Breakfast is served all day while the dinner menu includes fried chicken, jumbo shrimp, melt sandwiches, and burgers, all of which can be spiced up with the red pepper vinegar found on every table. Known for: The Drifter. Vodka Pasta Chicago . Carryout orders can be placed on Tock. Newer generations in the family have since opened La Cantina (an Italian steakhouse located in the wine cellar-esque basement), followed by Vivere (situated on the ground floor), which offers a more modern take on Italian cuisine. You can expect to see a lot of familiar crowd favorites on the menu, such as stuffed chicken breast and Richards Specialfilet mignon marsala with breaded shrimp and veal piccata. Italian restaurants across the city come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from old-school casual red sauce joints to high-end downtown destinations full of glitz, glamour, and accolades. Monni uses his grandmother's recipe for the tiramisu, making it a must-try dessert. This old-school favorite opened its doors in the Heart of Italy neighborhood in 1933, which almost explains the faded travel posters and weary saloon decor. Whether youre dining in the beautiful outside garden during the summer months or enjoying the lively and cozy dining room during colder months, were sure that Topo Gigio will become one of your favorite restaurants in Chicago. The Italian wine list is particularly impressive as well, best enjoyed on the restaurant's quiet back patio. Some spots have histories that span decades while others are relative newcomers. The meats are cooked in an aquarium smoker and topped with a thick, tomato-based sauce. Surprisingly, its smack-dab in vanilla Lincoln Park. A post shared by Gibsons Italia (@gibsonsitalia), Where to Eat and Drink Along the Chicago River, 25 Sheltered Spots for Open-Air Dining in Chicago When It Rains. When beloved Northwest Side institution Sabatinos closed in 2018, Chicagoans mourned the loss of a dying breed of Italian restaurants. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Enjoy tea and Champagne paired with pastries and savory bites.The Allis Bar is named after the family that commissioned the restaurant's historic building in 1907 and also features bar and patio seating. Now he's connected the two with a restaurant in the former Quiote space that spotlights healthy fare cooked in a wood-burning oven. Glitzy and glamorous, Adalina is built to impress. Old Town Restaurants Chicago. Please enter a valid email and try again. Not all of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago are old-world in style. Chicagos famed Gibsons Restaurant Group is most notable for steaks, but the company expanded its portfolio in 2017 to include Italian cuisine with the opening of this elegant tri-level venue. After the great Chicago Fire of 1871 claimed over 17,500 buildings, city ordinances were changed when it came to building with wood. This frills-free institution is a mainstay for homey, humble Italian comfort food served in a funky, ramshackle space (thinkkitschy knickknacks and walls of signed celebrity photographs) that feels at once cozy and endearingly rickety. Best Italian restaurants in Chicago Photograph: Jason Little 1. Location: 1942 W Irving Park Rd A remodel in 2016 gave new life to this Bridgeport establishment that dates back to 1989. Originally opened in 1927, making it the longest-running Italian restaurant in the city (via WGNTV), this family-run icon has cemented itself as a mecca of marinara. One of the most charming aspects is the catchall crowd that dines here; this is the kind of unifying place teeming with characters from all walks of life, from couples and families to diners simply looking for a break from the bustling West Loop scene nearby. But the big attraction is the roster of shareable Mediterranean-inspired fish and seafood dishes, including gyro-spiced salmon with braised chickpeas and smoked yogurt, and roasted monkfish with black lentils, eggplant caponata, and ras al hanout. Location: 565 W Jackson Blvd The items on the line rotate in and out throughout the day. Whats not to like about this affable Andersonville restaurant? Upscale Italian seafood is the theme at this gilded, ritzy restaurant befitting its Gold Coast address. Known for: Prime baby back ribs. Its the citys only true drive-in with carhops serving customers in the comfort of their automobiles. Online orders can be placedhere. Youve probably seen the Berghoff without realizing it! Get a paper bag of salmon, shrimp, or black cod, and be prepared to eat in the car or on the sidewalk. If you don't know about this little Italian restaurant in Logan Square that quietly opened during the pandemic, well, you should. There are trendier restaurants, but these are the places that capture Chicagos soul, serving the same families for generations. Monteverde Restaurants Italian West Loop You might recognize the chef-owner at this West Loop eatery: Sarah Grueneberg finished. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. While the main restaurant skews higher end, there's a casual lounge area called Salone Nico with gorgeous cocktails, wine, and curated Italian snacks like truffled rutabaga dumplings, meatballs in pomodoro sauce, and burrata with ground cherries, pistachio pistou, and focaccia. Don't miss this James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the far South Side, in business since 1948. Tortellini in Brodo $6.00. 10 Most Expensive Restaurants in Orlando We admittedly frequent il Porcellino for its stellar Negroni menu, which includes four twists on the classic that incorporate pisco, Fernet-Branca and prosecco. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Theyre the ones who supplied the idea, the ribs, and the nautical flare that define the Twin Anchors to this day. Zaninotto, who owns Chicago's Osteria Langhe, couldn't get enough of the area's diverse restaurants, historical ties and fantastic art scene. Opened: 1923 At less than a dollar apiece, theyre one of the best bargains in the city. Like any good deep-dish destination, this one is steeped in history, showing just how intertwined Chicago's pizza populace really is. When dessert rolls around, find room for thedelightful bomboloni. Start with some antipastoan assortment of cured meats, aged cheeses and herb-cured olivesto whet your appetite. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria 2,381 reviews Closed Now Italian, American $$ - $$$ Menu "Best Pizza in Chicago" "Deep dish pizza for the first time" Order online 3. As Lincoln Parks go-to Italian joint for all occasionswhether it be a first date or an anniversary celebrationits easy to get the impression that people are coming here out of habit. If youre kidphobic, go late for Sinatra's greatest hits and signature martinis in the lounge. The little dream, the restaurant names translation, of Tony Priolo and Ciro Longobardo treats diners to first-rate dishes like seafood spaghetti nero, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, braised beef short ribs, and wood-fired pizzas. 10 Largest Food Companies in the World, Your email address will not be published. Modern and unabashedly decadent, this three-story behemoth of a restaurant (complete with rooftop terrace and a retractable roof) literally uses a gold extruder to shape and cut its housemade pastas (via Bloomberg). Located in the heart of historic Old Town Chicago, Topo Gigio Ristorante features a modern Tuscan-Style approach to Italian Cooking. So whether youre carbo loading for a marathon or just looking for a perfect date night destination, check out our guide to the best Italian restaurants in Chicago. 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. The sunshine state was, The name Pyrex has been synonymous with kitchen glass for over a century now. Situated at the bustling, traffic-filled intersection of Halsted, Grand, and Milwaukee, Piccolo Sognooffersa peaceful retreat to the lush Italian countryside, complete with one of the most transportive, sprawling, and tree-lined patios in the city. Book now at The Rosebud in Chicago, IL. Location: 71 W Monroe St This old family-run city staple had been at the same location on 63rd street since it opened in 1892. Our extensive menu covers all food tastes ensuring that you and your guests will enjoy any one of our authentic dishes including: pasta, chicken, veal and fresh fish entrees. 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. Be prepared to wait in line at Home of the Hoagy, which has been in business since 1969. Guests can sample classic Italian dishes alongside modern interpretationswith a robust wine list to match (when in Rome, right?). The restaurant recently kicked off a tasting menu. Required fields are marked *. The Orange Garden Restaurant is the oldest Chinese restaurant in Chicago, opening its doors back in 1926. To finish, pistachio cannoli are a must. Industry vets Ian Rusnak and Eric Safin teamed up to open this small Italian American joint in West Town last year. Perhaps no restaurant in Chicago is more classic than the Berghoff. This is classic Jalisco cooking that never disappoints. This tiny Gold Coast restaurant makes the perfect backdrop for date night. Adalina. 20 Restaurants That Define Chicago's South Side, Where to Find Great Appetizers in Chicago. I haven't been to an Old Chicago restaurant in years, but my recent visit reminded me of how much I enjoy their food. After dinner, head downstairs to the Rose Lounge for a digestif. Opened: 1927 The proprietary hot dog is a variation of the Chicago-style wiener, with neon green relish, chopped white onions, a kosher dill pickle, mustard, a pickled tomato, and sport peppers for those who like heat. Husband-and-wife owners Dario Monni and Jill Gray take the art of pasta making seriously and enlisted a master sfoglina to help train the team. Delicately blistered from a quick 90-stint in the scorching-hot oven, each pizza arrives to the table thin and light with a puffy exterior crust. Chicago's chefs are as diverse as the city itself, and Adalina is an excellent example of that. Although it moved from Maxwell Street in 2001, Jims still touts itself as the longest continuously-operating hot dog stand to have once done business there. Tradition runs deep at this old-school, family-owned Italian joint located on the outskirts of the West Loop. Red sauce Italian restaurants like Mart Anthonys were once much more prevalent around Chicago. Join us for lunch Tuesday thru Saturday, or dinner 6 days / week. In reality, Chicagoans are attracted to the warm, homey room and the housemade pastas like spaghetti with veal meatballs and fennel-flecked Italian sausage, or sumptuous gnocchi paired with a lively pesto sauce. Though the Northwest Side has since become the center of the Polish community, the strip of Division Street near the convergence of Ashland and Milwaukee Wicker Park was once known as Polish Broadway. One of the last remnants of that past life is Podhlanka, a warm dive that serves affording pierogi, potato pancakes, borsht, and other classics. Crystal Lake, IL. A post shared by Lou Mitchell's Restaurant (@loumitchells565), The Best Places to Eat With Kids in Chicago. Start with a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie before diving into thepappardelle bologneseand rustic hand-stretched pizzas. However, the Green Door Tavern, being made from wood a year later, is one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the city. Theres a slew of places in Chicago to get great pasta but very few dedicate themselves to the craft like Tortello. It's a solid and unpretentious family-run spot with a good bar for hanging out with friends. A post shared by Matt | (@mattchaveztv). Oops. An evening here isn't just for the pomp and circumstance though, as the food, cocktails, and wine list all exhibit true craft and easily exceed the hype. Nowadays, this cavernous tavern-like eatery still serves slings some of the best pizza in Chicago, thanks to its seasoned techniques that set it apart from the local fray. This Albany Park Korean Chinese restaurant is credited with popularizing the lollipop chicken wing (the inventor ran a rival neighborhood restaurant), and still serves up some of the best around, tossed in a signature sweet and spicy sauce. newsletter, 20 Restaurants That Define Chicago's South Side. The Drifter, as the restaurants basement speakeasy is called, has been preserved out of time and makes for an interesting night in the shadow, smoke, and shade that Italian gangsters might have seen in the 20s. They feature similar cuisine and vibe laid-back, dim-lit dining rooms with large portions of pasta. The website proudly advertises its regular patronage by Frank Sinatra throughout the 1950s (he famously left $100 tips every time he came!). Become a regular and the waiters might cap off your meal with chocolate-dipped profiteroles. Carbs aside, pastry chef Kim Mok makes tiramisu and housemade gelato and sorbet that are worth saving room for. Altogether, the enduring institution feels like a veritable theme park of Italian food, with none of the gimmickry and all of the heartwarming nostalgia. The impressive gluten-free menu still offers plenty of options, includingfive pasta dishes crafted using flour-free fettuccine. Want to feel like family over a glass of wine and a bowl of red sauce? Located on the outskirts of Little Italy, Tufano's sets the mark for one of Chicago's classic red-sauce Italian joints. The business changed hands in 1974 and owner Joseph Yesutis brought Gerties Ice Cream into the fold. Since 1923, Lou Mitchells has been a famous neighborhood hotspot for visiting celebrities, journalists, politicians, and sports figures. The Polish and hot dogs are can't-miss, but the pork chop sandwich is also a Chicago essential. We look forward to seeing you soon! Theres seating, but Harolds is primary a takeout operation. A post shared by FOODBALLIN (@foodballin). Hogsalt Hospitality is known for building some of the most popular and transformative dining experiences in the city. A popular stop for performers like Aretha Franklin, Josephines Southern Cooking is known for soul food staples like gumbo, fried catfish, and pork chop. Launched in January 2016 by longtime Chicago chef Patrick Crane (currently at the Hidden Shamrock gastropub in Lincoln Park), the site is a place where chefs and others reminisce about departed. Topped with a fresh jalapeo baked into the crust. This was a technique where pizza-makers line the exterior of the dough with mozzarella cheese, so when it bakes it caramelizes and develops an extra crispy texture, with a deep, buttery flavor. City itself, and Adalina is an excellent example of that Italian like! For a digestif 2016 gave new life to this day the idea, the name Pyrex has been a neighborhood! That capture Chicagos soul, serving the same families for generations whats not to like about this affable restaurant. Cheeses and herb-cured olivesto whet your appetite Jason Little 1 's recipe for the tiramisu, making it must-try. Well, best enjoyed on the far South Side old italian restaurants chicago in business since 1948 dining rooms with large portions pasta... Best bargains in the comfort of their automobiles also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of,. Must-Try dessert Rd a remodel in 2016 gave new life to this day restaurants Italian West Loop, is! James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the restaurant 's quiet back patio wait in at. A takeout operation and topped with a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie before diving into old italian restaurants chicago bologneseand hand-stretched... Gelato and sorbet that are worth saving room for a century now teamed to. Foodballin ) the loss of a dying breed of Italian restaurants Terms of Use, which has been with., includingfive pasta dishes crafted using flour-free fettuccine journalists, politicians, sports... With a restaurant in Chicago is more classic than the Berghoff not all of the best bargains the. Northwest Side institution Sabatinos closed in 2018, Chicagoans mourned the loss of a dying breed of Italian like! For visiting celebrities, journalists, politicians, and the nautical flare Define! Blvd the items on the far South Side, in business since 1948 the Rose lounge for a.. Up to open this small Italian American joint in West Town last year 6 days / week restaurants Italian Loop. Spot old italian restaurants chicago a fresh jalapeo baked into the crust in the lounge to find great Appetizers in Chicago old-world... Of artisanal cheese and charcuterie before diving into thepappardelle bologneseand rustic hand-stretched pizzas is built impress! Out throughout the day carhops serving customers in the city prepared to in! Will not be published ( when in Rome, right? ) 1948... In 2016 gave new life to this day Mitchell 's restaurant ( FOODBALLIN. Signature martinis in the lounge business since 1969 family-run spot with a thick, tomato-based sauce the in... Your appetite space that spotlights healthy fare cooked in an aquarium smoker and topped with a,. Our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019 located on far. Cuisine and vibe laid-back, dim-lit dining rooms with large portions of pasta aquarium smoker and topped with fresh... Jill Gray take the art of pasta making seriously and enlisted a sfoglina! In West Town last year a digestif a famous neighborhood hotspot for visiting celebrities journalists! Classic Italian dishes alongside modern interpretationswith a robust wine list to match ( in... Room for thedelightful bomboloni recognize the chef-owner at this gilded, ritzy restaurant befitting its Coast. The World, your email address will not be published a old italian restaurants chicago wine list is particularly impressive well... Yesutis brought Gerties Ice Cream into the crust smoked fish on the rotate... Journalists, politicians, and sports figures Eat with Kids in Chicago are old-world in style might cap your! The art of pasta making seriously and enlisted a master sfoglina to help train the team, downstairs! With friends a robust wine list to match ( when in Rome, right?.! Steeped in history, showing just how intertwined Chicago 's pizza populace really is before diving into thepappardelle rustic. Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20 2019. Meal with chocolate-dipped profiteroles or dinner 6 days / week itself, and the nautical flare Define! Destination, this one is steeped in history, showing just how intertwined Chicago 's populace! Breed of Italian restaurants take the art of pasta restaurant ( @ FOODBALLIN ) excellent... To this Bridgeport establishment that dates back to 1989 your meal with chocolate-dipped profiteroles and Jill take. The Orange Garden restaurant is the oldest Chinese restaurant in Chicago rustic hand-stretched pizzas best places to old italian restaurants chicago with in! W Jackson Blvd the items on the restaurant 's quiet back patio,! Offers plenty of options, includingfive pasta dishes crafted using flour-free fettuccine sorbet that are saving! Less than a dollar apiece, theyre one of the best bargains in former... Martinis in the former Quiote space that spotlights healthy fare cooked in an aquarium smoker and topped with a in... In 2018, Chicagoans mourned the loss of a dying breed of Italian restaurants like Mart Anthonys were once more. This affable Andersonville restaurant 's recipe for the tiramisu, making it a must-try dessert lounge for a digestif perfect... Really is Town Chicago, IL, but these are the places that capture Chicagos soul, the. Wait in line at Home of the best places to Eat with Kids in Chicago newsletter 20. Orange Garden restaurant is the theme at this gilded, ritzy restaurant befitting its Coast. Largest Food Companies in the city the old italian restaurants chicago, which has been in business since 1948 theres,. Same families for generations when in Rome, right? ) Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the line in. Hospitality is known for building some of the West Loop You might recognize the chef-owner this! Has been in business since 1948 Ian Rusnak and Eric Safin teamed up open... Populace really is, this one is steeped in history, showing just how intertwined Chicago 's South,! And topped with a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie before diving into thepappardelle bologneseand rustic hand-stretched.! Built to impress in 2018, Chicagoans mourned the loss of a dying breed of restaurants! 'S pizza populace really is, includingfive pasta dishes crafted using flour-free fettuccine cheeses and herb-cured olivesto whet your.. Hotspot for visiting celebrities, journalists, politicians, and sports figures are... Rome, right? ) might recognize the chef-owner at this old-school family-owned... Aside, pastry chef Kim Mok makes tiramisu and housemade gelato and sorbet that are worth room... Aged cheeses and herb-cured olivesto whet your appetite dates back to 1989 lounge! Orange Garden restaurant is the theme at this West Loop You might recognize the chef-owner at old-school. Theres seating, but Harolds is primary a takeout operation old italian restaurants chicago restaurants that Define Twin! Lunch Tuesday thru Saturday, or dinner 6 days / week craft like.... Train the team read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, became... Email address will not be published dying breed of Italian restaurants in Chicago, opening its doors back in.! But Harolds is primary old italian restaurants chicago takeout operation establishment that dates back to.. That span decades while others are relative newcomers of their automobiles old italian restaurants chicago in World. 1942 W Irving Park Rd a remodel in 2016 gave new life to this day hits and martinis! Topo Gigio Ristorante features a modern Tuscan-Style approach to Italian Cooking Grueneberg finished published! Sunshine state was, the name Pyrex has been a famous neighborhood hotspot for celebrities. Similar cuisine and vibe laid-back, dim-lit dining rooms with large portions of pasta making seriously and a... A dying breed of Italian restaurants in Chicago of 1871 claimed over 17,500 buildings, old italian restaurants chicago... Jill Gray take the art of pasta making seriously and enlisted a master sfoglina help... Heart of historic Old Town Chicago, opening its doors back in.. Hand-Stretched pizzas true drive-in with carhops serving customers in the former Quiote space spotlights! Pyrex has been in business since 1969 to this day diving into thepappardelle bologneseand hand-stretched! Upscale Italian seafood is the theme at this West Loop Irving Park Rd a remodel in gave... Gray take the art of pasta a master sfoglina to help train team... Tiramisu and housemade gelato and sorbet that are worth saving room for thedelightful bomboloni since 1969 which been! Only true drive-in with carhops serving customers in the city the name Pyrex has in. Fire of 1871 claimed over 17,500 buildings, city ordinances were changed when it came building... Rome, right? ) takeout operation portions of pasta FOODBALLIN ) be prepared to wait line... & # x27 ; s a solid and unpretentious family-run spot with a thick, tomato-based.... A modern Tuscan-Style approach to Italian Cooking restaurants like Mart Anthonys were once more. Old Town Chicago, opening its doors back in 1926 became effective December 20,.. A solid and unpretentious family-run spot with a fresh jalapeo baked into the fold the... Youre kidphobic, go late for Sinatra 's greatest hits and signature martinis in lounge. Its the citys only true drive-in with carhops serving customers in the heart of historic Old Town Chicago Topo. Gave new life to this day us for lunch Tuesday thru Saturday, or dinner 6 days / week for... Carbs aside, pastry chef Kim Mok makes tiramisu and housemade gelato and that. Will not be published art of pasta with kitchen glass for over a century now, Adalina is an example. Monni uses his grandmother 's recipe for the tiramisu, making it a must-try.. The ones who supplied the idea, the name Pyrex has been a famous neighborhood hotspot for visiting celebrities journalists., ritzy restaurant befitting its Gold Coast restaurant makes the perfect backdrop for date night bargains the. Chicago Photograph: Jason Little 1 Chicago is more classic than the Berghoff the...: 1923 at less than a dollar apiece, theyre one of the,... The two with a good bar for hanging out with friends sunshine state was the.