Cafe Paradiso

A+ for change of scenery, (much needed!!) an A for cozy atmosphere (next time, want a window seat or the one right next to the fireplace!!) quick, friendly, and knowledgeable service, and a B+ for food and drink options. Our choices? Closer to C+, but that’s our own darn fault…
There is plenty to discover «off the beaten path» here in Urbana, and a SUPER deal on
was just the ticket to get us out of hibernation and try something new! A cozy, date night sort of spot, but also good for meeting up with family and friends; as fancy or casual as you want to make it… Start with some, yummy-​sounding Italian «standards,» (anti-​pastas, interesting apps/​salads and soups, then pastas, lasagna, ravioli with a variety of sauce options…) and then you can veer off into some more «creative» choices, including the Sicilian meatloaf I ordered, which was ok, but just sort of a flattened out meatball… Mr. M&P got 5 cheese mac and cheese, which was tooooooo cheesy, IMO (and I’m a cheese lover!!) I found myself looking longingly at everyone else’s meals all around us. Next time I’ll have to go more traditional, I guess!!! There is also a list of tempting sounding desserts, but we were too full this time…
Nice place, definitely worth the short trip from Springfield, and looking forward to returning… Give it a try!

My husband and I have been here a few times food is wonderful atmosphere is great. Last time was with a large group (15) everything came out perfect. If you are looking for a quaint romantic place this is it

Any great restaurant provides four star food, service, and atmosphere. Café Paradiso is a great restaurant!

Very nice atmosphere. Well rounded menu. My meal was not very good actually, however I liked my wife’s really well and all our friends dishes looked good as well. I had the lasagna with sausage. If it had been hot all the way through, it would have been better. Another issue is a good 35% of the dish was chunks of tomato. Too much. Their garlic cream soup was superb, as was the salad. If I only ever ate in Urbana I would give it 5 stars.

Very good food and atmosphere right in the heart of Urbana. Cool off with an Italian soda. Why spend an hour each way to find fine dining, when you can be relaxing and enjoying your meal?

What a gem in Urbana! Very impressed with this family owned restaurant. Great sauces and pasta, best Italian food in the area, for sure.

I went here for lunch and had a salad with their build your own pasta lunch. The salad was simple and perfect for a starter course. I ordered the angle hair pasta with marinara and meatballs. It was delicious! The serving size is just right for lunch and the pasta wasn’t swimming in sauce. The meatballs had good flavor and they gave you just enough. My server was very pleasant and attentive. I look forward to visiting again for dinner!

Delicoius dinner — we had a large group (~12) and there was a fair bit of passing plates to try various dishes. The mushroom lasagne was great and so were all of the other dishes I tried.
Service was outstanding, and they split the check without complaints (thank you Ohio, can you please teach California restaurants to figure this out?!)
Urbana is not on everyone’s path, but if you are within 20 miles, veer over to a quaint town and a great meal.
Cozy spot.

Cozy little Italian café food is amazing and the atmosphere is great!!!

Tried to go to Catfish Jones, but it seems to have closed. Right next door, saw this place, and said «what the heck, why not?»
It’s a pretty cozy Italian bistro. Music is trying a bit too hard to say «Italian,» but it was easy to ignore. The service was briskly professional when I got there, but after a large party left they were much more friendly.
I tried a cup of carrot ginger soup, one of the daily specials, and it was excellent. Wish I’d gotten a bowl… I had a hard time making up my mind on an entrée, and for whatever reason the Sicilian meatloaf sandwich sounded good. And was good. Meatloaf in an Italian place? Meatloaf, meatballs… not so far apart. The seasoning was good, and there was a pesto-​y sauce. Slices of nicely ripe tomatoes and good Italian bread made it an awesome sandwich. I had a little room left, so I tried one of the desserts: blueberry balsamic sorbet. Amazing. Just amazing.
5 stars? «As good as it gets»? Well, I can’t think of any negatives (okay, the music, a little…) The best Italian ever? No, but I’m sure it’s the best Italian in Urbana. Best restaurant in Urbana? I’m still wading through them, but surely it’s right near the top. I would gladly stop in again.