Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Chicago

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

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

Unico Restaurante

4.9

4.9 (33)

$30 and under

Italian

Lower West Side

About the restaurant

Welcome to Unico Restaurante we look forward to serving you.

Top review

Marshall

Dined 7 days ago

outstanding food taste and great choices. Superb service. will definitely revisit

Buona Terra

4.9

4.9 (370)

$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

Maggie

Dined 5 days ago

Food was excellent! Appreciated server recommendations

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Popular dish

Spaghetti ai gamberetti

Popular dish

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Labriola Italian Specialties

4.8

4.8 (34)

$31 to $50

Italian

West Loop

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Fulton Market, Labriola Italian Specialties offers an elevated expression of classic Italian dining. From award-winning pizza and housemade pastas to signature Sicilian cannoli filled with Italian sheep’s milk ricotta, the menu is rooted in tradition with a modern Chicago sensibility. Backed by the legacy of renowned baker and restaurateur Rich Labriola, every detail reflects a commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The space transitions from bright, energetic daytime dining to a moody, intimate evening atmosphere, with layered lighting and an open kitchen that brings guests into the experience. With flexible seating, a vibrant bar, and a sidewalk patio in the warmer months, Labriola Italian Specialties is designed as a true all-day destination in the West Loop.

Top review

KristenGold

Dined on May 22, 2026

This is my new favorite neighborhood spot! Staff, service, drinks, and food are all amazing.

Viaggio Ristorante and Lounge

4.9

4.9 (2753)

$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

ChrisGold

Dined on May 21, 2026

Great food and service! Will be back soon! Can’t wait

Tutto Fresco

4.9

4.9 (358)

$30 and under

Italian

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Rustic Italian Restaurant with a combination of traditional classics and state-of-the-art fare. All of the dishes are prepared with an emphasis on using on the freshest, prime ingredients, keeping the integrity of traditional dishes while incorporating a new style, with the focus on taste.

Top review

Carol

Dined on May 10, 2026

We had a wonderful Mother's Day dinner! The service was attentive and the food was delicious!!

Riccardo Enoteca

4.9

4.9 (1291)

$31 to $50

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

DianaGold

Dined 4 days ago

Reliably good. Always enjoy dining here. Good choice

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Popular dish

LASAGNA AL GRATIN

Tuscany on Taylor

4.9

4.9 (2296)

$31 to $50

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

Marija

Dined 5 days ago

This is a lovely restaurant, inside and out. The food has never failed to impress us. The staff is consistently great. Attentive, personable and very good at their job.

Coco Pazzo

4.8

4.8 (3992)

$31 to $50

Italian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Timeless, classic Tuscan-inspired dining in our 115-year old timber and brick loft. Fresh pasta, whole fish, Porterhouse steaks served table side.

Conversation friendly with velvet drapes surrounding the dining room. We focus on attentive service and exceptional guest experiences.

Accolades include Crain's Chicago Best for business, Time Out best Italian restaurant, Eater Chicago, Michelin Guide, Jean Banchet Rising chef award, Wine Spectator Awards, Gambero Rosso Top Italian Restaurant & Best Italian Wine list award.
Named a top Italian restaurant by numerous publications such as Forbes, Eater, The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Social Magazine and more!

Semi-private, bar, and full buyouts for up to 200 guests.

One block from the Merchandise Mart in bustling River North.

Dine at the bar or reserve a table. Reservations are recommended but we also love walk ins!
HAPPY HOUR at the bar & outdoor patio 5-6pm M-F

Top review

SteveGold

Dined 2 days ago

I keep coming back to this Chicago favorite because it’s so very good. Bravo Jack and thanks for the lovely hospitality!

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Popular dish

Branzino al Forno

Popular dish

Rigatoni alla Buttera

Popular dish

Spaghetti alle Vongole

Piacere Mio Uptown

4.9

4.9 (110)

$31 to $50

Italian

Uptown

About the restaurant

Welcome to our Italian Restaurant. In the vein of a traditional Italian restaurant as a casual, local gathering place for food, friends and wine, our menu reflects Italian country food inspired by regional ingredients.

Top review

MatthewGold

Dined 3 days ago

Time and time again, Piacere Mio proves it is a gem; well-welcomed in this neighborhood and exactly what needed to go in this space. The food is delicious and the staff is friendly.

Topo Gigio

4.9

4.9 (353)

$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 ONLY! *

Top review

CharoGold

Dined 4 days ago

What a wonderful experience! Food was great. Excellent wine selection. Fun ambiance. The best part - our waiter. Speedy, friendly, thoughtful. This was the only restaurant who actually acknowledged that the meal was for a birthday (normally even when the restaurant asks if there’s a special occasion, they don’t really do anything without you asking).

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Popular dish

TORTELLINI alla PANNA

Popular dish

Meatballs

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