Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Chicago

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Chicago? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Riccardo Enoteca

4.9

4.9 (1189)

$30 and under

Italian

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Riccardo Michi comes from a restaurant Family in Milan established since 1943 called Girarrosto, one of the first Tuscan restaurants in town and still operating.

After moving to the US, Riccardo opened Sonny Bono, IL Giardino Ristorante and Madeo Ristorante in Beverly Hills. In 1987 he helped his cousin Roberto Ruggeri open the first Bice restaurant in New York City. Since then, he has worked in the opening of many of the restaurants in the group. In 2002 Riccardo moved to Chicago with his wife Veronica to be the executive chef of Bice on Ontario.

Finally Riccardo and Veronica, also a chef, decided to open their own place and in 2006 called Riccardo Trattoria. Considered by many to be the top Italian restaurant in town, receiving the Bib Gourmand from Michelin in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Now, Riccardo and Veronica have opened Riccardo Enoteca, right across the street from Riccardo Trattoria on Clark.

Top review

Sheri

Dined 3 days ago

We had an outstanding meal. Our server made excellent recommendations and everything was delicious. Can’t wait to come back.

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5.0

5 (665)

$30 and under

Italian

Bridgeport

About the restaurant

If your preferred time is unavailable please call for possible openings.

Franco's Ristorante is the perfect combination of old world Italian classics and your new favorite pasta dishes. We've been around for over 27 years and have perfected our craft. Some of our most famous dishes include whipped ricotta tuffo, sausage and peppers, eggplant parmigiana and gnocchi.

Our great food and atmosphere helped us earn the honor of being named the Chicago Reader's 2016 "best place for a cheap date" and "best local restaurant."

You will be wowed when you step inside our bright, airy and modern restaurant. You can enjoy a drink at our new marble-topped bar or cozy up to tables with bright red-leather chairs and banquettes in the dining room. In the summer we are happy to offer outdoor seating that allows dogs.

Top review

ErvinVIP

Dined on 1 Mar 2025

Amazing service and delicious food!!! Such a hidden gem! Loved it

Viaggio Ristorante and Lounge

4.8

4.8 (2584)

$30 and under

Italian

West Loop

About the restaurant

*PLEASE CALL TO SEE OTHER AVAILABLE RESERVATION TIMES*

An authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Chicago's lively West Loop neighborhood

We offer an elegant and charming dining experience that keeps guests coming back again and again. Our large menu of regional Italian pastas, meats and fishes is rounded out by a selection of salads, soups, and decadent desserts. Popular staples like Rigatoni with Braised Pork Gravy and Eggplant Parmesan are served alongside Executive Chef Nicolas Biscaglio’s signature interpretations of classic Italian dishes. We use only the highest quality ingredients to ensure a deliciously memorable experience!

As a hospitality-driven establishment, it’s our goal to make every guest that walks through the door feel like family. At Viaggio, we invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy!

Top review

Annette

Dined 4 days ago

Food was delicious, server was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. Overall great experience

Anteprima

4.9

4.9 (3553)

$31 to $50

Italian

Andersonville

About the restaurant

Anteprima's regionally inspired, rustic cooking comes from recipes we've learned in homes throughout Italy. We search the finest ingredients obtainable, buying from local and organic producers whenever possible. Buon appetito!

Top review

Donald

Dined 2 days ago

The menu was extensive filled with interesting choices. The food lived up to it. The real deal for an Italian restaurant and a good location in the heart of Andersonville. Prices very reasonable for effort put into it. Cool contemporary interesting looking crowd and the service was friendly and professional. Busy and noisy on a Saturday night

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4.8

4.8 (94)

$50 and over

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Discover modern, Tuscan-inspired cuisine in the heart of Chicago's Old Town at Topo Gigio. This cozy, charming eatery has been a local favorite for over 35 years, topping "Best of" lists consistently. The menu at Topo Gigio is a feast for the senses, with fresh, flavorful food, expertly prepared and artfully plated. It includes fabulous antipasto plates and crispy calamari appetizers, fresh, hearty salads, soups, pastas and traditional Tuscan favorites with a modern flair. Topo Gigio's extensive wine list features the perfect pairing for every single plate, including many wines straight from Tuscany's most venerated wineries. The restaurant offers catering services as well as comprehensive banquet packages, ideal for corporate events, private receptions, large groups and more.
*OUR OUTSIDE IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!*

Top review

KileyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Loved for celebrating a birthday! Beware they do charge for the birthday treat ... $8 ice cream but it was good :)

Tuscany on Taylor

4.8

4.8 (2241)

$30 and under

Italian

Little Italy / University Village

About the restaurant

Tuscany on Taylor is the original Tuscany restaurant opened in 1990 in the heart of Little Italy. A comfortable trattoria, Tuscany serves Northern Italian favorites including: homemade pastas, pizzas from our wood-burning ovens, signature Italian chicken dishes, grilled veal and other authentic dishes. Private party space available.

Top review

john

Dined 3 days ago

Tuscany never disappoints. Always outstanding food!

Mart Anthony's

4.8

4.8 (1724)

$30 and under

Italian

West Loop

About the restaurant

A third generation, old-school Italian restaurant serving classic family recipes like Braciole, Stuffed Artichoke, Tortellini Romano and more. A hidden gem of Chicago, but once you know... you know.

Top review

Benjamin

Dined 3 days ago

Absolute perfection in every aspect. Thank you so much!

Buona Terra

4.7

4.7 (298)

$30 and under

Italian

Irving Park

About the restaurant

As one of the most beloved (and highest-rated) Italian restaurants in Chicago for over 22 years, the historic Buona Terra continues to serve scratch made pastas, brick oven pizza, fresh fish and seafood options as well as chops and steaks. The wine selection is meticulously chosen (and inspired by our yearly trips to Italy for the Vin Italy fair) to pair with our different plates made with the freshest ingredients.
Chef Chepe sources fresh items from the market daily. He butchers our fish and meats daily, makes all of our sauces and soups in house and most of our deserts. You might note that you see familiar faces as our servers have been with us since we opened our doors.
Whether you've been here a hundred times or tonight is the first visit, we think that you'll "Come for the food, leave as a friend".

Closed Super Bowl Sunday, February 9th.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

We love going to Buona Terra! The food is wonderful and the service is so great! A great way to spend a birthday!

Gibsons Italia

4.8

4.8 (4193)

$31 to $50

Italian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Gibsons Italia is built on a tradition & elegance that is relentless in the pursuit of the very best. Chef-driven tastes of Italy are paired with the superiority of Gibsons Steakhouse, creating a restaurant that makes the familiar, exceptional. Beautiful private dining and events spaces available.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

We had a great dinner celebrating our anniversary and the service was excellent!!

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Via Carducci - Wicker Park

4.8

4.8 (668)

$30 and under

Italian

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Rustic Southern Italian Cuisine features plenty of natural ingredients from the four basic food groups. Here at Via Carducci we use only fresh ingredients to insure the best possible quality. We feature regional Italian wines that best complement the cuisine of Southern Italy. Since we cannot take you back to Calabria, we have brought a little of Calabria to you.

Top review

James

Dined on 22 Feb 2025

Amazing Service and Food. We love this place and everything is authentic

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