21 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago for 2024

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 | 0 Comments
We've got the best Italian restaurants in Chicago to delight your senses.

A piping hot bowl of freshly made pasta is one of the greatest joys in life, and there are plenty of Italian restaurants in Chicago ready to serve them up. Spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, tortelloni. Red sauce, white sauce, pink sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese falling lightly like snow. Add a couple of housemade sausages or family recipe meatballs on the side, garlic bread and two glasses of Chianti. Welcome to old-world heaven. 

In some places, Italian food has fallen behind in popularity to lighter fare like sushi or Vietnamese. Not in Chicago. Italian restaurants in Chicago are still as front and center as ever, whether it be a neighborhood stalwart or a preppy newcomer. So don’t let go of your layered lasagna dreams.

We’ve rounded up the best 21 Italian restaurants in Chicago ready to ruin any low-carb diet, because comfort food never goes out of style.  

 

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Find the Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

Chicago is one of the most exciting cities for foodies because of the diversity of its restaurant scene. If it’s your first time in Chi-town, don’t be shy about trying a tour. Food tours in Chicago highlight the various types of cuisines on offer around the city. You’ll get local tips about the best restaurants in Chicago, and you certainly won’t go hungry.

21 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

1. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

Some may argue that a Texas native can’t possibly have the best Italian restaurant in Chicago, but a review of accolades for Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio will put that to rest. The menu features traditional Italian dishes but also honors the chef’s Texas roots with a little Southern flair. Add that to the hand-cut pastas and authentic wood-barrel-aged balsamic, and you’ll see all the ingredients for a true standout. 

The Vibe

The dining room has a casual urban vibe with a rustic Italian flair. Don’t miss the vintage mirror placed strategically over the pasta-making station so you can get a lesson while you dine.

What to Order

The burrata and ham rosemary tigelle (mini sandwich) and the black truffle arancini are good starts. For shared plates, definitely order the ragù alla Napoletana, which is a decadent platter of pork osso buco, soppressata meatballs and Italian sausage with fusilli and greens. Monteverde also has an impressive gluten-free menu, which is rare for an Italian restaurant in Chicago.

Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio | 1020 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60607 | $$$

arancini
via Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

2. Tortello

Since perfectly executed pasta lies at the heart of any true Italian restaurant in Chicago, Tortello was an easy addition to our list. A shining star amongst Wicker Park restaurants, Tortello is so confident about their craft that they’ve put their pasta making station in the front window. 

The Vibe

Tortello has an almost retro disco vibe. While they do have a few tables, most people are taking their homemade pasta and choice of sauce to go.

What to Order

The signature dish is the tortelli di burrata topped with sage, butter and hazelnuts. The chiusoni (mini gnocchis!) with sausage and onions in a creamy saffron sauce is a strong second. 

Tortello | 1746 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622 | $$

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3. Adalina

Not all of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago are old-world in style. Chicago’s chefs are as diverse as the city itself, and Adalina is an excellent example of that. Michelin-starred chef Soo Ahn combines both Northern and Southern Italian styles in his dishes that “aim to evoke a sense of excitement.”

The Vibe

The dining space is romantic, almost seductive, and looks nothing like your typical Italian restaurant in Chicago.

What to Order

This is a perfect Italian restaurant in Chicago for indulgence. Start with a truffled Caesar salad followed by a rich dish of cannelloni or the salmon Vesuvio over potato gnocchi.

Adalina | 912 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610 | $$$

Adalina is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
via Adalina

4. Piccolo Sogno

Good wine goes hand in hand with Italian food. At Piccolo Sogno, the all-Italian wine list is nearly as impressive as the way they serve up simple yet elegant food. The waiters are trained to make thoughtful pairings for any dish, so take advantage.

The Vibe

The inside dining room is casual and comfortable year-round, but the outside patio is the coveted table in warm weather.

What to Order

If you’re in the mood for a hearty pasta, try the pappardelle with the spicy wild boar ragù. They also offer a half-roasted duck with fennel sausage and celery root purée. 

Piccolo Sogno | 464 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60642 | $$$

5. Alla Vita

Alla Vita celebrates the simple pleasures of life, one of which is serving food that is to be shared. They are a great choice for an Italian restaurant in Chicago when you’re looking for a place to bring the whole family.  

The Vibe

The dining room is a refreshing and dramatically different take on the typical Italian restaurant in Chicago. The bright hues of yellow on green combined with the wispy ceiling fabrics will make you feel you’ve stepped forward in time, not back.

What to Order

There’s nothing like a piping-hot classic like chicken Parmesan, and it’s a specialty at Alla Vita. Pair that with the San Daniele prosciutto and Margherita pizza for starters. Sharing a meal with the ones you love at Alla Vita is one of the best things to do in Chicago.

Alla Vita | 564 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661 | $$

prosciutto pizza
via Alla Vita

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6. Elina’s

There’s something almost playful about the food at Elina’s, but that doesn’t mean they’re not serious about their status as a solid Italian restaurant in Chicago. Based on the impressive credentials of the two-man team, you can be sure you’re getting the real thing.

The Vibe

A quirky yet intimate vibe. A good choice for a quiet night out.

What to Order

Yelpers love the rigatoni alla vodka, as long as it has a side of Silvio’s meatballs. For seafood lovers, they have baked clams casino, which is one of the classic but harder-to-find Chicago foods worth checking out.  

Elina’s | 1202 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60642 | $$

7. Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap

Sometimes the best Italian restaurant in Chicago is the one that feels like you’re at a good friend’s house getting a home-cooked meal. For a straightforward meal where you don’t need to know Italian to translate the menu, Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap is your place. 

The Vibe

Totally casual and welcoming neighborhood spot. No dress code, and plenty of outdoor seating in good weather.

What to Order

Since it already feels like a family affair, you might as well get pasta with Papa Joe’s Bolognese sauce. For even more comfort food, go for the classic stuffed shells. On Fridays, don’t miss the linguine with calamari. 

Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap | 1073 W. Vernon Park Pl., Chicago, IL 60607 | $$

Tufano's is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
via Tufano's Vernon Park Tap

8. Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia is another Italian restaurant in Chicago where you’ll feel like one of the family. Two generations have been serving traditional Tuscan dishes since 1979, and the matriarch still makes the pasta by hand.

The Vibe

Simple but elegant Italian family eatery. A little dressier inside, but if the weather is good they have more casual dining outside. 

What to Order

This is the place to try classics like chicken Vesuvio or veal scallopini. Save a little room for a fresh cannoli, filled to order, for dessert.

Bacchanalia | 2413 S. Oakley Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 | $$

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9. Franco’s Ristorante

There is no shortage of family-owned Italian restaurants in Chicago that claim to make authentic cuisine with most of their dishes being homemade. Franco’s Ristorante is among the best on that list, and in business since 1989. 

The Vibe

There’s something about the red leather banquettes and chairs that immediately puts a smile on your face. A fun and upbeat vibe. Quiet on weekdays, buzzing on weekends.

What to Order

Start with the sausage antipasti served with Calabrian chiles, rapini and mozzarella. For pasta, it’s got to be tortellini carbonara. Otherwise, get the eggplant parmigiana. But absolutely do not skip the cannoli cake for dessert.

Franco’s Ristorante | 300 W. 31st St., Chicago, IL 60616 | $$

the red interior of an Italian restaurant
via Franco's Ristorante

10. Topo Gigio

You don’t have to be fancy to be a quintessential Italian restaurant in Chicago. Topo Gigio is your iconic neighborhood gem with a robust menu selection and something for everyone. 

The Vibe

Rustic and old-school family Italian eatery. Don’t let the somewhat casual ambiance steer you off course. Some Italian restaurants in Chicago choose to put their effort into food presentation over ambiance.  

What to Order

This restaurant has pasta in every shape and size, so whether you crave rigatoni, farfalle, rotini or tortellini, they’ve got you covered. If you want to go off the beaten path, try Linguine alla Vic Damone, which is a twist on linguine with clam sauce that adds cherry tomatoes and cilantro. 

Topo Gigio | 1516 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610 | $$

11. Testaccio

Italian restaurants in Chicago, or anywhere for that matter, can sometimes be a bit of the same-old, same-old. That’s what puts Testaccio in a category all its own. Yes, they serve pasta. But their inventive and fresh preparations will leave you feeling a little less al dente.

The Vibe

A contemporary but casual space. This modern cucina romana is on our list of great date ideas in Chicago because of its ambiance.

What to Order

The polipo sckattiata — octopus fried in olive oil and garlic with fresh herbs and chili flakes — may be hard to pronounce, but it’s easy to love. Also take advantage of Testaccio’s wood oven by ordering the whole branzino or their specialty, the porchetta.

Testaccio | 2456 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 | $$

Testaccio is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
via Testaccio

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12. Coco Pazzo

When you're looking for an Italian restaurant in Chicago for a special occasion, Coco Pazzo is an excellent choice. 

The Vibe

Stylish and elegant yet simple dining room in a 100-year-old building with timber beams and cypress floors.

What to Order

Start with one of their ultra-thin crust pizzas. If you can’t decide between red sauce and white sauce, the tagliatelle Bolognese has a meat ragù and béchamel sauce. The chicken under a brick with Brussels sprouts is a good choice, as is the quaglie arrosto, a pancetta and sage-wrapped piece of deboned quail served with soft polenta and rapini.

Coco Pazzo | 300 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654 | $$$

13. Freddy’s Pizza

There are not many Italian restaurants in Chicago left that can say they are the same today as they were when your father was young. That’s why Freddy’s Pizza is so special. The owner walked in off the street asking for a job when he spoke no English as a kid, and five years later he became the owner. That was over 40 years ago. Need we say more? This is an absolute must-visit Italian restaurant in Chicago.

The Vibe

A bustling market and food counter piled high with the day's selections. You can either order and eat in the simple dining area, or take your food to go. They also sell many of their dishes to be made at home.

What to Order

They offer thin and thick-crust pizzas, many by the slice. This is the ideal place to have spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna. The gelato and Italian ice are made on-site.

Freddy’s Pizza | 1600 S. 61st Ave., Cicero, IL 60804 | $

house-made gelato
via Freddy's Pizza

14. Riccardo Trattoria

When you’re looking for the tried-and-true Italian restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, head down to Riccardo Trattoria. The husband and wife team here influenced many famous Italian restaurants around the country before finally opening their own location. 

The Vibe

A slightly dated but cozy and charming neighborhood gem. 

What to Order

On the antipasti menu, try the veal and ricotta meatballs and an order of the fava beans with black truffle carpaccio and Parmesan. For pasta, try the pappardelle with beef short rib ragù.

Riccardo Trattoria | 2119 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614 | $$

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15. Osteria Langhe

Osteria Langhe makes its niche in the Italian restaurants of Chicago scene by focusing on a lesser-known region of Italy, the Piemonte, known for its blend of Italian and French cultures. As part of the slow food movement, Chef Cameron Grant takes the sourcing of locally raised meats and produce seriously, and you can taste the difference in every dish.

The Vibe

A simple but trendy dining room space with an almost farmhouse vibe. If it weren’t for the large old-world art on the wall, you would never know it’s an Italian restaurant in Chicago.

What to Order

Be sure to sample at least one dish with Piedmontese beef, like the vitello tonnato (veal with tuna sauce) or carne cruda. The menu offers many unique options ranging from tripe and tongue stew to prosciutto-wrapped rabbit loin, which makes this the perfect restaurant if you’re looking for something different than everyday Italian.

Osteria Langhe | 2824 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 | $$$

Osteria Langhe is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
via Osteria Langhe

16. Sapori Trattoria

Whether you’re looking for a table for two or twenty, Sapori Trattoria is ready to accommodate. This charming Lincoln Park restaurant prides itself on warm service and quality ingredients, and they have a reputation for truly appreciating their guests.

The Vibe

The outside is a bit deceiving. Once you step inside, you’ll find an updated and straightforward restaurant with a variety of dining rooms for both standard tables and special events.

What to Order

Start with the whipped ricotta toast and grilled octopus. Their arugula salad with shaved artichoke is a great intermezzo before getting a satisfying bowl of risotto, either the funghi or pescatore. 

Sapori Trattoria | 2701 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614 | $$

17. Ciccio Mio

There’s something about the way they describe themselves as a “nice Italian restaurant” that gives you the distinct feeling they’re actually naughty. The cocktail menu is as seductive as the décor, so Ciccio Mio gets our vote for sexiest Italian restaurant in Chicago.

The Vibe

This is one of the most unique dining spaces you’ll find for an Italian restaurant in Chicago. It literally feels like you’ve stepped back into the Prohibition era, so dress for the part.

What to Order

Who can pass up truffle mozzarella sticks? For pasta, go with the casarecce lamb sugo or the ricotta gnocchi. Save room for the hazelnut tiramisu cream pie.

Ciccio Mio | 226 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, IL 60654 | $$

the dim, cozy interior of an Italian restaurant in Chicago
via Ciccio Mio

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18. Gibsons Italia

Eating at great Italian restaurants in Chicago doesn’t mean you’re going just for pasta. The Gibson’s brand is most well known for their meat-centric menus, but they’re also earning a reputation for excellence with Italian classics at Gibsons Italia.

The Vibe

This is one of the more glitzy Italian restaurants in Chicago. The three-level dining space has views of the Chicago river and the price tags to match. An appropriate place to impress.

What to Order

One dish is so special, it got its own spot on the menu. An order of the seven-year aged acquerello risotto with scallops, leeks and Parmesan is the way to go.

Gibson’s Italia | 233 N. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606 | $$$

19. Nico Osteria

Nico Osteria makes a name for itself by being a more seafood-focused Italian restaurant in Chicago than its competitors. Because they are located in a hotel, they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with varying menus.

The Vibe

A classy and upscale dining room inside the Thompson Chicago with a mixture of tables and ample bar seating.

What to Order

Paolo’s burrata with peach jam and focaccia is a good start to the crimson snapper or whatever the daily fish selection is. Nico Osteria also serves brunch, which is not as common for an Italian restaurant in Chicago.

Nico Osteria | 1015 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611 | $$$

Nico Osteria is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
via Nico Osteria

20. La Scarola

This is not a tourist trap. La Scarola is the real thing. Welcome to the quintessential local Italian restaurant in Chicago. Big heaping portions of food and a boisterous crowd. It’s exactly what you were expecting it would be.

The Vibe

It’s everything a classic Italian restaurant in Chicago should be. A bit sketchy on the outside, teeming with local flavor on the inside. Not fancy, and plenty of vintage photos showcasing celebrities and celebrating local sports teams on the walls.

What to Order

Any of their veal dishes are a good choice. It’s an acquired taste, but the pollo a la Mancow — a sautéed chicken breast with shallots, artichokes, asparagus and lots of garlic baked with hot sauce and gorgonzola cheese — gets our vote for most unique dish at an Italian restaurant in Chicago.

La Scarola | 721 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654 | $$

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21. Gemma Foods

Sometimes the best Italian restaurant in Chicago is still no match for a hot bowl of pasta in your own kitchen. That’s why Gemma Foods finishes out our list. They offer a variety of ready-to-go meals and a la carte options made fresh daily. 

The Vibe

Their slogan is “Let us be your nonna,” which sums up the feeling of having fresh, handmade pasta dishes in the comfort of your own home.

What to Order

If Sunday supper at home were a pumpkin and sage gnocchi with brown butter, would you complain?

Gemma Foods | 1117 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60642 | $$

Gemma Foods is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
via Gemma Foods

Is your mouth watering for more? Italian restaurants in Chicago won’t just fill your belly, they’ll fill your soul with the warmth and spirit of their heritage. When people take pride in their food, it shows. And when the recipes are handed down through generations, you can taste it. Nowhere is this better on display than in the finest Italian restaurants in Chicago.

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