Amazing, authentic Italian food. Small and cozy, great for date night or girls' night. Staff is friendly and attentive. Owner is always there. My daughter and I love this restaurant. The Cosmo's are killer. read more

Trying to find authentic Italian food since coming back from Italy. Found this one located in a strip mall, so plenty of parking. Very cute restaurant!! Reminded me of Italy with it's decor and pizza oven. We were one of the two customers seated in the restaurant. The waitress seemed frazzled but she seated us right away and took our orders. The Trulli Salad was delicious!! Loved it!! The Bucatini Carbonara was slightly on the salty side and the peas tasted like it was frozen. My husband ordered the Burrata Pizza, and to our surprise, it was really more like a Bologna and Mortadella sandwich on a pizza bread. Disappointing!! It was cold and dry. Not good at all. The Caramel Panna Cotta was very creamy in texture. I really liked. read more

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Seafood was fresh and delicious! The service was excellent. Will be coming back again.

This place is a great Italian spot in the suburbs and has some of the best gnocchi. I always take friends here when they visit the city, and it's always a hit. I would definitely recommend checking it out and trying the gnocchi, it's pillowy soft and delicious. The staff are also very accommodating when it comes to dietary restrictions. read more

Very nice little quaint restaurant. Kind service, friendly to my boy. The food was great. I mean it was only a cheese pizza but it was perfectly baked and my son loved it, that's all that matters to me. Good coffee too. Great place for a bunch of ladies to relax and brainstorm this crazy thing we call life. We'll be back and will order adult beverages when I don't have my little with me. read more

Delicious bread and pasta made in-house. Restaurant definitely has an Italia vibe. Went with eight friends. Wait staff was very accommodating and delightful. read more

More Recent Update Hubby and I just finish with Parent's Night at our kid's school and wanted something good for dinner before picking up the kids. This restaurant doesn't disappoint one bit! Walking in at 7pm, we were greeted warm and friendly by waitress and seated right away. We were offered nice cool still water and told she was putting a loaf of bread in the oven for us. Our table server was just a friendly. Gave us time to look over the menu and told us about a couple of extra specials not on the menu, including arancini for the appetizer. We ordered that and the grilled octopus, squid, and prawn appetizer. The arancini arrived first. Crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy risotto in the inside, covered with just the right amount of sauce, and the flavorful beef stuffing make it perfection. It transported me to a time in my childhood where I was sitting at the kitchen table of my best friend's aunt's house devouring them every Christmas. The same flavors and texture! read more

Osteria Trulli - Zuppa di Pesce - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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I was there with 21 month old granddaughter, whom was making googly eyes at the wonderful waitress! We all enjoyed the wonderful food & delicious flavor of each & every dish!!! We have to support neighbor hood restaurants like this !!! Giving 5 stars this time ! read more

Our favorite authentic Italian food. So happy this place is in our neighborhood. It's truly a gem, there is nothing on the menu that we haven't loved. read more

I ordered the Spinach Salad ...the amount of spinach was very generous however, the other ingredients were almost undetectable. There were three small pieces of mushrooms (which were white mushrooms...not portobellos or anything). The pine nuts were maybe a thimble full or so and as for the goat cheese it was a slice the size of a quarter. Really unfortunate because there was soooooo much spinach and virtually nothing else...glad I love spinach. My husband got the Veal Parmesan ....really generous portion unfortunately tasteless....no flavor whatsoever. Visually the dish was so appealing and appetizing however bland and no taste. read more

This place has amazing, high quality food. Reservations are a must as this is a quaint setting. Parking is easy. I usually order Branzino but the pasta is a must. read more

We recently held a bridal shower here for my daughter and I cannot say enough great things about Chef Giovanni and his staff, especially Anna (she is a treasure!). Although communication was a little difficult ahead of time, Chef Giovanni delivered everything he promised and then some to make this day special. From the beautiful table settings to the courteous and accommodating staff to the abundant and outstanding food, we could not have been more pleased! Everybody raved about the food and the quaint ambiance for the perfect "That's Amore" bridal shower celebration! This is authentic Italian at its best! Grazie! read more

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Went here on a whim, but it was a nice spot. I think I lean between a 3 and 4 star review but the dish I had was very good. The dishes the other 3 people I came with were "average" but there are some above average things about this place. First off the inside is really nice. Homey and very comfortable place to dine. Pizza oven and open kitchen (which I love) are on display in the back of the restaurant. Service was also good. Very attentive and good recommendations. Baked clams were like 6/10 IMO. My main dish was amazing, fall-off-the-bone kinda amazing. Ossobruco braised shank in red wine sauce, you won't go wrong. Tiramisu was good. If the other pasta dishes are the table were as good as mine I'd probably go 5 star, but had to go 4. Definitely worth coming in to try their selections. read more

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This was our first time there. The food was excellent and the staff was beyond friendly. Our waitress was as busy as can be but still found time to come by and chat. Don't get me started on the flourless chocolate cake. WOW. read more

Great fresh homemade food! Excellent service. Small and inviting spot to dine. We will definitely return.

Second time and still so good that it may have been a regular monthly visit each time we are in the neighborhood. It is a charming little restaurant. Friendly service and most importantly, authentic Italian food. We went for an early dinner so we ate a bit light, sharing the Calamari Fritti appetizer (which was enough for at least 4 people) and the Bucatini Carbonara made with crispy guanciale (its like pancetta only thicker) in a delicious light cheese and pepper sauce. They are known for the authentic pizza so we took on to go today. Their menu only shows their specialty pizzas but they will add any toppings you want. read more

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Came here for the first time at the recommendation of a friend for lunch. It is also quit convenient that the friend is Italian and from the Puglia region of Italy which is the cuisine specialty of this restaurant. It is located in a strip mall which does provide it with ample parking. I would have never guessed that this gem would be here in the neighborhood. The menu the choices the cooking is so authentic it is incredible. Pricing is quite fair considering that the portions are very generous. This is a must stop must eat must experience. Since my first experience here I have returned and even celebrated my mom's birthday here. It is great to walk into an Italian restaurant and actually hearing patrons speaking Italian with the staff and the owner. I know it is authentic and brings me right back to my trips to Puglia. read more

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Service was very good. Always kept up on asking if you need anything and if the food was good. Food all came out hot. Drinks were very good. The portions were above and beyond. Nice small Italian restaurant. Seeing the brick pizza oven being in use was worth it. Will definitely go back. Thank you read more

Very delicious and authentic Italian food. I would recommend for an adult dinner would not recommend with a toddler. Smaller, more intimate space. Definitely make reservations! read more

Wow had gnocchi with porcini and truffle . Omg they were pillows of love in a delicate cream sauce with a smattering of fresh peas and slivers of Italian cheese. Wonderful fresh bread a beautiful Chianti . Been on my list for three years. I will come back and try more of the menu. I really need to venture out and try new places. Really cute little quaint place. They also have outdoor seating it was ninety three today. Uggg I like the cool weather . Maybe I'll come in the fall. They also had a wood burning oven and I would like to try the pizzas. read more

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We have dined at this amazing restaurant several times and have had excellent tasting meals. The food is so delicious it reminds me of my trips to Italy. Mr. Giovanni Trulli greets you at the door to make you feel welcomed. It is the most authentic regional Italian food in the Northwest Suburbs. It is a must visit restaurant if you are in the 'burbs'. read more

This restaurant was a pleasant surprise! We decided to eat here because we needed something nearby and agreeable (after all, who doesn't like Italian food?). That said, Osteria Trulli would make for a fine special occasion restaurant. The interior is beautiful, with its brick faux trulli houses on the walls and other charming accents. They have a woodfire oven, which elevates things like bread and pizza to new heights. The pasta appeared to be fresh and handmade. The sauces were all phenomenal. The pricing is definitely special occasion pricing, and you will pay for bottles of water, just like in Europe. That said, the high quality is reflected in all areas: in the ambiance, in the service, and in the food. You must give Osteria Trulli a try! read more

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After ordering Osteria Trulli a couple more times since my first taste, I've decided to update this rating to a 5 star review. The fresh pasta bolognese is hands down the best pasta I've ever had in the US. It is comparable to the fresh tagliatelle pasta with ragu that I've had during my travels in Italy. I also continue to recommend the carpaccio and the osso bucco/short rib combo (although my preference is the short rib part of the combo - if they ever do just a full short rib, that would be amazing). My kiddo also likes the margherita pizza. The food here is worth the splurge! read more

Great atmosphere and authentic regional Italian food. Pizza, Seafood, Pastas, all are amazing -- will be returning

visited second time, three issues; silverware/napkin packet had huge disgusting hair in it, food mediocre, check came with min. recommended tip 20%, 25%, and believe it or not 30% !!! Lost a customer! Not even close to being worth it, sorry... -Ed R. read more

The food is phenomenal! The best Italian I had in Chicago. The chef is from Bari, some of the pasta dishes are puglian pasta...it brought back memories from our trip to the region years ago. But the service is on the rough end...We decided to come here last min coz we were in the area. The place wasn't even full but we were told that they were usually resos only. And the whole ordering process was just unpleasant. not sure if we come on an off night or what not coz I don't remember this level of rough service when we first came here before... read more

Osteria Trulli has a very quaint ambiance. Pleasant Service. Tasty food. Would recommend for night out for a date or intimate small group outing. read more

What a hidden gem! My wife and I just left, and we were so impressed with the entire experience. It's a great little joint that's tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, but we were both blown away by the service and food! We had the eggplant appetizer (melanzane al cartoccio), which came out piping hot and was a perfect balance of flavors. The sauce bubbled and sizzled against the side of the bowl and was fun to eat. My wife ordered the cavatelli crudaiola and loved it. We have a saying in our kitchen, "too much garlic is just enough garlic," and there was just enough garlic here. I snagged a few bites, and even a single piece of pasta burst with flavor. I had the homemade gnocchi, as that is one of my go-to's at italian restaurants. It was the perfect firmness served with a creamy, truffle flavored sauce that was perfectly balanced and taken off the pan at the exact right moment. The peas and mushrooms added additional textures and flavors that made the dish a comfortable triumph. I'm not exaggerating when I say this may have been the best gnocchi I've ever eaten. We would have ordered dessert, but the portions were generous, and we were both stuffed before we could get there. We'll certainly be coming back, and the ambiance and intimacy make this place fantastic for date nights. Our server, Kateryna, was friendly, professional, and struck the perfect balance between attentive but not intrusive. It's one of our new favorites, thank you! read more

My son and I decided to try Osteria Trulli for my birthday dinner. This place is a gem! At first we didn't know if we'd enjoy sitting outside because the outdoor dining area faces the parking lot. But let me say that by the time our evening was over, we decided that this wonderful little Italian restaurant is now our favorite and we can't wait to go back. Everything from the warm focaccia, taralli, massive olives and the absolutely fresh seafood in my pasta to the tender veal scallopini was on point. Add to that the outstanding service we got from our warm, friendly and knowledgeable server, Kayla, and owner Giovanni's warm hospitality...we couldn't ask for more. Best birthday dinner I've had in a long time. If you haven't tried this wonderful little piece of Italy yet, you're missing out! read more

Osteria Trulli - Pasta Adriatico Frutti di Mare. DELICIOUS! - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Even though there were not many customers, we felt cramped at our table. Surprisingly the noice level was louder than expected. Gnocchi and veal were good. Soups and appetizers were ok. Nice server but disappointed in recommendations, seemed like server did try the meals on the menu and had no idea about wine and after dinner drinks. Upset with the 3% (Toast) credit card charge. Will not return. read more

Just left osteria Trulli OMG! It was so wonderful. The service was fabulous. We had three different people taking care of us. The portions were huge plus the food was excellent and very freshly made. We ordered a bunch of dishes plus an appetizer Plus desserts to share. I highly recommend them. They're also open for lunch. One of my friends is Italian and the other one has been to Italy numerous times they both said the food was very authentic. For the amount of food we ate, and brought home, prices were very reasonable. read more

Osteria Trulli is the sort of eatery you'd expect to find in a funky Chicago neighborhood, but it's secreted away in a suburban strip mall. The casual decor is inspired by centuries-old courtyards in Italy's Pugliese (pronounced pool-YAY-zeh) region. A wood-fired oven visible to diners dominates the kitchen. There's nothing stereotypical about the food, which is fresh and made-from-scratch authentic. The tomatoes here taste fresher than fresh, as though they leaped from the garden into the cooking pot. A loaf of bread, while warm and fresh, was not quite as artisanal as the meal that would follow. An extensive a la carte menu of traditional recipes from the Pugliese region is supplemented by a full-page list of daily specials. Entrée, appetizer and/or dessert, and a glass of wine plus tax and tip will run more than $100 per couple. With one exception (a chicken breast Vesuvio special that was disappointingly bland and not at all garlicky), nearly everything else our party sampled was excellent. The fried calamari appetizer, insalata Romana (Caesar salad), fettucine, and a short ribs of beef special won unanimous accolades. Standouts were Margherita pizza, zuppa de pesce, and the Pugliese-style melanzane ripiene (stuffed eggplant served with a side fettucine al Pomodoro). All portions were molto generoso. The made-in-house desserts also won applause. Tiramisu and mini cannoli were splendid. Flourless dark chocolate cake, served hot, was soufflé-like in texture and struck the right balance between bitter and sweet. The kitchen's skills were not quite matched by the service. On the weeknight of our visit, there was not enough staff and our server was visibly stressed. The online menu states, "Gratuity of 18% will be added to parties of 6 or more," but our bill included a 20% gratuity. read more

Osteria Trulli - Flourless dark chocolate cake - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Amazing dinner this evening Osteria Trulli! Everything was fresh and made to order. This is real Italian cooking at its finest. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. The manager Amedeo was very welcoming and took great care of my family. We had a number of great appetizers and the pasta was homemade. Their Tiramisu was simply to die for!!! A must try! Don't skip this place read more

I had Trofetti de Mari with clams and mussels in light garlic and white wine sauce for lunch and it was delicious. We came with a large group of 18 and the servers were excellent. They have a good desert menu and espresso or cappuccino to finish off the wonderful meal. The interior is warm and comfortable. They also use a ceramic oven for their excellent pizza. Nice date night place. I will be back. read more

My family ventures to a new Italian restaurant at every special occasion. My parents had been to this one before and loved the food- so we all came back. Though it's a small restaurant, it certainly does very well and gets crowded really fast. Our service was quick and accommodating, though the one thing I didn't like about the ambiance was a strange muffled tutorial of some sort that was playing in the background- it would have been nice to listen to some music instead! We munched on the warm bread and olive oil to start, as well as ordered the grilled octopus (the star appetizer), the eggplant (warm and tasty), and a salad. All were delicious, as were the entrees. I had ordered the chef's special- branzino- and this was flakey, salty yet super tasty with the special crab creamy pasta. My favorite entrees that I tried in the night was the spaghetti with seafood and the short rib. We finished off the meal with the chocolate lava cake, which was super rich and delectable. Overall, we had an excellent experience. Service was great, as was the food and overall atmosphere. I would recommend this as one of the star suburban italian restaurants! read more

Love this place! Everything is fine every time! Very nice atmosphere. I will def visit back again.

Small & busy but family run vibe. good service and quality. Recommend deboned branzino fish & gelato medley. Pizza looked good but didn't try. Small menu which is less confusing. Not cheap read more

Walked in here, expecting the ordinary and sat down to an extraordinary meal. Service spectacular food was great flavorful and plenty. The only thing I can tell you is go hungry and eat like you want to when you get there. I wanted to order everything on the menu after having the one dish that I had Friends for life read more

Walked in the door, busy Saturday night as expected . Small joint not meant for many nor do they want many. Service was below average, they could tell we weren't regulars and that is a shame because money spent is money earned. Food was above average for a local Italian family spot. Nothing special nothing out of the ordinary but good for what they put on their plates. Ambiance was rich but claustrophobic and it was extremely hot temperature wise in the facility. Typical strip mall Italian joint. No real Italians working service, waiter service trash, move on to the next joint read more

Small but neat little restaurant that is decorated with an Italian theme wall to wall. There is also additional seating outside. Parking is relatively easy as the strip mall doesn't usually get very busy. The menu here is more traditional, with a variety of different pastas, seafood, entrees, and pizza prepared with traditional ingredients. As a result, the prices are a bit higher than what you'd find in Americanized Italian restaurants -- but fairly in line with what you'd see at other traditional Italian restaurants. Cooking is fast, service is good, food temperature is hot, and portion size is good. The food overall for me was only alright. The bread to start off the meal was very fluffy with a nice chewiness and a very thin but crisp skin. This paired well with the olive oil and cheese. The fettuccine bolognese fell a bit flat for me. The fettucine was a bit too soft where it lacked firmess. The sauce was very simple and lacked richness. It was dominated by the tomato flavor, but I found it difficult to really taste any herbs, meat fat, vegetables, or spices to really give it any flavor. The homemade gnocchi was also a bit disappointing as well. The gnocchi was fairly mushy and lacked chewiness. The sauce was overly thick but very light in flavor. The truffle cream little to add to the flavor while the peas weren't very sweet and the mushrooms didn't have that earthy of a flavor. Only the shaved ricotta really provided much flavor though it created an intense burst of saltiness when I took a bit of it. Overall, maybe I came on an off-night or I have different expectations for the food -- but it was pretty forgettable compared to the other great Italian food I've found in the Chicago area. read more

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