Known for: Being inside Macys. In particular, Chicagohappens to be an Italian culinary wonderland, and we're not just talking deep-dish pizza. Instead of the usual lineup of red sauce classics, youll encounter recipes with contemporary twists. Boka Restaurant Group turned the beautiful space that once housed Bellemore into a similarly stunning Italian concept in 2021. Word spread fast, and pretty soon so many friends, family and coworkers were clamoring for a taste that Quartaro decided to open Gemma Foods, a West Town storefront offering fresh, hand-crafted pasta dishes for pickup and delivery. Red sauce Italian restaurants like Mart Anthonys were once much more prevalent around Chicago. Quartino Ristorante 2,873 reviews Closed Now Italian, Pizza $$ - $$$ Menu "Very good Italian food" "Fun vibes, great food" The oldest restaurant in Chicago is Daley's Restaurant. Guests can sample classic Italian dishes alongside modern interpretationswith a robust wine list to match (when in Rome, right?). Opened: 1907 Located in the heart of historic Old Town Chicago, Topo Gigio Ristorante features a modern Tuscan-Style approach to Italian Cooking. The main dining room is even swankier a lofty brick-walled dining room clad in hues of red, which matches perfectly with the spicy cocktail sauce served with the fried calamari, the marinara with the spaghettini and meatballs, and the bottles of Chianti. Chicago has one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country, so locals know a good bowl of pasta when they see (and smell) it. Since 1923, Lou Mitchells has been a famous neighborhood hotspot for visiting celebrities, journalists, politicians, and sports figures. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Its okay to splash a little red sauce on the butcher-paper-topped tables in this raucous storefront. Diners love the daily specials and crowd pleasing dishes, such as lobster-and-crab-filled ravioli and luscious panna cotta. The Best Places to Eat With Kids in Chicago. Youll start with complimentary bread and salami before moving onto items like baked clams casino, rigatoni alla vodka and dover sole piccata, all served on fine china. Where to Drink Cocktails Right Now in Chicago. A post shared by Matt | (@mattchaveztv). Not all of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago are old-world in style. This West Loop Italian upstart opened in 2021 with a fantastic pasta lineup. When most folks envision Chicago-style pizza, they probably think of touristy downtown spots like Pizzeria Uno, Gino's East, and Giordano's theme park-sized temples to lasagna-thick pies heaped with sausage and cheese. The front portion of the restaurant is a swinging, neon-glowing cocktail lounge, known for its enormous ice-cold martinis, making it a popular spot to hunker down for a pre-dinner drink while awaiting a table (and wait you will, as Club Lucky is still as kickin' as ever). 1/2 off Bottles of Wine (under $60), MONDAY-TAKE OUT After a brief closure in 2006, the restaurant reopened with three distinct sections, including a bar, restaurant, and caf. Altogether, the enduring institution feels like a veritable theme park of Italian food, with none of the gimmickry and all of the heartwarming nostalgia. Boka maestro Lee Wolen prepares wood-fired pizzas, pillowy ricotta dumplings and crunchy chicken parm, bathing in fire-roasted red sauce, to complete the exquisite experience. But dont miss out on classic Korean Chinese dishes like cha chiang mein, or black sauce noodles. That means dishes like a deconstructed lasagna, sweet corn risotto and fried chicken gussied up with Calabrian honey, fried rosemary and pickled hot peppers. A tavern opened here in 1910, acquired by the Schlitz Brewing Company and later fell into the hands of the Walters family and Captain Herb Eldean. Though Vivere and La Cantina are currently closed due to the pandemic, you can still grab dinner at the Village. Opened: 1898 However, after 136 years of operation, Schallers closed in 2017 after the owned died. The ever-changing roster of items covers plates both small and large, from pine nut-speckled charred asparagus and farro with roasted mushrooms and basil pesto, to lemony bucatini with pecorino and wood-grilled rainbow trout piccata with potatoes, spinach, capers, butter, and lemon. Dont expect a gooey cheese pull to show off on Instagram. They feature similar cuisine and vibe laid-back, dim-lit dining rooms with large portions of pasta. Its a solid and unpretentious family-run spot with a good bar for hanging out with friends. La Cantina. Industry vets Ian Rusnak and Eric Safin teamed up to open this small Italian American joint in West Town last year. Chicago Fire. The dcor of the restaurant is nautical themed and has always been that way. The dining room is an attention grabber, featuring waves of fabric dangling from the ceiling and a garden pergola adorned with greenery. Since it opened, its been famous for baked, Chicago-style prime baby back ribs. Boka Restaurant Group unveiled an Italian spot in the former Bellemore space in 2021 to much buzz. The Oakley Avenue mainstay (located in . Before Crate & Barrel and Lululemon, Marshall Fields had a full restaurant inside its State Street store. A beacon of saucy Italian comfort, it started simply as The Village on the upper floor, complete with dcor reminiscent of a Tuscan villa and a ceiling mural twinkling with makeshift stars a magical setting in which to cozy up to a plate of eggplant parmigiana and veal saltimbocca. The business changed hands in 1974 and owner Joseph Yesutis brought Gerties Ice Cream into the fold. Start with a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie before diving into thepappardelle bologneseand rustic hand-stretched pizzas. 1401 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610 312-787-6604 Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm Served with ranch. Opened: 1921 This old family-run city staple had been at the same location on 63rd street since it opened in 1892. See our, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Sign up for the Location: 678 North Orleans St A post shared by The Berghoff Restaurant (@berghoffchicago), All of Chicagos Past James Beard Award Winners, 13 Great Restaurants in Chicagos Theater District For Dinner and a Show. Theyre known for classic Italian fare such as their meat sauce, cannelloni, Bolognese, sausage, ravioli, and more. In 2019, it relocated across the street to a modern location, but is still run by the same family and still serves the same classic food. A post shared by Al's #1 Italian Beef (@alsbeef), Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago, 15 Chicago Tourist Trap Restaurants That Are Actually Good. Goldsmith is a certified pizzaiolo, and it shows in his commitment to craft and quality right down to the wood-fired oven, imported from Italy (via The Washington Post). Celebrate July 4 and America in Chicago With These Patriotic Dishes. Regulars know the menu by heart but for first-timers, the dishes are posted on chalkboards. Join us for lunch Tuesday thru Saturday, or dinner 6 days / week. The Absolute Best Italian Restaurants In Chicago. The space, which has just 28 seats, is dimly lit by candles and sports striking features like an exposed brick wall, an antique mirror, and teal banquettes. For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicagos COVID-19 dashboard. Online ordering is available here. Tradition runs deep at this old-school, family-owned Italian joint located on the outskirts of the West Loop. Chicago 7 Pepperoni, Italian sausage, red onions, black olives, green peppers, sliced mushrooms, mozzarella & ricotta. Sunday 4:00pm-9:00pm Regional Piedmontese cuisine is the focus at this tiny Logan Square storefront, which means the menu is dotted with truffles, cream and eggy handmade pastas. Every meal starts with complimentary garlic bread, focaccia, and salami before diners dig into clams casino, rigatoni a la vodka, chicken and eggplant parm, cherry pepper ribs, Dover sole piccata, and more all served on vintage china. Theyve moved twice over the years throughout Chicagos Little Italy and have three separate locations. But the kitchen is far from tired, going beyond typical pastas and parmigianas to specialize in rustic dishes from Siena. Even though Fields is now Macys, the wood-paneled Walnut Room endures, and its particularly popular at Christmastime when a giant tree takes over the center of the room. The vibe harkens to throwback Italian haunts with framed black-and-white photos and polished banquettes, but the menu is decidedly modern and fresh. Guests are transported to a bygone era when they step into the cozy dining room decorated with vintage artwork, chandeliers, and plush banquettes. However, the fourth generation Davinos that run the oldest location, founded in 1909, still put out the same great Italian fare in the unassuming yet classic decor that residents are used to. A culinary collaboration between celebrity couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic and Chicago restaurateurs R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman, RPM Italian is the kind of place that's practically made for expense-account spending. 1516 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610-1308 +1 312-266-9355 Website Closed now : See all hours See all (142) Ratings and reviews 500 #38 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES Italian Special Diets Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Meals Lunch, Dinner, Late Night View all details meals, features As for Monteverde's intricate and wholly original handmade pasta dishes, options rotate regularly, and span the spectrum from ricotta- and spinach-filled tortelli with roasted miso and ramps, to creste di gallo pasta (so named for the fact that it resembles a rooster's crest, per Lilly's Fresh Pasta) with lamb and prosciutto sugo and whipped feta. Dont miss out on the tripe Florentine, either: the veal tripe braised with veggies and tomatoes is a memorable recipe. Both a far cry from the see-and-be-seen newcomers of River North, and a more modern departure from the old-school red sauce spots, Anteprima is a singular neighborhood stalwart in its own league. Facebook/Gene & Georgetti Chicago. Youve probably seen the Berghoff without realizing it! Celebration or not, you shouldn't sign the check without a bowl of the dreamy house-made tiramisu. Hogsalt Hospitality is known for building some of the most popular and transformative dining experiences in the city. After he sold the original Pequod's in 1986, the menu expanded to incorporate other Italian-American items, like mozzarella sticks, bruschetta, spaghetti, ravioli, and garlic bread. Be prepared to wait in line at Home of the Hoagy, which has been in business since 1969. And for dessert, dont skip the tiramisu. When it comes to toppings,quality is valued over quantity. Dj vu! Something went wrong. Definitely recommend" "First Deep Dish!" Order online 2022 20. Upscale yet approachable, Sapori Trattoria is a restaurant for all occasions. The oldest restaurant in Chicago is Daleys Restaurant. Rose Mary has been one of the hottest tables in town since it opened, and South Side Chicago native Joe Flamm is mixing Italian and Croatian flavors into something truly different. 2. Location: 71 W Monroe St Tuesday: 11:30am-10:00pm The menu features thick Sicilian-style pizzas, housemade meatballs, pastas, calzones, gelato, Italian ice, and more. Its near the University of Illinoiss Chicago campus so students frequently drop in for a bite. Your email address will not be published. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Situated just off of one of Chicago's busiest intersections, Piccolo Sogno is a tucked-away oasis offering tried-and-true Italian delicacies. Bruna's Pilsen Opened: 1933 Taylor St may have taken over the Little Italy moniker but it's Oakley Ave in Pilsen that has the oldest Italian hood in the city. 2456 N California Ave, Chicago. Start with orders of the prime beef meatballs andbraised octopus before jumping into the house-made pastas (you can't go wrong with the creamy carbonara). The Walnut Room is now a Macys institution. This is one of the best historical restaurants you can find. Smiling waiters squeeze between tables juggling huge plates of eggplant parmigiana and bottles of decent Italian red. The Gold Coast is full of glitz and glamour and this Italian palace is no exception. If customers arent stuffed by their mammoth steaks or chops, save room for a giant slab of cake. Old Town Restaurants Chicago. Known for: German food and beer. A post shared by Birrieria Zaragoza (@birrieriazaragoza). The restaurant sports a variety of fare, including skillet breakfasts, homemade savory and sweet pies, game meat, fresh oysters, and more. Buy one Pizza get the second 1/2 off (of equal or less value), THURSDAY-TAKE OUT The traditional food hides a history of conflict. Zaninotto, who owns Chicago's Osteria Langhe, couldn't get enough of the area's diverse restaurants, historical ties and fantastic art scene. Known for: Cantonese cuisine. Monni uses his grandmother's recipe for the tiramisu, making it a must-try dessert. The original was the vision of the late Burt Katz, who went on to open his own famous pizzeria, the bygone Burt's Place. In 2020after years spent working in award-winning kitchens across the countrychef Tony Quartaro reached out to a few neighbors in Beverly to see whether theyd be interested in trying his homemade pasta sauce. Pizanos, a mini-chain with four city locations and a fifth in the suburbs, was founded by Rudy Malnati Jr., whose dad opened Pizzeria Uno and whose brother Lou went on to found the chain that still bears his name. Cicero residents line up at owner Giuseppe Quercias grocer and deli to stock up on Italian meats and goods and also order hot food. Take your pick, then tuck into well-executed takes on classic Italian-American dishes, like tempura-fried calamari,veal Milanese and bucatini carbonara. John Daley, an Irish immigrant, opened the diner in the late-1800s, though it later changed hands to the Zars, who still own it today. Don't miss this James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the far South Side, in business since 1948. The restaurant has the kind of polish and swagger that transcends cuisines, making it a destination-worthy dining experience on the mere fact that the food, drinks, and ambience are top-tier. 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