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Quartino Ristorante
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Quartino Ristorante
8.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Since 2005, Quartino has operated as River North’s all-purpose Italian enoteca, turning out housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and antipasti in a loud, always-busy room. Enormous multi-platform review volume and steady crowds at nearly all hours make it a default choice for groups wanting shareable Italian without formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Tagliatelle bolognese, Salumi and cheese board
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.3
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: High-volume Italian small-plates house with hand-cut pasta and late hours.
Who should go: Groups wanting lively, shareable Italian with wine.
When to visit: Evenings before peak to avoid the loudest rush.
What to order: Margherita pizza, tagliatelle bolognese, salumi board.
Insider tip: Order several half-portion pastas so the table can sample widely.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site lot; expect paid River North garages within a 1–2 block walk and limited metered street parking (often difficult after 6pm). Rideshare is common during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy in the evenings.
Noise level: Loud and lively during peak hours — conversation is possible but raised voices are common at dinner.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; shorter waits earlier in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; walk-ins are usually seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple antipasti, salads, pizzas, and several pastas can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads and vegetable antipasti may work with modifications; confirm ingredients with staff.
Gluten-free options: Selective accommodation — some dishes can be modified and there are gluten-free-friendly items, but no dedicated gluten-free kitchen or prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for energetic, social dates than quiet conversation — the atmosphere is lively and often loud, but fun if you want a casual, bustling Italian spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they seat many walk-ins, especially earlier in the evening and at lunch, but expect a wait at peak weekend dinner times.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes — shareable plates and pizzas work well for families, though the room can feel noisy and busy for very young children during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, shared plates, casual celebrations, and lively Italian meals with steady pacing and broad menu coverage.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate dinner, highly personalized service, or refined, fine-dining Italian — choose a smaller, more formal restaurant instead.
Quartino Ristorante
8.7
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Late Night Legends
Quartino is a longtime River North Italian spot where Neapolitan-style pizzas share the table with salumi, pastas, and carafes of wine until after midnight. Dough is made daily and fired in a stone hearth, making it one of the most reliable late-night thin-crust options in 60654 for groups leaving nearby bars or theaters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza (mozzarella, tomato, sweet basil), San Daniele Pizza with prosciutto, wild arugula & Grana Padano, Gnocchi with truffle cream
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A 2005-born Italian small-plates and pizza institution with awards and serious late-night hours.
Who should go: Late-night groups sharing Italian small plates, pizzas, and carafes.
When to visit: Prime evening or late-night hours before last-call kitchen.
What to order: Margherita pizza, San Daniele pizza, a shared pasta.
Insider tip: Use the late-night hours to walk in at the bar when dining room waits are long.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages within 1–2 blocks. Valet availability can vary by evening and season — don’t assume it’s running late-night.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine; most guests lean slightly dressy in the evenings.
Noise level: Loud during peak and late-night hours — conversation is possible but raised voices are common.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation; bar and standing room sometimes move faster late-night.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; short hold during peak business-lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pizzas, salads, and pastas can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable plates and customizable pizza/salad builds; confirm ingredients with staff.
Gluten-free options: Select items can be modified; gluten-free pasta availability varies and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, lively dates — the upbeat room and shareable plates work well, but it’s not ideal if you want a quiet, intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially late-night — expect a wait at peak dinner; the bar and communal seating are your best bet for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably kid-friendly earlier in the evening with approachable pizzas and pastas; the vibe shifts louder and more adult-leaning late-night.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, shareable Italian plates, and reliable kitchen hours after midnight in 60654.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth Italian dinner or highly specialized Neapolitan pizza with strict dietary controls.
Quartino Ristorante
8.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quartino is a lively River North Italian spot where Neapolitan pizzas, housemade pastas, and small plates come out fast for sharing at big, family-sized tables. Open since 2005, it’s the go-to when you want approachable regional Italian, reasonable prices, and a room that can handle kids, grandparents, and out-of-town guests all at once.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Neapolitan Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana, Rigatoni alla Vodka
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-volume shared-plate Italian where families can try a lot for a fair price.
Who should go: Families and groups wanting casual, crowd-pleasing Italian.
When to visit: Early evening or weekend lunch before the room peaks.
What to order: Margherita pizza, chicken parmigiana, rigatoni alla vodka.
Insider tip: Order a mix of small pastas and pizzas family style instead of individual entrées.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; limited metered street parking with several nearby River North garages — allow extra time on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and comfortable attire are common.
Noise level: Lively and often loud during peak hours — conversation is possible but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak times.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though larger groups may queue briefly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple pizzas, pastas, and small plates are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Limited — a few sharable items and pizza/pasta modifications; confirm ingredients with the server.
Gluten-free options: Some GF-friendly items and pasta substitutions are typically available, but the kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, high-energy dinners than quiet, intimate dates — the room is busy and social.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect waits at prime times; join the list early or arrive before peak dinner service.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-style portions, fast pacing, and big tables work well for kids and multigenerational groups; earlier seatings are most comfortable.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, families, and casual celebrations where shareable Italian dishes, quick pacing, and value pricing matter most.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic meal, white-tablecloth service, or highly specialized dietary handling with strict cross-contamination controls.
Quartino Ristorante
8.7
Quartino is a long-running River North Italian spot where Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas, and salumi land at prices that make family sharing realistic. Families lean on big salads, thin-crust pies, and carafes of soda or wine in a noisy, tile-and-wood room that handles kids and groups without feeling chaotic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, San Daniele Prosciutto Pizza, Crispy Kale Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-volume Italian where shareable pizzas and pastas stay reliable and affordable.
Who should go: Families wanting lively Italian with shareable thin-crust pizzas.
When to visit: Early evenings or weekend lunches before peak crowds hit.
What to order: Margherita pizza, San Daniele prosciutto pizza, crispy kale pizza.
Insider tip: Book earlier in the evening and order in waves to keep pizzas and pastas arriving hot and shareable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; most guests use nearby River North garages or paid street parking when available — street parking is limited and competitive in the evenings.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and comfortable family-dining attire are common.
Noise level: Lively and loud during peak hours — conversation is possible but not hushed.
Weekend wait: Often 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though it can fill during convention or office lunch surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pizzas, salads, and pastas can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — some salads and sides can be modified, but pizzas and pastas are largely dairy-based.
Gluten-free options: Limited — there are some naturally gluten-free items, but pizza dough and most pastas are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or social dates than quiet, intimate ones — the energy is lively and the menu is easy to share, but the room can be loud during peak hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect a wait at peak times — walk-ins are common; arriving early evening or off-peak improves your chances of being seated faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — it’s well-suited for families, especially earlier in the evening; booths, shareable dishes, and a lively atmosphere make it comfortable for school-age kids and up.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, family sharing, and affordable Italian with reliable thin-crust pizzas in a lively setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet or romantic meal, gluten-free pizza or pasta options, or a refined fine-dining Italian experience.
Quartino Ristorante
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
Quartino is a high-volume enoteca where Neapolitan-style pizzas, housemade pastas and salumi are served in shareable portions ideal for grazing through a date-night spread. With thousands of multi-platform reviews and outdoor seating, it’s a long-running River North staple couples use when they want lively energy rather than hushed formality. Strong value on pastas, pizzas and quartino wine pours keeps it in constant rotation for both locals and visitors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle Bolognese, Campania Pizza, Duck Prosciutto
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: High-volume Italian wine bar where shareable plates and pastas dominate in a buzzy, indoor–outdoor setting.
Who should go: Couples who like buzzy, shareable Italian more than hushed formality.
When to visit: Weeknights or later evenings when patios and dining room hum.
What to order: Tagliatelle Bolognese, Campania pizza, duck prosciutto.
Insider tip: Ask for upstairs or patio seating if you want slightly calmer energy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet most nights; several paid garages within 1–2 blocks; metered street parking is limited and tough after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for evenings.
Noise level: Lively and buzzy; you can hold a conversation at close range, with upstairs/patio seating generally quieter than the main floor.
Weekend wait: 30–75 minutes without a reservation; bar and patio seats may turn faster.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait outside peak convention or tourist weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple meatless pizzas, pastas, salads, and antipasti are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be customized (no cheese/butter); confirm details with your server.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be adapted and gluten-free pasta is occasionally available; cross-contact is possible, so ask the kitchen if sensitivity is severe.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you prefer lively energy over quiet formality — shareable plates and quartino pours make it interactive, but the room can be loud at peak times.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially later evenings or early weeknights, but expect a wait during prime weekend hours; joining the waitlist and being flexible with upstairs or patio seating helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids and early seatings (pizza and pasta are easy wins), but the vibe becomes more adult and noisy later in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Lively, shareable Italian with strong value on pastas, pizzas, and quartino wine pours, plus space for groups and celebrations.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth date night, highly personalized pacing, or strict vegan/gluten-free dining with dedicated prep controls.