Best Italian Restaurants in Mid-North District
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 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
8.4
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
8.1
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