Don’t we all envision a vacation on the Italian Riviera? Sipping a glass of wine along the rugged cliffs of Cinque Terre or Portofino, waiting on crumbly stone steps outside a restaurant while your taste buds get high from the scents of an Italian dish simmering a few steps away. While that dream maybe is far-fetched, it shouldn’t curb your high expectations regarding Italian cuisine. Mind-blowing pasta and pizza are spread out over this city, and these are the best Italian restaurants in Chicago you need to try.
1. Adalina
First on our list is the omnipresent Adalina. We’re sure you’ve heard of this sport, but the allure of Adalina begins at the grand entrance that leads you up a circular staircase into the modern yet decadent dining room. This upscale Italian restaurant in Chicago is on the edge of the Gold Coast, and the sophisticated menu is filled with handmade pasta, hand-selected beef, and a curated selection of meats and cheese. A harmony between Northern and Southern cuisine, the standout items include the Campanelle, the Mafaldine, and the Waygu.
🍽️ · Service options · Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
📍· Address · 912 N State St, Chicago, IL 6061
2. Monteverde
When you head up the few stairs to Monteverde, it’s more of a delightful surprise that the restaurant leans away from heavy Italian decoration. Instead, the atmosphere has a bucolic, rusty, and otherwise, Midwestern feel. This comes as no surprise because while the menu has some dishes intrinsically Italian, they each have an intimate spin that presents as homey yet carefully crafted.
🍽️ · Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📍· Address · 1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
3. Trivoli Tavern
Hidden down an old cobblestone courtyard alley, Trivoli Tavern is a lush American tavern with a beautiful, captivating interior that transports you from Chicago to a quaint town with a prominent plaza everyone congregates to. Whether your stomach is set on steak, pasta, or both—the menu caters to what you fancy, from a famous prime rib to handmade pasta prepared to be blown away by Trivoli Tavern.
🍽️ · Service options ·Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery
📍· Address · 114 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
4. Sapori Trattoria
This two-story, laid-back restaurant is in the heart of Lincoln Park and is quintessential if you want a lowkey night with high-quality Italian dishes. The portions are hefty here, and one serving is enough to feed you and the person you’re with or to be devoured the next day as a leftover. Our favorite dishes include the creamy Pennette Cardinale and the Italian classic, Bucatini Carbonara. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago if you want to get the most out of your money.
🍽️ · Service options · Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery
📍· Address · 2701 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
5. Riccardo’s Trattoria
Another Italian restaurant spot in Lincoln Park, Riccardo’s Trattoria, the menu paints an authentic Northern Italian-inspired cuisine. When you walk, the atmosphere reflects a casual osteria that feels like your family is back in the kitchen. If you want to gather with friends and go through bottles of wine laughing, this is the place to do it.
🍽️ · Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📍· Address · 2119 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
6. Tortello
This charming neighborhood pasta shop was conceptualized by a husband and wife that wanted to transport Italy’s culinary simplicity and cultural traditions to Chicago. Born and raised in Italy, the menu visualizes the husband, Dario Monnis’ Nonna’s recipes that reflect the very best ingredients, artisanal hand craftsmanship, and Italian hospitality. Some popular menu items include Tagliatelle Tina and Focaccia, Ricotta, & Honey.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · Delivery
📍 Address · 1746 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
7. Daisies
This contemporary spot intertwined Italian cuisine with a Midwestern flair. The space is elongated with ample room for seating, and the decorations of a brick bar wall and wooden table, resemble a rustic spot to enjoy with friends. Our favorites right now include Pappardelle and the Agnolotti. However, since the menu constantly rotates each season, it will be a reason to return and try something new.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
📍 Address · 2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
8. Franco’s Ristorante
This picturesque and cozy neighborhood staple has served authentic Italian cuisine since 1989. Franco’s Ristorante is a family-owned jewel of Southside Chicago in Bridgeport. As you step through the door, you’re overcome with familial warmth, and it’s extended throughout their menu. From a selection of pasta, the Jumbo Rigatoni and Pipette “Little Pipes” Alla Vodka are on the top of our list to try; the atmosphere and delicious pasta make it one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago in our book.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📍Address · 300 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616
9. Club Lucky
This old-school Chicago Italian restaurant spot still reverberates with easy yet elegant sparks of a 1940s supper club. This homestyle, harmonized with traditional Italian favorites, is served family-style. Whether it’s just you and someone else or a 10-person crew, this easy spot highlights a party-esque feel. Even better, the setting is complimented with a cocktail lounge to quench your dirty or expresso martini thirst.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📍Address · 1824 W Wabansia Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
10. Alla Vita
This romantic restaurant is hidden in the corner of a quiet part of Randolph Street and is reminiscent of an eatery on the sidestreet of Cinque Terre. As soon as the air is warm, head to the back of Alla Vita’s patio, enclosed with a breathtaking arched pergola interior and draped with luminary lights above. The menu features authentic Italian homestyle dishes such as Campanelle and Bucatini—paired with a bottle of wine, and you’ll never want to go home.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
📍Address · 564 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661
11. Piccolo Sogno
This Italian oasis is the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening, with ivy-covered walls, twinkling lights, a spacious patio, and delicious Italian food and wine. The options are masterfully made classics for an extravagant yet effortless experience. Order a melty margarita pizza or the finest prosciutto di Parma pizza; you can’t go wrong. The Italian wine list features 400+ wine selections at affordable prices, so you can enjoy this Italian escape without breaking the bank.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📍 Address ·464 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642
12. RPM Italia
Backed by Giuliana and Bill Rancic, this Italian restaurant will cure all your Italian cravings. This sleek, modern hot spot features contemporary dishes meant to be shared—you can never go wrong with Mama DePandi’s Bucatini or the Cremini Mushroom pizza. As for why it made our best Italian restaurants in Chicago list, they also have an essential happy hour menu that includes $8 cicchetti and signature cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass starting at $8. This is the place to either start your night or end it.
🍽️ Service options · Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📍 Address · 52 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654