Authentic Italian dishes, made fresh daily, in an environment that feels like you're dining in Venice...off the beaten path...on a warm sunny day (minus the accordion player). Get the soup! Get the soup! If you're hungry, the vegetarian minestrone will keep you hungry for hours. The soup is generously loaded with veggies...and I mean giant vegetable chunks. This is such an incredible value and good for your health...the zucchini melted in my mouth. Served with a basket of toasted, lightly buttered bread on the table, I also ordered up a $2 chicken meatball. It caught my eye, and I'm glad it did. So flavorful, and a nice complement to the soup. Take note, the cookie counter and hospitality will keep you coming back for sure. read more

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Went back and he argues with m e even though I have the photo. And it's like 50% oil. Total joke. Never going back. read more

Maria's Bakery - This is a "pound of seafood salad For 12.95". It's Barely half a pound what a rip. Unsealed just got home and it seemed super light. - Bakeries Near Me - Highwood, Illinois

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So good!! My husband and I had two baskets of garlic bread, salad and two entrees for $20! It was amazing and I had leftovers!

I stopped and had breakfast this morning while the oil change was being performed on my car. Bernardi is my mechanic and he is right down the street. I had an veggie and cheese Frittata, panini and coffee. It was wonderful, tasty food and the coffee is of a well roasted coffee delight. The authentic Italian pastry is a delight!! The waiter was very attentive, and provided excellent service. He was working the whole time I was there to keep place very clean. Definitely coming back! read more

Holy butter cookies! (the entirety of their bakery selection practically consisted of nothing but them) and, sorry to disappoint, but I'm not too keen on butter cookies (too dry and crumbly :p ) so I skipped on these guys...this time... I was a tad disappointed because I was looking forward to trying their cannolis (that have gotten rave reviews on here), but I didn't see any when I dropped in :( and I was there on a Tuesday a mere 1/2hr after they had opened...soooo I'm guessing cannolis weren't 'on the menu' for today...bummer! I did end up trying the chocolate biscotti and a mini pecan shortbread tartlet, which rang up at $1.73 - nice. The biscotti was decent as far as biscotti is concerned. I've never been a big biscotti person, but I found that Maria's has more of a chewiness to it, rather than the rock-hard-chip-your-tooth-crunch that biscotti is notoriously-known for, so that was exciting. I didn't expect much from the little shortbread cup, thinking that it was just a little shortbread cookie with a sole pecan on top. But when I took a bite and realized that it was a true mini version of pecan pie, I was quite a happy camper. If I do ever come back here, it'll be to try their cannolis (of course), their GELATO (that I happened to spot upon walking in - YES), and perhaps their actual food offerings as well, as I noticed that they serve Italian fare too (pastas, sandwiches, and the like). read more

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This is one of those places you just don't find in the suburbs. It's the real deal so homey and old school and they are incredibly nice. You just feel at home. Bread lovers beware you will NOT be disappointed the bread is AWESOME! I devoured my caprese sandwich...so good! I can't wait to come back here and try more of their homemade goodness. The gelato, the baked goods all make me want to go back again already. BELLISSIMO! read more

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First time trying this local gem. I don't even know where to start. From the second I walked in the door to pick up my food I just fell in love with the old school, family feel. The food reminds me of the homemade Italian food in used to. To have this place right around the corner is magnificent and also dangerous! The cookies were AMAZING. The sea bass and risotto was cooked perfectly; not too salty! Veal pasta was also amazing. I can't wait to go back and keep trying things on the menu. (Oh yeah, the grilled calimari was also delicious!) read more

Maria's Bakery is THE place in Highwood for great food, laughter and conversation. Gino is amazing and always full of energy. Almost everything is homemade and delicious. Try the meatball sub(homemade bread, meatballs AND sauce)...or the chicken vesuvio...or the cappuccino...just try everything. And keep coming back. read more

Maria's Bakery - MEATBALL SUB - Bakeries Near Me - Highwood, Illinois

Very good Italian bakery. The sweets are to die for. Order the cannoli's in advance, as they make them fresh to order. MMMMMmmmmm. Pizza is very good...it's a thick sicilian and big slices. Have it heated there or take it home to reheat. Many vey good dishes to choose from. The bread (not made here but delivered fresh every morning) is outstanding. Really like this place! read more

Every time we've gone it's been nothing shy of phenomenal! We initially started with the Italian subs and some seasonal sugar cookies --amazing! Decided to go back to carb load for our pre-marathon meal. Sat and had some vegetarian pizza they heated up and some glasses of water; one slice was sufficient for the two of us. We waited while they prepared our meal that we took home cold to reheat later. I had the spinach mushroom lasagna and he had the salmon farfalle. We also threw in a loaf of bread. Both meals were more than one could eat in a sitting and for all that we still paid under $35! The customer service is great, they remember you and are very friendly. They really took a personal interest, asking many questions about our run and then carried on to talk/reminisce about Italy! We had a great time. They also have a catering menu with very reasonable prices - if we would have known sooner we most definitely would have ordered from them for our post marathon party -- next time for sure! read more

Maria's Bakery - Stopped in for sugar cookies and cappuccinos to warm up during the Pumpkin Festival! - Bakeries Near Me - Highwood, Illinois

The best food around! Waitress was always busy but gave us attention as well! Love those cookies too!

Good was good. Service On a sat afternoon was Terrible! We asked the waitress a question about an item on the menu. She didn't know the answer (or any we had) and said I'm the last person to know. They didn't get anything from our order right. The management needs to do a better job training their staff read more

Unassuming little gem in Highwood! Small intimate space with homemade Italian cooking options. Chalkboard specials share their daily offerings. Truly a treat if you're craving authentic Italian food. Save room for a box or plate of their buttery homemade Italian COOKIES in probably 30+ different varieties --- divine! read more

Back in the day this was an excellent place. Picked up a sandwich there today and it was gross. Ended up throwing it away. Absolute worst Italian sub I have ever had in my life. read more

Don't drive past this bakery. I never do. Anise biscottis are to die for. Lemon knots a must. Pistachio cookies are the best. Lunch seems odd but go for it. Great food. And everyone is so nice read more

THIS IS A GREAT TREASURE of the Chicago area! Bakery: try the Biscotti, either with or without chocolate. Also, this is a top choice for genuine Calabreze & Sicilian pastries. Restaurant: Terrific Italian sausage with peppers & onions; great chicken. All the pasta dishes are great. We think the simple pasta with red sauce & meatballs is very reminiscent of how good it tasted in Rome or Florence. read more

Have been on the lookout for good homemade Italian cookies. And this is the spot! First time here, but will definitely return!

We love the arancini, minestrone soup, focaccia bread, and sandwiches. They're offering curbside service during the Covid-19 stay at home order. read more

Best lamb meatballs. Best chicken meatballs. Best beef meatballs. If there is a meatball on the menu get it! Soups are homemade and delicious. Sicilian Pizza is filling. The garlic square is the best but they don't have it often. Chocolate covered donut is out of this world. Super small and homey. Owner is usually there and always happy to chat and wants you to be happy. We really like this place. read more

Great Wine Tasting. Great Food. You feel at home. A gem in Highwood. You will feel at home. read more

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The best meatball sandwich!! I don't think I've ever ordered a bad thing. The cookie selection is amazing as well. Don't leave without a box. read more

I really like the owner. I think it's really good Italian food. I am excited about the environment and some of the greatest soup I ever had.

The place looked good "on paper ", most reviews are favorable, so we expected to dine in a cozy family owned Italian restaurant. What a dissapointment it turned ou to be! The place is small and cramped, tables,are were close together, with boxes blocking the entryway to the restrooms, and none of the staff wearing masks including older gentlemen (prob owner) circulating around the tables and getting really up close and personal with the diners. Now about food - the same red sauce from the can on everything! Appetizer: fried calamari - red sauce from the can, not enough salt or seasoning. First entry: osso buca, cost 28.95, this is what was served - one shank with one table spoon of polenta with that same red sauce from the can. Second entry: Eggplant Parmigiano with pasta - the same canned red sauce, very overcooked mushy eggplant and soggy pasta, also undersalted. I left almost the whole plate untouched and I LOVE Eggplant Parmigiano, I order it every time we go to Italian restaurant! It cost us $80 for two, no alcohol, just food. The owner also told our waiter to ask us which he did, several times, if we wanted "a glass of wine". Owner seemed offended when he asked and we told him the food was ok (it was not ok, we just didn't want him to get angry) he kept saying "just ok?" "Just ok?" Wow what a waste of $$ read more

is this my favorite highland park/highwood discovery? probably, or a close tie with all the mexican restaurants I've already raved about. Y'all, this place is the only bakery you need. Want a cookie? get the almond crescent one, with or without chocolate! or the ones that are covered in pistachios! they are chewy, sweet, nutty, incredible. Looking for lunch? get a panini! Feel like you should eat dinner before stuffing your face with afore-mentioned cookied? they have a FULL DINNER MENU, and it's all delicious (especially the bolognese sauce). The staff is so friendly-- there are only ever a few employees, and don't mind when you hem and haw in front of the bakery case for twenty minutes. Prices are totally reasonable--- actually, I have no idea if it's reasonable, I'm in such a haze of excitement about my cookies that I've never even noticed the charge. Totally worth it either way. read more

Holey Moley. WOW. I fell in love with this place. I went inside and was greeted by the medley of desserts they offered. I kept pointing to the cookies I wanted without asking the price of them. After I thought, I guess I should ask, their cookies are by the pound, so $10.95 a pound. I got one of the almond cookies and pistachio cookies. They were softy and chewy and just delicious. I will have to go back and try some of their tiramisu next time. YOU MUST GO!!! read more

Great food, I had the bacon ravioli tetrazini and one beef meatball. Both where delicious. Would definitely come back again. Lunch prices great. Service outstanding! read more

Driving by, we thought it was just a bakery! We stopped by on a weeknight evening for an espresso and some sweet treats. We realized that it is also a restaurant. Gino was incredibly friendly and passionate about his craft. He even let us sample one of his signature dishes that incorporated a cheese fresh from Italy. What a treat! We will be back time and time again. Like no restaurant we have experienced on the North Shore! read more

I have eaten a lot of Italian fare in all different price brackets...this is, by far, my favorite. It is a teeny tiny place where the owner greets you from behind the counter. The smell stirs the belly and you want to eat immediately. The ricotta gnocchi is heavenly. Light and airy and decadent. The chiacchiere can be consumed by the dozen And the cappuccino is the perfect finish. Thank you for a favorite spot well worth the drive in from the city. read more

I love this place because Gino makes you feel so at home and welcome. The food is also very good all the time. Service is good when he has regular help but sometimes it takes a little while, but I don't like the feeling of hurry up when I eat out anyway. Excellent! read more

I absolutely love this place, it feels like you traveled across the Atlantic and landed somewhere in Italy. The food is wonderful, the music is great and has a fantastic service. read more

This is a fantastic spot for Italian classics like sausage and peppers and eggplant parm. We order to go but dine in is also an option. Also has great cookies and breads. Definitely a must try. read more

The pastries are simply AMAZING! reminds me of the Italian pastries shops in Italy. This family business is a must go for a morning espresso if you're in the Highland / Highwood area. read more

Great service and great food. I walked in and was excited to order their Italian Beef sandwich during this Christmas break. Alas, they came back a few minutes later to inform me that it was out. I had their meatball instead and, although meatball subs are not my thing, it was very good. An excellent selection of other Italian dishes, breads and especially pastries. read more

Maria's Bakery deserves 9 Stars!!! We order canoli by phone and then going there to pick them up. Most of the time Maria (the owner) comes to greet us. All the pastries and cookies are outstanding!!! Grazie Mille Maria! read more

The arancini were beyond disappointing. They clearly freeze them and reheat them from being frozen. They fell apart. Had minimal flavor. Super disappointing as they insisted they were following a Sicilian recipe. Way over priced for their items and frustrating no prices were listed. They do get 2 stars for their sweets. Cookies are legit for sure but once again overpriced as some were super stale. read more

Really don't even want to tell Yelp about this place. The food is authentic, the atmosphere unique. Don't come here for a romantic Italian dinner. Come here to be in the moment with Gino and the local diners who know this is great food. And take some cookies to go (but warning: ours never make it home!). read more

Went in here while waited for my car to get an oil change across the street. its nice, definitely had the euro feel with a mom and pop charm. More like a 3.5 I had a latte and tiramisu. Coffee was unbelievable, tasty, with great aroma. Absolute perfection. Tiramisu on the other hand, was stale and disappointing. I didnt even scrape off espresso parts. It was simply bad. There were quite a few people there and seems that the actual food may have been a better choice, but I will try to go back to try, and get the coffee. read more

Discovered this place about three months ago and I've been there about 30 times already. Yes that's right 30 times.lol. we really enjoyed the food. Homemade meat lasagna, rigatoni Bolognese. Sea bass with risotto is out of this world. The veal meatballs are unbelievable,the best I've ever had. Tomato basil soup is a must. All the entrees come with your choice of homemade soup or an amazing salad with this incredible homemade dressing. Do you start with dessert, made the order cannolis with an incredible crispy shell. My wife loves The Lobster Claw. Super light crispy with an amazing cream filling. And you start on the cookies. Pistachio cookies are to die for. Just about every cookie there is great. My wife had cappuccino with her dessert it was the perfect combination we are taking her friends there tomorrow night for dinner. Can't wait. Don't pass this place by. it's a little deceiving when you walk in. Looks more like a tiny Bakery. The food is made old world Italian. Super high quality and very friendly service. The owner Gino is there all the time. Very nice old school Italian gentleman that reminds me of my grandfather. Great little secret. read more

Maria's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Highwood, Illinois

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Always great! The sandwiches are delicious, Maria's sets the standard for an Italian sub or Capresse sandwich ( 2 of many greats)! Coffee, espresso.... So good. Cookies and flatbreads are my kids favorites! read more

Maria's is the kind of place you want to find when out and about looking for good and authentic food. Calling it a bakery hides the fact that they also offer a great variety of sandwiches and entrees in addition to their incredible cookies, focaccia, and other delectables. I used to frequent their location further north on Sheridan Road, but I can say that the move has not affected the wonderful quality of their products. The butter cookies are my personal favorite but everything that I have tried here has been wonderful. Well worth the trip if you live in the Chicago area. read more