If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that a hearty plate of pasta is always a good choice. Heavy with Italian tradition, Chicago is home to some of the country’s best red sauce restaurants. From timeless classics, such as spaghetti and meatballs and chicken Vesuvio, to contemporary offerings featuring fancy ingredients like truffles, there’s a lot of variety to be had. Some spots have histories that span decades while others are relative newcomers. But the one thing they all have in common: Cooking that’ll make Nonna proud. Of course, Italian cuisine is a broad category, and those looking for more options are encouraged to check out Eater Chicago’s guides to pizza (and pizza, and pizza), pastas, and Italian beef to get the full
flavor of the city.
The latest update adds Bar Tutto, Alla Vita, Fioretta, La Scarola, and Mart Anthony’s Italian Restaurant to the mix, joining a roster of stalwarts that have kept Chicago’s Italian dining scene thriving for generations. Here are some of the city’s most stellar options for Italian cuisine.
— Additional reporting by Ashok Selvam and Jeffy Mai
