Coco Pazzo

Such an amazing restaurant, I can't recommend enough. We came for dinner so the place was packed…read morewith people. The inside of the restaurant felt like a classic Italian restaurant you might find in Italy. Our waiter was super nice and gave some great wine recommendations. First, they bring you some bread and give you a small platter mixed with olive oil, fresh garlic, and Parmesan. This is the first time I've seen it done this way but it was delicious. The calamari was delicious, not too fried and oily but still had so much flavor to it. We also decided to order the peperoni pizza, which is just a magnificent pizza. It was just cooked perfectly with just the right amount of flavor and spice. I ordered the raviolacci toscani, which took a bit of time to come out (but understandable given the amount of people). It was just delicious. The meat filling had such a deep flavor and the sauce wasn't so heavy that I didn't want to finish it. I would recommend this to anyone that wants a good Italian meal with great portions. Reservations might be hard to get so plan ahead.

I ordered the chicken Parmesan and it was delicious and a huge serving. The service was fantastic…read moreas usual. I brought my adult son and daughter and fell in love with the restaurant. This is a true Italian experience you should try. Warm and charming experience.

Dining Room

Insalata Pera

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Sausage Potato and Vegetable Soup

Il Porcellino

4.4(1.8k reviews)

0.3 mi•Near North Side

Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of…read moreItalian restaurants over the years, and this one keeps us coming back again and again. It's one of those places that you find yourself talking about long after the meal is over. The garlic bread alone is worth the visit. They pour what feels like a gallon of garlic butter over it, and somehow it's still never enough. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. We order it every single time and would probably be disappointed if we didn't. The real star of the show, though, is the lasagna. Between the two of us, we've had lasagna at countless restaurants, and nothing has come close to this one. It's hands down the best lasagna we've ever had. Perfect layers, incredible flavor, and the kind of comfort food that makes you want to savor every bite. Their Grey Goose espresso martini is also unmatched. We've tried espresso martinis all over Chicago, and this one is still our favorite. It's smooth, perfectly balanced, and the ideal way to start or end the meal. The atmosphere is another reason we love coming here. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a dark, moody vibe that makes it feel special without being stuffy. It's the perfect date night spot whether you're celebrating something or just looking for a great night out together. If you're visiting Chicago and love Italian food, Il Porcellino is a must. Great food, amazing drinks, beautiful ambiance, and a meal you'll be thinking about long after you've left. We make a point to visit every time we're in town, and it never disappoints.

First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino…read morecertainly did not disappoint! For appetizers, we ordered the While Garlic Loaf Focaccia and the Stuffed mushrooms. I wished I took a video when the focaccia arrived. The waiter, holding a plate with a round and fluffy focaccia and proceeded to pour the garlic et al on top of the bread! Very freshly-made and fabulous! The stuffed mushrooms were also cute delicious! This is a rare time where the stuffing had spinach below the stuffing - excellent! I remember seeing (and enjoying) this while I visited Italy. Delightful! The main courses we ordered were the Gnocchi Bolognese, the Baked Burrata Lasagna and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. The Gnocchi meat sauce was the standout here, being very flavorful, but not as heavy as some other restaurants. The Gnocchi were dense - not fluffy as I had expected. But the sauce flavor was vivid. The Baked Burrata Lasagna was oh, so perfect! Many layers of al dente pasta separates with a tasty meat sauce. Many times I have had lasagna that was either over-baked, or had limp pasta. Here, the lasagna shined! So large of a serving that my wife could not finish it, much to her dismay . . . I had the Barolo Braised Short Rib - oh my living god! - so tender, so complete a dish, with the fork tender meat that melts in your mouth, complimented by a light polenta (I must emphasize the lightness here, as many restaurants serve polenta that is heavy and too rich. This did not compete with the short rib, rather it seamlessly became the foundation on which the richness of the meat was enhanced. I was blown away! But, the most amazing, and probably the most delectable part of the evening was finishing off with a luscious Chocolate Cake! OH, WOW!!! The cake was certainly moist and smooth. Yes, smooth! I could not tell there was cake at all, so smooth it was! And surprisingly (not surprising given the quality of this establishment) it wasn't too sweet, rather just enough to bring out the chocolatey goodness! I only wished that I ordered some hot coffee - the cake would have gone well with a great cup of coffee! Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant! The old-town decor, the dim lights, the fantastic food (just like of the Italy of old!)- all contributing to a wonderful experience! Highly recommended!

Wall decor

Grilled Calamari

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Burrata Lasagna

Tre Dita

4.3(357 reviews)

1.0 mi•The Loop

•$$$$

This is the place to celebrate important events in your life…read more Grilled meats are prime and perfectly seasoned. Salads are crisp fresh and dressed well . Pastas are hand cut made with imported flour from Italy . You can taste the difference . My favorite had a lemon sauce that made me wish for the recipe. Beautiful presentations of decadent desserts will keep you at the table . Service is pristine. The waitstaff is well informed in both the food and beverage service. We were made comfortable and treated like guests . The atmosphere is white tablecloth with dim lighting and exquisite views over the Chicago River. Sunset is a bonus attraction. Elevator access will accommodate most. I recommend valet parking or a car service.

I came here for my birthday and was really excited about it, but the experience was disappointing…read morefrom the start. We arrived on time for our reservation and checked in, then stood waiting for about 20 minutes while several groups who came after us were seated before us. A younger host actually had to remind the older host that we were still waiting. When he finally noticed us, his attitude wasn't exactly welcoming. The restaurant knew it was my birthday, but nobody seemed to care. The whole experience felt very cold and corporate, with no warmth or personal touch. For a place at this price point, I expected much better hospitality. The food was excellent, and that's honestly the best part of the review. But when you're celebrating a special occasion, service matters too. My daughter's friends eventually had to ask if there would be a birthday dessert. Instead, our server asked if we wanted to order desserts. A small birthday treat was eventually brought out, but it was clearly meant for one person, not something to share with the table. I don't expect over-the-top attention, but I do expect a restaurant of this caliber to make guests feel welcome and cared for, especially on special occasions. Great food, but I would not recommend it for a birthday or other celebration. The experience lacked warmth from the beginning to the end . Idk why Service was highlighted in green here , I would not recommend this restaurant for service .

What a breath taking walk to your table.

Schiacciata Bianca

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Golden Siren

Tuscan Market & Wine Shop

4.0(207 reviews)

22.4 mi

My first time here, and first time in this fabulous dining area of Arlington Heights. Beautiful…read morenight to sit out enjoy a beer and listen to the house band. Nice waiter; didn't know squat about the menu, but the pizza was delicious.

This review is late but still fun! A skeleton crew was on staff on July 4 and we were craving a…read moreTuscan Heat Pizza. They only had hot dogs and canned beer out front for the parade but the staff went ahead and prepared a Tuscan Heat pizza for us! We really appreciated it! If you haven't tried one, it is a MUST!

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Pizza soup menu

Siena Tavern

4.2(2.5k reviews)

0.3 mi•Near North Side

A classic River North restaurant and great place to go for dinner after work. We ordered the Wagyu…read moremeatballs, number 2 cocktail, arancini, coccoli, vodka rigatoni, lobster linguine, pesto pasta (not pictured), vanilla bean cheesecake and chocolate gianduja bar. I usually don't order cocktails at restaurants but I heard great things about the No. 2 cocktail. It was a great balance of tangy from the lemon and sweetness of the peach. I had one bite of the pesto pasta and it was so sour. It was not my favorite, but the lobster linguine and the vodka rigatoni were a hit! My favorite of the appetizers was the Wagyu meatballs, but the dessert was the star of the show. The vanilla bean cheesecake had some berries on top and my favorite dessert ! The chocolate gianduja bar reminds me of a ferrero rocher and a tootsie roll walks into a bar. Great vibes and the staff were so considerate and even split a pasta I had with a friend. Definitely will be coming back!

It is a nice dinner spot in the heart of River North. No complaints about the service, it was…read moreaverage. The lighting is really dark in the restaurant, it was really cold in the restaurant too. I enjoyed the Focaccia with a Garlic/Artichoke Spread. For my entree, I had the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. It came out fresh and quick. It was really flavorful and filling. There were a lot of items on the menu I wanted to try. I think the pricing was pretty fair too. Check this place out, there is something for everybody on the menu.

Kicking off a great IRL off-site in a private room at Siena Tavern

Lobster linguine

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Good, but pricey, martini

Ignotz's Ristorante

4.5(527 reviews)

3.8 mi

Food was unbelievable. The owner made me and my wife feel like family. Unreal experience. From the…read morebartender to the server to the bus help. Spectacular. We were there on 4/10/26. Love your new Pittsburgh cousins Donny and Debbie.

I want so badly to gatekeep Ignotz's but it is my duty as an Elite Yelper to share my excellent…read moreexperience. As a New York born and raised Italian American, I have strong opinions on Italian restaurants and Ignotz's is the type of old-school place that I love. Food is excellent, portions are generous, and prices are affordable (given the aforementioned qualities). Lots of cocktails, and creative daily specials. The spaghetti and clam sauce was almost half clams, half pasta (loved it). Not to mention, I am also a tavern-style pizza hater (sorry), but I actually really liked theirs and the crispy thin crust! I can't wait to come back. This is my new favorite Italian restaurant in the city. Moreover, I know my dad would approve of this place, should I bring him when he visits and that's a pretty big testament in my book.

Mickey. Not sure who drew this!

Pasta

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Gnat in glass

Bacchanalia Ristorante

Been a huge fan for 30 years! Like going back in time…read more Food is phenomenal. Prices are reasonable. Staff is delightful. Wish the place was closer. Well worth the drive!

We visited Chicago the weekend of Jun 6th and made it a point to reserve a table with Bacchanalia…read more We had heard of their delicious traditional Italian food and warm atmosphere from our VRBO host and were so pleased. My brother in law and I each had the Lasagna and my sister and husband had the Gnocchi Gorgonzola. The food was incredible, the accompanying bread was super fresh and the ceasar salad we ordered was crisp and delicious. Our server was attentive and professional and every contact we made with the service team was pleasant. Thank you for a great 5-star experience!

0.5 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Great Saturday Night at Bacchanalia

Salmon Piccata over Arborio Risotto.

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Alla Vita

4.4(834 reviews)

Amazing food and one of the best Italian meals I've had in Chicago in a while!…read more They have a great $30 three course weekday lunch special where you can choose from a variety of 3 different appetizers, entrees and desserts! I ordered the Aranchini (10/10 -one of the best I've ever had) -The rigatoni (8.5/10 -great texture and flavor) -The sorbet (8.5/10 -rich dense fruit flavor). Also got the mushroom and truffle pizza which was good but not the best I've ever had (7/10). All in all, an excellent choice for Italian and I would definitely come back, especially for the lunch special!

Came here fora family reunion. Food was above average…read more Service was decent. But the enviance is exceptional.

1.1 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Kale Caesar

APEROL SPRITZ

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The strawberry gelato was delicious!!

Monteverde

4.5(1.5k reviews)

Monteverde has been on my Chicago dining list for years, and after finally experiencing it, I can…read moreconfidently say it lived up to every bit of the hype. From the moment I walked into the bustling West Loop dining room, it was clear why Monteverde consistently ranks among the city's premier restaurants. The energy is vibrant without feeling overwhelming, the open kitchen adds a sense of excitement, and the entire space strikes that perfect balance between upscale dining and warm hospitality. I opted to sit at the bar, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the evening thanks to Jose. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu. His recommendations were spot on, and he helped create an experience that felt personal rather than transactional. Great service can elevate a meal, and Jose absolutely did that. His professionalism, friendliness, and attention to detail made me feel welcomed from the moment I sat down. The meal started with the Burrata e Ham, which was an outstanding introduction to the kitchen's approach. The creamy burrata paired beautifully with the savory ham, creating a simple yet elegant dish where every ingredient was allowed to shine. It was fresh, balanced, and disappeared from the plate far too quickly. For cocktails, the Steel Cosmo was exceptional. Refreshing, well-balanced, and expertly crafted, it was the perfect companion throughout the meal. It delivered enough complexity to keep things interesting while remaining approachable and incredibly drinkable. It's the kind of cocktail that tempts you to order a second before you've finished the first. The pasta course is where Monteverde truly demonstrates why it has earned such a stellar reputation. The Gnocchetti con Pesto was phenomenal. The pasta itself had a beautiful texture and captured the vibrant pesto perfectly. Every bite was bright, herbaceous, and deeply satisfying. Equally impressive was the Lobster Mezzaluna, which may have been my favorite dish of the night. The delicate pasta was expertly prepared, and the lobster filling was rich, sweet, and luxurious without feeling heavy. It was one of those dishes that makes you slow down and appreciate every bite because you know you'll be thinking about it long after the meal is over. Even after a fantastic meal, dessert somehow managed to steal the spotlight. The Butterscotch Budino was nothing short of spectacular. Silky, rich, and perfectly balanced, it delivered deep caramelized flavors without becoming overly sweet. It was the ideal ending to an already memorable dining experience and one of the best desserts I've had in Chicago. Beyond the food, Monteverde succeeds because every element works together seamlessly. The West Loop location places it in the heart of one of Chicago's premier dining neighborhoods, the ambiance feels lively and sophisticated, the service is polished yet approachable, and the execution from the kitchen is consistently outstanding. It's rare to find a restaurant where every course exceeds expectations, but Monteverde managed exactly that. Chicago is home to many incredible restaurants, yet Monteverde stands in a class of its own. Between the Burrata e Ham, Gnocchetti con Pesto, Lobster Mezzaluna, Steel Cosmo, unforgettable Butterscotch Budino, and exceptional hospitality from Jose at the bar, this was a dining experience that delivered from start to finish. If you're looking for one of the very best meals in the city, Monteverde deserves a reservation at the top of your list. 5/5

This place has a nice trendy sophisticated feel. The service at the bar was excellent. Very…read moreattentive, very helpful making suggestions and decisions. For my lunch starter I had the burrate E ham. Amazing combination of flavors. Had two pasta dishes the spaghetti AL Pomorro and sweet pea & sausage Gramigna. Along with the sopressata meatball. The spaghetti was delicious pasta beautifully cooked and the sauce just compliments the spaghetti. The sweet pea & sausage Gramigna another great combination of flavors . The meatball was bursting with flavor, highly recommend. For dessert try the strawberry shortcake . It's fresh lite, and phenomenal flavor. Don't forget the espresso martini and a glass of Nebbiolo cavalier.

Aesthetically pleasing flowers!!!

Oma's Green Mountain Salad

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Vanilla Panna cotta

Volare Ristorante Italiano

4.3(3.3k reviews)

0.7 mi•Near North Side

I was in Chicago recently. I'm from there. Volare was one of my go-to spots when I worked at the…read moreInterContinental. It was like going home. The restaurant was remodeled and yet the same. Benny the owner greeted me warmly. My glass of wine turned into appetizers and a main. I had a Caprese to start. Everything was fresh, the plate was chilled and the tomato was somehow in season. I then enjoyed one of their classics, Linguini and clams with lemon zest and bottarga. Sometimes it's good going home.

It's not often to find a place that delivers 100% on everything - the food, the ambiance, and the…read moreservice! We chanced upon Volare while making our way to another restaurant but were too hungry/tired to keep searching as we were with our toddler. Also luckily it was not too busy when we got there as it was early -6pm. As soon as we walked in, a high chair was offered for the baby, and our stroller taken away to safety. A welcome water drink with an orange slice arrived, without request, and the bread basket saved the day for the hungry toddler. Our waiter was extremely helpful and nice and suggested something not entirely on the menu for the toddler which we appreciated so much. When I got up to find the bathroom, before I even had the chance to ask, one of the waiters just told me where to go, anticipating my need. When it was time to go, they boxed up our foods and gave us extra bread because our toddler loved it. Also - food wise - we tried the basics - the lasagna and a clam linguini - delicious. Wine was delicious. Prices were very reasonable, portions were pretty big. Overall 100% recommend this place.