Chicago's 10 Best Italian Restaurants And Trattorias

A10 serves contemporary Italian cuisine with hints of new American influence. Its menu features complex and well-executed dishes sure to please even the most discerning diner. House-made pasta dishes such as saffron gemelli and sweetcorn tortellini make the most of fresh, seasonal ingredients. The interior is spacious and warm, with an open kitchen lining one half of the space and a full bar anchoring the other. Try one of A10’s cocktails – the Orchard City is particularly intriguing, with navy strength gin, agricole rhum, and green chartreuse.

Anteprima is a charmingly rustic Italian restaurant located in Andersonville, specializing in home-style cuisine. There’s a weekly menu of special plates: dishes include autumnal flavors such as slow-cooked rabbit, roasted squash with sheep’s milk ricotta, and grilled swordfish.

Davanti Enoteca reflects and emphasizes all things rustic and traditional, with repurposed barn wood, exposed brick walls and recycled light fixtures. One of its best loved dishes is the truffle egg toast, a cube of aromatic bread topped with bubbly Fontina cheese and delicate egg yolks. The selection of charcuterie and fresh cheeses is also hugely popular and the innovative pastas, pizzas, and fresh seafood round off its extensive menu.

The extensive menu at La Scarola showcases both traditional and modern plates, heightening seasonal ingredients by drawing out vibrant flavors. One of its most popular dishes is the classic Chicken Vesuvio, served in a light garlic and herb sauce. The restaurant serves traditional Italian desserts such as canolli, gelato and spumoni, and a full bar offers an extensive selection of wines and craft cocktails. The casual atmosphere, along with the huge portions, makes it a perfect place for family dinners and gatherings with friends.

Sapori Trattoria serves traditional Italian dishes in an elegant setting, placing emphasis on fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The lobster ravioli is one of the most popular dishes on the menu, with a rich, sweet sauce and masterfully house-made pasta. As for starters, the grilled calamari is smoky and delicious, and the selection of charcuterie is incredible. Weekly specials at Sapori Trattoria include a wine tasting.

Spiaggia creates modern, experimental dishes inspired by the flavors and techniques of traditional Italian cuisine. Recently renovated, the restaurant has increased its emphasis on the contemporary. Among the most notable plates on the menu are the suckling pig with quince and fennel pollen; the raw diced venison antipasti; and the butternut squash ravioli with frog legs and beer.