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Labriola
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Labriola
8.0
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Pet Friendly Paradise
Award-winning deep dish and thin-crust pizzas anchor this spacious Magnificent Mile Italian eatery, blending European tradition with American passion. Dog-friendly patio and versatile menu make it a neighborhood anchor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Award-Winning Deep Dish, Margherita Thin Crust, Pan Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Award-winning pizza in a vast space right off the Magnificent Mile
Who should go: Shoppers, business lunches, families wanting variety
When to visit: Lunch prix fixe offers great value; dinner for full experience
What to order: Deep dish pizza, garlic knots, tiramisu for dessert
Insider tip: Dog-friendly patio is perfect for afternoon escapes from Mag Mile crowds
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Grand Ave, Ohio St, or St Clair; valet available. Grand Red Line stop 2 blocks away. Expect to pay for garage parking in this Mag Mile location
Dress code: Casual to smart casual - tourist-friendly location means jeans and shopping attire welcome, no dress code enforced
Noise level: Loud and lively in main room - request back room seating for quieter conversation. Peak times get especially buzzy
Weekend wait: 15-30 min without reservation despite huge space; book ahead on OpenTable for groups
Weekday lunch: Usually seated quickly; prix fixe lunch moves efficiently
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie pizzas, pastas, salads, eggplant parm
Vegan options: Moderate - can make pizzas without cheese, vegan pasta sauces available; inform server upfront
Gluten-free options: Yes - GF thin crust pizza and GF penne pasta; shared kitchen means cross-contamination possible, not celiac-safe for severe cases
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Mixed - the main room is loud and bustling, not ideal for intimate conversation. However, request the back room or patio for a quieter experience. Good if you both want serious pizza; skip for romance-focused dining.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes due to the massive space, but weekends and holidays fill up. Reservations accepted via OpenTable for inside; patio seating is first-come, first-served only and cannot be reserved.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - reviewers call it 'kid welcoming, not just kid friendly.' Highchairs available, dedicated kids menu with pizza and pasta, garlic knots are a hit with little ones. Reservations help manage wait times with antsy children.
Best For
Better for: Groups and families who want options beyond just deep dish—full Italian menu with pasta, salads, chicken, and steak means everyone finds something. Dog-friendly patio is rare for Mag Mile. More accessible than Lou's or Gino's with reservations and massive capacity.
Skip if: You want the quintessential graffiti-wall tourist deep dish experience (go to Gino's East) or a quieter, more intimate Italian meal. The cavernous space and Mag Mile location mean it skews touristy and loud at peak times.
Labriola
8.4
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Founded by baker Rich Labriola, this Michigan Avenue spot doubles as an Italian restaurant and pizza café with serious bread credentials. Deep-dish pies, thin-crust pizzas, and pastas ride alongside salads and sandwiches, making it a flexible choice for everything from family lunches to casual pre-shopping dinners on the Mag Mile.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Garlic Knots
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: High-volume Mag Mile Italian café known for deep dish and breads.
Who should go: Families and groups wanting pizza near Michigan Avenue.
When to visit: Late lunch or early dinner to dodge peak tourist crush.
What to order: Chicago Deep Dish, Rigatoni alla Vodka, garlic knots.
Insider tip: If the dining room is packed, the bar area often turns tables faster.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce along Michigan Avenue — expect paid garage parking nearby; validation is not typical.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sweaters are common, but many guests lean slightly dressy due to the location.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak hours — conversation is possible but can feel energetic around large groups.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak tourist hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though lines can form during convention or shopping rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas, salads, and pastas can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but options are mostly pizza-and-pasta focused.
Gluten-free options: Partial accommodation — some salads and proteins work, but pizzas and pastas are not broadly gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual dates than intimate ones — the space is busy and energetic, but it works if you want a relaxed meal near Michigan Avenue.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially outside peak tourist windows — expect the bar or café side to seat faster than the main dining room.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — broad menu, pizza focus, and roomy tables make it suitable for families with school-age kids and older.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, mixed preferences, and visitors who want dependable pizza and Italian standards near the Mag Mile.
Skip if: You want quiet fine dining, highly regional Italian cooking, or a slow, romantic meal.
Labriola
8.1
Just off the Mag Mile, Labriola combines a bakery-café front with a full-service Italian restaurant and bar that stretches dinner into late evening, especially on weekends. Deep-dish pies, pastas, and substantial sandwiches make it a dependable option for late-night carb loading after shopping or a show.
Must-Try Dishes:
Danny's Special Deep Dish Pizza, Burrata & Basil Deep Dish Pizza, Italian Beef & Giardiniera Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A Mag Mile Italian spot where bakery roots meet deep-dish pizza and a bar that keeps the room going late.
Who should go: Groups wanting hearty pizza or pasta after shopping.
When to visit: Weekend nights 8–10 p.m. for a lively, late crowd.
What to order: Danny’s Special deep dish, Burrata & Basil pie, Italian beef.
Insider tip: If you’re short on time, grab bar seats; pies take a while, but you’ll often be seated faster than the main dining room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; expect nearby paid garages along Michigan Avenue and very limited street parking, especially evenings and weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many diners lean slightly polished in the evening.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak dinner hours — conversation is possible at most tables but the bar area can get lively.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak 7–9 p.m. windows (can be shorter at the bar).
Weekday lunch: Usually seated quickly; short waits during convention or tourist surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pizzas, pastas, and salads can be ordered vegetarian or adapted.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items may be modified; best to confirm ingredients with the kitchen.
Gluten-free options: Some accommodations available on select dishes; cross-contact is possible, so ask staff if strict gluten-free is required.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, comfortable dates than intimate ones — the energy is lively and the portions are hearty, which suits relaxed, conversation-friendly outings more than quiet, candlelit dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially if you’re flexible — bar seating and small tables turn faster late night, but prime weekend times can require a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common earlier in the evening; large booths, shareable pizzas, and familiar Italian dishes work well for school-age kids.
Best For
Better for: Hearty late-night Italian comfort food near the Mag Mile, group meals, and dependable deep-dish without leaving the tourist corridor.
Skip if: You want a quiet, fine-dining experience or cutting-edge Italian — choose a smaller, chef-driven spot instead.
Labriola
8.2
Labriola, just off the Magnificent Mile, is Rich Labriola’s Italian restaurant where double-proofed, focaccia-style deep-dish pizzas share the menu with pastas, antipasti, and a busy bar. It’s a later-dinner choice for diners who want serious crust work without leaving Michigan Avenue.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata & Basil Deep Dish, Danny's Special Deep Dish, Skinny Deep Dish (Burrata & Basil)
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Deep-dish reimagined by veteran baker Rich Labriola in a busy Mag Mile dining room.
Who should go: Travelers and locals craving serious deep-dish near Mag Mile.
When to visit: Later dinner slots after 8 p.m. when the rush thins.
What to order: Burrata & Basil Deep Dish, Danny's Special, Skinny Deep Dish.
Insider tip: Order your deep-dish as soon as you’re seated; bakes can run long at peak hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce near the Magnificent Mile; most guests use nearby paid garages or hotel garages within a short walk.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many diners lean a bit dressy in the evening.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at most tables, but bar and peak hours can be loud.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours, especially for deep-dish orders.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, except during convention or tourist surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pizzas, salads, and pastas can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — a few customizable items, but most pizzas and pastas include dairy by default.
Gluten-free options: Selective options — some dishes and salads work GF with modifications; deep-dish crust is typically not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual dates — the room is lively and comfortable, better for relaxed conversation than quiet, intimate atmospheres.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect waits during prime dinner windows; joining the waitlist early or arriving after 8 p.m. improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly dining room, shareable pizzas, and flexible booths make it easy for kids and groups.
Best For
Better for: Dough-forward deep-dish with a lighter, focaccia-style crust and a broader Italian menu than most pizza-only competitors.
Skip if: You want ultra-quiet dining, very fast turnarounds at peak times, or classic heavy Chicago-style deep-dish over a bakery-style crust.