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 2 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(3299)

Price: Expensive

• Croatian • West Loop

Booked 104 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(1545)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • River North (Chicago)

Booked 224 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(2301)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Italian • West Loop

Booked 136 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(159)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • West Town

Booked 31 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(492)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • River North (Chicago)

Booked 4 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!

A photo of Sunda New Asian - Fulton Market restaurant

8. Sunda New Asian - Fulton Market

4.6

Exceptional(219)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • West Loop

Booked 61 times today

Located in Chicago’s culinary destination, Fulton Market, Sunda offers a vibrant Southeast Asian dining experience, blending the flavors of Japan, China, the Philippines, Thailand, and beyond. We elevate culturally significant dishes using high-quality ingredients and modern techniques. Our beverage program includes signature handcrafted cocktails, a robust sake and wine selection, and Asian whiskies and beers. Our venue hosts private events for occasions from corporate outings to rehearsal dinners, and we also offer catering services.

9. La Serre

4.6

Exceptional(436)

Price: Expensive

• French • West Loop

Booked 49 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.

10. il Porcellino

4.7

Exceptional(4228)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • River North (Chicago)

Booked 82 times today

Il Porcellino, located in the heart of River North in downtown Chicago, is a neighborhood restaurant offering classic Italian-American comfort food in a casual setting. Our seasonal menu focuses on housemate pastas, vegetable antipasti and daily specials, all crafted with ingredients sourced from quality artisans, purveyors, and local farmers. The fun and approachable wine program encourages sharing with selections primarily from Italy. As a way to offset rising costs associated with the restaurant (food, beverage, labor, benefits, supplies), we have added a 3% surcharge to all checks. We do this in lieu of increased menu prices. You may request to have this taken off your check, should you choose.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
adrienneVIP
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great food, good service and nice location!! Highly recommend the rigatoni, pepperoni hot pizza and Cesar salad with chicken!
More info
Pizzeria PortofinoPrice: Expensive• Italian• River North (Chicago)
•
4.8
SB
SandyB
Chicago / Illinois •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Everything was wonderful Food, cocktails Recommendations service … The ONLY thing to improve upon and it’s small.. is the restroom experience Pathway to restrooms is downstairs … and Smelled like mildew and felt like a dungeon They Obviously cared enough to make the actual restroom nice and updated, but the hallway is unfinished and needs to be basement proofed and finished to match the level that the restaurant deserves
More info
Rose MaryPrice: Expensive• Croatian• West Loop
•
4.8
C
Christine
Seattle / Eastern Washington •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The table bread is a must. The Cacio e Pepe pillows (so fluffy) and Rigatoni (just a little spicy in a good way) were delicious! Fried potatoes and delicate squash were excellent. Roasted chicken was just a little crispy and so flavorful. Soppressata pizza was sweet and salty. So good. Can’t wait for leftovers. Tossed salad was just ok IMO.
More info
Alla VitaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Italian• West Loop
•
4.8
D
David
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
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.
More info
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. Sunda New Asian - Fulton Market

9. La Serre

10. il Porcellino

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