We had such a wonderful time! Every dish was perfect and delicious. Beautiful décor; excellent service. I'm so glad we chose to dine here for my birthday. I cannot wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Allan Jimenez
Over the years we have visited numerous Italian restaurants in the area. We have had some bad experiences and were hesitant to try another Italian restaurant in the area. I am glad that we decided to try Cristina's. The food was amazing and delicious! We started with the scallops that were cooked perfectly. I followed that with Fetucini Alfredo which was well prepared and the sauce was what I expect from an authentic Italian restaurant. My wife had the Branzini fish and it was fresh and well cooked. To make the night even better, the service, led by Elmer, was above and beyond. The wine he recommended for each of our dishes complimented the dishes perfectly. I plan to go back and take our close friends with us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Mediterranean Branzino
David
This is a nice little hidden gem! Once you step in this restaurant you don't feel like you're in Maryland they have lovely decor in murals around the dining area! It was a very clean and welcoming restaurant. Plenty different size tables to accommodate any size party or date. We had the Caprice mozzarella to start with. For a main course I went with the stuff Lobster ravioli topped with crab and a baked lasagna.Tomas Was our server that night and he was very knowledgeable and very friendly service! He answered all our questions on the menu and kept us well hydrated!!! If I could I give this restaurant 6 stars because of him! Definitely the best Italian restaurant I had in a very very long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bianca Salazar
Amazing food ! Very nice staff ?? can’t wait to go back again !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala, Tiramisu
Jim Knapp
Great food - great service. Garlic bread as an appetizer was terrific. The veal scallopini was great- veal served over angel hair pasta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rossemary A.
Food: AMAZING!!! Everything was so tasty. The complimentary bread with the olive oil style dipping sauce is addicting. I wanted to take more home with me. The garlic bread is even better with the topped Parmesan cheese. The chicken and eggplant parm is delicious and the portion size is enough for you to have leftovers. They honestly have the best Italian food in the Wheaton area. Service: Food came out fast and the server frequently checked in on. He was prompt about refilling our water glasses. Great service, no complaints! Ambiance: feels like a hidden gem. it is an old style Italian theme restaurant. It is small and quaint inside with authentic Italian music playing. It's a great spot for a nice conversation and food. I will definitely be coming back.
Carolyn C.
My partner's family used to frequent this Italian restaurant with their Mother--she has since passed away and we decided to go come for a family dinner to honor her Birthday. We were told it was under new management--doesn't mean much to me since I've never been here before but the family stated that the food was a bit different. To me, the food was okay. Not something I'd go out of my way to return for. To be honest, it smelled unpleasant. We were the only ones for about 40 minutes and then around 7:30 it was packed and that is when it began to smell. It could've been the mix of food dishes, patrons or the bathroom--I couldn't tell but I couldn't wait to get outside. Finding parking is a bit uncomfortable and the overall area wasn't the best. Not somewhere you can walk around afterwards.
Christopher V.
One of my favorite local restaurants for years. Old world, ambience, wonderful Italian food in a quaint setting. Excellent service and wonderful entrées, although It should be said, the entire local community was saddened by the passing of the elegant old world owner, who never seemed to missed a night working the floor. That said the restaurant never missed a beat and is still one of the best places to great Italian food in Wheaton.
Nirma C.
First time eating here and very impressed. Service was very friendly and accommodating for our party of seven. We had the burrata, calamari, and caprese salad for starters, and mushroom risotto, penne vodka, lamb, salmon, and surf and turf dish for entrees. Dessert we ordered the tiramisu, strawberry zabaglione, and cannoli. Everything was amazing.
Alejandro Centeno
Cozy restaurant with a great atmosphere. The food was extremely delicious. We order the lasagna, gnocchi with truffles and desserts. Go for it!!!
Cristina Ristorante Italiano: A Repeat Delight Another visit to Cristina Ristorante Italiano, and once again, it did not disappoint. This charming spot in [City/Town] continues to uphold its tradition of exceptional Italian cuisine and warm hospitality. The visit started on a high note with complimentary stuffed mushrooms, a gesture that made me feel like a valued guest. These mushrooms were a delightful beginning, bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared. For the main course, I opted for the classic - spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection, and the meatballs were juicy, flavorful, and complemented the homemade sauce beautifully. The house salad was a fresh and crisp introduction to this hearty dish, balancing the flavors wonderfully. Dessert was a decadent chocolate cake paired with Limoncello. The cake's rich, moist texture and deep chocolate flavor were a perfect match for the zesty and refreshing Limoncello. On a whim, I decided to follow it up with a cappuccino, which was a delightful finish, smooth and robust. The cherry on top of this delightful meal was the fact that the dessert was complimentary, a kind acknowledgment of my frequent visits. This personal touch is one of the many reasons why I adore this place. The staff at Cristina Ristorante Italiano always impresses with their amazing service. They are not only friendly but also fast, responsive, and incredibly professional. Each visit here feels like being welcomed into a family. I absolutely love this little restaurant for its authentic Italian fare, the cozy ambiance, and the exceptional service. Looking forward to my next visit, Cristina Ristorante Italiano remains a beloved spot for me, where every meal is a memorable experience.
Jesspaul Nibber
I have a feeling just about anything you order here will be perfect from your bread to an appetizer to a glass of cabernet to your main course and finally, a delicious dessert. See pictures for further details ?The service was also excellent, and I will be sure to return, especially to celebrate specific events ?
The food is good Italian food. It is a bit "Americanized" (heavier, sweeter sauces, and more proteins relative to vegetables than you would get with food in Italy), which is why only four stars for the food. Admittedly, I have not found more than a handful of restaurants in the area that have like what you would find in Italy.The service is great. Attentive without being overbearing. If you are looking for a great dinner or lunch, this is worth it.Vegetarian options: Like many Italian menus there are many vegetarian (not vegan) optionsWheelchair accessibility: Single floor, no stairs and decent bathroom with a few turns
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Linguine Al Vongole, Calamari Fritti, Crème Brulee, Pan Seared Mediterranean Branzino, Ravioli Di Aragosta, Pappardelle Bolognese, Gamberi Cristina
Cletus Reed Jr
I'm from near Baltimore and was visiting Brookside Gardens when I happened upon this restaurant. It was amazing! The Mediterranean Salad was outstanding, as the spinach was so fresh and crispy, with tasty pistachios and feta. The entree of Scallops and Shrimp were cooked to perfection as were the vegetables included in this dish. I cannot give enough accolades to this restaurant. This was undoubtedly one of the best dining experiences of my life!!!
We had such a wonderful time! Every dish was perfect and delicious. Beautiful décor; excellent service. I'm so glad we chose to dine here for my birthday. I cannot wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Over the years we have visited numerous Italian restaurants in the area. We have had some bad experiences and were hesitant to try another Italian restaurant in the area. I am glad that we decided to try Cristina's. The food was amazing and delicious! We started with the scallops that were cooked perfectly. I followed that with Fetucini Alfredo which was well prepared and the sauce was what I expect from an authentic Italian restaurant. My wife had the Branzini fish and it was fresh and well cooked. To make the night even better, the service, led by Elmer, was above and beyond. The wine he recommended for each of our dishes complimented the dishes perfectly. I plan to go back and take our close friends with us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Mediterranean Branzino
This is a nice little hidden gem! Once you step in this restaurant you don't feel like you're in Maryland they have lovely decor in murals around the dining area! It was a very clean and welcoming restaurant. Plenty different size tables to accommodate any size party or date. We had the Caprice mozzarella to start with. For a main course I went with the stuff Lobster ravioli topped with crab and a baked lasagna.Tomas Was our server that night and he was very knowledgeable and very friendly service! He answered all our questions on the menu and kept us well hydrated!!! If I could I give this restaurant 6 stars because of him! Definitely the best Italian restaurant I had in a very very long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food ! Very nice staff ?? can’t wait to go back again !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala, Tiramisu
Great food - great service. Garlic bread as an appetizer was terrific. The veal scallopini was great- veal served over angel hair pasta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food: AMAZING!!! Everything was so tasty. The complimentary bread with the olive oil style dipping sauce is addicting. I wanted to take more home with me. The garlic bread is even better with the topped Parmesan cheese. The chicken and eggplant parm is delicious and the portion size is enough for you to have leftovers. They honestly have the best Italian food in the Wheaton area. Service: Food came out fast and the server frequently checked in on. He was prompt about refilling our water glasses. Great service, no complaints! Ambiance: feels like a hidden gem. it is an old style Italian theme restaurant. It is small and quaint inside with authentic Italian music playing. It's a great spot for a nice conversation and food. I will definitely be coming back.
My partner's family used to frequent this Italian restaurant with their Mother--she has since passed away and we decided to go come for a family dinner to honor her Birthday. We were told it was under new management--doesn't mean much to me since I've never been here before but the family stated that the food was a bit different. To me, the food was okay. Not something I'd go out of my way to return for. To be honest, it smelled unpleasant. We were the only ones for about 40 minutes and then around 7:30 it was packed and that is when it began to smell. It could've been the mix of food dishes, patrons or the bathroom--I couldn't tell but I couldn't wait to get outside. Finding parking is a bit uncomfortable and the overall area wasn't the best. Not somewhere you can walk around afterwards.
One of my favorite local restaurants for years. Old world, ambience, wonderful Italian food in a quaint setting. Excellent service and wonderful entrées, although It should be said, the entire local community was saddened by the passing of the elegant old world owner, who never seemed to missed a night working the floor. That said the restaurant never missed a beat and is still one of the best places to great Italian food in Wheaton.
First time eating here and very impressed. Service was very friendly and accommodating for our party of seven. We had the burrata, calamari, and caprese salad for starters, and mushroom risotto, penne vodka, lamb, salmon, and surf and turf dish for entrees. Dessert we ordered the tiramisu, strawberry zabaglione, and cannoli. Everything was amazing.
Cozy restaurant with a great atmosphere. The food was extremely delicious. We order the lasagna, gnocchi with truffles and desserts. Go for it!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Restaurantji Recommends
Cristina Ristorante Italiano: A Repeat Delight Another visit to Cristina Ristorante Italiano, and once again, it did not disappoint. This charming spot in [City/Town] continues to uphold its tradition of exceptional Italian cuisine and warm hospitality. The visit started on a high note with complimentary stuffed mushrooms, a gesture that made me feel like a valued guest. These mushrooms were a delightful beginning, bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared. For the main course, I opted for the classic - spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection, and the meatballs were juicy, flavorful, and complemented the homemade sauce beautifully. The house salad was a fresh and crisp introduction to this hearty dish, balancing the flavors wonderfully. Dessert was a decadent chocolate cake paired with Limoncello. The cake's rich, moist texture and deep chocolate flavor were a perfect match for the zesty and refreshing Limoncello. On a whim, I decided to follow it up with a cappuccino, which was a delightful finish, smooth and robust. The cherry on top of this delightful meal was the fact that the dessert was complimentary, a kind acknowledgment of my frequent visits. This personal touch is one of the many reasons why I adore this place. The staff at Cristina Ristorante Italiano always impresses with their amazing service. They are not only friendly but also fast, responsive, and incredibly professional. Each visit here feels like being welcomed into a family. I absolutely love this little restaurant for its authentic Italian fare, the cozy ambiance, and the exceptional service. Looking forward to my next visit, Cristina Ristorante Italiano remains a beloved spot for me, where every meal is a memorable experience.
I have a feeling just about anything you order here will be perfect from your bread to an appetizer to a glass of cabernet to your main course and finally, a delicious dessert. See pictures for further details ?The service was also excellent, and I will be sure to return, especially to celebrate specific events ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala, Chocolate Lava Cake
The food is good Italian food. It is a bit "Americanized" (heavier, sweeter sauces, and more proteins relative to vegetables than you would get with food in Italy), which is why only four stars for the food. Admittedly, I have not found more than a handful of restaurants in the area that have like what you would find in Italy.The service is great. Attentive without being overbearing. If you are looking for a great dinner or lunch, this is worth it.Vegetarian options: Like many Italian menus there are many vegetarian (not vegan) optionsWheelchair accessibility: Single floor, no stairs and decent bathroom with a few turns
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Linguine Al Vongole, Calamari Fritti, Crème Brulee, Pan Seared Mediterranean Branzino, Ravioli Di Aragosta, Pappardelle Bolognese, Gamberi Cristina
I'm from near Baltimore and was visiting Brookside Gardens when I happened upon this restaurant. It was amazing! The Mediterranean Salad was outstanding, as the spinach was so fresh and crispy, with tasty pistachios and feta. The entree of Scallops and Shrimp were cooked to perfection as were the vegetables included in this dish. I cannot give enough accolades to this restaurant. This was undoubtedly one of the best dining experiences of my life!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elmer and Jason are polite and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5