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Coco Pazzo
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Coco Pazzo
8.2
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Date Night Magic
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Operating since 1992, Coco Pazzo is a Tuscan-leaning loft restaurant known for seasonal antipasti, wild-boar pappardelle, and wood-roasted mains. Its high ceilings and warehouse bones make it a fit for longer, more traditional sit-down dinners with a strong wine focus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle ai cinghiale, Melanzane Parmigiana, Risotto del giorno
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Long-running Tuscan restaurant combining loft-like space with classic trattoria cooking.
Who should go: Guests wanting quieter, wine-driven Italian dinners.
When to visit: Leisurely weekend dinners or business meals midweek.
What to order: Pappardelle ai cinghiale, melanzane Parmigiana, daily risotto.
Insider tip: Ask about off-menu seasonal specials; the kitchen leans into market produce.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet typically available in the evenings; garage parking nearby along Hubbard and Kinzie; street parking limited, especially weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room; upscale denim acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation-friendly at most tables, slightly louder during peak weekend dinners.
Weekend wait: Often booked; expect limited walk-in availability and 30–60 minutes at the bar without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, with smoother pacing and easier day-of reservations.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — pastas, salads, antipasti, and seasonal vegetable dishes are regularly available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be adjusted; best to call ahead for accommodations.
Gluten-free options: Several pasta and entrée items can be prepared gluten-free on request; staff is accustomed to dietary notes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the warm lighting, lofted space, and slower pacing work well for conversation-focused dates, especially if you want a classic, wine-driven Italian experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — smaller parties may be seated early or late evening, but prime weekend times usually require advance reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally suitable for older kids or special family dinners; no children’s menu and the atmosphere leans more formal than casual.
Best For
Better for: Traditional Tuscan cooking, polished service, and a refined, linger-over-wine dining style in a classic River North setting.
Skip if: You want trendy small plates, loud buzzy energy, or a more casual, budget-friendly Italian meal.
Coco Pazzo
8.5
Coco Pazzo is a longtime Tuscan restaurant in a lofted River North space, known for wood-fired pastas, whole fish, and an all-Italian wine list. Since the early 1990s, locals have used it for quieter celebrations and business dinners just off the main Hubbard bar strip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni alla Buttera, Funghi e Gorgonzola pizza, King salmon
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Seasoned Tuscan kitchen in a lofted space where pastas, whole fish, and Italian wines have quietly stayed reliable for decades.
Who should go: Diners wanting classic Italian in a calmer River North room.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or early weekend seatings before it fills.
What to order: Rigatoni alla Buttera, Funghi e Gorgonzola pizza, king salmon.
Insider tip: Use it for polished but not showy client dinners when you want Italian that still feels like a neighborhood standby.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages within a 1–2 block walk. Valet availability can vary by evening — call ahead if this is essential.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room, but polished jeans are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate-quiet — you can hold a full conversation without raising your voice, especially on weeknights.
Weekend wait: Typically manageable with a reservation; without one, expect limited walk-in availability and potential waits of 30–45 minutes at peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, though smaller business-lunch surges can occur near 12–1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pasta, pizza, and vegetable-focused starters can be made or served vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — some salads and vegetable dishes may be adaptable with modifications; best to confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Possible — many mains and some pastas can be prepared without gluten upon request, but there is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the calm, lofted dining room and unshowy service make it a strong choice for a low-key but refined first date where conversation matters.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — early or late seatings are your best bet. Peak weekend times usually require a reservation, especially for larger parties.
Is it kid-friendly? It can accommodate well-behaved older kids, but the atmosphere leans adult and quiet — better suited for families with teens than very young children.
Best For
Better for: Quieter Italian dining in River North with a long-running Tuscan focus, polished service, and a calmer atmosphere than the nearby bar-and-scene-heavy restaurants.
Skip if: You want trendy, high-energy Italian, bargain pricing, or very casual pizza-and-pasta dining — this is more formal, paced, and occasion-leaning.