One of the more popular restaurants in the area. Generally good Italian food, though I only gave three stars since the selection and quality seems less than it use to be. It's often crowded and the tables are close: it's not uncommon to run into people you know there. read more

I'd never recommend this place, in good faith, to anyone. I ordered a pasta dish, which was listed under "Pasta," and no pasta came with my "Linguine al Sugo di Gamberi." How does a linguine dish get made with no linguine....that has never happened to me. Would it kill them to give 25 cents worth of pasta and not false advertise like that. The management was also lacking, with regard to customer service there. They used the bus boys as waiters as well, probably to cut costs. I don't like when corners are cut, because it shows and that's not the fault of the bus boys, that's a management decision. There's a fine line with saving money and cutting corners. Also, we had a broccoli cheese soup, which barely had any broccoli in it and their "bowl" size is not what we consider a bowl size....again, cut corners and false advertising. All in all, this place is a rip-off and I don't think anyone likes getting ripped off. I've eaten at places that have much better locations, on prime real-estate, and I've not felt ilke I was ripped off. Like I said, I've never ordered a pasta/linguine dish and not gotten the pasta/linguine. read more

Changed their menu and they brought the wrong order to our son 3 times before telling us that what he wanted was no longer on the menu. Used to love this place, but will not be going back. Why mess with what has made you a success for all these years?? read more

Very good food for the prices. Friendly and attentive wait staff.

Our family loves Francesca's! We enjoy the cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and of course amazing food. We have been going to Francesca's for years; from family gatherings to special events, Francesca's is the place to go. This Christmas Eve we enjoyed a beautiful family dinner together and the staff went above and beyond their usual friendly service. Our server was friendly and cheerful, service was impeccable, and he good was AMAZING. We will be back very soon to celebrate New Year's Eve with many of our closest friends! Way to go! Keep up the good work! read more

This place is fantastic! The ambiance is nice and the food is excellent & very authentic. I had the pizza (which was only around $10) and it was yummy & filling. The service was also decent and most prices are around $20. I would definitely return and recommend it! read more

This is and has been one of our families favorite places. Food is to me always very good, service is usually top notch, and if you don't order wine, very reasonable. One of my favorite places......but, there is a but. The place has crammed so many tables and chairs into the dining area that you are sitting literally with everyone else around you. What was once my favorite place.....and has great food, sadly is no longer. I fully understand the need to turn tables and make money, they however taken away some of the niceness of a nice meal. Move some tables out and we will be back. read more

Always a great place. I was fortunate enough to have Christmas dinner here with friends. It was lap last minted decision and the staff was very accommodating. I had a chicken dish that was superb with a side a roasted potatoes. My husband ate a vegetable pasta dish and was highly pleased. I've been to several Francesca and have always been pleased with the food. Thank you for a lovely Christmas dinner Francesca's . read more

You never get a bad meal at Francesca's - you just never know what you're going to get. The menu changes frequently (daily?) so if you loved that lobster ravioli you had a few weeks ago, don't come back here expecting to see it again (are you reading this, Francesca's? please put the lobster ravioli back on the menu!). But I've honestly loved or really liked every dish I've ever had here - the portions are huge, the ingredients are fresh, and the dishes are creative. Good service, somewhat pricey wine selection, great desserts. The atmosphere is okay (nicely decorated/modern, but very loud) and there's usually not too long of a wait. I just wish I knew what I was getting before I got there!! read more

My fiance takes me here once in a while on date nights and sometimes when we have something to celebrate. Their menu seems to be constantly changing, so if you only go once a season or maybe twice a year (more of our pace), you will have an almost completely different selection of food to choose from. I really like that because it give me opportunity to try new things. They have a very nice wine selection as well. They serve you fresh hot bread and butter, but they have pepper and olive oil at the tables so you can dip your bread if you'd prefer (That's how I do it). I have only ordered one thing from here that I didn't like, and it was my own fault for not looking at what was in the meal I ordered. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. It's a little on the pricier side. Although you CAN wear whatever you want pretty much to this restaurant, I would suggest dress casual/no jeans/no gymshoes. It's a nicer place and it really is a cute atmosphere. We've also been to the Francesca's in Chicago and it is equally as good. read more

Go here at least 4-5 times a year, always phenomenol food. Classic and newer italian dishes, great wine selection.

Was not impressed. Calamari was good, but my Caesar salad was sweet and the rigatoni wasn't great. Would not return. I prefer the downtown Naperville location by far. read more

We went here for New Years and had the best time. Bar tender was a blast. Servers were so sweet and food was phenomenal! I've been here several times and it's always a great experience. read more

I was thrust into co hosting a wedding shower just before the Maid is Honor (who was in charge of the event) gave birth to a sweet little girl at 24 weeks!!! I called Gabi at Francesca's by the River and she took such good care of us and made the event an AAA+++. We sat down and she helped me thru choosing the menu and timing of the day. Michelle was our server and she couldn't have been more professional and sweet to everyone. My Son and his Fiancé came in from out of town for the shower and had such a wonderful time. Book your next event with Gabi and she will make sure all the details are taken care of!! The staff and food at Francesca's by the River are top notch!! I wouldn't think of booking an event anywhere else! read more

I have lived in St. Charles for 19 yrs and had never been to this great restaurant. We went on Valentines weekend and although the retaurant was packed and we had had no reservation, we were treated very kindly and were given a table. The food was outstanding and the service was great. I had a shrimp and scallops entree that was wonderful. The creme brulee was the best I have ever had!!! So happy to know that this retaurant is at our doorsteps. Great job!!! read more

I've been going to this restaurant for many many years and, yes they can have their bad days but the service is consistently great and the food has never been anything less than fantastic. I would recommend this for anyone on any occasion. read more

This place is a bit expensive, but the food is AMAZING. I know several people who meet here for business meetings, and it's a great place to take out-of-town friends. The only downside is during the hot summer months, sometimes the odor from the Fox River is smelly. read more

We have eaten here many times, and usually get good service and good food. The staff can be a bit inexperienced, and the wait can be long, but the food was good. read more

My husband and I picked Francesca's by the River for our rehearsal dinner before our wedding! What a fantastic idea!! My parents now live in the St. Charles area and we have been to Francesca's a few times for dinner (always a good experience - food and service). When my husband and my now in-laws asked for rehearsal dinner recommendations, this was at the top of our list. They reserved the back room with the fireplace and the food, space and service were all great! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to host a private event! read more

Went this past Saturday night. They were ridiculously understaffed. Everything took forever, and some things just didn't happen: water refills, removal of empty glasses, hot food-for heaven's sake, these are just basic. My tilapia was inedible. It had obviously been sitting the window while they broiled my husband's steak (which he did enjoy). The table next to us (and the table next to them) also had complaints about the food and service. The manager did remove my uneaten entrée and a salad from the bill, but I would have been so much happier if he apologized instead of offering excuses. I will not return. read more

After moving to St. Charles from Chicago I was nervous about having a go to place for dinning and a drink...So I was relived to find out that they have a Francesca's there. The bartenders Luis and Erin were incredible and I was elated that they were outgoing and very informative about the menu and wine list...I honestly thought I was going to loose a huge portion of customer service from dinnning in the burbs compared to the city, but they exceeded the expectations and have made it the place to go for a great night out or take home experience.. read more

Love this place! Mussels are great, fish dishes are delicious and the tirimisu is perfect. Service is stellar. If you are looking for great food all around, this is the place, however, if you are looking for a quiet atmosphere, forget it. It's often super busy and noisy. Tables are close together but luckily no one will be able to hear your conversation above the din. To me, it's a energetic delight, but not for people who don't like a crowd unless you want to eat at 5 pm on a weeknight. All in all, it's a five star place for me! read more

My husband & I have been frequenting Francesca's by the River since we moved into the Fox River Valley a few years ago. The food is great & the service is good. Many times on Saturday afternoon we can be seated, served & out the door in less than an hour, which is great for the times you are in a hurray. I can honestly say that I've never had anything there that I did not enjoy. Many times even without a reservation, you can expect to be seated without a long wait. Overall a very good place. read more

I've been fortunate enough to dine at wonderful restaurants in the States and Europe. My husband and i have often commented that you can't get much better food anywhere. Love it. Try the whitefish, with spinach and mushrooms! read more

Best Italian restaurant in St. Charles. The tables are probably too crowded, but it is way better than za za's tratoria.

I have dined at this location for many years and most of the time it's been a great experience. We dined here this past weekend and had a fabulous experience-the food was excellent and our server was on the best that we have had! We dine out quite often and I feel that there are many factors that go into a great experience-food (obviously), ambience and the server! Brian our server made our experience one of the best-he was very attentive, helpful, patient and quick! As I stated above, I have dined here many times but this time was especially great because of Brian! read more

Been to other Francesca locations, first time at this one, loved it, great atmosphere, food was outstanding, excellent service, you won't be disappointed with anything on the menu. read more

After dining throughout the Geneva and St. Charles areas, Francesca's by the River is still on the list as one of my favorite places for authentic Italian fare. The pasta Bolognese is absolutely the best, and I wish they had it permanently listed on the menu. The service is also impeccable. While it can get a little loud on occasion, I would still select to go here any time of the week for dinner. read more

My wife and I go here for almost every special occasion, b-days, valentines day, and anniversaries. I generally try something different every time I come here needless to day we have never had a meal here that we didnt enjoy. Highly Recommend! read more

Delicious food, great service, wonderful wine. DH and I went to celebrate our 48th anniversary. Had stuffed zucchini blossom appetizer, one whitefish dinner and one halibut dinner. Whitefish was in a creamy sauce over sautéed spinach. Halibut was sautéed with cherry tomatoes and yummy croutons. Staff surprised us with some sparkling wine and a cream puff. We will definitely be back!! read more

I came here a couple nights ago, Friday. We had a reservation and as soon as we walked in we were seated. It doesn't take long to realize that this restaurant goes above and beyond all expectations. I was honestly so impressed with everything. Not only is the food top notch, but the service goes above and beyond. From the moment I sat down I noticed how full the restaurant was and that does not impede the service at all. It's this full because they are very clearly doing it right. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. I believe we had Victoria. The food comes out so quick, and for the quality of the food, I think that is what struck me the most. They are delivering, fresh, tasteful food in record time. For an appetizer, we started with the Bruschette alla Romana. We both agreed it was the best bruschetta we've ever had. Simple, classic, done right. Our water glasses never got below half full because someone was always coming around to fill them up. There are many bussers and they bus the table throughout the meal, so you're never left with a bunch of plates youre trying to push off to the side. I also ordered a drink, the mojito smash. It was brought to the table in a timely fashion and mixed perfectly. They have amazing bread brought to the table before the appetizer. It was warm every time, and you get to dip it in oil and pepper if you'd like. For our entrees, I had the Fettuccine al Funghetto and he had the Ravioli con Carciofi. We swapped plates at one point to try each other's dish and agreed that both entrees were delicious. I was under the impression that the restaurant was very expensive, when in fact it's quite affordable. Nothing seemed over priced and the service is worth every penny. I wish I had the restraint to eat less of the bread brought to the table because unfortunately I did not have room for dessert, but the dessert menu looked to die for. Overall, I had an amazing time celebrating my birthday here. It does not disappoint. read more

Up until last evening I would have told most people people that Francesca's was one of the top 3 resturants in St. Charles. Much to my surprise the two meals we recieved last night were both un-inspiring and flavorless. The shrimp in a lobster cream sauce was bland and lacked both shimp (only 4) and originallity. The Veal tips with wild mushrooms, Penn Pasta and tomato sauce, a house specialty, was under-seasoned, and seemed to use leftover veal bits (not tips) that were overcooked. For diners looking to over spend for mediocre hospital cafeteria food, Francesca's might disappoint them. What happened to the head chef I don't know, but please leave the specialties to him and the bus boys to the tables. read more

Nice place good food good service..I ate here since 1999 food still same quility. love this place.

Really good pasta. Everything was hot and tasty. The service wasn't bad, but could have been a little more attentive.

Had dinner here with my husband on Saturday and it was fantastic! Service started a bit slow but the food was wine was outstanding! We will be back! read more

We have a delightful Christmas Dinner ever at this restaurant with our family that coming from out of town. Great food and friendly service

Francesca's is a confusing place; the older hostess didnt't seem too thrilled to do her job behind her desk, a lot of workers, seems like they really want you to eat fast and get the table ready for the next customer (ye olde "bum's rush"), food was pretty good, mixed drinks are over priced by 2 bucks per drink. Asparagus was a little larger sized than tooth picks. Should be a better experience for a couple going out at the end of the week to enjoy an evening. The old customers probably enjoy it, but I am not sure new customers will find this place to be a restaurant they want to return to. read more

Positives Good and prompt service Food quality is good Food selection is ok- enough to suit different tastes Decent ambience considering the limited space Free parking after 5 PM Negatives Overpriced for the portions served If you are a vegetarian God help you--just two menu choices and from my experience, they do not know how to make vegetarian recipes Limited supply of non-alcoholic drinks--they did not have an array of sodas or lemonade--when i asked for sweet lemonade the waitress appeared shocked for a few seconds as if she has never heard about it Parking can be a big problem before 5 PM On holidays can be congested due to the small space For such a high priced high end restaurant, the waiters and waitresses are not properly trained from my experience--their body language and manner of talking sounded rude to some of my friends One waitress had no knowledge of the menu-- proclaimed a particular dish was not on the menu while it was right there in front of our eyes-later retracted statement and served the same dish I can think of ten restaurants with relatively better food and service at this price point read more

Okay.... We just moved out here, and I'm trying hard not to be too snobby, but this place is exceedingly average. First of all, the name itself is misleading: it is by the Fox river, yes, but is actually several blocks away. So much for the view. The layout is poorly arranged, and guests are basically packed in like sardines. Sitting elbow to elbow with other diners wasn't a fun experience. In the interests of promoting "ambience," the lighting was quite dim--but without any candles, it made it hard to read the menu. It was just awkward rather than creating any sort of atmosphere. I've been to a couple of the Francesca's in the city, and am actually a fan: the chain makes decently priced, tasty comfort food. I had the orechiette (sp?) with spiced sausage, which when prepared well, is a great italian dish. Mine, however, was ruined by a watery sauce and sausage that was sliced in massive chunks. I thought i needed some crackers for it, it was that amateurishly cut. My girlfriend ordered rigatoni with peas, which was far better than my dish, but again disappointing, with undercooked noodles and large sausage chunks galor. We didn't bother to stay for dessert, and I don't think we will bother coming back. read more

Had the best time! Was here with my family on Christmas...wow, they were crowded. The staff at the door were friendly and we were sat right away. Our server was awesome! He mentioned that in the past 24 hours their reservations had more then doubled...and although they were packed he was happy to be there. ON CHRISTMAS! Food was delicious...I had the Pasta Aragosta (Fettuccine with Lobster...delicious). Three others had the Pollo Arrosto...recommended by the server...also fantastic...and my son had the veal medallions...cooked perfectly and delicious. Dessert was also a hit, I totally recommend the tiramisu...and the pecan pie. At no point did we feel rushed...it seemed like everyone around us was having a good time. As we left, the hosts at the door remembered my name and asked what we were doing for new year's eve. Although I can't be there, I thought it was really nice to be invited back. Clearly, this is why the restaurant is always busy and has been around for all these years. Just wanted to say that we appreciate the staff for working on Christmas. read more