Italian Restaurants in Chicago (2025)

Chef Sarah Grueneberg’s West Loop pastificio blends regional Italian traditions with Midwestern bounty; watch pasta rolled behind the bar, then order cacio whey pepe. Regularly cited by Eater and recognized by the Michelin Guide, it remains a city essential.

Lincoln Park’s Tuscan stalwart from chef Riccardo Michi serves ossobuco, ribollita, and pastas with old‑world polish. Praised by Chicago Magazine and noted by Gambero Rosso, it’s intimate, neighborly, and deeply rooted in local dining culture.

Southport Corridor’s southern Italian hub pairs VPN‑certified pizzas with house pastas and a lively patio scene. Frequently highlighted by Resy editors and 50 Top Pizza, it’s a neighborhood crowd‑pleaser before or after a Cubs game.

Jonathan Goldsmith’s Ravenswood pizzeria turns out soulful Neapolitan pies from an oven built by Neapolitan artisans. Celebrated by local press and 50 Top Pizza, it’s a community anchor where hospitality and craft come first.

A Wicker Park pastificio with a sfoglina shaping dough in the window, Tortello spotlights simple, accurate plates and hosts hands‑on pasta classes upstairs. Recognized as a Michelin Bib Gourmand and profiled by local outlets, it’s joyful and sincere.

This petite West Town spot leans Italian‑American—think rigatoni alla vodka, baked clams, and Sinatra on the speakers. Noted by the Michelin Guide and covered by Time Out, it’s a tough table that rewards with nostalgia and warmth.

Logan Square’s ode to Piemonte: silky plin, tajarin, and Barolo‑friendly plates in a candlelit room. A steady Michelin Guide pick and praised by Time Out, it’s where northern Italian cooking feels both focused and celebratory.

A River West fixture for generous plates and framed celebrity photos, La Scarola serves favorites like grilled calamari and penne alla vodka. Frequently recommended by local food writers and The Infatuation, it’s classic Chicago Italian through and through.

Tony Priolo’s River West restaurant balances handmade pastas with an all‑Italian wine list and one of the city’s great garden patios. Featured by NBC Chicago’s Food Guy and covered by The Infatuation, it delivers timeless, well‑paced meals.

In Humboldt Park, Segnatore riffs on Italian traditions with house breads, pastas, and a playful “freestyle lasagna.” Lauded by Time Out and The Infatuation and spotlighted by Resy editors, it feels fresh yet firmly neighborhood‑minded.

Family‑run since 1997, Volare channels old‑world warmth in Streeterville with Sardinian touches and a menu of pastas, seafood, and chops. Frequently recommended by local diners and covered by Thrillist, it’s lively, reliable, and distinctly Chicago.