I have lived in Chicago 60 years and eating it many good Italian restaurants. After my dinner last night, I feel this is one of if not the best in the city. The menu has such variety, with nightly specials. I took a business client who is Italian and has lived in Italy for dinner there. He ordered the risotto and said it was some of the best he's ever had. I gave him a taste of my ass Buco, which was outstanding. Another person at the table had the linguine Bolognese and loved it. What surprised me given. The size of the restaurant was how quickly they were able to bring out the various dishes. The servers were very attentive. This is a smaller quaint restaurant where ambiance is casual. If you have not eaten here, go there you will not be disappointed read more

Rounding up to 4* but I'd say more like a 3.5 experience. I had a great night so nothing could kill my vibe but for the money you pay, I was a little let down. I loved the outdoor seating, felt very romantic and cozy. I got a cocktail, $16 was steep as this cocktail was not very strong but it was the seasonal peach martini and I love peach, so it was enjoyed. Service was pretty decent but a different server had to check in on us and take our order halfway through. I got another special, the pumpkin ravioli in a sage butter sauce. Very expensive for $34 with no protein but I wanted to try it because it felt like fall outside! Well... it was good, at least I had to convince myself it was because it's too disappointing to pay that much and not LOVE it. The filling was great, the actual raviolis not so much, and I had to add salt to the sauce. Probably wouldn't come back because it's too expensive to give a second chance but it was overall a nice night and meal. read more

Have heard so many great things about this spot and finally had a chance to visit during Restaurant Week! The interior was pretty traditional yet cozy- perfect for a nice night out that also doesn't feel stuffy. The tables are a bit crowded and ours was awkwardly seated in the middle of heavy foot traffic, but there was enough chatter that it didn't take away from the experience. The RW options featured an excellent variety from their regular menu, so at $45 the three course meal was a steal. For drinks, I ordered and really enjoyed the paper plane, which was fruity and not too sweet. We started with the tuna tartare and fried zucchini blossoms- both were outstanding and our favorite part of the meal! The tartare was super fresh with a very generous portion of fish. Crispy, delicate, and filled with delicious melted cheese and prosciutto, the zucchini is definitely a must order! For the main event, I opted for the short rib with polenta, which was super tender and flavorful. The way the fat melted in the mouth was *chef's kiss.* I would only say the polenta could have used a little more flavor. We ended with the pear tart, which was absolutely outstanding. Somehow it was rich and buttery without being too heavy- the fresh pear cut through and was complemented so well by the almond flavored crust. From start to finish, everything about this experience was great. I will 100% return soon and highly recommend paying a visit! read more

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Visited as part of restaurant week for their dinner menu. Being able to try different dishes was perfect. The burrata was creamy and prosciutto tasted fresh. I will definitely try other pasta dishes or risotto next time I'm back. Would recommend as part of a date night or special occasion dinner! read more

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This place has changed a lot. No complimentary bread, no happy hour?? Not the friendliest of service either, aside from the man who poured the water, he was great and ensured our glasses were never empty. Service was very prompt though, so prompt we kind of got the feeling they wanted us to leave. We ended up ordering a bread plate, meatballs and some pasta. Out of those three I would only recommend the pasta and it would be a light rec. Ambiance was fine very cute inside, lots of dates around and smaller group tables. This place left a lot to be desired so I probably won't be back personally, but I will say the restaurant week menu had a lot of options on it for entrees! More than I've seen at other places read more

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The gnocchi was the best dish we had all night. Superrrrr light and pillowy with a delicious sauce. My carbonara was good but a little less creamy than I usually like it to be, but maybe this is just the more authentic version I'm not sure. I loved the cozy and homey vibe in here! read more

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Not the best Italian food I've had in Chicago, but not the worst either. I don't think the quality of the food is worth the price and the atmosphere doesn't make up for it either. I had a pasta special that they substituted gluten free penne for me which I appreciated as well as the mozzarella caprese as an appetizer. The food was fine. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. read more

The desserts were the highlight of our dinner! The tiramisu and lava cake were soooo good. The carbonara had a good amount of meat and the chicken parm was also delicious! read more

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Love their summer outdoor patio seating!! Very tasty traditional Italian food-- bread when you sit down, good pastas, great eggplant parmesan! The service is quick and welcoming. We make a point to do at least one dinner per summer--this is a classic restaurant! read more

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It was good, and I enjoyed the atmosphere as well. Our waiter was attentive and the food was nice. However I just think it is in really poor taste to charge a surge charge and skimp on things like bread. I likely wouldn't go back. Things like that cheapen the entire experience and I've noticed other reviewers felt the very same way. read more

Ate here 15 years ago when they first opened then again about 5 years ago. Then dinner last night...pretty disappointing really. Nothing was really bad but nothing was really terrific either. Seems to have gone downhill I guess. O well read more

Delicious everything love the ambiance and staff attentiveness, and location. Cozy, feeling like being Barcelona, Spain read more

Riccardo Trattoria - AMISH CHICKEN PARMIGIANA - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This little northside Lincoln Park district Italian Restaurant has that old school intimate dining that is lacking with so many trendy, glitsy, and polished dining "shows". Riccardo sticks to the core plan of giving you the best meal you can have. To start, their Ribollita Toscano soup, is new to us. A complete surprise. Texture and taste is wonderfully different. Brenzino Piccata is a well blended flavor that delicately frames the fish to an elevated taste bud experience. This is a must order. Veal Marsala is presented with a just right toasted potato wedges. Served with a lighter than traditional marsala sauce I am used to but it works. The portion is not heavy. It allows room for dessert. Ah dessert, the apple pie is presented with lemon infused purée apple with equally delicate pie crust to give a playful gustatory vibe. How about the always recommended Cioccolatissimo choco cake with a dollop of vanilla. For the strong chocolate lovers. Their Italian centric wine list will complement your dining experience. You won't find any Cabernet in there, as it should be. 5 stars for the food freshness and preparation. 5 stars because it's the meal that is most important. Bring a few friends to fill that intimate space to make for an enjoyable time read more

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Had a reservation but wasn't seated til 20 minutes after the time despite whole party being present. Food was okay. Good service. Venue is loud so you kind of have to shout and you will hear those around you given tightly packed tables. read more

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Closer to a 3.75, I think. My complaints are minor but at the time seemed more annoying. An appetizer of stuffed zucchini blossoms was delicious however the menu didn't state that half the dish was plain fried zucchini sticks. That was a serious letdown considering that I don't like zucchini and would not have ordered it had I known. The arrancini app was also good, not great. The real problem there was that it arrived without us having ordered it. There was no problem removing it from the check, though. The mains, linguine with mussels and a shrimp and artichoke risotto, both specials of the day, were perfectly good and decent sized portions. Nothing earth shattering, but solid. I felt that the room was too loud and the server was a bit overly friendly but those weren't too awful. I don't believe that I'd go out of my way to eat here again but I wouldn't object too strongly if it happened to be convenient. read more

Ever since watching that episode of Black Mirror, I feel like a three star review is the same as sentencing someone to death. But I feel that's what Riccardo Trattoria is...it's, to quote the scoring rubric, "OK." They have some good dishes, and I think the service is friendly. But given that it's relatively pricey for a neighborhood Italian joint, I don't feel they're delivering quite at the price point. I'm glad they're nearby, and we've gone a couple of times, I'd never travel for it. read more

We loved it! Great service, great location. But mostly great food. We started with The Fava Beans w/Truffle, The Calamari which was cooked to perfection and The Arugula Salad. Followed by The Bronzino Filet w/cappers, The Risotto w/ mushrooms-tomato-lobster bisque, and The "gluten-free" Pasta w/lemon sauce. The gluten-free pasta was amazing delicious! The Risotto was great too, but the Bronzino Filet was the home run dish. Then we finished with tiramisu and a torta di ricotta, paired with espresso. All three of us loved this place. read more

Riccardo Trattoria - Wonderful Outside Seating - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went with 5 friends. Most of us got a different entree. The only thing common to them all is that none of them were good!! Super disappointed because I had wanted to try this place. The friend who organized our dinner out said they used to be amazing but she agreed the food was virtually flavorless. Once we were in the uber, everyone else commented about what a horrible meal we all had. Restaurants are far too expensive to be served bad food. I got the special lamb shank and it was horrible. The red sauce it was braised in was literally flavorless. The meat was unseasoned fatty, gamey and and chewy. For 6 of us the bill was about $430 with tip. Waste of good money. Don't make the same mistake. How in a foodie town like Chicago is this place still open? read more

There are so many great Italian restaurants in Chicago it was hard to pick one during our visit. We've always liked this part of Lincoln Park, so we thought we'd give this place a shot. I love small, intimate urban restaurants and this place definitely fit that description. Our server was super friendly and attentive. We started our meal with the Arancini which was excellent. I love lobster bisque, so I had to give that a try. It had good flavor and crabmeat on top, but there was some other stuff thrown in that didn't seem necessary. For my entree, I hade the Trofie Al Pesto. It was a quite tasty and the portion size was just right. My wife liked the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese, too. We topped it off with the lemon sorbet, which was the perfect ending for a delicious meal! read more

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Riccardo Trattoria is a hidden gem. A true authentic and excellent establishment that serves delicious authentic Italian dishes you now almost can't find anywhere else. Having lived in the NY/NJ area for close to 30 years - I had a chance to eat lots of authentic Italian. We went there for an early dinner on a week day and opted to sit inside. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and well maintained and gives a welcoming atmosphere. We opted for a few of the unique items the restaurant had. First, the Gazpacho crab - was a typical well made Gazpacho with the crab - as good as could be expected. I ordered the Tripe Florentine - like most Italian Tripe dishes - it was made in tomato sauce. The tripe was well cooked and soft and had a very gentle taste - which I love. For entrée we shared the Osso Buco - which was delish, melt in your mouth shank with an excellent risotto. One of the few places that does risotto justice. Finally for dessert we went for the Tiramisu - it was spot on. Not too sweet, but just right with a traditionally made one. I wish other restaurants had this level of Tiramisu. All in all excellent. Finally - Service was superb. Not too intrusive, just attentive and super friendly. Leonardo who was our waiter made sure we were happy and that everything was great and also made sure to take care of all the little details. This is by far the best Italian restaurant I visited recently and possibly the best restaurant in Chicago. I will be back every time I'm back in town. read more

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Very nice Italian Trattoria in the Lincoln Park area that has been serving up casual Italian food for almost 20 years now. The ambiance is wonderful in this small yet long room, and the service really was on point ... we never had a need to ask for anything without it being brought over first, and their menu suggestions were very helpful. With a full bar, drinks are very good but the wine list is special. Our table had the Tagliateli Bolognese, the Rack of Lamb, and the Lobster Ravioli ... each and every one was a 4 to 5 star offering. The Tagliateli had an especially nice Bolognese sauce, and the Lobster Ravioli was excellent. With most of the pastas made in house, this is a treat for Italian foodies. We can safely say this is some of the finest Italian dining in Chicago. Now with food, drinks, tip, and tax you'll be right around $100 per, but the food alone really carries the price point. This was a delightful visit, and we'll be sure to come back for special occasions. Recommended. read more

Very crowded, small space, loud ambience noise from ppl conversation Very good food, good portions! Came for restaurant week. My favorite was the burrata and prosciutto antipasti. The lamb shank was a little bit on the less spiced flavor so the lamb flavor was very strong. The service wasn't spectacular, maybe because it was too full? read more

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Probably my new favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago! Will be dreaming about the tiramisu.... The space is quite small but feels old school and classic, and the service is excellent!! I was surprised by how big the menu is, but my favorite thing was that they served our split dishes in separate bowls for us, so everyone got 2 small bowls of pasta and we were able to try different dishes! Here's what we got from my favorite to least favorite: - tiramisu - wowwwww this was incredible and the best tiramisu I've ever had!! Such good flavor and absolutely perfect - carbonara - I hate when this dish is made with cream and ends up more like an Alfredo, but this was definitely not that! The technique was perfect with the egg yolks and so flavorful!! Hard to find a good one but I really liked this dish. - arancini - cant go wrong with these! The dish came with 5 of them and a tomato sauce that was delicious - fava beans - really simple appetizer but paired with the Parmesan and truffle was such a nice combination that surprised me how much I liked it - zucchini focaccia - delicious crispy bread that paired nicely with the meal! - Milanese e Polpettine (risotto) the flavor was good but this dish didn't wow me. Probably wouldn't get this again, I'd try another pasta instead! - chocolate lava cake - this is last on my list only because lava cakes are one of my favorite desserts and this one was a little too sweet and lacked some richness. Still tasty of course but I would pick the tiramisu over this next time for sure! Definitely will be back and will recommend to others, I loved this restaurant!! read more

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Great Italian restaurant that it took me way too long to try. The saffron risotto was incredible, as was the bucatini carbonara. Service was prompt, and there was a rather large "specials" menu that was very enticing as well. I'm dying to try the ossobucco here, but I wasn't hungry enough to tackle that 16oz behemoth. No kids menu, but you can order a side pasta portion for ~$12. No bar seating, but full bar is offered. Go across the street to the Enoteca if you'd like to sit at the bar. read more

Riccardo Trattoria - Saffron rissoto - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great place! Limited seating so good to reserve. We've also done takeout here a few times. You can easily find street parking a block north on Clark street. They also have valet parking which we've used a few times as well. Excellent salads. Absolutely superb pastas. We got the carbonara this time; noodles were perfect; not too chewy; not too soft. They have wine and limited liquor but we usually bring our own wine. Even with the corkage fee it's definitely the way to go. That's assuming you're drinking a good wine. But even If you're drinking a grocery store wine I think you come out ahead on the deal. Prices are moderate for the neighborhood but the quality is first class! read more

Classic Italian old school vibe. Best Cotoletta alla Milanese I've had outside of Milan. Tried Shaved Octopus special and Gnocchi and all were excellent. Good Service, we will be back. read more

Love this place. It's intimate and the food is very good authentic Italian cuisine. Service is good and the location is very conveniently located in Lincoln Park. Definitely give the place a try. It's worth it. read more

Calamari was amazing! Thank you to Theo for great service. The outside seating was perfect for us. read more

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Great service. Good food. The grilled calamari was delicious! Cozy setting. Feels like your nestled in Italy. read more

Riccardo Trattoria - LOBSTER & SCAMPI RAVIOLI - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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1. Pappardelle w/ Duck Ragu "Cacciatora" - olives & porcini mushrooms tomato pink sauce 2. Chicken "Milanese" - Pan fried with arugula, grape tomato, balsamic Pappardelle was delicious - pasta is fresh and the sauce was flavorful and balanced. I was less impressed with chicken Milanese. Chicken was bland and dry. Arugula and tomatoes were refreshing. Good service. And they packed up our food for us. I like the classy, simple interior design. Prices are expensive so this is a special occasion spot for most people. read more

Riccardo Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Place is beautiful and very Italian, music it was nice, costumer services was amazing, food it one the best Italian ever had. Server NiNo did amazing and nice person. read more

Riccardo Trattoria - Octopus with pesto and potato - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Riccardo Trattoria is EVERYTHING. Warm lighting, rustic charm, and that 'I summer in Capri' energy. Perfect for trying to escape the Chicago winter. If this place were a man, he'd be tall, dark, and fluent in the language of pasta. The burrata? Creamy perfection. The pappardelle Bolognese? Like a hug from a grandmother -- without the unsolicited life advice. And the tiramisu? Let's just say I'd swipe right in a heartbeat. But the service? Bellissimo! Friendly, attentive, and just the right amount of ''I'll happily pretend I didn't notice you order dessert for the table... twice.' So if you're craving authentic Italian without a side of tourist trap, Riccardo Trattoria is your spot. Trust me. read more

This is a good Italian restaurant! They have a really big menu with a lot of great options! It definitely wasn't the BEST Italian I have had in the city; but it was still a great meal. The service was good - we had a reservation and were able to sit right away. It's a cute little restaurant and they have a sister restaurant right across the street. They have a great espresso martini! read more

This restaurant is always on it's game. Luis & Victor and staff are some of the most amazing people I've met. They take care of us like family! The food is great and always highly satisfying! Highly recommend this place! read more

Ate there for restaurant week. 1/31/2026, everything was just mediocre. Complimentary zucchini focaccia was great Caesar salad-ok, meatballs-could have been out of a chef boy r Dee can, steak-not good quality, gnocchi-good, Tiramisu-good. Sorry, wanted to like it as I had heard good things, maybe an off night. Froze my butt off sitting at a table next to the door ! read more

Why o why did it take me 24 years to eat here? I can't believe it - I'm sure you're just as gobsmacked as I am - but oversights happen. Riccardo's is a no-frills Italian restaurant with a vintage, European-esque dining room serving up impeccable Italian classics. We started with a mozzarella di bufalo and prosciutto special and continued on to pasta, which was superb. I had a veal sauce special that I could not get enough of. Its some of the best pasta I've had in the city. We a had a Tuscan wine on special at a great deal, and it was delicious - earthy and a dusting of cherry fruits - Insolgio del cingbiale 2021 Cocktails were good, old school style. Service was knowledgable and friendly. Will definitely be back. read more

I have a favorite Italian restaurant in almost every city I've been to, like: Vito's - Santa Monica Campagnola - New York La Ciccia - San Francisco Bocca di Lupo - London and this list goes on for miles! Up until now in Chicago it was Ciccio Mio, but it's just too damn hard to get a reservation there, so I "threw in the towel" on this restaurant; that broke my heart. Some, or most of my city picks for the above restaurants are about my overall experience, congeniality and comfort at these particular places; any real food critic would just write about the food, but, I'm not a food critic so...... Always wanting to try "new" places, Riccardo Trattoria is within walking distance from my condo and that's where we met some friends for dinner last night. This modest restaurant is completely charming. It's warm and intimate with a really comprehensive Italian menu. Everything brought to our table was absolutely delicious! We had: * A Veal Parmigiana that rivaled my all time favorite at Dan Tana's in West Hollywood. I was rolling my eyes with each bite it was so good. * Our Caesar Salad here at Riccardo's was as good as Ciccio Mio's (see above) and that's saying a ton * There Frittura Di Mare in a Puttanesca sauce was beyond good * Tuscan Liver with a dark sauce put me square in the center of Florence, Italy - Yeh, it was that good. * The Chicken Milanese was so spectacular - I was blown away Food this good, along with great service and just a pleasant feeling makes Riccardo Trattoria my new favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago! read more

I dined here on a Friday night and the restaurant was very busy. We sat in a bar style and able in the back of the restaurant which we were greatly for! They serve wine, cocktails, and beer as well as a full classic Italian menu. Everything we ate was fantastic - I would reopened this spot if you're looking for a nice dinner with large portions. read more

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Went back here again and was impressed. Food still phenomenal with so much flavor- had the tortellini. My guest got the pork saltimbocca and the portion was big. The wine was great and pours are generous. Service was good, but restaurant was busy. The space is smaller so it does get loud, but not unbearable. Will definitely be back to try more of the pasta and meat options too. read more

Riccardo Trattoria was my favorite mistake during my recent trip to Chicago. I had told my brother about a place that made pizza pot pies... we parked our rental for free on the street. Carefully reading the signs beforehand. We walked up to the restaurant (4/4/21) and somehow missed the sign for Riccardo Trattoria and mistakenly walked into said Italian restaurant instead. We didn't realize this until we were seated and reading the menu which was as soon as we walked up to the host. Lol. Life was good when free warm table bread arrived *before* our drinks were placed down. That's the Italian way! :) I settled on a water to rehydrate and hopefully heal my COVID mask rash, but my brother had a Peroni ($5) which was his first time having the Italian beer. He enjoyed it quite a bit. My "vitello al limone" ($26) was fantastic. This dish is "pounded veal tenderloin, white wine lemon-caper sauce with spinach." The veal could have been a bit more tender, but I devoured every single bit of it. The highlight of the dinner, however, was my brother's "tuna tagliata" which came with asparagus ($26). I tried some of it. We were head over heels about it! Since we came back to our realities, we've both tried to mimic this recipe. It's been hard, but trying is fun. The only thing I disliked about this restaurant was that you had to walk through part of the kitchen to get to the restrooms. Old school! Lol. Thanks to our server, Christian, for the recommendations and being so quick on your feet! | Food: 5 | Service: 5 | Environment: 4 | Price: 4 | read more

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