Went for a date night with the girlfriend on a Tuesday night. No issue with last minute booking for two on Open Table yet still decent crowd for a fairly small setting without the patio on a cold Chicago evening. Service was friendly and top notch as expected from a nice Chicago restaurant. Props to the serving assistant/"busboy" who kept our waters full and table clean and set as we ate. As a former buss boy and server, I really appreciated his effort and attentiveness. Food was excellent! I got the chicken picatta with rigatoni added and both were on point. Homemade pasta and succulent chicken were really fantastic for an otherwise "boring" choice by me. We shared a side of the cauliflower that was seasoned impeccably with toasted almonds and white raisins. It might have been the best part of our entire meal which is saying a lot. Girlfriend got the lobster stuffed pasta which was excellent as well per her report and my opinion after tasting. Would Highly recommend this place for business, date, or dinner with a few friends. Very reasonable price as we are for less than $100 pre tax although we did not get any drinks. Tipped in cash because the service and atmosphere were soo good. read more

Upscale, classic, warm old world style Italian restaurant off Michigan avenue. Indoor ambiance GIVES off a cozy wine lounge appeal with its crimson wood style and soft lighting. The outdoor space is also plentiful with heated seating that makes the snowfall dinner such a romantic experience. The food was also very good. Here's what we tried. 1. Fusilli: Squid ink fusilli pasta with generous amount of seafood assortment including lobster, scallops, and shrimp. Seasoned to perfection with chili, tomatoes, and garlic. 2. Filet mignon: perfect cut filet cooked to a medium rare with sis of parsnip pree, shallots, and bone marrow butter. Superb 3. Roasted pistachio and Amaretto Coppa: roasted pistachio gelato with amaretto cherries, an crushed amaretto. Love it! Paired it with mint tea. Overall perfect winter night out. Can't wait to come back during the warmer months to enjoy the park scenery along with dinner read more

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The service and hosting experience were great. The staff is very helpful very welcoming and support a cozy yet elevated ambience. The dining room room is truly lovely. The arancini was phenomenal, especially the pesto. Carpaccio was good, although it was doused in parmigiano, which was unnecessary in my opinion. Unfortunately the pasta dishes (which we so looked forward to because the dough is in-house) were some of the worst I've had in the city in a while. There is something about the sauces in both dishes that was very unpleasant. The pasta itself was great so I would give it another shot, but it is disappointing that you are need to play it safe with your pick. Overall, I am puzzled by this place. I would return for small bites but I've had enough great Italian in the city to pass. read more

Met a few friends for dinner , salads here usually top notch but our iceberg lettuce had some sand which was disappointing. But the hostess was very gracious to replace it with another salad. I love the ambience and service. Rest of the food was delicious, will be back read more

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The Great: -The tiramisu is excellent, perfect balance of flavors -Bruschetta is a MUST The Good: -Extensive wine list -Great service The Not so Great: -I don't think they season their meat. I couldn't finish the rigatoni because it literally tasted like a pound of ground beef. Meatball were the same way - no flavor read more

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Romantic Italian restaurant located near Millennium Park. Phenomenal homemade pasta dishes. Highly recommend starting with the cauliflower appetizer, and either the sea scallops or duck bolognese with homemade pasta. End the night with affogato in the shape of a rose. The service was also attentive without being overbearing. Great place to eat after attending the Symphony (as it is just steps away). read more

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Went here for Mother's Day. They didn't have any reservations left so we sat at the bar and still had a great time. Food was amazing. Loved the ambiance. The governor of Illinois came in to dine while we were there. The gluten free calamari is some of the best calamari I've ever had - particularly enjoyed the olives. Great experience. A little pricey but definitely less expensive than other places we were looking at. read more

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Acanto was the venue for our work holiday party. Honestly I really wanted our venue to be a steakhouse, so management was breaking years of tradition coming to an Italian restaurant. It was a set menu so could t really venture off and get what I wanted. For appetizers we had the salad - looked like a garden salad with flakes of cheese on top. It was tasty and flavorful and I devoured it all. Next came the house bread which paired nicely with the oil. The bread was delicious - I think i had 3 slices! For the main course. I went with the salmon. Hands down one of the best salmons I've had in a while. What made it amazing was the mushrooms that topped it off with a truffle sauce on top. The taste was a burst of flavor in your mouth. I greatly enjoyed the salmon and highly recommend. Dessert was the tiramisu. It was nice and fluffy and the texture was great. I was pleasantly surprised. Servers were great and very attentive. I would surely come back and taste their pasta. Because if their salmon was to die for, I can just imagine how the pasta would taste like! read more

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Wonderful experience with sitting at the bar for lunch and still getting amazing food and drinks. Highly recommend for a great experience of food and drinks. read more

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Wonderful service by Marela I think it was. Forgive me if I'm wrong about her name. Very good food and romantic ambiance. The wine list by the glass was fantastic as well and they have a wine class on Wednesdays as well. read more

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Stopped in for a late lunch and was excited to find happy hour from 2-5 which included a decent variety of food and drinks. I had an aperol spritz, along with the panino prosciutto which was amazing. It came with a side salad - I'd definitely order it all again. The place itself is a darker eloquent wine bar with plenty of seating. read more

Acanto - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were out in Iowa and decided to make a quick day trip to Chicago. After shopping and walking around, we decided to check out Acanto because their menu looked delicious. Didn't realize it would turn out to be such a great experience. It was a perfect fall day in Chicago! We walked up after making a reservation and the host helped us to get seated right away. We had the option of sitting inside or outside and were so glad to have chosen outside. Their patio looks out into a park across the street and the views and vibes were amazing! The server was friendly and made some great recommendations. We started out with the burrata. It was fresh and light! We asked for some bread to go with it and were brought out the most warm and delicious pieces of foccacia. Next we got a calamari fritti. It was lightly breaded, crisp and perfectly fried. For our entree, we shared the bolognese. Wow!! It was rich in flavor and just such a comforting dish. Lastly, we wrapped with a warm olive oil with berry sauce a la mode. It was the best way to end a meal. If you're looking for a great place to eat with an amazing ambiance to match, this is the spot. If the weather is nice, highly recommend sitting outside. read more

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Hidden gem near millenium park an the bean. Really nice ambiance and decor of an italian wine bar. Staff were friendly and prompt great service. We came in for happy hour and tried a few share plates and cocktails everything was delicious and the crispy rice tuna is a must try, phenomenal!! Street parking is minimal but their is a garage at the bean. Overall great experience and food. read more

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Great vibe! Small space, tables can be a bit close, but it did not take away from our experience. Our server, Anjelica was wonderful. She was very attentive even when the restaurant got busy. We had the calamari and harvest salads to start and they were delicious. For mains we ordered the pumpkin raviolis, mushroom risotto (added grilled chicken), rigatoni and sea scallops. The flavors were amazing. The portion sizes are perfectly portioned, so for some the may find the price a bit high, but we thought it was perfect. We don't like to waste food and many times that is what happens when portions are too large. We finished with the pear dessert and it is an absolute must!!! The only thing that I probably wouldn't order again was the cappuccino. My friends had the bruschetta, which was unique with a truffle ricotta and prosciutto. My friends loved it, I am not a huge fan of prosciutto, but I would recommend others try it. Sorry, no pics because we were enjoying the food and company. But trust me....GO! read more

We originally wanted to go to Cindys Rooftop, but after seeing the wait we wandered out to find the next closest option--and I'm SO GLAD we did! Acanto ended up being a really cozy and delicious surprise, with super fast and geniune service. Our table got the arancini, lobster ravioli, gnocchi, and the duck ragu. I didn't try the ragu but everthing else was top tier! Arancini: super cheesy, crispy, and that sauce WOW Ravioli: tasty, but a little one note. The lemon drop sauce on top really brightened it up but needed more of it Gnocchi: like a down pillow Our server let us know that they have rotating menu items to highlight one region of italy at a time, which I thought was really cool. When we visited it was Umbria, hence the duck ragu. Keep an eye out for those specials when you visit! read more

Acanto - Lobster Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went to the Abruzzo wine dinner 4/29 and it was one of the most informative and delicious wine dinners we have ever attended. We have attended wine dinners all over the US including Sonoma and Napa. Tori (Torrence) the sommelier was amazing and taught us so much about the region, wines, travel, history and food. It was very casual and the group at the event was great and all had a wonderful time. We will definately be back for a wine class and dinner again. Acanto is a charming and amazing place to go for a great meal and or drinks for any occassion. Service is also top notch and attentive. Put this on your list. You wont be dissappointed. read more

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I can't lie, I was a bit skeptical about going here at first due to it being a restaurant on Michigan Ave, I figured it would be an over priced tourist trap with mediocre food. But I'm so glad I was wrong! Acanto is a cosy and intimate Italian restaurant with a welcoming and warm ambiance. The restaurant is illuminated by candle-lit tables which gives it a romantic touch. I came here for dinner solo and was seated immediately, and my server was very friendly and hospitable. I ordered the lobster ravioli and house made meatballs. The meatballs were great and came with 2 pieces of hearty focaccia bread. The ravioli was also fantastic but I wish it was cooked just a tad longer so the pasta was a bit softer. I ended my meal with dessert, and opted for the torta barozzi. Out came a very generous slice of a single layer rich chocolate cake, which was also flourless but I honestly couldn't even tell. It was served with a scoop of espresso gelato which complimented the richness of the chocolate cake so perfect and was the best way to end my meal. I would definitely come back here again - either to dine solo for a relaxing dinner, on a date, or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Acanto is a great spot if you're looking for a welcoming and upscale Italian dining experience. read more

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It's a cool ambiance and pretty dark inside, so definitely more of a romantic type of setting. I only went for drinks and we got one appetizer. The drinks were pretty good! And the Bruschetta di Prosciutto was also pretty good. In terms of service, I only experienced the waitress being pleasant. However, the person I went with arrived before me and said she was being mean to him. So that's the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. read more

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Our group was in the mood for some Italian food and saw this place has great reviews. Also, it is right across the street from the bean, so it was perfect for us. The restaurant is beautiful inside and the employees were friendly and attentive. Our party of 7 was happy with our meal and would return whenever visiting the Chicago area again. read more

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Amazing food and service! We went during a weekday for lunch. Were seated immediately. The Italian sodas are great! I had the blood orange and my hubby had the bitter orange: you can't go wrong with either choice! For appetizers, we had the meatballs and the prosciutto. OMG. So darn good! The meatballs had enough sauce but not too much where it felt like it drowning in it. The prosciutto had a bit of a sweet taste to it, but it wasn't overpowering. The main courses! Here we go! I got the cheese tortellini. It wasn't a whole lot but once you try them, you understand why. Very filling and very rich! The broth is perfect! My son loved the rigatoni with meat. It was seasoned just right and the sauce was amazing! My hubby got the Pappardelle. It was so rich yet so good. For dessert, my son had the chocolate gelato while my husband and I shared the panna cotta. It was perfect. It was very pricey but it was worth the price! Highly recommend!! read more

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Bestest Italian food I have found in the city so far with top notch quality and ingredients. Totally loved the experience here. It is an underrated hidden gem in between the hustle of city. I walked in for a weekday dinner and found a table last minute. It was a completely candle lit restaurant experience but crowd was extremely noisy so I chose a patio which was far more quieter and low key. The menu is carefully curated and staffs are extremely polite and friendly to answer any questions. Arancini was so creamy and perfect. They give you a veg vs meat option Cocktails were outstanding and on point. English pea ravioli was a classic and beautifully handmade with burst of flavors. Overall a wonderful experience. I reduced a star for the too noisy ambiance. Otherwise perfect! read more

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We had a great experience at Acanto. The pasta Umbricelli con Sugo d'Anatra was al dente although the portion size was small. The meatballs came in 3 and were moist however I thought it tasted a little gamey. The arugula salad was recommended by our server and was delicious light and bright. Wine was a great addition. read more

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I've walked past this place many times and yesterday I finally stopped in for dinner. So glad I did. The food was amazing! The chicken piccata was my favorite and the crispy Tuscan potatoes. So flavorful. We also ordered the lobster cappelletti which was delicious! Leaving 4 stars because our waiter disappeared for a long period, but it did seem busy for a Monday. read more

Acanto - Crispy Tuscan Potatoes - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My sister and I had a reservation here and were seated immediately upon arrival. We ordered the arancini, meatballs, rigatoni and black truffle cacio pepe. Food was delicious and service was excellent. Staff was very attentive and worked as a team well (wait staff, bus boys, water refills, etc). Very enjoyable experience. I would rank the arancini above the meatballs for app choices. read more

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Acanto is a cozy upscale Italian spot! I came in with a larger work group and we just walked in- the host staff was extremely amenable and rearranged seating to enable us to all sit together. The pasta was yummy but definitely pricey for the portion sizes- keep that in mind when you order. I really liked the peach panzanella salad- my highlight of the meal! read more

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One of the BEST Italian spots I have ever had. They were very busy upon arrival, but were able to seat us promptly. We ordered the bruschetta and meatballs as the appetizer. They were exceptional. The flavor complexity was elite and the presentations complimented the taste very well. It's rare we get a looks good tastes good. Our main entrees were great as well. They talked us into getting the tiramisu and it was also good. The service was great and they were helpful in every way. The ambiance is dark and dimly let with candles at our tables, but that's the vibe that we want. I would 100% come back if I am ever in town again. read more

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After spending a day downtown enjoying shopping and the holidays we stopped in at Acanto. It was on a Saturday night and very busy. We had to wait about 30-45 minutes for a table to open up. I highly recommend getting a reservation especially on the weekend. An Italian restaurant that is very much authentic to Italy with a complete wine menu. Service was great and a relaxed and romantic vibe to the place. Definitely a spot I would go back to in the future. read more

This was probably the most welcoming restaurant I have been to at any point in my life. The service was excellent from the moment we walked in. We were promptly and warmly greeted before being escorted to our seats. I will say the tables are quite small, at least the one we were set at, but we were only a party of two. The other diners were seated in very close proximity, however the atmosphere and lighting Acanto creates more than made up for it. The wait staff were knowledgeable, patient, and pleasant. The food itself was nothing short of exceptional. The portions were a very reasonable size. We ended the evening with a free dessert from the chef, which is something we did not expect! We came back for restaurant week today and were impressed again. The bay scallops on the parsnip puree were rich and cooked to perfection. read more

Acanto - Bay scallops - Restaurant week 2025 - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Decor & Vibes - 5 stars. The general ambiance was amazing. I loved that they used real candle sticks - it just adds to the vibe. Appetizers Pear Salad - 5 stars - we really enjoyed the Pear Salad. It was light, a little sweet from the pear- just lovely. Octopus - 4 stars - as an octopus lover this did not disappoint. The lemon vinegarette was so well balanced. Amazing! Arancini - 4 stars - interesting and delicious Main Rigatoni - 3 stars - solidly okay. I was a little disappointed thought cause I wanted it to be amazing. The appetizers were so good I had wanted the pasta to be equally as amazing. Lobster Ravioli - 2.5 stars - this was a major disappointment. We're both lobster lovers so I'm surprised we both didn't like this Ravioli. It was "too" lobstery..in a not so nice way. Drinks - 4 stars - we had a couple, none were bad. Overall, 3.5 stars but rounding up because the vibes be viben and our waitress was pretty awesome. read more

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Boy oh boy, let me tell you about my latest culinary conquest in the Windy City--because if you're not eating like a king after posing with that shiny "Bean" sculpture, what's even the point of Chicago? I stumbled into this gem of a spot for dinner, expecting maybe a decent bite, but honey, I was blindsided by flavor fireworks that left me grinning like a Cheshire cat with a secret sauce recipe. The inside? Pure romance central--candlelit vibes that scream "date night magic," where you'd whisper sweet nothings over pasta. But me? I opted for the patio perch, sipping my water while people-watching like a nosy foodie detective. Prime entertainment: tourists tripping over their own feet, locals strutting like they own the sidewalk. 10/10 ambiance upgrade! First off the blocks: the Arancini. Folks, if Arancini were a rock band, this would be their sold-out stadium tour. Crispy golden armor on the outside, oozing cheesy ecstasy in the middle, with risotto rice that bites back just right--none of that mushy nonsense. Seasoned to perfection, and that basil pesto? It's the sassy backup dancer that ties it all together. I haven't had better since... well, ever! I nearly proposed to the plate. But hold onto your forks, because the Honeydew Melon salad? This bad boy stole the show and ran away with my heart. Don't you dare scroll past this on the menu--it's a summer fling in a bowl! The melon was so sweetly seductive, like it had been skinny-dipping in honey and elderflower syrup. Then BAM--crispy prosciutto crashes the party with its salty crunch, those black pearls pop like balsamic fireworks in your mouth, and the cheese? Oh, it swoops in like a chill mediator, mellowing the madness into pure bliss. I could've devoured a bucket, a barrel, heck, a whole melon truck. Favorite dish? Understatement of the year! For the mains, we dove into the Chicken Piccata and Rigatoni, and let me say, they were tag-teaming my taste buds like pros. The Piccata? Chicken cooked to juicy perfection--tender, not a dry feather in sight--and that light, lemony sauce kept things breezy, so you won't waddle out feeling like a stuffed turkey. The only quibble? It could've used a salt sprinkle parade; the capers were carrying the salty load solo. But hey, underneath? Charred broccolini with a snappy bite that said, "I'm healthy, but fun!" Ideal for those "I want flavor without the food coma" nights. The Rigatoni? A hearty hug from Nonna herself--rich, meaty sauce that's bold but not bossy, draped over al dente pasta like a velvet cape. Perfectly balanced, no soggy regrets here. It vanished faster than my diet resolutions! We polished off every last morsel, crumb, and sauce swipe--plates so clean, the dishwasher probably felt redundant. 10/10, no notes (well, maybe one extra salt shaker). This spot was the crown jewel of our Chicago chow-down spree--go now, thank me later, and let's rack up those likes for epic eats! read more

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This place is pretty good - solid option if you're going to the Art Institute. Food is on the pricey side, but I've always enjoyed the food! Drinks are good as well. read more

Acanto - Arancini** - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very chic spot just across from Millennium park. Sophisticated Italian inspired cuisine. We all enjoyed our dishes, and the ambiance was very nice. Had great staff who were very attentive. This place is definitely a splurge but worth it considering the ambiance and food. read more

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Tremendous from start to finish! Ambiance was very romantic, although the room was a bit noisy. Well appointed decor, excellent prompt service (the SA's were the best I've seen in a long time!). Food was tremendous, especially for gluten free diners looking for excellent Italian read more

Acanto - Gluten free chicken picatta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sat at the bar in a snowstorm. Service was excellent, from the bus staff to the bartender. Got a pasta dish that was outstanding, portion was not huge but with a side with it was a perfect amount with a tiny bit of room for dessert. Dessert was a wine soaked pear with sorbet and worth every bite. Lovely ambiance read more

Acanto - Crispy Tuscan Potatoes and a potato and onion filled ravioli dish. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service was great. The food was solid. The arancini was delicious. The truffle pasta was so tasty and the perfect serving size to be satisfied and not stuffed. I was too full to get dessert but excited to try that next time. It was a cozy little spot. They had outdoor seating but we were luckily inside and nice and warm. Get a reservation and enjoy! read more

Two of us stopped in for an after work catch-up/business meeting. Surprise! It was happy hour. We were seated immediately and chose the outdoor enclosed seating area to take advantage of a beautiful spring-like evening. The service was wonderful and our server (she) was very attentive. We were able to avail ourselves of happy hour wine selections. The arancino appetizer was so good we ordered it twice! We also had the olives which were quite tasty and the Pomodoro bruschetta. We'll be back! read more

Acanto - Appetizers: Olives and Arancino** - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Acanto is right across from Millennium Park so parking can be tough. It was pretty busy for an early Friday night dinner, and we had a 20 minute wait. If you can, highly recommend making a reservation. The menu has a lot of options, including appetizers, salads, pasta and entrees. We ordered the arancini and pear salad to share, and I ordered the fusilli. * Arancini - 5/5 well fried and the flavors of the tomato risotto with the basil pesto aioli was just amazing * Pear salad - 5/5 huge portion size, a refreshing and light salad with watercress and endives * Fusilli - 5/5 probably in my top two for squid ink pasta in Chicago! It had a decent amount of lobster, scallops and shrimp. Not spicy, but a slight kick from the calabrian chili. It was so flavorful, I ate with a spoon to get a good amount of pasta sauce with the fusilli and seafood in each bite! Loved every single dish at Acanto and definitely will be back! Highly recommend checking out Acanto! read more

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Every time we visit Chicago, this place reminds us of why we make a point to eat dinner here. Food is phenomenal, service is impeccable, and the wine is excellent!! The atmosphere is so comfortable yet elevated. It feels very intimate! read more

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This place is pretty fancy, good for a nice date/outing, when you have an extra buck.. The service was friendly. I went with 2 friends, and we started with arancini to share. It was crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, and packed with flavor. All of us thoroughly enjoyed it! Unfortunately the meal peaked at the start though. I ordered one of the specials, a saffron pasta, and it lacked flavor. Portions were also very small for what you pay. read more

Came here for lunch. Everyone was kind and helpful. The place is on the smaller side and tables are pretty close together. My friends and split a bottle of wine and shared broccoli. I really enjoyed the broccolini. I had the Campanelle Pomodoro as my main dish. It was good, tasted like a generic marinara sauce. I tried the Pappardelle and that dish was good. Portions are on the smaller end. read more

Acanto - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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