Best Date Night Italian Restaurants in Lincoln Park (60614)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
The original pizza pot pie, served nowhere else, created by attorney Albert Beaver
Notable Picks
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
This 1972 Lincoln Park icon invented the pizza pot pie—a theatrical bowl of Wisconsin brick cheese, homemade sauce, and Sicilian dough inverted tableside. The Mediterranean Bread alone has cult status, and the historic brownstone sits across from the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pizza Pot Pie, Mediterranean Bread, Oven Grinder Sandwich
What makes it special: The original pizza pot pie, served nowhere else, created by attorney Albert Beaver
8.6
Since 2001, this cozy Lincoln Park destination has earned a devoted following for housemade pasta dishes and classic Italian preparations. The three dining rooms across two levels stay packed with locals who return for dishes like the charred octopus and lobster ravioli.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cappellacci All'Aragosta, Vitello Meatballs, Gnocchi al Brivido
What makes it special: Nearly 25 years of housemade pasta and consistently excellent service
8.5
Riccardo Trattoria is chef Riccardo Michi’s intimate Northern Italian dining room, opened in 2006 and recognized with multiple past Michelin Bib Gourmand honors. White tablecloths, tightly packed tables, and a menu heavy on handmade pastas, risotto, and veal make it feel like a serious but still neighborhood-scaled date night splurge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Veal Osso Buco with Saffron Risotto, Pappardelle with Short Rib Ragu, Fried Zucchini Blossoms
What makes it special: Third-generation Italian restaurateur creating authentic Northern Italian cuisine
#4
DeNuccis
8.2
This 2023 addition from Ballyhoo Hospitality brings old-school Italian-American charm to a corner spot in Lincoln Park. The kitchen delivers crowd-pleasers like chicken parm with thick-cut breading and handmade tagliatelle bolognese in a space filled with big red booths and neighborhood energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Cutlet Parmesan, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Prosciutto Arancini
What makes it special: Fresh take on Italian-American classics with modern hospitality
8.2
Dimmi Dimmi, opened in 2025 by Cornerstone Restaurant Group, reimagines the corner Italian spot with tavern-style pizzas, handmade pastas, and a strong cocktail and amaro program. The stylish room and packed reservations book skew buzzy rather than hushed, making it a fun, higher-energy date night for couples who want Negronis, crudo, and thin-crust pizza in one sitting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orecchiette with Spicy Tomato Cream, Four Cheese Tavern Pizza, Spicy Vodka Stuffed Shells
What makes it special: Carbone-trained chef bringing upscale technique to neighborhood Italian
Worthy Picks
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
This colorful diner-style Italian spot offers build-your-own pasta combinations at prices that defy Lincoln Park real estate. Counter seating facing the open kitchen lets you watch sauces come together while the signature jalapeño gnocchi draws regulars back repeatedly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jalapeño Gnocchi, Gnocchi with Gorgonzola, Grilled Calamari
What makes it special: Gourmet pasta at diner prices near Steppenwolf Theatre