50 Best Italian Restaurants near Wilmette

“Four of us went Carlos and Carlos to celebrate three August birthdays. The staff was very friendly, accommodating, and courteous. You need to be prepared to read an extensive menu with specials of Italian dishes including pasta, veal, fish and meat to meet range of tastes. Also, available were soups, salads, desserts and appetizers with a decent wine list. Definitely worth a return visit.“

“Convito cafe has long been one of our favorites. Our kids give us gift card every Christmas. Consistent quality , keeping old faves on menu along with specials per season. Tonight my husband loved the calves liver and I loved the fettuccini with fro magic and peas and pancetta. We each enjoyed the Caesar salads. That's fromagia not magic. And your desserts are always yummy!“

“What a fun place for families (or anyone!) looking for a casual place for dinner. Although known for pizza, the super green salad and spicy sausage rigatoni were outstanding. Nice kids working there who seemed to have fun working. Great spot!“

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

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

“I was in Chicago on June 26th from Detroit to perform with my band for a private event. We stayed at the Hampton Inn North Shore/Skokie. We decided we were going to have pizza that evening. The lady at the front desk recommended Lou Malnati’s at 3223 Lake drive. She said to make sure to get the Butter Crust, extra butter. This location is mainly setup for carryout, and that’s cool, I was taking the food back to the hotel anyway. The customer service was top notch! They literally made sure we were taken care of from the time we entered until the time we had to come back and pick up the food. They gave us a few extras and wanted us to feel welcome since we were from out of town. They went the extra mile!! As far as the food, the piza was outstanding! And the Caesar salad was delicious. I would definitely come back and see them the next time I am in Chicago. They were excellent!“

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

“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!“

“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!!“

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

“We had a wonderful dinner here celebrating my wife’s birthday, it was truly a memorable evening. The restaurant was warm, comfortable, and inviting, the staff made us feel very welcome from the moment we arrived. We enjoyed the chicken piccata and the porterhouse steak, both were excellent. A special thank you to our waiter, Edion, who was friendly, attentive, and made our evening even more enjoyable. We were especially glad he recommended the arancini, they were delicious! Overall, it was a fantastic experience with great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service. We will definitely be back!“

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

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

“I discovered this gem during restaurant week two years ago, and I've been a fan ever since. The food is amazing, I'm particular the Carbonara pasta is one of the best I've ever had. The apps are also all winners. The best part about this place is Rudy, the bartender, who makes best drinks and is always so much fun to chat with! I love to bring friends who've never been here, it has such a fun and welcoming atmosphere.“

“This is a fantastic place to enjoy great food at reasonable prices. The menu offers delicious options, the drinks are just as enjoyable, and the welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot for any occasion. The restaurant is also family and dog friendly, which makes it even more inviting.

The customer service was outstanding. Our waitress was amazing—friendly, funny, and attentive throughout the entire meal, making the experience even more enjoyable. The beautiful interior adds to the overall charm, creating a comfortable place to relax and dine. Between the excellent food, great drinks, warm hospitality, and inviting atmosphere, this is a place I would definitely recommend.“

“We moved to North Center right around the time Armano opened. This has become our go to spot for dinners out as well as our favorite place to bring friends. The food is exceptional with a menu just big enough to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The team at Armano is also wonderful and we've consistently received excellent service. Can't recommend this place enough.“

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

“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!“

“Everything was perfect ❤️!!!“

“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!!!!“

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

“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.“

“Celebrated my wife’s birthday here with three other families, as we were in Chicago between baseball tournaments. Not only was Coda di Volpe able to accommodate a same day reservation for a large party, but they went above and beyond, from personalizing menus with a birthday wish, to adding a special touch on dessert. With four teenage boys in tow, the menu provided ample carbs and comfort for them while we enjoyed a broad sample of the offerings - all were very happy with their meals! Cocktails and wine selection was also on the mark. Kudos to Jeremy and his staff. We came all dressed in white and he told us he knew he wanted to do something special for our party… they knocked it out of the park! Looking forward to coming back to Chicago and making a beeline for this restaurant… a no-brainer.“

“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!“

“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. 🤣“

“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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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“

“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!!“

“Wonderful all around. Amazing food,amazing wait staff, 10/10 atmosphere as well.“

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

“Never a bad meal or evening at Mia Francesca’s, but what’s been even more special has been our server Rebecca, who we’ve been lucky enough to have the last two dates here. She’s sweet, attentive but not intrusive, and makes the night feel special!“

“Really good Italian food and ambiance!“

“Great food, great people!“

“We always look forward to takeout (during COVID) and look forward to seeing you in person. Pizza is always fantastic!!! Always!“

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

“Went there with two former colleagues; we meet from time to time to catch up and solve world problems. It was the first time at Pasta d'Arte for each of us.

Food and service were marvelous, and I came away wishing the restaurant were closer to my near north home. I've not had better Italian cooking in Chicago, and we all thought Pasta d'Arte was a great discovery.

Only drawback, which disappeared as the night wore on and other folks finished and left, was the hard room surfaces which made conversation tough at times. But we left glad to have discovered a place with such good cooking and service.“

“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.“

“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!!“

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

“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.“

“I always stop when I’m nearby!“

“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!! 🏆👍🏻“

“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!“

“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.“

“Delicious food Free uncorking Excellent service Romantic atmosphere“

“Quaint place with excellent food and cocktails at a reasonable price. The service was exceptional in this unexceptional restaurant environment. Our Server was excellent. She didn’t miss a beat! We enjoyed the evening.“

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

“This crust blew my mind. 10/10“

“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.“

“Amazing food and it tasted awesome .. Would love to visit again .. Staff were very helpful and ambiance was excellent .. 5 stars !!“