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Nonnina
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Nonnina
8.2
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Nonnina feels like a modernized neighborhood red-sauce spot, serving big bowls of pasta, meatballs, and cutlets in a space that balances after-work energy with family friendliness. A separate counter next door handles quick slices and sandwiches for daytime traffic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni alla vodka, Prime beef meatballs, Chicken Parmesan
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Modern red-sauce cooking with both sit-down dining and a neighboring slice counter.
Who should go: Anyone craving hearty pasta and classic Italian mains.
When to visit: Weeknights for relaxed dinners or lunches with colleagues.
What to order: Rigatoni alla vodka, meatballs, chicken Parm.
Insider tip: Use the attached counter spot for quicker lunches or solo meals.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages. Valet is occasionally available during peak evenings — call ahead to confirm.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly dressy during dinner hours.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is doable at smaller tables, but it can feel busier during peak dinner service.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; shorter waits early evening.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait except during business lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — several pasta and starter options are naturally vegetarian or easily modified.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be adapted, but menus lean traditional and dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free friendly choices (salads, mains); pasta substitutions may be limited — ask your server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a relaxed, classic Italian setting with generous portions and a comfortable feel — it’s better for casual conversation than ultra-quiet romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or early evening, but expect a wait during prime weekend dinner hours; the bar or patio (when open) can be your best bet for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common earlier in the evening and at lunch. The menu is approachable for kids, though peak dinner hours can feel lively and crowded.
Best For
Better for: Hearty red-sauce comfort dishes, generous portions, and dependable business-lunch or family dinners in a casual-but-polished setting.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge Italian, a very quiet dining room, or extensive vegan/gluten-free options — a more specialized spot may fit better.
Nonnina
8.2
Nonnina leans into red-sauce Italian comfort with upgraded pastas, big portions, and a quieter, more classic feel than some of its flashier neighbors. The sidewalk patio is dog-friendly and sees plenty of locals lingering over wine, rigatoni, and eggplant while their dogs curl up by the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggplant Parmigiana, Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce, Carbonara with housemade spaghetti and pancetta
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Old-school Italian comfort food with modern polish and a relaxed, dog-friendly patio just off the river.
Who should go: Pasta-focused diners wanting cozy Italian with their pup nearby.
When to visit: Early evenings or weeknights for calmer patio energy.
What to order: Eggplant Parmigiana, Rigatoni Vodka, Carbonara and a carafe of wine.
Insider tip: If you’re planning a longer meal, ask for a corner patio table so your dog has extra space under the two-top.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; expect paid garages within a 1–2 block walk. Valet is sometimes offered during peak dinner hours — confirm when reserving.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly dressy in the evening.
Noise level: Moderate — indoor dining can get lively, but the patio is typically calm enough for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; the patio can fill first in warm weather.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though smaller patio tables may be limited on sunny days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pastas, salads, and appetizers can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified; best to ask the server about swaps and olive-oil prep.
Gluten-free options: Several items can be prepared gluten-free and gluten-free pasta is often available on request; confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the quieter patio and classic Italian comfort food make it warm and low-pressure, especially for relaxed conversation over wine.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes on weeknights — but weekend evenings and patio seating are safest with a reservation or early arrival.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids and families — portions are shareable and the vibe is calm; it’s less suited to very young children during peak dinner hours.
Best For
Better for: Cozy, classic red-sauce dishes, a calmer atmosphere than flashier River North spots, and one of the more relaxed, dog-friendly patios in the area.
Skip if: You want high-energy nightlife dining, ultra-modern Italian, or a menu with extensive vegan choices.
Nonnina
8.1
Opened in 2016 by veterans of Piccolo Sogno, Nonnina nods to Italian grandmothers with big-bowl pastas, pizzas, and red-sauce classics in a comfortable River North room. Families and mixed-age groups lean on its approachable pricing, hearty portions, and the attached deli for simpler lunches and next-day leftovers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Margherita Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Red-sauce comfort and pizzas from a neighborhood-minded team with an attached deli.
Who should go: Families craving classic chicken parm and big bowls of pasta.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or weekend early evenings for relaxed pacing.
What to order: Chicken Parmigiana, rigatoni alla vodka, Margherita pizza.
Insider tip: Use Nonnina Deli at the front for easy kid-friendly sandwiches and slices on busy days.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; street parking is limited in the evening — most guests use nearby paid garages within a 1–2 block walk.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sweaters are common, but many guests lean slightly dressy for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate — family-friendly and lively at peak hours, but conversation is comfortable at earlier seatings.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially between 6:30–8:00pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait; quick seating except during convention or office rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple pastas, pizzas, and salads can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few modifiable items; confirm sauces, cheese, and bread options with the server.
Gluten-free options: Selective accommodations — some dishes can be modified and gluten-free pasta may be available on request; cross-contamination is possible in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a relaxed, casual-comfort Italian date — warm, neighborhood energy without feeling formal. If you want something quieter or more polished, choose an earlier seating or a nearby fine-dining option.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are most successful early evening or later in the night; peak weekend hours typically require a wait. The attached deli is a useful fallback for faster, simpler meals.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — portions are shareable, pricing is approachable, and earlier seatings work well for families. Expect a livelier room later in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Hearty red-sauce classics, big bowls of pasta, and approachable pricing for families and groups who want comfort food without formality.
Skip if: You’re seeking cutting-edge Italian, a very quiet special-occasion room, or strict vegan/gluten-free dining with highly controlled prep.