[[HIGHLIGHT]]What a cute and unexpected place![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Had the caprese eggplant salad. What a delightful light but full of crunch and flavorful dish. The grilled shrimp added the rich savory touch. Portion was just right. For dessert, shared the tiramisu and it was perfect with their house coffee. The waiter was attentive but not overbearing. I will definitely go back to try more salads and pasta. read more

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Dined in for our final meal before welcoming a new child and everything was perfect. We've eaten food from Gianni's many times and have dined in one other time, but this time seemed to be the best. Kyle was our server and he was excellent. His attitude was positive and he took time to converse but was also quick with his service. The server often makes the experience and Kyle did his part well! As for the food, we started with a half plate of grilled calamari which was more than enough for two people. The calamari was excellent tasting and perfectly cooked. The sauce was tasty and great for dipping your bread in (you get warm toasty bread at the start of your meal with a plate of seasoned olive oil for dipping). Next, we split an entree of Chicken Franchese which was more than enough food for two people...especially after the calamari. They split the meal into two plates in the kitchen, without us asking, which was really nice. The chicken was tender and flavorful. We substituted angel hair pasta and used the sauce from the chicken instead of marinara. It was excellent. We had some food left and Kyle boxed it carefully for us right at the table (I typically don't like when they take your food elsewhere to box it. I typically do it myself but this was good). Prices have crept up over the years but portions are huge and with service like we had, it makes it feel a bit more worth it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is small and a bit cramped inside. There's typically an early crowd that thins out around 6:30 pm. You may have to wait a bit to be seated if you don't make reservations.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Hopefully they move into a bigger spot in the mall they're in to make it a bit less packed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Two bathrooms are single occupant and clean but there can be a wait to get in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Gianni's is an excellent restaurant with a great team. You should check it out. read more

Was recommended to come here by a handful of people and WOW what a hidden gem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Came here at 7:30 with a friend for dinner and surprisingly it was quite packed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter came by and introduced himself. Brought bread and the most delicious olive oil. The menu is very large with lots of options it was hard for me to make a decision. We went with : Grilled calamari Mediterranean branzino Rigatoni with vodka sauce Everything was fresh and delicious. The portions were huge so I was happy to have left overs Will definitely come back! read more

This is a perfect gem location in Kildeer/Deer Park area. Started with an Old Fashioned. Made really well and seemed like a large one. Either way was very good. Wife had their lemon chicken soup which was perfect. I had a Caesar Salad. So many places just throw some Romain on a plate, but they really did it perfect. Anchovies optional and are fresh. For dinner, my wife had their pork chop. Flavor was delicious, but it was a little over done. Didn't stop us from devouring it at dinner and then leftovers. I had the Chicken Cacciatore which was so flavorful. Chicken was perfect. Loved my left overs. Our server Deanne was awesome - thank you for a perfect evening. read more

I'm usually not one to go out on holidays. But I must say that Easter brunch at Gianni's was wonderful. They had quite a few breakfast/dinner items to choose from. This included everything from special made omelettes to prime rib. Delicious salads, desserts, Side dishes, and Italian specialties. They also had fresh shrimp, fried shrimp, including many breakfast and dinner options.Desserts included carrot cake, chocolate cake, fresh cannolis, fruit, salad, etc. Not once did I encounter an empty tray. They kept bringing out fresh food during the entire time we were there. Service was excellent. Price was what to be expected for Easter Sunday brunch. I liked that it was by reservation only. They had three seatings during the day. So once we arrived, we were able to be seated immediately. cannolis, fruit, salad, etc. I can definitely recommend Gianni's for a wonderful meal read more

Gianna's Café truly made my aunt's 88th birthday celebration a night to remember. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The food, beverages, and ambiance were all exceptional -- every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server, Angelena, was absolutely spectacular -- warm, attentive, and genuinely thoughtful throughout the evening. The highlight was when the staff surprised my aunt with a lighted candle in a generous slice of tiramisu. Her smile said it all as we sang "Happy Birthday" and captured the moment in photos. It was the perfect evening from start to finish, and we'll definitely be back soon. read more

Gianni's Cafe - Liz's birthday tiramisu. Delicious! - Italian Near Me - Kildeer, Illinois

Generally I never go to Italian restaurants. This place has been on the list because it's 2 min from the house and always had great reviews. I was skeptical because it seems like a a weird mom and pop shop. However... 1. Menu options were plentiful and enough varieties and specials to choose from - even Italian or breast/pasta options. Salads were awesome. 2. Alcohol servings were plentiful 3. Service was professional, friendly and not over bearing 4. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decoration was cute, well maintained even though it was a little dated style - but was very clean and updated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is cute and cost but the patio is a nice addition for warm days.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They were the only place during Covid that did a lot to satisfy requirements and be open - including super cute igloo huts![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 5. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Personnel was very diverse - older folks, college kids, families, girlfriends - it seemed like a trusted place by a variety of people and the crowd was casually dressed but classy[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 6. Cappuccino was fresh and delicious! I say this is a safe and reliable choice! read more

I shall miss this Italian Treasured spot for Lovely dinners and Celebrations! Nicely located with plenty of parking abd addresses handicapped needs do well. Fabulous Cuisine and outstanding service providers!!! What a shame they closed!!! My neighbors and friends are shocked!!! read more

Excellent cusine service and price. But crowd on weekends so reservation a good idea. Parking is easy.

Met friends for a girls' dinner at Gianni in Kildeer. I had the chicken Marsala while the table shared rigatoni, lasagna, bruschetta, sides of broccoli and pasta, plus tiramisu. Everything was very good--nothing stood out as exceptional, but solid all around. Service was friendly and we never felt rushed, which made it easy to relax and chat for two hours over drinks. A nice Italian spot, though there's plenty of competition in the area at similar price points or less for same meals. read more

We stopped by Gianni's for lunch. It was a really nice day outside so we sat in the outdoor patio area. I like the cheese/basil/olive oil with the bread starter. It's a lot of cheese with fresh basil, so you get that aromatic from the basil. I had the branzino prepared in the Mediterranean style. The fish was seasoned and cooked well. There were a few bones in the fish though. The baby spinach and roasted tomato were good, but the potatoes were a little hard for me. We also go the linguine possilippo. There was a decent amount of clams and mussels in there. We did the white sauce for it. The pasta was cooked Al dente and the sauce coated the noodles well. Overall, it was a good dish. We also got the side of Italian sausage. The sausage was really dry and over cooked. The tomato sauce helped a little bit. It was also a little salty too. read more

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Excellent family style Italian food. Homemade delicious pasta. Great wait staff! Start with a stuffed artichoke! Don't miss the tiramisu. read more

Restaurant is located in a trip mall. Parking is easy to find. Reservation is highly recommended since place is pretty small. Food was great. It was probably one of the best linguine with clams that I ever had. All other dishes were good too. Service was ok. Waiter wasn't too attentive but looked like he was overly busy. Overall it was a great experience. read more

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Always great food and awesome service at Gianni's Cafe in Kildeer. I will give this place 10 stars

Tried this place for the first time. Tip: make reservation before you go there. Amazing food. The server was helpful in guiding us what to order based on what we were asking. She did not go wrong in any recommendation. We ordered Gianni Broccoli- very yummy Gnocchi: Gnocchi with asparagus and tomatoes - amazing combination. Bow Tie pasta in pesto sauce with mushrooms. It had pine nuts in it which doubled the taste of pasta. We had to wait for a little longer for out food as it was very busy being Saturday. Our server was so kind that she brought us Tiramisu cake complementary for being so patient. Good collection of Wine as well. The restaurant should have better chairs. The leather of these chairs was ripped. read more

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Came here for the first time and it was great! Victor was our waiter and he was amazing! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Food, ambiance, and service were all around great, would definitely come back![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a cute place[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was decent Staff was nice enough I had the beef sandwich It was average I'll give them another try I'll let you know what happens read more

True, authentic Italian eatery. Family owned. Wonderful menu.. We visot there often. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Been here many times and love the food and staff. Both locations are fantastic food and kind wait staff. Our out of town guests also love Gianni's read more

Good food, nice flavors. Nice portion sizes , too. Pasta dishes are a bit pricey but they are yummy and you can literally get 2 meals out of it with the leftovers. read more

Disrespectful staff. Poor service. Food like sawdust. It's an insult to Italy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dark and dingy- call the health department[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Lovely wife had been interested in Gianni's for some time, and this was our first (but by no means last) visit. Expectations were exceeded. If I should take up crime some day, be caught, tried, and convicted of a capital offense, and sentenced to be executed, I might well choose their veal Marsala as my last meal. Perhaps I exaggerate, but our meal last night was memorable. Our server was helpful snd attentive, the room was loud on a Saturday evening. But oh, my, well worth it. The calamari starter was excellent, and the portion was quite generous. We took some home, because had we finished it, there would not have been room for the entree. Mine was the aforementioned veal Marsala, intense and fabulous. My wife chose the Branzino aqua pazza, which was delicate and delicious. She much enjoyed her pasta fagiole; my salad was pretty standard but quite fresh, the side penne with marinara wasn't necessary (perhaps I could have asked for a substitution). The portions were large, and though we enjoyed every taste, there was plenty left for the next day. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The service and ambiance were great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu offered nice variety of dishes. The portions are sizable and plated well. Would recommend for a somewhat traditional Italian restaurant. read more

*First time here First thought right off the bat: Honestly, the name and location threw me off. When I think of cafe, I think of a coffee shop with sandwiches. Once I walked in, this looked like everything that wouldn't be in a coffee shop. Like everyone mentioned, it's lined up among other stores. It took awhile to find it because we were looking for a building alone. Upon arrival/Hostess: My boyfriend booked a reservation for Valentine's Day. We told the hostess we had made reservations and her first response was, "did you just make it now?" I don't know why she would ask that since the reservation was made and confirmed already. But no, it was not just booked at that time. We were seated within a few minutes. Food: We were given complimentary slices of bread with butter and oil mixed with some herbs. I prefer oil over butter but I'll still eat it with both! I ordered the Mostaccioli con Spinach & Ricotta. You do have to mention if you want it with the sauce, otherwise it will not come with it. I will admit, I guess I never had real Italian food until now! Sadly, the only place I can compare it to is to Olive Garden lol Atmosphere/environment: This place is small and the entrance makes it hard to walk through when there isn't a waiting area and you're just in everyone's way. I read from other reviews that their other location is bigger. Although the place is small, it gives off this intimate setting with the lighting, candles, painted walls and decorations. We initially had the same server but then a guy who wasn't wearing the same attire as all the other servers, took over. He was attentive and gave us excellent service and had a great spunky personality. Then our originally server came back with our bill. Overall: I wish they would space out their seating tables more. I would come back here again to try out their happy hour as everyone else has recommended and other dishes. read more

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I've been here handful of times through the years but had to give a shout out of our experience the other day. There were 12 of us on a Friday night, and the server was EXCELLENT. She was professional, she was knowledgeable about the menu, she was prompt and there wasn't one mistake and she had us and other tables as well. The cold food came out cold, the hot food came out hot, it all looked delicious, it tasted great, and portions were large. Nothing took too long. Everything was perfect. We had a reservation but due to a table of four staying over 2 hours, they couldn't seat us right away. The bartenders were very charming, and the drinks were fantastic. I was very impressed by the whole experience and I'm looking forward to going back again soon. Why not 5 stars, because I VERY RARELY give *5* stars, but this is close. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Family dinner last night was absolutely wonderful![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was better than excellent, bar made great drinks and Kyle (our waiter) was attentive to everything! Gianni's is the BEST!!! read more

We have not been to Gianni's for some time, forgot how good the food is. The Sicilian Calamari is fabulous (warning: must enjoy garlic!). Great flavor and the calamari was fresh and tender. The pasta dishes were solid and large portions (you will be asking for a take home container). [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall a great experience, especially sitting at the outdoor patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] While the service was good, we did not find the server to be friendly and other management members could have been friendlier. We will definitely be back and hope to get a different server. Good prices, great food, a solid value with unique/regional Italian food preparation! read more

My favorite local Italian spot. The food is fresh and so flavorful. I love that I can create my own pasta dish!

I had been consistently disappointed in lasagna orders at other restaurants. At Gianni's, deciding against another entrée, I went with the lasagna. Now, I know that there is a place with lasagna that satisfies! The noodles were tasty and of good texture. A good combination of ricotta and mozzarella--and while it shouldn't have to be said, it was warm, not like it was sitting around in a pan. Bravo on that dish! The restaurant could probably work on their gluten free approach (hard to imagine not having g-f bread for a meal in advance; one g-f pasta, the pasta, was meh). read more

Gianni's Cafe - Italiano - Italian Near Me - Kildeer, Illinois

Giannis is the Best Italian restaurant in the area. From top quality ingredients to well prepared dishes it's small but hard to beat. They start you off with the most amazing oil and grated cheese with fresh warm bread the service is always great as is the food. Seafood there is amazing. As is the minestrone soup it's perfect and probably the best I've ever had. Great cocktails also in this small bustling restaurant. I highly recommend Giannis for lunch, a great dinner or anything else you want. This place is phenomenal read more

The artichoke is AMAZING. Staff is friendly and quick. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A sweet little restaurant with romantic ambiance but also great for families.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Stopped going after a not so good visit. Decided to give them another chance. I've been back 2-3 times and am glad I gave them another chance. Food and experience has been good since going back. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]This is a wonderful gem hidden in a corner of shopping Center on Rand Rd in Kildeer. It is very small and intimate.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food is delicious! They have a wonderful menu of Italian favorites. I've had delicious Egg plant, chicken Marsala and salads. Everything is fresh and good quality. Service was also very good. Very Highly Recommended! read more

I'd like to give Giannis five stars but [[HIGHLIGHT]]the crowding indoors and noise level are uncomfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Conversation at dinner almost impossible[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food is consistently well prepared and a good value for the money. [[HIGHLIGHT]]For a more pleasant experience fine outdoors on the patio when weather permits or go for lunch when the noise level indoors isn't as overwhelming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

One of my favorites. Been here many times, never disappointed with any entree I or my companions have ordered. You wont go home hungry!

Having a reservation is a must for any weekend. The facility was packed, conversations hard due to noise level. The food is excellent, chicken vesuvio was perfection, nine dollar meatballs were a side but a good choice as an appetizer. Veal dishes were great, dessert choices were fab. read more

Been waiting almost 40 minutes for my take out order. If you can't figure out an $80 take out order, you should not be open. Figure it out or close and let someone else have your location Not happy and probably not coming back. Then again you probably won't be open much longer. Glad that I ate at 8:00 this evening and not 7:00 as anticipated. Going back to cooking my own meals. Figured I would give restaurants 5 weeks to figure things out and Gianni's failed miserably. I should send you a bill... Forgot to mention, I was the duke here the last time I checked in. read more

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Our "go to" for Italian food and special occasions! Everyone who works there is customer focused and friendly. Try the specials - they never disappoint. read more

We had a lovely dinner at Gianni's recently. Outside dining was pleasant, though we made the effort to face away from the parking lot, which helped. We're planning to go back later in the year as the indoor space looked good as well. read more

I've been here 8 or 9 times and I used to love it. We supported them through the pandemic because they're family owned. The food is good, and the servers are also very nice but one of the hostesses is exceptionally rude (the older of the 2 women). The last time I was here, she snapped at us twice and talked extremely disrespectfully. We walked in excited and smiley-- it was my friends first time going out since she had her baby. Our smiles didn't last and we walked out, even though there were chairs available to sit at. Needless to say we were excited for some good Giannis food, but went somewhere else. To support a business through tough times on a regular basis and then talked to the way we were was unacceptable.... I won't be returning. Super bummed. Being nice isn't a lot to expect from a host or hostess at any restaurant. I'd avoid this one. read more