The Absolute Best Italian Restaurants In Chicago

A far cry from its meat-and-potatoes past (via Encyclopedia of Chicago), Chicago is now one of the most acclaimed and eclectic restaurant cities in the world. Whether it’s playing host to the James Beard Awards or the arrival of the Michelin Guide, not to mention the endless array of new restaurants popping up throughout various neighborhoods, the Windy City’s food scene is booming. The result is a true melting pot, culinarily speaking, with an expansive range of dining styles and cuisines to excite any appetite. In particular, Chicago happens to be an Italian culinary wonderland, and we’re not just talking deep-dish pizza. 

Italian restaurants across the city come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from old-school casual red sauce joints to high-end downtown destinations full of glitz, glamour, and accolades. Chicago has shown it’s got an endless appetite for Italian food — and these are the best spots in town to enjoy it.