Great ambience. Service was very prompt. We were never without a full glass of water or a new dish for the mussel shells (it really is the little things). Pasta was amazing, rich in flavor and portion sizes were very generous! Drinks were strong yet smooth. The tiramisu was perfectly portioned and delicious. Highly recommend this place. read more

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I went to this location for lunch. I had the Cacio e Pepe with chicken and it was phenomenal. The owner of the restaurant makes the pasta in house and was very friendly. I had a glass of wine with my meal that was highly recommended by my server and it complimented the dish very well. The decor, the location, and the service was excellent. I feel like this place will be a staple for River North for a long time to come. read more

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Absolutely amazing- if Pulpo Nero is on the Menu, order it. Its such a cozy spot and the service was wonderful. read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Pulpo Nero - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Probably the best pasta I've had in the city. J.P, our server, was absolutely wonderful. Will be coming back again for sure! read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What to say? 5 stars for the best Italian food I have ever eaten in Chicago (I am Italian, born in Italy). The service just unbelievable for kindness and professionalism, the ambiance well organized and beautiful in choosing the design. We will definitely recommend Torchio Pasta Bar. read more

If any of my Yelper friends find themselves in Chicago, this is the very best place for authentic Italian. I've been trying to make reservations to Torchios for awhile and finally had the opportunity to find a spot in. Torchios has a beautiful atmosphere and a very modern feel. All pasta is handmade here. It's always packed being that I've had difficult times in the past getting a reservation. The food does all the talking when it comes to Torchios. I had the Sautéed mussels in red sauce for an appetizer and my God it was absolutely delicious. I could have just picked up the pot it came in and drink the sauce IT WAS THAT DELICIOUS. The mussels in the dish were sautéed perfectly. Just wanting more after every bite and spoon of the sauce. For pasta I had the Scallops and Fettucine. ABSOLUTELY a masterpiece of a dish. It was beautiful. The flavors were just mesmerizing. The pasta very tender and perfect. The flavors of the white wine sauce, garlic, herbs and so forth was just perfect. I have never tried such perfection in Italian cuisine until I came upon Torchios. They have an awesome wine selection. I had the Pinot Nior and even though red wine doesn't really pair well with seafood it was perfect. At the end me and my friend that I had invited were full so the owner came to check on us and we told them how AMAZING the food was so he offered us the Tiramisu for desert in the house. Absolutely delicious as well. I think I said that too many times lol. The service was impeccable. I had reserved window seating but since it was cold the night I went, the hostess was great enough to move us to a high table to enjoy a little warmth with the food. I highly, highly, HIGHLY RECOMMEND Torchios read more

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The starters were amazing - and honestly better than my pasta main. The gnocchi was some of the softest I've ever had! The saffron arancini was the unexpected star of the dinner - such interesting flavor combinations! read more

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10/10 and 5 stars to Torchio. We had a small delay in our table availability and this restaurant's staff went above and beyond to make up for the wait. We received welcome shots and our appetizers and drinks hit the table moments after we were sat. Our server was phenomenal giving us expert recommendations throughout the evening and went out of her way to enhance our experience as she knew we were celebrating a birthday. Water glasses were never empty and support staff was attentive and made us feel at home. As someone who has worked in the industry for many years I feel confident in saying that this was some of the best guest recovery I have ever seen. Everything food wise was amazing but service is really what took this dining experience to the next level. Can't wait to dine here again. read more

This is my new favorite restaurant. It has the feeli good a local New York City Italian restaurant. The owner Bill is charming and passionate about his food and cuYou know the pasta is house made and fresh with your first bite. Highlights of the menu were the Torchio salad, Pene alla vodka and Giovanna's Bolognese, which is served in a cheese basket. A must order. There are many desserts, but the one to order is the Ligurian Olive Oil Cake. read more

Excellent food and service. Pasta servings are generous and easy to share. Love the atmosphere which is small. Not sure if they take walk-ins so would be sure to check. We will definitely return because there was a lot on the menu we wanted to try. (I only wish they had more reasonably priced wine by the bottle.) read more

Amazing food amazing people great food and drinks. My wife and I plan on coming back for Valentine's Day.

Awesome pasta and great service! Will definitely be coming back. We got the arrabiata and the Bolognese, both amazing. read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Giovannas Bolognese Pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My dogs name is Topo Gigio and this Bolognese is the best I've ever had! Fantastic atmosphere and great staff too.

The closest thing to Roman pasta I've had in the states in a loooooong time. Owner/operator, Bill (the guy making fresh pasta as you enter) has built something truly special here. The food is as authentic as you can get, especially in this part of town. And the cocktails are innovative and original. Don't miss this!!!! read more

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Wow, amazing food. Amazing bartending. If you can get into this place, do it. You'll be so glad you did!

We ate at Torchios last night. The food was great. The pasta was excellent. Fresh and cooked perfectly. The staff is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The Brooklyn drink is now one of my favorites. read more

Perfection through simplicity. I highly recommend the Torchio pasta to get the purest flavor profile and texture that represents the restaurant splendidly. Chewy torch shaped pasta with a slightly creamy sauce, sausage, and mushrooms. You can taste and smell each ingredient's aroma and contribution with every bite. The short rib Pappardelle was a perfect pairing because it was thick, savory, and rich. I enjoyed a glass of a dry red wine with the two dishes to share with a friend and it was simply amazing! These types of pasta dishes are hard to come by. I cannot wait to return! read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Torchio Pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're eating pasta anywhere else, you're making a terrible mistake. Recipes and methods directly from Italy. Owners who are thrilled to see the joy of their patrons devouring their dishes. A tiramisu that leaves any other you've eaten in the dust. The flavors get better with each bite. Balanced and epic blends of spices mixed with the in-house fresh made pasta leaves you satisfied without feeling bloated or sluggish. Looking for a spot to dine? Here is your invitation read more

A must go! The food was phenomenal, it's been 2 weeks since we ate there and we are still talking about it. Gotta get the meatballs and caprese and our pasta dishes were *chefs kiss* the customer service and employees were all so kind and attentive, please add this to your chicago food bucket list! read more

This was our first time here. We started with the Burrata and Pesto. It needed a little salt and pepper, but otherwise was delicious. And the tomatoes they served with it were clearly home grown or from a farmer's market, as they were deep red, sweet and delicious. I had the Bechamel-Bolognese Lasagna topped with Whipped Burrata and Nutmeg. Best lasagna I've ever had. My husband, who doesn't really care for lasagna, took a bite and was actually speechless. It's complex, a little spicy and rich (but not too rich). My husband was equally impressed by the mushroom risotto. We loved what we ate so much, we ordered another pasta to take home. My only criticism is that we had the worst table in the restaurant, next to the kitchen and crammed against the back wall. My husband had made reservations, so we figured we'd get a better table, but when we asked to switch, they said there was nothing available but a high-top that we'd have to leave by a certain time. That was kind of a bummer, but we got over it. Would definitely go back, but request a better table in advance. read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Bolognese-Bechamel Lasanga with Whipped Burrata and Nutmeg - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Let me start by saying that there are a lot of good Italian restaurants in the greater Chicago area. Torchio however, is by far my favorite. The atmosphere is always so uplifting. The service is impeccable! But its really the food that does it for me. The variety of pastas, the rotating menu, the portion sizes ... all amazing. My daughter and I come here regularly and it has never, ever disappointed. I'm always hesitant to write such glowing reviews as it'll certainly make it harder to get a reservation :-). But this place is the absolute BEST!! read more

FOOD POISONING!!!!!! Think twice about eating here!! I had severe sickness for 5+ days and needed hospitalization. 3 doctors confirmed it was food poisoning. It was 100% from this restaurant. When addressing this with Torchio management - I found the manger to be extremely rude and dismissive of my situation. Needless to say they did NOTHING! Not even an apology! read more

This is our first time at this restaurant and we find it to be fabulous. The food is excellent the service provided by JP was outstanding. We will be back soon. read more

The service is wonderful. The food is exceptional. The vibe is fun, welcoming and perfect. We so enjoy this restaurant. Everyone we have brought has truly enjoyed the experience as well. read more

Great pasta! Service was good. Would recommend for the vibes too! Especially for the price

Perfect authentic Italian pasta in a cozy intimate setting. Torchio is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. The restaurant itself is small but welcoming with a lovely outdoor patio. It's one of those places that instantly feels warm and homey when you step in. My friend and I were greeted by the owner Bill who was genuinely excited that this was our first time. He checked in a few times throughout the meal which I appreciated. I've been on the hunt for quality cacio e pepe ever since I visited Rome a few years ago. The cacio e pepe hit the spot, it was cheesy, creamy, peppery with the perfect al dente pasta. My only comment and more of preference thing is the type of pasta used, I think cacio e pepe tastes better with a longer pasta noodle like linguine or bucatini. Anyway, I can't wait to come back and try the carbonara! read more

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Great new pasta joint! The space is pretty small and feels intimate. My friend and I had dinner here Tuesday evening during the usual dinner rush but was able to snag a table with no wait. I'm not sure how busy it gets on the weekend. Torchio looks like a great space to grab happy hour on their cute patio. They do have a happy hour menu. We actually came for dinner. A couple notes: 1. The owner is this friendly, old man. He immediately greeted us at our table and was overjoyed to hear that this was our first time. He checked on us a few times to see how we're doing. It seemed like he really enjoyed seeing his customer having a good time, which added to the intimate atmosphere. 2. I appreciate the free bread and olive oil before the meal. I feel like you rarely see that in the city and is more of an a la carte menu item. 3. The pasta was perfectly cooked in al dente style. I loved my primavera, but recommend getting the Cacio e Pepe, which may take you on a trip to Rome. My friend and I weren't too hungry so we didn't order an appetizer. If we had a bigger stomach for it, we totally would. Overall, I would recommend this place. I love the space and the intimate setting. A perfect place to take your date or a friend. Also, a beautiful patio space to take advantage of! read more

My girlfriend and I have been to Torchio multiple times before and thoroughly enjoyed it. We came tonight for the first time since COVID began and unfortunately did not have as good of an experience. I got the fettuccine and scallops and was really disappointed. The scallops were fine but the fettuccine was heavily over cooked and the sauce was bland. We'll be back eventually but this was a big let down. I should've trusted my gut and gone with the orecchiette, sausage, and broccoli! read more

Absolutely loved this place! The service was incredible and we never felt rushed. The food was everything we wanted and more - can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What an amazing restaurant. Everything we had tasted different. I will definitely come back next time I'm in Chicago. read more

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Fantastic meal and fantastic ambiance. I came here with a friend for a Tuesday night meal and sat at the bar. We ordered the burrata bucatini and devoured the whole dish. Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Highly recommend! read more

WOW!! Absolutely incredible!! Best pasta dishes in town (quite possibly in the world) My family and I couldn't stop swapping plates! Every dish was packed with flavor! Staff was amazing. Bill and his wife are just the sweetest and make the experience even that much better! Cannot wait to go back again! read more

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I made a mistake with our reservation but the hostesses, wait staff, and owner, Bill, were all extremely gracious and helpful in sorting everything out. The drinks, dinner, and dessert were all excellent and the service put it over the top. We loved the torchio drink, rigatoni and torchio pastas, and lemon/olive oil cake. Highly recommend for a great meal with great service in a cool, intimate environment! read more

What a fantastic restaurant! Did you know they make all of their own pastas?! Everything was delicious. Their menu is extensive. Their food made with love. And the service is attentive and impeccable. I also loved the inside decor- Super stylish. We even had the pleasure of meeting the owners, who have a true passion for food and good quality ingredients. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the Chicago area! read more

The owner Bill and his wife are there greeting you. The hostess remembered us from last visit. We came back twice on one trip! The pasta is amazing especially the Bolognese and the Carbonara. The meatball appetizer is amazing especially the sauce. The prices are very reasonable. Do yourself a favor and try this great restaurant one evening in town. read more

The hand made pasta was incredible. Favorite app were the gnocchi. Very nice vibe , and Bill the owner was incredibly friendly. Had a nice neighborhood vibe and the food was very authentic Italian. read more

Torchio Pasta Bar - Gnocchi and meatball starters. Incredible - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service was impeccable, the food was amazing, the ambience was perfect. Everyone was helpful and executed their jobs well. We had apps and pasta, the fried artichoke hearts and lemon arugula was delicious. The pesto and burrata was also incredibly flavorful. Fettuccine with basil lemon cream was one of the most delicious pastas I've ever had. read more

My husband and I discovered Torchio recently. We live around the block but have somehow missed this gem until a week ago. It's everything you want in a restaurant: delicious quality food, cozy vibe, amazing service, balanced drinks with a classy wine list, and an owner + staff who are attentive and take pride in how the entire experience plays out. We've been here 2x in the past 8 days: it operates like a neighborhood joint where you feel at home when you walk in. My husband says it's his new favorite spot. What to order: the Torchio salad, meatballs to start, torchio pasta, carbonara pasta, pancetta risotto. Lemon cake and tiramisu for dessert are fab. Drinks? White wine list is awesome and cocktails are made to perfection by Eric. Great wine pours too - important to my Irish husband. We have lots more apps and dishes to try (we've heard the chicken entree is fabulous). The bottom line is a classy joint with a local feel banging out great food and drinks that makes you feel like you're part of the community - a rare gem in river north. read more

Our group tends to have very strong opinions, and we were split down the middle in terms of 3 or 4. However, the dishes that were on the lower end ultimately had me settle on a three star rating. Service was good once we were seated, which turned out to be 40 minutes past our reservation. Everyone, including the owner, was very hospitable and you can definitely tell how passionate he is. As it stands, the cocktail menu is quite forgettable, so let's get that out of the way. We tried the ricotta-fig jam and meatballs to start, and both left much to be desired in terms of flavor and depth. Nothing tasted off, but both could have used more of everything, sauce, salt, seasoning, etc. Also, the ricotta spread came with the most basic of bread pairings, and I would have expected a much higher quality vessel for such a dish. Moving onto the pastas, the quality of the ingredients is evident upon the first bite, and a few do rival some of the best in the city. Those would be, in order of favorite, the Torchio, the special seafood pasta that evening, and the cacio. All the flavors were on point, and the savoriness and depth had us all angling for the last spoonful. We were a bit disappointed in the bolognese nestled within the parmesan basket though. Hardly any of the star ingredient topped the dish, so we hardly got a feel for the preparation which we all know goes into a high quality bologenese. Also, the parmesan texture wasn't conducive to the overall dish, as it had cooled down just enough to become chewy and hard to portion out. A fine idea in theory, but the execution was lacking at least for our table. Overall, I'd definitely return to try a few more pastas and appreciated the old school feel of the place. However, it doesn't approach a 5 star experience when taking into account the overall menu. read more

We had dinner here last night. our server was nice and the food was good. We ordered a cocktail with an appetizer and a bottle of wine with our main courses. All was going well until suddenly a woman (not our server) comes to our table and tells us we can finish our wine at a tiny counter next to the front door because she is giving our table to another customer. We were shocked! In our many years dining out we've never experienced such rude customer service. Apparently this is standard behavior for the management of this restaurant because we saw another reviewer who had exactly the same experience. We not only didn't get asked if we wanted dessert but didn't get asked if we wanted the check before being told to leave. It appears that this restaurant's business model isn't to give a great dining experience but rather to churn customers to maximize income. read more