Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tocco

4.9

4.9 (351)

$30 and under

Italian

Winnetka

About the restaurant

Good Food, Good Wine, Good Shoes, Makes Life Better.

Born in Naples, Italy and raised in Milan, Bruno Abate was inspired at an early age by his parents for his passion for food and fashion. Bruno opened his first company in Milan, selling fish and caviar to high-end restaurants. His extensive travels around the world helped him appreciate fine food and design and eventually led him to Chicago in 1999, where he combined his passions. In Chicago, Bruno brought together his vision to marry authentic Italian cuisine with a modern design when he opened his first restaurant Follia, in the meatpacking district and currently, Tocco in Winnetka.

The concept was simple, make authentic Italian Cuisine with the finest ingredients and give diners an experience like they were in Italy.

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Consistency, quality, service - just the best Italian restaurant in the North Shore of Chicago. Food is always hot and delicious.

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Popular dish

Lasagna Bolognese

Villa Verone

4.9

4.9 (2495)

$30 and under

Italian

Geneva

About the restaurant

For a taste of old Italy, head to Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano, housed in an 1849 historic stone home in downtown Geneva. For over 27 years, Villa Verone has embraced the values of authentic southern Italian cooking and an Italian family. Come and enjoy a delicious meal, great atmosphere and fabulous service. Celebrate your next special event with us. Private rooms available.

Top review

L E

Dined 5 days ago

Delightfully satisfying/fine food, courteous service and a terrific atmosphere!

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Popular dish

Lasagna

Gamba Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (1210)

$31 to $50

Italian

Merrillville, IN

About the restaurant

The former owners of the Venezia Bar & Grill and Café Venezia, Benito and Hilda Gamba, have combined their efforts into the Gamba Ristorante. Located in Merrillville, this restaurant is housed in an architectural masterpiece, which is hard to miss with its circular design and copper roof. Modeled after upscale restaurants in exotic European locations, the menu offers classic Italian cuisine. The wine room boasts storage space for 1,000 bottles. A banquet hall holds up to 175 people and looks out onto an open courtyard.

Top review

Kate

Dined 7 days ago

What’s not to love, honestly? This area is fortunate to have Gamba and its attention to excellence right here instead of having to drive to Chicago for it.

Riganato Old World Grille

4.9

4.9 (1091)

$30 and under

Italian

Geneva

About the restaurant

A Mediterranean style restaurant focusing on Italian and Greek cuisine in a cozy, old world setting.
Our ingredients are all fresh, locally sourced, and organic when available. They are traditionally prepared, producing classic old world flavors. It's old country tradition with modern culinary twist!

Top review

AmyVIP

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

Riganato Old World Grille has a charming atmosphere. There is a great variety of dishes to choose from and they are remarkably delicious. The desserts are exceptionally tasty and generous in portion size. Their service was excellent and the prices are reasonable.

Frankie's Since 1988

4.9

4.9 (3883)

$30 and under

Italian

Tinley Park

About the restaurant

The Santoro Family has been in the food service industry since 1988. Our Tinley Park location was renovated AND re-branded in May of 2023. We created a new MODERN CHIC vibe...The new name "Frankie's Since 1988" as an ode to our original restaurant on the Southside of Chicago.

No longer a fine dining white tablecloth restaurant. Our new concept more energetic music, vibrant craft cocktails & mocktails along with the same homemade pastas and signature dishes, such as Ciambotta (sausage & peppers), meatballs, Chicken "limone" with a lemon butter & capers sauce amongst others that have been loved throughout the years from Frankie's. We also added authentic southern Italian style pizzas from our Marra Forni oven in the dining room.

Our updated menu is a combination of old classics from the past 16 years in Tinley Park and new items with the same wonderful service guests have come to know and love from Frankie's.

Top review

Tammy

Dined 6 days ago

Everything was great and so was our server Don! Thank you for a wonderful experience.

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4.8

4.8 (22)

$30 and under

Italian

Lemont

About the restaurant

At Capri, we pride ourselves on using the freshest ingredients to create classic dishes that bring the essence of Italy to your table. Whether you're here for a casual meal with family, a special celebration, or simply to enjoy a delicious meal, we strive to make every visit memorable. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience filled with great food, fine wine, and genuine hospitality.

Top review

Gregory

Dined 5 days ago

I cannot rate this high enough. Andy and his entire team deserve 5 stars. While he has a very wide menu, do not be afraid to order “off the menu”. His team will do all they can to meet your expectations.

Franco's Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (674)

$30 and under

Italian

Bridgeport

About the restaurant

If your preferred time is unavailable please call for possible openings.

Franco's Ristorante is the perfect combination of old world Italian classics and your new favorite pasta dishes. We've been around for over 27 years and have perfected our craft. Some of our most famous dishes include whipped ricotta tuffo, sausage and peppers, eggplant parmigiana and gnocchi.

Our great food and atmosphere helped us earn the honor of being named the Chicago Reader's 2016 "best place for a cheap date" and "best local restaurant."

You will be wowed when you step inside our bright, airy and modern restaurant. You can enjoy a drink at our new marble-topped bar or cozy up to tables with bright red-leather chairs and banquettes in the dining room. In the summer we are happy to offer outdoor seating that allows dogs.

Top review

Roseann

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Absolutely amazing menu and staff. Great selection of drinks as well. Staff is awesome and we love revisiting!

Riccardo Enoteca

4.9

4.9 (1198)

$30 and under

Italian

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Riccardo Michi comes from a restaurant Family in Milan established since 1943 called Girarrosto, one of the first Tuscan restaurants in town and still operating.

After moving to the US, Riccardo opened Sonny Bono, IL Giardino Ristorante and Madeo Ristorante in Beverly Hills. In 1987 he helped his cousin Roberto Ruggeri open the first Bice restaurant in New York City. Since then, he has worked in the opening of many of the restaurants in the group. In 2002 Riccardo moved to Chicago with his wife Veronica to be the executive chef of Bice on Ontario.

Finally Riccardo and Veronica, also a chef, decided to open their own place and in 2006 called Riccardo Trattoria. Considered by many to be the top Italian restaurant in town, receiving the Bib Gourmand from Michelin in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Now, Riccardo and Veronica have opened Riccardo Enoteca, right across the street from Riccardo Trattoria on Clark.

Top review

SharnaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

always great, creative food and pasta that's to die for.

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4.8

4.8 (245)

$31 to $50

Italian

Michigan City, IN

About the restaurant

Cafe Farina - casual old-school vintage vibe, serving up authentic Italian-American specialties and classic cocktails shaking to the beat of Italian music streaming through the restaurant. Using only the finest and freshest ingredients, both local and imported, Chef Joseph Farina features specialty Italian sandwiches, fresh pasta dishes, imported meats and cheeses, hand-cut steaks, and fresh seafood. Inspired by Chicago’s neighborhood joints and renowned Italian Delis, Cafe Farina is bringing a taste of Italian culture to downtown Michigan City!

Top review

Connie

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

They have excellent food & service every time we go there!

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Experience

Weekend Brunch!

La ZaZa Trattoria - St. Charles

4.9

4.9 (1441)

$31 to $50

Italian

St. Charles

About the restaurant

La ZaZa Trattoria in St. Charles fuses classic and contemporary cuisine in its spacious and relaxing space. Guests can begin their dining experience with a starter of beef tenderloin carpaccio with avocado, risotto scampi or a 9" pizza with a selection of delicious toppings. La ZaZa Trattoria serves entrées made with fresh, seasonal ingredients like chicken tortellini with peas and prosciutto, vegetarian linguine, filet mignon or grilled lamb chops.

The ORIGINAL La ZaZa Trattoria is featured in the Chicago Sun Times and the Kane County Chronicle. It has a sizable bar that serves an array of libations, including international wine and beer selections. This eatery has an outdoor patio for guests to enjoy the weather during the summer months. Banquet and Catering services are also available.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This is one of my wife’s and I’s favorite restaurants. Little bit of a drive from home but well worth it. Great serving staff and management. The food never disappoints kind of a fun, cool atmosphere.

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