Have eaten here a few times and found the food to be good, though the experience is generally only as good as the owner's mood (Gino; there is no Maria despite her name on the door!). On our most recent visit, we called at 7:20 on a Saturday night and asked how late they were open. 8:00 we were told; great, we'll be right over. Got there by 7:40 only to be told by Gino that it was just about 8:00, so no table for us. Not apologetic in the least. We pointed out that it wasn't even a quarter of 8, which seemed to really anger him. Rather than push it and risk getting who knows what served to us, we just said, "OK, fine, if you don't want our business..." Plenty of other places that are actually happy to have customers. read more

I ordered almost 200 Italian cookies and two cakes for my "Hooray for Medicare" birthday in May 2011. My party was at an Italian restaurant. I had six different Italian cookies and ALL were delicious. The cookies were served with coffee while the cake was being cut. My guests LOVED the cookies. They also raved about the cakes. One cake was chocolate with a mocha filling and chocolate icing. The other cake was yellow with Cannoli filling. I had first tasted the Italian cookies at a party and asked the hostess where she purchased the DELICIOUS cookies and she told me Maria's Bakery. I HIGHLY recommend Maria's Bakery! Sharon read more

Great food and bakery everything is fresh and yummy go its a must!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can pick up and take it home the owner is a real Italian man and knows how to cook.......forget Gabe??????????????????? the place is small but clean and wonderful the bakery goods are to die for but the pasta so good I want it right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go read more

I have ordered a number of cakes and quite frankly they were excellent. I have gone in and picked up some delicious deserts and they were fabulous. Unfortunately, the character of a business is defined by how they treat their customer when they make a mistake. When I went to pick up a birthday cake, they had the most junior person in the bakery tell me that it wasn't made. Most organizations would attempt to improve the situation by offering some type of substitute product but not here. If you drop in and buy a product, you will enjoy it. If you plan to make a special order, then be prepared with an alternative, since Maria's Bakery will not try to fix their errors. read more

Tiny little place with like 6 tables, but probably my overall favorite in Highwood. Don't let the name fool you, they have a full menu with fantastic food. They only have like 1 waitress working at a time, so if it's busy, you may find service is slow - it's very Italian feeling, like you were in a little cafe somewhere in Italy. And although they have printed menus which include the basics, the handwritten chalkboard one is where you can find the rest of the dinner options. You'll pay half the price of the formal Italian restaurants in the area and have a very delicious meal. Also it's a handy takeout spot, usually ready in 15-20 minutes. read more

Went for lunch on a Saturday. They were very busy and the staff was a bit rattled. This place is very tiny. I had the shrimp risotto which was excellent, nice portion with lots of shrimp. Hubby had the vegetable lasagna, it was very fresh but not much flavor. Didn't get any bakery but everything looked delicious and lots of folks were coming in just to buy breads & sweets. Nice family owned business, will return. read more

Great food! But I'm not sure that they're a bakery... When I went in a saw a bunch of boxes behind the counter that had The contents written on the outside as if they have it brought it, it was weird to me and did not feel as if I'd get the right answer if I asked. The food though is worth it! Pasta, sandwiches and specials. The owner seems to treat everyone as if they were family. I've been there for lunch and it gets crowded as it is a very small store front but you feel as if you've stopped at grandma's for something to eat. I was in there one day and it had to have been 80 degrees in there from the heat coming out of the kitchen and not a single person complained because of the smells that came with it. A great place for lunch of carry- out. I'd skip the "bakery" end. read more

I bike the North Shore and enjoy stopping at Maria's weekly for coffee and a pastry. Great selection of baked goods, reasonable prices, excellent cappuccino. Gino, the host, is always fun to talk with. read more

We love this cozy little restaurant and its authentic Italian food. The deserts are to die for.

I could not love this place more. For starters, they have great vegetarian options and I don't have to eat the same thing over and over. But what really keeps me coming back is the amazing atmosphere. Pauline is the absolute best. She's so warm and welcoming and makes you feel right at home. My aunt is gluten free and never wants to go anywhere else when she comes to visit because their options are so good. There are so many regulars and it's no wonder, you just feel happy after you've been here. read more

Maria's has the best Italian pastries I have ever had. The cannolis are phenomenal. The cookies are delicious too. I have never had anything from Maria's that I didn't love - and I've tried everything there. read more

Maria's is a wonderful find. We love it so much we come there all the way from Naperville-often! Great food and wonderful staff. Manga!

We've been coming here forever. It's really the only casual place to get good Italian food in Highwood (Buffo's up the street is not to be endured). Highly recommend the risotto balls for lunch and the eggplant lasagna. OMG. All the desserts are great, and this is also where we order cupcakes for our kids' birthday parties. The employees are friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is very relaxed. read more

AMAZING FOODDD!! My first time here and it was the BEST chicken Parmesan I ever had- the marinara sauce was sweet and GREAT!! The salad was perfect and perfect salad dressing and the bruschetta for appetizer was AMAZING!!!! Definately coming back here soon! THE BEST CHICKEN PARMESAN THAT I EVER HAD!! I love love love this resturant. read more

I can't stop talking about Maria's to everyone I know. I visited on a Sunday for lunch while out on a bike ride. It could have been the 18 miles I biked there talking--but this was one of the best sandwiches of my life. I ordered the Prosciutto and Goat Cheese sandwich. The sandwich came on wonderfully crispy bread with sun dried tomato, arugula and balsamic vinegar and oil. The vinegar and oil dripped down my hands and arm, momentarily tearing my attention away from to the delicious sandwich. The sandwich was around $7 and worth every penny. I also ate a cannoli, which comes in two sizes "mini" and "regular", Gino (the owner) suggested I go for the "regular" size, and of course it was an excellent decision. I believe the cannoli was around $3 (but don't quote me on that). The menu is mostly written on a few chalkboards but prices for bakery items were hard for me to locate. The restaurant is pretty small and would not be great for large groups (however I came with 6 other people, and luckily there was an available table) I'm day dreaming about the next time I can make it to Maria's. read more

I love going here while I go on my runs to visit Gino. He's one of the owners and by far one of the sweetest people ever. The Pastries and coffee are fabulous! I love going here it is truly my favorite place to be!! read more

I live pretty far from this place but drove because I was told by a good friend that its a good bakery. When I got there no bakery. Then I realized they have moved down the street when I called the bakery. The girl on the phone didn't even know their own address. I still couldn't find the place. Drove up and down Sheridan rd to not be able to find it. I finally parked my car and went on foot. Walked around still not be able to find it. Finally ran into some girl which happen to work at the bakery and she told me where to go. When I got there, no sign outside or anything. I double checked and nothing. Went inside and yes it was the bakery. Ordered 4 small boxes and my bill came out to be $56!!!! Really?!?!? Whatever....also inside it REEKED like diff food soooo much that my clothes smelled like it for 5 hours. My cookies in the box also smelled like the food that was being cooked inside the bakery. Also I mentioned to the owner that his sign was NOT outside and he ASSURED me that it was....I went out and checked AGAIN AND NO IT WASN'T!!!! If it was I would've fount it and not searched up and Down the block for 20 minutes.....just awful. Wont be going back!!!! read more

I love this place! I have ordered single entrees to go, as well as full and 1/2 pans for company ! Love the Chicken Lemon, Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna!! Alfredo sauce is yummy, too!! Top it all off with a delicious cannoli!!!! You can't go wrong here! read more

I haven't had much beyond the sandwiches, but if the rest of the menu is as good as the goat cheese panini, then I'm sure it's fantastic. That being said, the goat cheese panini is amazing- prosciutto, arugula, goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, and some dressing come together on a bun that definitely transcends the sum of its parts. The cookies are great, and service is excellent. Don't forget the cannoli. read more

I Love this place!!! I've tried many of their sandwhiches which were all good. I've also tried their Timbalo which is a veggi lasagna, a spinach, mushroom lasagna and their meat lasagna and they are all so delicious!! I even had them cater an Open House for me and I received nothing but great compliments. I am not a sweet tooth person but they have a nice selection of Italian pastries and I have tried their Tirimisu and some pastries. They were fresh and melted in my mouth. It can get pretty busy around the holiday's so it is best to place your orders in advance. read more

Wow what a great place I ate the food you could taste how fresh it is, the mussel and ling with vodka sauce was to die for, the sauce was amazing there so friendly so clean and the food is real Authentic Italian Food, they have so much pastry and cookie's I didn't know were to begin the cannoli were amazing, I've been there since the price are afforable great food is amazing you are missing out if you dont check it out, order the mussel's with pasta or the chicken limon they have a great variety of food!!!! Also they have panini sandwich's you can't leave with out having desert, yum read more

The meatball sub is probably my favorite sandwich this place offers. But they have a lot of other delicious choices in their vast menu! Their homemade breads are great, too. Of course, their sweets are the best in the area. MMMMMM!!! read more