Caffe De Luca

I hosted my baby shower here over the weekend and it was an amazing experience! We received so many compliments on the food and mocktails that were served. Everything was absolutely delicious. The customer service was out of this world, they were all so helpful and nice. Not to mention, the venue is gorgeous!! If you are planning an event, I highly recommend that you host it here!

I visited for lunch and can’t wait to bring my husband next time. I had the chicken sandwich with giardiniera, which was packed with incredible flavor—absolutely delicious. The service was prompt, and the casual atmosphere made for an enjoyable experience.

Great location, great decor, good service, shame about the food I ordered. Dry chicken, tasteless calamari, a carbonara absolutely drowning in cheese sauce. That’s $90 for 2 people. Yikes. For a first time patron, it wasn’t what I was expecting.

i dont get the hype about this place. The hostess wasn’t nice about outdoor sitting, we didn’t feel welcome at all. the server was nice but that was the only positive thing about this place. grilled calamari 3/5, the dressing was good but the calamari was bland. not phenomenal like the other reviews said it was. chicken marsala 2/5 chicken was dry, the sauce was one note, not creamy. verona pizza 2/5 another one note, cheesy and sweet but not in any interesting way. wont return and not recommend.

Caffe De Luca was a bright ending to a rough day. The food was absolutely delicious and the drinks were tasty. Service was spectacular! It's a super cute restaurant that I would definitely visit again if in the area!

The food is delicious…Scallops and Shrimp dish perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. Tortellini dish tender and savory. Verona pizza perfect balance between figs and bacon. This restaurant is definitely one to try.

Amazing food! Amazing service! Pretty restaurant. I got the pork chop with roasted potatoes and my girlfriend got the beef carpaccio. The minestrone soup out of the this world 🤌🤌🤌 forgettabout it but in a good way!!!! Top Italian restaurant in Chicago . The included white bean hummus dip and chips are fire 🔥

Nice little Italian spot in Forest Park. Quality Food...good vibes. My wife chose this place...glad she did...it was 🔥🔥🔥. For the appetizer we had the Crab Cakes. For the entree I had the Steak Panini and the Tropical Coconut Cocktail. My wife got the Rigatoni...and she said it was really good and flavorful..and perfect for a lunch portion. Well there you have it ...hit em up. 😁

Cafe De Luca is a very solid restaurant in Forest Park. I have been with family many times here and enjoy the breakfast burritos and omelets the most. The staff are friendly and the service is good.

Went there tonight for dinner had Caesar salad and added steak and the steak was like crappy taco meat very fatty

My brother invited me to lunch at Caffe De Luca. I live within walking distance from the restaurant. When I drive pass the outside patio is always packed with people sitting out enjoying drinks and food. So, I was excited to see what the hype was about this place. I read a few reviews and impressed with the reviews. It was a nice afternoon, so we sat outside to dine. The service was exceptional and our server was attentive and kind. I wasn't impress with the food here at Caffe De Luca. I love Italian Food but the food here wasn't what I expected. Just basic food with no season or reason. I was very disappointed. Great Service, welcoming atmosphere, the drinks were good but the food needs improving especially for the prices on the menu.

Came in for dinner on a Thursday to try a new place. We were quickly seated, and the food didn't take too long to arrive after we ordered. Interior has a rustic feel to it, and it fits the food pretty well. Other than the complimentary dip and bread, I got to try three dishes. My main dish was the chicken parmesan. The chicken was cooked well with a satisfying texture. It came with a side of broccoli and rigatoni in red sauce. I feel like the sauce for the chicken parm and rigatoni was a little on the weak side. It was very tomato forward, which isn't a bad thing. However, it just felt a tad lacking in overall flavor. The lamb dish also had a neutral flavor despite being covered in a glaze. The dish mostly relied on the flavor of the lamb, and that included the side of potatoes as well. The mushroom risotto was probably the best dish flavorwise. It had great texture and had the right amount of cheese flavor. The vegetables on each dish were all cooked very well, which was surprising for some reason. I will come back to try some of the other dishes. Perhaps I'll find a bit more of the wow factor I was hoping for in the other dishes. There was nothing that turned me off from this establishment, and I recommend giving it a try.

I can't believe I hadn't been here for anything but a party prior to my most recent visit! Years ago, I was here for a party in the party space. The food was excellent and service was perfect. Then, recently, I visited for brunch with a hard to please family member. And it was perfect! Great breakfast/brunch options for anyone - from basic eggs to fancier dishes. Service was friendly and quick - no waiting for coffee!! I though the food was fresh and delicious and rather simple - in a good way - it wasn't over the top in terms of flavor or anything. Just solid, delicious and nicely sized portions. The space is extremely homey and relaxing. Would be great for a family meal, date night or anything in between. Prices were reasonable.

I've been here twice and each time the martinis and bread and delicious white bean dip were amazing!!!! My husband tried the veal piccata and loved it! I tried the linguini fra diavolo- sauce flavor and mussels were on point! But the overcooked squid and shrimp and gritty bits and broken shells made it very hard to eat around and fully enjoy. We finished off with an incredible toffee cake that I would literally come back for! Staff is great and friendly and ambience is inviting, cozy, neighborhoody (in the best way) and welcoming all around!

I had Caffe de Luca bookmarked for the longest time and was excited to stop by on a weekday with friends. It wasn't too busy around 6pm and we were seated immediately. The restaurant has warm, rustic decorations. The service was a bit slow, but staff were friendly. They served complimentary bread with oil and beans, which was an interesting combination. For entrees, we ordered the lamb oso bucco, mushroom risotto, and chicken parmesan. The serving size for each entree was great; however, the flavors were mid. For the price of the entrees, I had higher expectations. We left full, but disappointed. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great or flavorful. I'm glad I had the chance to try Caffe de Luca, but don't see myself returning.

I bookmarked this place recently, and I've kept them in my mind closely for a while now. I was out alone and bored, so I stopped by for drinks and food and to soak up a little ambiance. I sat outside to enjoy the breeze and views of Forest Park. The staff were all very friendly. The restaurant was pretty busy, too. I ordered the ribeye med rare. I wanted mashed potatoes instead of the potatoes that come with it, but they charged me $6 to add it and kept the potatoe squares it comes with. It was fine, but I didn't eat those. The asparagus could've been softer, and the food could've had a little more seasoning. My steak was more medium than anything, too, but it wasn't bad in their gravy its served with. They only loss a star due to the lack of seasoning. My bellini was BOMB!!!! I will definitely be going back.

Simply put, the best experience in dining of had in a very long time. The food, exquisite. The red sauces were crafted beautifully. The tuna, the veal, the scallops and the braciolo, out of this world. The best service I've ever had in what appears to be a brautiful scene in a Venician restaurant. I make it here ever 2-3 years and just had to tell you.

I would give this restaurant 3 stars at best. It doesn't seem like the chef knows how to prepare Italian food. Our bread came with hummus, which definitely threw us off. The pasta sauce was filled with cream, very salty and the pasta itself was doughy. Sadly, we won't be returning.

We stopped in for lunch and were attended immediately. My husband had the minestrone and I asked for the soup of the day, which happened to be squash soup. I had never tried squash soup and it was delicious! I would go back just for the soup. My husband had the black bean burger and I had the Italian grilled cheese. Both sandwiches were tasty and both came with their homemade potato chips! The service was excellent, the ambiance was good and the food was delicious! Going back for sure!!

I've been going to Caffe De Luca since I moved to Forest Park in 2017. Last fall I adopted a young dog, and have taken her with me several times this spring/summer to have a meal seated at their sidewalk tables. Last week, I was told I could not have my dog outside on the sidewalk area with me! Really??? The excuse the 'manager' gave was their insurance did not cover them for it. Really??? Outside??? Does their policy really say that? I decided to do my own poll of other restaurants on Madison nearby that had seating outside, and every one except for 2 said "sure you can!". The two that said no, had a roof/cover over their area and it was more enclosed so I get that. If you want to eat outside on Madison in this area, you can go to Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant, Fiore Pizzeria, Scratch Public House, Chirrion Mexican Grill, Jimmy's Place, Shanahan's, or Casa Humilde Cerveceria & Cocina. Or just walk to downdown Oak Park and there are tons more places to choose from including Amerikas and Rustico. I have eaten at both places outside with my dog and will be polling more places in Oak Park soon!

Fabulous food, service and atmosphere. They never rush and the dip and bread as a starter is so delicious!

It's our go-to to break up the week at a place we know we'll have a good meal. The bread and hummus are a nice treat before the assortment of martinis or wine to consider. Appetizers usually start out with their calamari and whatever else we fancy for the evening. Whether it's their house salad with chicken or one of their chicken or pasta dishes, we are never disappointed. We favor Omar and any other staff there to make the visit pleasant. Enjoy!

The food was amazing. I had one of my favorite meals that, for me, is hard to find, Osso Bucco. It was perfect, tender and tasty. My husband had the rib eye wonderful. Would highly recommend. Oh, I almost forgot the service was great.

Delicious food! Great service and super friendly people. Ordered appetizers, main course and dessert. Highly recommend

Cute lil Italian place. They have a nice open rooftop for great summer weather. Servers are very attentive with a side of humor. Makes eating here a lovely experience.

My brother and I hosted a luncheon in July 2024 for our parents' 40th anniversary at Caffe De Luca. We reserved the upstairs space, which includes access to the spacious patio, a big bar, and private bathrooms. The food and service (two bartenders were on hand the whole time) were excellent, the space is superb, and everyone had a wonderful time. And Jacinto was wonderful for answering all our questions and being a great communicator leading up to the party. We highly recommend Caffe De Luca for a party (upstairs can accommodate up to 50) or just for a dinner.

Nice Italian restaurant in Forest Park. Reasonable prices and good food. Definitely recommend it.

Just walking in the door is a pleasure! Everyone is so cool, always get seated right away! Had the mussels and beef carpaccio as appetizers, amazing. Had the shrimp and scallops main dish but added linguini, which really makes that dish even better than it already was! The place is so well decorated relaxing and the staff is second to none. We will be back!

Dependably consistent quality of food and service, in a charming space. The lasagne is terrific.

Frankly, I don't even know where to begin, but this is definitely one of the best meals I've had in a long time! Everything from start to finish, was absolutely delectable, well seasoned, and the perfect temperature! We all started out with the soup. Our options were either minestrone or chicken and I'm a soup girl but I don't really like either of those options. However, I decided to go with the chicken and I would have been sick if I didn't! It was so flavorful, as if the broth had been cooking overnight. There were huge chunks of chicken and soup, which is always a shocker, considering some places love to give you essence of chicken instead of actual chicken pieces. The vegetables were cooked just enough to melt in your mouth but you could still clearly see them in the soup. It was just one of the best soups I've ever had at a restaurant and if I could have, I would take the entire pot home. The goat cheese salad was a really great salad option and definitely a big enough size to enjoy for your meal along with an additional side. The main attraction for me, though was the ribeye. I usually never order steaks at restaurants because I'm not a big steak eater and because of the cost. However, I did not regret for one moment bowing into peer pressure and ordering this. I've had expensive steaks before and this taste better than many of them. At a price point of $38 for the meal it is definitely a great value. I usually get my steaks well done but no one at the table was having that and they ordered it medium well for me. It was absolutely fantastic! Although I am not a fan of any pink in my steak, I didn't even look at the steak long enough to realize it was pink because I basically inhaled it. It was so tender, juicy and flavorful. I got it Vesuvio style and that juice along with the potatoes and the perfectly cooked asparagus was *chefs kiss*. I tried a little bit of the baked rigatoni with meatballs, and I found myself slithering my fork until that bowl more times than I would have wanted to. It was a very tasty and not extremely acidic tomato sauce, and the flavor of the meatballs was really nice and they weren't dry. The garlic spinach was also very tasty and definitely a good alternative if you don't like asparagus. I'm usually too full After dinner to get dessert but we were on a roll tonight with the flavor of everything so I just had to try some thing. I tried the brownie in a bowl and even though I don't usually order brownies, I really enjoyed this brownie and the deep chocolate flavors. The star here for me, though was the tiramisu, I was deciding between that and the apple tart and my friends reminded me that I don't really like apple pie that much. Even with that being the case, based on how good the food was I fully expect to love the Apple Tart. I decided to go with the Tiramisu though because I really wanted to see if they would do it justice...and they did. It was so airy, all the flavors were well balanced and light and it the literal perfect way to end a great meal. The mango gelato was a great palate cleanser and tasted so fresh! Overall this was definitely a 10/10 meal. Everything was amazing. If you're interested in good drinks, the drinks here are also great and not watered down, so they would be the perfect compliment to your meal! The staff here is nice and extremely helpful. Our server Philly really helped me as the indecisive person I am, make decisions on what to order and he was super knowledgeable about the menu. During the summer there's outdoor seating but right now it's all indoor and it's still plenty of room. There's also a cute rooftop upstairs and indoor upstairs seating in case you want to host a private event! If you're in the area and you need a nice place to eat lunch or dinner, make sure you swing by Caffe de Luca!

Rustic & "cool looking" eatery. Nice selection of wines. Love the calamari appetizers & unique pastas. Ossa bucco to die for. The dessert sampler is made to share. Kathy has had our girls baby and wedding showers upstairs.

Elegant , friendly, good always such a great experience, new dishes seasonal perfect! Cocktails are always on point French 77

My son brought us to dinner at Caffe DeLuca. This was my 1st time eating here. My son lives in Forest Park and goes to this restaurant frequently. I enjoyed our dining experience very much. I started out with a delicious martini. They have good cocktails as well as wine list. We received a complimentary bean & olive oil spread with our bread service. So good...and nice! I had the pear & goat cheese salad and gnocchi with tomato cream sauce. The gnocchi were soft and delicious and the cream sauce not heavy. My husband had the braciola and was expecting the traditional rolled version. It was tasty, though. I enjoyed our dining experience and I'm sure we'll be back.

Came here for a late lunch with my son and his girlfriend by accident. The place we planned to meet for lunch was closed. We just beat the rush and was able to get a table near the window. Portions were huge and the food was good. Staff was friendly. Pricing was comparable to Maggiano's. I would love to comeback in the summertime when the dining room's convertible windows are open

A classic date night spot. Great drinks but even better food. The gnocci is phenomenal and always outstanding pizza options. The upstairs area is beautiful as well! Love it in the summer because they open the windows up and get to enjoy the outside.

The best in Forest Park and Oak Park area. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere.

Excellent!! Cant say enough about this place. Staff is amazing. Food and drinks are always good. They always make you feel right at home. Nice chill atmosphere. Have not had an item on the menu that I didn't enjoy.

Really good costumer service, fresh food and beautiful people. Definitely recommend it.

Awesome Italian food. Fresh salads. Delicious desserts All set in a cozy atmosphere with great service

I had been going there faithfully for a few years and never had a problem. The last time I went everything was fine,going how our normal visits usually would go. But all of a sudden the waiter came a took our drinks and plates and told us we had to leave. Just threw the bill on the table and walked off. When we asked for a manager, the one bartender who we always had a good report with came up and said we had to leave or he would call the police. Huhn? When we got up, they cleared our table and pushed it together with two other tables to accommodate another party. I was done. I have never been so embarrassed and that mad in my life. I tried calling to speak to a manager the next day and got hung up on. With that I made up my mind to not spend my money where I'm disrespected.

It's always great to come here and have some food and a couple of drinks. I enjoy coming here all the time. Este lugar tiene un buen ambiente. La comida sabe estupenda también recomiendo las bebidas. El personal es muy atento y siempre me place venir con mi pareja y yo

I really want to like this restaurant. But it's just average. Living in the area for 10 years we have only been here 3 times. Every time the food and service was unremarkable. What did I order? No idea. The decor and environment are great. But the looks and vibe aren't enough to carry it.

Covid June patio brunch is amazing here! Chicago places wouldn't be any better. Service and food as well as reasonable safety concerns all covered. The grilled calamari is very fresh and tender; it comes dressed with arugula and tomatoes and so serves as a delicious appetizer and salad, but they give us lots so we added it to ... The broccoli linguini which was lovely fresh with a perfect clam liquor base and tender fresh pasta. This ain't olive garden folks! The peroni on tap reminds me of rome. Pancakes for baby would have been fine for an adult actually! The pizza was fantastic napoli style but just a bit thicker dough than true italian style. Service was awesome!

Caffe De Luca is ok, nothing crazy but solid choice. Pros: -Menu variety, -$6 mimosa special at brunch -Food is generally worth what you pay -Good enough food - not spectacular, but better than a diner or a greasy spoon spot -Outdoor seating Cons: -Gnats flying around my face relentlessly when I was eating.....disgusting -Very outdated interior -Not the cleanest My last visit was 9/24/22 for brunch.

Went for lunch and enjoyed it thoroughly. Drinks food and desert arrived on time and tasted great. Going back tomorrow to try dinner.

Terrible food and service. Saw a cockroach when we were eating. Pizza was flavorless. Way too much cheese. Had to remove cheese to make it halfway decent . Pasta with meatballs also flavorless. Again so much cheese. Cheese was probably trying to cover up the terrible food. Finally a COCKROACH was on the bench when we were eating. We told the wait staff and he said "oh shit!" And killed it. No apologies and no comps to the bill. Would never go back.

Best place for fresh seafood in the area. Great service and wine selection. Always have great specials on the menu.

This is my go to place for dining with guest because it's reasonably priced with outstanding food portions.

Doesnt look like much/easy to miss storefront on this ever crowded OP/FP strip of Madison Ave, but worth finding, even though the Sunday brunch menu seemed pared down a bit. Not an elaborate menu the day we went but the items offered seemed to all be well-executed and flavorful. We loved the polenta-crusted calamari and the meatball pizza special offered that day. Also tasted the risotto which was rich and creamy but somehow not terribly heavy, and was told the salad was "perfect". Quaint place (altho perhaps a bit cramped at our table near the front door) with lots of kitschy Italian home decor. Friendly competent service. Thumbs up from all diners in our party.

Food is like Grandma made. Service is good and very pleasant and attentive. The place is not fancy but it clean and almost like being at family's house.

I had my baby shower here and the food and the service was excellent! The venue is also very beautiful! The manager, Jacinto was beyond helpful! Especially since we live out of town but my family and my husband's family live in Chicago. We loved the place so much that we are also doing our baptism celebration here too, we can't wait! I highly recommend this place, again not only for private parties but the food and service was amazing!

We had a private event on the top floor and it was fantastic! The service, atmosphere, and food were perfect. I highly recommend any shrimp dish. It's cooked perfectly with just the right amount of seasoning. The calamari and pasta dishes are also FRESH and well prepared. We had lunch there the next day. There was a steak sub, a meatball sandwich, and a turkey club. Everyone loved them! Casual "mom and pop" dining that's raised to a higher end. Thank me later.

Great place for date night Great martinis Great service Great /fresh salads and entrees

Poor quality food. I ordered the huevos rancheros for brunch. What came seemed to be straight from Aldi cans + some oily potatoes. Nothing green or fresh there. My partner had pancakes which were meh, but came with a really low quality maple. Will not return.

Love the outdoor seating here for COVID times. Martinis and wine are very good. Love the minestrone soup. There is usually not a wait and you can walk up and get a table at any time.

I married a guy from Forest Park 3 years ago. One thing that made me fall in love was his taste for restaurants. One of our first dates was at Caffe DeLuca and it was magical! We sat upstairs on the balcony on a warm summer night sipping perfectly crafted Martinis. The ambience was like that of a cafe in Paris or Venice. The friendliest and most accommodating staff made us feel like family. I could not have been happier. But then came the food! I was overwhelmed! I ordered the sea bass special and It was divine. The DeLuca salad was unique and very tasty as well. My husband ordered the shrimp and scallop pasta special which was spectacular. We also celebrated my 70th birthday there and everyone was well fed and happy. Laughter and joy was in abundance. The room quieted when the food came as everyone took that delectable food quite seriously. I love this place!! A special shout-out to Miguel, Jacinto, Talia, Omar, and Antonio. Beautiful people, every one of them. A gem of a restaurant. Go. Enjoy!

My friend and I had dinner at De Lucas's Wednesday night after spending a day downtown with a play and Christmas festivities. I have been to De Lucas's in the past, but its been a few years. To start of the dining room is warm, and inviting. Out dinner was good, but not exceptional, compared to the many other Italian restaurants I frequent. Our Server was great, very professional. But to be honest with you being an ex fine dining server myself at the Chicago Hilton, Our server I thought was being very overly attentive, and made us feel rushed. Every time I turned around he and another server were at our table asking how everything was. My friend had a martini, and maybe had two sips out of the glass, and the server asked him he wanted another. We enjoyed our dinners, Except I thought the portions were not very generous for the price. Most Italian restaurants I frequent offer you a choice of soup or salad included in the dinner. Like Jimmy's place, down the street, his prices are not only reasonable. The portions are very generous, and he has an extensive Italian menu, with daily specials