40 Best Italian Restaurants near Waukegan

“Louie's is the best place to eat in Waukegan. Great Italian food, thin crust pizza, fried chicken and fish. Everything is great. They give you the best bread hot from the oven when you sit down. Huge bar. Family friendly. You can't go wrong at this place.“

“I have been going there for 60 years and it is still the very best. You order it with double sausage and what ever else you like on it and don't forget to order it well done. Everyone I take there said it is one of the best pizzas they ever had.“

“Really good Italian food and ambiance!“

“Omar gave great service! Good was very good (ravioli with tomato cream). Good for kids too!“

“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.“

“My palette’s lack of sophistication prevents me from doing justice reviewing the menu items I enjoyed, but my belly is satisfied , and there were no leftovers; however, no matter the exquisite culinary notes I, likely, missed that a more refined pallet might’ve identified, there’s no way there was anything on a plate in the Chicago land area this evening that matched the atmosphere, service, and proud history shared by the staff and current owner, a descendant of the original owners who established the restaurant 123 years ago. A truly delightful experience that I intend to repeat as often as I’m able!“

“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.“

“So glad I tried and continue to enjoy Maria’s Italian Bakery and Cafe! This authentic spot offers wonderful service and excellent quality menu items— highly recommend!“

“Great, authentic Italian cuisine. Never disappoints.“

“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“

“We went to Washington Garden’s last night with friends hoping to enjoy some good Italian food. The food was delicious! The portions were large and the waitress couldn’t have been nicer. We will be returning soon. 🥰👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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.“

“Delightful owners, excellent customer service. The best lasagna we have ever tasted. It melts in your mouth. Beyond delicious!!!!“

“Great place to have Italian food 😊“

“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.“

“This restaurant is my preferred one. I visit many restaurants but to this one I keep coming back again and again. The crew is very attentive and the food they offer is so fresh and tasty. I never decline to have a decent dinner in this place. Highly recommended.“

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

“We arrived after a soccer game looking tired and worn out so we weren't the best dressed. The staff didn't mind and treated us with kindness and respect. We had an efficient and friendly waiter Cervantes making sure to stay on top of our requests including drinks. We also appreciated a pleasant talk from the manager Daisy who stopped by our table to ensure everything was running smooth. Overall good food and good service! Would recommend.“

“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.“

“Walked out of this place, hit with scent of drugs being used as I opened the door. No need to spend my money at an establishment who has no regard to regulations.“

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

“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!“

“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 .“

“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.“

“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 :) :)“

“First time at Lou's and Chicago and they made the wait fun and inviting. Great service real friendly workers with great conversation and the pizza is absolutely superb, truly exquisite, a meal fit only for kings. Truly a must go and I intend on coming back in the future.“

“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.“

“First time at Half and Half Pizza Co. tonight and I will return. The pizza is incredible! and on top of that the atmosphere is great and the staff were equally incredible. A very impressive selection of wine so I can’t imagine you wouldn’t find something you’d like. Great experience.“

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

“Since the day Lenny opened the place, I have been a loyal patron. Even though I moved out of state in 87, 5 times a year I come in for for the best beef and sausage in them we state.“

“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.“

“Great food. awesome customer service.“

“Awesome location! Store looks amazing, food taste great, and the staff are AWESOME!!“

“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.“