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The Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

From Sarah Grueneberg's two-Michelin-star pasta temple to a James Beard–honored Logan Square kitchen — the handmade-pasta rooms worth a reservation.

By Dim Hour · Updated 2026-07-06 · 6 verified picks

The high bar for Italian in Chicago is Monteverde, Sarah Grueneberg's two-Michelin-star (2025) handmade-pasta temple in the West Loop. But the depth is the story: a River North pasta house pulling a 96 score, a Michelin Bib Gourmand in Logan Square, and a clutch of rooms making their own noodles daily. These are the picks worth a reservation, each scored and verified by Dim Hour. (For the sandwich, see our Chicago Italian beef guide.)

Most of these kitchens make pasta in-house and change the menu seasonally; reservations on Resy or OpenTable are the norm at the top tables.

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The Picks
1

Monteverde

Italian Pasta · West Loop / Fulton Market · $$$ · Dim Hour 94
🏆 Michelin 2 Stars (2025); James Beard Best Chef: Great Lakes 2017

Sarah Grueneberg's handmade-pasta temple in the West Loop holds two Michelin stars (2025) and serves some of the best noodles in America. The cacio e pepe and the tortelloni in brodo are the dishes people travel for; book on Resy well ahead.

Order: Cacio e Pepe · Tortelloni in Brodo · Burrata
📍 1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
2

Il Porcellino

Italian · River North · $$ · Dim Hour 96

A River North pasta house from Lettuce Entertain You — casual-chic without losing the comfort. The kitchen makes its own: the pappardelle alla Porcellino, sweet pea agnolotti, and burrata ravioli are the reasons to come.

Order: Pappardelle alla Porcellino · Sweet Pea Agnolotti · Housemade Burrata Ravioli
📍 59 W Hubbard St #2, Chicago, IL 60654, USA Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
3

Daisies

Italian / Midwestern · Logan Square · $$ · Dim Hour 88
🏆 Michelin Bib Gourmand · OpenTable Top 100 Brunch 2026; James Beard Best Chef (Joe Frillman) 2025 (semifinalist)

Chef Joe Frillman's Logan Square Italian — a Michelin Bib Gourmand where handmade pastas meet Midwestern produce. The menu changes with the farmers market, the bread program is excellent, and the natural-wine list is well-curated. Tajarin, trippa toast, and the beef-tongue rapini stand out.

Order: Beef Tongue Rapini · Triangoli Broc · Tajarin · Trippa Toast · Overpriced Tomato
📍 2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
4

RPM Italian

Italian · River North · $$$ · Dim Hour 91

Bill and Giuliana Rancic's glossy River North Italian, with handmade pasta that holds its own against the West Loop. Tableside cacio e pepe and a veal chop built for two anchor a Saturday-night scene; book on OpenTable.

Order: Cacio e Pepe (Tableside) · Veal Chop · Burrata
📍 52 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
5

Alla Vita

Italian / Pasta · West Town · $$ · Dim Hour 88

Boka Restaurant Group's West Town Italian, focused on handmade pasta and wood-fired dishes. The rigatoni alla vodka and cacio e pepe lead the menu, with the polished service and thoughtful wine list the Boka pedigree promises.

Order: Rigatoni alla Vodka · Cacio e Pepe · Wood-Fired Dishes · Italian Wine
📍 564 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
6

Apolonia

Italian · South Loop · $$ · Dim Hour 89

A South Loop Italian doing handmade pasta with real care — the rigatoni alla vodka is rich and properly saucy, the burrata creamy, and the tiramisu a proper ending. A neighborhood room that punches above its address.

Order: Rigatoni alla Vodka · Burrata · Tiramisu
📍 105 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Italian restaurant in Chicago?
The top Italian picks in Chicago include Monteverde, Il Porcellino, Daisies. Each is scored and verified by Dim Hour; see the full ranked list with signature dishes above.
What is the only two-Michelin-star Italian restaurant in Chicago?
Monteverde in the West Loop holds two Michelin stars (2025) for chef Sarah Grueneberg's handmade pasta.
Where is the best handmade pasta in Chicago?
Monteverde sets the bar, with Il Porcellino in River North and Daisies in Logan Square close behind — all make their pasta in-house.
Which Chicago Italian restaurant has a Michelin Bib Gourmand?
Daisies in Logan Square carries a Michelin Bib Gourmand; chef Joe Frillman has also been a James Beard Best Chef semifinalist.
What is the difference between this and Italian beef?
Italian beef is Chicago's signature sandwich — thin-sliced roast beef on a giardiniera-topped roll, dipped in jus. This guide covers sit-down Italian restaurants and handmade-pasta rooms; see our separate Chicago Italian beef guide for the sandwich.
Where is the best Italian in River North?
Il Porcellino and RPM Italian are both in River North and both make their own pasta.
Do these Chicago Italian restaurants take reservations?
Most take reservations (on Resy, OpenTable) — book ahead for the top tables, especially on weekends.
How expensive is Italian dining in Chicago?
It ranges from mid-priced neighborhood pasta rooms ($$) to the marquee tables like Monteverde ($$$). Most of these picks sit in the $$–$$$ band.
How many restaurants does Dim Hour cover in Chicago?
Dim Hour curates 788+ restaurants in Chicago, each scored and verified.
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Dim Hour scores every restaurant on food, service, ambiance, and value, and verifies every listing. This guide is updated as the catalog changes. Explore all Chicago restaurants →