Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Near West

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Near West? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

La Parra Restaurant and Bar

4.9

4.9 (534)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Berwyn

About the restaurant

La Parra Restaurant & Bar, in Berwyn, IL, is a premier dining establishment serving the Chicago, Cicero and Oak Park areas. We specialize in home made pastas, tapas and the best cocktails you'll ever try. We offer a Mediterranean style menu, a full bar, and dine in or carry out options.

For your next night out, visit La Parra Restaurant & Bar in Berwyn. The best Mediterranean around!

Top review

HarleyF

Dined today

Great customer service, Great food, great energy!! Drinks are on point. It’s my favorite restaurant in Berwyn, IL.

Maya Del Sol

4.8

4.8 (3814)

$30 and under

Latin American

Oak Park

About the restaurant

## Maya Del Sol: A Culinary Journey Through Latin America Step into Maya Del Sol and embark on a vibrant culinary adventure through the diverse flavors of Latin America. Our family-owned restaurant, nestled in the heart of Oak Park, Illinois, offers a unique dining experience that tantalizes your taste buds and warms your soul. **A Fusion of Flavors:** Our menu is a symphony of bold, innovative flavors, drawing inspiration from Mexico, Central America, and South America. From fresh ceviche and sizzling fajitas to succulent steaks and flavorful seafood creations, each dish is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the region. Our chefs use only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring every bite is a burst of authentic taste. **A Vibrant Atmosphere:** Whether you choose to dine in our elegant dining rooms or on our expansive outdoor patio, Maya Del Sol offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Lush greenery, twinkling lights, and the lively chatter of friends and family create a truly special ambiance. **Hand-Crafted Cocktails:** No Latin American experience is complete without a perfectly crafted margarita. Our extensive margarita list features fresh, hand-squeezed juices and unique flavor combinations, all shaken and served tableside. We also offer a curated selection of cocktails

Top review

Tim

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic place to take in live music and have a great Mexican meal.

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La Notte Ristorante Italiano - Oak Park

4.8

4.8 (725)

$31 to $50

Italian

Oak Park

About the restaurant

La Notte executive chef and owner Giovanni Matteo Mancini has a multitude of recipes which draw on his upbringing in Italy, but also his families ancestral recipes from Rome, Tuscany, and Bari.

Years of experience and creativity allow him to bring the essence and flavor of Italy out in his cooking while creating new and sumptuous dishes.

All of Giovanni's dishes are made to order satisfying every customer’s needs. Accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies when needed, but always providing fresh delectable dishes for every palate.

Giovanni brings the flavor of Italy and the ambiance of upscale downtown Chicago dining to Oak Park's Marion Street district.

His contemporary twist on old favorites of authentic Italian cuisine make you come back for more time and again

Now Offering Valet Service for $8 from 6PM -10PM

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We love this place. It is always good. The food rides the line between mom-and-pop and refined dining. They will cook what you wish to order and we have never been disappointed. We will return and return again.

Victory Italian - Oak Park

4.8

4.8 (233)

$30 and under

Italian

Forest Park

About the restaurant

*Our patio is first come, first serve. Your reservation assures you a table. If patio is available at your time of arrival we will gladly seat you there. We appreciate your understanding*
Victory Italian features authentic Chicago-style Italian Cuisine. While the menu boasts of Joe's Mama's Meatballs, you will find fresh made pastas, home-made ciabatta garlic bread, and many other of Chef's classics that have wowwed Chicago for decades! The wine list is one to delight all palates offering several regions of Italy, many appellations of California and a well balanced mix of global varietals. Dine in our space filled with Old-World sophistication, black and white photos of familiar faces and quintessential Chicago Style. Our Oak Park location showcases a beautiful wrap around bar perfect to invite friends to watch a game while enjoying one of our many craft beers or signature cocktails. Perfect for romantic dinners, social gatherings, business, or a night out on the town.

Top review

CandaceVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

This was my first visit to Victory and I would definitely go back. Dave our waiter was outstanding!

Gaia Italiano

4.8

4.8 (354)

$30 and under

Italian

Berwyn

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Scott

Dined 3 days ago

Gaia was delightful. The evening began early so it wasn't very busy but filled in nicely before we left. The waiter was very accommodating regarding food prep and everything was delicious.

Piacere Mio

4.8

4.8 (315)

$30 and under

Italian

Forest Park

About the restaurant

NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM

Modern Italian Restaurant with House Made Pasta, Risotto, Seafood, Meat and House Made Desserts by
Chef J. Marquez
Casual Dining with a Relaxed atmosphere.

Top review

Yoko

Dined 1 day ago

The food and service were excellent as always. The noise level becomes too noisy for conversation at a peek time. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxed dining, I recommend arriving early right after the restaurant is opened.

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Experience

Cocktail Tuesday. 50% off on Cocktails.

Experience

Dessert Wednesday. Free Dessert on us per Table

Experience

Wine Monday. 50% off on any bottle of Wine!

Hoja Santa

4.8

4.8 (92)

$31 to $50

Latin / Spanish

Oak Park

About the restaurant

We're Hoja Santa, your culinary adventure in Oak Park. Inspired by the Hoja Santa leaf, we blend tradition and innovation to serve up unforgettable Mexican flavors. Join us for great food, crafted cocktails, and a warm welcome

Top review

MardiVIP

Dined 7 days ago

A group of four couples who don’t see each other often got together here for a holiday dinner. Two couples came from the city and two from the west ‘burbs. None of us are familiar with Oak Park, but we chose Hoja Santa due to the location being great to meet in the middle. We had a lot to drink and were very loud… someone even stopped by our table on her way out and said “please stop having so much fun!” :) The staff was great and the food was delicious! We ordered a bunch of appetizers and entrees and had a fantastic family style meal. Thank you Hoja Santa for helping us celebrate the holidays!

Citrine Cafe

4.7

4.7 (1279)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Oak Park

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Oak Park IL, Citrine offers Mediterranean influenced cuisine with American flair. The menu includes seasonal fish and vegetable dishes, braised meats cooked in clay pots and fresh bread from our brick oven.

Top review

Julie

Dined 7 days ago

Love Citrine! Food is always very good! We will be back.

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4.7

4.7 (960)

$31 to $50

Italian

Riverside

About the restaurant

La Barra Riverside is brought to you by Mary and Pat Leone. We feature sharable Italian small plates, award-winning pizza, great wines and hand-crafted cocktails. The beautiful space includes a private dining room and a gorgeous outdoor patio. Please be aware that our kitchen closes at 9pm Tuesdays - Thursdays and Sundays. On Fridays and Saturdays, our kitchen closes at 9:30pm. Join us for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-3pm.

Top review

TheresaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Outstanding service from the hostess to manager to bartender/server. They all were professional and attentive. Food (short ribs with orzo & pizzas were delicious. Brownie caramel dessert great.

Donny G's Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (150)

$30 and under

Italian

Elmwood Park

About the restaurant

Welcome to Donny G's Ristorante! At Donny G's Ristorante & Bar in Elmwood Park we refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That's why we source our fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets to prepare our menu offerings for you and your loved ones. We have a main restaurant as well as a banquet and entertainment space which holds up to 125 people. We have unique lunch, dinner, catering and banquet menus.

Top review

Sandy

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

My husband and I live in the same town as Donny G's. It was our 1st time there. What a gem. We will be back. The service from the minute we hit the door was outstanding. The drinks and food were so good. We savoured every bite of both our meals. We had the whitefish and rotini w/ meatballs in parm. sauce. The bread and oil/cheese appetizer was yummy. The Pasta Fagioli soup, and Cesar's salad were spot on. We were so pleased and couldn't say enough. It is so hard to get a good meal for the value nowadays. We can't wait to bring our family there. The waitress was warm and friendly. I have a feeling this will become our "go to place" Give it a try, you will be pleasantly pleased.

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