We were in Waukegan for an evening event so we decided to try Destino's for dinner. It was located in a strip mall but once we entered we felt as if we were In a high end restaurant in the city. Our server, Victor, was a true gentleman who made you feel that you were a VIP! His suggestions on wine and dinner selection was on point. The Lamb Shank was tender and well seasoned. My husband ordered the Short Rib Ravioli and completely finished his plate. Victor also makes a wonderful cappuccino! Our bill was reasonable considering the quality of our meal, service, and setting. Go and ask for Victor! read more

Feb. 26, 2026. There were 8 of us celebrating 2 birthdays. LOVED this place! The decor is beautiful, white tablecloths & napkins, Italian decor, private rooms named after crooners, very clean & organized! Wait staff very attentive. There was very good entertainment! And the food flavor & plating was excellent! I highly recommend it! I will be back! read more

Destino has a nice ambience and decor and the service was quick. The music was a little on the loud side, but it was ok. My husband and I had a reservation on Valentine's night and it felt like our server was trying to rush us out to turn the table. Between sitting down and eating three courses we were in the restaurant for less than an hour. Our server was good though. As far as our food, it was just ok. It looked amazing, and the portions were large, but the actual flavor of the food was just a little bland. Each dish felt like it was missing something. First, they bring you out a fresh loaf of crusty bread but they don't offer any olive oil or butter to dip it in. The bruschetta was missing the balsamic drizzle and also needed more olive oil. The wedge salad was good. The pollo vesuvio was good but was a bit bland, and the short rib raviolis were also a bit lacking. We couldn't really pinpoint what was missing in our entrees, but they were both definitely lacking some sort of seasoning that would have turned them from ok to very good. For dessert we got the cannolis. Big mistake. They were the worst cannolis that I have ever had. The shells were absolutely awful- They were very hard and had a bitter, almost chemical taste. The upside was that the filling was good. This restaurant has a lot of potential with a few tweaks to some of the recipes. I'm not sure that we'll be back though, which is disappointing because I really wanted to love it. read more

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This is a hosed review: Most of the food was really good (some was served cold), the service was really not good. We had a group outing with about 16 people. First our waiter spent about 10 min to uncork several bottles of wine before taking other drink orders, he was also bringing pasta and took quite some time before serving meat(this was family style and in our case with cold pasta). Fast forward many of us ordered coffee- my double Espresso came in a nice lavazza cup, after a while I also got sugar and on demand he also brought a spoon (not an espresso one, so not exactly the Italian style way) The issue - the espresso ended up being luke warm. So quite some areas for improvement and I hope they'll address this soon, this concern was raised before. Again the food was decent but I'll not go back soon, hoping to read about improved services first! read more

Destino Ristorante - Pasta (unfortunately cold). The white one was good the vodka one had not much taste. - Italian Near Me - Gurnee, Illinois

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We came here for Thanksgiving dinner. The place is cozy and staff is friendly. Garlic bread and calamari were tasty. The garlic bread was loaded with garlic chunks and calamari was very tender! However, there was nothing too special about lasagna and halibut was very dry. Mushroom, sauce, and especially the add-on scallop on the halibut dish were fantastic, but the main ingredient was very disappointing. Maybe the halibut is usually not this dry; otherwise, it can justify the price they are charging. read more

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I just had the most the delicious Italian dinner. I can't recall when I've had food this rich and delicious. I know there are a lot of options when going out to dinner but hands down this is the best! I would absolutely come here again. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with a fireplace and soft music in the background. The staff is attentive and very nice. Our server Odette was the best. read more

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Unbelievably bad experience. We felt like they didn't even want us there. We were seated at 6:15 and NOT ONE PERSON came to the table until 6:28. At that time a waiter came over and said he'd be right back. He never came back. We had no water or bread. Around 6:35 I asked the server at the next table if she could get our waiter. She offered to take our drink order and when she came back, she said "I guess I could take your food order also". I asked for bread which never came. The food was meh. If you like this place, good for you. I will never be in that place again. Lame restaurant with cheesy Italian salutes to Frank Sinatra and Sofia Loren. read more

I visited Destino for a special lunch celebration. Dez took care of my wife and I and she couldn't have been more charming. The atmosphere is bright and elegant, tastefully celebrating the spice of Italian life with gorgeous art and B&W photography. Oh, the food, you ask? Molto Bene! Feel free to customize the pasta in your dish with any other noodle on offer. The olive oil is to die for, the vodka sauce is decadent, the meatballs and arugula antipasti: fire. For dessert, we shared the delectable cannoli. The filling is made from scratch IN HOUSE. Bear in mind, this was just lunch, albeit upscale, and you're paying a reasonable amount for the experience ($50 a head with cocktails, a shared app, shared dessert, plus two solo espressos), but I can't wait to head back and splurge on their dinner menu. Mangia! read more

This is an amazing place from food, to ambiance and service! I had lunch here about a month ago, then hosted my nieces Bridal Shower here. The rigatoni and risotto is superb. Exceeding my expectations. The Frank Sinatra elegance of the restaurant elevated the atmosphere with beautiful chandeliers. The servers at the Bridal Shower were very attentive and helpful. Danny is the Manager and he is very knowledgeable and his experience helped us make a truly memorable and fabulous day for my niece! Love this place! read more

Destino Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Gurnee, Illinois

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This place was such a nice experience as I was visiting from out of town. Probably the best part of the whole experience was the service. The servers checked in with my table and whenever someone left the table, the servers would refold the napkins, which was super nice of them! The food however was tasting ok, nothing crazy to write home about. For the price that each item was, I was a bit disappointed the food did not match the hype. For the gluten free pasta we ordered, the noodles tasted firmer than expected, and although the fish tasted fine, the sauce it was with did not taste the way I was expecting. I still had a great experience, and I'd definitely come back again to try different orders on the menu. read more

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This is a long one. First things first they have huge portions. I'm not sure the price and quantity match. The kids chicken tenders were actually very good. My toddler loved them. The fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I don't know if it's worth $14 dollars. I really wanted the eggplant parm, but it does not come with noodles. Over $30 for eggplant Parmesan is insane and $14 for a side of noodles that probably should have come with the dish is really just too much. My son's food came out in four minutes. The rest of the food took 47 minutes. We were told it was due to a large party placing an order before us. The vodka sauce was good, the mozzarella seemed fresh the pasta was a little more al dente than I'd prefer. The sausage on the pasta seems like pizza sausage. There was only one texture in the dish which was soft. I wish the sausage was crispy. I would have really liked if there was fresh basil on top as opposed to just in the sauce. The fish was okay. The seafood pasta was my dad's favorite. He thought it was good. I can't complain too much all of the food came out HOT. The service was a little lacking, it took maybe 10 minutes to place the order for the adult food. I didn't find it spectacular compared to other places in the area, but it was good. Just don't think it's worth it for the price. They also did provide us complementary tiramisu for the long wait. It's loud inside. The Christmas music and decorations were amazing. It's a great space! read more

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What a fantastic restaurant! The food is outstanding, the interior beautiful and staff amazing!! HIGHLY recommend! read more

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From a Chef's point of view... I had the pleasure of dining at Destino's the other day and even meeting Danny Legatos himself. I was very impressed with the ambiance and service. But most of all, I was extremely happy with the dish I ordered. I ordered the grilled octopus. Most of you probably don't know this, but cooking octopus correctly is quite difficult for a lot of cooks and sometimes even chefs. It's a delicate balance of done and overdone in a matter of seconds. This octopus was cooked perfectly and the flavor profile was outstanding. After my first bite, I could only smile with enjoyment as the flavors hit my taste buds and my brain went into LaLa land. I've attached a photo of my actual dish that I had. This was my first time going to Destino's, but it definitely won't be my last. I'm looking forward to bringing friends and other chefs along with me next time. I strongly recommend Destino's if you're looking for true, authentic Italian fine dining. You won't be disappointed. Respectfully, Chef Clay read more

Destino Ristorante - Grilled Octopus - Italian Near Me - Gurnee, Illinois

We have been to Destino many times and have always had an amazing time. Recently, we celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary and we had a blast. The food and drinks were absolutely fantastic, and the service was extraordinary. Our server Saul, manager Blanca, and owner Danny were exceptionally friendly and thoughtful. They went out of their way to make our night special in ways we didn't even expect. 11/10. Destino is a gem! read more

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All of the food is amazing, but the Short Rib Ravioli is not to be missed! Everyone from the bartender,to the wait staff, to the owner who comes around and greets people, make the experience feel friendly and inviting. Highly recommend coming for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. read more

It's like walking in to an enchanted evening....beautifully decorated, romantic decor....candlelight....the menu is limited, and a bit pricey, but worth the price. The steak was cooked just right (medium) with a delicious green sauce. The whitefish was well done and deliciously paired with tomatoes and greens. The lava cake dessert paired well with the gelato and added moisture to the cake consistency. The group meeting rooms are amazing places to host a family or work gathering. The decorations made the evening complete...especially the pink Nutcracker in the women's bathroom! read more

Initially, I was looking for Tina's Italian bakery, and to my dismay, it was closed! However, my disappointment turned into an amusement when I discovered Destinos restaurant by accident. The owner is amazing. The staff very professional, the decor, upscale and beautiful. I go eat in Chicago where there's some of the best food yet this rivals downtown. The soup, the tea, the pasta was delicious - I can't wait to come back and try more! A Special thanks our server Dez and Bri who were amazing and super friendly, and the service was the quickest I've ever seen ! read more

Destino Ristorante - Beautiful wine room! - Italian Near Me - Gurnee, Illinois

I would normally give this place 5 stars because it's one of my favorite dinner spots, but unfortunately our experience today was disappointing. Our server rushed us while ordering, never came back to check on us, brought out our entrées before the appetizers we had ordered to start, and forgot to bring straws for our drinks. To make matters worse, my card was charged three times. I'm hoping this was just an off day, because I've always enjoyed coming here -- but tonight we left with a really negative impression. read more

Atmosphere is 10/10. Love the pictures and the music. Our waiter and all staff were amazing. Polite, helpful and attentive. The food was 10 out of 10. My husband had the vodka rigatoni and loved it. I ordered the branzini light on garlic- it was excellent. I sadly left my take home box at the restaurant. We were celebrating my friends anniversary and everything was perfect. The service, food and atmosphere could not have been better. Highly recommend. We will be back!! read more

This was my third visit at Destino's for dinner. Once again it was outstanding!! We also had a pleasant server which speaks highly of your establishment. Looking forward to the next Delicious dinner at your restaurant. Me being Italian I am always comparing the red sauce to my mother's. She was a fabulous cook and actually your sauce was very much like hers. Thank you! read more

I've had the opportunity to dine inside, dine outside, and spend some time at the bar at Destino since its opening in August 2024. Each time we've been met with fantastic service, amazing food, and strong desire to come back. Recently they opened up an outside dining area which is really well done and provides a great atmosphere. I have to say that the Octopus is one of most amazing appetizers on the menu and competes with any that I've had around the world. The drinks are outstanding and take a little naming flair from their neighbors across the street. This is a great place for a drink and an app, a middle of the week dinner, a special occasion celebration and anything in between. read more

Second time visiting. Had dinner for 4 last night. The ambiance is nice. White linen would help the plates stay in place. Service was good. Asked for butter but didnt get it. Calamari & Sausage & Peppers were very good. Dinners were decent except for the Short Rib Ravioli. I had an odd off taste. I don't recommend it. Desserts were good but not fantastic. Average. Cannoli were very hard and partially frozen. It will be a while before we return if ever. read more

I was here in a group of 7 on the Friday after Thanksgiving for dinner at 5:30 PM. Short version of the below is that they resisted accommodating our specific and previously agreed upon on request for a private room due to a "party of 8 that was reserved for 8:00 PM" even though it was currently 5:30 PM. Finally they allowed us to sit there and the food was way too salty. Service after that was fine. Atmosphere in the room was great. We were still sitting there at 8:10 PM and there was no one behind us.... Background: I had called the restaurant 2 times prior to showing up approximately 2 weeks before in order to specifically reserve one of their private rooms (The Sinatra Room), shown in Photo #5 posted by the restaurant. I talked with their "owner" stating that we were good for this. I had mentioned multiple times that this was an important dinner and therefore prioritized a quiet space that was more private. Upon arrival, getting the table was a mess. - The hostess initially offered me a table in the main dining area that was not at all consistent with our priorities of privacy and quieter atmosphere. Music was loud. The table was right next to the door. Nope. No chance. - Second table offered was in the side area but very dark and directly adjacent to one of their other rooms that had an enormous party of at least 20 or 30 that was very loud. No privacy and certainly not close to our request. - We asked about the Sinatra Room since this was our request and were initially denied due to a reservation at 8:00 PM (it was currently 5:30 PM) - We finally did get to sit there after we said we would leave before the next reservation Food: salty. big portions Service: after that^? good and normal Atmosphere: in the Sinatra room? great. funny decor of Frank Sinatra Don't come unless you want a nice private area that nicely seats 8 and are ready to push/shove/fight for it despite having already previously called and reserved it ahead of time. Almost zero chance I ever come back. read more

We had a wonderful dinner for 12 tonight - the food was impeccable & service (Andy) was stellar! Highly recommend . The holiday vibes are on point! read more

We recently dined at this great Italian restaurant for the first time. The grilled octopus appetizer is to die for along with the wedge salad. Our delicious main courses included rigatoni, chicken parm, linguine scampi and whitefish all of which were stupendous. Our deserts were tiramisu and cheesecake- out of this world! Carey K. is a wonderful, attentive server who took very good care of us. GREAT FOOD! GREAT SERVICE! We will be back. read more

A beautiful setting with excellent attention to detail and flawless service. Open on Mondays at 11am, an excellent option for a business lunch. Drinks were well-crafted, and the seasoning was spot on. read more

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Awesome restaurant, my wife and I drove 30 minutes to eat dinner here and we wish we came here months ago! I would drive 2 hours to come here, it's worth every moment and every food item on their menu. We couldn't decide on what to eat, just so many great choices. The other is, we watch the activity going on, the detail that goes into the restaurant also goes into the food. Everything from adjusting the curtains to polishing the silverware it was all noticed, and that assured us that our meal was given the same attention. You won't be disappointed! We will be back in a couple weeks! read more

Came here with my family to celebrate my dad's birthday. As soon as we were seated, our waiter Brent came over to take our wine order, brought us some sparkling water, limes for the water, and brought a warm loaf of bread. For drink: glass of house rose. It was good! Not too fruity and not too dry. The wine was a pretty color. For appetizer: my family and I shared the calamari. The calamari was breaded nicely. Not oily at all. The marinara sauce had a slight kick. It was good! For entree: I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was one of the specials that night. The ravioli noodles were homemade and had a good amount of butternut squash stuffed in it. The sauce over the noodles was so good. Very light and not sagey. It had a few sage leaves on top of the noodles. For dessert: I had the chocolate Gelato. It was more of a milk chocolate and was very creamy. Not a rich chocolate. Overall, we had a lovely time and our dishes were very good! Brebt did a fantastic job! Just one thing I would note is that some dishes do have a GF listed next to it on the menu. That dish is not automatically gluten free. The GF just denotes that the dish can be made to be gluten free. read more

The food was great and the service was awesome. Came for my son's graduation from the Navy and his 25th birthday. The owner came out and saying happy birthday with us and made it feel very welcoming. Would love to come back if I'm ever out that way. read more

Destino Ristorante - Calamari - Italian Near Me - Gurnee, Illinois

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While Destino's has been open for some time, this was my first opportunity to experience what many have described as one of the area's most talked-about Italian newcomers. From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the thoughtful design--a modern yet warmly inviting space that evokes the spirit of Italian dining with a refined touch. The lighting, textures, and overall ambiance strike a delicate balance: energetic enough to feel lively, but still composed enough to suit fine dining. Our group was seated at a well-appointed table that comfortably accommodated a larger party--always a test of a restaurant's attentiveness and pacing. While it did take a bit longer than ideal for our server to make the initial approach, once engaged, his service throughout the evening was exemplary: personable, attentive, and informed without ever feeling intrusive. The menu offers familiar Italian comfort classics elevated with contemporary flair. My own selection--a special of rigatoni Bolognese paired with a Caesar salad--was my chosen benchmark dish, one I often use to measure the caliber of Italian kitchens. The Caesar was well-executed, crisp and balanced, and the rigatoni arrived with the right richness and heartiness you expect from a Bolognese. Still, it fell just short of the depth and layered flavor found at my favorite local Italian standard-bearer. That said, "very good" remains a fair and accurate description--and suggests that with a bit more refinement, Destino's could easily rise to that next level of culinary excellence. Cocktails and wine service were a strong point--creative, well-balanced, and thoughtfully presented. Around the table, my companions expressed consistent satisfaction with their own selections, from seafood pastas to meat-forward entrées, confirming that the kitchen has a solid foundation and a clear sense of its culinary identity. In sum, Destino's is a stylish and confident addition to the local dining scene. While not yet perfect, it's well on its way to becoming a standout destination for modern Italian dining. I recommend it--and I'll certainly return, eager to explore more of the menu as the restaurant continues to evolve toward the excellence it's clearly capable of achieving. read more

Food is very tasteful and you can tell that it's all made in house... Went back with a few friends after going 2x with a few friends and spoke with the owner.. Asked him if he remembered me from the last time I was there as he tapped my shoulder as he walked past. He said "yes, and that he thought I should bring back his silverware" I didn't know what that meant therefore I just turned my back and continued dining... it bothered me a little bit so I told a friend a few days ago and we googled and chat gpt what that meant, and needlesss to say I will not be going back to this establishment.. Great Food, Just a Bad Ending to what seemed to be an ok night.... Google what that means... read more

Destino Ristorante - Explanation - Italian Near Me - Gurnee, Illinois

Went on the 13th with my mother in law we had an amazing dinner and the service was great our server was really attentive and they had live music it was just perfect. Food was so tasteful and fresh ! read more

Everything was amazing, from the ambiance to the food to the service! Prefect for date nights or even just a night out! My new favorite spot ! read more

I met some girlfriends for lunch and had the most delicious bruschetta, Chicken Marcella, and creme brulee it was fabulous! The restaurant was decorated for the holidays and looked amazing. The waitress was top notch and very attentive. The owner Danny stopped over and visited with us. He told us the wonderful story of how Destinos came to be. They come highly recommended! Thank you! read more

I just got back from Rome and Palermo, Sicily a few months ago so let me start by saying my reviews of Italian food are influenced by that trip. If you follow me you will see my recent review of Coco Pazzo in Chicago and it's tough to top that, but this was a very pleasant surprise! Destino Ristorante occupies what used to be the venerable Chocolate Sanctuary and the layout remains the same (as well as the large parking lot!) The menu is very ambitious and with the plethora of Italian restaurants around it is difficult to compete, but I will tell you, tonight's meal was OUTSTANDING. First off the wine list is excellent, a great selection and affordable. Warm bread service with olive oil and grated cheese SO NICE. We started out with the minestrone soup and beet salad, both the best that I've had in a long time. The beet salad had tomatoes so ripe I wondered if they had grown them onsite. Onto the entrees we are 2/2. First the rigatoni with absolutely perfectly cooked pasta and vodka sauce so delish I scraped my plate. Next the gnocchi which was also lovely and might have even been better. Sausage and mushrooms perfectly accented the dumplings. WOW, incredible flavor! Because the entrees were so damm good I failed to save room for desert but there were several options that looked fun, I can't wait to get back to try them. It's always a good sign when the owner is around to make certain that patrons are having the experience they deserve and I was thrilled to meet owner Danny Legatos and tell him what a great time I was having. Destino's also has a patio which with a little fountain and enclosure. It's as close as you're going to get to Italy in this area, I am not hesitating to give this place the highest rating possible. read more

My new favorite place! Had trouble deciding what to have so I've been back a few times. Everything has been delicious. Good service, welcoming staff and warm authentic Italian environment. Welcome addition to the Gurnee area. read more

Excellent food and very attentive server. The restaurant is beautiful and has the capacity to host special parties or events. Again the food was excellent!!! read more

We have been here are few times and the food and service has always been outstanding. It can be a little on the pricey side but if you are looking for a place for date night or to celebrate a special occasion then this is it. For this night we booked the Chef's Table Experience and it was great. We were seated in the kitchen and could watch as food was being prepped and prepared. The service was great as always and the owner introduced himself to us and told us of how he came to open the restaurant. There is a board in the back with steps on greeting the guest and the last statement on the board is "Destino's guest are family". That is how you are treated and we will continue to celebrate our special occasions here. read more

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Delicious food great service and ambience the staff is amazing Highly recommend will definitely be coming back soon read more

Atmosphere was great, beautifully decorated restaurant. Sat us next to the bar, kitchen and speakers so asked for a different table. Put us in the far back, next to a window with dark curtains on a 92 degree day so it was hot and the table had a 'couch seat' on the wall an with 8" opening to try to scoot into over the arm of the couch. Very expensive food, all 3 of us ordered lasagne, drank water. Meal included only lasagne; no soup, salad or a vegetable. $95 for 3 lasagna's. Lasagna was okay, somewhat dry, very little meat or cheese, but had red sauce; top was very brown and hard (cheese?). Asked about getting a salad, $13-17, so no.. Went home and ate some fruit and vegetables. Service was good. Not too many customers there at 6pm on a Saturday - maybe 8 tables with customers? Probably won't return. P.S. My son works 2nd shift; following morning I woke up to the most wonderful smell of some Italian pasta dish he made last night after work, absolutely the most amazing and delicious smell in my entire house! No food smells whatsoever in this restaurant (huh?). read more