50 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

“Alla Vita is an exceptional restaurant for several reasons. First, their menu offers a delicious variety of authentic Italian dishes, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere is warm and elegant, perfect for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. Additionally, the service is impeccable, with a friendly and attentive staff that ensures every diner has a memorable experience. The combination of exquisite flavors, charming ambiance, and excellent service makes Alla Vita an outstanding choice for any occasion.“

“My Fiancé and I discovered this restaurant after watching “Somebody Feed Fill” and were inspired and intrigued by Sarah’s restaurant and craftsmanship. We had our eye on getting reservations here for a very long time and we ended up landing lunch reservations for my Fiancés birthday (whom is also a Chef). We just happened to be seated by the expo line near the kitchen where we saw Sarah working. From start to finish our server Rose, and Sarah made sure our experience was personalized special. Sarah even signed the cookbook we bought and menu! Everything was on point from the food to the service. I can see why it’s so hard to get a reservation here! If we could rate our experience higher we would. We greatly appreciate the hospitality and dedication that this restaurant displays!“

“We had a lovely dinner at Rose Mary last night and it was the most fabulous meal that we have had in some time. Amazing service, beautiful venue and the food was just so good. Simple but very complex; rustic but refined. And the service was impeccable. What a glorious end to our experience in Chicago!! Very highly recommend it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟“

“I am late writing my review but I had to write it !! I visited provare chicago On july 8th !! From start to finish this restaurant gets 5 starts . The decor was nice and set a perfect atmosphere for a great night . We were greeted immediately upon arrival and seated within 5 minutes of being there . Once seated the wait staff began their introduction's on drinks and popular menu item's. After my party ordered drinks and appetizers a gentleman came over (not sure if he was the manager) and introduce himself and made sure we were having a great experience. Appetizers were amazing!! We couldn't wait for dinner!! Our entrées we just as good if not better ! Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection! When we didn't think the night could get even better the entire wait staff and the gentleman that came over before stopped and recognized my friend for her birthday and brought over a birthday surprise!! I live 307 miles and this place was definitely worth the drive !!!“

“Wonderful Birthday/ Father’s Dinner tonight…Ambiance, Food and Staff absolutely incredible!!! John and Cole, along with the rest of the Ciccio Team are the consummate professionals!!!“

“The deep dish pizza was rich, cheesy, and packed. The crust was thick but still buttery and soft, which made it really satisfying. Each slice was filling, so it’s definitely a meal to share with friends or family. The place had a laid-back atmosphere and the staff were friendly, making it a spot worth visiting again.“

“Highly impressed with your work and services“

“The pasta was incredible!!!! Alfonso was our server and he was fantastic and really good at helping us out when we couldn’t figure out what to order!“

“Absolutely must dine here!! The food and service was amazing!! We had several in our party who had food intolerances which they graciously accommodated, but we did recommend that they use pastas imported from Italy to avoid some of this. Also their GF noodles are made from corn and rice flours and we suggested to expand their GF noodles to non-corn flour. Other than that the food was beautiful and creative and tasted absolutely delicious!“

“Intimate place with great food and service. Chicken parmesan and rigatoni were delicious. If I lived closer, I certainly would be a regular.“

“Celebrated my birthday here and had a wonderful time! Great food, and really enjoy the Cosmopolitan martini! 🍸 I had the Branzino. All delicious! Recommend!👍🏽“

“Had supper at the bar before the ELO concert. Service was great, the food was delicious! I definately would go back!“

“We see why the Chicken Parm Pannino is a favorite! Great sandwich served with thin cut crispy fries. Left full and yet wanting more! 😋“

“We've never been disappointed in our half dozen visits to Peanut Park. The pizzas are great, sausage and peppers appetizer, the pastas, and a great hazelnut gelato! The service is friendly. Parking is easy. There's a certain kind of nostalgia in a neighborhood restaurant like this. We'll be back!“

“Fabulous restaurant that captures ALL the important points of dining out. The decor and atmosphere are perfect with inviting seats at the bar or table in a cozy setting. The wait staff are friendly and there to please. The tables and dishes are cleaned during your dinner and glasses are always full. I loved the Calabrian chili red sauce so much that I asked for a container to go and the waiter made it happen! I was so happy! The food is amazing in a word. We had the Arancini, Caesar salad, pasta with scallops and a pasta with braised short ribs. Each dish was delicious and perfectly prepared and plated.
Don not sleep on Torchio- just run to get there. I’ll be back the next time I’m in Chicago.“

“Pasta Veneta offers a good range of Italian classics, and we definitely had a nice meal. The burrata was a highlight — fresh and flavorful — and the pasta dishes were enjoyable, especially the truffle gnocchi, which had great depth of flavor. We also really liked the red wine blend. Worth a visit if you're looking for a dependable Italian option in the area.“

“Il Milanese is hands-down one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had in Chicago. From start to finish, everything was impeccable — the service, the atmosphere, and most importantly, the food.
My mother-in-law was craving Italian for her birthday, and Carlo and his team absolutely delivered a special evening we’ll never forget. We tasted so many incredible dishes, but the lamb shank special with risotto was on another level — tender, flavorful, and perfectly paired. Truly the best I’ve ever had.
This isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a place that makes you feel like family while serving world-class Italian cuisine. Thank you, Carlo, for making my mother-in-law’s birthday unforgettable. We’ll be back often and will be recommending Il Milanese to everyone we know!“

“Best restaurant in Chicago ! ❤️“

“I have food allergies. They made a delicious pizza that I could eat and enjoy instead the usual tasteless salad that I have to get so often. Couldn't be happier.“

“The food and service were AMAZING. Will most definitely be coming back here again!“

“Traveling to Chicago for a concert and this place stood out for a bite to eat. Our expectations of the food were exceeded and the staff was amazing!“

“Absolutely the most delicious pasta I have ever had in my life! The scampi is like no other and the toffee carrot cake was so good I almost cried. The service was incredible. You feel so welcome. Like instant family.“

“Wonderful place! Loved the grilled calamari, alpino bianco pizza and orecchiette. Our server Hector gave us great recommendations and made it a very special evening.“

“Our 1st visit was amazing! Food ✅ Service ✅ Atmosphere ✅ Taking a selfie with owner- Armando ✅ So impressed- loud and crowded AND FUN! Yummy! Thank you Armando Scarola!“

“Wonderful food and service.“

“You can’t skip the charred octopus to start! It’s a perfect appetizer to share with an incredible roasted Calabrian chili sauce. My absolute favorite dish is the pennette cardinale! I can’t go to Sapori without ordering. The creamy tomato sauce pairs perfectly with the sun-dried tomatoes. I’m drooling just thinking about it! Lastly, you have to finish your dinner with the bread pudding. The warm pudding with the cold ice cream is perfection in every bite. 10/10 always!“

“Chef Wilson is a culinary genius! All ingredients are responsibly sourced and a crafted with such attention to detail. His flavorful pairings are out of this world.“

“Outstanding Northern Italian-inspired cuisine! Wonderful dining experience. Delicious food and excellent service.“

“Authentic Italian. Great vibes, feels like a family kitchen with 4 or 5 Italian grandma's making the tastiest food. I've lived off and on in the area and never went there, however my daughter now lives in the area and suggested it about 3 months ago. Now it's the place I've been back to four times and it's where I take visitors for an authentic Italian dinner and atmosphere. Plus they have free parking across the street!“

“This was by far the best authentic Italian dinner I've experienced since living for 3 years in Naples Italy 22 years ago. AMAZING food and service with extremely reasonable pricing for the quality. A special acknowledgent and appreciation to Maria that brought the experince to the next level. Great conversations, so inviting and professional! Thank you Maria, I'll certainly recommend to all my frineds and colleagues to come and enjoy as well!“

“We drove down from Milwaukee. I’ve been wanting to try Tortello since they’ve opened and I found out that they source their eggs from where I get mine (they are the best). Dario was kind, friendly, and extremely engaging. The food was fantastic. We started with Focaccia Ricotta & Honey which was ridiculously good. I had the spaghetti pomodoro which was perfectly balanced sauce to pasta to cheese. My husband had the Cacio e Pepe and devoured it. Our son had the Kids Lumache and ate half (he’s only two) and inhaled the rest tonight. It smelled even better the second time around if that’s possible. Best authentic Italian I’ve had in the States. Felt great after too, not like I’d eaten a pound of pasta. If you aren’t making plans to go sometime soon…you’re missing out!“

“Best Italian sub I've ever had in my life! The atmosphere epitomizes Old Italy and all its charm. Definitely coming back!“

“Wonderful restaurant. Food was excellent very close to what I had in Rome. Staff very friendly and made our dining very enjoyable! Go here!!“

“If you are looking for old school Italian with a modern flare, this is the place!“

“Great food and atmosphere“

“Everything was perfect ❤️!!!“

“Amazing food and service always!“

“Family friendly restaurant with food choices for everyone but the made fresh pasta was the best part!“

“Cute streetside dining. Food, drinks and service... Excellent!“

“Eduardo’s Enoteca in Gold Coast is one of the cutest spots in the city for a romantic date night! It has a super cozy interior and a delicious menu of wines, apps, and the most incredible pastas! Here’s the breakdown of what we ordered: -Pomona Spritz -Da Amico -Arancini -Cheese Board -Spicy Vodka Gnocchi -Pappardelle Bolgnese -Pumpkin Cheesecake We had such an incredible meal here and I’d highly recommend to anyone in the area!“

“A true hidden gem in Chicago. Tucked behind Tribune Tower, Bongiorno’s serves authentic Italian food straight from Sardinia and every bite proves it. The flavors are incredible, the portions are generous, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for the quality you’re getting. Honestly, I’d crown this the best Italian food in Chicago. I’ve been to all the Chicago Italian classics and this food is the most delicious and authentic. If you’re ever on Michigan Avenue or walking the Riverwalk and craving a delicious, authentic Italian meal, Bongiorno’s is the place to go. Warm up with an espresso martini, an old-fashioned, or a spritz, then save room for dessert. The homemade tiramisu was perfection, and dare I say, it might be the best gelato I’ve ever had. This spot is special. Do yourself a favor and find it.“

“Great food, great people!“

“Nice ambiance! Great food.“

“Delicious food, cocktails, atmosphere and vibe. I will definitely be back.“

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

“Fast, delicious and even though they are usually busy it’s so good and they get your food to you quickly!“

“Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar is a cozy spot that combines delicious Italian flavors with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and perfectly baked, and the wine list pairs nicely with the menu. The staff is friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. It’s a great place for a casual night out or a relaxed dinner with friends.“

“Great Italian authentic food… Love the family atmosphere ❤️“

“We were in Chicago for a couple days from Austin, Indiana, and stopped in at Pat’s for dinner based off of the great reviews and it did not disappoint! The food was amazing and excellent service. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The food is delicious!! The staff friendly and very attentive. They help make the whole experience. The atmosphere is so warm and comfortable. I love an hour west of the city but if I will be in Chicago for dinner, it will be at Tuscany. 💚🤍❤️“