Best Trendy Table Hotspots Pizza Restaurants in River North
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Quartino Ristorante
High-volume Italian small-plates house with hand-cut pasta and late hours.
Notable Picks
8.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Since 2005, Quartino has operated as River North’s all-purpose Italian enoteca, turning out housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and antipasti in a loud, always-busy room. Enormous multi-platform review volume and steady crowds at nearly all hours make it a default choice for groups wanting shareable Italian without formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Tagliatelle bolognese, Salumi and cheese board
What makes it special: High-volume Italian small-plates house with hand-cut pasta and late hours.
#2
Siena Tavern
8.6
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Siena Tavern leans into a loud, party-friendly take on modern Italian, pairing housemade pastas and pizzas with big-format cocktails and a DJ-adjacent vibe. Since 2013 it has anchored Kinzie’s going-out strip for groups who want sharable plates and a social scene in one stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu beef meatball, Rigatoni alla vodka, Gnocchi with truffle cream
What makes it special: High-energy Italian spot where big meatballs, pizzas, and cocktails drive the night.
8.4
Perched along the riverwalk, Pizzeria Portofino focuses on hand-stretched pizzas, coastal-leaning salads, and spritzes with a strong patio-first mentality. The combination of waterfront views, shareable pies, and approachable pricing makes it a go-to for casual Italian lunches and group dinners in warm weather.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Charred pepperoni pizza, Mediterranean salad
What makes it special: Riverfront pizza and spritzes with a resort-like patio setting.
Worthy Picks
Authentic Neapolitan-style pizza crafted by Rossopomodoro-trained pizzaioli inside the 64,000 square foot Italian marketplace. Wood-fired 900°F ovens produce charred, elastic crusts with San Marzano tomatoes and creamy mozzarella.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita DOC, Diavola, Cacio e Pepe Pasta
What makes it special: Authentic Neapolitan pizza with imported Italian ingredients in a marketplace setting