Trattoria Demi

This is a wonderful Italian restaurant in downtown Evanston. It's quaint and has all the charm of a Italian restaurant like back in the home country. The food is excellent! My wife and I have been to many restaurants and this one meets all the expectations of a fine restaurant that is worth every penny. Be sure to put this place in your list! Venite a gustare il cibo!

Trattoria Demi has become our new favorite Italian restaurant. The staff is friendly, efficient, & helpful. Everything we've tried on the menu has been great, with a couple items definitely shining above the rest. The portions are larger than expected for the prices & delivered to the table hot. The Asiago stuffed gnocchi & homemade lasagna are the must try menu items! The vino pours are fantastic as well!

They served you free breads which is delicious and crunchy outside, soft inside. The food portion is big. We ordered small size and barely cannot finish it. It’s not expensive but the food is nice and served very fast!

Quiet, relaxed, comfortable lunch spot. Good quality bread on the sandwiches; though, the chicken was overcooked, and generally the flavors were a bit bland.

Best steak! Real mash potatoes! Green beans cooked to perfection! Great atmosphere! Love this little piece of heaven! Will be back!

This is an absolutely WONDERFUL establishment that we happened upon on a random Tuesday night. Artwork and decor felt rustic with a bit of modern update; like being at your Nonna’s trattoria (but in 2025 and not 1971). Service was impeccable, two servers who were both attentive, as was the bussing staff; didn’t ever have to ask for refills. Octopus was flavorful and served on warm bed of beans and spinach. The Walnut Gorgonzola salad was light and airy (v healthy feeling) which could easily be shared if having as app given its generous portioning. Salmon was perfectly cooked and saltiness on point. Bronzini was flakey and cooked to perfection. Angel hair marinara/pesto made for another excellent carb-“side” dish (yes this is a full me) to add to very tasty seafood already with their own “sides” built in. Portions are GENEROUS so prepare accordingly! Couldn’t stuff anymore food, but dessert selection looks like they could be deliciously bad for the morning weigh in. Going to be a new “go to” in the Italian rotation. (picture note: started eating before remembered to snap a shot so portions started a bit bigger!). Pricewise felt on point (city person cost lens)

This sweet, cozy place has become the new favorite go to! Best Italian food I've ever had! I HIGHLY recommend! 😋❤️

Very nice restaurant! Kind staff, good service but not too much. Quality food. Encompassing menu but not too overwhelming. Simple vibes and family friendly. Highly recommended.

Superb chicken parm. Warm bread.Great service (this was at 4pm on a Saturday, so not busy). Highly recommend!

I will not be going back to trattoria Demi. This place is just not very special, yet I'm glad I tried it. Some of the food didn't taste that fresh, arancini seemed frozen, and the food was just nothing to write home about. In Evanston, which generally lacks strong Italian, this place can survive, but I'm hoping for a new Italian spot that takes things to the next level. I've also heard of people getting food poisoning from the chicken parm here...just not a good reputation to have. Go elsewhere (union pizza) for a great meal instead.

Amazing! We didn't have a reservation but were seated quickly. Only 2 servers and a busboy for the whole restaurant but the service was quick and we never had to ask for anything. The decor was aesthetic and reminded us of Italy. But the best part is the food. There are so many options that look appealing. The food we ordered was DELICIOUS and didn't take long for it to come out. Pasta was homemade and the sauces were very tasty. We live nowhere near this restaurant but we are DEFINITELY coming back!

Cute little Italian restaurant. Good food and staff was great! The cheese and charcuterie board was wonderful. We will be back.

I was craving pasta for lunch while walking my dog and I passed by this quaint location with its enclosed, charming patio at the front. I decided to eat out because the weather was lovely and I had my dog with me. The server was very friendly and brought a bowl of water for my canine companion while I looked over the menu. While waiting, I got a small basket of warm bread and butter. For the appetizer, I tried the grilled octopus and it was absolutely delicious! The octopus was perfectly cooked and it had a slight sweetness to it which paired well with the tartness of the lemon. I didn't want a full portion so I went ahead and just got a lunch combo. The house salad was nice and fresh and the rigatoni came piping hot. Each forkful had a nice cheesy pull from the mozzarella and it was just very good. Server kept checking in and gave refills when needed. Overall, it was just a delightful experience to eat out while enjoying the nice weather with fantastic food and service! I'll definitely come back for sure to try the other pasta creations in the menu!

I came here with my parents and I have to say trattoria Demi was my favorite restaurant for my parents this trip. The house bread is to die for!! Goes perfectly with their olive oil and cheese. The rigatoni and risotto was delicious as well as the cioppino. They also split the risotto for us, free of charge! Great service. The restaurant is small but it has very nice vibes. Perfect for family, friends, dates, etc.

My Mom has been coming to this Evanston institution for more than 30 years. The grilled octopus appetizer, Caesar Salad, lasagna, and spaghetti marinara with a meatball were all outstanding, the house red was solid, and the ambience is old school with cool art, the staff attentive. I come here every time I visit.

Trattoria Demi never disappoints with their pastas. I had the asiago stuffed gnocchi and my boyfriend had the meatball sub. The gnocchi was pillowy soft and was stuffed with the perfect amount of asiago. The sauce was flavorful and well balanced. The only slight issue I had was the chicken parmesan was a little dry towards the center, however I was here for the gnocchi specifically and the rest of the chicken was nice and juicy. The meatball sub was large and flavorful as well, and the sweet potato chips were perfectly crispy and did not taste burnt at all, which is a common issue with fried sweet potatoes in my opinion. I've had great food every time I've been here and I need to remember to come back more often. The service was super fast and the servers were nice. The restaurant is not large but cozy and well themed! I feel like Trattoria Demi is underrated in Evanston!

Dropped in for dinner on a Saturday. Got to sit outside which is really nice. The service here is excellent. No wait for the menu or welcome and drink order. We started with the mixed salad which was outstanding. A wonderful balsamic dressing with fresh lettuce and shaved red onions. The fresh bread was good like other reviews. A nice sweet bread. I had the sausage and onion pizza and wife had the skirt steak with mashed potatoes and beans. The pizza had a crisp crust even in the center. Lots of cheese and non-generous amount of sausage. The sausage and cheese was fine. but my complaint was there was almost no sauce. just a tad around the edge. Maybe they did that to keep the crust in the middle crisp, but the lack of sauce ruined it for me. The skirt steak was cooked well, but hit had too much gristle. The sauce on it was good but there was so much gristle. For $24 you don't expect to get so much inedible gristle with a steak. Probably our one and only visit.

the bread and calamari were amazing! We ordered the pizza and it came out pretty fast and was still delicious. The service was excellent and they checked up on us often. THE AMBIANCE WAS SO AESTHETIC. I loved it! The lights and set up were perfect for a date or family dinner.

First time visiting! The food was excellent! The service was great! And the ambiance was relaxing. Will be visiting again!

Yesterday afternoon marked the second and final full day of a cranial sacral workshop so I decided to treat myself to Italian fare as a reward. I didn't go wrong in my choice and I highly recommend this adorable and laid back Italian restaurant if you're seeking a healthy pasta entree and a quaint and relaxing atmosphere. The owner served me and let me decide which lunch item I preferred so I picked the pasta lunch combo which was extremely affordable for my budget and she brought me out a well portioned and fresh tasting light rigatoni with broccoli, three slices of Italian bread and a small salad I was satisfied with my choices and she brought everything out quickly so that I wouldn't be late returning back to my workshop. Next time I'm in Evanston I will definitely come back because I'd like to try out their gnocchi and other dessert options. I chose spumoni this time but the creme Brule looks enticing! This was a delightful experience and highly recommend if you're looking for delicious food in a comfy environment.

I ate here about two weeks ago and the service was a bit lackluster. It was a Friday and about 3 o'clock. I liked the food though so I decided to give it another try today. Walked in around the same time. Right about 3:20. Saw two other tables had people seated and were eating. Stood in restaurant for about three minutes waiting for someone to come out. Could see the waiter sitting behind the bar and he never budged. Finally tired of waiting I left. Strange behavior. Probably won't return again.

Visited here for dinner with my parents. We got to the restaurant at 4:00 on a Sunday, and there were only a couple tables filled, so it seemed like there would be room to seat us. Instead of being welcoming, the hostess told us that they prefer it when people have reservations, but she could probably manage to fit us in. It honestly felt so awkward and I just wanted to go eat somewhere else after that. The food was fine, but being made to seem like an inconvenience for not making a reservation for a Sunday afternoon ruined the vibe imo. Especially because other people came in after us who didn't have a reservation but weren't given the speech about how they don't like it when people show up without one. Idk if the hostess could just tell we weren't locals or what, but she was so rude for no reason. I haven't been back since that visit despite living up here for two years now.

The food was delicious! I ordered the baked rigatoni for my first time and was so happy with the portion, the flavor, and the awesome service. The place was cozy, could be for a fancy night or a relaxed good time. Plenty of room for people indoors and outdoors (when the patio is open). So glad I gave them a chance.

This neighborhood gem delivered superb pasta dishes, chicken parm, meatballs, and appetizers. Their sub $30 bottle of Montalcino was the capstone to a charming, tasty, and affordable family dinner. The prices are really surprisingly low for the quality!

It honestly hurts to leave this review. I really wanted to fall in love with this local spot, and perhaps I just ordered the wrong things, but I just was not the biggest fan. The service was decent, but I only saw one man taking orders over the phone, playing host, serving and running food. He was a hard worker and I commend him for literally wearing so many hats. Rigatoni primavera was average. A bit too much garlic, and I LOVE garlic normally. Calamari required two orders for a group of 3 because it was not enough. Walnut/gargonzola salad was decent, and I enjoyed better than the pasta. In summary, this place has potential, and is decent Italian, but nothing to write home about. I hope they continue to do great in Evanston, but as someone who relies on Yelp reviews when making restaurant decisions, felt I had to be honest about how my experience differed from the other reviews read.

After 3+ years away from Evanston, I was happy to see that Trattoria Demi is still around, offering the same trusty menu they've had forever. I like the addition of outdoor dining. While outdoor dining is typically first come first served, they were able to hold a table for me since I'm immuocompromised and don't feel comfortable dining indoors. Highly recommend the Asiago Gnocchi with Chicken -- the best. Service was slow when I went on a recent Wednesday night. I think they may be under-staffed, like many restaurants these days. Hoping they staff up so I can visit more regularly!

Incredible dinner!!! Such a fantastic meal. We also had the octopus as an appetizer. 10/10 would recommend stopping in.

Overpriced for the quality. My plate appeared to be microwaved. I had to ask them to make fresh coffee. Service was barley par. I will not return.

Great value food, and delicious flavors. Got the Asiago Gnocchi, and it came with a side of bread. The gnocchi was filled and felt like a pillow in the mouth. The chicken that came on top of the gnocchi was pretty dry and not that flavorful, but the gnocchi and sauce were both very good. The prices were decent as well, and they also offer lunch specials and 10% student discount which make it good value. Overall, I would go again if I was ever craving italian food!

Adequate Italian food, reasonable-ish prices, spotty service. Arancini was good, fish was pretty good, gnocchi was homemade and pretty good. They have old water stained menus outside on the tables and the ambiance could use some work.

I don't leave reviews often, but felt the need to say something here. I work customer care, my brother is a former chef. We get how hard it is sometimes to be at your best, to serve when you're in the weeds. But like ... Be nice at least. That's all you need to do. We're two of the most understanding people ever and work with people a lot, so we get it... but that also means that we're very keen on when people don't like us. The server tonight made us feel like we were a hassle. The food was ok, I really wanted to enjoy my steak, but I couldn't. The server got my aunt's order wrong. The desserts were mediocre. My 9 year old son got his 9" pizza last, a good 10 minutes after the first dish was delivered to table. One particular incident drives this review. I took the time to approach the server at the register to order food for my sick daughter and wife at home; an order of arancine to go. And it wasn't her answers that left me feeling disrespected, it was the energy - the pauses between my questions and her answers, the condescending tone - I totally get it. You're probably in the weeds, I'm not helping the situation, but like don't take it out on me. We're on the same team, so let's be a little kinder, nothing fake nice. The other servers, maybe the bussers, were great.

I had a great night and dinner with some family at Trattoria Demi! Trattoria Demi is a cozy hole-in-the-wall restaurant. A bit small, but I felt that the close quarters just made the vibes more intimate and special. Servers were very attentive and food all came out quickly. I got a build-your-own pizza with basil, and really enjoyed it. My sister got the ziti primavera and she loved it. We shared an order of tiramisu, as well--totally loved it! My only complaint is about the calamari but even that is not totally the restaurant's fault--we were a party of nine, and so most of us didn't get a proper serving of calamari. I thought that there wasn't much to begin with, but it's such a small complaint that I wouldn't knock a star off for it. Overall, I highly recommend Trattoria Demi if you're ever in Evanston and are looking for a nice Italian meal!

Went here for a casual dinner, each of us just ordered entrees and didn't make any special requests/questions/modifications. Our server was an older blonde woman-I don't know if she was having a bad night but she was rude, overstepped her boundaries, and really condescending. When my friend and I ordered 12" pizzas each, she asked if we planned taking leftovers because "that's a lot of pizza for you both"-with an attitude. I get trying to let people know about sizing but this was just judging the amount of food we were eating (none of your business). At the end of the night, we asked if we could split our checks by what each person had, and she gave a heavy sigh and said "You should have asked me when you ordered your entrees-that's what you do at a restaurant". Super rude and unnecessary, acting like it was making her life that much harder when we were very polite-also again judging people for what or how much they ordered when splitting up our checks. She then rang us up one by one at the counter because it was too much work for her to do her job and split it. The food was good, definitely not good enough to counter our service, which was subpar even without her comments. If I came back (hard if) I would make sure to try and sit out of her section.

Great food, service and ambiance. This is a very small restaurant and because of that the service is very attentive. My friend and I stoped for late lunch. We both got salads. I got the Grilled Chicken Salad which consisted of Romaine, Tomato, Mozzarella, Red Onion, Cabbage and Homemade Italian Vinaigrette and it was lovely. The chicken was fresh and tender. My salad was extremely good and it was a very generous portion. I took quick look what other patrons were enjoying that day and all the dishes looked really good to me. I would definitely return!

Very classic trattoria with surprisingly generous portions and very tasty pasta sauces. We would definitely return here and judging from the crowd that night, plenty of people feel the same, haha... The outdoor seating was really lovely too! I wasn't a fan of the cheap stemless wine glasses they used, but everything was great, so I survived.

Food was very good. I had the octopus appetizer with a soup and a glass of wine. Quiet atmosphere to do some work while grabbing a bite to eat. Highly recommend!

I just finished dinner here and I'm happy to say it was a real treat. After craving pasta for days, I was grateful to see Trattoria Demi had GF pasta on its menu. I ordered a glass of wine and the rigatoni ricotta with GF penne swapped for rigatoni and it was delightful. Took off one star because the meatballs are made with breadcrumbs as a binder, so I went without a protein on my pasta (chicken in general is just too dry for me, so I never order it with pasta). I had outstanding, kind service from Quinn, who claimed he was "just a bus boy" but really paid great care and attention to this party of one. LOVE the option to sit outside as well! Will be returning.

The food here is good, but seemed to be missing something. I just can't put my finger(or taste buds) on what it is. But good none the less. The service was good also. We had 8pm reservations but got there around 7:15, and ended up getting our seats around 7:30! It looked to be a small place, but they may have had tables around the corner, I'm just not sure. But even for the space, didn't have to shout to each other to enjoy your conversation.

Came here with a date that I didn't know. Took the train and this place is super close to CTA purple Line. The salad with arugula and pear was very tasty. The meatball appetizer was nice. The veal scaloppine was delicious ( had sauce on the side). Service was excellent. I was still hungry when we left because we shared those dishes and they were hot that big. Anyway, all was good and if I lived nearby I would come back!

The food is very reasonably priced and generally good. I had the chiappino which was reasonably priced at about $29 and just the right amount. Sometimes you pay a much higher price for food you are not going to eat. The lasagna and whole chicken look great. The gnocchi with the chicken on top of it sauce looked and tasted like Kraft macaroni and cheese or it was at least almost cheddar cheesy, not Italian. The service was basically one guy serving about 10 tables and we set near the door which was the farthest away from the bar and kitchen so our service suffered, but was okay once you flagged the server over. Wine menu very reasonable and good. I will go back. A solid four star place

This place is pretty good for the lunch special. I got the marinara linguine lunch special, but they messed up my order so at first, they gave me the wrong pasta. I was a bit sad since I was really hungry and hadn't eaten anything all day. When the food came, I was surprised at the amount of food. It did not feel like a lot at all. My friend ordered the chicken pesto lunch special sandwich and her portion was definitely bigger than mine. The complimentary bread was great though and the interior is very cozy. I just had higher expectations ):

I've lived in Evanston for 20 years and finally decided to try this restaurant. Unfortunately, it will be my last. The food was mediocre at best. Vodka sauce looked like packaged cheese sauce and tasted like nothing. The chicken parm was oddly pale and dry and chewy. The grilled octopus, which I usually love, was odd. It wasn't actually grilled but was also pale and mealy. I wanted this to be a great local place. It's not.

Great food and service at very reasonable prices. This small, family restaurant has a cozy feel and a welcoming vibe.

I have to confess this-- I am SO FUSSY! I just am. When I order food out -- I want it to be perfect-- or at least close. After all -- this IS America-- we deserve the best! I had never tried their calamari-- so I tried it. To begin with- calamari is challenging-- very challenging-- if you cook it -- 5 seconds too long-- you have SHOE LEATHER-- not good. So for the first time-- I tried it! FABULOSO!-- gastrointestinal orgasm! Tender-- sweet- juicy-- and serving it on a bed of banana peppers- inspired! I love being surprised-- and this one was a real one. You know you have come to the right place when they take TIME with their food-- when they really care -- and want to entertain their customers as if they were in their own private dining room at home. Don't fight the feeling-- go for it! I

Small neighborhood trattoria. Food was good, but did not blow us away. Nice place to meet up with friends.

This is a great place for a regular family dinner meet up. They take reservations. My niece and nephew like this place and never put up a fuss with the menu, just get them spaghetti and butter. It's an easy dish, so the shorties get their dish first and then they 'muy contento!" There is ADA parking near by.

Food was really good. Gnocchi was like a pillow of goodness. I can't wait to go back and try a new dish soon.

I have been here twice and the service is good. I really like the pasta they serve here, but it seems their seafood and steak are not as tasty.

~Monica's T.A.S.T.E. Test~ Taste: My family and I shared the arancine and table bread as an appetizer. The arancine were much smaller than expected and came in an order of 8. It wasn't served with any side of sauce so we asked for marinara and made the dish 100x better as they were a little dry without it. Later we shared the walnut gorgonzola salad and the Florentine pizza which were both excellent. The salad had the dressing on the side and was a little light on toppings but the taste was there. The pizza was the star of the meal here and would be the reason I go back. Atmosphere: The restaurant is small and cozy, but the noise level is very manageable. It feels like a family vibe and would make for a great date night spot. Service: The waiters kept our water full and plates out of our way once we finished eating. They were great about replenishing the table bread and were never too far from the table to be able to ask for extra napkins or silverware. Tab: Standard pricing for Evanston. Each meal is between $15-24 and pizza between $11-20 depending on size. Besides the appetizer you definitely get your money's worth. Extra wow factor: All the ingredients tasted really fresh and made the pizza one of the best I've had in the Chicagoland. Does it pass the T.A.S.T.E test? For sure. The meal was great and made for a relaxing night with family. Just a pro tip, they do give a NWU discount but its per meal, not per table.

Savory | Cozy | Combinations Savory: Monica's dad had the chicken Marsala and I had the Salmon. Both of us had the same thoughts about the meat ... savory. It was a great combination of tasty, smooth, and flavored. Also, the complimentary bread had a sweet taste, especially when we added the butter with the oil. Cozy: The restaurant is small, but not nosey. It is the perfect place to catch up with friends, go on a date, or stop in for a quick drink. Combinations: The chef has some interesting combinations that I was a bit nervous about at first. My Salmon came with Fresh Atlantic Salmon on Cannellini Beans, Roasted Tomato, Leeks, Pancetta, Arugula, and Fresh Herb Broth (I took off the cheese). Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything went together very well. My pallet was pleased with the combination of the Leeks and Pancetta which were done lightly but to perfection. Pro Tip: Make a reservation, it is a smaller restaurant therefore, you should take some time and make a reservation. Pro tip: There is a 10% discount only for northwestern student's main dish when you dine in. So the discount is pretty limited. It is not well described by the staff, however, when you see their literature it clearly states this. So, what you see is what you get for prices.

We have been in Evanston for five years and have gone here regularly, more for lunch than dinner. They have consistently provided good food at a great price. My wife and I went for dinner last night. We had a great meal. We had the minestrone soup. I had the Calamari as a main course and my wife had pasta. We drank wine from the by the glass menu. We shared a dessert. Everything was delicious. The service was perfect. Thanks, Peter J

Absolutely delicious! We had our Valentine's Day dinner here and it was wonderful. We had the Baked Rigatoni and the Lasagna Rolls (Large) with meat sauce. We were both stuffed and it was a great meal. The place is adorable as well, cozy and intimate, and the owner who waited on us was so fun to talk to! I highly recommend this restaurant, check it out!

pasta taste good I like the tomato flavor very much! Octopus is soft, a little too much oil. Pear tart tastes special, but the ice cream is too sweet!

Wow. What a find. Went for son's birthday dinner with his fiancé. Nice atmosphere, GREAT service and really delicious food. And? Reasonable prices!! Can't wait to go back.

Very good food, nice atmosphere and good service. Due to the hard walls, it can be on the noisy side depending upon who is sitting nearby. Some people like that and some don't.

Cozy Italian reminds me of being in Florence. While most go there for dinner they're lunch sandwiches are incredible!

The owner does know anything about costumer service. Not planning to return to this average italian place.

Outdoor seating and noodles are the perfect combo! Monday's 1/2-wine is such a great deal...