50 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

“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!“

“I went here for my anniversary with my husband and the food was phenomenal. I highly recommend it.“

“After trying this place and Giordano's, I think this place is better. Both places are good, but after having Gino's, I didn't feel disgusting haha . The crust is thick but crispy, and the sauce was so good. This place is definitely easy to recommend for good Pizza.

We got the Chicago Fire!“

“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. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟“

“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!!!“

“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 !!!“

“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!“

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

“Great staff, awesome cocktails and menu. Don’t miss out on this gem in River North!“

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

“Great restaurant with delicious food and the best people working there.“

“Nobody can beat the classic pasta dishes at La Scarola. Escarole soup and escarole with beans; they have it and it's excellent. Be sure to save room for dessert; the cannoli is as good as it gets and the best Spumoni anywhere.“

“Where do you go for dinner if you (regrettably) only have one night in Chicago? Gibson’s Italia, of course! From our first drink at the bar to our stunning riverfront table for dinner, everything was simply spectacular! We started by sharing the Arancini Cacio E Pepe and the Cacio E Pepe before savoring my filet mignon and her New York strip steak with sides of Brussels sprouts and handmade fries, topped off with an flaming baked Alaska! Destinee was the perfect attentive server who never rushed and gave us space to enjoy, and maître d’ Patrick and Manager Andrew added their personal touch and attention as well! I may never be hungry again, and my memories of the perfect night in Chicago will live on!“

“Best restaurant in Chicago ! ❤️“

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

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

“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.“

“Come for the pasta and stay for the olive oil cake and affogato. Great food, and excellent service! Our server Olivia spent time to help us decide what dishes to order and everything she picked was delicious. Even the owner came to talk to us and told us about how his wife spent years perfecting the recipe of the lemon olive oil cake which made it a must try. Would definitely go again!“

“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.“

“always great pizza, really friendly staff, and good prices for the amount of food! I would go for the specialty slices. my favs are the mac and the chicken and waffles!! place itself is pretty no frills but staff was friendly enough to change TVs to games we were interested in!!“

“Great food and atmosphere“

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

“Quite possibly some of the best Italian we have had in the US. If you've been to Italy, and miss it, or just want to taste authentic Italian pasta, come here. Dario is amazing. Signore, siamo lieti di averla incontrata! Torneremo! Grazie mille!“

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

“I haven’t had a dining experience this wonderful in a very long time. The service was impeccable. The food was fantastic. The wine and cocktails were unparalleled. This is one of those instances where you can go big or go small. Do you want to have just a light meal? That’s easy. Stuffed zucchini blossoms and a plate of pasta. A glass of wine and you’re out the door for $50. On the other hand, you can go for the gold and walk away completely sated. Either way, you’ll love this delightful spot.“

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

“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!“

“Went here over the weekend with a large group and was beyond impressed with just about everything. The food was amazing; I would recommend the focaccia with the dips especially the ricotta one, the pizza with mushrooms, the ndudi pasta, the farfalle pasta, the eggplant parm, chicken parm, and the tiramsu, and chocolate cake for dessert. The service was just amazing! Chef Eckfeld is doing a great job as well as the management, servers, cooks, etc. Very impressed and looking forward to my next visit.“

“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.“

“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!“

“This is a fantastic place to enjoy great food at reasonable prices. The menu offers delicious options, the drinks are just as enjoyable, and the welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot for any occasion. The restaurant is also family and dog friendly, which makes it even more inviting.

The customer service was outstanding. Our waitress was amazing—friendly, funny, and attentive throughout the entire meal, making the experience even more enjoyable. The beautiful interior adds to the overall charm, creating a comfortable place to relax and dine. Between the excellent food, great drinks, warm hospitality, and inviting atmosphere, this is a place I would definitely recommend.“

“First time I went was tonight and it was magnifico. Excellent service not too busy and cozy. Great food. I will definitely get back and have another meal there really recommended.“

“Just had lunch with my neighbor Jorge and as usual was NOT disappointed! Chris was her usual friendly self. She’s always on the ball about pleasing people and sending them home happy and full. Rose was the waitress everyone dreams of. Patient and funny all in the same breath. If you haven’t been to LaVilla I highly recommend a visit. You will want to return again and again! I’d be there more often but I have no self control. 🤣“

“We moved to North Center right around the time Armano opened. This has become our go to spot for dinners out as well as our favorite place to bring friends. The food is exceptional with a menu just big enough to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The team at Armano is also wonderful and we've consistently received excellent service. Can't recommend this place enough.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Wonderful food and service.“

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

“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!“

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

“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!“

“Really enjoyed our dinner at A+ Italian Steakhouse! Great food (quality of the steaks is excellent!!), amazing drinks, and delicious desserts. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and the service was excellent. Definitely a place we’ll be back to!“

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

“The staff at zarella was as amazing as the pizza. We originally ordered for pick up due to us not being able to snag a reservation, and when we arrived our pizza order was incorrect 😱 Fear not, the amazing staff remade the order promptly, and while we waited offered us a seat and some fresh meatballs for the inconvenience. Truly experienced that Midwest hospitality in this establishment! The pizza was perfectly thin, crunchy and we demolished the entire pie in record time! Tavern style >>> deep dish 😉“

“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.“

“The food here is beyond exquisite. Homemade gnocchi and table side polenta steal the show, but everything is amazing. Make sure to ask for a table outside in the wine garden in the back. You will pass through this tiny restaurant into a true oasis in the back. The unassuming front of the restaurant wouldn’t make you think the food is as incredible as it is.“

“Good food and lovely atmosphere“

“Truly an amazing experience. First off, extremely accommodating. My friends flight was delayed and I got stuck in pretty bizarre Chicago traffic and they accommodated us with our table still 2 hours after our original reservation. The bartender (I wish I got her name) was such a genuine good vibe, she had me laughing the moment I walked in. Alfredo was our waiter and he was absolutely amazing and full of personality. I hope when we come back, we have him. The valet man was an absolute gem too. Asked if I could leave my car there for a couple hours and instead, he moved it into a legal parking spot for me. This was seriously an above and beyond experience and we will definitely be back in the future!“

“From the moment we walked in, till the last breath we took walking out the door. This is not your typical Italian dish, this is HOME for us. Thank you to Issac and his amazing staff. Till next time, keep cooking with your heart and soul.“