My Go-To Homestyle Italian Restaurants in Chicago 🍝

Sharing a few authentic, cozy Italian spots I always return to in Chicago when craving hearty, homemade-style pasta and more! 📍 Tortello Watching the chefs hand-roll and cut pasta in the open kitchen is so therapeutic 🧑‍🍳✨ You can even find their fresh pasta at local grocery stores! The space is small but warm and playful — the Vespa hanging from the ceiling feels like a trip to Sicily 🛵🍋 My go-to: Aglio e Olio — just olive oil, garlic, lemon, and chili flakes, cooked al dente to perfection. Pure carb joy 🍝 Their house wine is also affordable and delicious 🍷 📍 Piccolo Sogno Always packed with local families — you’ll even hear Italian accents around the room 🤌 We’ve ordered these three dishes countless times and still love them: 🍝 Pappardelle con Cinghiale – Rich wild boar ragù over wide pasta. Ask for extra Parmesan grated tableside! 🐟 Halibut Al Forno – Tender, flaky halibut with a tangy citrus sauce — fresh and flavorful. 🍰 Tiramisu – Bold with mascarpone and espresso, paired perfectly with an Espresso Martini. Also recommend their mushroom risotto! Never had a miss here — everything is simple, rustic, and delicious. 📍 Topo Gigio Ristorante Finally tried this popular “little mouse” restaurant — portions are huge, perfect for group dinners! The vibe feels like a bustling trattoria in a small Italian town 🏘️🍷 Must-tries: 🦞 Lobster Seafood Pasta – Rich, flavorful sauce packed with seafood. 🐂 Braised Veal Risotto – Tender, fall-apart meat in creamy risotto. We also let our server pick an Italian red wine — great choice! For slightly fancier, date-worthy Italian spots, I love Tre Dita and Ciccio Mio — will share more about those next time 🥂 #ChicagoEats #ItalianFood #HomestyleCooking #PastaLove #ChicagoRestaurants #ComfortFood