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  5. Highland Park
Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets, Highland Park, IL

Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets

4.6
4.6
980 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
Bella Via Ristorante & Banquets is an authentic Italian Restaurant located in downtown Highland Park. A family owned and operated restaurant that has become the neighborhood spot for 20 years. We feature northern and southern Italian fare with an impressive selection of Italian wines. The menu consists of a variety of appetizers, homemade pastas, fresh fish, tender veal, chicken and many other Italian favorites.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 10 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (847) 681-8300
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Maurizio Lo Bosco
  • Catering
  • Private party facilities
    Delicious Italian food and exceptional service, combined with beautiful rustic private rooms. Our private party room(s) accommodate 10 to 200 people for a small intimate event to a formal function. Attached to the private party room(s) is a large 2200 square foot garden patio. We are dedicated to providing only the highest quality food and individualized attention from our experienced staff. We will tailor specific menus to meet your needs whether its for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding or special occasion.
  • Private party contact
    Amir Bloom: (847) 681-8300
  • Neighborhood
    Highland Park
  • Cross street
    Second St. & Elm St.
  • Parking details
    Large underground Parking Facility located right across the street
  • Entertainment
    Live music on our outdoor patio
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 980 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North Suburbs

    Neighborhood gem

  • North Suburbs

    Italian

980 Reviews
  1. eater

    Chicago

    32 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    32 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food2service1ambience4
    Very disappointed again with food and service issues: fish not cooked through despite being asked how it should be served. It took a long time to serve the dinner after the initial order and then a long delay after it was undercooked and no apology or check in with me. And...it costs more for each serving.

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  2. CoachVicki

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always, an outstanding experience and we were very touched that they gave us desert for our anniversary. It’s one of our favorite places. Many thanks to the Bella Via Team!

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  3. MARIED

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service are great. There are so many great choices.

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  4. JenniferD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Lovely dinner. I loved my portobello ravioli that was a special and my husband enjoyed his lasagne.

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  5. Minchire

    Chicago

    49 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always excellent service, food, and we loved having the doors open to the outside. Our guests were first-timers and said Bella Via is a home run! We agree.

    Is this helpful?

  6. MichaelL

    Chicago

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This continues to be one of our favorites. The food is very good, although not unique, the service is professional and timely, and we really like that unlike a lot of restaurants, it is quiet. Also, easy to park closeby on the street.

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  7. eater

    Chicago

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    good meal but a lot more expensive. like being in your outdoor patio

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  8. ChristyK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely outdoor patio made for a perfect leisurely dinner - great date night atmosphere!

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  9. Dianas

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Chicken parmesano was delicious & capellini. Service was very good & friendly staff. There’s a back area patio as well.

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  10. AGC50

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience3
    Generous portions, friendly service and enjoy expanded outdoor seating.

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  11. Fressmeister

    Chicago

    29 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience2
    Bella Via has sadly lost some of its Mojo. The kitchen continues to turn out delicious Italian food but service levels have fallen off with mostly younger, less experienced servers. Our entrée arrived lukewarm and it was difficult to get our server's attention because she was covering remote tables. We are hopeful that this once considered institution will return to being our favorite local Italian restaurant.

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  12. JudyO

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful setting, delicious food, wonderful service., nice wine list. What could be better!

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  13. JamesH

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was very good. My favorite was not on the menu but our waiter said it was available

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  14. DocHungry

    Chicago

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Food and drinks were delicious as I recall.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely outside patio, delicious food and marvelous cocktails and wine. We love the grilled squid and vegetables. So fresh and clean. We love the fish and eggplant rolls. Thank you

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  16. PeggyW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Our waiter apologized when we ordered for any delays as he was so busy. He couldn’t have been nicer. Food was good though the Caesar salad wasn’t very authentic. Look forward to going back soon.

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  17. NancyW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the food, service, and back patio! Everything was perfect!

    Is this helpful?

  18. Tates

    Chicago

    29 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience4
    This is a fav spot of ours. Food never disappoints and service is always top notch. This visit was different. The seating placement was odd. Not busy but they insisted on placing people right next to each other while the entire middle remained open. Staggering would be better. The windows were open which was lovely but the fly situation was brutal. People were moving all around to get away from the flies. I would have liked to see them close the windows as we felt like we spent more time swatting than enjoying the meal.

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  19. DRJC

    Chicago

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Food was excellently prepared and tasty as usual. We try to eat here regularly and have always had an excellent meal no matter what we choose. The ambiance is wonderful and besides having an outdoor option, the doors to the street are open giving diners in the main room an outdoor experience. The menu is extensive and there are good choices for anyone's diet.

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  20. CatherineD

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Everyone in our group loved their meal except for me. I found the puttanesca was bland. Our server was wonderful. Our table ideal. And we found the prices a little high.

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  21. eforgan

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Stellar service. Best trained staff. Service is impeccable. A+ to the trainer! I could eat the Chilean Sea Bass special every night. It was so well prepared. Reshmed is our personal choice of servers every time we go in. Very professional, friendly and always wonderful suggestions for food and wine pairings.

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  22. janicep

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 24, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    My entire party was very pleased with the food, service and really enjoyed the outdoor patio.

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  23. IleneJ

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our meals were delicious and service was outstanding. It wasn't at all noisy and the open doors with the breeze were wonderful

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  24. RobertS

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The outdoor dining experience was terrific. Eaten here many times and never had an issue with the service or the food.

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  25. Bill

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were seated promptly and had bread and water brought quickly. It seemed that they lost track of us, on a very busy night. Once they realized this, they were attentive and the service was excellent. We have eaten here several times and the service is always a 5/5. I’ll be back again and again. This place is one of those chef owned and operated places and is top notch in my opinion.

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  26. LocalChowHound

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great friend from CA was in town and wanted really good northern Italian cuisine, which it certainly was! (Our friend) Chef Sonia’s fried calamari and tiramisu were excellent! Server Rashad was very attentive and aimed to please. Overall, wonderful experience- though thought was a bit pricey (prices seem to have gone up). Will definitely return!

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  27. BillB

    Chicago

    155 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    155 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Bella Via serves good, better than average Italian food. the service is satisfactory. Entrees include a choice of soup or salad, which justifies a higher price point.

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  28. Shelly

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We are a long time happy customer. We would like to have several new dish's added to your menu every month. The current menu has not changed in a long time, and there are many wonderful items that we and many of your customers would enjoy. Thank you for asking. Sheldon & Linda Schak

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  29. AndieL

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food, great service! Loved the open air atmosphere with the windows open.

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  30. SandraC

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bella Via is a favorite of ours. We are never disappointed in the food. Very friendly staff and very attentive staff. Since Covid some restaurants have suffered because they can not get enough staff. That is NOT the issue at Bella Via. Service was remarkable. Definitely says something positive about the management!

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  31. KBinBartlett

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our experience was 5 star right from the start. Our server, Omar, was attentive and quick. Food was excellent and we celebrated a wonderful birthday.

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  32. JohnnyO

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Hadn't been here in a while and so glad to be back!

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  33. RichardL

    Chicago

    129 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    129 reviews

    Dined on July 5, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    We had a nice dinner at Bella Via on this visit. Our friends, who had not been to the restaurant in a long time, enjoyed their experience. The food was very good, with each member of our group enjoying his/her meal. One slight slip-up was the server getting one of our orders wrong. The dish had to be sent back and my corrected dinner arrived almost after my dining-mates had finished their meals. Oops! Otherwise, we enjoy Bella Via and will be back.

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  34. MaryR

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was very tasty, good presentation and not so much that you felt stuffed when you finished it.

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  35. thediner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Nice place, friendly service, solid italian food. I really think they need to change their soup bowls, when you order minestrone it comes half empty, I think its because they feel it might spill as its walked to the table. Overall food is good if your in the mood for classic old school italian food. Must have the artichokes.

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  36. DRJC

    Chicago

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The meal was wonderful as usual. Service was impeccable. We have been to Bella Via several times and enjoy it each time. The restaurant has quality food and a large menu selection. They have a good wine list and cocktails are prepared correctly. 

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  37. LindaS

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, service, ambiance is terrific! One of our favorite places!

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  38. billp

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great expecially the service. We shared a dish and they split it.

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  39. ArleneB

    Phoenix

    57 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A neighborhood gem. Great personalized service. Delicious food. Easy to hear each other. Can’t wait to go back!

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  40. JakeD

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Service was outstanding, everything else was average for this type of restaurant.

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FAQs

Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets is rated 4.6 stars by 980 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 10 times today
Google Map for Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets

1899 Second St, Highland Park, IL 60035

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Second St. & Elm St.
  • Neighborhood
    Highland Park
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Large underground Parking Facility located right across the street
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Maurizio Lo Bosco
  • Entertainment
    Live music on our outdoor patio
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (847) 681-8300
  • Catering
  • Private party facilities
    Delicious Italian food and exceptional service, combined with beautiful rustic private rooms. Our private party room(s) accommodate 10 to 200 people for a small intimate event to a formal function. Attached to the private party room(s) is a large 2200 square foot garden patio. We are dedicated to providing only the highest quality food and individualized attention from our experienced staff. We will tailor specific menus to meet your needs whether its for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding or special occasion.
  • Private party contact
    Amir Bloom: (847) 681-8300
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