The food was delicious. The only negative is it's a little loud and the chairs that you sit in are not that comfortable. The food was delicious. The only negative is it's a little loud and the chairs that you sit in are not that comfortable. read more

Saw all the great reviews and stopped in at 6:00pm on a Friday. We did not have a reservation but were able to be seated. This is a family owned restaurant and from the second we walked in, it felt so warm and homey. My daughter had a bloody nose and the owner first thing asked if we needed an ice pack and was so kind. We weren't even aware she was the owner at the time. Later on in our meal she came by to check in to see how my daughter was doing as well as how the food and our dining experience was. Our waitress, who was one of the owners daughter was extremely attentive and warm. Throughout our meal she would check in to see how things were and if she could take away any of our plates. Service was phenomenal. Now onto the food. Started with the garlic bread and grilled octopus. Garlic bread had a nice crunch exterior and softness in the middle. It was buttery and garlicky and good. The grilled octopus was super tender and had a char to it. I personally prefer more of a char but it was still very good. The tomatoes were slightly blistered and again, for my tastes would have preferred a little more char but I would easily order it again. Pasta dishes came with a choice of lemon chicken chowder or minestrone. Both soups were pretty chunky and had good taste. The margarita pizza dough was nice a chewey with a slight char from the brick oven. It was a little wet for some reason but tasted good. The spaghetti with bolanese had good flavor and the sauce was quite hearty. Overall you could tell from all the dishes that they were made from scratch. Bontà really delivers on food and service. I can't wait to come in for lunch to try their sandwiches. Parking is plenty as they are located in a strip mall. read more

See all

NOT Italian Pizza anymore - we've been to Bonta several times in the past and then enjoyed the REAL Italian pizza. Now, after not visiting for quite a while we were there yesterday and I am VERY disappointed!! Their Frutti di Mare Pizza used to be great (and having lived near the Italian border I feel I can rate it) - now it's a Seafood gravy thrown on a breadbowl made of pizzadough. Bonta, if you change from making the real stuff then why would I come to you? I was so disappointed. (and - had I wanted this I would have ordered Pasta with Seafood and gravy. It did not taste bad for that but it was awful if you go there to expect an Italian Pizza! We also tried the Grilled Octopus appetizer - it was great just a little burned unfortunately. The Chicken Marsala was very good and also came with a soup that was good too. Again - the reason for me to go to Bonta was the Italian Pizza and this expectation was clearly not met. I might try another pizza but not that frutti di mare unless they get back to how they did it before The service was great, our waitress was very attentive!! (The owner walked around but she only talked to guests she knows as it seemed) read more

See all

I love this place! I can't believe how many times I've driven by without noticing it because it's tucked a little back from Milwaukee Avenue. One thing to note is that when you park, you'll see signs on the doors telling you to enter on the left, which is the entrance to several businesses, so don't be confused! Just walk into the main entry door on the left, turn right, and enter the restaurant. Then walk up to the cashier's desk and ask to be seated. I came here for an early dinner around 4:30 on a Friday. About four groups of people were already eating there, and that number steadily increased until I left. It turns out that Antonella, my server, was actually one of the owners. She said she was filling in for her daughter. Her other daughter and husband were also working there. I absolutely loved seeing the family running the restaurant together. You could tell how much pride they take in their business. The entire atmosphere was warm and welcoming, as if everyone there were friends or family. I told Antonella it was my first time there and asked if they had vegan options. Of course they do! She walked me through all of them, and I chose the Bontà salad as an appetizer and the build-your-own pasta for my entrée. I went with penne and marinara sauce, adding spinach and portabella mushrooms. The dish came with a side, so I chose the potato salad. Everything was perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious! My only suggestion is for them to mark on the menu which items are vegan - that would be very helpful! The service was outstanding! I will definitely be back! read more

See all

Small local place near my hotel while visiting my grandkids. Wonderful service, plenty of choices and a small full bar. But while all of that is great, it is the food that will bring me back again every time I visit. Tender grilled octopus is a must! Gnocchi is delicious and a good sized serving. Homemade soups are Devine! Such a great find, don't miss it!! read more

The food was tasty and the marinara sauce was delicious! The restaurant vibe reminded me of a New York deli, where you walk up, read the menu board, select beverages in a refrigerated case, chip sides, etc., place your order and a server from the kitchen delivers to your table. We tried the spaghetti marinara and antipasto salad, but watched mouth watering pizza pies go by as well as giant, juicy looking Italian beef sandwiches. We also spotted an authentic brick pizza oven which was a pleasant surprise. Bonta is a no frills spot, and has pre-rolled plastic flatware, so don't expect anything fancy, the food was the star here! There was plenty of seating and is located in a strip mall off 21/Milwaukee Avenue, in Lincolnshire with convenient parking. I can't wait to go back and try the pizza! read more

See all

For the type of service this is Bontà is very good. Wood fired pizza, Italian specialties, all very good. This is a g rest place with a nice atmosphere read more

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN! A group of my girlfriends and I dine in at Bonta every other Friday and let me tell you the week/weeks that pass in between each visit I am craving it; there's a reason they have so many weekly regulars! If you want to visit on Friday or Saturday make sure to make a reservation because it can get busy. My go-to order is rigatoni alfredo with chicken cotoletta on top and a side caesar salad (I'm not a caesar salad freak like some of you but bonta's caesar is so delicious it turns me into a caesar salad freak). I have tried so many things on the menu and all of them hit !!!!!!! Literally can't go wrong. I enjoyed my food so much I felt compelled to write a SECOND review, HELLOOOO?? read more

See all

This is a small hole in the wall Italian restaurant. Went in with tempered expectations and was very pleasantly surprised. Both the service and the food was great. They had us try the wine before serving which is very classic Italian restaurant. They checked on us a good amount. The food was delicious. We got the vodka pasta and the braciola with pasta. The bread was also good with a nice amount of butter. This is a great place to go if you are visiting Lincolnshire for the evening. read more

See all

The garlic bread + mozzarella was yummy and great to share with the table. The pizzas were all really solid, and they're a great size for one meal. Our waitress was attentive and great and very nice, and the staff was also attentive, keeping our water filled and making sure we had everything we needed. It's not the cutest place ever, and the women's bathroom had a peculiar sign on the inside of the door, but it's homey and clean. I would love to try their pastas, but they were much pricier than the pizzas. Knocking a star, though, because the prices listed on the menu were wrong - they actually charged us $2 more per item, without saying anything about that. read more

See all

amazing pizza. we got the margarita and will be coming back soon. pretty traditional italian pizza- paper thin

Love the owners who are from Italy and go back every year-- and of course the food is incredible!

Amazing hidden Gem ! My husband and I went here last night and Nick was our waiter and he was so Helpful and kind and friendly. I explained this was our first time visiting this place and he recommended everything will be delicious So we ordered the grilled calamari, it was delicious and grilled perfect Then we ordered the maghertia pizza, that was Amazing delicious perfect Then we ordered side orders of pasta with vodka sauce guess that was Amazing as well Then we ordered the tiramisu and yes Amazing!! I highly recommend going here if you love great service and great food ! The is Family friendly place, great to celebrate birthdays and anniversary celebrations or whatever you want read more

This place is a hidden gem in Lincolnshire! I can't believe I've never heard of it or tried it before. I was taken here on a date and had a great experience. The employees were very friendly and the service was great. We both ordered the gnocchi with vodka sauce and it was pillowy, creamy, and delicious. It came with a choice of soup to start and I tried the tortilla soup. That was also good. Bonta is tucked away in the back of a strip mall, but definitely worth giving a try. read more

Bonta is a wonderful unassuming spot! The owner is so friendly and welcoming. Their menu is not overly large, but the food is delicious! I love their deals where you can get half a sandwich with soup or a pasta or potato salad. The caprese sandwich is a classic must have! Also, don't skip on the pizza here! They have wood fired ovens in the restaurant and their calzones are delicious and a very nice size! read more

A bit of a Clark Kent, Bontá is nondescript and unassuming in a strip mall. But take off the glasses (aka step inside) and you get traditional Italian flavors and pizzas in a casual atmosphere. Though the parking lot looked empty, inside the restaurant was almost filled and Uber drivers and customers were constantly coming in to pick up orders. After seeing arancini all over my FYP, we split an arancini appetizer that was as big as my fist. It was hot, golden brown and a melty cheesy meat mixture oozed out. Lots of traditional Italian pastas on the menu. I selected the braciole, which I've never had before, which translates to meat rolled over coals. It was flank steak stuffed with garlic and prosciutto and simmered in red sauce for hours. Man, I was surprised at how tender it was -- I could cut it with a fork, and didn't need to chew hardly at all. It came with pasta and a side garden salad. I tried my friend's gnocchi in vodka sauce, the gnocchi was pleasantly chewy and the sauce was rich, creamy and tasty. Service was pleasant but there was a bit of a wait between our dishes; therefore we did not try dessert. Overall, the dishes were well-executed, reasonably priced, and surprisingly good. The dining area is rather small, but we did see several groups of people dining (birthday, multi-generational, friends). I would like to come back for the pizza. read more

See all

Bonita has a great, friendly staff. They seem to have updated their menu. They have great pizza and now they have pasta dishes and entrees. On salads, they offer three dressings, which seems kind of limited. They offer for house dressing basically a small cup of balsamic vinegar. It's not very creative or good unless you like balsamic vinegar very much. The garden salad could use some tomato and the finely diced red pepper is a bit hard to eat, larger pieces would be easier to eat. I ordered the vodka, sausage, and peas pasta. It had thoroughly coated pasta but not much extra sauce. I'm fine with that but if you are looking for soupy pasta, this isn't your dish. It's barely just enough sauce. The flavor was good including the sausage. When I woke, through, I had extreme thirst so I suspect they use heavy salt. I don't appreciate restaurants that have a heavy salt hand. Sodium isn't good for your health and it's a cheap way to flavor food. The flavor comes at the consumer's expense with elevated thirst and blood pressure. I'll go back for certain but probably will stick to the pizza. read more

Bonta - Side Salad - Cafes Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

Great flavorful pasta and garlic bread, Authentic Napoletana style Margherita pizza just like you'd get in Italy. The kind where the crust alone has that delicious, chewy quality that makes it taste so good even on its own. Friendly staff, clean bathrooms, a couple outdoor seating options. Nice early hours, opening at 10:30 am on Saturday. They even have a nice little section where they put a small wine bar area. read more

Bonta - Wine bar - Cafes Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

Picked this spot because its website looked great, had great reviews and was 4 minutes from our hotel. We were famished after traveling all day. The owner took personal care of our table since we were there early. We ordered 2 pies, 2 orders of mussels and these rice and meat balls. The meal was prepared timely and we devoured everything! The food was delicious and we were made to feel appreciated. read more

I loveeee this place! The food was fresh and tasted homemade. The arancini was bigger than my fist!! It was okay (it's my favorite Italian appetizer so I've had LOTS of different ones). I want to definitely get the vodka pasta again though. The guys who serve are extremely friendly and great hosts. Ambiance: It's like you're in an Italian home-y restaurant. I came back a month later (visiting IL for work), and they were closed - I was so sad. I can't wait to come back! read more

The food has always been amazing here. Couple that with the atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff and you've got a great place to grab some pasta, pizza, etc. And don't forget to take home a fresh cannoli! read more

I was looking for something different to eat before seeing a show at the Marriot and stumbled upon Bonta. Tucked in the corner of a strip mall it can definitely be missed. I walked in and was greeted and was sat at a table in the back. They have a casual fancy vibe going on. The tables are covered with white paper table cloths to add a little class. My server came and I placed an appetizer for the arancini. I wish I would have placed my main entree too because after I received my appetizer (from a runner) my server didn't come around to check on me for awhile so I could place it. I ordered pesto rigatoni with chicken and I was underwhelmed. The chicken was on the dry side and pesto wasn't as flavorful as I know pesto to be. It comes with a side and bread. I upgraded to Caesar Salad which was delicious. I was on a time crunch so no time to wait for their dessert. I'll be back though to try their pizzas and calzones. Pasta I'll skip. read more

See all

I have been ordering food from Bonta for years and I didn't realize that I had never written a review. Shame on me for not sharing the greatness that is Bonta. In the past, I have often ordered their wood-fired pizzas for pickup. They have always been tremendous. But this time I actually ate in the restaurant instead of ordering pickup. Our dining experience was very pleasant. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive and the food was good as always. I couldn't resist ordering my go-to pizza, the quattro formaggi which is a white pizza made with mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, ricotta, and gorgonzola. Yum! My wife ordered the eggplant parmigiana which I had never had before. It was amazing, sooo good. That might be my new go-to dish there. If you are looking for some great Italian food in the Lincolnshire area, you can never go wrong with Bonta! read more

See all

Cute Italian Cafe hidden in a plaza in Lincolnshire. You walk in through the doors in the back near the plaza, which seems to confuse everyone that isn't a regular. There are doors in the front also, but they are blocked or locked. It's a small restaurant, so I only saw 2 staff members out front- so be patient when you go depending on how busy it is! They have some legit Napoletana style pizzas that come from their wood fire oven. I ordered the meat lasagna (they also have a veg one or a four cheese one also). The lasagna was comfort food and I happily took home the leftovers! It came with a choice of soup, i had the Italian wedding soup. The choices of soup change depending on the day of the week. Nice place for pizza if you're in the area. read more

See all

Bonta kept coming up as a suggestion. We finally tried it tonight. The food was outstanding and the staff was very welcoming. #iraeats #iraeats1 read more

See all

This is a very nice casual Italian restaurant, that is extremely convenient. In addition to the very well done Italian specialties, they have a great selection of sandwiches that are perfect for a quick lunch treat. I would say the quality of the food could be considered upscale and authentic, at the same time it functions similar to a deli with its casual nature and inconvenience. The service was great and they were extremely friendly. read more

Bonta - The Italiano to go - Cafes Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

See all

WARNING: DO NOT EAT HERE! If you're even thinking about dining at BONTA in Lincolnshire, Illinois -- stop. Cancel that OpenTable reservation. Turn your car around. Just about anywhere else would be better, including your own kitchen with a frozen pizza. We made a reservation for a special Friday night to celebrate my 89-year-old mother's birthday -- a moment that should have been joyful, warm, and memorable. Instead, BONTA turned it into an evening of frustration, embarrassment, and culinary horror that still leaves a bitter taste. After dropping my mother and family at the door, I went to park. When my wife entered, she politely told the owner that we had a reservation and were, admittedly, 10 minutes late due to heavy traffic and an accident. His response? Not an ounce of grace, not a shred of decency. He rudely snapped that our table was already given away and turned on his heel without another word, leaving my wife standing there like an unwelcome intruder. Minutes later, he begrudgingly returned and muttered that he'd "try to do something" -- like tossing together a few spare chairs as though we were strays begging for scraps. Ironically, when I entered, I saw four open tables. No line. No crowd. Just an owner too busy marinating in his own arrogance to show even a hint of courtesy. Once seated, it took 15 minutes before a server acknowledged us. We ordered drinks and waited another 10 minutes for them to arrive -- which, at BONTA, might as well be considered lightning speed. We ordered our meals, which came with a soup option or an "upgraded" salad for an extra $2. In an Italian restaurant, you'd expect the minestrone soup to be a safe, comforting starter. Instead, it arrived so salty it could have cured prosciutto on contact. My mother, the guest of honor, couldn't even eat it. Meanwhile, my daughter sat waiting for her Caesar salad, only to discover it was a sad bowl of plain lettuce with a prepackaged dressing packet on the side -- about as close to a true Caesar salad as a plastic plant is to a rose. When I flagged down the owner to mention the soup, he shuffled over and barked, "What can I do for you?" as if we were inconveniencing him at his own party. My mother gently asked if she could switch to the other soup of the day -- cream of asparagus. His charming response? "The other soup is salty too. All our soups are salty." No apology. No empathy. No effort to make it right. When my mother suggested switching to a salad, he coldly stated, "I'll have to charge you an extra $2." The audacity! The man was practically charging extra for his own incompetence. I told him outright that his soups were inedible, the salad was pathetic, and his behavior was unacceptable. His reaction? He glared at me, refused to apologize, and stormed off. Dinner eventually arrived, and by then we just wanted to escape. My chicken piccata had a decent lemon-butter-caper sauce -- the single redeeming element of the entire night -- but it couldn't save the dish. The chicken was so overcooked and rubbery it could have doubled as a shoe insert. Chicken piccata is supposed to be delicate and tender. Here, it was as tough as the owner's personality. The pastas, I'm told, were fine but stingy on sauce, which is laughable given the overall pricing and pretense of the place. Once we finished, we couldn't flee fast enough. We paid our bill, vowing never to set foot in that culinary torture chamber again. Final Verdict: Avoid at All Costs BONTA fails spectacularly at every level: Customer service: Nonexistent. Respect for guests: Utterly absent. Food execution: Inconsistent and careless. Owner's attitude: Disgraceful and insulting. There are countless wonderful Italian restaurants in the northern suburbs of Chicago where you'll be welcomed warmly, treated with respect, and served food made with love. BONTA is not one of them. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor: steer clear of this embarrassment of a restaurant. Your taste buds, dignity, and blood pressure will thank you. read more

How didn't I know about this place?! I can honestly say that I will be coming here often. That distinct pizza smell hits you right when you walk in. It was a pretty good menu but it was the pizza that lured us. The staff is really friendly and attentive. Ok, those pizzas... If it's Neapolitan pizza you want, the Margherita is the top choice. Our table was right next to the pizza oven which is great for a pizza nerd. It's cut into 4 slices because it's supposed to be folded in half. Wow was it good! I loved the crust and the undercarriage was perfect. Definitely coming back to try a few of the other pizzas! read more

See all

Cute bistro. Great paninis and arancini! Hidden gem in Lincolnshire for lunch. It seems like it's run by a family owned team

There was a strip of grey DUCT TAPE on my margherita pizza amongst the basil. Luckily I saw it before I ate it. A waiter apologized and asked if I wanted it remade, yes just with no tape please? It was not taken off the bill, didn't seem to be taken seriously. Waiters here are inexperienced. I won't be back. read more

Went here with a friend before seeing a show at the Lincolnshire Marriot Theatre. It is located in a strip mall with ample parking. The other businesses close in the evening, so it gave the area a calm relaxing vibe. We arrived at 6pm on a Friday, and were able to seat right away with no wait. The restaurant has an upscale family vibe to it, with white paper table coverings and cloth napkins. Our server Claudia came over quickly, and got our drink orders going. I believe it was the owner who came to the table with the two bottles of wine and poured a sample for us both to try before pouring our glasses. I don't know if I've ever gotten to try the wine first when ordering a glass and not the bottle. I got the vodka penne, and my friend got the braciola (?). I also got the house salad to start, which came with a balsamic olive oil dressing. The only thing I didn't like about the salad was the carrots were shaved into long strings which made it awkward to eat. Honestly, when the pasta came out I did not have high hopes because of the light pink color it was. I was expecting it to taste like all cream with little flavor. I was so wrong! It was very flavorful, and honestly one of the best I've ever had. I did not try my friends but she enjoyed hers. The bread that came with it too was also delicious. The food and service here was outstanding, and I will definitely be back if I have another show in the area. read more

See all

Went for dinner. Very average experience. Pasta was good but pizza under cooked in center. Staff is not very experienced and frankly walking around with owner watching every move. Not ready for prime time. They need to chill and project a bette vibe. read more

Take out food many times in the past many years has been good. Recent order mixed: Margherita pizza good; cream of mushroom soup good; arancini very good; "lasagna" not fit for human consumption. My life experiences with lasagna have ranged between heaven and hell. Heaven was my Sicilian mother-in-law's unbelievable ricotta based Michelin 10 star pass out good. Hell was someone who thought using cottage cheese was a good idea. In between was baked Stouffers from frozen. Actually not to bad. But Bonta's "lasagna" sets a new low. I have no idea how big glops of melted cheese and bechamel, no ricotta to be found, in between a few layers of noodles is anything close to being called lasagna. Must be a Northern thing. We threw away most of two orders after a few bites. They are really nice people. Prolly just need to train the cook a little more. Will go back. read more

Perfect spot to stop in with coworkers for a quick weekday lunch. Lots of other customers must agree. Enjoyed watching a gentleman drop off his lady from their sea foam green Vespa. Split a panini and side with my colleague. So tasty! Fresh ingredients, perfect bread. Reasonable prices. Wish we had a cannoli. read more

Bonta - Prosciutto Paniniwith side of Pasta Salad - Cafes Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

See all

such a disappointmen! We were greeted and seated upon arriving. An ice water bottle and menus were brought to our table. After 15 minutes of waiting in the far too cold restaurant (60 degrees), no glasses were brought for the water and no one had come to our table to take a beverage or food order. By then we were so cold we decided to leave. We were sure that if we ever did get to order and be served the food, it would not stay warm while we ate and sitting in the cold restaurant would not have been an enjoyable experience. read more

It was freezing outside and cozy inside. I started with dessert! My cannoli was perfect with my coffee. The pizza was shared and it hit the spot. Will definitely return to try sandwiches, pasta and other items on the menu. read more

The cannoli fell short of expectations. I have seen it once handmade and made to order, but when I ordered it this time it tasted dry. The staff has typically been cordial but in recent days I felt that the service was dismissive. read more

Great food. Great service. Love this place. Great for families! We keep coming back and will go again!

BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN SUBURBS. I said it, you are welcome. Nothing more to say other than, come here. Lunchtime the resturant is fast casual where you can order at the front but during dinner, the establishment turns into a sit down. I would reccomend getting the sandwich and soup combo for lunch - get a sandwich with prosciutto then thank me later. So worth the price. The pizza here is unmatched - a true italian pizza. The dough is perfectly chewy and the sauce here is just right. I always get the Bonta' Di Terra which never ever ever disappoints. They fire everything in a wood oven which adds a wonderful flavor. Service here is stellar and you feel at home in this quaint restaurant. Nothing flashy but just good food. read more

Bonta - Bonta' Di Terra - Cafes Near Me - Lincolnshire, Illinois

See all

Stuffed bell peppers were insanely good! Dreaming about them and will go back to try more items but it's going be hard to branch out from the peppers bc they were that good .. awesome vibes and great family service too read more

See all