Food is a huge part of everyday life — not only for the obvious fact that it provides sustenance, but it's also a way to express culture and learn about new flavors and traditions. Fortunately, the food in Illinois is pretty amazing — my town alone has everything from Czech cuisine to wood-fired pizza to succulent sushi. And while Illinoisans have varied tastes, I think we can all agree on one thing our state does extremely well: pizza. And if that's your jam, then the best new restaurant in Geneva, Illinois is definitely a place you'll want to check out.
Ella's Italian Pub, 407 S. 3rd St., opened in May 2023 right downtown in the charming suburb of Geneva. Located on a historic street and surrounded by lush, tall trees — plus a Chicago-bound Metra stop — Ella's Italian Pub has quickly embedded itself in the idyllic community.
Inside, its dining room is warm, simple, and elegant with small touches of luxury throughout. It's a great place for a date night, a friend gathering, or a meal with the family.
The restaurant specializes in Roman-style pizzas and has become known for its unique dough-making process. At Ella's Italian Pub, dough is made over three days before being finished with a double-bake method that results in an exceptionally fluffy, yet crispy, crust, perfect for a pizza.
The Roman-style pan pizzas come in an 8-inch by 12-inch pan with at least 13 signature options — including Wild Mushroom + Truffle, Prosciutto + Arugula + Burrata, Charred Pepperoni, and Ella's House Pie, which combines garlic, herbs, and olive oil with a house cheese blend, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, zucchini, mint, hot honey, and lemon oil.
I'll have one of each, plus I'll need to taste test the Bacon, Chip + Truffle pizza.
Customers also rave about the diner's salad offerings. As a salad lover, I always appreciate a lighter option that's still packed with protein and flavor. The Salmon Quinoa salad, pictured here, has a base of greens with basil, mint, mango, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, quinoa, and a lemon basil vinaigrette.
Ella's Italian Pub has a dinner menu, lunch menu, limited lunch pizza specials, a weekday happy hour from 3-6 p.m., a late-night happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays, and family meals to-go. They're also a game-day watching destination, which pairs great with the restaurant's substantial bar snacks, pizzas, and bigger plates, like pasta and beef short rib.
If various combinations of bread, cheese, sauces, and spreads are your thing, you'll love the bar snacks here. From whipped feta and focaccia bread, to hummus and veggies, to onion dip and house chips, to delicious meatball sliders, there's more than enough here to keep you satisfied.
Of course, don't forget a delicious drink! Flowing with wine, beer, and cocktails (including non-alcoholic options), there's something here for every palette.
Start planning your trip to the best new restaurant in Geneva, Illinois by checking out the Ella's Italian Pub website and Facebook page. By the way, did you know Geneva is one of the most charming small towns in Northern Illinois? It has incredible nature preserves, beautiful farms and gardens, is beautiful at Christmas, and a one-of-a-kind antique mall. Why not make it a fun weekend getaway? The stunning, top-rated Herrington Inn & Spa sits along the Fox River and is centrally located for a gorgeous and convenient stay.
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