Vibrant and diverse, the Italian food scene in Chicago is one of the city’s many highlights. Thanks to its strong Italian-American heritage, Chicago has become such a hub for Italian culinary delights that it’s hard to decide where to go for a true Italian meal due to the abundance of options.
Chicago has a lot to offer Italian food lovers, from classics like pasta alla carbonara to authentic Neapolitan pizza.
This blog will focus on the best Italian restaurants in Chicago, Illinois, focusing on a variety of criteria – including menu variety, authenticity, ambiance, and overall dining experience.
Our list includes options for both purists of classic Italian fare and those who prefer more experimental takes on old favorites.
10 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago, IL, USA
Without further ado, here are 10 of the best restaurants in Chicago, IL, USA.
1. Rose Mary
Address: 932 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Fulton Market in Chicago’s West Loop is home to the charming and genuine Italian restaurant Rose Mary. Dining here is like taking a trip to Italy, thanks to the restaurant’s exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and rustic furnishings.
Traditional Italian fares, such as homemade pasta, seafood, meat, and vegetarian options, are all available. There is an excellent selection of Italian wines on the wine list, chosen specifically to go with the menu items.
If you’re looking for an authentic Italian meal in Chicago at a price that won’t break the bank, make a reservation at Rose Mary.
2. Quartino Ristorante
Address: 626 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, Quartino is a popular Italian restaurant known for its extensive wine list and delectable small plates. The restaurant has rustic decor, an open kitchen, and a lively and energetic atmosphere. It’s great for a group outing or a romantic date.
The menu features classic Italian dishes made with fresh and high-quality ingredients, including house-made pasta dishes, Neapolitan pizza, and various meat, seafood, and vegetable options. Quartino also boasts wines from Italy and other regions around the world.
With its welcoming ambiance, delicious food, and attentive service, Quartino is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to taste Italy in the Windy City.
3. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Address: 1020 West Madison St., Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Bon Appétit has recognized Monteverde, a trendy Italian restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop, as one of the best in the United States.
The restaurant’s inventive pasta dishes, seafood and meat plates, and decadent desserts have earned it numerous accolades, and Chef Sarah Grueneberg, a James Beard Award winner, is recognized as the driving force behind the kitchen’s success.
All of the dishes are prepared in-house and are cooked to perfection, with sauces and additional ingredients that may seem out-of-the-ordinary at first glance but make perfect sense in your mouth. The cacio whey pepe takes the traditional dish and amps up the creaminess and pepperiness by adding whey and four peppercorns.
Grueneberg’s tortelloni di zucca is perfect for the colder months; she stuffs spaghetti squash with apples and bacon. At the bar, you can watch as the chefs prepare pappardelle with tender duck chunks, olives, and parsnips.
Monteverde is a perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the best Italian fare in Chicago.
4. Piccolo Sogno
Address: 464 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Piccolo Sogno is a delightful Italian restaurant located in the River West neighborhood of Chicago.
The name “Piccolo Sogno” means “little dream” in Italian, and it’s an apt name for this charming eatery that feels like a slice of Italy in the heart of the Windy City.
The menu features traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist, using fresh and high-quality ingredients. The restaurant’s outdoor patio is a highlight, with its lush greenery, twinkling lights, and cozy ambiance.
With an extensive wine list and friendly knowledgeable staff, this restaurant is sure to please any visitor. Piccolo Sogno is an absolute must-try when in Chicago, whether for a special occasion or just because you’re craving real Italian food.
5. Siena Tavern
Address: 51 W Kinzie St., Chicago, IL 60654, USA
The restaurant combines modern menu items and a warm, inviting atmosphere with the rustic charm of an Italian market and the elegance of a fine dining establishment.
The 200-person capacity dining room and sprawling bar landscape are a seamless fit with the vibrant River North dining and nightlife scene in Chicago.
Siena Tavern serves a wide variety of Italian dishes, including antipasti, pizzas, mozzarellas, fresh kinds of pasta, entrees, and desserts, alongside a renowned wine list and a long list of handcrafted cocktails.
The bar serves craft cocktails and a wide selection of wines, making it a popular place for after-work drinks or a night out with buddies. The restaurant also features a private dining room and outdoor seating options.
6. Osteria Langhe
Address: 2824 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL, 60647, USA
Osteria Langhe is a cozy Italian restaurant in Logan Square that specializes in the cuisine of the Piedmont region of Italy, so you can expect to find items like truffles, cream, and eggy pasta on the menu. A bottle of carefully selected wine is essential before diving into the food in this warm and inviting setting.
Miniature cheese agnolotti or plin is pretty and light; the beef tartare is perfectly seasoned; and the vitello tonnato features tender slices of beef topped with a zesty tuna, citrus, and caper aioli. The smooth panna cotta served at the end of a meal at Osteria Langhe is further proof that this Chicago Italian restaurant is a cut above the rest.
The cozy atmosphere and extensive wine list make it popular for date nights and special occasions.
7. Nonna’s
Address: 925 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Nonna’s is an Italian quick-service restaurant that is discreetly located in Chicago’s West Loop. Nonna’s menu features freshly made sandwiches, pizza, and desserts that are perfect for on-the-go snacking or sitting down to enjoy at our counter or patio.
Enjoy their Sicilian-style pizzas as well as cold and hot sandwiches. Pasta dishes, soups, and salads are also available on the menu. And, of course, don’t forget to indulge in desserts like tiramisu parfait.
Visit Nonna and satisfy your Italian craving while in Chicago!
8. Volare
Address: 201 East Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Volare is a classic Italian restaurant in Streeterville that’s been serving authentic Italian cuisine for over 20 years. It provides a wonderful dining experience by pairing uncomplicated preparations with delicious flavors.
Try the hand-dipped ricotta and pomodoro ravioli for lunch or dinner or the gnocchi alla vodka made with ricotta dumplings in vodka sauce.
Apart from valet parking, gift certificates, catering, gift baskets, takeout, and delivery available at Volare. The restaurant accepts reservations and is open seven days a week.
Italian food lovers in Chicago will surely be delighted to dine at Valore!
9. La Scarola
Address: 721 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Located in the trendy neighborhood of West Town, this Italian restaurant plays it cool in comparison to the nearby Piccolo Sogno. But don’t think that just because the atmosphere is low-key, the quality of the food is, too.
Classic Italian dishes such as veal marsala and linguini with clams can be found on the menu at La Scarola, along with antipasto and calamari. There are also some staples on the specials menu that don’t change, like the penne a la vodka with shrimp and asparagus.
La Scarola’s charm lies in its adaptability. This is a great spot for a laid-back date, a weekly get-together with friends, or a celebratory dinner for a special occasion. The ambiance and furnishings add to the versatility of the space.
10. Tortello
Address: 1746 W. Division Chicago, IL 60622, USA
The newest addition to the group of innovative Italian-American restaurants is Tortello, a fast-casual pastificio in Wicker Park. The owner, Dario Monni, is aware of this; his Italian heritage lends credibility to his sweet counter-service restaurant.
You can take home a pound of their freshly made noodles or indulge in a plate of their signature tortelli filled with burrata and finished with brown butter, sage, and toasted hazelnuts. The tiramisu, made according to Monni’s grandmother’s recipe, is a dessert not to be missed!