One word and one word only for this place: INCREDIBLE. And when I say that, I don't just mean incredible food. I mean incredible staff, incredible service, incredible people. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left this restaurant, we were taken care of by some of the best staff I've ever encountered. The staff is so warm and welcoming, the inside is super cute and takes you someplace away from Chicago, and the food.. oh my goodness. We ordered 2 appetizers - bruschetta and mussels - both of them were absolutely delicious. Super fresh ingredients and just perfect blend of flavors. We got a pizza with white sauce, mozzarella, and spinach. And it was PERFECTLY cooked! So simple yet so amazing!!! And the truffle ravioli... this was my first time trying out anything with truffle and I was completely blown away!! Don't even know how to describe the flavor besides that it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had in my life. I will go back for that ravioli in a heartbeat! If you're in the Hyde park, go check this place out!! I promise it's going to become one of your favorite Italian restaurants in the city!! read more

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An original Italian restaurant actually with mainly Italian, American Italian staff. Love them, always very pleasent, the original pizza which might be atypical for American taste. Pizza and pasta are really nice, wine selection is good, very cozy, quick, and they leave you alone to enjoy your meal. read more

Nella changed owners a few months ago and I'm worried the quality is deteriorating. I just ordered the Bianco e Nero pizza for delivery. The good news is that it arrived hot enough. The bad news is that it was not what it used to be. The zucchini pieces were varied size chunks instead of neat, thin slices. There was no truffle taste at all. When I called the very nice person told me the brown squishy paste was a "black pepper paste." That's not a truffle paste and it only tasted of salt and oil - no truffles. Up your game, Nella, if you want to keep your good rep. We miss the original owners. read more

Nella never really disappoints- a little pricey but a wonderful place to get a wood fire pizza and such an easy place to go with friends and share a bunch of dishes! The ambiance is a cozy place with staff being friendly each time I come. :) love to come with coworkers and share pizza and pasta over wine read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Diavola, Bruschetta Napoletana - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I recently visited Nella Pizza e Pasta, and it was such a great experience! The customer service was unlike any other restaurant the staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in.I ordered the Saracino, Rucola Parmesan Salad, and the Calamarta, and everything was absolutely fresh and perfectly cooked. You can really taste the quality in every bite. I'll definitely be coming back soon and recommending Nella Pizza e Pasta to anyone looking for incredible Italian food and amazing service read more

When I want Neapolitan-style pizza, Nella is for sure my go-to. They have a wide selection that means I can always try something new or go with a favorite of mine. The rest of their classic Italian dishes are all amazing, too. Their Contadina risotto is my absolute favorite thing on the menu, it's like a mushroom risotto which is already one of my favorite foods but with sausage and walnuts to take it to the next level. But no matter what you order here, it's sure to be incredible. Plus, the staff is super friendly and attentive, and the interior is very comforting and beautiful read more

It was delicious. I took my picture after I ate it. But the food and prices are heard to beat. The service was great the bartender was amazing. The restaurant was modern but homey. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - I had the Spaghetti Carbonara. It was so good. Good food good prices - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really cute place- service was really friendly and attentive but not pushy. The ambience is cute and they have a decent sized patio that looks nice. Got the arugula / prosciutto salad which was refreshing, burrata bruschetta was good too, caprese salad decent. The mushroom truffle pasta was creamy and just as good as I thought it would be. Perfect size too. read more

We came here after going to the Pompei exhibit at the museum of science and industry and LOVED our service, meal and ambiance. We got the focaccia and meatballs as an appetizer. The meatballs were some of the best I've ever had. Then we got a margarita pizza and chocolate mouse dessert. Reasonably priced and DELICIOUS! read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Chocolate Mousse Cake - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here for lunch after visiting the science museum. We got here close to open so seating was easy. We ordered the calamari to start and got the spinach pizza, the bolognese pasta, the chicken sandwich, and the provolone + prosciutto sandwich (for me) with a side salad. The pizza, the pasta, and my sandwich were very nice. I loved the simplicity of my salad. The pizza had a very nice dough and the simplicity of the pizza was nice. My in-laws shared the chicken sandwich and said it was a bit bland and a bit dry like it needed a pesto or a mayo to help it out. Our server was very nice and took care of us. Overall I had a nice experience and would come back. read more

Roux had a long line so we decided to give Nella a try. We were so pleased with our decision because the food and ambiance of this place were exactly what we were seeking - relaxed, friendly, and delicious. Everything exceeded our expectation. Will definitely come back back when visiting! read more

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Food is honestly good. HUGE ISSUE with the serivce. 1. The server came with the receipt and he pressed the 20% tip option without my consent. Immediately I was mad and I changed it to 15%. He waved his finger and asked me to change back to 20%. I was very offended so I insisted 15%. When I checked my credit card I was charged $60 more than I should have been. Like hello??? (I am all for tipping 20% or even more as long as the service is decent and friendly. But don't expect me to tip you any if you altered the charge yourself, and brutally force me to tip you 20%.) Nella, train your servers, shame on you. 2. Did not serve us bread and didn't ask us if we wanted it. Yet other tables were served the bread automatically. Like plz if you want your 20% tip so much at least act like you care. 3. Don't get me started with the Italian servers talk rude and dirty (making jokes on customers' butta*s and face behind my back. I thought Italians were all friendly and civilized..... I've been around Chicago for 4 years honestly there are just way too many better options if you crave Italian food: 0.2 miles from Nella there's Acione Bistro with the same price level but much larger table, nicer server, and much better vibe. If you wanted something more high-end there's Piccolo Sogno and Alla Vita in downtown with muuuuuuch better decor, server, and food quality I've visited Nella for 3 times and I finally posted it because the problems I described are enduring. Don't waste your time with Nella read more

The Margherita pizza is crispy and flavorful, and the pasta dishes are cooked well. I particularly enjoyed the Margherita pizza and also tried the Paccheri alla Boscaiola and the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also enjoyable, with a lively and energetic vibe that's perfect for a night out with friends or a casual dinner with family. The outdoor patio is amazing during warmer months. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the service is efficient. However, there were a few areas where Nella Pizza e Pasta fell short. The prices are a bit on the high side, especially given the portion sizes. Some of the dishes felt bland and lacking complexity. And while the restaurant is nicely decorated, the noise level can get a bit overwhelming at times. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came back for dinner and this place is still as good as I remembered it!! Amazing Italian food! For the mushroom lovers, the ravioli al tartufo was absolutely KILLER! SO CREAMY AND DELISH! read more

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Fell in love with this place way back when they opened. Ravioli Al Tartufo is my go-to. Quattro Formaggi Pizze if I'm getting a pizza. Everything is so fresh and the service has always been great. read more

Dropped a hundred bucks on three pizzas and still left hungry since these things wouldn't fully feed a lizard. The place looks nice, but so do spots that don't charge rent money for dinner. Mushrooms must be sliced with a Gillette razor, I honestly thought they forgot to put it in the pizza, and they don't even do half-and-half pizzas... who doesn't do halves? Is it that difficult? Honestly, you'll get fuller just looking at a picture of food than eating here. Automatic gratuity is crazy when the guy disappeared for half our visit and our food runner took better care of us. read more

Came here in 12 for brunch on a Sunday. Our food came relatively quickly considering there were so many of us. My burrata pizza was really good (neapolitan crust). Their carbonara seemed a bit overcooked (the egg) but I did not try it, so I wouldn't know. Definitely not cheap, but if you want a nice place for brunch, I highly recommend. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Pizza Carnivora - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Phenomenal service - the staff was all very caring and welcoming! The food was delicious as well. read more

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My partner and I went to dinner at around 7:30 on a Wed and were served by the very attentive Ciro! It was our first time here and were excited to try one of the only Bib Gourmand restaurants in Hyde Park. We ordered the polpette and the calamari fritti for appetizers. They were both fantastic starts to our meal! For the entrees we ordered the Amalfi Pizza and the PAPPARDELLE AL RAGÙ DI AGNELLO. We could tell the ingredients and preparation were done extremely well, however, next time we'll be trying different dishes. The lamb had a strong flavor and seemed to overpower the pasta, while the goat cheese also had a strong hold on the pizza. We still finished off both plates though, so I think that just comes down to personal flavor preferences. Will definitely return and try more things off the menu! read more

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Everything was AMAZING, from the bread (their dipping oil makes all the difference) to the pasta to the pizza. I went with a group of my girl friends and the waiters were super friendly too! read more

I heard this place serves really good escargot. Turns out they make it by pissing on it and then deep frying it. The service was good. The waiters were all extremely kind and tuff. The ambiance was horrible. It smelled like they rubbed cow poop all on the walls. They definitely didn't pass the health inspection. read more

Authentic Neapolitan pizza in Hyde Park? Yes, please! I am a huge fan Of Nella's on 55th, right by the University of Chicago campus, as it features super fresh and flavorful Italian dishes, for affordable prices. You immediately feel the warm Italian atmosphere as you walk in, as there are so many Italian objects serving as decor that line the walls and ceilings, from football (soccer) jerseys to Aperol to espresso moka pots. We ordered the Bianco Nero pizza (black truffle, mushroom, zucchini) and the Cavani pizza (sausage, salami) -- both were freshly made to order and came out hot from the oven. The black truffle on the Bianco Nero was especially good, and personally my favorite aspect of the meal. Can't wait to come back to try more! read more

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Some things here are amazing and some of the best Italian food I've had, while other things are big sources of confusion and I won't order again. But overall this is a great place to have a nice dinner in Hyde Park. It is also one of the few places with extensive (and nice!) outdoor seating, though beware the wasps during the summer. I'm a big fan of the entrees here. The spaghetti al cartoccio is fantastic - I've gotten it about 4 times, and it is consistently delicious and fresh, with a rich seafood flavor that permeates the sauce. It's also packaged in a fun aluminum foil swan that seals in the flavor. The risottos here are also scrumptious and perfectly cooked. The pizzas have that great brick oven crunch to them. The food here overall is reminiscent of the lightness and ingredient-centric dishes that I've had in Italy, rather than the heavier flavors and textures of Italian American food. In our recent outing, there were some big question marks though. We got a focaccia appetizer and it was just an olive oil and truffle pizza - not the thick bouncy focaccia we were expecting! We then got the profiteroles for dessert and they were smothered in chocolate mousse, making them squishy and unappetizing. Not sure how both of these bakes were bombed so badly. But we will continue to go here for the amazing pasta, risotto, and pizza!! Just we will be cautious about apps and desserts. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Apparently this is focaccia - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cute restaurant with a great vibe and good service. I think the pizza here is super solid pizza for America but the pasta is honestly tastes okay kind of boring. Great pizza though! 4.5 star pizza and 5 star experience, 1.5 star pasta. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Recommendation from some co-workers for an Italian meal in Hyde Park. Post-vaccine shot no. 2, met up with friend for a geriatric time dinner at 3pm. Felt like celebrating a little, so tried a few things. Food was good but not outstanding imho. About Maggiano's caliber with a upcharge on pricing. The menu didn't elaborate on a calamari dish I ordered. It was a handful of rings in overdone flat rigatoni drowning in arribiatta (Rao's is better) that tried camoflaging the 10% calamari to pasta ratio. Not worth $20. My tiramisu was again okay, the one bright star was the panna cotta. Didn't try anything else, this pal is new, can't pirate all the food like normal. Next time! read more

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The food here is very mediocre- I mean it's not bad but I feel like there are so many better Neapolitan style pizza in the city. The crust of the pizza is soggy and thicker than normal, but I do think their pizzas are better than the pastas. It's just not worth the price tag. read more

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Nella is a hyde park staple and one of my favorite Italian places in the area. The service here is great and the ambiance is nice and casual as well. The pizzas here are probably the best items here and you get great value with them. The sarracino is one of my favorite pastas- I love the truffle flavor. Definitely try this place if you want a nice reasonably priced restaurant in the Hyde park area! read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Sarracino - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great restaurant! I went with two friends and we split the arancici, lobster risotti, Nella D.O.P, tiramisu and the pistachio cheesecake. It was all delicious. The staff was friendly and the service was good. Highly recommend this place. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Tiramisu & pistachio cheesecake - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My daughter and I stopped in without a reservation & were able to be seated at the bar. The pizza is very well done & authentic. Most def real Italian's are making the food. Everything was tasty & they have a nice wine list. Food was served very soon after being ordered, salad was fresh and perfect amount of dressing. Gnocchi was delish, well balanced sauce. Burrata was amazing! Beautiful yellow heirloom tomato's. And, the pizza crust was thin and perfectly baked with well balanced toppings that added dynamic flavors with the fresh greens. Absolutely love the family photos & flying Vespa too! read more

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I ordered some takeout for a work party--got several pizzas along with the pear salad. Overall things were pretty good, everyone seemed to like the offerings. The service was good and the delivery came on time. I will say that the pizzas were a bit pricey (~$20 each) and each one could basically feed one hungry person. The crust was also pretty wide and took up about 50% of the surface area of the pizza, so there wasn't as much topping as I was expecting. If you are going to order the pizza, I recommend the truffle pizza! That one was the best of the assortment I ordered. read more

Let me just start but saying parking is a bitch around here. Nothing against the restaurant, but something to be aware of. We came during a busy lunch time, but there were still a few tables available, so we were seated right away. It took a little longer than expected to get our order in, but once it was in, the food came out almost immediately. We ordered my go to Margherita Pizza and an order of their Paccheri alla Boscaiola. The Margherita pizzas was tasty and fresh out the oven. It had plenty of cheese and and basil to go with the tomato sauce. Only thing I would have preferred was for the crust to be a little bit more burnt. I'm actually surprised I ordered their Paccheri pasta because it came with mushrooms. And this dish came with a lot of mushrooms, but it was t a bad tasting dish. It came with a creamy sauce and also came with sausage. I would probably order another dish on my next visit. read more

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I stepped into Nella pretty late, about half an hour before closing. Regardless, the staff greeted me quickly and seated me in a timely manner. The gnocchi I ordered was yummy with a good amount of cheese and hearty marinara sauce! The staff was also quick to fill my water. Overall, pretty good service. read more

My first time I had Nella I had the margarita pizza which made me want to actually coke in and sit down. The decor is nice. It's a newer restaurant in Hyde Park. Our server Ricardo was nice but barely checked on us throughout our service. At times I wanted to order drink or an appetizer he took long to come back so I just said forget it all together. The pizza was ok but a little flimsy meaning it could've stayed in the oven just a dt bit longer. I love truffles and anything with them I want to try. When I saw the truffle ravioli my eyes lit up. It was disappointing, at $30 there were only maybe 5-6 pieces of Raviolli. It was hard to actually enjoy because the dish was overpowered with salt and garlic. It would've been better to sauté the garlic first opposed to adding it in afterwards. It made the dish too salty to consume and I left still wanting to go to another place for food. read more

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This place is so cute for a small group or date night spot. I came to check this place out with a friend and you are instantly hit with delicious smells once you walk through the door. We sat down and got the calamari and pere Gorgonzola salad which were the highlight of the meal. The calamari was cooked perfectly and the salad was a good portion and perfect pairing with the walnuts, Gorgonzola, pear, arugula (highly recommend) We decided to share a pizza so with a recommendation we got the stuffed pizza, Vesuvio. It was not my favorite, it was like a deflated calzone. The stuffing was delicious but steaming inside left the bottom not as crisp with lot much filling. I would recommend opting out of a stuffed pizza and getting a different one on the menu. I would recommend coming back here, hopefully to try another pizza or pasta dish! read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow, new to Hyde park Chicago. Ordered for delivery because it was a cold winters evening. Never expected amazing food! Can't wait to dine in person read more

Food was phenomenal, from the bruschetta to the pizza, and all the way into the dessert with a pistachio cheesecake. My family and I came in with a toddler, who ended up having a tantrum.. was very grateful with how amazing the waiter and servers handled the situation. They made sure that I never felt bad for having a toddler throwing a fit while dining. Service was top notch as our table was getting cleared as the food was being devoured off of the plates. We ordered the Ortolana pizza which was made with fresh basil, and very tasteful egg plant, zucchini, and bell peppers. The ambiance is very inviting and warm. Definitely recommend and will be going back often! read more

So darn good. Everything from the Arancini to the calamari to the 5 different pizzas. Everything was delicious. read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Arancini - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Outstanding authentic Italian restaurant on the south side of Chicago. Love the pizzas, pastas, calamari, and salads! Nice Italian ambiance. Great drinks (although I wish fresh ingredients were used rather than syrups in purées). Brunch special is exceptional. Staff is friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable. It's one of our very favorite places in Chicago! read more

ITS THE BOMBE!!! the pizza bombe w prosciutto is great, as is the tiramisu and the weekend deals. the pizza burrito is massive, friend ordered tho i didn't try. the burrata pizza + black truffle is v umami and savory. the french toast looks bomb. margarita pizza was meh. then again i had it after it had sat out over an hour so you be the judge! TRY THIS SPOT! read more

7/13/18 Solid Italian restaurant by University of Chicago. I enjoyed all of the items below my group ordered. My favorite was the black truffle mussels pasta - mmmmm. I think you will want to try more pasta and pizza options after your first time! Afterwards, you can wash this all down with milk tea next door! 1. Sarracino - pappardelle * mussels * pecorino * black truffle * garlic oil * white wine 2. Spaghetti al Cartoccio - calamari * mussels * baby clams * tomato sauce * red pepper flakes * parsley 3. Ciotta Ciotta - prosciutto crudo di parma * prosciutto cotto * sausage * spicy salami * mozzarella * quattro formaggio * tomato sauce * basil read more

Nella Pizza e Pasta - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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