50 Best Italian Restaurants near Willow Springs

“Every time we go there, we're treated as if we're their best customer/close family. The staff is so well trained in how to, not only make customers comfortable, but successfully assist in the excellence of the dining experience. The food has always been phenomenal, and always plentiful. It's a fabulous restaurant and successful because of great food, and owners that know how to treat guests.“

“First of all the Bartender, Sabrina! What customer service! This is top notch All the way. The food is fantastic! I mean a mini beef with a Chicago style hotdog??? You can’t go wrong! Come on down, I would check this place out.. Atmosphere is a plus, you can sit outside too!!“

“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!“

“My husband Jack and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary tonight, and on a last minute whim he chose Bella Mia. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of phenomenal, and I had to write this review immediately. The moment we walked in, we were greeted not only by the host and hostess, but also by several staff members and even guests at the bar. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, welcoming, and incredibly friendly. Pure class. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and perfectly accented with soft candlelight, making the evening feel special and intimate. We sat at the bar and were welcomed by Gina, the bartender, who was extremely attentive and genuinely kind, making us feel right at home. The food was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. The owner, Randy, came by to greet us and his personality was truly infectious. He had us laughing nonstop and made our night even more memorable. We also had the pleasure of sitting next to Marcy and Dick, regulars who have been coming since day one. Even though this was our very first visit, we felt like part of the Bella Mia family. From the staff to the clientele, the love and pride behind this place are undeniable. Bella Mia is truly one of a kind and deserves all the recognition it receives. We felt all the love and will absolutely be back again and again. Jessica O’Grady“

“The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, the request to change the potatoes to the mushroom risotto was the best!!! And the spinach was very good as well. I woke up this morning saying wow that was a great meal exactly what I needed! Thank you!“

“Andy is the best. He has great staff. The food is AMAZING!!! We go as often as possible!!!“

“I have nothing but compliments for this wonderful establishment! My fiancé and I went out to dinner last night and had a taste for authentic Italian. I found this place online and read nothing but wonderful reviews about the food, and service. Located in downtown Westmont. Parking was so easy (right across the street), and from the moment we walked in we were treated like royalty. The manager Sergio greeted us with a huge smile, sat us, and told us a little about the restaurant. Our server Alysa was nothing short of amazing, knowledgeable, and gave us wonderful recommendations. We felt like family! All of the food is made in house, pastas, sauces, and even the wine and desserts! You can taste the quality of the ingredients, and tell that every single person puts so much care into making sure every customer is happy. The whole experience was wonderful, and it’s so nice to see small (not chain restaurants) are thriving. It’s been a long time since we had an experience like this at a restaurant and we appreciate their hospitality! I think we found our new date night spot! We will be back!! OFTEN! If I could give 10 stars I would! 👏🏻🍾🩷🙏🏻🫶🏻“

“I ordered a breaded steak sandwich. It was excellent. Just tell them easy on the red sauce. Overall the steak was darn good. Next time I'm gonna order the jumbo steak sandwich. The restaurant was spotless and the associates were very friendly. Try the fries. Top shelf“

“Our Women of Impact group had a celebration dinner Thursday evening February 2nd. ✝️ We were treated like royalty. 👑 Delicious yummy food and the service was outstanding! 😋 Thank you Kristen and Tacho for your excellent service and helping us to celebrate! 🎉 We will definitely be back soon!💕“

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

“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!!!“

“From an Event Vendor/ Decorator this restaurant was very attentive to the customers and to me. I’d recommend to future clients 🍂 🤎- @myheartcarts“

“I’ve been eager to try Mortadeli since it first opened, and after hearing so many rave reviews, I finally had the chance to stop by for lunch yesterday. Let me tell you, everything everyone says about this place is spot on! First off, the food is absolutely delicious. Everything on the menu is so tempting, it was hard to choose, but I went with the meatball sub and pasta salad. As someone whose grandmother made the best meatball sandwiches, my expectations were high – but Mortadeli’s version did not disappoint! It was fantastic. The pasta salad was also amazing, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. The atmosphere at Mortadeli is incredibly inviting – it strikes the perfect balance between classy and cozy. The staff are very friendly, and you can tell they genuinely care about making your experience special. The service was top-notch, with attentive staff and quick delivery of our food. One of the owners even took the time to chat with us a bit. Another pleasant surprise was the parking – I had my doubts at first, but we found a spot just around the corner with no problem at all. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I’ll definitely be back. Mortadeli is a must-visit!“

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

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

“From the second we arrived the girls at hostess stand were jovial and inviting. Then waitress and chef table side appetizer and dinner were fantastic! Ordered more food than our table of four could eat, but we got to try a variety of entrees. Everything was top notch quality. Order the Lemoncello shots to round out your dinner! Will be back for more!“

“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.“

“This was our second time dining at Positano’s and it was just as fabulous! The food here is superb, the wait staff are very attentive and we love the photos on the wall! The Seabass was to die for and the grilled seafood appetizer was divine! Our only regret is that we live in New York and cannot be frequent patrons of this wonderful establishment! Mille Grazie!!“

“I have loved this place my whole life! Best pizza on the south side!“

“I love this place! Good!!“

“My first time trying Giuliano’s! I picked up a pizza last evening and literally could not stop eating it. This is arguably the BEST pizza in the entire Chicago suburbs. I got thin crust with spinach and roasted red peppers. The sauce, cheese, and toppings were absolutely amazing. What a great find and will recommend to all my friends!!“

“Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa“

“Pyszne jedzenie, miła obsługa bardzo pozytywna atmosfera. każdemu z czystym sercem polecę. owoce morza pychota. Bywam prywatnie i z grupami i każdy wraca zadowolony“

“EXCELLENT FOOD AND SERVICE EVERY TIME!“

“One of the best spots for authentic Italian and the best traditional atmosphere and great service and customers!“

“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 food and hospitality“

“Popped in with my daughter after plans at a different restaurant fell apart. Most fortuitous.

Best Italian beef I've had in a long time. Maybe ever. No lie. The frickin gravy/dip on the side is elite.

My daughter had the BBQ pork sandwich, which she let me try, and *that* was one of the best BBQ pork sandwiches I've ever had, too.

So good!

Great food, great service. We'll be back.“

“My best friend recommended Ellas’s and it was amazing! Definitely going back soon! The ambiance is soft and cozy. Every staff member I related with was friendly and went out of their way to make me comfortable with my requests. The food was amazing!! Very well done and stylishly served. Absolutely loved everything here!“

“If ever there was a place which resonates the Billy Joel song “Scenes from an Italian restaurant “ This place is IT! Visited for the first time on 2/14/26. The aroma as we entered was so inviting. Met the owners/ daughter and mom. So very sweet and funny too. Our server was Candy. She was working very hard on a busy Valentine’s Day. I had the lasagna and I can honestly say it was the best lasagna I’ve ever had in my life! The ricotta filling was so whipped and light. It was just delightful and so delicious. The bomba ice cream was scrumptious! Cannot wait to return to this gem of a restaurant!! 🇮🇹“

“Paisan’s is my go to since moving to Naperville. I came from Evergreen Park, so I’m used to better pizza than most places I’ve tried. Paisan’s has been the only place that has been great across the board!“

“Maybe not usual but we were forgotten. Got our wine and then no one ever came back!. They were not crowded either. Finally we called someone over, about 35 minutes of sitting. The manager came over and was really apologetic, comped us the wine and offered another glass free. I've been there several times. The food is consistently very good. Usually the service is fine. I enjoy going there in part because of good food and close and plenty of free parking.“

“Our first visit very delishes food reminds me of the friends who lived in the Italian neighborhood here in Chicago. Thank you all! Ed & Peg“

“I had the pleasure of talking with Marisela behind the bar and loved her service! She was very attentive and kind, never left me without an empty drink and made sure she supported her other bartender. Hands down awesome experience before catching my flight.“

“Very nice. Highly recommend. Excellent food, very good service, great atmosphere and ambiance. Will definitely be back.“

“We always enjoy visiting with Bill and enjoying their delicious dishes (especially those crazy good wood fire pizzas!) Amazing!“

“A Chicago area Italian beef icon!“

“This was my Family’s first time here, and we celebrated Thanksgiving. Jessica was our waitress. She did an excellent job and service to 9 of us. We also thanked her for coming in on a Holiday, with a great attitude. The food was delicious and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Thanks to the hostess who gave us a warm welcome.“

“Such a nice, cozy place.
Very good food.
Service is unbelievable. Top notch.
Great drink options.
Very nice, quiet atmosphere.
I wish they carrots were a little softer. That is me being a little picky.“

“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!“

“oh my goodness I found this pizza by chance at my local Meijer. Hands down best frozen pizza or any take and bake. The sausage was delightful and the Cheese was The Cheesiest ever it actually did the cheese stretch. Great Job it doesn't deserve the Bottom shelf“

“Pyszne jedzenie, miła obsługa bardzo pozytywna atmosfera. każdemu z czystym sercem polecę. owoce morza pychota. Bywam prywatnie i z grupami i każdy wraca zadowolony“

“⚠️ 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗪𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗜𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲. 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆, 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿“

“Great old neighborhood restaurant. Been here for years. Good food.“

“Great service and always consistent food. They have a partnership until August 23 with @makeawish“

“We dined here tonight for the 1st time and Rosebud exceeded our expectations! Very welcoming from the moment we walked in until we left. Service was Great, Alex was very accommodating and knowledgeable. Food was outstanding, portions justified the price! Management was very helpful with a certificate that was no longer accepted but they honored it anyway as a courtesy. Great business sense, making the customer happy! We can't wait to come back!“

“Everything there runs better when MARY is working. She is friendly, efficient and seems to be able to multitask better than most employees at the Oak Lawn location. She’s the best !“

“I stopped by Pop's Italian Beef today with my usual plan of attack — the legendary ribeye steak sandwich that normally has my name written all over it. But then I saw the sign…

“Mondays in March – 46th Anniversary Special.”

And suddenly my carefully crafted sandwich strategy went right out the window. Instead of the steak sandwich, I audibled and went with three of the cheeseburger specials, because at those prices it felt almost irresponsible not to participate in the celebration.

Apparently the entire population of Lyons had the exact same idea.

The place was absolutely slammed. The poor girls behind the counter — Cecilia and Celeste — were running around in circles like contestants in the Italian Beef Olympics. Orders flying, people everywhere, the grill working overtime. They were hustling nonstop and doing their best to keep the whole operation moving.

Because of the anniversary madness, I ended up waiting quite a while for my food. At one point I started wondering if I might still be standing there when they roll out the banner for their 47th anniversary.

But when the burgers finally arrived? Totally worth it. Juicy, cheesy, messy in the way a proper burger should be — the kind where you need a pile of napkins and absolutely no dignity while eating it.

So yes, the wait was real, but between the great food, the anniversary chaos, and Cecilia and Celeste working like absolute champions, it was still a memorable stop.

Pro tip: If you see an anniversary special at Pop’s… bring your patience. The reward at the end is still delicious.“

“Great happy hour at the bar with delicious drinks and terrific, filling small plates. Bartender was super friendly with fantastic service.“

“Since we moved to the area in 2017 this has been our go to spot for my wife and two daughters, last night again did not disappoint - the food , service is on point every time! It’s nice to have a place to go to and wind down after a long week!“