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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

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67 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Walnut Room - Chicago restaurant
1. The Walnut Room - Chicago
4.6
Exceptional(7779)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown / Loop
Booked 26 times today
For Large Parties 21 or more: please contact us at http://macysrestaurants.com/contact-us/ For Holiday Questions and Menu: http://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/holiday2024/The world famous Walnut Room has been a Chicago tradition since 1907. Located on the 7th floor of Macy's on State Street, the Walnut Room was the first restaurant ever opened in a department store. Conveniently located in the heart of the Chicago theater district, the Walnut Room is an excellent choice to take a break from shopping or for a meal and a glass of wine before the show. Enjoy our Famous Mrs. Herring's Chicken Pot Pie and other well known favorites on the menu.
A photo of il Carciofo restaurant
2. il Carciofo
4.5
Awesome(249)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • West Loop
Booked 146 times today
Located in the historic Fulton Market district of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, il Carciofo is a Roman Italian restaurant drawing inspiration from the restaurants and markets in one of Chef Joe's favorite cities, Rome. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu of elevated yet familiar Italian fare with traditional antipasti, Roman-style pizzas, hand-rolled pastas produced daily in a dedicated pasta lab and market-driven mains that highlight the season's bounty.
A photo of Girl & the Goat restaurant
3. Girl & the Goat
4.8
Exceptional(15046)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • West Loop
Booked 196 times today
Girl & the Goat opened in 2010 with the goal of offering a menu of bold, flavorful dishes designed to share in a fun and lively atmosphere. To complement the experience, we offer a curated selection of wines from around the world, focusing on small producers, along with a rotating list of craft beers and a playful cocktail menu crafted by our bartenders. The ever-changing menu, driven by locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, features favorites like sautéed green beans, roasted oysters, crispy short ribs, and confit goat belly. While reservations are encouraged for the dining room, our bar welcomes walk-ins, adventurers, and those who prefer spontaneity.
A photo of Duck Duck Goat restaurant
4. Duck Duck Goat
4.8
Exceptional(5688)
Price: Expensive
• Chinese • West Loop
Booked 150 times today
Chef Stephanie Izard brings her take on Chinese-American cuisine to Chicago's Fulton Market District with Duck Duck Goat, her third venture with Boka Restaurant Group. The menu features hand-pulled noodles, house-made dumplings, wontons, fried rice, and more, ensuring no diner leaves hungry. On weekends, Duck Duck Goat also offers a delightful dim sum brunch menu, perfect for starting the day with a creative twist on classic favorites.
A photo of Gibsons Italia restaurant
5. Gibsons Italia
4.8
Exceptional(4157)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • River North (Chicago)
Booked 203 times today
Gibsons Italia is built on a tradition & elegance that is relentless in the pursuit of the very best. Chef-driven tastes of Italy are paired with the superiority of Gibsons Steakhouse, creating a restaurant that makes the familiar, exceptional. Beautiful private dining and events spaces available.
A photo of BLVD Steakhouse restaurant
6. BLVD Steakhouse
4.2
Awesome(2996)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • West Loop
Booked 46 times today
BLVD Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse inspired by Hollywood's Sunset Blvd—the golden era's famed strip of dining and entertainment establishments. Our space embodies the glamour and luxury that defined Old Hollywood, offering sophisticated yet approachable service with a chef-driven menu of prime cuts, fresh seafood, and other seasonal favorites from Celebrity Chef/Partner Joe Flamm. Outside, our massive full season patio with a sprawling bar evokes an enchanted ‘secret garden’ look and feel with lush greenery, linen curtains, luxe upholstery, and romantic string lighting.
A photo of Boka restaurant
7. Boka
4.8
Exceptional(7275)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Lincoln Park
Booked 50 times today
Michelin-starred Boka Restaurant has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s dining scene since 2003. In 2014, following a major renovation, Chef Lee Wolen joined as Executive Chef and Partner, quickly gaining critical acclaim. Named “Chef of the Year” by both Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago in 2014, and again in 2015, Lee has helped elevate Boka to new heights. The restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine that highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The sophisticated yet inviting ambiance sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience, with daily-changing tasting menus that showcase timeless and seasonal American flavors.
A photo of La Serre restaurant
8. La Serre
4.6
Exceptional(521)
Price: Expensive
• French • West Loop
Booked 70 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.
A photo of Proxi restaurant
9. Proxi
4.6
Exceptional(2456)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • West Loop
Booked 22 times today
Proxi offers Modern American Cuisine with cooking that reflects the diversity, innovation, and openness of American culture. Proxi showcases seasonal ingredients in an elegant setting, emphasizing open-fire cooking. Located in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood along Restaurant Row, Proxi, designed by award-winning Meyer Davis, unites an award-winning team to transport its guests around the world, beginning with cuisine and extending to an eclectic beverage program focused on worldly inspirations and diverse, exotic ingredients. Casual, yet fast-paced service guides Proxi’s international culinary experience, with fine-dining standards and in-depth product knowledge leading the charge, balanced by genuine energy and enthusiasm.
A photo of Daisies Chicago restaurant
10. Daisies Chicago
4.8
Exceptional(318)
Price: Expensive
• American • Logan Square
Booked 84 times today
Midwest Italian restaurant focusing on house made pastas, utilizing vegetables from Chef Joe Frillman’s family farm. Our bakery and cafe serves La Colombe Coffee alongside an array of pastries and sandwiches crafted by Chef Leigh Omilinksy.Dinner reservations are available Tuesday - Sunday; we are closed for dinner service on Mondays. Our cafe operates from 7:00am - 3:00pm every day. Lunch is available from 11:00am - 2:00pm every day. We do not take lunch or cafe reservations, it is first come first served. Please note that there will be a 25% service charge applied to all bills. This goes to pay our staff equitably as well as provide health and other benefits not typically offered in restaurants.

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Stephanie
    New York City •1 review
    5.0
    Dined today
    There wasn’t anything I ordered that I didn’t like. I truly enjoyed every bite. My favorite thing on the menu ……. Pretty much everything. My husband and I ordered the duck & goat spring rolls, the potstickers, crab Rangoon, pickled cucumbers, duck fried rice, fried chicken dish, and the beef with broccoli. Oh wait and we added the pork belly! We wanted to try as much as we could since it was our first time there and we are also visiting from NYC. Book the reservation and enjoy 🤍
    More info
    Duck Duck GoatPrice: Expensive• Chinese• West Loop
    •
    4.8
  • Annie
    Chicago / Illinois •1 review
    5.0
    Dined today
    Food and service both fantastic. Both at the bar and in the dining room.
    More info
    il CarciofoPrice: Expensive• Italian• West Loop
    •
    4.5
  • SandyE
    Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Jose was an excellent server. Made great recommendations. Food was very good Charcuterie was perfect for 4, small caesar salad was shareable. Mushroom ravioli dish was very good as well. We had a great view looking out at Muddy Waters mural. Great for pre show dinner. And of course , the building is iconic Chicago history!
    More info
    The Walnut Room - ChicagoPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Loop
    •
    4.6
  • Eli
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    A truly special dining experience, every dish was incredible and the wine pairing suggestion was on point. I appreciated the close attention to detail with my food allergies and was able to get several dishes modified in a way that didn’t appear to compromise on flavor! It’s a beautiful and comfortable space as well.
    More info
    Girl & the GoatPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• West Loop
    •
    4.8
  • Mikayla
    Dallas - Fort Worth •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    We were traveling to Chicago from Dallas to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and made reservations for Gibson's ahead of time. It was everything I thought it would be! We had the espresso martini mocktails and they were delicious, genuinely very surprised! We had gotten the chef's tasting board of steaks, and they were divine, cooked to perfection. Cody was our server and took excellent care of us- courses came out in a timely manner, was checking on us with consistency, gave great recommendations for drinks and food. Next time we are in Chicago, we will definitely be dining here!
    More info
    Gibsons ItaliaPrice: Expensive• Italian• River North (Chicago)
    •
    4.8

Discover best hot spot restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

Discover the culinary gems of Little Italy / University Village in Chicago, where each restaurant serves as a vibrant hot spot for both locals and visitors. This neighborhood is renowned for its eclectic dining scene that perfectly blends traditional Italian fare with modern culinary innovations. Whether you're in the mood for rustic Italian pizzas, contemporary American cuisine, or exotic fusion dishes, the area's restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and dining experiences. The ambiance across these venues varies from intimate and cozy settings ideal for romantic dinners to lively, bustling atmospheres perfect for group gatherings. Each establishment not only promises a unique gastronomic journey but also consistently delivers high-quality service and an inviting atmosphere. The dining scene in Little Italy / University Village is a bustling hub of culinary excellence, attracting food lovers who seek both authenticity and creativity in their dining choices. Engage with this vibrant community and make your next meal memorable by reserving a spot at one of these top-rated hot spots.

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