Last night in downtown Chicago, we slipped into the warm, nostalgic glow of Italian Village—a landmark that has been stirring memories and meals for 97 years. Since opening in 1927, this beloved spot has carried the spirit of old-world Italy straight into the heartbeat of the city.
I started the evening with a humble house Chianti, deep and ruby and exactly what a classic Italian dinner calls for. Dustin ordered their famous martini—he thought it was just okay—but the night still felt beautifully cinematic, like we’d stepped into a vintage film.
They brought out the table bread with olive oil, simple and familiar, setting the stage without trying to steal the spotlight.
I opened with a bowl of minestrone, and wow—every sip was perfection. The broth was rich and comforting, the vegetables tender and full of flavor. Meanwhile, Dustin had a starter salad—straightforward, nothing extravagant, but fresh and crisp.
Then came the moment I’m still thinking about:
Their handmade gnocchi covered in a spicy arrabbiata sauce.
The sauce had that perfect, subtle kick—just enough heat to make every bite feel alive. Paired with my Chianti, the two brightened each other in the most dreamy, effortless way. Truly unforgettable.
Dustin ordered the chicken parm, which he said was very, very good, and the meatballs that looked absolutely divine—but he was too full to try them (a sign of a solid entrée, if you ask me).
We ended with a cannoli, breaking through the crisp shell with a spoon and savoring the sweet ricotta kissed with lemon zest. It was the kind of dessert you slow down for.
Service was pleasant—our server was kind and steady. The hostess, though, felt a bit overwhelmed and came off a little rude. Understandable on a busy night, but still surprising for a place with nearly a century of history and such a loyal following.
All in all: 4 stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A romantic, old-school Italian dinner tucked inside one of Chicago’s most iconic dining corners. 🍷✨
Susan Guglielmi
My favorite Italian restaurant! I have been coming here since I was in high school-very very many years ago! Delicious Northern Italian cuisine with old world service in a most charming atmosphere. I'm just s little sad that during the latest renovation they weren't able to find a way to install an elevator. Those stairs are killer if you're mildly impaired and impossible for wheelchair bound
Dennis Harrison
Italian Village has been a favorite of mine for over thirty years! The food and the atmosphere are second to none.
Stefan Alin
I just tried to make a reservation online and is not working and I called the number . The girl hold me on hold for 8 minutes..after that she’s asking how can i help telling her that i need to make a reservation and she’s starting to talk with her co worker..she’s didn’t even said please hold again or something..first impression is important so this is the first impression for me.
Service: 1
Adventures With Susan
Had an amazing Italian meal at Vivere, located in the Italian Village of Chicago. The setting is both luxurious and whimsical. Vivere specializes in creating dishes that not only follow the latest trends in Italian cuisine, but also pay homage to its rich culinary tradition. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Joe Kim
Great food, service and wine list. Multi generation family owned since the 1920s. A historical and gastronomic Chicago gem!
William Schlueter
Amazing place. We have never seen such huge meatballs. The atmosphere in the restaurant is fabulous. We are from Omaha and have eaten there several times and have never been disappointed
ArtP
Have always enjoyed their pheasant-filled pasta and this most-recent visit failed to disappoint.
Opentable Diner
Took the lady out for a couples getaway and found this restaurant on Google. Considering I couldn't pronounce a damn thing on the menu, it had to be fancy-right? Food was not portioned to my liking but it was absolutely delicious, we had a waiter that never let our water glasses get half full and the waitress we also had was very formal with her menu knowledge. If you're looking for first-class experience, vivere is a place to go for sure. Just make sure you're prepared to pay! Oh yeah, always leave a good tip too.
Took the lady out for a couples getaway and found this restaurant on Google. Considering I couldn't pronounce a damn thing on the menu, it had to be fancy-right? Food was not portioned to my liking but it was absolutely delicious, we had a waiter that never let our water glasses get half full and the waitress we also had was very formal with her menu knowledge. If you're looking for first-class experience, vivere is a place to go for sure. Just make sure you're prepared to pay! Oh yeah, always leave a good tip too.
Rigatoni was BOMB. Buffalo mozzarella was ok. Cute little old school Italian vibe. Service was good.
SandraB
Delicious dinner. Gluten Free pasta available which is a plus for me. Chocolate Panna Cotta dessert was fabulous!
VictoriaR
Vivere is conveniently located near the theater district. The food is elevated Italian, so be prepared to pay more. The dessert wasn't that good. Service was solid, but not exceptional. I would recommend simply based on convenience of the location.
ScottC
Cozy bar with a knowledgeable bartender! Great place to have a drink with friends. Food and service were excellent. The wine steward was terrific. He helped us pick out a wonderful Amarone! We had a terrific time and will come back soon!
Kevin Williams
I actually liked the food and customer service, fantastic location close to my residence. The cashiers are always welcoming. Will come back again.
Last night in downtown Chicago, we slipped into the warm, nostalgic glow of Italian Village—a landmark that has been stirring memories and meals for 97 years. Since opening in 1927, this beloved spot has carried the spirit of old-world Italy straight into the heartbeat of the city. I started the evening with a humble house Chianti, deep and ruby and exactly what a classic Italian dinner calls for. Dustin ordered their famous martini—he thought it was just okay—but the night still felt beautifully cinematic, like we’d stepped into a vintage film. They brought out the table bread with olive oil, simple and familiar, setting the stage without trying to steal the spotlight. I opened with a bowl of minestrone, and wow—every sip was perfection. The broth was rich and comforting, the vegetables tender and full of flavor. Meanwhile, Dustin had a starter salad—straightforward, nothing extravagant, but fresh and crisp. Then came the moment I’m still thinking about: Their handmade gnocchi covered in a spicy arrabbiata sauce. The sauce had that perfect, subtle kick—just enough heat to make every bite feel alive. Paired with my Chianti, the two brightened each other in the most dreamy, effortless way. Truly unforgettable. Dustin ordered the chicken parm, which he said was very, very good, and the meatballs that looked absolutely divine—but he was too full to try them (a sign of a solid entrée, if you ask me). We ended with a cannoli, breaking through the crisp shell with a spoon and savoring the sweet ricotta kissed with lemon zest. It was the kind of dessert you slow down for. Service was pleasant—our server was kind and steady. The hostess, though, felt a bit overwhelmed and came off a little rude. Understandable on a busy night, but still surprising for a place with nearly a century of history and such a loyal following. All in all: 4 stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A romantic, old-school Italian dinner tucked inside one of Chicago’s most iconic dining corners. 🍷✨
My favorite Italian restaurant! I have been coming here since I was in high school-very very many years ago! Delicious Northern Italian cuisine with old world service in a most charming atmosphere. I'm just s little sad that during the latest renovation they weren't able to find a way to install an elevator. Those stairs are killer if you're mildly impaired and impossible for wheelchair bound
Italian Village has been a favorite of mine for over thirty years! The food and the atmosphere are second to none.
I just tried to make a reservation online and is not working and I called the number . The girl hold me on hold for 8 minutes..after that she’s asking how can i help telling her that i need to make a reservation and she’s starting to talk with her co worker..she’s didn’t even said please hold again or something..first impression is important so this is the first impression for me.
Service: 1
Had an amazing Italian meal at Vivere, located in the Italian Village of Chicago. The setting is both luxurious and whimsical. Vivere specializes in creating dishes that not only follow the latest trends in Italian cuisine, but also pay homage to its rich culinary tradition. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Great food, service and wine list. Multi generation family owned since the 1920s. A historical and gastronomic Chicago gem!
Amazing place. We have never seen such huge meatballs. The atmosphere in the restaurant is fabulous. We are from Omaha and have eaten there several times and have never been disappointed
Have always enjoyed their pheasant-filled pasta and this most-recent visit failed to disappoint.
Took the lady out for a couples getaway and found this restaurant on Google. Considering I couldn't pronounce a damn thing on the menu, it had to be fancy-right? Food was not portioned to my liking but it was absolutely delicious, we had a waiter that never let our water glasses get half full and the waitress we also had was very formal with her menu knowledge. If you're looking for first-class experience, vivere is a place to go for sure. Just make sure you're prepared to pay! Oh yeah, always leave a good tip too.
Took the lady out for a couples getaway and found this restaurant on Google. Considering I couldn't pronounce a damn thing on the menu, it had to be fancy-right? Food was not portioned to my liking but it was absolutely delicious, we had a waiter that never let our water glasses get half full and the waitress we also had was very formal with her menu knowledge. If you're looking for first-class experience, vivere is a place to go for sure. Just make sure you're prepared to pay! Oh yeah, always leave a good tip too.
Restaurantji Recommends
Rigatoni was BOMB. Buffalo mozzarella was ok. Cute little old school Italian vibe. Service was good.
Delicious dinner. Gluten Free pasta available which is a plus for me. Chocolate Panna Cotta dessert was fabulous!
Vivere is conveniently located near the theater district. The food is elevated Italian, so be prepared to pay more. The dessert wasn't that good. Service was solid, but not exceptional. I would recommend simply based on convenience of the location.
Cozy bar with a knowledgeable bartender! Great place to have a drink with friends. Food and service were excellent. The wine steward was terrific. He helped us pick out a wonderful Amarone! We had a terrific time and will come back soon!
I actually liked the food and customer service, fantastic location close to my residence. The cashiers are always welcoming. Will come back again.
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