Best Italian Restaurants in Lake Forest

Price: Moderate (60)Price: Expensive (24)Price: Very Expensive (6)

25 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Francesca's Intimo restaurant

1. Francesca's Intimo

4.5

Awesome(1653)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Lake Forest

Booked 35 times today

Francesca’s Intimo is located in vibrant downtown Lakeforest. A restaurant with a contemporary, casually sophisticated trattoria ambiance, rustic cooking, friendly service, and fair prices.

A photo of Alex's Washington Gardens restaurant

2. Alex's Washington Gardens

4.8

Exceptional(1493)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Highwood

Booked 30 times today

Alex's Washington Gardens is a well-loved establishment, known for its outstanding Italian cuisine. The reviewers consistently praise it as a great spot for enjoying delicious food in a friendly atmosphere. They appreciate the top-notch service, with staff members always going above and beyond to accommodate their needs. Many customers have been frequenting this restaurant for years, affirming the consistent quality of dishes. Its popularity is further emphasized by one reviewer declaring it the best restaurant on the North Shore. Whether it's the pizza, the eggplant parmigiana, or the traditional Italian-American dishes, the food is always recommended. So, for a reliably excellent, "old-school" Italian meal, Alex's Washington Gardens is the place to go.

3. Disotto

4.6

Exceptional(1247)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Highwood

Booked 32 times today

Let Disotto transport you to another place & time, like visiting your Nonna's wine cellar on the Italian countryside for a homemade meal.

A photo of Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets restaurant

4. Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets

4.5

Awesome(1084)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Highland Park

Booked 10 times today

Bella Via Ristorante and Banquets is highly regarded for its authentic Italian cuisine on the Northshore. Patrons enthusiastically commend the restaurant's friendly atmosphere, extensive menu selection, and remarkable service. The restaurant's offerings range from classic dishes like veal and Chicken Parmesan, to unique regional specialties like Nonninas meatballs and Chef Sonia's fried calamari. Reviewers also praise the quality of Bella Via's wine and dessert selections, and their outdoor dining areas are particularly loved. In one review, a native Italian even claimed that Bella Via serves the "best Italian she's ever had", cementing its reputation as a top-notch destination for Italian cuisine.

5. Del Rio

4.8

Exceptional(1139)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Highwood

Booked 8 times today

Del Rio is a beloved Italian restaurant, widely acclaimed for its authentic and delicious cuisine. Their fish dishes are especially noted for their excellence, and the tortellacci is a firm favorite among patrons. Customers continually praise the warm, nostalgic ambiance and friendly service, with several reviews indicating consistent, high-quality dining experiences. The restaurant is also lauded for its renowned wine list, and the personalized touches, like celebrating special occasions with complementary desserts, contribute to its charm. Its "old school" vibe, reminiscent of classic Italian hospitality, is frequently highlighted, further showcasing the restaurant's dedication to providing an authentic Italian dining experience. Overall, Del Rio's top-notch service, delicious dishes, and welcoming atmosphere make it a standout in the realm of Italian cuisine.

A photo of SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza Company - Highwood restaurant

6. SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza Company - Highwood

4.8

Exceptional(215)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Highwood

Booked 1 time today

SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza Company based in Highwood, Illinois is a cornerstone in the Pizzeria cuisine scene. With inventive combinations like garlic, spinach, diced pancetta, marscapone, as well as classic favorites, their pizza selection has been deemed "impressive" and "the best for miles around". Their homemade fennel sausage pizza and #8 pizza are particularly recommended. The delicious food, coupled with excellent customer service, creates a great vibe. Their food is not only delicious and consistent but also offers great value. The quaint charm of the mellow bar area and patio seating invites a great atmosphere, making SLYCE the go-to neighborhood pizza place.

7. Di Pescara

4.6

Exceptional(5600)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Northbrook

Booked 58 times today

Di Pescara is a notable seafood restaurant in Northbrook, renowned for its consistently good food and outstanding service. Patrons rave about a variety of seafood offerings, including the flounder, wild salmon, lobster bisque, and grouper. Reviewers consistently praise the Chopped Seafood Salad, considering it among the best. The restaurant is also celebrated for its unique interpretations of seafood, like the shrimp tempura roll in an Italian seafood setting, indicating a fusion touch to its menu. Despite being located outside the city, visitors from farther away acknowledge that the drive is worth it for the delectable seafood dishes. The consistent quality of cooking and the professional staff further enhance the experience at Di Pescara.

A photo of Rosebud - Deerfield restaurant

8. Rosebud - Deerfield

4.5

Awesome(1873)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Deerfield

Booked 35 times today

Rosebud - Deerfield is a highly praised Italian restaurant where guests are consistently delighted by their experience. The reviews are flooded with praises for the restaurant's fantastic Italian cuisine. Pasta meals such as ziti, rigatoni, spaghetti and Alfredo have all been commended for their quality. Enthusiasm is also high for their other dishes, with the Chicken Capri, penne bolognese, Skirt steak, and Eggplant and Chicken Parmesan being highly recommended by customers. Notably, the portions are described as "HUGE", "fresh", and "very authentic for Italian cuisine standards". The service is equally excellent with reviewers describing the staff as "very friendly," "attentive," and "knowledgeable." Clearly, Rosebud - Deerfield sets a high bar for Italian dining.

9. Enzo and Lucia

4.8

Exceptional(1365)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Long Grove

Booked 42 times today

Enzo and Lucia is highly lauded for its exceptional Italian cuisine. Numerous patrons commend the restaurant for its outstanding service and delicious food, with one saying it may be the "best Italian restaurant" in the area. The diverse menu, featuring traditional Italian dishes, is acclaimed for its variety and authentic flavor. The ambiance - complete with a beautiful patio for outdoor dining - also adds to the overall charm. The customer service is described as "impeccable," "excellent," and "outstanding," further enhancing the overall dining experience. As a testament to its quality, frequent diners highly recommending Enzo and Lucia for a truly authentic Italian dinner.

10. Main Street Social

4.7

Exceptional(1604)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Libertyville

Booked 14 times today

Main Street Social, situated in downtown Libertyville, offers a stellar Italian dining experience as mentioned in numerous reviews. Laudatory sentiments include "outstanding Italian food", "terrific homemade Italian meal", and "best Italian food in town". Reviewers also praise the unique and delicious dishes like the crab meat linguine, grilled Spanish octopus, and apple salad. Moreover, customer satisfaction with their servers - Greg, Tyler, Angela, and Maria, underlines the excellent service quality. The reviews also emphasise the restaurant's excellent wine selection. The overall atmosphere and location in the heart of Libertyville make Main Street Social a commendable representation of Italian cuisine.

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Discover best Italian restaurants in Lake Forest

Discover the charm of Italian cuisine in the North Suburbs of Lake Forest, Chicago, where a selection of restaurants offers an authentic taste of Italy right in Illinois. The dining scene here boasts a variety of Italian eateries, each presenting a unique blend of traditional flavors and modern culinary techniques. These establishments pride themselves on their commitment to quality, sourcing fresh ingredients to craft dishes that transport diners to the heart of Italy. From classic homemade pasta and savory seafood to delightful risottos and robust wines, the Italian restaurants in Lake Forest cater to all tastes and occasions. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a casual meal with friends, the welcoming ambiance and expertly prepared cuisine make for a memorable dining experience. Embrace the rich, culinary traditions of Italy with every dish in this vibrant and picturesque suburb.

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