Best Italian Restaurants in Elmwood Park
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Massa Cafe Italiano
A slice counter that pairs bakery-style pizza with a serious gelato lineup.
Notable Picks
8.6
A modern casual-Italian cafe built around slice-and-go Sicilian bakery pizza plus a deeper bench of panini, pasta, and gelato for a full meal. It works best when you treat it like a “pizza first, sweets after” stop—grab a couple slices, then finish with gelato before you roll out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Vodka Burrata slice, Panzerotti
What Makes it Special: A slice counter that pairs bakery-style pizza with a serious gelato lineup.
8.1
A polished neighborhood Italian spot that works well for date nights and small celebrations, with a menu that leans into seafood starters and hearty mains. It’s best when you start with one shareable appetizer, then commit to a single centerpiece entrée rather than over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Octopus, Capellini Siciliana, Lamb Shank Osso Buco
What Makes it Special: A neighborhood Italian bar-and-dining room with polished pacing.
Worthy Picks
7.8
A newer European-leaning dining room where Italian staples (pasta, pizza, parm) share the menu with broader continental plates. Go when you want a more modern room, then keep the order anchored in the Italian sections—one pasta plus one classic entrée.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carbonara, Chicken Parm, Blue Fire Ribeye Steak
What Makes it Special: A modern, European-leaning room with a real pasta-and-parm lane.
7.7
A neighborhood pizza-and-sandwich counter that’s most useful for fast, filling Italian-American staples. Order like a local: one pie or calzone for the group, then add a classic Chicago sandwich and a simple dessert to finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Italian Beef Sandwich, Calzone, Cannoli
What Makes it Special: A fast, local counter for pizza, calzones, and Chicago staples.