, sacrificing balance and nuance. In contrast, the risotto stood out as the best dish of the evening—properly executed, flavorful, and satisfying. Other diners echoed a similar sentiment: the food was good, but never quite great. This mirrors past experiences and suggests a recurring issue rather than an off night. Bottaio remains a solid option for casual Italian dining, particularly for those who value ambiance, wine, and congenial service. With greater attention to detail in the kitchen—and a renewed focus on authenticity and precision—the restaurant has the potential to elevate its culinary standing meaningfully. One hopes that future visits will see that promise more fully realized.“

“perfectly cooked steak- very creamy mac and cheese- sausage and peppers were perfection- service was top tier- Batman was was playing on the television behind the bar which was in perfect viewing from our table. Thanks for helping make a Daddy Daughter Day a huge success.“

“Was there Thursday night we had Braised Short ribs and crispy Brussels sprouts was delicious service was great the bartender colie made me a special drink Wow will definitely be back“

“This is our family's favorite restaurant for birthdays, anniversaries, dinners with large groups...At this point we've been here probably 10 times and never once have we had a bad experience. Every server goes above and beyond to ensure that you have a WOW experience. The food and drinks are amazing every time. Last night we decided to try somewhere new since we just ate at Primo the previous weekend. The prices were the same yet the service and food did not compare. From now on we'll stick with here, where we know we'll have an amazing experience.“

“Great place to have Italian food 😊“

“Great food, fair prices, friendly staff.“

“I lived overseas for a number of years and came back after Covid only to find my go-to pizza spots had all closed. I spent the next three years chasing that real Chicago stuffed-crust fix and kept coming up disappointed.

Then, on my birthday today, I finally found the place that fills the void.

The sauce is robust, the cheese is generous, and the crust is exactly what you want from a quality Chicago stuffed crust pizza. Hands down, it’s the best stuffed crust I’ve had in Illinois in over 10 years, and the price is better than Lou Malnati’s (bland) and Giordano’s (#2 stuffed crust in il IMO, but far away from my location).

Great value for the money, and the people here are genuinely nice. First visit, and now loyal customer now.“

“Y'all if you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, Zaza's Restaurant is an absolute hidden gem! 🍝 The portions are incredibly generous, and the flavors are out of this world. It's just a short 20-minute drive from our place, making it the perfect spot for a delicious meal. It's a local favorite, it’s only open on certain days, so plan accordingly! My boss is a huge fan of this place, and now I totally see why. Highly recommend! 🇮🇹 #HiddenGem #AuthenticItalian #ZazasRestaurant #FoodieFind Zaza's Steakhouse and Italian Eatery“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Authentic 🇮🇹 Italian Cuisine. Perfect For Date Night, Friends, Family, Kid Friendly. Beautiful Atmosphere, Warm Friendly, & Inviting. Great Menu, Cozy Bar. Best Of All Chef Salvatores Culinary Delights!! Great Staff. 🙋🏻❤️🍕 🍝🥖 Tell Salvatore Leon Sent Ya!! 🤌🏼“

“Went out with the family! Great service, our waitress Jenyttzy is a gem! Very charismatic friendly and energetic! Service was good, time passed by quickly with good times here. The Drink in the picture was strawberry lemoncello margarita. Cheers everyone!! 🥂“

“I went to this place just today, the waiters were amazing, so kind and on top of stuff. The place is so big, and although they were busy, it was very sanitary. The food was amazing and had many options. The atmosphere overall was so great, everyone was so nice and it was decorated beautifully. Overall, I give this place a 10/10, definitely would recommend.“

“Great time last night good all of this world remember when grandma used to make it“

“I’m so glad I found this place! great fresh food and good service. A great addition to the neighborhood.“

“There meatball sandwich is huge and so good.I just had there Chicken Parmesan it was so fresh and so good.There pizza is real good also. Friendly and nice associates. Very clean inside .“

“We order from here 1-3 times a week for lunch at my shop and dinner at home. The food is always fantastic, delivery is fast and the staff are very friendly and helpful. We've also gotten catering before too and that service was fantastic. Night driver Scott is awesome too!“

“Always a great meal! The pizzas are amazing and so are the salads. A must for everyone.“

“Got the gyros and onion rings with Cajun ranch. Wife got a grilled chicken sandwich. We went at 6:30 on a Saturday. Food was hot and tasty, ready to try the pizza next time. The service was fast and friendly. They have lots of staff working for them.“

“Our pizza arrived quickly and cooked perfectly. We love Maciano’s! They used the best ingredients-quality cheese, great crust and the Italian sausage is wonderful!!“

“We held a family funeral lunch at Lino’s. The staff was welcoming, attentive and very friendly as they took care of our party, which filled their banquet room. We had a couple of chicken dishes, a couple of vegetable dishes, a garden salad, potatoes, and cannoli for dessert. Our guests raved about the food, which was delicious and hot! We could not be more enthusiastic in our recommendation of Lino‘s!“

“Ordered pizza on Deville’s new online ordering system and I would say it’s the best one I’ve used. It was clear, simple and they had thought through every option you might want to customize. They even broke it down to whole pizza or one side and the other. Simple payment and estimated pick up time. Well done, Deville.“

“When our family orders pizza, our go to place to call is Antioch Pizza, we got the 12 pc wings and 14” pizza (1/2 pepperoni, perroncinis, & bacon), 2L sprite deal, it was so delicious. Apologies, we did not even take pictures before we dug in. Yous never seem to disappoint!!! Thank you for being 😎“

“I am so grateful to Rosati's Pizza of Antioch for their great food, courteous customer service, and optional delivery. With such responsive service, it's not just the food that tastes better, but the whole dining experience 'tastes' better. The food I have ordered maintains consistent quality for the price. And ordering with any special requests has been rewarding. They have brought on some great delivery people too. Kudos, Rosati's, and thanks!“

“My go-to place for thin-crust pizza in Libertyville. Consistently good... crispy crust, tasty sauce, perfect blend of cheese and just the right amount. Tried lots of others, and always end up going back to Rosati's. Don't be put off by the location in a mostly deserted and run down strip mall.“

“Salutes is one of my family’s favorite restaurants in Lake County! We especially like their salad dressing!“

“I had a look at some of these reviews and some are misplaced. I been to around 7 Sbarros in 3 countries and this one is up there with the best ones. I asked for a cheese and they made me a new one no fuss. I was also not asked to tip and I spoke English.“

“5++?We were in the area conducting some personal business, and we decided to grab a bite to take home. My wife wanted a salad, and I was thinking about pizza, and getting our oldest son a Italian beef sandwich. I accomplished all three at Rosati's!It's a really small location, with a small rail bar with a few stools to sit at. Just enough to eat your food and be on your way if you're not getting to go. All of the ingredients for our meal were fresh and crisp. The pizza was extremely good, I had no issue with it. I'm going to also post this on my list of pizza joints. My son enjoyed his beef sandwich, and my wife thought it was one of the biggest, tastiest and attractive salads she's had. The staff was kind, and they brought our order out to our vehicle when it was done. I have to give them kudos, and the place was nice and clean from everything I could see. And the prices were very reasonable compared to some other establishments. I highly recommend Gabito?!?

Dietary restrictions: Ask

Kid-friendliness: Not really that type of facility, more of a grab and go.

Wheelchair accessibility: More of a grab and go, not really a sit-down location.“

“I am a tour director in Chicago. My company booked Giordanos on Belmont for 2 bus loads of high school students at 6pm. We unexpectedly got there at 5pm! Luis and his team were able to seat and serve us in short order. Thank you Luis and team. Giordanos pizza is the best!“

“I absolutely love the lasagna here but tonight it is especially good!!! Very cheesy and I added cheese to the garlic bread for this cheese-a-holic!!“

“Food is always A1 here. Order well-done on the app for less soggy crusts that holds better later. The Lou gets the umami of the garlic tomatoes and veggies, but add in a Sausage patty to get meat distributed evenly underneath.

I only come back to Chicago on the holidays, and I was a part of last year’s infamous cancellations after 3 hour delays. Yesterday, the store was backed up out the restaurant for pick-up as well.

However, unlike this year, the delays were met by very empathetic and trained staff to handle the Karens. They were pushing out pies quickly despite being behind, and I saw no one person overstay 20 minutes past their arrival (myself included).

Huge improvements to last year with respect to personnel and training. App needs better ETAs on holidays to account for delays.

I’ll always be coming back here to get my holiday pies for my family when I visit home as per tradition.“

“Rosati's Pizza, is pretty good. Especially if you like pizza by the slice. The Libertyville, IL., location offers on Tuesday's a 2 slice special w/ 2 free sodas! Not many locations where you can dine in though. The only dine in location I have noticed is located in Schaumburg, IL. I am sure there are other locations.“

“The service is fantastic, we typically have a lot of lurker requests, like, pie cut, half this half that, well done, you name it. And always comes piping hot fresh and perfect. The delivery guys are the best. One of them brings biscuits for our dog and she loves him for it. Outstanding service excellent food, and perfect Friday night experience. Thank you Rosatis Grayslake!“

“Delicious pizza and the Malnati's salad is excellent. We love the deep dish with buttercrust for the extra crisp crust. The thin crust is so unique and really good, too. The spinach pizza is the best I've ever had. Service is fast and friendly. The prices are a little bit more than other pizza in the area, but the quality makes it worth it.“

“I got a gyro, large cheese fry from this particular location and I was impressed wit everything. The staff was better than great and the gyro to this day is the best I ever had. The fries were perfect.... The price had me thinking it wasn't going to be all that but I was wrong and I'm going back in a bit... Try them and thank me later.“