Best Italian Restaurants in Lincoln Park (60614)
9 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
8.4
Chef Riccardo Michi, whose family ran a Milan restaurant since 1943, brings genuine Tuscan and Milanese traditions to this intimate Lincoln Park spot. A former Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, the kitchen excels at osso buco, handmade pastas, and preparations that feel transported from Northern Italy.
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
8.3
This 2025 opening from Cornerstone Restaurant Group brought chef Matt Eckfeld from Major Food Group's Carbone to helm a neighborhood red-sauce joint. The tavern-style pizzas with 48-hour fermented dough and handmade pastas honor the former Tarantino's space while adding contemporary polish.
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
#5
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
8.1
The casual wine bar sibling of Riccardo Trattoria sits directly across the street, focusing on antipasti, handmade pastas, and thin-crust pizzas. The intimate storefront with just a few tables creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for lingering over a bottle of Italian wine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Bolognese, Brick Oven Flatbread, Bucatini Carbonara
What makes it special: Same quality as Riccardo Trattoria in a more casual wine bar setting
Worthy Picks
Since 2015, owner Dino has been crafting authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas using imported Italian flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh burrata. The wood-fired oven produces a signature fluffy crust that earned recognition from WGN's Chicago's Best Pizza.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chili Burrata & Prosciutto Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Calabrese Soppressata
What makes it special: Imported Italian ingredients and authentic wood-fired technique
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
This 1996 Lincoln Park staple delivers generous bowls of straightforward Italian-American pasta in a cozy, quirky atmosphere. The open kitchen lets you watch cooks toss your farfalle pollo or spaghetti and meatballs while the full bar pours drink specials late into the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Farfalle Pollo, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lobster Ravioli
What makes it special: Nearly 30 years of crowd-pleasing pasta at honest prices
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