Calamari in lemon butter can't make a mistake Excited to try the special squid ink linguine Highly recommend their seafood risotto, so creamy and very delicious, each bite is full of crab meat. read more

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Booked a 12:30pm reservation for two on OpenTable for Saturday, Sep 5 (labor day weekend). It wasn't super busy, surprisingly - plenty of open tables inside, but not many outside. Wait staff was attentive, helpful and courteous. They let me order the risotto even though it's not in the lunch menu. Missus ordered the spaghetti and we got a grilled calamari for starter. The bread they serve is two types: whole wheat and white. Both go well with oil. Ambiance is kinda like an Italian bistro fused with Chicago art scene? Hard to explain. Overall, food was good (not "mind blowing"). I probably wouldn't come back, though - there's plenty of other great Italian places to try first. As a visitor, it's probably fine to try, but if I was local this would not be a regular visit (kinda pricey). read more

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Lovely Italian dinner at Topo Gigio. We made a reservation and were seated shortly after checking in. You CANNOT make a reservation for their patio which we were disappointed about. Their dining area is nice, but not where you want to be on a nice summer evening. Dark & lowlit. Loved that they have specials. Service was just okay, we were at a table in the back corner and felt a little forgotten about. Fusilli Alla Topo Gigio: 3.5/5 Conchiglie Alla Sarda: 4.5/5 Calamari: 1.5/5 (skip) Lamb Special: 4/5 read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Fusilli Alla Topo Gigio, Conchiglie Alla Sarda & lamb special - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Server was lovely! I loved the moodiness of this restaurant and would be perfect to bring family here, date night, or out for drinks with the girls. I came with a group of girls who all ordered their famous and recommended cong- something pasta that everyone raves about. While that was good I ended up getting something different; the veal tortellini pasta... it was the right decision. I will dream about that pasta I recommend getting that one if you're wanting to try something that's not the usual thing read more

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(Kari's Rating 9.25/10) I have been to this restaurant, probably four or five times on dates, with friends and with my parents. It is absolutely worth it every single time. We came in around 7 o'clock on a rainy Wednesday evening. I didn't expect it to be crowded, but I was surprised that I got a text saying our table was ready at 6:50. Once seated, we ordered an apple spritz and an amaretto sour. I know amaretto hours are relatively standard, but this one comes in a pretty large 16 ounce water glass! It was enough where my friend and I had to split and it was absolutely delicious. The waiter then came back to drop off some bread and water, and then quickly came back for us to place our order. We both are feeling pasta cause it was a little rainy out and we ordered the Fusilli alla Topo Gigio and I had wanted the Conchiglie alla Sarda, but I think I got the noodles, confused and accidentally ordered the Garganelli con le Luganighe. I had the fusilli before and the velvety sauce coats the noodle shape perfectly. I would've preferred the Conchiglie, but the Garganelli sufficed. It was a little bit oily, and I don't care for the noodle shape, but that was totally my fault. Overall, it was a very delicious dinner. I just wish I had not messed up the pasta names haha! The service was pretty quick as we stayed for about an hour. I would definitely come back and also living relatively close, this is usually my go to Italian place for both authenticity as well as convenience. read more

Really great place. It can accommodate large groups of people without it feeling crowded inside. There's a cozy dark atmosphere that's perfect for a nice dinner vibe. We had a group of 12 people and the service was on point for real. Had an amazing experience and I want to reiterate that the server was super friendly, gave good recommendations, was very attentive to the water service and keeping our wine flowing. I got a pasta dish that was recommended to me by my boss, she said it's super good and people on reddit literally ask about how they can recreate it or get it somewhere else after moving out of chicago. Idk why but it looks and tastes way better than it sounds on the menu. I got the conchiglie alla sarda- so good. I had some of my friend's clam pasta which was also super tasty. The portions are generous but not overkill. The prices were reasonable, if not cheap, for the quality of the food, portions, atmosphere, and service. Still a splurge though for me lol. Really liked this place and I'm definitely keeping this on my list of restaurants to take people when they come into town, and hopefully the occasional date night :) read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Conchiglie alla Sarda - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had high hopes for Topo Gigio given all the buzz in Old Town, but overall my experience was pretty underwhelming. The space felt cramped and noisy, making it hard to enjoy dinner or conversation. The service was EXTREMELY slow and can tell they were not prepared for a dinner rush. It felt rushed, like they were just trying to turn tables. As for the food, it was okay but definitely not worth the hype or the price point. The pasta came out just like any other, nothing memorable - the flavors didn't really stand out compared to other Italian spots in the city. The chicken parm portion was large, but more quantity than quality as the chicken was a little tough. It wasn't a terrible meal, but honestly, I left wishing I had gone somewhere else. Plenty of other Italian restaurants in Chicago do it better for the same price ! read more

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Topo Gigio offers an authentic Italian ambiance, complemented by attentive service from its staff. Regrettably, the culinary offerings fall short of expectations. While the establishment's atmosphere is commendable, the food fails to deliver the desired flavor and quality. read more

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Overall the experience was good. The food was just ok, a bit overpriced for what you are getting. Getting inside is a bit of a mess, you have to walk through a bar to get to the restaurant. The service was good, which gives this review a few read more

Had a super fun experience at Topo Gigio in Old Town! We luckily got there at the right time and were able to get seating in the front. Very quickly spots filled up but nobody seemed to have to wait an extremely long time. Our waiter was knowledgeable of the menu and was able to give recommendations and they also had different daily specials. They have such a wide selection of pastas and meats, a single plate of pasta definitely can be split between two people so highly recommend getting a pasta, a second plate that is a protein and then paying the share charge to get best of both worlds. They also was free bread which was alright and the bruschetta was delicious, but also average. Cocktails and wine were fantastic, it was nice to have your drink poured right at your table. Definitely had a really nice time here and very much gives off romantic date vibes but there were people of all types there enjoying dinner! Being totally honest since it is a review, the fusilli alla topo gigio pasta was good but nothing outstanding. Maybe go with a seafood pasta instead. Still highly recommend checking this place out. read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Bruschetta Alla Romana - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here while visiting, based on a local's recommendation. It didn't disappoint. Authentic popular established local restaurant. Casual a little loud but not too loud. We tried the mussels and clam appetizer steamed in garlic and wine broth. The mussels were sweet and not overpowering like mussels sometimes get. you're going to want extra bread to mop up the broth. I doubled down on the clams and ordered a similar sauce over linguine while my wife went for the veal marsala. Both were good plates. Importantly, the pasta was perfectly al dente. read more

Nice decor and awesome service. the wine was good. Tortellini soup was Ok, but lacking in flavor main dishes were ok. GARGANELLI con le LUGANIGHE Was not what I espected. I'm not saying it was bad, it just wasnt for me.....Same with the FUSILLI alla TOPO GIGIO. It was OK. We didn't finish either dishes....... Again. It wasn't that it was bad, it just wasn't to our expectations, we spent 3 years in Tuscany and this was not what we expected. But the service was top notch read more

I'm from Houston, where we don't have good Italian food, lots of fusion but not this close to authentic outside of Italy of course. So coming here was absolutely amazing, the food, the service, was all great. As long as I keep visiting Chicago I will always make a stop here. read more

We came here for a double date since our friends recommended this place and we were highly disappointed. The place was really busy and had a cozy environment which was nice, however, the service was not up to par. The place was too busy and there was not enough staff to accommodate. Our server would come by and immediately rush off and not be back for a long time. Both pastas were not really seasoned well. However, there was a large amount of both pastas. read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Conchiglie alla Sarda - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's been awhile and we had a terrific dinner here before a show at 2nd city. The service is excellent and the high energy vibe in the dining room is so fun! We enjoyed the crusty bread before the perfectly crisp calamari (mostly rings) and our entrees-- linguine fruitti de mare, eggplant parm, and shells with shrimp and scallops. I appreciated the seafood portion and the rich red sauce in the fruitti de mare. We were too full for dessert but had a great dinner experience at the best Italian in Old Town. read more

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Solid Italian spot that's filling, tasty, and buzzing. The menu is extensive, the ambiance is fun and energetic, although a little cramped, and the service is good. This kitchen gets busy and backed up during peak hours, so be prepared to wait a little bit. Let's get into what we ordered. Conchiglie Mediterranea: 5 stars. Best dish that we had. The dish offers comforting, homey basil-and-tomato flavors, perfectly cooked conchigle, and fresh scallops and shrimp. Veal chop: 4 stars. Hearty and plentiful. Great saucey sides with the veggies. The veal was a little rough and tough, and I asked for medium. But the size and flavor were there. Ironically, my cousin got his medium rare, and his was pretty undercooked in a few areas. Calamari Alla Griglia: 3 stars. Too tough and overly dressed/sauced for my taste. I love squid. But I've had better. Still tasty, but I feel as though the amount of sauce was accommodating for the fact that the squid wasn't the most fresh. Overall, a fun, tasty, and filling dining experience. read more

I've heard a lot about topo gigio and figured it was also quite popular given how difficult it seemed to get a reservation. I was prepared to be amazed by the homemade pasta but I left feeling underwhelmed. The pasta was okay but I don't think I would return. read more

What a meal. This is Italian cooking at its finest! Great service, and a patio ambiance straight from Italy. Al Capone and his goons definitely cooked up schemes at this joint. read more

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It's been years since I've been to Topo Gigio. I'm happy to say the food is still just as delicious! I visited here with a friend a few months ago for lunch and it was a great time. The space is so beautiful! I especially love the patio, but it was too hot on this day to eat outside so we dined in the dining room instead. My friend and I decided to split a caprese salad and rigatoni. Because they are such large portions, this ended up being perfect for us! The rigatoni is served in a pomodoro sauce with pancetta, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, & pecorino cheese. So much flavor and so delicious! Some of the staff has been there for a long time, which says a lot about the owners. Almost feels like walking into my Italian grandfathers kitchen when he would make dinner for us. The best home-y vibes over great food. read more

A must visit!!! Topo Gigio is one of my all time favorites in Chicago! The pasta dishes are perfectly cooked, the veal is tender and flavorful, and the sauces are rich and authentic. Make sure to try the scallops appetizer...they are to die for!!! I also love the chicken parmigiana, I like to get it with broccoli rather then spinach. The service is top-notch--friendly, attentive, and makes you feel at home. We love to sit at the bar, or make a reservation for a table, either way is great! read more

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The fusilli Topo gigio pasta dish was excellent! Highly recommend adding grilled sliced sausage on top. The portions are large and the prices are fair. The wait staff is very friendly too. Highly recommend. read more

Neighborhood classic!!! whatever you order here will be delicious, staff is super friendly this is a family owned business and they are super accommodating always a good time and they tend to be crowded but the bar is fun to sit at and watch them make endless martinis read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - dirty martini manhattan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food, Service, and ambiance was excellent. It was our first time visiting this restaurant. We sat on their outdoor patio. Highly recommend! Very reasonably priced and outstanding food and variety of options. read more

Great restaurant. We came here on a Saturday night for a business dinner. We were a group of 15, they gave us three tables all around the room. The place is jam packed and lots of energy! It was my first time here but a few of my peers have been here before and they said they have always had great things. I got the scallops and shrimp on a bed of spinach. SOOOO GOOD. The spinach was surprisingly very flavorful. The scallops were perfect. The shrimp was a little dry but still good. A couple of my friends got the veal chop. And my other friends got past dishes. One person got the Joe's salad and he said it was the best salad he has ever had. Two of my friends are gluten free and non dairy. They were able to make some accommodations but they did not allow for substitutions. Overall, we had a fabulous time! We also got a bottle of wine. The servers were BUSY but they hustled and worked hard to make sure everyone was happy and satisfied! We will be back! read more

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My new go to for Italian in the city. We went during lunch and were attended to with some much service. The space itself is so charming and cozy. But the real treat here is the food. The salad was packed with flavor and maybe one of my favorite parts of the meal. The vodka pasta sauce is phenomenal. We had ice cream and tiramisu which blew me away. I could probably eat here every day. read more

Came here twice in a week because it is such a vibe. I'm a proud NewYorkItalianAmerican and I like my Italian food served old-school style. There is no pretentiousness here. There is a classic wall-of-fame for all the autographed headshots of celebs and media personalities that have visited here. I don't need a breezy bright open italiano ristorante, I want cozy, familial, and brick walls. The food is good. I felt like my pasta bowl was never ending, I could not make a dent in the large portion. The cocktails are strong (no cocktail menu, but just ask for what you want and they can make it happen!). read more

The magic of a good service in here it's gone our server yesterday was so pathetic and not very happy to be working here , specially when I work as a server and I know how to satisfy a customer, so sad . read more

We chose this restaurant because Yelp clearly states "Pets Welcome" and they have outdoor dining. However, when we arrived with our dog, we were told dogs were not allowed. We wasted time driving here based on inaccurate information. If your restaurant does not allow dogs, please update your listing so customers don't make the trip for nothing. Very disappointing. read more

I come here frequently for one dish - Conchiglie Alla Sarda. Delicious cream sauce with sausage cooked to perfection and peas that balance out the flavor. My favorite time to come here is on a nice summer day - sit on the back patio, drink wine with friends. read more

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Outstanding dinner, charismatic service, marvelously enticing ambiance; familiarly set in the original charmingly romantic building located in the thriving and energetic Old Town neighborhood. For years, I've enjoyed many pleasurable dinners at Topo Gigio, but this was extra special because I finally got my husband to join me. There's nothing more pleasing than dining in a restaurant, blissfully filled with the humming conversations of attractive and utterly satiated patrons; so in demand the restaurant is seated at its capacity and delightfully overflowing onto the wrap around patio. There is a reason they have a wall of culinary excellence awards and celebrity photos throughout. Not to mention, the decades of unwavering dedication of us local foodie fans!! It's like home sweet home. The food is magnificent: Scallops, Mussels, Clams, Calamari, Filet Medallions and Lk Superior Whitefish Limone are delicious and the Dessert of the Day, White Chocolate Raspberry, Cheesecake was scrumptious. Can't wait til my next visit! read more

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While this restaurant is cute and classically Italian, I can't say the food was, or at least the brushetta. In all honesty, it was probably the worst brushetta I've ever had, just three tiny pieces of toast with one singular tomato sliced on top. Not the usual tossed brushetta with garlic and basil and flavor, just one tomato and three pieces of toast which was pretty disappointing to eat and pay for. However I liked their tortellini soup. It was very simple but had good flavor and their pastas were really yummy. I may have just ordered the wrong things, but even then, it's shocking brushetta would be so bad at a popular Italian restaurant. Servers were nice and it was packed. Def a popular Italian spot but I can't say I felt super satisfied with my meal. read more

Tiramisu was on point, White fish was cooked well, risotto was soupy though rich in taste and the grilled calamari was very rubbery. Melon salad was nice. It was nice they split the salad for us without asking and the portions are huge for everything. Prices were surprisingly fair on most items for the location. We sat outside and our table was pulled apart in front of us and never wiped down as we brushed crumbs to the ground ourselves. Service overall felt super casual, like a sports bar patio. That being said the outdoor patio was lovely, enjoyed the Italian decor. read more

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Miguel was amazing, this used to be a regular spot if mine before I moved away, I was with my young son were traveling for World Cup and he made everything perfect. Food is the best in Chicago read more

As a gluten-free diner, Topo Gigio is my favorite Italian in Old Town/Gold Coast/River North. I think often, gluten free pasta texture is an after thought and I've had many places serve gf pasta that's a bit overdone. Not so at Topo Gigio. It's always al dente, and seems to be given that same care and attention that makes their wheat pasta dishes so enjoyable. The old-school atmosphere is so cozy, it's the kind of place you'll walk in and hear Sinatra or Dean Martin. read more

We chose Topo Gigio the first time because it's close to Second City, where we had tickets for a show that evening. Since then, we've come back every trip to Chicago whether it's nearby or not because we just like it so much. The tables are pretty close together and when it's busy it's a little on the loud side. But all three times we've gone the food and service have been great. Faves: the pasta shells with seafood or with sausage, and the roast half chicken with rosemary & roasted potatoes. Each was delicious, and portions so big we had enough left over for another meal. read more

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Topo Gigio in Old Town is an absolute must-visit! I highly recommend making a reservation about a week in advance, as it tends to book up quickly--but if you prefer outdoor seating, those tables are first come, first served. I went with my mom, and we were both blown away by the food and drinks. I had the best espresso martini of my life--just the right hint of chocolate. I've already told all my friends they have to try it! My mom also really enjoyed the red house wine, calling it smooth and flavorful. We started with complimentary bread, which was a nice touch. For dinner, I ordered the Conchiglie alla Sarda, and it completely hit the spot--packed with flavor and generously portioned. My mom had the Filetto di Manzo al Barolo, and we both agreed it rivaled (if not topped) the steaks at some of our favorite steakhouses. Overall, the food and drinks were absolutely fabulous. The service wasn't the strongest point of the evening, but honestly, the quality of the meal more than made up for it. I can't wait to go back! read more

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Topo Gigio has consistently been voted one of the best Italian restaurants in the city and honestly for just the Farfalle ai due salmoni alone I have to agree. It truly is one of the top meals i've had in Chicago and it's worth every penny. The If you like salmon and pasta, this is a must try. It's made with Bow Tie Shaped Pasta with Norwegian Smoked Salmon and North Pacific Salmon in a Light Tomato-Cream Sauce and Dill. And it's absolutely delicious. I was a bit skeptical about the smoked salmon at first but it adds a great level of depth to the dish. They didn't skimp on the amount of salmon either which was amazinggg, i practically got a piece in every bite. The portion is also considerable so you will feel satisfied. Highly highly recommend. The other menu options are good too, honestly you can't go wrong with anything. The interior is a very homey Tuscan/Italian vibe which really does relax you and make you feel like you're in italy enjoying a slow chill lunch/dinner. Run don't walk! read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Gnocchi al Pomodoro e Basilico - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lovely lunch on the patio; 75 degrees in late October. Server was very gracious and food was delivered promptly. We ordered a wide variety of items and everyone enjoyed their meals. The Caesar salad was overdressed, but fresh. The burrata was amazing and wonderful on the accompanying crostini with roasted peppers. Other entrees with veal were nicely presented. Not sure I understood the potato crisps with the veal Parmesan; was pasta a choice? We had two desserts Spumoni and Tiramisu. Great flavors, although the mascarpone was a little under sweetened or not at all; but still good. All and all a wonderful lunch with fall leaves. read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can't believe I haven't ben here before. six of us came before the Zanies comedy show. It's so convenient. The food was amazing. Unbelievable portion sizes and a great wine list. The staff was outstanding. So friendly. Service blew me away. They gave us bread right away and then when all of us were there we ordered drinks. The pours were really generous. I never expected such a generous pour. And the selection was excellent. We had the veal scaloppini, the s=caesar's, the white fish, the tortellini, the fusilli and rigatoni. Then had the sorbet and gelato for dessert. Huge portion sizes. A few of us shared. Otherwise most had to go boxes. The seating was a bit tight but not uncomfortable. There's a courtyard that we might have used but it was raining. I will definitely return. read more

Post run pasta!!! Ran past here almost every day of high school and never got to try. Got their pasta special of the day: squid ink linguine with shrimp, scallops, smoked salmon. Mamma mia molto delizioso. Such a huge portion size too l only finished half and I was stuffed. Very reasonably priced. All the staff were so kind and funny like in Italy. read more

Topo Gigio Ristorante - Squid ink pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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