Mentioned by Thrillist
The Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago
"Curved silver booths and vibrant artwork on the walls greet diners at this River West Italian eatery. It’s the sibling restaurant of Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, a Chicago icon and c..."
"Gibsons Italia, the project from Gibsons Restaurant Group, is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. The owners wanted to create an Italian steakhouse that also appeale..."
"Located in Fulton Market District within Chicago’s bustling West Loop, Formento’s is an Italian restaurant steeped with the bright and fresh flavors of Italy. Created as a nod to the owner’s grandmother, guests will experience an array of dishes from house-made pastas, seasonal antipasti and...See More"
"Formento's offers delivery and pick-up for seasonal Italian cuisine. Enjoy a varied menu of starters, pastas, fish and meats for Formento's To-Go, and of course their famous chocolate cake for dessert!. Formento's also sells select wines and beer for delivery."
"The place is called Coalfire Pizza because its super thin crust style pizza is cooked in a brick oven at over 800 degrees. For those who prefer more of a traditional Neapolitan style pizza, Coalfire does the trick. It makes its dough fresh daily and its meats and vegetables are delivered every morning so it can include the freshest ingredients in every dish."
"When Chicago Cubs coach Joe Maddon and acclaimed chef Tony Mantuano pair up to open a restaurant, people pay attention. The resulting Maddon’s Post is family-friendly, with childhood classics showing both Polish and Italian influences, as well as plenty of the pasta that Mantuano is known for. Kids will love the paczkis in flavors like peanut butter-banana or strawberry jam."
"Opened in 1979 by husband-and-wife team Belfonte and Noemi, Bacchanalia has brought Tuscan family recipes to Chicago for over 40 years. While the couple has since left the day-to-day operation of the business to their children, Noemi still makes the restaurant’s ravioli by hand."
"Indulge in some shopping, veer off a couple blocks to grab an espresso at the beloved Italian market Eataly, or continue to the DuSable Bridge for a fantastic photo-op of the emerald green Chicago River surrounded by sparkling skyscrapers. The most iconic spot in the entire city is just a couple blocks further: Millennium Park, a sprawling downtown green space that’s home to Cloud Gate, more commonly known as ‘The Bean.’ The stainless steel plates reflect the surrounding city skyline which makes for some epic shots–especially if you make it there first thing in the morning before the throngs of tourists arrive. Be sure to walk below Cloud Gate’s 12-foot-high arch to snap some cool perspective pics from underneath."
"Start off your morning with a beautiful cruise down the Chicago River. This cruise only runs during the warmer months (and can be a bit too chilly during the early spring and late fall, even if it is running), so we recommend reserving this attraction for the warmest times of year"
"Restaurants Wicker Park. If you're into the idea of a plant-based diet but can't fathom giving up sweets, pasta and sushi, the menu at Uncooked might pique your interest. With locations in Fulton Market and Wicker Park, the vegan spot offers uncooked, plant-based eats that emulate dishes like ravioli, ramen, sesame noodles and cacio e pepe."
"Everything Uncooked offers is raw, from breakfast through dessert, for a unique vegan dining experience. Think fresh salads loaded with crisp vegetables, hummus, vegetable noodles and overnight oats. There are also fresh juices, and Uncooked uses compostable utensils and packaging for a fully sustainable operation in one of the best restaurants in Chicago."
"Eden Chicago is a delightful offering on Chicago's West Loop dining scene, opened in 2016 by restaurateur Jodi Fife and her husband, executive chef Devon Quinn. The charming Mediterranean-style eatery serves up excellent brunch and dinner fare from the week, pulling from a variety of regional culinary traditions, including Israeli, Lebanese, and Spanish cuisines. Diners can enjoy delicious selections like baked shrimp paccheri, curried lentil brik, cumin-grilled lamb with couscous and merguez, and mushroom matzo ball soup with miso corn broth."
"At Eden, fresh, local, and sustainable fare is the focus, an approach that chef Devon Quinn accomplishes with the help of an onsite greenhouse, which stocks everything from arugula and oregano to fennel and figs. See them employed in a range of daytime dishes, such as breakfast bowls with Spanish fried eggs and jasmine rice, smoked ham crepes with gruyere and caramelized onions, and a Philly cheesesteak torta with peppers and provolone."
"Nomad Chicago is a “sanctuary for the wandering soul.” They are woman-owned and give back in a big way to underserved communities in the city. And I love everything they represent. They offer fresh-roasted beans from Metric Coffee, homemade syrups and have oat and coconut milk alternatives."