Mentioned by Thrillist
The Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago
"There are three floors to explore at this modern riverfront steakhouse, which deals in premium cuts, decadent handmade pastas and classic Italian eats. The handsome dining room is hard to forget, but as soon as you see the views—an eyeful of the Chicago River and world-class architecture—you might have trouble concentrating on your date. Center the conversation with a bottle of bubbly and an order of tiramisu."
"Steaks , Italian"
"Restaurants Italian West Loop. When summer rolls around, the plant-lined sidewalk patio in front of this West Loop restaurant is populated by neighborhood folk sipping prosecco and piling prosciutto atop country bread. The interior of Formento's offers a different vibe entirely, with dim lighting, leather banquettes and tons of exposed brick."
"Next on our list of the best desserts in Chicago, it’s Formento’s. Formento’s is a really great restaurant in it’s own right (and definitely a place to enjoy a fancy date night), but you absolutely want to go here for their famous chocolate cake. Just take a look at the photo below and tell us you don’t want to get stuck in!"
"Formento’s is an old-school Italian with a classic look with white tablecloths and big leather booths. The menu reflects the look of the restaurant as it serves Italian-American staples. Some typical examples of the dishes on this menu include bone-in veal parmesan, bucatini carbonara, and canestri in pork neck gravy."
"Davanti Enoteca is a small plate Italian restaurant with locations in Chicago and in San Diego. The Focaccia Di Recco (flatbread filled with ricotta and topped with honeycomb) might be the greatest thing on the menu. They also serve Glazed & Infused doughnuts, which are another Chi-Town fave."
"Davanti Enoteca is an Italian restaurant that is located in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. This restaurant offers a streamlined menu with dishes that pack a punch— from the Truffle Egg Toast to the Della Terra pizza, diners can expect interesting flavor combinations here."
"AshburnAs much as we enjoy the occasional deep dish excursion, us urbanites know that real Chicago pizza means square cut, cracker thin tavern-style. And there’s no better place to rev your authentic pizza engine than Vito & Nick’s, a South Side institution that’s been perfecting the crunchy, fully-loaded style since 1923. The crust hits the spot, for sure, but it’s the toppings, a broad expanse of meats, veggies, and palate-scorching giardiniera stretching all the way to the flawlessly blackened edge, that slyly steal the show.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating and take-out."
"Yes, deep dish is the type of pizza that Chicago is known for. But much like how Queen’s “We Will Rock You” was originally a B-side to “We Are The Champions”, Chicago’s legendary cracker-style thin crust can’t be ignored. And that’s what you’ll find at Vito and Nick’s in Ashburn."
"Tavern-style pizza is also known as Chicago-style thin crust or party cut. The pizza, sliced into squares and triangles is the specialty on the South Side a Vito & Nick’s. Order a sausage, green pepper, and onion, and enjoy that with frosty Old Style."
"We really use to enjoy coming here and would recommend it to friends or family. However, it has changed drastically."
"This museum and memorial tells the story of Khmer Rouge and the Killing Field through multimedia displays, archives, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. Guided tours are available so you can learn more about what happened during the Cambodian Civil War. Hours are subject to change, so they advise that you call prior to visiting (773-878-7090)."
"Play and learning are bridged together at this museum, where kids can: tackle the Cloud Buster, a 30-ton, 37-foot-tall steel dreamscape that celebrates adventure and risk-taking — qualities that are inherent to childhood — excavate dinosaur bones, explore the way water moves through pulleys and pipes, pretend to fight fires, and discover how our skyline full of buildings is created through architecture and engineering."
"Head over to Navy Pier to go up on the Centennial Ferris Wheel!. A fun way to get an amazing view of Chicago and the lakefront. You can get tickets through the Go Chicago Explorer Pass or check with the Loew’s hotel – they sometimes have specials going where you can get tickets with your stay."
"Celebrate the maritime pride of Chicago at this landmark pier on Lake Michigan. Featuring fun things to do all year long, enjoy waterfront attractions, sightseeing cruises, art, theater, and the Centennial Wheel. Category: Activities, Attractions, Family / Kids"
"Forget a Tiffany necklace, this massive stained-glass masterpiece at the Chicago Cultural Center is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence."
"Popular Canadian import, Kinton Ramen, had a successful launch in Fulton Market and witnesses a steady flow of noodlers. The chain debuted a second Chicago location in Wicker Park in December 2019. Dubbing itself the "Ultimate Japanese Ramen Experience," Kinton Ramen aims for an authentic culinary trip to Japan via executive chef Aki Urata's commitment to serving the highest quality broth and noodles."
"All your favorite bar/comfort foods and snacks with a twist that Mike Ditka didn’t see coming: it’s all vegetarian!. The Fried Pickles and the Handlesmash Burger and Fries (two house-made black bean patties with cheddar or vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles, and special sauce on a brioche bun) are legendary, but don’t sleep on the Wilted Kale Salad with avocado and quinoa, or the “Sloppy Joe” made with carne de soya and tangy BBQ sauce on a pretzel bun. Open Monday – Friday, 10 am – 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9 am – 10 pm."
"Although we stopped by for lunch, this seems like a great place to head to for dinner and drinks. This vegetarian restaurant has plenty of vegan options. The lighting is incredibly dark and tables small, so it’s got a very cozy vibe and would be great for a date night."
"Comfort food takes on a vegetarian twist at this West Side dive. Among the most popular items are the fried avocado tacos stuffed with cabbage slaw, tomatoes, refried beans, housemade ranch, brown rice, and salsa verde."
"The ultimate in adult fun, Streeterville opens on the 25th of June, but a sneak peek provided us with all we needed to know. 9,000 square feet of terrace complete with a lawn where you can while away the time playing croquet and resting your weary bones in birdcage chairs. It’s a garden party come to roost."