Came here for my sister's birthday! We made a reservation for Saturday dinner and got seated right away in a booth. The ambiance is nice with the restaurant not too dark but still has moody lighting. The entire time we sat down there was a huge group of people waiting for a table, so definitely make a reservation! For apps we got garlic bread and Caesar salad. The garlic bread was a rec from our server, which did not disappoint. They brought out melted butter to pour over the bread. Caesar salad was interesting, it has chopped celery inside which I didn't realize until I started eating. I don't like celery but my sis does and she liked it in the salad. Pappardelle alla porcellino and chicken vesuvio were AMAZING. Pasta was fresh and the chicken was so decadent. Both mocktails I were delish. The tiramisu was SO GOOD. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago! read more

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Wow. My go to for Italian in Chicago has been volare everytime I visit but I'm going to need to start working in il porcellino to my lineup. I came here for a business dinner with about 6 others. The only frustrating part of our experience was we made a reservation online weeks in advance and when we arrived we were told that they basically overbooked every night and when you reserve a seat you're just saying you're coming. So we showed up and were told we were going to wait an hour. It sounds like they are super busy, but there are better ways to ensure the restaurant is selling every available seat rather than offering basically fake reservations that don't mean anything when you get there. Someone in our group complained enough about it that they sat us and did honor the reservation which we appreciated - given that it was a business dinner though, I think it was awkward we had to do that. It just was a LOT of work to organize multiple out of towners getting together and to show up and potentially wait an hour would have been so inconvenient. They really should fix this problem. The reservation issue aside the experience was great. The service is just sort of meh I didn't feel like they were above or beyond and didn't note anything exceptional there. But the food..... the food is the main event for sure. Everything I tried I loved. I had just had Italian the day before so I didn't want anything that felt "too Italian" (lasagna, pasta, pizza, etc) so I got the braised short rib over polenta which was a nice change of pace. It was amazing. Some of the best polenta I've ever had. I am already looking forward to the next time I can go back! The food here is outstanding. If you are able to go, I would highly recommend it. read more

Great vibe. Has the dark and moody you want for a date night but also some airiness when the "patio" doors to the street our open. I ended up at a table right by said doors, which was perfect because it had a view of the 1 TV during the World Cup. There is a downside that random people or servers will walk through and be closer than you'd like vs using the regular door like they should. Serviced is good but not exceptional. Attentiveness could be increased a bit, especially relative to water refills, more drinks, dessert time, etc. Food is quite good, but probably won't break into most people's very top tier. That said, there's nothing to really complain about and you won't leave hungry. Overall, it's a solid place that is worth the visit but may not make your "Best Places in Chicago" list. read more

Il Porcellino - Chicken Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Il Porcellino has been around for ten years, but my lovely wife and I finally visited this restaurant on Hubbard Street to enjoy the Happy Hour specials. We had visited Florence last year, and one of the numerous wonderful moments of our trip to Italy was seeing "Il Porcellino" - the lucky bronze boar fountain that draws tourists from around the world. A copy of the boar stands proudly near the entrance of the restaurant, and though it is not as old as the original 1634 sculpture, it was a charming reminder of our amazing Italian holiday. Did I mention that the weekday Happy Hour (4-6PM) specials are quite good? The specials are served only at the bar area, so you might have to wait a few minutes for available seating. We started with some drinks, including two kinds of Negroni. The wild mushroom arancini (5 little balls for $6) were the smallest I've tried, but they were creamy and melt-in-your mouth delicious. The whipped ricotta and jam beautifully served on a strip of toasty focaccia was a unique taste sensation. Prime beef meatballs and short rib sliders on toasted ciabatta bread also hit the spot. Even though we were merely dining at the bar, we enjoyed the overall vibe of the restaurant. There are lots of photos on the walls, interesting lighting from the ceiling, nice serving dishes, and servers who seem to know who their regular diners are. We look forward to returning to Il Porcellino, to bask in that indescribable feeling of being in Italy again. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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

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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. read more

Il Porcellino - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Came here for Valentine's day dinner with my boyfriend. We had a res at 5pm and there was about a ~20 min wait upon checking in, but it ended up being worth it because we got a corner table right by the window! The atmosphere was cozy and romantic and we had great service. We ordered the caesar salad (which has celery in it...sounds weird but trust it was so good), the tuscan cheese bread (essentially pizza), and then shrimp scampi and sausage orecchiette. The pastas were both good too, just could've had a bit more protein. Otherwise no notes, I'd come back to try other things! read more

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. read more

Il Porcellino - Crispy Brussels Sprouts - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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! read more

Il Porcellino - Baked Burrata Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is just another corporate Italian plain vanilla restaurant. The pasta portion was so small I left hungry. It also lacked flavor. It was so very bland. Then they have the nerve to charge for bread. Also do not use the Hey Diner app to review anywhere especially here. They are supposed to give you 50% cash back and they only gave me 20%. read more

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! read more

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There are so many Italian restraurants in Chicago and I can see why this place gets such good reviews. Caesar salad: 4/5. Well balanced dressing and fresh greens. The sliced celery was a nice addition. Just the right amount of anchovy. Burrata lasagne: 4.5-5. A top tier lasagne. Loved the sauce and cheese in the many layers of pasta and the burrata was a nice way to top it. One bad note: the app the restaurant uses to pay the bill with a QR code incorrectly calculates the recommended tip (apparently including the tax). read more

A fantastic experience. You'll definitely want to book in advance, but we got luck this Friday. Shout out to our waiter Julio, he did a great job. The interior has a chill vibe with the walls covered in photos. We tried: - Whole Loaf Garlic Bread - Burrata & Pears - Mozzarella Sticks - Stuffed Mushrooms - Chicken Parmesan - Brick Chicken Vesuvio - Tiramisu As far as the apps go, the Burrata & Pears were my favorite. The sweat and salty paired nicely. In contrast, the mozzarella sticks had a spicy marinara that balanced out the sweetness. The bread was good, but definitely lost behind the others and the mushrooms were just okay. For the main course, I'd recommend the Vesuvio over the Parmesan but you can't go wrong with either. Lastly, the tiramisu is definitely a top 3 in the city. read more

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So grateful I got to try this iconic restaurant while in Chicago for a few days. Bae and I were looking for a high scale place with good Italian food and a classy ambiance as we wanted to get dressed up and have a fancy dinner to round out our trip. This lived up to every expectation. The ambiance was complimentary of classier outfits yet there were parts of the restaurant like the bar where folks were dressed casually in jeans and t's. We made reservations for two and were sat at high tables near the bar which was ran so well I can only imagine the kitchen. The waiter did an excellent job of outlining the entire menu, pointing us to items on the menu that would align with us our tastebuds, and explaining the intricacy of how some dishes were made by breaking down the ingredients in depth. We weren't feeling particularly adventurous so we ordered classics such as lasagne and penne alla vodka. However, it was nice knowing there are dishes I could try that I'd never had before. We started with the garlic bread (buttery, crispy and fresh!) and the calamari which was fried to perfection and included some deep fried peppers which was a nice (and different) touch. By the time the pasta came out we were pretty stuffed but we got a couple of great bites in before taking an amazing amount of leftovers home. The ravioli was cheesy, saucy, and delicious, with each bite packing a punch of flavor. I was too full to try my partner's pasta buttt I had to snack a piece of the meatball and maaan, I see why the waiter pushed them at the beginning. The blend of meat they use (I can't remember rn) definitely packs a flavor. Each bite we took was a great experience! I would return for sure. read more

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A must try!!! One of my top Italian spots, I have ever been to, for sure! Negroni - top notch! Homemade Mozzarella Sticks and bread - fire! Pastas - insane! And oh WOW the tiramisu The place has an awesome ambience as well. Staff is very attentive and helpful. I will be back for sure when in town again! read more

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Great food, great wine, great ambiance, and great service. We loved our dinner here and had a great experience. I made reservations in advance and I highly recommend doing so. It gets super busy. Casual spot, fun ambiance, gets loud. Wouldn't recommend this for a super romantic night but more fun date night. All the pastas and desserts were delicious. read more

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My honey and I had dinner at Il Porcellino while we were in Chicago and it was wonderful! Make a reservation because they are very popular. (And for good reasons!) Our server was warm and attentive, and was on top of everything but never rushed us. We went with Italian standards - meatballs and spaghetti and chicken parm. Both were delicious and the portions were more than generous. All good things! read more

Il Porcellino - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was really excited to try this place, but it was just okay. We had reservations. We started with the Tuscan Cheese Bread, and I ordered the Pappardelle alla Porcellino. The cheese bread was delicious!!! I wanted to try this place for the Pappardelle alla Porcellino, but the dish fell flat. The meat and sauce were missing flavor, and the noodles were overcooked. It's probably the worst ragu I've ever had. I recommend trying somewhere else in Chicago if you're looking for good Italian food. read more

Service at door and table was quick and our server made good reccs we tired the whole garlic bread the meatballs the sausage and Peppers. All delish and really well made with the homemade flavor. For dinner we had the famous lasagna and the chicken parm with angel hair Alfredo. The lasagna was delish and maybe one of the best we've had a a restaurant the parm was ok. The pasta ousehined it as the Alfredo sauce was delish. We had the bomboloni for dessert and they were hot and delish. That whipped Nutella marscapone was the jam. We love a traditional place that does it right and they do !!! read more

We really liked this place! It was very busy. The Caesar and calamari were outstanding. My wife really liked her pappardelle noodles. I also thought the lasagna was good, but not quite worth the hype. We really appreciates the free dessert for our anniversary as well as the server noticing I don't drink alcohol and bringing over a non alcoholic beverage to celebrate. The inside is super cute and not too loud. Very photo worthy. Overall we are glad we stopped by. read more

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My girlfriend and I came here for a special date night during our Chicago trip and wow, Il Porcellino did not disappoint. From start to finish, everything was perfect. We kicked our dinner off with their nightly special of the house focaccia with tomato jam and honestly, it might have ruined all other focaccias for me. It instantly took me back to mornings in Italy, and even my girlfriend (who usually avoids anything tomato) was obsessed with their jam. We paired it with a bottle of wine and also ordered their Baked Burrata Lasagna. Let me tell you that first bite was pure magic. I couldn't stop eating it, and I still think about that lasagna to this day. This is a straight 10/10, so if you're in Chicago, do yourself a favor and eat here! You'll thank me later. read more

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Il Porcellino was a very cute date place vibe. The food was amazing and I was quite impressed with their options for vegetarian food. I ordered their most famous dish - Rigatoni alla Vodka, and it was divine! My husband had the Spicy Scampi Spaghetti which he liked quite a lot. Overall a great experience, I definitely recommend this place for a cute date night. read more

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This is a quaint place in River North with delicious food. I was on a mission for eggplant Parmesan, and it did not disappoint. The portion was huge, and it tasted so good. I was sad that I was traveling and couldn't enjoy leftovers later. I sat at the bar, and the service was friendly and quick. I even was able to get a happy hour glass of wine. read more

Il Porcellino - Eggplant Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Maybe I'm spoiled from being from CA, but I genuinely don't understand some of these 4+ star Chicago restaurant reviews. After hearing so much hype about the food scene here, this place just felt overpriced and overhyped for what we got. My family loves good steak, authentic Italian, and sushi, so we came in excited. The food wasn't bad... just uneventful. Nothing had that "wow" factor people make it seem like it has. The vodka pasta honestly tasted similar to the fancy jarred vodka sauces you can get from whole foods and the fancy pasta (made in Italy) that you can get from Home goods that I buy back home. The shrimp scampi was decent but forgettable. Garlic bread was oddly bland yet spicy at the same time, and the marinara with the mozzarella sticks had random bites of heat that completely threw me off. In addition to that the garlic bread wasn't free, in CA the bread usually comes free, ehh you get what you get but definitely not worth it. To be fair, our server was nice and the restaurant itself is nice (if you get the chance to sit inside). Service and atmosphere were not the issue at all. The food just didn't live up to the hype or pricing for us. read more

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The wait staff needs work. Service was perfunctory, not attentive. Waiter Maritsio? Took our order and forgot about us. Did not follow up to ask about wine with dinner, etc. I needed pepper for my salad and ended up getting it myself. Lots of bus staff standing around, but they seem more tasked with just busing tables, not filling waters, etc. The Italian salad was tasty. Mocktail El Girodino was way too sour. Should have deeper flavor. Apricot sour was yummy and balanced. Small thing, but when you're paying this price, you should not have to keep your cutlery when they take your appetizer or salad plates away and cutlery then is on the table The Gnocchi bolognese was very good could use more cheese. We were not offered Parmesan. Pesto cheese ravioli was great. So, overall, the food was quite good. The primary issue here is the service. read more

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Food: Beyond solid. The lasagna was good (and HUGE) wasn't my personal favorite, but it's certainly the most popular item. Some of my friends loved it. My favorite was the Rigatoni Short Rib. It also had mushrooms in it. It had a delicious flavor. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts had a great flavor as well, but they weren't very crispy. Vibe: Red & moody. Beautiful and enjoyable. Service: Friendly, but slow. So slow that my friend got her food comped for coming out 10-15 minutes after everyone else's. read more

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Amazing. The staff went out of their way to make our experience delightfully fantastic. In addition to our appetizers (pictured), I had to order the lasagna, and it didn't disappoint. So good on a cold wintery Chicago night. You've gotta go. You'll be happy you did. read more

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The food was the bomb. This spot is a must check out if you are in River North. We went for Valentine's day and the ambience was fantastic, from the music to the menus. The service was fantastic, we ran late to our reservation and they still sat us super quickly. Highly recommend! read more

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This was a fantastic restaurant! The interior is very picturesque and gives the vibe of a classy bar with the mix of high tops and low dining and wood furnishings and random art on the walls but the beautiful lights hanging from the ceiling makes it a beautiful and romantic spot. Our waitress was really kind and explained the food well when we were stuck on what to order. Lastly, the food was to die for! We ordered the grilled squid and it wasn't too chewy and the sauce on it was very light but was bursting with flavor. We also ordered their famous lasagna and there is a reason it's famous. It was huge and perfect for splitting also loaded with flavor. Stacked high with the proper amounts of cheese and sauce, no risk of embarrassing strings of cheese hanging from your mouth or sauce falling on your outfit. I will definitely be back and recommend this place to many others! read more

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We were greeted as soon as we walked in. Glad we had a reservation so we were seated at a nice cozy booth that they have! We love the ambiance that they have. Dark lighting and it made the restaurant more intimate! Drinks were strong, and the fried calamari was super good!!! My boyfriend got the braised short rib and he really enjoyed it. I got the lasagna and it's super good! It was super big and heavy on cheese I couldn't finish it. Our server was super attentive and would come back again! read more

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Cocktail and the service and we called Head and they were very accommodating. The whole vibe was good especially on a Friday night. We were able to get a really good seat out on the street area of the restaurant. Even the vibe inside was cool so I would've been fine with that, but it was really nice out so the outside seating was definitely preferred and accommodated. Food was awesome. Drinks were awesome. Service was awesome atmosphere is awesome. Definitely recommend. read more

Space is really cute inside and our server was so sweet! Make sure you use your Lettuce Eats account and get your points too We ordered the stuffed mushrooms I think it's the best thing on the menu SO good Gnocchi bolognese was good but not my fav i think it was. Little too bitter for me but could've been the parsley. Chicken parm was a hit and so good just wish it had more spaghetti since I split it with my partner. read more

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