Best Italian Restaurants In Chicago

Italian influence is a large part of Chicago's history, and not just Al Capone and the mafia. While the city has come a long way since the age of prohibition and gangsters, Chicago is greatly influenced by Italian culture with a large Italian population.

Many people from Italian descent live in one of two Italian neighborhoods: Little Italy, located along several blocks of Taylor Street in the West Loop, and the Heart of Italy, a much smaller neighborhood found on the Lower West Side. Both neighborhoods are known for the restaurants, which serve delicious, classic Italian fare.

Many Italian restaurants are scattered throughout the city besides the Italian neighborhoods, making Chicago one of the best places for delicious Italian cuisine.

The next time you're craving some hearty Italian cooking, head over to any one of these popular Italian restaurants.

The Rosebud
1500 W. Taylor St.
(312) 942-1117

This Italian restaurant, which also has a few locations in the city's suburbs, is the original Rosebud. It serves classic Italian fare in a formal but comfortable atmosphere. Although it is a formal place, you won't be turned away if you're wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Go there to dine on huge portions of pastas and house specialties or to spot celebrities; Both Mel Gibson and John Cusack have been known to frequent this popular spot.

Average Dinner Entree: $15-$25

Bice Ristorante
158 E. Ontario St.
(312) 664-1474

This urban, sophisticated, contemporary Italian restaurant serves generous portions and appetizers large enough for two. The management and staff are all Italian-born which gives the restaurant a truly authentic feel. The sleek and glamorous dining room is a perfect spot to linger over a delicious meal.

Average Dinner Entree: $15-$25

Coco Pazzo
300 W. Hubbard St.
(312) 836-0900

This favorite Italian restaurant serves boldly-flavored Tuscan dishes featuring homemade pastas, fresh seafood, steaks and chops and even items from the wood-burning oven. Their quarterly menu guarantees fresh, seasonal specials. The lofty space is comfortable, with wood floors amd exposed beams.

Average Dinner Entree: $25 or more

Italian Village Restaurants
71 W. Monroe St.
(312) 332-7005

This trio of Italian restaurants has been an establishment in the Loop since 1927. Each restaurant serves Italian food in a slightly different way. Vivere, located on the first floor, is a stylish spot that serves classic Italian fare. The Village, serving Northern-Italian cuisine, is a family-oriented Italian restaurant and is the least expensive of the three. La Cantina is a mid-range, seafood-focused restaurant decorated to look like a wine cellar.

Average Dinner Entree: all three range from $15-$25

Mia Francesca
3311 N. Clark St.
(773) 281-3310

This popular Italian restaurant is always crowded and noisy, and there is usually a wait for a table. Their pasta dishes are large enough for two, and their pizza is also a favorite. The narrow dining room is packed full with tables, adding to its charm. In 2001, another bar and extra tables were added upstairs to accommodate the bustling crowd.

Average Dinner Entree: $15-$25