Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Scarola

    4.2 (1.7k reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Bars
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order La Scarola Takeout or Delivery

    La Scarola Italian Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    LA SCAROLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Scarola

    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

    jimmy e.

    We just flew in yesterday from Texas and this restaurant had been recommended to us. The place was very busy our server Brandon was excellent. The food was great. Everything came out quickly. Portions were huge would strongly recommend this place.

    lasagna
    Allison G.

    Loved the classic italian and cozy vibes in here!! I had the lasagna and it was very tasty, but could've had more meat in the sauce. Definitely would come back here for a good italian meal. You can make reservations via phone but the check in process is slightly chaotic-- but worth it!

    Inside
    Simran K.

    Pictures below from 2022. Saw this review sitting in my drafts and what a shame - I remember La Scarola being absolutely incredible. Hearty plates, authentic and comforting food, and immersive vibes. It's a place that caters to all for all occasions. Pick anything off of the menu and you would not be disappointed.

    Gloria E.

    Came here with my parents pretty early on a weekend evening and we were seated immediately for our reservation. Food comes out almost as fast as you order it. Tried the escarole soup for the name, which I enjoyed. The shrimp pasta my mother ordered was her favorite things she's eaten this year. The spaghetti was full but we wish we would've requested more sauce to it. I ordered off menu for a Chicken Parmesan, which they said they could do since they have the ingredients, and I was happy for it. Everything is on the touch saltier side. Ambiance is homey with lots of pictures on the wall, feels like a long established place and the waiters were kind.

    Meatballs in a spicy sauce with rigatoni
    Catherine M.

    We came in for a family meal and loved the vibes, it was very old school NYC/NJ type and the staff was beyond awesome, really friendly and full of jokes which made the experience this much better. The tables are close together, it's loud, the walls are covered in photos of the owners and celebrities. The service is quick and easy and the food portions are huge. We started off with the sausage and peppers, the fried calamari, and the muscles in red sauce- our favorite being the sausage and peppers. It took a simple dish but elevated it with the pepper preparation (they were a bit singed but tasty). For our mains, we all tried something different. Don't hesitate to ask them to customize something for you - they made my father in law chicken marsala even though it wasn't on the menu. The spicy meatball with rigatoni dish was my favorite - it was unique and fantastic. We all loved our meals and had a ton of leftovers. Do not sleep on the tiramisu or the cannoli's - both were fantastic, creamy but not overly decadent. We finished the night with espresso martinis (my favorite I tried in the city), limoncello shots, and a dirty martini (they have blue cheese olives!).

    Pasta Lorenzo
    Anna T.

    Great spots for authentic Italian, huge portions and on the cheaper side! Staff was all very friendly and everything came out quickly! Bread was placed on the table right when we sat down! Very cute spot, old school Italian. I got a dirty martini, this was great, icy cold and extra dirty! For an app we got the clams. These were amazing. The sauce was so good, made for a good sauce to dip your bread in! I got the pasta Lorenzo and my boyfriend got the pasta Mandera. Both were great, the chicken in both was very good. I liked the pasta mandera a bit more!

    Bill W.

    This was an amazing restaurant in every aspect. The meal the staff and the ambiance were a step above other great Italian restaurants we've enjoyed. Would highly recommend.

    Araceli C.

    Bday celebration Party of 3 no reservation tuesday, but the staff acomodate us rigth way We order wine,brushetta, rissoto primavera pasta & shrimps ,gnocchi whit sausage and sundried tomatoes, big portions we got left overs for next day , capuchino and tiramisu all delicious staff on point see you soon again Hbd to us

    Monica N.

    Yum!! I felt like a hardworking Nonna was in the back of the kitchen cooking a hearty no fancy pants Italian meal for me and the other five people I came with. Everything we had was delicious.  Appetizers: We got the bruschetta and asparagus for appetizers which neither of the dishes disappointed! Both were perfect bites. We got their special soup and the soup ended up being one of my favorite items we got. It was perfectly hearty yet not super heavy on the stomach.  Pasta: We tried their broccoli special, vodka pasta, eggplant parm, veal, and meatballs. Everything was great! The standout for us was the eggplant parm because of cheesy and saucy it was. The meatballs were stuffed with cheese and cooked for perfection. The broccoli special and vodka pasta was what my soul needed. The veal was a little too oily for me, but overall the veal wasn't overly breaded.  Dessert: It'd come back for the tiramisu. My god. One of the best tiramisu's I have ever had in my life.  Drinks: They do basic martinis and espresso martinis. We got two bottles of wine which were affordable (obviously supercharged because restaurant price).  Space: the space is larger than you'd expect. The tables are quite close together - it gives you very much an old school NYC Italian restaurant vibe from the 80s/90s. The chaos is all almost good restaurant chaos. It makes you feel transported.  Overall, it'd love to come back when they first open instead of closer to the end of the night. The wait at this place is crazy long. We had reservations for 830 and didn't get seated until close to 930 (other people with our reservation time that had smaller groups were seated around 9/915). It didn't bother us since we were a big group and we were able to run to the bar across the street and hang out for a little bit of time, but just a fair warning to anyone who makes a reservation ahead of time!

    Grilled Octopus
    Thanh-lan N.

    Là Scarola is one of my favorite restaurant in the city. If anything, it's probably my favorite. I've recommended it to many people and they all said the food is amazing. FOOD: Everything is great there but my favorites are the grilled octopus, baked clams, and shrimp armani. The best dish there is the Penne Sinatra. It's a Alla vodka pasta with shrimp, mussels, and scallops. They definitely don't skimp on the seafood. The seafood there is so fresh and cooked to perfection! Penne Sinatra is not on main menu but on the specials. I've ask for it when it was not on the menu and they were still able to make it for me. Definitely don't skip the tiramisu even if you're full. It's one of the best tiramisu I've ever had. SERVICE: the service is always top notch! Everyone is super nice and attentive. It's pretty impressive because they're always busy. I think the only down side is that they're always busy. I've gone on a Thursday night and had reservations and they were still really busy. The wait can be annoying, especially of you've make reservations but it's well worth it because the food is sooo good. La Scarola is a very old school Italian place with pictures hanging up on the wall. From the outside it looks small and nothing special but it has two more dining rooms. Definitely check out Là Scarola if you're in Chicago.

    Penne alla Vodka and a special parmigiana of the night!
    Olivia H.

    I thought I'd had goo vodka pasta at Elina's or other popular Chicago Italian spots, but I quickly realized I'd never had read vodka sauce until eating at La Scarola. I love a waiter who is chippy and knows his shit without being too busy to talk us through the menu and this was achieved. The ambiance was quintessential old-l school Italian with pictures of the owner amid various famous people. The bartender flirted so hard with my mom we got a free glass of wine and limoncello (don't tell the owner). My mom was enamored! Will be taking anyone who visits me in the future.

    Salmon
    Siena F.

    La Scarola is a favorite of mine in Chicago -- it feels super authentic, the staff is wonderful and super friendly, and the food is so so good. I typically get the salmon (after destroying bread and butter) and then the tiramisu. I love how when you're inside the restaurant you feel like you've been transported back in time a little bit (none of those lame neon lights or "modern" Italian takes) -- the dishes are huge (as they should be).

    Specials 11.9.24
    Joy C.

    Definitely worth a try. They take reservations over the phone so make sure to make one if you're planning to dine-in because the place is BUSY. We came in on a Saturday for an early dinner (5pm) and it was already packed. Our group had different dishes, everyone was very happy and satisfied. We tried the MEATBALLS & SPAGHETTI, MEAT LASAGNA, VITELLO BERTUCCI and, MAFALDINE PASTA. The portions were big and they were all prepared very well. Service was efficient and friendly. Just a heads up, it is VERY LOUD inside. I would not recommend La Scarola if you are looking for a quiet place to have a meal. The dinner crowd was vibrant, happy, and lively. I will definitely come back here to try other dishes. I liked how delicious and fresh each dish was. Til next time!

    Penne Alla Vodka

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bean G.
    113
    39
    2

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of jimmy e.
    80
    10
    12

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill W.
    75
    41
    6

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Araceli C.
    2
    706
    9904

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 2
    Love this 12
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lexi M.
    627
    1343
    6661

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joani O.
    293
    1124
    3716

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    Page 1 of 43

    La Scarola Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Scarola

    Do they offer a corkage fee is so how much?

    They are not BYOB.

    Do they have dessert?

    YES and its fabulous. differs night to night

    Do they offer parking?

    Valet

    Is it BYOB? I'm getting varied answers online.

    No they have a small bar and serve drinks!

    Do they have a bar?

    Yes, a small one

    I'm going there tonight, what are the must haves on the menu? Thanks!

    The penne ala vodka is always on point for me, the grilled calamari, and tiramisu is the best ive had in the city. Enjoy! 😋

    Is there outdoor dining?

    They have several tables on the front sidewalk and into the blocked off street for outdoor dining!

    What is the hosts name?

    Armando and Joe

    Can you bring your own wine?

    No this restaurant is not BYOB.

    View All 14 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 53,581 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Rossi's Liquors

    Rossi's Liquors

    4.2(432 reviews)
    1.0 miNear North Side
    $

    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
    Rossi's Liquors - Nightcap

    Nightcap

    Rossi's Liquors
    Rossi's Liquors

    See all

    Gus' Sip & Dip - The Original Wagyu Beef Dip

    Gus' Sip & Dip

    4.5(162 reviews)
    0.9 miNear North Side
    $$

    Awesome drinks and great vibe. Very busy but in the good way. Food was classic and fun.read more

    Sometimes you just have to show up and say yes…read more A college friend was in town, and whenever he visits Chicago, he's always looking for great bars, unique drinks, and interesting places to explore. He's deeply involved in the beverage scene, and with a partner who is starting a mezcal company, they're always on the hunt for standout cocktail programs. This time, we ended up at Gus' Sip & Dip, located at 51 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654. While we were there, a friend mentioned that Gus' Sip & Dip has been recognized among the top food and drink destinations in the country, and after my visit, I can absolutely see why. The atmosphere is fantastic, think modern speakeasy with a touch of 1940s charm. The space features rich green tones, cozy booths, and an intimate layout that works especially well for small groups. Larger parties can take advantage of some of the bigger tables throughout the space. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. Just be aware that this place is popular, so depending on when you visit, there may be a wait. As for the food and drinks, everything we tried was excellent. I didn't manage to get photos of everything, but a few highlights included the burger, the Italian beef dip, and the chicken pot pie. Every dish was flavorful and well executed. The cocktails were equally impressive, every drink I sampled was thoughtfully crafted and delicious. I would absolutely come back. The only thing worth noting is that it's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're looking for great food, exceptional drinks, and a memorable atmosphere, it's money well spent. If you have the budget and good company, Gus' Sip & Dip is a true gem in downtown Chicago. 5 out of 5 stars.

    Photos
    Gus' Sip & Dip - Gus' Proper Burger

    Gus' Proper Burger

    Gus' Sip & Dip - Gus' The Original Wagyu Beef Dip

    Gus' The Original Wagyu Beef Dip

    Gus' Sip & Dip - Irish Coffee --
 kilbeggan irish whiskey, metric coffee, cane sugar, hand shaken cream

    See all

    Irish Coffee -- kilbeggan irish whiskey, metric coffee, cane sugar, hand shaken cream

    Ila's - Happy Hour bites at the bar

    Ila's

    4.9(60 reviews)
    0.9 miNear North Side

    Our family ate dinner here in April and were very impressed with the quality of the food and the…read moreservice. We had the empanadas to start and then the short ribs, a burger, halibut, and lamb birria pierogies. Everything was delicious, beautifully spiced and elegantly presented. Honestly, the ambiance was a bit loud for us, but our server was extremely helpful and moved us away from a table with one incredibly boisterous fellow. They did so discreetly and quickly and our experience was much improved as a result. The restaurant itself is lovely, with beautiful decor and lighting.

    Very cute interior, great service, lively atmosphere, definitely hit the mark on elevated casual…read more We were able to get dinner reservations on the day of. For parking you definitely should use Spothero or ParkWhiz, as it's in a very busy/lively part of River North. We loved meeting the owner who was chatting with and checking on guests in the dining room. The menu was really creative and sounded amazing, totally up my alley, so was super excited to try Ila's out for the first time. Unfortunately, and it pains me to say this, but the food itself was a miss for me, and the prices felt steep for the portions. We ordered the empanada duo, grilled scallops, birria lamb pierogis, and sweet corn agnolotti, then the Japanese cheesecake and drip coffee. The positives were that everything tasted fresh, and the flavors of the dishes were good ~ especially the empanadas, scallops, and agnolotti. The main issue was the texture of some of the foods. Other than the empanada (which had a great texture and flavor), the agnolotti and pierogi dough were not right ~ thick, rubbery, and dry, which was exacerbated by not having enough consommé for the pierogis. And the coffee - it honestly tasted like Folgers (though I'll give them the benefit of the doubt) - which took me aback as it was a $7 drip coffee. I'm not discounting Ila's and I truly wish them success. But I think there's some work to be done in terms of execution.

    Photos
    Ila's - Nico collin's & hugo spritz

    Nico collin's & hugo spritz

    Ila's - Assorted Savory Kabobs: Paneer, Chicken & Leek, Pork Belly

    Assorted Savory Kabobs: Paneer, Chicken & Leek, Pork Belly

    Ila's - Happy hour $10 sparking rose. fantastic!

    See all

    Happy hour $10 sparking rose. fantastic!

    Bunny Slope

    Bunny Slope

    3.5(12 reviews)
    1.0 miNear North Side
    $$

    Overall: The novelty of Bunny Slope is amazing, but after it wears off the realizations kick in…read more The good: Really fun and neat concept, especially in the heart of downtown. Sometimes, nothing beats a few (or many) drinks in a hottub. They even provide a nifty shower for cleaning up afterwards. The decor is pretty neat as well. The not-so-good: The space isn't huge, wouldn't comfortably fit more than 10-12 people. They don't have normal drinks here, the beers I tried were disgusting, so I just stuck to good ol' scotch. That said, the other cocktails sounded interesting (they were all mostly fruity). The hottub was way too hot, none of us could stay in it very long. You have to go outside of the room to change, possibly running into other hotel guests or whatever is above grounds.

    Really nice places for a group outing. The room was perfect size to move around, drink and dance…read more It was 12 of us in the room. I like that we had our own personal bartender. Drinks were very reasonable price. Tequila and cranberry was 8, 12 for a double. The jacuzzi was perfect temperature. Everything seemed sanitary and clean. I really like that they provide FREE lockers to hold our things in. They also provided a speaker so we could play our own music. Free towels but I'd bring your own sandals. I don't think they serve food. It was in the basement of a hotel but I'd definitely recommend to go.

    Photos
    Bunny Slope
    Bunny Slope
    Bunny Slope

    See all

    La Scarola - italian - Updated June 2026

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