Your Search for the Best Italian Restaurant Chicago IL Ends Here!

Select From 80+ Italian Restaurants in Chicago IL

by Lu, OTL City Guides & Seat Fillers

Chicago is known for its rich culture, deep-dish pizza, and the Cubs (White Sox?). That deep dish pizza doesn’t stand alone, though. The Windy City also has some of the best restaurants in America, and that’s why thousands of people are searching “Italian restaurant Chicago IL.”

With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to narrow down which ones are worth your time. So, I decided to feature four delicious restaurant options. But that’s not all, as you can review a list of more than 80 more Italian hotspots with a Chicago address.

Before I get to the good stuff, though, just a little personal note. It’s not as simple anymore to search for “Italian restaurant Chicago IL.” That’s because we’ve lost some of the best over the past few years. So, if you’re heading out for some pizza, pasta, or parm and you’re using the list at the bottom, double-check the website, just to be sure.

As they recently closed, I had to weed out some of my initial restaurant selections, prompting my second piece of advice. Support local dining establishments whenever possible, tip generously, and stick to posting positive feedback (unless it’s something really horrendous!).

Mia Francesca, Italian restaurant Chicago IL, Mia Francesca Chicago

Mia Francesca

This Lakeview restaurant is perfect for any Italian food lover thanks to its diverse menu covering pasta, pizza, and entrees like Salmone Con Bruxelles. The entrée includes pan-roasted Atlantic salmon accompanied by Calabrian chilies, pancetta, roasted Brussels sprouts, and an herb salad.

In the mood for pasta? We recommend the Farfalle Con Prosciutto E Piselli. It’s yummy bow tie pasta, cremini mushrooms, peas, prosciutto di Parma, and fresh tomatoes, all sauteed in a parmesan cream sauce.

Mia Francesca also has a gluten-free menu, extending to its pasta dishes. And, be sure to save room for dessert. How about a strawberry mousse tart with white chocolate sauce – the Crostata Di Fragola.

Website: Mia Francesca

3311 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657

Riccardo Trattoria, Italian food Chicago IL, Riccardo Trattoria Chicago

Riccardo Trattoria

If you’re a connoisseur of Italian food, specifically Northern-style, then Riccardo Trattoria is already on your list.

And, if Riccardo Trattoria is new to you, with specialties like Pappardelle Fiorentina, a pasta topped with beef short ribs ragu and porcini mushrooms, it won’t be for long. A few other pasta options start with Ravioli Di Aragosta E Granchio – lobster and crab-filled ravioli in a saffron cream sauce. If you’re vegetarian and not in the mood for seafood, then Tortelloni Di Ricotta E Spinaci should do the trick. It’s spinach, parmesan, and ricotta-filled ravioli prepared in broken butter and sage.

Are you looking for meat and potatoes with that Northern Italian flair? Then, you’re in luck with the Flat Iron Steak with Cognac dijon sauce and Tuscan fries. You could also try the very hearty Ossobuco Alla Milanese Con Risotto. You’ll enjoy saffron risotto Milanese topped with a wine and tomato sauce-braised veal shank.

Riccardo Trattoria accepts reservations through Open Table.

Website: Riccardo Trattoria

2119 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614

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Anna Maria Pasteria, best Italian restaurant Chicago IL

Anna Maria Pasteria

This particular restaurant has pretty much everything you want when you search “Italian restaurant Chicago IL.”. This hometown favorite features a cozy atmosphere with dim lighting, brick walls, and unique chandeliers complementing the comfort food dominating the menu.

Pollo Cannelloni is a specialty at Anna Maria Pasteria. The pasta is stuffed with chicken and cheeses, crowned with mushrooms and creamy balsamic sauce. Is your mouth watering yet? Stick to the house dishes to satisfy your meat craving as well. The Pork Chops Alle Noci are grilled then simmered in a gorgonzola cream sauce.

Start with Stracciatella

You might forego appetizers or starters, but don’t bypass the soup. If you’re a fan of Stracciatella, you’ll appreciate Anna Maria’s version with cheese tortellini accompanying spinach and egg in chicken broth.

Entrees are in the 20 to 25.00 range, or you can order a personal pizza for about 15.00. Takeout and delivery are also available, but this Italian restaurant Chicago IL has an ambiance, so get out of the house and give it a try.

Website: Anna Maria Pasteria

4400 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

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La Scarola Chicago, La Scarola Italian restaurant

La Scarola

We’ve been focusing on four words: Italian restaurant Chicago Il. But, when it comes to La Scarola, it’s more about two words:  Pasta Fagioli.

It’s challenging to find the best of the best Pasta Fagioli, but La Scarola claims to serve up the best. You be the judge. It’s both light and hearty with the beans, pasta, and cheese topped with wine and basil. Yum!

You’re in Chicago, Go for the Giardiniera

La Scarola is serving up comfort from soup to nuts (well, dessert anyway). You could opt for some standard fare like Veal Marsala, Lasagna, Eggplant Parm, or Ravioli, but why not try something new? The Pollo Alla Pasquinelli is a chicken breast with tomatoes, artichoke hearts, hot giardiniera, and onions. If that’s not enough, it’s topped with prosciutto and gorgonzola.

You could make up your own meal, though, especially if you’re visiting La Scarola for the Pasta Fagioli. Combine it with an Asparagus Salad or Chicken Alla Johny salad, and you’re not leaving hungry.

Website: La Scarola

721 West Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

The Best Italian Restaurant Chicago IL? Here’s 80+!

When you type “Italian restaurant Chicago IL,” you typically come up with five possibilities here or 10 there. But, in addition to the four delicious and mood-setting dining establishments that I detailed, I pulled together a list of more than 80 other possibilities. All of these Italian restaurants have websites and are located right in the city. So, bookmark this page, and some of the best linguini, escarole, pizza, and cannoli are all at your fingertips.

Italian Restaurant Chicago ILAddressWebsite
312 Chicago136 N La Salle Sthttp://312chicago.com
A Tavola Restaurant2148 W Chicago Avehttps://www.atavolachi.com
Acanto18 S Michigan Avehttp://www.acantochicago.com
Al 's #1 Italian Beef1079 W. Taylor Sthttps://www.alsbeef.com/chicago-little-italy-taylor-street
Al 's #1 Italian Beef3420 N. Clark Streethttps://www.alsbeef.com/chicago-lakeview-wrigleyville-clark-st
Angelina Ristorante3561 N Broadway Sthttp://www.angelinaristorante.com
Bacchanalia2413 S Oakley Avehttp://www.bacchanaliainchicago.com
Bar Siena832 W Randolph Sthttp://barsiena.com
Barnelli s Pasta Bowl100 W Ontario Sthttps://www.portillos.com/barnellis
Bella Bacinos66 E Wacker Plhttps://www.bellabacinos.com
Bella Luna Cafe731 N Dearborn Sthttps://www.bellalunacafemenu.com
Bongiorno's Pizza & Italian Deli405 N Wabash Avehttps://www.bongiornospizzaitaliandeli.com
Bruna s Ristorante2424 S Oakley Ave Ste 1https://www.brunasristorante.com
Cafe Bionda1924 S State Sthttps://cafebionda.com
Cafe Spiaggia980 N Michigan Avehttp://www.spiaggiarestaurant.com
Calo Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge5343 N Clark Sthttp://www.calorestaurant.com
Carmine's1043 N Rush Sthttps://rosebudrestaurants.com/carmines-gold-coast
Caro Mio4603 N Lincoln Avehttps://caromioitalianristorante.squarespace.com/menu
Club Lago331 W Superior Sthttp://clublago.com
Club Lucky1824 W Wabansia Avehttps://clubluckychicago.com/lucky-info-reviews.html
Coco Pazzo300 W Hubbard Sthttp://www.cocopazzochicago.com
Coco Pazzo Cafe212 E Ohio Sthttp://www.cocopazzocafe.com
Coda Di Volpe3335 N Southport Avehttp://cdvolpe.com
Eataly43 E Ohio Sthttps://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/chicago
Eduardo s Enoteca - Gold Coast1212 N Dearborn Sthttp://www.eduardosenoteca.com
Edwardo s Natural Pizza1212 N Dearborn Sthttp://edwardos.com
Etta1840 W North Avehttps://ettarestaurant.com
Formento s925 W Randolph Sthttp://www.formentos.com
Forno Rosso Randolph1048 W Randolph Sthttps://www.fornorossopizzeria.com
Francesca's Bryn Mawr1039 W Bryn Mawr Avehttps://www.miafrancesca.com/location/mia-francesca-bryn-mawr
Francesca’s On Chestnut200 E Chestnut Sthttps://www.miafrancesca.com/location/mia-francesca-chestnut
Gene & Georgetti500 N Franklin Sthttps://geneandgeorgetti.com
Gibsons Italia233 N Canal Sthttps://www.gibsonsitalia.com
Harry Caray s Italian Steakhouse33 W Kinzie Sthttps://rivernorth.orderharrycarays.com
Il Porcellino59 W Hubbard Sthttp://ilporcellinochicago.com
Italian Village Restaurants71 W Monroe Sthttps://italianvillage-chicago.com/the-village
La Pizza & La Pasta At Eataly Chicago43 E Ohio Sthttps://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/chicago/chicago-la-pizza-la-pasta
La Scarola721 W Grand Avehttps://lascarola.com
La Villa Restaurant3638 N Pulaski Rdhttps://www.lavillabanquets.com
Labriola Chicago535 N Michigan Avehttps://www.labriolachicagomenu.com
Lacoco s Pizza & Pasta3350 W 47th Sthttp://www.lacocospizzapasta.net
Luke's Italian Beef215 W Jackson Blvdhttp://lukesitalianbeefchicago.com
Macello1235 W Lake Sthttp://www.macellochicago.com
Maggiano s Little Italy516 N Clark Sthttp://www.maggianos.com
Mario's Table21 W Goethe Sthttp://www.mariostable.com/contactus
Mart Anthony s Italian Restaurant1200 W Hubbard Sthttps://www.martanthonys.com
Mia Francesca3311 N Clark Sthttps://www.miafrancesca.com/location/mia-francesca-lakeview
Monteverde1020 W Madison Sthttp://monteverdechicago.com
Nico Osteria1015 N Rush Sthttps://www.nicoosteria.com
Nonnina340 N Clark Sthttp://nonninachicago.com
Orso s Restaurant1401 N Wells Sthttp://www.orsosrestaurant.com/contact
Osteria Del Pastaio111 E Chestnut Sthttps://osteriadelpastaio.com
Osteria Langhe2824 W Armitage Avehttps://www.osterialanghe.com
Osteria Via Stato620 N State Sthttp://www.osteriaviastato.com
Pasta Bowl2434 N Clark Sthttp://www.pastabowl.com
Pasta D arte Trattoria Italiana6311 N Milwaukee Avehttps://pastadarte.com/reservations
Pasta Palazzo1966 N Halsted Sthttp://pastapalazzo.com
Pelago Ristorante209 E Delaware Plhttp://www.pelagorestaurant.com/home
Petterino s150 N Dearborn Sthttp://www.petterinos.com
Piccolo Mondo1642 E 56th Sthttp://piccolomondo.us/our-menu/index/40818/catering
Piccolo Sogno464 N Halsted Sthttps://www.piccolosognorestaurant.com
Piccolo Sogno Due340 N Clark Sthttp://piccolosognodue.com
Pizano s Pizza & Pasta61 E Madison Sthttps://www.pizanoschicago.com/locations/chicago-loop
Pompei1531 W Taylor Sthttp://www.pompeipizza.com
Prosecco710 N Wells Sthttp://proseccochicago.com
Quartino Ristorante626 N State Sthttps://www.quartinochicago.com
Riccardo Enoteca2116 N Clark Sthttp://www.riccardoenoteca.com
Riccardo Trattoria2119 N Clark Sthttp://riccardotrattoria.com
Rosebud On Rush720 N Rush Sthttps://rosebudrestaurants.com/rosebud-rush-gold-coast-mag-mile
Rpm Italian52 W Illinois Sthttp://www.rpmitalian.com
Sapori Trattoria2701 N Halsted Sthttp://www.saporitrattoria.net
Siena Tavern51 W Kinzie Sthttps://www.sienatavern.com/location/siena-tavern
Sofi Restaurant616 S Dearborn Sthttps://www.sofichicago.com
Stefani' s1033 W Van Buren St Ste 5https://stefanirestaurants.com
The Florentine151 W Adams Sthttps://www.the-florentine.net/contact
The Original Nottoli & Son7652 W Belmont Avehttps://nottoli.com/about-us
The Rosebud1500 W Taylor Sthttps://www.rosebudrestaurants.com/restaurant/the-rosebud
Topo Gigio Ristorante1516 N Wells Sthttps://www.topogigiochicago.com
Trattoria Gianni1711 N Halsted Sthttps://www.trattoriagianni.com
Tuscany1014 W Taylor Sthttp://www.tuscanychicago.com
Vapiano Chicago Loop44 S Wabash Avehttps://us.vapiano.com/en/restaurants/vapiano-chicago-loop-44-s-wabash-avenue-1
Viaggio1330 W Madison Sthttps://www.viaggiochicago.com
Vinci1732 N Halsted Sthttps://www.vinci.davinci-group.com
Vivere71 W Monroe Sthttps://italianvillage-chicago.com/the-village
Volare Ristorante Italiano201 E Grand Avehttps://www.volarerestaurant.com
Zia's Trattoria6699 N Northwest Hwyhttp://ziaschicago.com

After You’ve Had Your Fill of Italian Food

Are you curious about why these city guides are called “OTL?” Well, that’s because it’s short for On the List and a sister site to OTL Seat Fillers. OTL has been THE local seat filler across the US and in London for more than seven years.

When you get a chance, check out OTL Seat Fillers. You can fill up on chicken parm and then pick up your pair of comp tickets to a play, musical, comedy show, or another Chicago-area event.