The 40 best Italian restaurants in Chicago

You might recognize the chef-owner at this West Loop eatery: Sarah Grueneberg finished in second place on Top Chef's ninth season and has also won a James Beard Award. She's secured a top spot in pasta-loving Chicagoans' hearts, too, with her beautiful menu of Italian treats. You mustn't skip the ragu alla Napoletana, a huge plate of fusilli in red sauce with pork osso bucco, soppressata meatballs and Italian sausage. Add fresh-shaved black truffles to any dish for an additional but worth-it fee (when available).

Try this: Ragù alla Napoletana

Hogsalt Hospitality is known for building some of the most popular and transformative dining experiences in the city. At Ciccio Mio, the group nails the look and feel of an intimate Italian American supper club with charming touches that include ornate furnishings and vintage-style art on the walls. The food isn’t an afterthought though, and you’ll definitely want to carbo load on pastas like creamy spicy vodka rigatoni and lasagna rolls. But make sure to save room for dessert because the cannoncini will send you home on a high note. The space is small and reservations go quickly, so plan weeks ahead to get a table.

Try this: Lasagna Bolognese rotolo

Lettuce Entertain You teamed up with LA chef Evan Funke to open this luxurious Tuscan steakhouse inside the St. Regis Chicago. Peek in at the pasta lab to get a look at the tortelli, spaghetti and tagliatelle being crafted by hand before taking a seat in the dining room, which offers stunning skyline views. The steaks are all cut to share, so combine them with small plates like short rib meatballs or marinated anchovies. The same menu is offered at the adjoining Bar Tre Dita if you’re looking for a more casual atmosphere.

Try this: Schiacciata bianca

Situated just off of one of Chicago's busiest intersections, Piccolo Sogno is a tucked-away oasis offering tried-and-true Italian delicacies. If you visit just once this year, make your reservation during the warmer months and request a table on the greenery-lined, fenced-off patio out back. In the sunshine, the prosciutto and fresh melon taste sweeter, the gnocchi softer and the pizzas fresher. We can't explain it.

Try this: Ravioli "Piccolo Sogno"

It’s okay to splash a little red sauce on the butcher-paper-topped tables in this raucous storefront. Old friends and big families admire the autographed celebrity photos and shots of the owner’s family tacked to the frescoed walls. Smiling waiters squeeze between tables juggling huge plates of eggplant parmigiana and bottles of decent Italian red. Order any of the appropriately garlicky pastas and a plate of escarole and beans for the table; the leftovers will warm up just fine tomorrow.

Try this: Pasta e fagioli

Regional Piedmontese cuisine is the focus at this tiny Logan Square storefront. The space is ideal for date night and practically begs you to order a bottle of wine for the table from the excellently curated list. The plin, miniature agnolotti filled with cheese, are beautiful and light; the carne cruda is impeccably seasoned; and the prosciutto-wrapped rabbit loin is *chef's kiss*. In case you need further proof that Osteria Langhe reigns supreme, order the creamy panna cotta to finish the evening.

Try this: Plin

There are few things in this world that taste better than authentic Italian pasta that's made by hand. Dario Monni, the owner of this sweet counter-service restaurant in Wicker Park, understands that, and his upbringing in Italy only adds to the legitimacy of this operation. Buy hand-crafted noodles by the pound or stay awhile and luxuriate over a plate of namesake tortelli, which are stuffed with creamy burrata and topped with brown butter, sage and crunchy toasted hazelnuts. Monni uses his grandmother's recipe for the tiramisu, making it a must-try dessert.

Try this: Tortelli di burrata

Gibsons Restaurant Group goes Italian with this ritzy waterfront property that's ideal for those nights when someone else is picking up the tab. Because it's Gibsons, the menu is crowded with steaks and seafood, but there are also some fantastic antipasti offerings (we daydream about the arancini) and pasta courses to be had. Though it's a splurge, the 7-year aged risotto is worth every penny.

Try this: Seven-year-aged Acquerello risotto

Sporting just 28 seats in the main dining room, Elina’s is one of the most intimate Italian-American joints in town. Chef-owners Ian Rusnak and Eric Safin, who worked at several acclaimed New York restaurants prior to landing in the Midwest, offer a short but sweet menu of hits. You’ll start with complimentary bread and salami before moving onto items like baked clams casino, rigatoni alla vodka and dover sole piccata, all served on fine china. Prepare to rub elbows with your neighbors, too, because the tables are packed tight.

Try this: Rigatoni alla vodka

Boka Restaurant Group turned the beautiful space that once housed Bellemore into a similarly stunning Italian concept in 2021. The dining room is an attention grabber, featuring waves of fabric dangling from the ceiling and a garden pergola adorned with greenery. Boka maestro Lee Wolen prepares wood-fired pizzas, pillowy ricotta dumplings and crunchy chicken parm, bathing in fire-roasted red sauce, to complete the exquisite experience.

Try this: Chicken parmigiana

Michelin-starred executive chef Vincenzo Vottero offers novel spins on regional Italian fare at Ummo in River North. Start with the beef tartare presented on a giant beef bone along with fluffy pockets of fried dough, then try the housemade tortelli with braised lamb belly ragu, which is rich without being too heavy. The perfectly cooked New York strip is complemented by the bite of charred radicchio and the brightness of chimichurri. Finish with a wild spin on tiramisu, featuring a blend of cold brew, amaretto and chocolate sauce poured over coffee bean-shaped mousse.

Try this: Pomodoro e basilico

Chef Joe Flamm showcases the intersection of Italian and Croatian fare at Rose Mary, a bright space meant to transport diners to the Adriatic coast. Dishes are gorgeously presented, with the menu changing regularly to incorporate seasonal ingredients from local farms. Still there are classics you can count on, like the simple joys of radiatori caccio e pepe and a juicy 16-ounce lamb saddle. The drink menu offers spritzes and the chance to try wines from Croatia and Slovenia.

Try this: Pork ribs pampanella

DineAmic Hospitality celebrates 1950s Italian American cuisine with an opulent steakhouse in Fulton Market. The stunning 8,200-square-foot space is decked out in crystal chandeliers, fresh florals, booths dressed in lavender mohair, dark leather chairs and other elegant touches. This is a place to see and be seen, and chef Joe Rizza complements the experience with a menu that’s equally dazzling—Caesar salad is prepared tableside, squid ink pasta arrives topped with a whole lobster, and the beefy steaks are grilled on a wood and charcoal hearth. The wine list boasts dozens of Italian bottles, while dessert is headlined by a slice of decadent chocolate cake.

Try this: Dry-aged, bone-in ribeye

This old-school favorite opened its doors in the Heart of Italy neighborhood in 1933 and still serves its founder Bella Bruna Cani’s original roast chicken recipe every Sunday. The menu goes beyond typical pastas and parmigianas to specialize in rustic dishes from Siena offered along with a wide selection of wines. Listed between the chicken Vesuvio and the stuffed shells are a rich ravioli filled with porcini mushrooms and a spirited rendition of penne alla puttanesca. Ask for a digestif with the check.

Try this: Chicken Vesuvio

This post-Prohibition neighborhood restaurant serves a dependable, old-school, family-style Italian menu with standouts like tender fried calamari, housemade cavatelli in rich red sauce and the Chicago classic chicken Vesuvio. Those just looking for a stiff drink can visit the cocktail lounge, which the owners have meticulously maintained since 1937, and sip a signature martini while playing Sinatra’s greatest hits on the free jukebox.

Try this: Eight-finger cavatelli

Though named after a hedonistic festival and decorated with an enormous mural of the god of wine and revelry, this is a quaint, family-owned restaurant that has been serving up what it calls recipes from the Old Country in the Heart of Little Italy for four decades. The menu features traditional pasta dishes like lasagna and rigatoni with vodka sauce and a long list of classics like chicken parmesan and veal scaloppine. Indulge with tiramisu or a freshly filled cannoli for dessert.

Try this: Chicken Bacchanalia

The owners behind Coalfire Pizza and Tempesta Market joined forces to open this casual trattoria in Little Italy. The streamlined menu focuses on seasonal specials plus reliable go-tos such as calamari fritti, gnocchi in vodka sauce and a 22-ounce bone-in ribeye served with roasted garlic butter. And for dessert, don’t skip the tiramisu. Take a walk around the neighborhood after dinner to burn off the calories; you might be able to spot nearby Arrigo Park, known as "Peanut Park" by locals.

Try this: Tiramisu

The Gold Coast is full of glitz and glamor and this Italian palace is no exception. The sophisticated second-floor dining area—outfitted with crystal chandeliers and vintage mirrors—is a bustling and boisterous spot for a celebratory occasion. Servers dressed to the nines guide guests through Michelin-starred chef and Top Chef alum Soo Ahn’s menu, which is loaded with luxuries like caviar, a truffle Caesar salad and veal chop parm. After dinner, head downstairs to the Rose Lounge for a digestif.

Try this: Veal chop parmigiana

As Lincoln Park’s go-to Italian joint for all occasions—whether it be a first date or an anniversary celebration—it’s easy to get the impression that people are coming here out of habit. In reality, Chicagoans are attracted to the warm, homey room and the housemade pastas like spaghetti with veal meatballs and fennel-flecked Italian sausage, or sumptuous gnocchi paired with a lively pesto sauce. They’re so tasty you’ll realize that locals love Sapori for good reason.

Try this: Cappellacci all'Aragosta

The same family has run Mart Anthony’s since 1981, supported by staff who have spent decades serving old school Italian fare. Recipes handed down for five generations are used for specialties like cheese tortellini served with prosciutto and mushrooms in a creamy tomato sauce and eggplant parmesan with mostaccioli. Complement the meal with something from the extensive selection of Italian wines and finish with tiramisu and amaro. The retractable roof on the new garden area makes it a great place for parties or large dinners.

Try this: Braciole

When beloved Northwest Side institution Sabatino’s closed in 2018, Chicagoans mourned the loss of a dying breed of Italian restaurants. Fortunately, former Sabatino’s chef Joel Piedra stepped up to help fill the void left behind by opening his own place, Avvio. You can expect to see a lot of familiar crowd favorites on the menu, such as stuffed chicken breast and Richard’s Special—filet mignon marsala with breaded shrimp and veal piccata. And like its predecessor, entrees come with soup and salad to ensure no one leaves hungry.

Try this: Richard's special

This Cicero grocer and deli has been in operation since the ‘60s, slinging much more than just Sicilian-style pizzas. There’s always a line of people waiting for owner Giuseppe Quercia’s homemade meatballs, pastas and chicken limone—the surest sign you’re in the right place. Bring bills (cash only) and grab some astonishing creamy gelato on your way out.

Try this: Chicken limone

Upon entering this Old Town stalwart, you'll get the feeling that many people have enjoyed special moments at this time-worn restaurant. It's true: For more than 30 years, Topo Gigio has helped diners celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and Friday nights over heaping plates of rigatoni, seafood-studded risotto and a mean veal saltimbocca. Celebration or not, you shouldn't sign the check without a bowl of the dreamy house-made tiramisu.

Try this: Conchiglie alla sarda

Start your meal at Lettuce Entertain You’s RPM Italian with the prime beef meatballs and braised octopus before jumping into the house-made pastas (you can't go wrong with the creamy carbonara). The impressive gluten-free menu still offers plenty of options, including seven pasta dishes crafted using gluten-free fettuccine. When dessert rolls around, find room for the delightful bomboloni. You’ll see why it’s such a popular place for special occasions as well as big group dinners.

Try this: Mama DePandi's bucatini

Italian cuisine boasting Midwestern ingredients is what chef Matt Troost specializes in at his restaurant in West Town. Instead of the usual lineup of red sauce classics, you’ll encounter recipes with contemporary twists. That means dishes like a deconstructed lasagna, seasonal risotto and fried chicken gussied up with Calabrian honey, fried rosemary and pickled hot peppers.

Try this: Freestyle "lasagna"

The soft focaccia and fruity olive oil delivered to your table at this popular River North mainstay are good indicators of what’s to come. Start with some antipasto—an assortment of cured meats, aged cheeses and herb-cured olives—to whet your appetite. From there, pair a pasta dish (we vote gnocchetti) with a main (the whole roasted fish are always divine).

Try this: Bistecca alla Fiorentina

The James Beard Foundation recognized longstanding Italian kitchen Tufano’s as an American classic in 2008 and it’s easy to understand why. The University Village restaurant has been owned by the DiBuono family since 1930 and serves superb renditions of Italian-American favorites, such as lemon chicken and eggplant parm. Regulars know the menu by heart but for first-timers, the dishes are posted on chalkboards. Make sure to bring some bills as it’s cash only.

Try this: Lemon chicken

Chef Riccardo Michi’s family founded a Tuscan restaurant in Milan that has been running since 1943, so he knows a thing or two about regional Italian food. He opened restaurants across the U.S. before starting his own place in Lincoln Park in 2006, providing a casual place to enjoy food cooked in a Tuscan wood-burning oven. Don’t miss the lobster ravioli served in creamy saffron sauce. Finish your meal with warm apple pie and vanilla gelato.

Try this: Veal chop Milanese

What’s not to like about this affable Andersonville restaurant? It’s cute, it’s bustling, service is helpful and the food borders between good and great. Year-round don’t-miss items include the lemon-kissed grilled octopus and the brick chicken balanced with spicy bitter greens. Like any good trattoria, Anteprima rotates much of the menu according to season, but house-made pastas prove as perfect with rabbit ragù in cold weather as they do with bright fava beans and ricotta in spring.

Try this: Orecchiette with spicy lamb sausage

Don’t waste your time searching the menu for the crudo and truffles. This is Bridgeport, where locals eat thick pork chop Vesuvio and big bowls of penne tossed with spicy pesto, capers and succulent nibs of prosciutto. If you must, temper your order with a light insalata, like the roasted beet salad or the super-fresh caprese.

Try this: Pork chop Vesuvio

This old school Irving Park restaurant is the creation of Gene & Georgetti alum Arturo Aucaquizhpi. The menu features a long list of steak options along with classic Italian dishes (and even mostaccioli). The space offers two dining rooms, plus a bar and patio, providing ample space for diners with skylights in one dining room. Stop in for a hearty plate of pasta and a house salad, or check out Aucaquizhpi's staples—the steaks.

Hailing from Lodi, Italy, Federico Comacchio helms the kitchen at Gioia Ristorante e Pastificio, showcasing a rotating menu of regional Italian dishes and housemade pastas, including paccheri in tomato sauce with aged Parmigiano, prepared tableside. The really hungry can order the Milanese, a breaded double veal chop served on a wood platter with arugula and tomato salad. Just make sure that you'll have enough room to sample the frozen tiramisu souffle paired with a glass of limoncello.

Try this: Veal chop Milanese

When summer rolls around, the plant-lined sidewalk patio in front of this West Loop restaurant is populated by neighborhood folk sipping prosecco and piling whipped ricotta atop sourdough. The interior of Formento's offers a different vibe entirely, with dim lighting, leather banquettes and tons of exposed brick. Take your pick, then tuck into well-executed takes on classic Italian-American dishes, like tempura-fried calamari, chicken parmesan and bucatini carbonara.

Try this: Bucatini carbonara

Despite its sprawling, multi-level dining room, this River North mainstay is always stuffed to the gills. Most of the dishes on the lengthy menu are designed to be shared, so load up your table with polenta fries, veal meatballs, shrimp risotto and linguine with clams. The approachable price tags make it all too easy to upgrade to a half-litre of wine.

Try this: Pappardelle al sugo di manzo

This expansive trattoria is the second outpost of a New York Italian concept, offering rustic fare in a chic setting. Start with a cocktail by Tim Williams—the Calabrian peach sour strikes a perfect balance between sweet and spicy—before diving into dishes like tuna crudo, chitarra alla carbonara and chicken Milanese. Desserts star an exotic panna cotta, with pineapple brunoise and passion fruit sauce, that defies expectations in the best way.

Try this: Exotic panna cotta

Tradition runs deep at this old-school, family-owned Italian joint located on the outskirts of the West Loop. That means massive servings of tried-and-true classics like rigatoni smothered in Sunday pork gravy and veal marsala dripping in tender, earthy mushrooms. It's a great place to go when you're counting on leftovers for lunch the next day.

Try this: Meatball salad

Handmade pastas and solid happy hour specials ($9 carafes of wine, anyone?) are enough to get us in the door of this Andersonville gem, but it’s the meatballs that really shine. Chef Fred Ramos offers them in several varieties—the “Manzo” with ground beef and braised beef cheek is our favorite—and you can add a fried egg if you need more protein.

Try this: Manzo polpette

A Chicago tradition since 1927, Italian Village is one of the city's oldest restaurants. Designed to look like a quaint European town, the Village offers comforting dishes like minestrone soup and fettuccine alfredo that begs to be twirled—enjoyed by diners under twinkle lights.

Try this: Fettuccine alfredo

This tiny Gold Coast restaurant makes the perfect backdrop for date night. But after one look at the menu, you'll realize that the cutesy interior is backed up by fantastic fare. Start with a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie before diving into the pappardelle bolognese and rustic hand-stretched pizzas. There's also a nice wine selection and limoncello spritzes.

Try this: Hot honey pizza