Carmine's Chicago Reviews

We were strolling and came across this quaint looking restaurant in a great neighborhood. The area was buzzing with evening nightlife and we ended up getting a table upstairs. The shrimp cocktail was delicious as it should be for $7.00 each. SKIP the grilled calamari. It was tough and tasted like petroleum. Our main dishes took a while to come but it was a busy Friday night. The homemade lobster ravioli was delicious and the Chicken Marsala was cooked perfectly and was delicious. The meatballs are huge looked great. All in all it was a decent meal for a fair price.

A company outing that become an event. The noise level before the meal was noticeable as we prepared for our meal. Appetizers first, of course. Tomato and onion salad is a must-do. The entrees were plentiful, have yet to finish my fettuccine. The lobster pasta special was a hit! Well seasoned lobster tail with a spicy pasta was the talk of the table. Lasagna entree was meaty and spicy. Spaghetti and meatballs were a sight to behold. Once the food arrived, the noise level subsided significantly. A great testament to good food.

Wow! I'm shocked at how many people wrote favorable reviews of the food at Carmine's! But I truly believe that's because they haven't had "real" Italian cuisine before. I had the risotto with shrimp - the risotto was undercooked and the flavor was SO very bland. Granted, I may be biased because my favorite Italian restaurant in Buffalo (San Marco's) makes PERFECT risotto so I'll let Carmine's off the hook for that. But I have to ding them big-time for the chicken. My husband ordered the chicken (done picatta style). First, the chicken was not pounded out as a proper Italian place would do - they just basically baked it whole and poured a little bit of lemon sauce on it. The lemon sauce was underwhelming. Granted, the portions at Carmine's are HUGE, but who cares if the food is just bland? I'd much rather have a reasonable sized portion (even the European-style 'small' size) that tastes good than just have a huge plate of blah! Even the bread that is served with dinner was rock-hard and had no flavor whatsoever. As I said, the wait-staff is outstanding and that is the ONLY reason Carmine's is getting any stars!!!

My wife and i eat here every time we visit our son. The food is outstanding, the portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. The eggplant parmigiana is to die for. The service is always first rate. This place is a gem!

Conveniently located in the bustling area of North Rush street. The outdoor area is nice and spacious I was seated promptly and I was able to order within reasonable time frame. Drink order came quickly and I was able to finish it before my pizza came. Order was not understood or wrongly placed but couldn’t be bothered to send it back to have it poorly fix. Waiter never came to check if I were interested in a second drink or if my order was right. I guess I won’t be coming back or recommend it for that matter.

We always visit carmines when in Chicago and it never disappoints!!! Service is great and the meat sauce is to die for. One question...why do they still have an attendant in the restrooms???

I met a friend for dinner at Carmine’s and it was a beautiful night so we sat in there garden area. The food was delicious, I wanted pizza but be aware it’s a 12” pie and could only eat couple of pieces. My friend have cheese ravioli that she said was delicious. We ordered sorbet and gelato which was also delicious. Can’t wait to go back to this place!

Great food. Fresh seafood. Very good wine selection. Only complaint? LOL Food portions are enormous. Will definitely return next time in Chicago.

If the weather permits sit on the terrace. Not only do you get to eat a great meal but the street in front of the restaurant is non stop action. From great cars to great looking people. Also surprisingly I had some of the best oysters at Carmine s. I was expecting great Italian but the oysters was a plus

I don’t live in Chicago, but when I visit here Carmine’s is my first stop. In fact, I had dinner there last nite and lunch there today. Excellent food! My favorite is the eggplant stack salad. I am a big eater and there’s no way I can finish the eggplant stack and also eat a meal. Great atmosphere, delicious bread, great service.

This is yet another restaurant to be seen at in the gold coast viagra triangle I only had a drink but a super place to people watch.

My boyfriend and I absolutely love this place! We usually go to their sister restaurant “Rosebud” but decided to try this for a change. We first went back in December for our anniversary and both had vodka pasta and a glass of Pinot. The dish was AMAZING- best vodka pasta I have ever tried. Finished it off with their fabulous carrot cake! Went back after a couple of months with my family and they were incredibly impressed with the amazing food and ambiance. Would definitely recommend!

I am a corporate meeting planner and in my line of work , in order to see how the service is at an establishment - be it a hotel or restaurant - you make a minor request and see how it is dealt with. This helps one narrow down choices since it is so important to have Superior Customer Service so your clients are happy. This is a sad story about AWFUL customer service at Carmines. I went with my cousin as we are planning a huge wedding for a family member, now that COVID is lessening, and we wanted to find a neighborhood place for the Rehearsal dinner. Our experience at Carmines ruled them out immediately. Again, we live in the neighborhood and while pre-Covid this was a place we regularly dined at - NO MORE. The food was very institutional - i.e. totally AVERAGE. But the customer service is what broke the camel's back. Our request was for some extra bread sticks which we complimented to our waiter about, as we were packing up our leftovers. He left and came back and broke the bad news - they had just run out of breadsticks. Now it is only 7pm at night so we knew it was bull. And woudn't you know - just as we were getting ready to leave - the table next to us got their breadsticks, as had all the other tables we passed as we left. So CARMINES, rather than provide us with a few extra breadsticks, decided to be CHEAP. So now we see what their customer service is and am writing to warn the rest of you - STAY AWAY from booking any events here !!!!! Your clients will not be happy.

The restaurant is very large, very busy and VERY noisy! We could barely hear our waiter. The mussels were small, the Caprese salad came with hard, green tomatoes. The veal dishes were all well prepared and tasty. Unfortunately the overly salty spinach under the seabass ruined the dish. With so many good restaurant choices in Chicago, I would not recommend dining here.

We had lunch here. The chopped salad was large and well done. Similar comments about the hamburger and side salad.

From start to finish the food was nothing short of disappointing. The salad had big chunks of iceberg lettuce with tasteless dressing. The risotto was good but only had 4 small shrimp. The chicken Vesuvio had no taste at all. When you come to a Rosebud you really expect better. If you are disabled you are in trouble, as there are stairs everywhere, and no one knows how to use the elevator.

We travel to Chicago every year. Had never eaten at Carmine's before. This year we ate there twice, because it was so good.

The portions are big, the food is good, the service is attentive and the prices are reasonable. We were lucky to have garnered an outside table without reservations. People coming after us had long waits. I much appreciate these old style Italian restaurants....too many of them have turned to small portions with big price tags.

Food was great! The staff were helpful and always checking in. We sat downstairs near the kitchen door/bar area and it was uncomfortably hot. Everything else was very good!

Attentive and pleasant service, food promptly served. Delicious and large servings. Anxious to go back!

The restaurant is really good and the plates are delicious and a little bit enormous!! The service is more than great!!!!

We are always trying to find a favorite restaurant every time we visit Chicago. We ended up at Carmines after reading Google reviews. We ended up walking away pretty disappointed. Not only was the information on Google incorrect and misleading, we were disappointed in the menu selection, the pricing and the food overall. My wife believes her food has caused some a stomach ailment. It's a good thing there are endless restaurants to choose from because we will definitely not be back to Carmines. Very disappointing.

Dinners may be delicious, but brunch was a bust. The service was extremely slow. The bussers spoke NO English. They did not understand, "Please bring us some hot coffee." The Greek omelets arrived and sat on a tray near our table cooling off while two or three waiters walked by wondering if they should serve us. The restaurant was NOT busy at that time. Finally, they were served. Tepid at best. I ordered mine well done and it was leaky. Ich. The toast was cold, the English muffin might have passed through the toaster for a second or two. The atmosphere was pleasant and it was quiet enough for the four of us to have a conversation. The waiter was nice, but disappeared after we requested sugar for our tea and did not come back. We had to ask again. If you don't know how to create and serve breakfast, don't do it.

Carmine’s was recommended and did NOT disappoint! The baked ziti was simply amazing and we couldn’t get enough. The lasagna is outstanding, as well, and we ended up eating way too much! Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy Carmine’s...it’s up there among the best!

Very very busy and big place. Filled with tons of big groups of people celebrating special occasions and having tons of fun and eating good food. The patio has bunch of seats and although it was raining and a little cold, the heaters were on and the patio seats seems to be the choice seats. Us?... we were seating in the back corner booth near the kitchen entrance with an absent waiter who I think just started serving as he had no idea about the specials or what the restaurant signature dishes were. We came in at 6:30 and had our dinner served at 10 mins before 9pm. We were not in a hurry so we didnt make a stink but our server completely forgot about our apps and the kitchen lost our order. We ate every single crumb of the bread and oil that was dropped off when we were seated. The chef came out to personally apologise and ask what we ordered. Food was good and wine was expensive and since it was raining outside we were not in a hurry, but boy were we hungry... and at least knock off the apps or something, the manager asked as "what would you like me to do?"... really? .. $460 later, it was not the experience I expected.

We walked by here every day on our recent visit and, after reading some reviews, decided to give it a try. From the moment you walk into the lobby, you feel the Chicago vibe. Dark wood, signed celebrity pictures, and well-dressed waiters all contribute. We shared 4 large shrimp as an appetizer. Both sauces were great. Then, we shared the Caesar salad and there was plenty for both of us. My wife had the 8 oz. filet, which was perfectly prepared. I had the eggplant parmesan and would highly recommend it. The eggplant is thinly sliced, stacked with cheese, spinach, cheese, and a great sauce. No room left for any of their gorgeous deserts, but we will come back.

We were seated right away and our waiter was delightful. My husband had ravioli and I had a shrimp risotto dish with asparagus shavings. The food was excellent and the portions were huge. We split a gigantic gevalia chocolate mousse cake slice. Dinner was finished with a cappuccino for him and coffee for me. Wonderful meal. Needed another person there to share.

Good food nice filet, really good lobster risotto. Ravioli was ok. Service was slow. Hot in the building. Too pricey for the food in Chicago. Joes or ditkas is just as good. But best lobster risotto in town

Food here is always on point. Excellent flavors and quality. If you can sit on patio it’s worth the wait! One suggestion it would be nice to see a better wine by the glass options; what i saw was what I could buy at my local grocer. Huge portions as well and friendly servers.

All i can say is "drip drip" where we got sat there was a leaking pipe so I, myself got leaked on i think it was just very unfortunate but i can never be to sure. The food though was good and my child has a side of pasta which was a perfect size. Overall I would come back as it was a nice atmosphere and very very nice service.

Was pleasantly surprised how great everything was. Outstanding service, food came quick and everyone was very happy with their meals. Veal, eggplant, chicken and pasta entrees were all very generous portions and very tasty. No one could finish their meal. It is dark inside but that’s only concern. Outstanding.

Another outstanding outdoor service experience in Chicago. The service was impeccable and the food was warm, delicious and outstanding. Definitely a 'must visit' culinary experience in Chicago's Gold Coast area.

Great bread sticks, great dessert and great service and a nice spot to sit on a beautiful fall night. However, the entrees left so much to be desired. Piling cheese on average food only made it worse.

Too much food, the serving sizes were huge but the taste was only average..The basics of Italian are the sauce\gravy and flavor.The sauce was way too acidic and average flavor. We had a calamari appetizer, again, two huge pieces served with a salad garnish. The salad was delicious, the calamari fried and a bit greasy.I had chicken parmesan, 2 full sized boneless chicken breasts which easily could have fed two people.My husband had pasta primavera with shrimp,both were standard. For dessert we wised up and had a half order of cannoli. If you want quantity this is the place but the flavors were mediocre. Returning to our hotel we saw mulitple bags of leftovers in Carmine bags left along the way, placed where homeless folks would have something to eat.

The concierge at our hotel recommended Carmine's. While the food was good and service friendly, it was not memorable. We enjoyed the fettucini alfredo, cheese ravioli and pesce special and were not disappointed, nothing really stood out to make us want to return or recommend this restaurant.

I went here with my son and we both had very average food - lasagne was huge and very ‘solid’ and my sons pizza was dry. I gave this a 3 because of the service - they reduced our bill as we did not enjoy their food.

What a wonderful place. Service was above excellent, food was delicious, and we did not have to take out a loan. Full bar, many wine and liquor choices, and food to die for. Nightly specials on meat, pasta, and seafood. Plenty of seating choices as well depending on if you want an intimate dinner with that special someone, or if you have a large group. The veal was excellent. They had a bone in chop that was amazing, and more food than a human should consume at one sitting, but we did. Excellent. Recommend.

I’ve dined at Carmine’s for over 30 years. The place is not what it used to be. Tried to get a table for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. The place was empty but they told me they could not take walk-in’s because they were understaffed. Then as we walked out I heard the host mutter “they couldn’t afford this place anyway.” Super tacky. We went across to brunch at Somerset (same price-point).

Very long wait but the service and food was excellent. Definitely would go back but would make a reservation

We were excited to eat on the front patio on Friday August 31st with a beautiful night in Chicago. No sooner was our food delivered than a rain downpour came in a burst and rained out our dinner. I looked back at my Lasagna and it had become a bowl of soup. My wine glass was filled with rain water and the same for my wife's. We went inside and our waiter said he was sorry and offered us another glass of wine. We ordered replacements and never got to eat because there were no tables available. I was shocked when I got my bill for the full price of both meals and even our "replacement" wine. I added a gratuity and paid but left and went across the street to Gibson's and had a great time. I called the restaurant three times to see if the manager would give us some consideration on our bill since we never got to eat our food. The GM told me that when you eat outside you eat at "your own risk" and the restaurant could not give us any consideration. Needless to say I thought this was not good customer service and cannot give this restaurant an good review. Bummer.

We stopped by this place for lunch & drinks as it was raining and convenient. We had heard about this place and since it was Rosebud restaurant thought of giving it a try. Very average food and the service was very slow. Portion are on the bigger side but the food is not at all delicious. As an example, we had the eggplant stack salad and when it was served to us the eggplant had lost its crispiness - maybe it was waiting too long to be served or it was made earlier for another table - there was no olive oil sprinkled and just a few drops of the balsamic vinegar and to top all this it was under seasoned. When we asked the server for some olive oil and balsamic vinegar it took them over 20 mins to bring some to the table but the vinegar was watered down and not edible. Yes it is an old but big place, but it seems to have lost it's charm and surviving because of its name. There are many better & more delicious Italian restaurants that you want to try and avoid this place if possible.

Busy night during the holidays. Came as a family of 4...all adults. Had 4 excellent meals! Brought home leftovers, the portions are so big! Great meatballs...reminded me of my Nonna's!

This family style Italian eatery is old world and lots of fun. Not the most innovative, but rock solid dishes. There is a ton of food.

We came here at about 4pm on a Monday afternoon for an early dinner. We ate inside although they also have outdoor seating but it was very uncrowded probably because of the time of day. Inside it has a dark classic feeling but the table we were at was so small you could hardly fit two plates on it. We started with a chopped salad that we shared. It was very big with lots of variety in it but I didn’t care that much for the dressing which was a rather bland flavorless vinaigrette. However the main dish made up for the salad. I had a red snapper topped with large hunks of crab meat covered in a rich lemony bearnaise sauce and served on a bed of roasted asparagus— excellent and a huge portion, though it was on the spendy side for an entree. My wife enjoyed cavatelli dressed in a hearty tomato basil sauce with a healthy portion of Italian cheese melted over the ricotta stuffed dumplings. The portion was huge and would have had leftovers for a full second meal. The house Cabernet was smooth with full flavor that didn’t linger in your mouth. Enjoyable meal, we would eat there again.

The restaurant is beautiful, lots of space. Good is awesome! Staff is nice. Great italian food in a great neighborhood

My husband and I had our 1st date at Carmine's in Jan 2011. We noticed the prices have gone way up, portions down, and dishes have changed. Is there new management? We loved sitting outside, but this is the 1st time I ordered my favorite dish Veal Francese when 1) It didn't come with a side of pasta, 2) The portion was noticably smaller, 3) Broccolini was added (nice change), and 4) The price was increased to $33 (plus tax and tip). My husband ordered pasta fagioli which he enjoyed, but ordered 3 shrimp which turned out to be $7 each!! I still gave Carmine's a 4/5, but this is down from 5/5. I'm not sure if we will continue our tradition of going for our wedding anniversary after this.

Great place for large groups. Pasta, and veal were very good. Try the pizza Looking forward to going back. Beautiful restaurant

When we strolled in to the Carmine's it was already quite packed. The service was ok, a bit slow at times and you could see that they have left already prepared food waiting on a tiny table next to where the guests were seated for a few minutes before serving it. Food portions were generous, but the food was mediocre. I had a veal prepared on 'vesuvian style' and the meat was quite blend, potatoes a bit undercooked and the peas were very sweet. Overall we got full, but the food was definitely not great.

Carmines is a great place in the summer to enjoy the patio seating. The great people watching, and great selection of Italian foods are fantastic. They have a great variety of dishes, and all are great from the pasta to the checken to the steak. You will not be disappointed!

Truly enjoy this Italian mainstay on the Gold Coast. Very accommodating to those with little ones, awesome food, and great service. Started with their delicious fried calamari along with sausage & peppers. Then we had cavatelli al forno, penne Salsiccia, ruota Bolognese, veal picatta and a side of meatballs accompanied by their classic martinis and a bottle of Joel Gott cab sav. For a party of 4 adults we had plenty to take home and my grandson loved celebrating Mommy’s birthday in a fancy restaurant. A wonderful experience, but we had no room left for dessert and they did look good. Oh well, maybe next time, and there will be a next time here! Highly recommend you try it too.

Went for the second time and wasn’t disappointed. If you can book a table outside up front there’s so much atmosphere. People and luxury cars everywhere!! Meals were delicious and manager came out to make sure our meals were good. Went with a large family group and will definitely return.

Food, wine list and service all exceptional. We are their twice in 3 nights. Very slick operation, make sure you book because the place is packed. The meal sizes are also enormous if you’re not used to US portion sizes. Absolutely have a go though, great Italian food Chicago style.

Carmine’s is a classic Chicago Italian restaurant I have been to many times- it did not disappoint. Square noodles with vodka sauce was to die. Our server Rachel was great and our seat outside on a beautiful night was most welcome!

We ate here years ago and had a wonderful experience so we tried to come back here for lunch. It was 1:30 pm on a Monday and we saw several empty tables outside. But we did not get past the hostess who told us no walk-ins are accepted. No reasons, no excuses, just we are not getting seated. So we happily went next door to Tavern on Rush and had a wonderful lunch. You should too.

Carmine's, a member in very good standing of restauranteur Alex Dana's iconic Rosebud Restaurant Group, is a lively super club famous for its hearty portions of pasta, meat plates and other Italian dishes. It's also noted for its outdoor seating, which is very good for the art of people watching. Located at 1043 North Rush Street in the heart of Chicago's most popular and most competitive restaurant market, Carmine's is a popular destination for lunch from 11 to 3 Monday through Friday. It's a short walk from our home to the famed Restaurant Row at the Rush/State/Bellevue triangle and Carmine's never disappoints. We always start with jumbo shrimp cocktail, minestrone, bruschetta and Caesar salad. That's usually enough for one meal but we only eat one meal a day--breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner--so we make sure we have enough to last through the 10 o'clock news. What'll we have today? Italian beef sandwich and 12-ounce prime burger? Or spaghetti and meatballs and broiled salmon? Or maybe a 14-inch handcrafted mozzarella and sausage pizza fired in a brick oven. For dessert, we never can decide between Godiva chocolate cake and tiramisu. So we share them both. It's always fun to eat on the patio if it isn't too hot and humid. Unfortunately, Chicago summers don't usually oblige.

Nice place. The crowd level is a good sign for a good meal. Loved the clam Chowder and lemon Sea Bass. Gi-normus meatballs!!! veal piccata is awesome. Only complaint was the group of mid 20somethings who thought everyone needed to hear there conversations. Millennials out there remember a nice meal should not include you screaming vulgarities and dominating the noise level in the room.

My boyfriend and I were walking around Chicago for the day and wanted Italian for lunch. We picked Carmine’s also because of the outdoor seating. Our server Jenae was very kind, helpful, funny, and personable. As for the food, oh my GOD this Beef Tenderloin Sandwich! It was delicious to say the least. The filet medallions were so tender and the bread was soft and fresh. It was the highlight of our lunch for sure! So much so, that I absolutely NEEDED to write this review while at the table. I would highly recommend Carmine’s for lunch, and don’t pass up this sandwich!

Walked in on a Friday evening with a party of 10 and were immediately seated. Staff was friendly and the waiters attentive. The pizza my wife and I ordered was ok, but nothing special. Everybody else in the group enjoyed what they had. I’d return but would try something different.

What is better than the smells of Italian cooking on a warm Summer's night? Our outdoor table allowed us to enjoy watching others scurry home on rush syreet, while we relaxed. The youngest of our group made me try the calamari even though we didn't think we had time for an appetiser, as we were on our way, to the theater , but I'm glad I did it was excellent ! Dinner entrees varied from the wonderful side salad to artichoke pizza, chicken marsala and the thickest pork chops, Ive ever seen. We finished with homemade limoncello and a surprise cannoli for the birthday girl! We only had 90 minutes, but the waiter took great care of us and every thing was timed perfectly for a relaxing celebration dinner!

Fantastic service and fantastic food! Made our special occasion even better. Definitely a trip to make....and a few return trips too!

Prime location on Rush Street with traditional Italian steak house feel. Large portions of very good steaks, chops, pasta and starters. Priced similar to other tip end steak houses in area. Service ok with opportunity for better coordination of wait staff, servers and bar

My wife and I went to Carmine's for a dinner and a wonderful Italian dinner. The service was outstanding, the wait staff was attentive and their care and service was impeccable. We ordered a light dinner sharing a caprese salad which was a generous well prepared salad and the Routa Bolognese which is absolutely delicious. We were so filled , we passed on dessert this time.

Loved the food, service ant atmosphere of this Chicago staple. Yiou have to go by and eat here. Try the patio.

We were in town and came across Carmine’s and gave it a try. We were not disappointed at all. Great food and very attentive service. Had the minestrone soup and the linguine with clams. Both were excellent! Definitely recommend!

Absolutely one of our top restaurants we have ever been to. Great service. Wonderful food. Cool atmosphere. Love the neiborhood.

Great attention, very quick service. Portions were gigantic and very tasteful. We sitted outside and it was a gallery of people walking around.

My experience was completely soured by the racist African American hostess at the front. I was not acknowledged upon arrival, in fact, she deliberately tried to ignore me. When I mentioned my reservation (for which I had arrived 5 minutes early), she said I would have to wait by the coat check. I waited for over 15 minutes, saw several other parties arrive and get seated before me. When I pointed this out to the manager, he said it's because "we only seat complete parties" and since I was waiting for my friend there was nothing he could do. Just as he said that I saw a lady walk in and search for her friends who had already been seated. Whatever happened to parties being incomplete then? While all this was happening, I received a notification from OpenTable that my reservation had been canceled by the restaurant. I don't know if the hostess deliberately canceled my reservation out of spite or because she didn't want me to be able to leave a review after, either way, it felt odd. I was fuming at this point and would have walked out had it not been a busy Saturday night with no other options in the area. Anyone who is not black or white should avoid this establishment.

We had a business dinner here and the food was fantastic! There's indoor and outdoor seating available. The cocktail/wine menu was expensive and the food delicious. Service was also incredibly quick! But I did find the sides to be overly expensive (though shareable). For example, adding a veggie side to my chicken dish (which was just chicken, no potatoes or veggies) was $17 so I passed. But I would still recommend this place if you're in the area!

Had a fairly good meal here just left with a bitter taste.... Knowing how big the portions were we ordered 3 starters between 6 of us and a main each. Were charged for 6 starters because our server decided that it wasn’t enough for us and adjusted as he thought appropriate. All in all just an average restaurant with a high price tag. Had better for less.

Very good waitress from Marrakech. Excellent.Very good pasta and red italian wine. I'll go back in my future visit.

My half-Italian wife and I love veal scaloppine. Virtually every Sunday, my wife prepares her version, eight or nine breaded veal strips topped with parmesan and tomato sauce. Delicious. So naturally we enjoy dining at Carmine's, which is only five blocks from our home and offers 10 (count 'em, 10) veal dishes. Located at 1043 North Rush Street, in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, it is open from 11 to 10 Sunday through Thursday, 11 to 11 on Friday and 10 to 11 on Saturday. It emphasizes southern Italian cuisine with signature sausage and peppers, chicken vesuvio, veal saltimboca, sea bass almondine and jumbo stuffed mushrooms and pampers customers with valet parking and private dining. We started with bruschetta, jumbo shrimp cocktail, clam chowder and a loaf of freshly baked bread. I couldn't resist one of the house favorites, veal vesuvio, lemon drizzled veal steaks and potato wedges broiled together and served with green peas. My wife opted for the house's signature chicken Oreganato, chicken thighs marinated in lemon juice, garlic and oregano with tomato, roasted potatoes and green beans. For dessert, we shared tiramisu and coconut cake. But the news isn't all good. Carmine's expects to close for business early in 2023 with a demolition and construction project to last 15 months, then hopes to reopen in the second quarter of 2024. Let's hope so. Other restaurants, such as Spiaggia, Tavern on Rush (next to Carmine's), O'Brien's, Morton's and Lawry's, are gone for good.

Expensive but very nice size portions. The salmon platter was huge with excellent smoked salmon. The Double Pepperoni pizza was spicy and cooked just right with a thin crispy crust. Early Sunday afternoon service staff was almost suffocating as someone stopped by every couple minutes.

We sat at the bar while waiting for our table, where the bartender was very efficient and fun to watch, he certainly knows his stuff! There was a small band playing and we really enjoyed listening to them. We decided to try the pizza when a table became available (only about a 15 minute wait) and we were not disappointed. It was one of the best pizzas we've had. The service was amazing....don't forget to try the bread & olive oil, it was very good! We will most definitely be back!

Awesome restaurant on the near North Side of Chicago. The best Italian restaurant I have ever been. Service and food were excellent. Highly recommend

The servers are great here - very knowledgeable, but don't rush you. I had the risotto with shrimp. The shrimp were almost as big as my hand! The risotto itself was a little bland though. My hubby had the lamb chop special and he said it was AMAZING. We got the tiramisu for dessert and it was also amazing. I'd definitely come back and try something else.

All of our meals were absolutely delicious. The restaurant was extremely loud and it was hard to hear and have a conversation at our table. The menu was pricey but overall it was a good choice for an out of town experience.

Chicago has a fistful of local restaurant chains, all popular and thriving. One of the most successful is Alex Dana's Rosebud Restaurant Group, which includes the flagship Rosebud on Taylor Street in Little Italy, Rosebud on Rush, Rosebud Steakhouse and Rosebud Prime. And Carmine's. Located at 1043 North Rush Street in the heart of Chicago's busiest and most highly decorated restaurant mecca, it is an Italian restaurant with two-tier seating and an outdoor patio ideal for people-watching. Open at 11 Monday through Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Carmine's is a popular destination for a businessman's lunch. Or for a pair of 78-year-old retirees who love good ole Italian cooking. My wife and I started with minestrone, bruschetta with tomatoes, fontinella cheese, basil and crostini, a jumbo shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad with Romaine lettuce, provolone and croutons. For entrees, we chose spaghetti and meatballs and a grilled skirt steak with onion rings. For dessert, we shared orders of cannoli and tiramisu. There are so many good restaurants in the Rush/State area, often referred to as the Viagra Triangle, and Carmine's more than holds its own.

This is my first and to be honest was great night there The food is great The services is top class and the setting area out side was great and you can feel the breeze... Great experience and by the way prices are good too and average. The dishes were huge and you need to be very very hungry to finish one plate ...

Carmine’s was a wonderful Saturday dinner experience. It started with RJ looking after us at our table. Portions extremely generous in size and could easily have split. Veal one of best I have had anywhere. Loved the piano in the background.

I live in the neighborhood and come here often. Today, I took a friend for a birthday lunch and was very disappointed. Instead of the good crusty Italian bread they used to have, they now serve a cheap soft white bread in the shape of Italian bread. My friend’s entree came out but mine did not. After 10 minutes I asked where my dish was and was told they would check. Several more minutes went by before it arrived without any apology, just a, “There you go.” My friend had nearly finished her entree before mine was delivered. Carmine’s needs to pay attention to detail. There are many restaurant in the neighborhood I can go to instead.

Rather disappointing experience. My grandfather name and my middle name is Carmine so I thought to try this place. Food was expensive and average. Italian food in my town is better about about 30-40% cheaper and comes with a side salad at least. My fettuccine Alfredo was good but not near the best I’ve had. Inside and patio are really nice and so are the staff. Very friendly and good service. No issues. I would have put average in my rank but the surcharge really irritated me. The amount is irrelevant. Increase your food prices 3% or don’t! Add a gratuity or don’t. That’s the way to do it. Be honest in your business. Don’t put a surcharge automatically and tell me I need to ask you to remove it. It’s a classy looking place so act like it. I told my waiter to remove it and then add it too his tip. Likely your paying them minimum wages so he deserves it. I would not go here again.

Save your money. We went there for dinner my wife and I. We were showing to a table and then sat there for 15 minutes with no one contacting us or even putting utensils on the table. Finally a waiter came and took our drink order. The mixed drinks had a hint of alcohol. We order dinner which seem to take a long time. Finally it came and it was not very good. With so many fine restaurants in Chicago there’s no reason to come here.

Two couples ate je for lunch. We were seated immediately on the outdoor patio. The wait staff was prompt and did not rush. The portions were large and we left happy and full.

Not to be confused with Carmine’s in NYC! We thoroughly enjoyed our food! We tried the pasta Fagioli and it was the best I have ever had! We ordered pizza and a salad and it was delicious! The service was outstanding! We would definitely recommend them!

We were visiting Chicago from Waterloo, Ontario. Stopped at Carmines since it was close to our hotel. Service was fantastic, they were very attentive. The fish salad was amazing!!! I wish I loved closer so I could have it on the regular! We went back a second time during our stay just to have it again =)

Patio and outside dining was packed and you need a reservation or wait an hour. Immediate seating inside though. Tons of choices on the menu, big portions, everyone at the table raved about the food. Would've given 5 stars but they ran out of my first menu choice.

I treated myself to a classy night out for my birthday this year and Carmine's was just what I needed. Great atmosphere, delicious food, and I even got a special happy birthday serenade! Thank you for adding to my night special night!

Had a fabulous meal at Carmine's! There were four of us and we all were completely satisfied. We started with Caprese and Caesar salads, both were fresh and tasted as if the vegetables came straight out of the garden. On to entrees. Two of us ordered the special sea bass oscar that was out of they world! The veal parmesan was huge and tasty as well as the filet velasco. Good wine topped off the meal. Will defilingly be back next time in Chicago.

As a former Corporate Concierge in Chicago before moving away, Carmine’s, along with all the other Rosebud Restaurants were always my favorites to recommend as well as to enjoy myself with friends and family. During a recent weekend trip to Chicago I made sure to make a stop at Carmine’s for dinner. The food and service was fantastic as always, even during a super busy Saturday evening. The seafood special was amazing and my husband’s steak was great! This review is not only about the food, but the staff going above and beyond. Three weeks after returning home, I realized that I had left my absolute favorite cashmere cardigan/wrap at the restaurant. It carries a special meaning to me. I thought for sure it was gone or taken by one of the staff after such a long time, but when I called it was still hanging there in the closet waiting to be claimed! They promptly mailed it to me at their expense. Great food, wonderful service and a stellar staff! Thanks again!

Although this feels very touristy, it was a pleasant surprise to have such good food, good service, huge portions!!! We found it to be a solid "4" and worth stopping by if you are in the area.

Walking up Rush when it started raining so we steped up to the hostess and asked for a outside table under cover. They were very prompt and efficent with taking our order and patient! The couple with us only wanted drinks but my husband & I split the hobo skillet which glad we did, huge portion! The skillet was wonderful with lots of cheese, egg, potatoes sausage onion & peppers. Would order it again when I'm in the gold coast area. The waitree was prompt in refilling our drinks and very nice. Great experience for a rainy day....

Such a fantastic neighborhood restaurant in Chicago’s Goal Coast. Service excellent inside or out. Food always consistence brings many return dinners back for years. Nice sized portions. Do not miss the fish salad, and always a favorite an eggplant salad.

Had a 6p reservation and was immediately greeted and shown to our table. Food was excellent (Square Noodles, Spaghetti and Sausage and Lasagna w/ meat sauce), but the server was exceptional. At one point during our dinner a transformer blew near the restaurant, which stopped kitchen service. However staff made sure all the guests were safe and continued to provide exceptional service while they could. Thank you Carmine’s we’ll plan on coming back soon!

This was the most awful experience we have ever had. We came to Carmine’s to try something we hadn’t in Chicago. To make a long story short the manager TEX yelled at us. He argued with a 18 and 11 year old. The steaks were RAW and COLD when they arrived at our table. We sent them back .....waited 30 more minutes to get THE SAME steaks back this time so BURNT the char was all over the plates. They were not edible. Manager insisted doing it again , waited another 25 min. At this point we were done! We told the manager just bring us the bill and take steaks off. He refused. He walked away and then yelled across the room that it takes time to make a steak . Another 15 min goes by and he brings the steaks. We had told him we didn’t want them. He tried to say we had to take them. It was awful. I told him call the police now because I’m not paying for the steaks. He just kept arguing with the whole table including my 7 year old. I told him to stop over and over that he was being inappropriate! My 7 year old kept saying stop being mean to my mom. We shouldn’t have had to pay a dime. THE MOST AWFUL DINING EXPERIENCE WE HAVE EVER HAD! FIRE TEX!

Carmine’s is awesome. It is an old school Italian restaurant. When you walk in the door, you will see pictures and clippings of celebrities who have dined there. You will love the linen tablecloths and the impeccable service. The bread is delicious. The entrees are fantastic and very large. My favorite is the lasagna. The desserts are out of this world, so be sure to save room. My favorite is the Godiva chocolate cake. It is about a foot tall and worth every calorie !!!

The food was delicious and large servings. The service was very attentive and spot on. I will definitely go back next time visiting Chicago.

Went for New Year's Day brunch. We were greeted promptly and warmly and seated in the garden area that has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the street. Great people watching. The meal consisted of fried calamari which were large tender and plentiful. The Rosebud chopped salad was large enough to be an entree. It was crisp and bright. That was followed by penne pasta with marinara and crumbled Italian sausage. The pasta was firm, the sauce was tangy, the sausage savory and the gooey cheese made for a perfect dish. We finished with their chicken Vesuvio, tender white meat in an oregano and garlic white wine sauce with wedges of potato and sweet peas, delish! The wait staff was attentive, anticipating our needs without being overbearing, we had a wonderful time and look forward to returning. It was a great start for the new year and we recommend you go and experience it for yourself.

I love this place and it exemplifies everything good in Chicago. If the weather is nice, or even bearable try to sit outside. It’s a lively street scene and some amazing people watching. The portions are otherworldly. I always get the chicken parm and it’s enough for 2 people easily. While it isn’t cheap the prices are fair for what they offer.

Food and service were truly amazing. Our waitress was fantastic. She was energetic, welcoming and felt like she took the time to get to know us. We spilt a salad and she took the time to split it up onto separate plates. The main courses were prepared exactly to our likings.

The service was really special. I don't know if it's always like that or because of our waiter named Danny. My kids are picky and they accommodated everything!! Multiple tweaks to dishes for the sake of our kids. Food was really good as well!! We did go early on a Friday night but I'm certain to go back with our kids for another go at it soon!!

We ended up eating dinner our first night in the city at Carmine's … after the wait at Lou Malnati's up the road was ridiculously long. We were seated immediately, and even asked which table we would like once we reached our floor. We choose a nice table for four by the window. We started with appetizers of Brushchetta, Cauliflower, and Caesar Salad. Our entrees were Fettuccine Alfredo and Meat Lasagna. All was fabulous, including the service.

Priced reasonably for the huge portions you get, I highly recommend you eat family style where you share the food. Our waiter suggested this and it worked out fantastically. The salads and pastas are enormous and likely difficult for any single person to finish. The only complaint is the drinks are overpriced at $12 for a spirit.

We had reservations for three for Sunday evening and the restaurant was crowded. I remembered enjoying the rigatoni vodka from a previous visit so ordered it again. I was disappointed that there was very little sauce and tasted dry. My husband ordered the meat lasagna and commented that it was lacking in cheese and sauce. He thought it was rather tasteless. Our server promptly took our order and then had to flag him down to ask for the check. Our water glasses were empty and were never refilled. He never asked how we liked our food even though he walked by our table many times to wait on others. We will not return or recommend due to poor service and tasteless food.

The food, the atmosphere, the staff are all extraordinary and made for a wonderful evening out with friends. Thank you!

Ate at Carmines based on TA reviews and its location to our hotel. The food quality was poor for all but one in our party and none of the orders was great. Given the prices, we expected better.

We had our first dinner at Carmines on Rush in Chicago. We had planned to dine on the patio or the street seating, but it was a 45 minute wait and plenty warm that evening with immediate seating inside...so make a reservation if you want to sit outside and avoid the wait. The menu is extensive and the entrees ranged from $25 to $55. My wife had the Chicken breast and I had the 8 ounce filet mignon and it was the best steak I’ve ever eaten. We both ordered the asparagus as a side dish and it was all we could eat! Wonderful, world class service by Abraham and great food in a classic Italian dinning experience.

Had dinner here with colleagues while on work trip. We had reservations and a large table of 8. Service was friendly and fairly efficient. The portions are large, so be aware. I liked the square noodles and the tortellini carbonara was also quite good.

Excellent meal. The brick chicken is a one of kind experience. The steak was also a memorable succulent mouthwatering experience.

Family gathering for a birthday dinner. Food is quite good and service is excellent. My only complaint is the wine is quite pricey.

Good wine, good food equals a good time. I had ordered the Veal Parmigiana and the cutlet truly covered the entire platter that it was served on. Our waiter and staff were extremely friendly. What a joy, what a treat. Highly recommend!

If possible book your table in advance! It's a very busy place!! Great food but be warned.....the portions are big! We shared a starter and couldn't finish it! It's on Rush street which is buzzing with lots of eating places. Enjoy!

We have often dined at Carmine’s when we visit our son who lives in Chicago. It’s decent Italian food with large portions. Unfortunately we had an experience this evening, February 22, and we will not be returning. Things were fine until the busboy spilled a full glass of water on me. Our waiter apologized, eventually the busboy murmured “sorry”, and the upstairs manager shrugged and told me to send him the dry cleaning bill. I live in another state and told him so. This was all this man said he would do for us because it was “too late and that was the policy”. His demeanor was stone cold. I told him that he should do better. My sweater was expensive and dry clean only. My pants were also soaked. I had the identical conversation with the general manager who had the same stone cold expression mixed with a touch of rage. He told me that it was just water and even though it was cold outside I would dry. Never mind that I was soaked through to my skin, my sweater might be ruined, and our evening was over as I had to change out of wet clothing. I told him we would not be back and he gave me a snarky “have a nice day” as we walked out of the restaurant for the last time. Instead of going through the trouble of mailing this restaurant a dry cleaning bill, complimentary dessert would have been nicer, easier, appreciated, and the restaurant would still have a customer.

Great location and so fun to sit outside in a summer evening. Plus there was no wait! Service was good. And yet, the food was only average. Meatballs were bleh. The lobster bisque was barely average. The calamari was overly chewy.

Seated promptly, great service from Caesar and his two co-waiters. Prompt refilling of water. Delicious food - salad, baked ziti, lobster ravioli and chocolate gelato. Loved the Chianti from Tuscany, too. Highly recommend this restaurant for tasty Italian food with great service.

We were told to visit Rush Street to find a good place to eat. We walked by Carmines and came back because it looked so good. We were given a table by the sidewalk and enjoyed watching all of the activity on the street. We both had a martini that was well made to order and very refreshing. My husband had Bolognese Pasta - wagon wheel pasta with veal and beef tomato sauce. He loved the flavor and had lots left over for a late night snack. I had eggplant parmesan pizza that was on a nice thin crust and had thinly sliced eggplant and roasted peppers. I also had lots of left overs for later. We shared a delicious Caesar salad. The server was really friendly, funny and helpful. The staff seemed to work together to make the service great. I highly recommend this restaurant for a real Chicago experience.

Horrible horrible horrible service! Waiter was rude , food looked thrown together was not well presented. I came with guest with guest from out of country . We asked for bottled water and water said "This is not Mexico " we have clean water in Chicago. As we proceeded to order we ask for any recommendations on seafood or pasta maybe a monthly special or what they are most famous for . The waiters reply was "We have a lots of dishes I can sit here for 30 mins and explain them if you would like in the rudest tone" . The presentation of the food itself was terrible everything looks like it was just thrown together, food was okay nothing special. All in all I say save your time and money you can pay way less and be treated way better somewhere else with tasty food .

We had dinner at Carmine’s tonight, and what a disappointment. The food was just okay, but the worst was where we were seated we had a party of 5 people and had called Friday for a reservation. We were seated in the side room that is used in the summer as an out door dining area. When we sat down, I knew it was cold. It was cold outside. We spoke to several workers and they said, okay we’ll turn the heaters on. They did, but they kept going on and off. Most women diners in the room were eating diner with their coats on! This was unacceptable, but after several times of trying to have he heat turned on constantly, it never happened. We finished our dinner, with our coats and left, never to return again. It was warmer at the tables outside, where you can sit without a reservation! Our r recommendation, Don’t go when the weather is cold!

A bustling place with great atmosphere. Had pasta dishes; they were great .... the sauce! Service was very friendly and fast.

While cat sitting for a family member my partner and I decided to walk around and check out what restaurants were in the area. We had been over on State Street earlier in the day and noticed Carmine's and decided later we would go there for our Easter dinner. We were both very pleased with our meals. I ordered the Penne Salsiccia and as I don't eat meat opted for extra broccolini ,which I would not advise doing as it was too much. My partner ordered the Prime Rib and we were bot impressed with the size of the cut and quality of the meat so tender and flavorful. We started with the house salad and they served the warm italian bread basket with the olive oil. Such a good meal and the atmosphere was very inviting and the service great!

One of my go to places whenever I visit Chicago. Veal Parmesan was delicious. Service was excellent and the outdoor seating made for great people watching.

We wanted to sample some of Chicago's famed Italian and enjoyed a good quality, if not impressive meal. The portions are like others in this style of restaurant, very generous and the flavours well composed, but uninspired. The service was good, not great, and the outdoor seating fantastic and for that alone worth the visit for a charming night out.

First let me say, come hungry and I mean really hungry. The portions are immense. Normal people can't even finish the main course, let alone dessert. But the food -- OMG -- it is so good. If they improved the bread and added some new drinks to the drinks menu they would be 5* all the way. The service was amazing. I had the baked ziti -- best I've every had. My husband had the stuffed veal chop marsala. It was beyond delicious. We started with the Italian wedding soup -- bog standard -- and finished with the Verona melt in you mouth chocolate mousse cake. We brought home some ziti (they gave me enough for a family), half the veal and half the cake. The cake is gigantic. It is eight layers of pure heaven, but even two of us could only eat half. The next day we heated up the veal; it was still gourmet quality and taste. And we had some cake -- yum, yum. The day after we threw the ziti in the oven for 20 mins and it was perfect, as good as the day it was made. We ended up having three delicious meals from this one dinner. We will definitely be returning.

Had one of the best Caesar salads I have had here.... lighter dressing not as creamy as most, full of flavor. We split the chicken parm which as huge and very tender and flavorful. We also sgared escarole and beans as a side. Service was attentive and really enjoyed our night out there.

The reataurant is located in the top location of Chicago I booked woth opentable and when arroved the host was very kind She choose for oir part of 4 a good table Our server was funny and very professional Foos was very very good but TOO MUCH Pasta e fagioli very good Chiken marsala worlth mushroom was excellent Penne vodka super!! We had a very good time and service was really good Our check was reasonable ! Definitly a good experience

My daughter ordered some of the best fettuccine Alfredo I have ever had. My husband had a filet impeccably prepared and I had sea bass on a bed of baby spinach with grape tomato’s. It was a wonderful meal. The restaurant is fairly large with lots of seating indoor and outdoor. The wine list is great. The wait staff is very helpful with descriptions. And you must try the chocolate cake - it’s 5 layers of bliss

Amazing! Food and service were excellent. The chicken parmesan was outstanding. Portions so large I thought we were getting served family style when our waiter served the first plate. Definitely box up your food and save room for dessert. 10/10 from our party of 7!

Nice place to stop in for lunch and or dinner. Food is delicious and so are the cocktails. Waitress service should’ve been more hospitable and less lackadaisical.

Great spot if you can sit outdoors. Even in fall they have the heaters on. Bread was okay, pasta was fantastic, wine expensive cake cheap and delicious. Pretty pricey...most entrees are $20 on up. Cheapest bottle of wine was $52.

Another Chicago favorite of mine. I have been here several times over the years and I have always had a great experience. The inside is quaint and pleasing to the eye. Outside is always a joy if you can get seated there. As usual, the food is amazing and the service outstanding. Go out of my way to try something new every visit and I have always left thrilled. Highly recommended.

Carmine's is an excellent option for Italian food in downtown Chicago. It is great for special occasions and for formal dinners. They adapted to the current crisis and they offer sit-down experiences even in this lockdown.

Love to stop and eat at Carmine's whenever I shop in Gold Coast. I forego their specials and get their Brick Chicken. It takes a bit longer to prepare, but it is so worth the wait. And one of the reviewers stated the amount of food... portions are HUGE, I agree. It's the entire breast. Crazy the size, but crazy GOOD, too. Servers are friendly. Just watch your bill. I was over-charged on something on my Sept visit but they corrected it.

I enjoyed my meal. Traditional Italian restaurant, where the pasta is a must try. Large, family style portions. I was here with a group; the servings were huge. Our server was outstanding. We ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees; along with two extra pasta dishes to share. We left very full and happy!

Had dinner on a warm Fall Night. Food and drinks and service were all very good. The out door air with a slight chill, and the people watching made for a memorable night. Well worth a visit

The food was excellent. The service was amazing. So much food, could not finish all of it. Will definitely return. They accommodated my husband, who uses a cane by letting us use the elevator.

Went to Carmines on a Thursday night, place got crowded quickly. The chicken Parmesan was massive and pretty good.

We had a reservation but showed up almost 2 hours early. No problem, we were seated quickly. Lots of seating at this establishment. Inside, outdoor, upstairs, downstairs. Our server was very attentive. We had the stuffed mushroom appetizer, Veal Parmesan with Italian sausage/angel hair and a Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti entrees. Unbelievable portion sizes. We could have split a dinner. Too bad our hotel didn't have a fridge and microwave, we would have taken the left overs. My chicken was tender and tasty. Lots of cheese. We are already planning a return to Chicago and Carmines is a must do!

My wife and I were in Chicago on a quick three day trip. We stopped in to Carmine’s for lunch. Decided to have the antipasto. It was amazing I would recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in a good Italian food.

We had a reservation and were seated right away. The entrees are huge!! Everything was delicious and the service was attentive. A great choice for a hearty meal.

Flew to Chicago for the weekend to enjoy the nice sunny weather (probably one of the last warm weekends until Spring) and decided to have dinner on Saturday evening. Had booked table on Opentable, arrived early for our reservation to ensure that we could be accommodated with a table outdoors. The hostess, Izzy, was fantastic and found us what we believed to be the best table on the patio for us, right under a heat lamp (it was chilly on Sat night) with great views of other diners and passer by's on Rush Street. Izzy had a great attitude, very friendly and made our night. Also enjoyed the Veal Parmesan, but the portion was enormous! Great evening and we'll be back...thanks to Izzy. Keep up the good work Carmine's!

Was gonna hit the Cheesecake Factory because I like the pasta there but a friend told me to try this place. Definitely glad I did. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. It was really good. Come hungry cause u get a lot. I don’t leave food on my plate and I left some. A little expensive so expect that but I would go back!

Steak special was delicious, large enough to share between two (with some leftover). Ordered some raw oysters for an appetizer, several were mushy and a turnoff. The server was understanding and removed them from the bill. Overall great experience. Patio was pleasant temperature and great for people watching

Really enjoyed breakfast at Carmine's. Nice sidewalk cafe style area. Staff is great and food was very well prepared. No pressure, had a nice leisurely breakfast.

Carmines is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. The service is fantastic, and the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Danny is very friendly and makes the dining experience wonderful. The outside patio is a great place to meet with friends and enjoy a few drinks and food to share. You will be back!

Carmine's never disappoints. Food is always excellent, the piano playing in the background ( a real piano player), the warm lighting and attentive staff is the whole package. It is a must visit when we travel to Chicago. Usually it is just my husband and me, but we have seem groups of every size and Carmine's can accommodate.

Recently in town for the evening with family, seeking hearty Italian fare with good Chicago vibe in the heart of it all; waiter was over-the-top and didn't really listen (forgot my wine), food (a la carte only) was ok, but not as good as their airs would suggest. Tone down the overdone frills and up the heartiness of your meal, you may have a winner, chicken dinner.

While our experience at the host stand wasn't a great start to our visit, the remainder of the service team was excellent. I recommend reservations as there are quite a number of walk-ups on weekend evenings. We were lucky enough to have a good weather that evening and sat out front under the awning. The dining out front is a great place to enjoy an evening meal and people watch. Inside seating is very nice as well. Our server Rachel was excellent. She was efficient, made excellent suggestions, was friendly and timed her visits to our table perfectly. And, it would seem a minor thing but have you ever tried to get your water glass filled at some restaurants? Carmine's team was on top of it. And now on to the food.... It was good but not memorable. Their menu allows you to get chicken, and veal with one of up to 11 different preparations. I had chicken picatta and it was above average. My wife had a pasta dish of some sort and she said it was average as well. The cocktails are great and they have a decent selection on wines. Prices are a little high but normal when you consider the location. Carmine's has pizza and dishes for the picky eaters. Overall I'd recommend it as the food, service and experience are above average against the other options in this part of town.

Kind of average food for an above average price. The food was good and there was lots of it but it seemed like a fancier olive garden. The waiter was awesome and super attentive but the food was kind of meh.

Simply put this is the best Italian food I’ve eaten outside of Italy. The portions are huge and shareable. Don’t miss this.

Garden room was quiet and comfortable. Waiters were attentive and friendly but the veal saltimbocca with prosciutto exquisite.

Horridly mediocre food for a price that is definitely not worth it. I went here on a recommendation and the Pasta was sooooo dry that I had to chug my water to get any of it down. The Eggplant stack was basically just breading and no eggplant. I left more hungry than when I got there. Should have went to the Shake Shack instead.

We almost can't come to Chicago without eating at Carmine's! My sister-in-law teases my husband and I and tells us that there is more than one restaurant in Chicago. However, this one is a must visit for us! The food is incredible and the portions are obscenely huge. I usually end up having them split my chicken parm and share it with someone else and that is always more than enough food for both of us. They have a decent but not huge wine list that changes often. My favorite dish there is chicken parmesan and it is some of the best I've ever had. They have seating out on the sidewalk in the summer and a large side room that is partially outside as well so there is a lot of room to sit outside. Overall, it is just a fabulous restaurant in a great location for good people watching. We love it!

Seated without a reservation Saturday after Michigan Northwestern football. GF loved the pizza and thought the sidewalk seating was romantic. Excellent service, waiter, had a very good conversation. $10 house salad and bread would have been a meal!!

We walked down Rush until we found a restaurant that would make everyone happy. Carmine’s fit the bill. Son had square noodles with the tomato basil sauce (probably the best I’ve ever had) and a side of meatballs which were perfect (not rubbery and not over seasoned). Hubby had lasagne which had very clearly defined layers of meat and cheese - easily could be shared if each person had a salad or an appetizer. I was recovering from food poisoning so I had the Italian Wedding Soup which was perfect for me! Will certainly return!

We absolutely love going to Carmine's and make sure we go every time we're in town. This was the place of our first date so it holds lots of great memories for us. We always order the same dishes Lasagne (me) and Veal Saltimbocca (husband) Always phenomenal food. We can never finish because the portions are so large. It's always a waste because we can't take the leftovers to go because we're staying in a hotel

Very very loud dining room. Service was ok but slower than slow. Ate with a group so I expect somewhat slow service but this is ridiculous. Almost three hours from the time we put in our drink order till we got our entrees. The food was decent. Had the shrimp scampi appetizer and it was the best thing I ate all night. The lamb was over cooked and greasy. The crispy potatoes aren’t. Wouldn’t return.

Our waiter was very attentive and the food was excellent. There is plenty to choose from and the food is delicious! I would highly recommend.

Great food, large portions, accommodates large parties, very nice staff. Great steaks and classic Italian cuisine. Good live music on a Saturday night

It helps that both my wife & I are half Italian.......brought up in households where "Nonna" had the whole family over for dinner every Sunday and you wanted to be there because the food was fresh, homemade & bountiful ! We understand good Italian food. Our favorite things at Carmines are the "Fish Salad" & the Italian sausages & meatballs. The pasta kills and the sauce/gravy authentic...... The Fish salad is the real deal.....Calamari, Shrimp, Clams, Scungilli,, Octopus.....lightly marinated in olive oil & lemon juice....bits of tender celery.....some crusty Italian bread to sop up the marinade my mouth is watering just thinking about it all.... I love great Italian sausage and they have the best......willing to barter my first born son to learn where I could buy some....... The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere authentic...... You can thank me later !

Visited here on a Thursday evening and it's a big restaurant and it was packed out. A 45minute wait if you wanted to eat outside. We sat inside as there was a table available immediately but shortly after people were queuing and waiting for tables so would recommend booking ahead. Inside it was quite dark but a good atmosphere. i had the clam linguine with red sauce and my husband a pizza. Both were huge. With hindsight I would have ordered an appertiser size as there was plenty for 2. My husband normally finishes off what I leave but he couldn't finish his pizza managing only to eat about 2 thirds, so again one would have done us both. We found it quite expensive $85 without tip and we only had a beer and a glass of wine $15 for the wine alone and no appertisers or desserts but the food was really tasty and is really popular with locals which us always a good guide. The exchange rate was poor so that's why we found it expensive eating out this trip.

Three couples from the local hood fell in to enjoy dinner together. We had great service from RIP, who brought cocktails promptly. Entrees included penne ala vodka( which was split), brick chicken, egg plant parmasean, chicken Milanese and a side of peppers with sausage .We enjoyed our dinner, conversation and ambiance in the garden room and look forward to return visits.

Good meal. Huge portions, good ingredients. No complaints. Noisy crowd, having a great time. Good atmosphere. Good service, friendly waiter. Would I return ? Yes !

A great “dinner w friends” restaurant in Chicago - Pasta w seafood, crab & lobster, was enough to share & the carrot cake you can share w the entire table! Everything from the drinks to the dessert was top notch!

I’ve been to Carmine’s before, and it is always delicious!! This time I’m visiting Chicago with my daughter who is gluten-free. She was thrilled with the many gluten-free options. Choose any pasta and they will make it with gluten-free pasta. The waiter told us soon they will also offer gluten free bread too! Let me tell you, my child was happy!! My veal Parmesan and my mother’s tortellini Alfredo were amazing. Love the ambience of the outdoor seating as well.

Wanted to get a table inside to avoid the awful sun of this day and the very rude man a the door had the great idea to sit us by the service entrance when we dared to ask for table in the shade. Chose to leave immediately!

My wife and 2 son's revisited Carmines for dinner again since last year and we weren't let down, The service was terrific and all our choices were prepared perfectly and larger size portions. My Chicken Parm was great as always. My wife's Sea Bass was cooked to perfection and a healthy serving. One son enjoyed a large NY Strip. But we all agreed the best of all was my second son's Lasagna, truly delicious and a hallmark for this restaurant. As always, I plan to revisit the next time I'm in town.