50 Best Italian Restaurants near Wilmette

“From the moment we arrived, the service made a great impression. The staff member assisting us was polite and attentive, offering thoughtful dish suggestions that ended up being excellent picks. Throughout our visit, he made sure we were comfortable and enjoying everything, which added a personal touch to the entire dining experience.“

“Great place! Great price! Best place to come in a city :)“

“I have ordered Pizza by Sal for delivery multiple times and am always very happy with the quality of food. Don’t tell Chicago but I love a New York style crust. They do a great job with pizza but also the pasta, meatballs and salad are delicious. I should have reviewed awhile ago because of the food but my most recent order motivated me now. There was a slight error in our order. Human beings make mistakes, every single one of us have. The way the staff handled fixing the error was above and beyond! The kindness I experienced left my heart as full as my belly! 😍“

“Convito's is a restaurant where one can count on a professional wait staff. Courteous. Friendly. Service with a smile. The food selection is great and the food is delicious! The added bonus is the food market next to the restaurant, which is wonderful for “take home”!“

“Great pizza! Make sure to check out the salads and the homemade gnocchi“

“Lou Malnati’s has become the standard bearer for Chicago deep dish pizza. The ingredients are consistently excellent and the recipe is consistently executed. They also have an excellent thin crust pizza offering. This is not the same as NY style, wood fired, coal fired, pub style and so many other types (each of which are good in their own context) — and comparisons among these are not terribly relevant.

Note that this location is takeout and delivery only.“

“The pasta was incredible!!!! Alfonso was our server and he was fantastic and really good at helping us out when we couldn’t figure out what to order!“

“This place has the real deal Italian food. It's not cheap, I went during Restaurant Week so I had a good deal and what they offered is not on the regulat menu, but let me tell you, after being disappointed by many an over priced Italian restaurant, this place is well worth the money. It actually delivers on delicious food, portions were also generous. Service was great and the atmosphere was fantastic too. Would return.“

“Outstanding Northern Italian-inspired cuisine! Wonderful dining experience. Delicious food and excellent service.“

“Cozy small place with open kitchen concept.
I had a mushroom soup, pasta puttanesca & cheesecake with blueberry & hibiscus tea.

Delicious! Great service & attention to details!
Definitely will be back!“

“If you are looking for old school Italian with a modern flare, this is the place!“

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

“Wonderful restaurant. Food was excellent very close to what I had in Rome. Staff very friendly and made our dining very enjoyable! Go here!!“

“Everything was perfect ❤️!!!“

“I only get up here from Florida every few years. Always make it a point to stop in with my cousin. I’ve never been disappointed in the food or 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!!!!“

“I have been to Frasca's multiple times and it never disappoints. I went last night with my husband and we enjoyed it very much.

Our server was FANTASTIC! She was kind, quick, and helpful.

We started the night with the arancini, they were delicious risotto balls. There are 5 of them, so be weary if you want to split between two of them. My only critique is that they needed a little salt. My husband had the 4 star old fashion, which was just okay.

We also had the Mezze, which gives you three options. We had the mozzarella, tomato, basil bruschetta which was very good. We also had the red rock cheese and sweet soppresetta for a meat. It came with grapes, pickles, nuts, jam, and a Parmesan lavish. It was very good and a fun way to split some items. It was a lot of appetizers for just the two of us so I'd suggest going smaller depending on your party.

For our mains we had the pappardelle bolognese & orecchiette scarpiello. The bolognese is delicious, you can't go wrong with a classic. The orecchiette scarliello was divine, I could drink the sauce. The chicken in it was also a great add. I did wish the kale was chopped slightly smaller so it didn't overpower some bites. Otherwise, both were great. I would order them again. My husband had a glass of Cantina tritana montepulciano with dinner. It was very good wine, not too dry or sweet. He truly enjoyed it.

We finished the night with the tiramisu. It was pretty good, not the best I've ever had, but it was decent. The portion was worth the cost.

Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun, tasty, reasonably priced Italian dinner.“

“Best food,great service,Love The Open windows beautiful summer breezes, it’s a Delight💜🩷🩵Fun🎊🎉and great desserts and did I mention the food is fabulous!!“

“You can’t skip the charred octopus to start! It’s a perfect appetizer to share with an incredible roasted Calabrian chili sauce. My absolute favorite dish is the pennette cardinale! I can’t go to Sapori without ordering. The creamy tomato sauce pairs perfectly with the sun-dried tomatoes. I’m drooling just thinking about it! Lastly, you have to finish your dinner with the bread pudding. The warm pudding with the cold ice cream is perfection in every bite. 10/10 always!“

“We were in Chicago for a couple days from Austin, Indiana, and stopped in at Pat’s for dinner based off of the great reviews and it did not disappoint! The food was amazing and excellent service. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Grande! Finalmente anche gli americani possono mangiare una pizza seria.“

“It is always a pleasure dining here. Wonderful service is always provided. Great food with large portions. The cocktails are amazing! Let’s not forget the tasty appetizers and scrumptious desserts!!! GA must try!! You will not be disappointed!!“

“Food was excellent as always and our server Moses made it extra special. Always one of my favorites!“

“Great food, great people!“

“My first time here, and I loved it! Got there early with my own choice of seating. It’s pretty quiet on the inside, so it’s easy to talk with your table. The food is traditional Italian, and delicious. Our server Jeff was patient, friendly and informative. He carded us for drinks and saw it was my birthday. So after our courses, he brought a little dessert and sang me Happy Birthday! Would definitely recommend and go back again.“

“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.“

“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!“

“An intimate space, but the entrées and desserts were excellent and the service was pleasant and efficient. A modest, but reasonable wine list.“

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

“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“

“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.“

“First time we were here and we will be back. Were looking for a different nice italian place other than our usual ones on the north shore. Excellent food, attentive service. My wife and I split a large caesar salad. I had risotto buscaiolo which was very good and was a huge portion for a risotto. My wife had the veal marsala. Again very good and generous. Finished with lemon mascarpone cake which really hit the spot.“

“Lovely and delicious food! Can’t wait to go back 🤍“

“always great pizza, really friendly staff, and good prices for the amount of food! I would go for the specialty slices. my favs are the mac and the chicken and waffles!! place itself is pretty no frills but staff was friendly enough to change TVs to games we were interested in!!“

“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!! 🏆👍🏻“

“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.“

“La comida estuvo deliciosa, cada platillo con un sabor auténtico y bien preparado. El servicio fue excelente y el ambiente muy acogedor. Definitivamente un lugar para volver muchas veces y para disfrutar en familia o con amigos. The food was delicious, each dish authentic and well-prepared. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. Definitely a place to return to many times and enjoy with family or friends.“

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

“Great place for Italian!“

“If your looking for a true hidden neighborhood gem come to Pastina. I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and all the recommendations were on point. The chef was also able to make anything off menu but we went with the offerings. The Chicken Lemon I had was delicious and very well prepared with fresh capers. My wife had the chicken Vesuvio and loved her food and enjoyed the fresh mushrooms in the sauce, she said it was like eating two different meals at the same time. We also had the spinach soup which my wife fell in love with and now wants the recipe. The Bruschetta with the sweet roasted tomatoes is a must try. For dessert we topped it off with a delicious creme brulee cheese cake. Our server was very kind and attentive and everything she recommended was 5 stars. I will say this is a very date night spot and cozy space but don't let that stop you from coming with a small group of friends though I'd recommend a reservation for that. Neighborhood parking isn't too bad but I'd say give yourself a little time to get here and find a spot. I can't wait to come back and try more.“

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

“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!“

“Amazing food with a very friendly knowledgeable staff! Made my friends birthday sensational!“

“A Classic! Family run for over one hundred years. You can see, taste, and appreciate why. Our server Stella is fifth generation from the original family. Her lovely mother stopped by to say hello too. Eggplant Parmesan, Halibut in butter sauce, Alfredo and Spaghetti. So delicious! No room for dessert!!“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

“My sister and I both ordered the grilled salmon. She asked for her to be cooked through; I asked for mine to be prepred per chef's recommendation. Both of our dishes were prepared to our specifications. Mine was seared on the outside and tender moist on the inside. To add to that perfection, the sunchoke purée had an amazing mélange of flavors. I finished my meal with the Scorza Dolce--also packed with flavor.I have now had three meals that were so exquisitely flavorful that they will stick in my mind forever (previous two are from 1981 and 2005). My salmon at Mino's is now my #1 all-time favorite meals!“

“Excellent service, amazing food. Gelato is incredible! :) Very nice people there, too! Will definitely return!“

“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. 🤣“

“Amazing and now I love the tacos 🥰“

“I ordered the mid-week take home special last week and we loved the selections. The soup was gnocchi with a short rib meat filling and a short rib broth. The dinner was boar's meat and sauce with kale. The dessert was fill your own cannoli. Everything was delicious and the instructions for reheating were easy. It's my third time getting it. So fun!“