We came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had an early-ish reservation at 5:30pm in the middle of the week so it was on the quieter side, which we absolutely loved. Service was great! Everyone was friendly and prompt and wanted to make sure we had a great meal. This is what we ordered: * Nonna's Meatballs * Pear & Fennel Salad (walnuts on the side) * Focaccia di Recco (requested with prosciutto & arugula) * Linguine alle vongole I also ordered an Almafi Spritz (zero proof) which was wonderful and bright a slice of Italy to Chicago's suburbia. The food was fresh and delicious. I recalled a Davanti location in Chicago but never had the chance to check it out, so this was my first time and it was great! The atmosphere is chic and the food was excellent, but not in a flashy, overdone, complicated way, just real good, made in house, hearty Italian fare. The Focaccia Di Recco was AMAZING. Yes, all caps. We packed up half of it to take home and it was still great the next day (reheated and then toasted in our mini counter oven/fryer). If you order just one thing here, let it be this focaccia dish. I understand why it's popular and I blurted out loud several times while eating this in restaurant: "on my god" it was truly divine. As my husband said, "this food might be better than what we had in Italy..." and I don't disagree. The kitchen does not do split portions for pasta but they were able to bring out 2 plates for us to split ourselves. This is a great spot for date night, a ladies night out, or a solo wine & dine at the bar. I can't believe I didn't come sooner. Plus, it's located right next to a parking garage which made our night out really convenient! We can't wait to come back! Five shining stars. read more

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The service was exceptional! Even though the restaurant was incredibly busy, the staff were available when needed and we were also checked in on throughout the meal. The food is incredible. The rigatoni vodka was one of the best I've ever had (it had a nice little kick). Pasta was perfectly Al dente. The portion size on the whipped ricotta was a little small as far as the bread, but was still delicious. If you're in downtown Naperville and have a craving for excellent Italian food and a great atmosphere, I'd highly recommend you stop in! read more

Came here for my husbands birthday, loved it and such a nice little place. We got the meatballs as an appetizer, amazing. I got the rigatoni vodka and my son got the kid one. My husband got the one that came with chicken cutlets with arugula and veggie. And my other son got the pepperoni pizza. All were good, I wish the regular rigatoni vodka came with chicken or the option for chicken instead of sausage. My son's pizza was really good, we all took a bite and loved it. Drinks were good as well. read more

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If you're in downtown Naperville, Davanti Enoteca is a solid choice for some upscale Italian food. Service is friendly and the menu offers a good variety for all tastes. The interior of the restaurant is clean and has bar seating, tables, and booths. Lots of natural light provides an inviting space to chat and linger while enjoying some good food. I liked the red wine and cocktails (try the Limoncello di Bosco). You'll find more wine than cocktails but what they offer in the latter is choice. Food is tasty and really enjoyed everything I had each time I've been here. Pastas and salads were all good so it's really what you're in the mood for. A little pricey compared to other places, but it's consistent in quality and service. read more

We decided to try Davanti for an anniversary dinner. Glad we did. The wine now seems to be reasonably priced. All the food we had, 2 apps, 2 entrees and a dessert all seemed to be better than the last time we were there (it's been a while). Our server, Jeff, was outstanding. He had a few other tables besides us plus he was tending the bar. In spite of all this we never felt neglected. He made some good wine suggestions. He knows his stuff. General Manager John stopped by to see how things were going. We related how pleased we were with the food and service. We'll be back. read more

As always Davanti Enoteca met our expectations for a nice evening dining experience. The food was excellent especially the farro butternut squash, which my husband and I always share. Kimberly, our wait staff, was attentive even though she was very busy. read more

We have dined at Davanti's numerous times and have always had a five-star experience. John, our host, greeted us at the door as usual and remembered us - WOW. Our waiter was Jeff and he was outstanding. His recommendations for wine were spot on. One thing we particularly like is the music. You know there will be noise at a popular restaurant and sometimes overhead music can make it difficult to hear one another. Not so at Davanti. The music was just right to enjoy and not interfere with the dining experience. Food, service and Ambiance are top notch. Larry and Susan K. read more

Still my absolute favorite Italian place! The server was funny and very helpful, answering or group's many questions. Every dish was freaking amazing! My husband claimed it was the best salmon he had ever tasted. We all drooled over the whipped ricotta. Hint ask for more than the 4 toasts that it comes with. It's a small place so I definitely recommend reservations even during the week. They have a small patio space out front but it was a little too warm for us on the day we went. read more

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Had a nice meal with a group of friends! We had a 5:15pm reservation on a Saturday night and were seated promptly upon arrival. We started with drinks which everyone really enjoyed. The apps (Brussel sprouts, focaccia , meatballs) were also good and the portions were great for sharing. I had the white fish as my entree and it was good not great. Service was good overall and we loved the atmosphere. They were also able to accommodate a baby at the table which was great. The one thing that did stand out was that the music did not match the vibe of the restaurant at all. It was super upbeat club music but seems like the type of place that would do better playing some old school Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin - maybe that's just a personal preference! In a nutshell: Cocktails - Limoncello di Bosco & Sum Basil 10/10 Apps- Brussels Sprouts 6/10 (very sour tasting?) Focaccia di recco 8/10 Meatballs 10/10 (I didn't try but my group loved them) Entree: Pesce Piccata 7.5/10 - not what I expected, portion was a bit small for the price, could have used more accompaniments, fish itself was cooked nicely but skin was soft and would have been nice if it was crispy, broth/sauce was flavorful but needed something to soak it up Overall, I would come back and try more! read more

Davanti Enoteca - Peace Picatta - Wine Bars Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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We started our meal at Davanti Enoteca with the burrata, which was just okay. The oil they drizzled on top was overpowering, and that's pretty much all we could taste, which was disappointing. However, the Focaccia di Recco was a different story--it was absolutely amazing. If you go to this restaurant, you have to try it. My friend and I still talk about how good it was, and we'd seriously drive back just for that. For the entrées, my friend ordered the gnocchi, which she enjoyed, but I wasn't a fan. I had the rigatoni vodka, and it was a big letdown. It tasted like watered-down tomato sauce with a little cream--just really bland and disappointing. Honestly, after that, I decided I'd only come back for the focaccia bread. The service was fine--nothing special, just your average experience. I'd recommend making a reservation if you go. We were excited to try this place because of the glowing reviews we read beforehand, but it really didn't live up to the hype. I'd return for the appetizers, but definitely not for the main dishes. read more

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This was one of the best combos of food, service and atmosphere in downtown Naperville. The staff is super attentive, polite and unlike all the other pretentious downtown Naperville restaurants. At places like Gia Mia, the staff makes you feel like a burden, at Davanti they make you feel welcome! The atmosphere was great for talking with friends during dinner, the music was at just the right volume. I saved the best for last; the food was fantastic! The Polenta & Ragu, Focaccia Di Recco and Whipped Ricotta was the best that I have ever had. The portions were perfect for a group of 4. Again, other downtown Naperville restaurants you get a teaspoon sized serving, but not at Davanti! All our entrees were fantastic: Gnocchi Pomodoro, Rigatoni Melanzane, Spaghetti Carbonara and Rigatoni Melanzane. I laugh and some of these other 1-liner reviews that people left (e.g. not authentic Italian, yeah GFY). I love Davanti! read more

The vodka sauce on the rigatoni was watery and did not stick to the noodles. Would not recommend, instead would go to La Sorella di Francesca down the street read more

Beautiful restaurant and a great date night spot! My husband and I really enjoyed each course. Our server was very kind and knowledgeable. The dessert special was absolutely delicious, highly recommend! read more

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I came here before going to an author talk at the local college and the food was absolutely amazing and the staff was wonderful. As a solo dinner, sometimes restaurants treat you weirdly and are overly attentive, like you got stood up on a date. But they didn't treat me any differently. Which was lovely. I had the whipped ricotta as an appetizer which was delicious. Messy but delicious. The Gnocchi Pomodoro was also amazing. So flavorful. And I also had a mocktail. I definitely will go back when I'm in the area. read more

I absolutely love this place. Have come multiple times now and each time has been exceptional. The service is always notably above average, and the food is outstanding. I live in Chicago but every time I come to the suburbs this is my favorite place to go. Best vodka rigatoni I've ever had and perfectly al dente. read more

Davanti Enoteca - Rigatoni Vodka - Wine Bars Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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Not a pleasant experience. We were initially seated near the entrance, where it was very cold. When we asked to move to the bar area, we were told no and instead were moved to a table directly in front of the bathroom. For a New Year's dinner, this was extremely disappointing. The food quality has also declined. Some dishes that previously came with a honeycomb were served with regular honey instead, which felt like a cost-cutting change. Overall, the food was mediocre and not what we remembered. We used to enjoy this restaurant when it first opened, but with so many better options in the area, this is not a place we would return to. read more

Service was really top notch. Very professional and attentive. Food options were unique and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. I would definitely go back once Naperville construction has died down a bit. read more

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Our waitress, Kimberly, was great. The appetizers were very good, bruschetta and whipped ricotta. Unfortunately, the meals (lobster, whitefish) were terrible. We will never go back. read more

We came here yesterday for dinner, and have been a few times before for brunch. Every time we've come it has been a great experience! Last night, we ordered the risotto alla Carbonara, the bolognese, the vodka rigatoni, and one of the linguini al fagottaro. Everything was delicious. I should also note that I've had the avocado toast at brunch twice now, and it was the best I think I've ever had. My favorite part about the food here, aside from the fact that it's delicious, is that the portion sizes are absolutely perfect. I've never had leftovers, and I've never left feeling still hungry. The service is always fantastic. This last time our server was Sal (Salvador M). Our water glasses were never empty, our food came out quickly, and Sal could sense when we were ready for the check. He was friendly and struck the perfect balance of checking in while also leaving us to enjoy our dinner. Last night, we were celebrating my dad's birthday, and Sal brought out a free dessert with a candle lit. That was also delicious and a very nice gesture. Finally, the ambiance is great. It is quiet enough to have a normal-volume conversation with everyone at the table. The lighting is dimmer and gives a cozy kind of feel. Around the perimeter of the main part of the restaurant are wine bottles, the effect of which is that you feel you're sitting inside a wine cellar. Cannot recommend this place enough! Only caveat is that it is on the pricier side, but I would say well worth it for a special occasion or a more intimate dinner. read more

It was disappointing to dine at Naperville Davanti Enoteca given its strong reputation. Almost every dish we ordered was overly salty, and the salad was overwhelmingly sour due to too much vinaigrette. It felt like being served Olive Garden-quality food in a setting that presents itself as upscale. The service, however, was very good--the staff was attentive and friendly. I gave two stars solely because of the service. Based on food quality alone, it would be one star. Overall, a very underwhelming experience. read more

3.5 but rounding up to 4 Davanti Enoteca is located in downtown Naperville and thankfully right next to a parking garage. The ambiance is cozy and gives off modern and classic Italian vibes. The view when you first walk in makes you think it's a small establishment but don't be fooled, there is additional seating in the back. Max capacity is 130. Service was quick - my fiancé and I enjoyed our dinner within an hour and 15 mins. Our server was the perfect amount of attentive and checked in us when needed. For food we ordered the Italian chopped salad, rigatoni vodka and the chicken piccata carciofo. I really enjoyed the salad - acidic, fresh and full of flavor. The entrees came out lukewarm - seemed like it was sitting out for a while before coming to our table. I preferred the pasta over the chicken. Chicken was super dry however the flavors were delicious. Pasta is fresh and seems to be made in house. read more

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What a phenomenal Italian restaurant! I came here on a whim with my friends - we had no reservations and were sat immediately. First off the restaurant is pretty spacious and dimly lit which I love, definitely an intimate setting. There's millions of wines on the wall and they had a great wine & cocktail list. The place itself is kind of pricey but worth it for the quality of food. The small plates were under $20 while most of the entrees/pastas were over $25. I think the cheapest I saw was $21 which gives you a gander for how the pricing is here. Not cheap but not terribly expensive; totally worth it though nonetheless! Service: 10/10. Our server John was such a delight. Very personable, makes great conversation, and explained the menu superbly. He was awesome! Checked up on us the perfect amount, too. Nonna's meatballs: 10/10. Not even kidding, best meatballs I've ever had hands down. We all loved them so much. They were pillowy and flavorful. Burrata: 9/10. It was super yummy, but it's hard sometimes to differentiate burrata from other places. It didn't blow me away necessarily but nonetheless was delicious. The roasted tomatoes and pesto were a great touch. Focaccia di recco al tartufo: 10/10. This was very unique focaccia since it was thin and a bit crispy as opposed to being fuller and doughier. It was delicious - there were mushrooms and cheese on the inside, drizzled with honey on top. I could have this every day. The cocktails were great! Strong and different which I love. I didn't try the rigatoni vodka but my 2 friends who got it absolutely loved it. I will definitely come here again for some quality Italian food! read more

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Amazing food at this restaurant!! High end rustic Italian with genuine authentic flare! All meals were Delicious and it has a beautiful rustic flare in the restaurant. Drinks were mixologists prepared ranking!! Save this one for special occasions and if you want to impress!! A good place for celebratory events. Price was worthwhile! Staff top notch and very attentive!! Loved it! read more

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We had a table near the bar, which is recommended vs the rear of the establishment as the back of the dining area was stuffy and felt much warmer than the front of house. The service was relatively prompt and attentive but it was a weekend and a full house. Some of my party indicated the food seems a bit salty however I thought it was okay. Atmosphere was bright but not too loud consider a full house of guests. Worth coming back again, imo. read more

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This place wonderful. The interior was beautifully decorated and well maintained. The food was also really good. There were many options to choose from. read more

Davanti Enoteca - Wine Bars Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

I'm inclined to say the place Is casual, because they welcomed me warmly in my shorts and tee shirt. But the atmosphere was a bit classy, and as the evening progressed, people were dressier. Three of us ordered plates to share, so we got a focaccia di Nonna, (not the FLAT bread version), and the roasted (peppery) Brussels sprouts, followed by 2 pasta dishes and Nonna's meatballs. Every dish was delicious, 5-stars, and Our waitress' (Mitrese) recommendations were on-point! There was enough pasta left over for my son to have for lunch tomorrow. We didn't need dessert, but couldn't help ourselves. Mitrese was honest and told us 2 were enough to share 3 ways. We do not agree as a family whether the Brown Butter Blondie with Salted Caramel Gelato was better than the Chocolate Torte with vanilla gelato, but we agree they were both amazing. (My wife is wrong, just this once. Get the blondie!) Even the espresso was top notch. It was not a problem to get a table at 5:45pm this Friday, but the place filled up by 7pm. Many groups of women converged, more than date night. Maybe it was the selection of fine wines (which I did not partake in). Maybe husbands didn't want to pay this much for wine and pasta. It was not a bargain budget meal, but you get the top tier meal you pay for. read more

Davanti Enoteca - Roasted Brussels sprouts and focaccia do Nonna - Wine Bars Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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I was really disappointed with Davanti Enoteca in Naperville. The food lacked flavor and seasoning -- everything tasted very bland and uninspired. It definitely didn't feel like authentic Italian cuisine; more like an Americanized version trying to pass as Italian. The atmosphere was nice, but unfortunately the food didn't live up to the expectations. read more

The gem of Scott Harris Hospitality Group! My girlfriends and I made our way to Davanti Enoteca in downtown Naperville for our monthly book club meet up. This location was previously Fat Rosie's which has since moved across the street. The inside is very modern, with unique light fixtures and tasteful wine decor. We sat in an area further in the back which made it really easy to talk/hear each other. Our server John gave us a great background of the restaurant, details on specials, helpful recommendations, and paced our meal out perfectly. All of our drinks were the perfect mix of strong liquor and tasty flavors. We started with Nonna's Doc Focaccia which some pieces had a bit of kick but overall was a great starter. Most of us got the Rigatoni Vodka which I can say would be on my top five list. The noodles were perfectly al dente, sauce was just creamy enough, sausage crumbles were flavorful, and torn cheese was a great add. My friend had gotten the short rib risotto with truffle which she said she loved! While the desserts looked intriguing, the portions were certainly large enough so we passed. There were so many menu items I saw that I will certainly be back to try more! read more

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So lovely! Great dining experience. Beautiful environment. Great food. Very nice service by Gabi and team. I will absolutely return! read more

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Would come back! The restaurant is so cozy. Their hightop seats are also very comfortable, which is great because most times it's not enjoyable sitting at a high top table. We had the Ricotta as an app (amazing) and it comes with honey as well. I tried their espresso martini and it was absolutely one of my favorites in Chicago. It has the perfect foam topping but also isn't too sweet. I had the rigatoni vodka for dinner - loved it. FYI - the Rigatoni Vodka was spicy. It wasn't unenjoyable by any means, but something to know if you don't like spicy foods! Service was good! Recommend making a reservation. read more

Wonderful dinner. Started with the whipped feta appetizer. I requested the bread on the side since I have to be gluten free. Instead, they offered gluten free bread and it was delicious! My mom and daughter both got the vodka rigatoni. The waiter mentioned it was spicy, which my mom said couldn't like. He offered to have it prepared less spicy. She loved it. And my daughter loved the spicy version. I had the polenta ragu. It was absolutely amazing!!! read more

This place was so good, Idon't have one negative comment about this place! Our server, Gaby, was super friendly, attentive and she made the entire menu sound so enticing for us first-timers. The food was so good! 1.We got the lemoncello blackberry drink-- delicious. 2. The "charcuterie" board was amazing. 3. The Rigatoni Vodka spot on!! 4. Vanilla Gelato was heaven in a bowl. (All desserts sounded amazing, but I like to judge the simple dishes.) The place was beautiful and classy, clean, and no one felt like they were on top of each other. We're already planning our next date night here read more

Ruined Saturday evening out. Had a reservation. Host (AKA Director of First Impressions) seated my husband and I next to a couple with a toddler and a baby, and I was immediately hit with the smell of a dirty diaper. Foul. I got up and asked the host if he had another table (there were multiple empty tables). He pointed to a tiny cocktail high top table in the bar by the cold front door and said that was all he would offer me. We left. I have been a Francesca's chain customer for decades. That's pretty likely to change now. read more

Food was excellent, we started with calamari and the olives. Calamari was nicely done, the hot peppers were a nice touch. The pork shoulder and polenta was delicious. Pork shoulder was super tender and fell apart, gravy had a good flavor to it as well, much richer. My wife had the chicken Milanese, which comes with a massive arugula salad. Very good. The restaurant was all decked out for the holidays and it was very comfortable. Our server, Kimberly was excellent. Very knowledgeable on the menu, was super friendly. Will definitely be back. read more

Overall great atmosphere but I don't think the chef knows how to make carbonara :( I ordered it and came here specifically to try and you could tell it wasn't made correctly. Didn't have the courage to send it back, it looks delicious but wasn't. Carbonara is difficult to make so I'll give this place another chance but will not be ordering this dish again. Sapori Trattoria in the city makes an insane carbonara and the kitchen could take some notes! Great waitress and good time just not the best food. I'd recommend vodka pasta instead read more

Davanti Enoteca - Carbonara - Wine Bars Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Small but really great food, drink and service. Went here for dinner before Illumination experience in Morton Arboretum. Wish we would have just stayed here longer as M.A.'s Illumination was a waste of money. Alas, a review for another time. Diana, was amazing as a server. Fun, personable and timely. Food was really good. Swordfish was definitely something to come back for. Loved the vibe but need to ensure that you have a reservation as it gets filled quickly. So many good things on the menu and have vegetarian friendly items too. Highly recommended and we will for sure be back. Great for date night! read more

Good spot, new to us, went with my wife, son and daughter in law. Caesar salad and fried calamari were excellent, highly recommended. Entrees we had Cacio y Pepe very good, hit the spot but would probably order different next time. Linguini Agli Scampi and Rigatoni Vodka were the stars of the show. I was a little surprised to not get any bread with our dinner. Meals were reasonably priced, drinks a bit high. Gin martini was $18. Portions were reasonable but we are not big eaters and did not take any home. Our server was outstanding and the restaurant is very welcoming. We went on a Thursday night during restaurant week at 6:30 and surprised not a ton of people there. I would like to see these guys succeed, well worth going. read more

When having a reservation, we were set down promptly. We were brought water, and a few moments later, our waitress came to introduce herself. We started off with drinks that were delicious. The food came out fast and was hot. The brussels sprouts could be a full meall and its own! The rigatoni was cooked perfectly. The portion was a great size. Only downside, our waitress never came back to check on us after the first initial check of food being brought to the table. We acitally had to ask the busboy twice to find her. Turns out she was sitting outside playing with a dog. That was disappointing. It should not take 30 minutes for another check in. read more

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This place is AHMAZING! First off, big shout out to Diana and Justin the bartenders. Super friendly, attentive and just great people. I got a dirty martini and it was delicious. The food is phenomenal. Best Brussels sprouts I've ever had, loved the prosciutto and egg on top. We also got the focaccia di recco to start with. It was crisp, cheesy, salty and sweet all at the same time and everything blended perfectly. The truffle gnocchi was delicious as well. I'd recommend everything we got over and over a million times. It was the perfect amount of food to split between two people. I'll be back very soon and would get this as my last meal if I was in that position to have one!! read more

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The food is simply not up to par at ALL. My husband and I both had the carbonara (one of our favorite dishes) and I swear they dumped velveeta cheese on it. Trust me when I say this-- it was exactly like having Annie's mac and cheese on thick soba-like noodles with a few chives thrown in, but there was no flavor at all. We're not snobs or foodies, we just like having nice dinners together on the weekends, and Davanti was NOT that. I wanted to go here because of the reviews and the atmosphere (which was admittedly nice) but my god it's just not worth it. Not only that but the service was incredibly slow. Our waiter was nice enough and tried his best but we waited 30 minutes just to ORDER our entrees after the aps, and our first drinks didn't come for 15. Most of our time was spent drinking water and anticipating the food... until the tiny plate of velveeta carbonara came out. I couldn't even finish mine despite how hungry I was. Do not waste your money here. There are plenty of smaller authentic Italian restaurants in Naperville/Glen Ellyn/Wheaton that are 20x as good for the same price point. read more