Best Casual Restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

264 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Peanut Park Trattoria restaurant

1. Peanut Park Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(237)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Italy / University Village

Booked 11 times today

Located in the heart of nostalgic "Little Italy" on Chicago's famed Taylor Street, Peanut Park is a traditional Italian joint brought to you by your friends at Coalfire and Tempesta Market.Chicago Magazine voted Peanut Park One of the Top Restaurants in Chicago February 2022 and Tasting Table said we are " One of the Absolute Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago" this past May 2022. Our menu is simple and we aim to celebrate Italian classics and timeless bistro favorites.We embody passion, integrity, and excellence while striving to provide an authentic dining experience by celebrating tradition and invoking the modern. Don't miss our handmade pastas, pizza and incredible cocktail menu. Join us in our dining room or dine al fresco on the rooftop for a one of a kind experience!

2. Pompei - Taylor

4.1

Excellent(7)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy / University Village

Pompei, on Taylor Street, is a fast casual “counter service” restaurant. It has a long-standing history throughout the Chicago area ever since it was first established in 1909. When first opened, Pompei served only baked bread and cheese pizzas. Over the years, the restaurant has expanded its menu to include many delectable dishes that have quickly become favorites for many of the locals while remaining true to its original roots.The dine-in menu features Italian sausage, hand rolled pizzas like the Signature Pizza Pompei or the Four Cheese and Tomato, plenty of house made pasta like the gnocchi and cheese ravioli and an array of pizza strudels like the Beef Angelo and the Pompei Italiano. Pompei also features incredible, freshly made desserts like the chocolate cannoli, "Italian chocolate sheet cake", bread pudding and the Taylor street cheesecake. Enjoy Pompei's seasonal outdoor seating for a true Al Fresco experience. Pompei offers (3) private banquet rooms and catering.

3. Rose Mary

4.8

Exceptional(3304)

Price: Expensive

• Croatian • West Loop

Booked 158 times today

Located in the historic Fulton Market district of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, Rose Mary is Chef/Owner Joe Flamm’s debut restaurant inspired by his Italian heritage and the bold, bright flavors of Croatian cuisine. The boisterous space—named for Flamm’s grandmothers, Mary and Mary Rose, and the herb rosemary, which grows natively along the Italian and Croatian coastlines—offers a seasonal menu of rustic yet refined dishes that encapsulate what Flamm has coined “Adriatic drinking food”.

A photo of Pizzeria Portofino restaurant

4. Pizzeria Portofino

4.8

Exceptional(1563)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • River North (Chicago)

Booked 177 times today

Pizzeria Portofino is a sun-drenched casual restaurant located directly on the Chicago riverfront offering hand-stretched pizzas, coastal wines, an expansive patio and breezy decor that will instantly transport you to the Italian Riviera.

5. Alla Vita

4.8

Exceptional(2308)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Italian • West Loop

Booked 129 times today

Serving a casual, family-style menu, Alla Vita is a place to gather and enjoy comfortable Italian cuisine. Alla Vita means “to life” in Italian which recognizes overcoming life's challenges and creating a space for shared meals and memorable experiences. Executive Chef Lee Wolen shares his passion for fresh, delicious Italian food made simply with the best ingredients. Follow @allavitachicago to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings.

6. Elina's

4.8

Exceptional(163)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • West Town

Booked 37 times today

Fine Italian cooking served by two chefs in an intimate space.Reservations are released 30 days in advance at midnight. Parties of 7 or more must contact Reservations@elinaschicago.com to book. Parties of this size are required to participate in a $75 per person family style prix fixe menu, drinks are charged based on consumption and a 20% gratuity will be added to the final bill. If you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation time you will incur a $30 per person cancelation fee.

A photo of Club Lago Restaurant restaurant

7. Club Lago Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(493)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • River North (Chicago)

Booked 11 times today

Opening its doors in 1952, Club Lago has anchored the corner of Superior and Orleans since before the neighborhood River North grew up around it. Serving classic Northern Italian specialties from the Garfagnana Valley in Tuscany to steaks, chops and signature sandwiches too, the Lago's staff will recommend the perfect entree for whatever mood you're in. Third generation owners GianCarlo and Guido are pouring the wine or serving the veal--it's a family affair. Time warp back to the fifties with a glass of chianti in a plush booth in the bar or hold court at one of the tables in the back; Club Lago's ideal for the first date, a meal before the theater or a game, or whenever you're looking to relax to great food and be a regular in a family joint. Some call it "retro," we call it home. Benvenuti, come on in!

8. La Serre

4.6

Exceptional(440)

Price: Expensive

• French • West Loop

Booked 82 times today

Inspired by the coastal regions of Provence and Saint-Tropez, La Serre, located in Fulton Market, invites guests into a lush and colorful greenhouse setting. The culinary approach highlights the light and vibrant cuisine of Provence, with a focus on native techniques and ingredients, offering lighter takes on the dishes of the French-Mediterranean landscape. Fresh vegetables, seafood, and all-natural Black Angus beef are expertly prepared on the kitchen’s hardwood charcoal hearth, infusing each dish with incredible wood and charcoal flavors, elevating the ingredients without heavy sauces or seasonings.Whether you're enjoying steak, seafood, or Mediterranean-inspired dishes, La Serre is the perfect destination for romantic dinners, dates, birthdays, or fine dining. The bar offers expertly crafted cocktails and drinks, providing the ideal atmosphere for any occasion, from a casual night out to an elegant celebration.

9. avec West Loop

4.8

Exceptional(844)

Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • West Loop

Booked 97 times today

avec, a wine-focused restaurant in Chicago, features Midwestern takes on Mediterranean classics. Inspired by the sun-drenched wine regions of the Mediterranean, avec West Loop has been a Chicago favorite for over 20 years. Originally conceived as a wine bar, avec is the second concept from celebrated one-off hospitality, with communal and bar seating—it is a high-energy, intimate, and interactive experience.For parties of 6 or more, please call us at 312-377-2002.

10. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

4.8

Exceptional(9310)

Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • Lincoln Park

Booked 217 times today

Cancellation policy: For parties of 5+ you need to cancel by 9am on the day of your reservation, otherwise it is a $25 fee. For smaller parties, please give us one hour in advance, in the event of a last minute cancellation or no show it is a $25 fee. Located in Lincoln Park, the All-Season Courtyard and Dining Rooms at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! are open with our new AIRPHX Air Filtration System. Your health is our top priority in all that we do. Steps we are taking: disposable and digital menus, continuous sanitation procedures & hand washing.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

Z
Zhenni
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
I always love coming here! I brought my brother who was visiting. We tried their Carbonara Pizza. It’s a heavier pizza but delicious!! Definitely had to order the ricotta pillows for my brother to try. I had their $25 lunch and ordered the Arancini to start, Campanelle for my main and lastly ended with tiramisu. We shared all of that as well. It was amaazzzingggg per usual.
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Alla VitaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Italian• West Loop
•
4.8
A
Angela
Chicago / Illinois •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
One of the best dinners I’ve ever had. Jess was the sweetest and most knowledgeable server, who made us feel relaxed and comfortable, and suggested an amazing bottle of wine to pair perfectly with our dishes. Everything was fantastic and it was a great experience!
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Rose MaryPrice: Expensive• Croatian• West Loop
•
4.8
K
KellyVIP
Chicago / Illinois •12 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Love Pizzeria Portofino's riverfront location & we were seated on the enclosed "patio" which was very nice but a little chilly. Also a bit loud. But the cocktails & food more than made up for that. I highly recommend the limoncello spritz - it's amazing! We had charred pepperoni pizza, vodka pasta pasta, octopus & arugula salad. All were good but the pizza was the star of our meal. Our server was excellent. We'll be back without a doubt.
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Pizzeria PortofinoPrice: Expensive• Italian• River North (Chicago)
•
4.8
D
David
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
The welcome to the restaurant was very pleasant. The service was friendly and very attentive. This was not my first visit to.Peanut Park. They are consistently friendly and attentive. The food is always excellent and reasonably priced. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
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Peanut Park TrattoriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy / University Village
•
4.7
BC
BridgetC
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 5, 2022
Always love coming here since I was a kid. The food is excellent and authentic.
More info
Pompei - TaylorPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy / University Village
•
4.1

Best Casual Restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

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264 restaurants available nearby

1. Peanut Park Trattoria

2. Pompei - Taylor

3. Rose Mary

4. Pizzeria Portofino

5. Alla Vita

6. Elina's

7. Club Lago Restaurant

8. La Serre

9. avec West Loop

10. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

See what locals rave about

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