Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Il Porcellino

    4.4 (1.8k reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Bars, Salad
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Il Porcellino Takeout or Delivery

    Il Porcellino Photos

    Business Info

    IL PORCELLINO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Il Porcellino

    Recommended Reviews - Il Porcellino

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Megan G.

    Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of Italian 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.

    Vernon M.

    First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino certainly 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!

    Boneless Chicken Vesuvio
    Debangana S.

    Went to Il Porcellino for a weekday dinner and the place was buzzing. Packed, cozy, and everywhere you looked there was a negroni in someone's hand. For antipasti we started with the humble roasted asparagus: heavily garlicky, generous with the parmesan, and perfectly roasted. Then came the highlight, the burrata lasagna, easily the best I've ever had. Hearty and creamy. We closed out the savory courses with the chicken Vesuvio, nicely charred and finished with herb butter, though it ran a little light on seasoning. For dessert, a delicious tiramisu to finish. Il Porcellino was a treat, and we'll be back soon.

    Fried calamari was amazing
    Yaneisy V.

    This place is serving up amazingly fresh and delicious old school Italian. I highly recommend eating here. Service was super friendly. We had reservations and were seated quickly. We also ordered the tiramisu and we loved it. Great vibe! I would return to Chicago just to eat here again.

    Spaghetti & Meatballs
    Caroline T.

    Came for a late dinner on Friday night and the restaurant was still bustling. The pastas were excellent, especially the papperdelle. The meatballs were delicious as was the chicken Vesuvio. Can't go wrong! The service was friendly and attentive. The ambiance is great. The restaurant is nicely lit and mostly dim - though I appreciated the spotlights above each table so that I could read the menu easily.

    Lisa L.

    This restaurant is so nice inside. The ceiling is so neat. The garlic bread is so tasty. Get a seat by the window.

    Kristine L.

    Had a lovely dinner in a Monday night! Highly recommend making a reservation be hate tables fill up fast. Walking in, Il Porcellino has a low-light, Italian burb feel to it. They offer an array of pasta and meat dishes. For thee people we shared a calamari, Caesar salad, and two pasta (the special lemon ravioli with asparagus and a ragu). Both pastas were delicious and filled with so much flavors the wine list is always fantastic as well.

    Baked Burrata Lasagna
    Alex W.

    il Porcellino was not planned; however, I was so happy the stars aligned to bring us there. Like an amateur I did not have reservations anywhere on a Saturday night and waitlist would have had us waiting hours. However, we were in the neighborhood and their door was open so we went to the host stand. There was quite the wait for the dining room and the patio, but there just so happened to be for open spots at the bar so we jumped on them. The bartender was friendly and helpful, even when they were packed. We decided what we wanted and went for it. Within probably 30 minutes we had this spread in front of us. AMAZING. The pasta for this burrata lasagna is handmade and a house specialty. We had to get that. The salmon piccata was light and bright with those capers and sauce. I have never had grilled calamari before, but I honestly liked it more than fried. It wasn't rubbery at all. The gnocchi were like delicate little pillows in a flavorful sauce, and I thought about eating my weight in the tuscan cheese focaccia. We loved the old Italian feel of the place and I lucky we came across it. If you are in River north, definitely put it on your list.

    Pappardelle alla Porcellino
    Mic M.

    Pappardelle alla Porcellino is pretty satisfying. The homemade pasta is cooked just enough to hold the sauce. The sauce is well balanced with the tomato and the meat. Blackberry sorbet is dangerously delicious. Servers and their Service are pleasant and professional. I'm definately willing to visit again.

    chicken parm
    Morgan P.

    I am an Il Porcellino FAN. Been here about 5-6 times since moving to Chicago in April '24 and have had incredible experiences every time. Great for date night, great for girls night, great to bring your family or a larger party... the atmosphere is homey, cozy, eclectic, and intimate with photos of guests all over the walls (like an old school Italian spot) and the food is amazing. Prices are typical of trendy Chicago restaurants but their happy hour is actually pretty good. Would recommend to anyone who wants Trivoli but can't get a res for Trivoli. I'd put them on the same level.

    Crispy Brussels Sprouts
    Randa U.

    We stopped in for just appetizers and were seated on the bar area. It gets busy very quick there! It's very lively in this old world looking Italian restaurant. Very modern but classic decor. We ordered appetizers as we waited for our next event. The crispy brussel sprouts were delicious, although I thought they were going to be the shavings or leaves, as crispy brussel sprouts are halved with cheese on them. They're still very delicious, but with all these fads in brussel sprouts, I was confused. We also ordered the pear burrata and that was delicious. I enjoyed that dish the most. Not too sweet and the burrata was enough to cover each piece of bread. It was a great place to try and when I go back, I'll absolutely have more.

    Baked Burrata Lasagna
    Joslynn W.

    I went for their burrata lasagna and it was everything I could imagine! Very delicious! It's a huge piece and definitely having my leftovers for breakfast tomorrow!

    Garlic Bread
    Sheetal K.

    The food was amazing here! The staff was kind and sweet. It's sort of homey but hippie inside. we did have a reservation which we recommend as the wait list line seemed really long. It is a little loud inside but overall great food and experience. Highly recommend!

    Boneless Chicken Vesuvio

    See all

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hector P.

    Hector P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill M.
    2280
    1976
    4463

    24 days ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lisa L.
    724
    826
    1597

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mic M.
    0
    25
    55

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Dea B.

    Dea B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Edi V.

    Edi V.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scott M.
    0
    87
    566

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Dea B.

    Dea B.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Dea B.

    Dea B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 45

    Il Porcellino Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Il Porcellino

    Hi! Do you use fennel in your meatballs? My wife loves Italian food but hates fennel. LOL

    Hi David, We look forward to you having you dine with us. I am happy to say we do NOT use fennel in our meatballs. Please let us know if you have any other questions.… 

    Do you have a gluten free menu?

    Hi! We do not have a separate gluten-free menu. However, we do have several dishes that can be made gluten-free with substitutions including a gluten-free fettucini noodle.

    Do you serve creekstone (halal) meat?

    Hi Rockie! Unfortunately, we no longer serve the filet that was from Creekstone.

    Do you have gluten free options? Is there a gluten free pasta?

    Madeline, Thank you for reaching out! We make our very own gluten free fettuccine and have many… 

    What are your vegan options?

    There aren't any entrees that are vegan because all of them either have meat, cheese, or a cream based sauce. However, there are appetizers that are vegan (garlic bread, di stefano burrata, stuffed mushrooms). You can also substitute or remove… 

    Does this restaurant have a private room for business dinners?

    Hi Addy, Yes we do. You can find information on our private dining options on our website at… 

    Is the outdoor seating on the street?

    Hi Doug! The outdoor seating is on the sidewalk.

    Are there any dairy free pasta sauces? We are coming next week and a few of us have allergies.. :(

    Hi Angelique! Our sauces do have dairy in them, but our chef team will assist in modifications to accommodate your group's allergies. Please let your server know of your allergies, and they'll help guide you through the menu.

    How late is the kitchen open on Friday - Saturday?

    Midnight

    Does il Porcellino decorate for the holidays? Is there a Christmas tree?

    Absolutely! Not sure about the Christmas tree but there were twinkling lights everywhere...not that you'd notice with all that yummy food on your table :-).

    Is there a dress code here?

    Not a dress code that is stated. I would say business casual

    Do they have valet?

    Yes we do! Right up front for $15.

    Have the Clams Positano been taken off the menu?!!?

    Emily, Unfortunately, they were taken off the menu a while back. We do run it as a special every… 

    Is the pasta homemade?

    Yes, and you can taste the difference!!!

    How much is Valet Parking?

    $15

    I have a group of college students pitching in for a birthday dinner. It's about 6 of us and we were just wondering what you charge to make a reservation this Sunday around 5ish?! Please and thank youuuuu

    There is no charge for a reservation. You can plan on $25 per person roughly.

    Gluten free menu?

    Hey Jill, we don't have a gluten free menu available, but we do have a lot of gluten free options. We actually have a gluten free pasta that can be substituted into many pasta dishes to be made gluten free. As well as gluten free salads, antipasti… 

    Are kids welcome (8 year old)?

    Yup....I'm sitting here while a family has 4 kids younger than 8.

    Can they make the gnocci with a vegetarian sauce?

    Yes, our gnocchi can be made vegetarian! You can substitute the bolognese with our marinara, alfredo or fra diavolo sauce.

    Are there any non alcoholic drinks yet fancy nice drinks on the menu?

    Hey Eli, Thanks for reaching out! We don't have any formal mocktails on our menu. But our team… 

    View All 26 Questions

    You might also consider

    Three Dots and A Dash

    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1
    (4.2k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$

    This place is a yes, yes, and yes! I have a buddy that loves Tiki bars and found this place/made a…read morereservation, so our group came to visit on a Sunday night. The vibe is speakeasy-ish; the entrance is off the street in an alleyway but the interior is very nice, low light, and would be fun for a date night! The staff were attentive and very friendly. My friend got some shots, which were surprisingly good given they were kind of sweet, and I ordered the "mystic lamp" cocktail ($16) which was VERY memorable to me as someone that loves floral drinks -- it was very floral, slightly fruity, and had a lovely chunk of lychee it came with which was delicious! The drink was decent sized too; I've been charged a lot more for much less drink at other speakeasies (those of which I don't plan to visit again any time soon haha). In my opinion, this spot has the perfect combo of great drinks, nice ambiance, cool speakeasy-vibes, but also cheerfulness given the tiki-theme inside. Would definitely rec a visit to anyone visiting Chicago who likes cool bars!

    I can't understand what the fuss is all about here. I couldn't wait to leave…read more This place represents itself as a tiki bar but is the most half-hearted attempt I have ever seen. I was excited for the experience having heard how busy it gets, blah blah. These positive reviewers need to seek out other tiki bars. After you negotiate the alley entrance and go down dangerously dark stairs, you are met with crazy boring decor. I kept thinking there had to be more right? The whole point of a tiki bar is to strike a mood, but hanging a very few polynesian masks on the wall, putting up a grass facade over the bar and dressing the servers in vaguely polynesian outfits is sad. I've seen private tiki bars at people's homes that are more exciting. Add to this a comparably boring music selection played far too loud over boomy lo-fi speakers and you'll wonder what's going on here. So what about the food and drink? Completely uninspired for anyone who's had more than a mai tai before in their life. About a dozen extremely common drink choices is all you get!! No specials, that's it. When I asked if this was the whole cocktail menu, the server said it was but they have a full bar so you can get anything you want. Well, I could get that service at just about any bar in the world, so big deal. Maybe it would be better if you sat at the bar and chatted up the bartender. One could also go taste their rum selections and other cocktails in the Bamboo Room, but I hate that kind of elitist nonsense. That's never been what tiki bars were about. The drinks we sampled were okay at best. Even the namesake 3 Dots and A Dash cocktail was lackluster and used cheap cherries for the dots instead of classic Luxardos. (If you know, you know) The appetizers were okay, but way overpriced. 5 tiny spring rolls for $18. Come on guys, enough already. I'd rather go to the bar at the Polynesian Hotel at Disney than return here. This place is a hard pass.

    Photos
    Interior Entrance
    Interior Entrance
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    Tiki gift shop.

    See all

    Tiki gift shop.
    Rossi's Liquors

    Rossi's Liquors

    4.2
    (432 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    Friendly and lively dive bar (4/5 Green Stars) Waiting for…read moretake-out from nearby Lou Malnati's, we wandered into Rossi's for a quick drink. It's a reasonably-priced busy dive bar in the heart of Chicago. I asked the bartender if she had a beer + shot deal and she said "no, but you can order a beer and shot." And so we did! Noise level is fairly high, thanks to a lively crowd plus a jukebox. They don't normally serve food but I think are fine with customers bringing in your own food, and you can also place an order from a nearby restaurant (I don't recall which one). And yes, it's cash only so bring some money if you don't want to pay ATM fees! 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I like bars that allow customers to bring (or order) their own food - it allows for all diets! The one thing I'd like to see is more beer on tap - even just one good rotating local beer (e.g., Goose Island). Draft beer has smaller environmental footprints compared to bottled or canned.

    Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

    Photos
    Nightcap
    Nightcap
    Rossi's Liquors
    Rossi's Liquors

    See all

    O'Callaghan's

    O'Callaghan's

    3.5
    (316 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    First the atmosphere and service were amazing! Friendly and helpful when needed but not overly…read morepushy' I got the mozz sticks and they were on point. But let me tell you about the grilled cheese! This is no normal grilled cheese. This may have been the best grilled cheese other than the ones my grandma made me as a kid. I chose pepper jack cheese with bacon. The sandwich came out on Texas toast with the perfect amount of crisp on the toast. The sandwich has the best cheese pull and the bacon was perfectly crispy. The waffle fries well I couldn't even finished because I devoured the sandwich so fast. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a friendly dive, cold beer, solid bar food, or wonderful grilled cheese!

    I came in with three friends and we grabbed a high-top table. We ordered a few rounds and…read moreeverything was going fine. Toward the end of the night, two of my friends left, and the remaining two of us paid our bill and were finishing our drinks while waiting for our Uber. At that point, the bartender came over and told us she needed our table for a large group. The table wasn't reserved, and we were clearly just finishing up. We told her we were about to leave anyway, but the way it was handled felt really abrupt and rude. What made it worse was that she immediately brought a group over to take our table, and even they were apologizing to us because they seemed uncomfortable with how it was handled. I've worked in bars and restaurants myself, so I completely understand needing to manage space, but there's a way to do it respectfully, and this wasn't it. Unfortunately, this experience left a bad impression, and despite having been here multiple times before, I won't be returning.

    Photos
    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    Waffle chili cheese fries
    Waffle chili cheese fries
    O'Callaghan's

    See all

    Il Porcellino - italian - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...