Pizzeria Portofino Reviews

Went with a group of 5, was seated fast, a good location, setting and interior design. The pizza was ok a little salty. Service was soso, they add 5% Sur charge because of covid, and then don't take cash. Credit cards only.

Before u even sit at the restaurant u get to interact with 2 stuck up snobby girls. One blonde who has NO customer service skills who also looked like could have been a manager. The other a brown hair who bossed the other brown hair girl where to sit everyone. I asked for a outside setting. “Do u have a reservation “ I said no will then no. I said but u have a bunch of tables open and it’s 5pm. I have a booth inside available only did u want that. That’s what she said to me I said is there anyway we can just eat out there the rude no customer experience blonde said we don’t have anything at the patio. With an eye roll and then says to the other girl anyways let me talk to u about the bar area. The brown hair girl tells us to follow her. They sit us by the toilet table top. I said no way that’s happening so we get moved to another booth. Remember they only had one booth available amazing how that opened. We waited 18 mins NO wait staff showed. Not even the water boy. That’s when we said peace out. Plenty of Italian spots with less stuck up front desk staff

We had a great experience here! The view of the Chicago river was great and the gluten free pizza was DELICIOUS! My favourite meal of our trip.

The atmosphere was great. In Chicago, you do not expect to thin crust pizza but Pizzeria Portofino has it. As we ate, we could watch the boat tours on the Chicago River in a very relaxing environment.

Food was very good. I recommend you eat on terrace or dont bother. Our waiter had to visit both ends of the table to tell us about draft beer selections, specials etc. Then did the same to take our orders. Very loud and nearly impossible to hear him. The food comes out when its ready...so 2 of our 5 sat for 10 min without their entries. We placed an order to take home for a relative. We did not receive it and only realized when we were in the cab that we were charged for it. So, maybe they can donate a lemon pasta with chicken to a food bank for us. Eat outside or pass.

Great dinner. Loved the atmosphere. Good service. Fun drinks at the bar including delicious mocktails. Ordered salads, pizzas and pasta- all delish. Really loved the Brussel sprout pizza.

Finally a great pizza-restaurant downtown! Nice location, very good pizza and pasta, very welcoming people. I really enjoyed this place. Average food prices, drinks and wines a little too expensive for this kind of restaurant.

Very hard to get a reservation on Open Table but when we went it wasn't even crowded - tables are somewhat crammed together . 2 reasons to go- the patio view- right on the river, has a very European vibe. The other is the pizza- it is very good- thin crust and very fresh ingredients. Go off hours or you will have to wait in line- I got the only open table for 2 weeks ! Not sure why all the fuss but it is a cute place and fun- raining when we were there so didn't get to sit outside, patio is SO nice ! Pretty decor but surprised they would put plastic palm plants in the corner- kind of tacky !

Happy, relaxed atmosphere, suitable for all ages, excellent food, ok service, wonderful view of Rio. You can get there by boat.

All tables were full, and reservation is vise. Octopus was excellent and very tender. Pizza was delicious but a bit greasy. Staff great.

We had a lovely Christmas Eve at Pizzeria Portofino, where we enjoyed the best pasta and pizza in a while and definitely in Chicago! The first authentic Italian pizza tasted extremely delicious, would definitely recommend getting that even if it’s just for a starter. Because you have to try the pasta, in my opinion the Rigatoni Vodka are the best. But everything is worth a try. The cacio e Pepe unfortunately were not as creamy as I expected. The ambiance was very cozy even though the restaurant was PACKED. The only negative thing was that the music was way too loud, The acoustic was difficult. The service was very notable and quick. With the extremely unique location you can’t go wrong! Even though the prices were high, it’s still worth it because you get authentic real Italian food and not cheap americanized pasta.

Had a wonderful meal started with a quality mozzarella appetizer, followed by some tasty and well-crafted Neapolitan style pizzas, and ended with a tasty dessert Profiteroles Bianco. Our server Lydia brought everything together perfectly while never letting a drink get close to empty or failing to check in regularly to ensure our meal was exceeding expectations.

Down the stairs from RPM and at foot of Clark St Bridge. Out of the hustle and bustle, but beautiful view of the water! Excellent service and small but delicious menu. We went with all the server recommendations and glad we did so. Fried zucchini was a surprise as it looked more like jalepeno popper but was delicious. Pepperoni pizza with cauliflower crust was delicious. Squid was exceptional and unique. Finally, tiramisu for dessert was exceptionally moist, smooth but not drowned. Definitely recommend reservations during peak weather.

I’ve been told Pizzeria Portofino is one of the harder reservations to get so we braved the heat to come here on a Monday evening. We sat at the beautiful riverfront patio which looks towards the Loop. For starters, we tried the parmesan fries and the strawberry bruschetta. The bruschetta feels almost like a dessert item but the richness of the strawberry was delicious. The fries were also fantastic. Next, I had the pepperoni pizza. It was pretty good but didn’t shine the same way the starters did. I would’ve liked a little more substance to my crust but it was delicious nonetheless. For drinks, we had the River North and the Amalfi. They were both very refreshing but the River North was more my style. Unfortunately, the Portofino purses were broken, so I guess I will have to come back and try it some other time.

I reserved a table for four for my wife’s birthday. Miss Claudia texted me 3 days before our reservation and told me they will celebrate my wife’s birthday all. Miss Claudia, Please do not send e mails full of promises that you can not keep. We entered to the restaurant 15 minutes before our reservation, we asked our table to the lady at the entrance, Ms Crystal, with a very rude way , she told us to step aside and wait till our exact reservation time. We were shocked with the attitude, few minutes later she told us in a very rude way to wait away from her desk!!! My strong suggestion to the management team to watch this lady’s attitude towards customers. She is not smiling, not greeting and not welcoming the guests. Sorry Ms crystal, you are not belong to hospitality industry. On the other side our waiter Jakob, he is fantastic. Very kind, helpful and knows how to treat to guests. Thank you Jakob.

I wish the moved matched the aesthetics but overall it wasn’t a horrible experience. The is currently the “it” place in town especially considering you can pull up by boat. Getting a seat at the bar is virtually impossible & I’m told wait times for the patio tables are more than a hour. My river north cocktail was balanced & stiff however my lobster was forgettable.

Had a great visit to this restaurant! If it’s warm ask for a table outside by the River. Sampled the octopus, calamari, pizza, Parmesan fries and more. Everything we tried was excellent. Great wait service (we were with a regular). Great for people watching. Reasonably priced for the area. Look forward to going back!

Such a great location and view. Also loved the atmosphere. I really love the feeling of the place and looking out at the river and Riverwalk on the opposite side. If you want to have dinner here you need to have a reservation. Make it way in advance. We couldn’t get in for dinner but we went for lunch right when it opened. I got the sausage pizza and it was OK. I liked the taste of the sausage and there was a lot of fennel, which I didn’t mind, but it was very dry. I squeezed a little lemon on it and it helped, but I probably wouldn’t get that again. I got the Cacio de Pepe and it was fantastic. I would definitely get that again and I’m craving it now.

The acoustics are terrible (we sat on the covered terrace), and you sit pretty tight, so the extremely loud talk made it completely impossible to have a conversation at our table. The food tasted ok, but both pizza and pasta were half cold when we got it served, and the pasta boiled out. The service was nice and service mindful, 5 stars to her, but that is unfortunately not enough for us to come back. Table reservation is a must.

Love the location..you cannot beat being on the river inside or out...the food is FABULOUS...everything we ordered was delicious. The pizzas were outstanding, as were the meatballs, the salads....the antipasto plate..BUT, the DESSERTS are to die for. Probably the best desserts we have ever had out.....don't miss this gem. The decor is so awesome..the wood, the ceilings, everything about it is really upscale chic and outstanding. Service was outstanding as well.

We had a lovely dinner here with great food and great scenery. We enjoyed the Spaghetti Limone and Pesto Genovese. The roasted garlic bread was a fantastic appetizer. A great evening!

Although we had a reservation, we were told we would have to wait 2 hours after the reservation time. The hosts were rude, haughty and arrogant. We would not return.

Great food and service. This place is bustling. Our waitress was great the entire time. The charred pepperoni pizza with hot honey is awesome. Really good cocktails.

Great food and atmosphere on the river. Pizza, pastas and antipastos were all delicious. Very quick and attentive service. Place feels like you are at an island beach bar.

We made a reservation here for lunch before our trip based on reviews. The day we went unfortunately was cold and rainy so no outdoor seating. We were able to see the river though and watch the boats go by. We had a 2:30 reservation and showed up a little early but were seated right away. We had Jacob as our waiter and he was very informative and helpful when it came to the menu. We each ordered a pizza and a drink. They came out quickly. As others have said the crust is very thin so if you're not into thin crust you wouldnt be happy. Unfortunately my husband is not a thin crust type so he wasnt that impressed. I thought my pizza was good but nothing to write home about. It was nice for a try but if we are ever back in Chicago we will go somewhere else.

This beautiful place is right on the Chicago Riverfront! The ambiance is one of a kind, and the food is out of this world. We had pizza, fish, and pasta--all of it was top notch and delicious. Try the Black Truffle pizza, it's amazing

They really don't get it, Reservations really don't matter here. Talk to host to hear excuses why your table isn't ready doesn't help knowing they are EXTREMELY eager to take your $50 deposit to hold reservation, only to make you wait 20 minutes

The restaurant is stunning. Beautiful design. The views are stunning, right on the river walk-great city lights. I dined last week to celebrate a "late" Christmas with friends. We had a two pizza's, a pasta dish and two salads. The bar is beautiful too. I'm going again this week with friends that want to try it. A lot of woman dining....I'm sure the spring and summer this will be a hot spot. The wine list and cocktails were wonderful. The bartender was amazing. The food was great! I look forward to trying more dishes.... a great additional to the food scene for Chicago. Smart (Can you open one in Lincoln Park Please :)....)

We loved our experience at this restaurant,. It overlooks the Chicago River which is beautiful. The patio is enclosed but there is good air flow and overhead heaters. The service was excellent. We loved the food we ordered- the caesar salad, the fennel salad, the margarita pizza, and the brussel sprouts pizza.

We have eaten eat Portofino a few times in the last year and have never been disappointed. Over winter holiday we stopped by again for lunch. Craving something different our server recommended the brussel sprout pizza. We opted for the cauliflower crust. Holy smokes was it delicious. A drizzle of honey enhanced the smokey earthy flavors. Lunch for 2 under $30 in downtown Chicago? Yes please!

What a disappointment. We love RPM and most other Lettuce Entertain You concepts, yet this one is a miss. Even with great food, the service was so bad from check-in, through the meal to no "Good Bye or Thank You." How can this be affiliated with other restaurants that have exceptional service? Not sure. We won't be back. Lots of other places in Chicago with both great good and service.

On Wednesday June 1, 2022 my wife and I arrived at Pizzeria Portofino for a late lunch/ early dinner on our last day in Chicago. We were seated at a high top table on the patio overlooking the river and greeted by our server, Carmena, a delightful and pleasant young lady, to say the least!! We ordered the Burrata & Red Pepper Jam, the Tuna Tartare,, the Stuffed Squash Blossoms, the Prosciutto Daniele and the Meatball Parmigiano, and two bottles of wine, all of which were exceptionally delicious!! During our dinner, we were constantly engaging and laughing, A LOT, with Carmena, who was , BY FAR one of the best servers we have ever encountered. What a wonderful way to spend our last day in Chicago and a PLEASURE to meet Carmena. An absolute must on our next trip to Chicago! THANK YOU CARMENA & PIZZERIA PORTOFINO!! Beth & Todd

Small, cute restaurant right on the river. Excellent service. We had margarita and pepperoni pizza. It was my birthday and they brought me a cute little dessert. Would be so fun in the summer with good weather.

Picked up pizza from Pizzeria Portofino. We ordered the Margherita with Crushed Campania Tomato, Fior di Latte, Genovese Basil. Plenty of flavor with the tomatoes. Also picked up a Pugliese and the Crumbled Fennel Sausage, Chili Flakes, Rapini, Pecorino were awesome Great Sausage!

We were able to sit downstairs with a great view of the Chicago River. We ordered two kinds of spaghetti and a pizza. The food was very good. Service was pretty good. I definitely recommend it. Wifi was available and easy to connect to.

Nice place with a beautiful view, unfortunately there are no tables outside. The food was good and the service superb, fresh and attentive young people. We had pizza and garlic bread and both were really good with a cold beer.

It's the new hot, hip, and trendy place, but the food did not live up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but not great. Spicy tuna bruschetta was boring. The charred shrimp was quite good. Pizza is very thin crust. The rim stayed crispy but the center was soggy. We had the truffle and the fennel sausage pizzas. Service was good, place had an energetic vibe, but it was still easy to have fun conversations with friends. Would consider going back on a nice day to sit on the river, but not for the food.

The pizza was great! However, we were asked to leave our table while in the process of paying our bill. Apparently there is a rule here about the length of time you can sit at a table. Exceed that time, and you will he asked to leave.

Worst service ever. Heaters were blaring; I asked four times to please adjust and had to beg. Our son, on his 18th birthday didn’t get his meal until the other three of us were finished and plates cleared. Noisy and average food. Ugh. Never again.

The food here is good as are the drinks. Nothing spectacular, but everything was quite tasty and the service was friendly and efficient. What makes this place special is the ambience. The setting is very cool; it almost feels like eating out in a vineyard. But...the view is of the Chicago River and the surround skyscrapers. The crowd is lively and there is a cool vibe here. I would recommend to visitors and locals alike.

The setting beside the river, service and food are outstanding. We had the eggplant appetizer, Arugula salad and one of the thin crust pizzas on the menu. Don’t miss this spot for lunch if you are in Chicago when the weather is warm.

We had some issues on our first visit to Pizzeria Portofino after waiting two months to get a reservation. First of all we were at a table that was the closest to the outside door so we got a cold breeze blowing on us every time someone came or went. There was another door blocked by a plant near the elevator that would have made more sense to use rather than the one directly into the dining room. With the winter months fast approaching it would behoove the restaurant to change the door for entry. When we asked if we could move to a booth that had opened up we were told that table was reserved and no others were available, we could have waited for one to open, since we had already ordered we didn't think that was a good option. Secondly, we weren't advised that the restaurant was cashless until we put cash down to pay our bill. Lastly, we were told the specials, but no one mentioned how much they cost. The truffle pasta special was $58. That was criminal not to have been told that cost. It was certainly a shock to see that on the bill. The fact that there was an additional $3 charge for the cauliflower crust pizza and another $3 charge for the added spinach should have been mentioned when we ordered. We would rather know ahead of time than to be surprised on the bill. It also would have been nice if gluten free options were marked on the menu rather than having to get the rundown from our waitress. We also wish the waitress had advised us that the pizzas are big enough to share. We didn’t each need to order one. That all being said, the cauliflower crust (gluten free) special squash pizza of the day was delicious, but with all the other problems we experienced we do not think we will be returning.

Enjoyed lunch right along the river at Pizzeria Portofino. Newly opened addition to the Lettuce Entertainment Group. We enjoyed a salad, full size pasta and the lobster. Many things could be prepared gluten free and all was delicious. The service was a bit slow but we weren’t in any hurry as we had a gorgeous day in Chicago. We arrived early (11:30) and snapped up one of the last outside tables which was well worth it.

If you like the feeling of dining with 14 year old girls on a High School Musical field trip, this is your place. If you’re above the age of 14, you’d be wise to give it a miss. Average pizza mixed with manically loud Tick Tock comedy dance music played at deafening volume to so you and your friends can scream “WHAT?!!!!?” every time someone says something, as every guest was forced to do in our area, then…skip this place entirely. Not worth the river view. A stress inducing experience.

After hearing so much about this location, we had a work lunch here. First, it is a great location for a beautiful sunny day on the Chicago River. Inside is nice as well. Wait staff are very good. Food is not. If you want atmosphere, drink and an appetizer, I would probably recommend but good luck getting in. Definitely make a reservation. If you want pizza, this is not the place to go. The music is too loud and conversation is hard.

Good pizza but atmosphere is overcrowded with tables crammed together and forget getting a table on patio, unless you have a reservation. You can try to sit at bar but bar seating is so jammed together, you will be touching shoulders with person next to you. They say they take walk-ins, but they never do. Way overhyped.

Went there to check it out. Great location on the river. Ordered a glass of Chardonnay. Went to pay with cash, they said no cash. Got the bill and was shocked the wine was $27. All other white wines were $9-$15 a glass. Feel like I was tricked.

This restaurant offers a great view over the river. During summer time, the doors will be wide open and you enjoy the feeling of being outside while being inside Pizzas are gréât, easy to share. Service is nice, always someone looking after you despite the hype of the restaurant

AMAZING food!! Stopped in here for dinner, we were seated quickly, very friendly staff, Marylin was a great server. We tried a few drinks and they were amazing. Ordered the garlic bread for an appetizer and it was fabulous! We got the pizza that comes with hot honey and it was mind blowing. We tried something out of our comfort zone and I’m very glad we did. Very pretty restaurant and nice atmosphere. Right on the river. Would recommend.

Stopped in for lunch, they were very busy but we only waited 2-3 minutes for a table for 3. Ordered two pizzas and they came super fast. Food was good service was good and the espresso gelato was amazing.

Alexa, find me a spot to rest my tired feet. Also: spot must have cocktails + Italian grub + Riverfront killer view. Go! Portofino Spritz ($14): Aperol, Prosecco, Grapefruit Amalfi Spritz ($14): Limoncello, Prosecco, Pinot Grigio Burrata & Pistachios ($19): Coz I have a burrata addiction *17 days sober today* Rigatoni Vodka Pasta ($18): Whipped burrata, Calabrian Chili, Basil Pugliese Pizza ($18): Spicy Fennel Sausage, Calabrian Chili Flake, Rapini, Parmesan, Green Fennel Seeds Pizzeria Portofino provides a much-needed respite pre, mid or post-stroll along the Chicago Riverfront. I loved my pasta dish the most - the burrata softened the chili and complemented the vodka sauce nicely. Delicious thin crust was picked by the Honeybun too! Cocktails were refreshing and vibe was just cool all the way around. This is one of those places that has a weekend brunch wait of 2 hours coz the view is unbeatable and romantic. Buzz kill: Each table has a 90 minute limit so for dessert we hobbled over to Starbucks Chicago Reserve (world’s largest Starbucks that sells alcohol!) for my affogato and hazelnut cornetto. Bon appetit! More pix &vid on IG: @i_therefore_conclude

My husband and I had a late lunch here during the Memorial Day weekend. The place is very busy so make reservations or take your chances at the bar. We were able to find seating at the bar which had a great view of the water and the boats as they pass by. The service was great and the food was even better. I highly recommend the Portuguese octopus… it was excellent, paired with crispy potatoes. We also had the spaghetti limone and the pizza Fresca, both were equally good. Opt for Al fresco dining if the weather is nice. Will definitely be back!

I was a little apprehensive about eating here after I read some of the negative reviews. However, we had a fantastic experience! We didn’t have a reservation, but the team made sure they were able to accommodate us without having to wait too long. All the staff were very friendly and there was a great attention to detail. The atmosphere is lovely and the restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. The food and drinks did not disappoint. We ordered 1 appetiser, 1 salad, 1 pizza and 1 pasta dish. All were fantastic!! My husband always orders pizza and has eaten pizza all over the world. He said that the pizza here is up there as one of the best. The dough is so light and fluffy, and it is cooked to perfection. Some ingredients are added on top cold after cooking (e.g. buffalo & prosciutto). However, the staff inform you about this when ordering. Thank you Pizzeria Portofino for a wonderful experience :-)

If there could be a more perfect setting on a summer Chicago evening, I don’t know what that could be. Not only that, but the food was great, service attentive, and ambiance excellent all around. Set on the Chicago River, open air with seating both inside and out, we watched the parade of watercraft, from kayaks to yachts, complete with bathing beauties atop while we dined on truly delicious food. This is a new restaurant from the Lettuce Entertainment group and it’s a winner! We tried an array of dishes: arugula salad, watermelon tomato feta salad, Mediterranean salad - twice as big as the others, two pastas, a pesto pasta and cacio pepe - both seemed house made and were very good, and two pizzas, Burrata Diavolo (with spicy tomato sauce, imported burrata and generous piles of prosciutto) and Black Truffle & Three Cheese pizza (with house made ricotta, and copious thinly sliced black truffles). To my palate - admittedly I am a lover of truffles - this was the star of the whole meal! Of course, it is black truffle season, and the menu states that it has a black truffle salsa which is probably the norm, but this pizza was incredible! Only one disappointment - two of us ordered “Portofino Spritz” of Prosecco and grapefruit but the grapefruit juice was obviously canned. A restaurant of this quality should provide freshly squeezed grapefruit juice in this drink - then it would truly have been refreshing and, as the drink menu states, will “transport (you) to the Riviera.” Despite this one flaw, we loved Portofino and will definitely return soon!

Do NOT under any circumstance come to this place. I am visiting Chicago from Scandinavia and I was recommended by a friend to try it out. The staff was in particular unimpressive, ignorant, arrogant and completely lacked the professionalism I would expect from an ”upscale” pizza place. 1. I was tole they had no available tables and I saw at least 20. 2. They advised it was free seating at the bar. I found myself a seat that this couple took from me. No help from the waiter to get this sorted. I am a world traveller, dress neat and act with a manner but have never ever cone across any worse than this evenings visit at the Pizzeria Portofino. Do NOT borher to come here! Shape up guys!

My wife and I, along with another couple, had dinner here while in the city for the weekend. It was our first time here, but it will not be our last. We had a reservation and arrived about 15 minutes early, so we found a spot at the bar and ordered a drink. We had our drinks and were promptly seated right on time. The atmosphere is really nice and a lot of fun. It is not a quiet and formal like some of the RPM restaurants, with a more bar-like causal environment that we really enjoyed. Our server was very attentive and helpful with recommendations throughout our meal. I have included pictures with descriptions. We started with the Parmesan Meatball and Fried Zucchini Flowers. The meatball was excellent and definitely recommended. We had never had zucchini flowers before and I would say give it a try, very good and vey glad we did. For dinner, we had the Rigatoni Guanciale, Lifeguard Seafood with Linguini, the Pizza specialty of the night which was Salami, and the Mini Meatball and Ricotta. Both of the pasta dishes were excellent, with great flavor and cooked perfectly. The rigatoni is listed as spicy and it is, but not overly. Both of the pizzas were outstanding, but be aware, these are very thin and crispy crust pizza, not the usual overly heavy, overly cheesy Chicago style pizza you often find here in the city. For dessert we shared the Canoli Gelato and the Profiteroles Bianco, both of which were very good. One thing I will note is the drinks, while very good, were expensive, even for the city. A Grey Goose Cosmo was $17 and a Rum and Coke was $14. They were good, but again that's a bit steep. We only had two rounds of drinks and that was more than our entire food bill for the evening. This did not deter from my overall impressions, but wanted to make sure people considering visiting here are not surprised.

We ordered a simple pepperoni pizza. It was really good! We walked in and got sat quickly on a Sunday evening, right along the edge of the patio. Great view, until a boat came and docked next to our table so then we couldn’t see anything.

Very trendy restaurant but I felt that I was eating at a well-lit Abercrombie and Fitch. The music was so loud. The pizza was good and service was poor.

My wife and I have been waiting to find an opportunity to dine at Pizzeria Portofino and this place did not disappoint. We were seated on the patio facing the river. What beautiful views of the river and city. Christopher T was our waiter and was amazing, from his easy-going attitude to his spot-on recommendations. We started with a bottle of Lagone and the fried zucchini flowers. Wow, my tastebuds were a flutter. We then ordered the Burrata Diavola and a half order of the rigatoni. The pizza was thin and crispy. The sauce on the rigatoni was bursting with flavor. We ended the evening with the profiteroles bianco and the espresso caramel gelato. Again, amazing. We could have not asked for a better night, better atmosphere, better service or better food. Top notch! An amazing experience and delicious food.

The location is precisely on the river with excellent views of multiple water crafts passing by. The atmosphere is electrifying with the buzz of human activity, music, and river boats. The service is especially attentive by staff who are working hard, friendly, and chill. Do make reservations for seating indoors or outdoors. The bar is first come open seating with full menu service. The cocktails are flowing heavily with an impressive volume of quantity. The lamb sausage pizza was superb and serving size enough for two. Families, couples, and groups are managed well in this stimulating Chicago venue. Reasonably priced or rather just as expensive as everything has become in our nation’s cities.

We were waiting for another family member to come in & we were already late (only had an hr left from the 90min max) & they STILL made us wait for the other family member in order to be seated (for no reason - a lame excuse to scour an empty table for us). We reserved online for the patio seating & ended up with a patio seat BUT without an umbrella in 90 degree weather. Just plain rude hostesses too. + $40 pizza that’s so tiny & lacks flavor? No. Another family member went there & said food was overpriced. We went to RPM seafood instead (we were already so hungry) & it has WAY better food & awesome customer service. Don’t waste your time in this restaurant.

This place is overpriced but I guess that's because it's in downtown Chicago. The pizza looked and smelled wonderful but I opted for a caesers salad since I was traveling solo. The salad was super overpriced for what you got - lettuce with barely any dressing. And a small salad at that If I try it again, it'll have to be for the pizza. Service was OK - I sat behind a pillar so I'm not sure I received the service I should have.

We asked for the lake front table but they said they are booked, we settled for the booth but no big deal. Our server swung by to confirm we were able to pull up the menu, which we did. She said she would be back to give us a chance to browse, then nothing for 25 minutes !! We had to flag down another server to take our order and she gladly dod ( African American Gal, braised hair… I wish I had her name… the management needs to give her gold star ) Our drinks and food arrived back to back in 2 minutes. We stuck with the basics after the service debacle and had their Pqrm Fries and Margherita Pizza. Both were excellent ! I will give this place one more chance, I feel that the servers give more attention to the lakefront guests than the indoor ones. May be just a one off day but 25 minutes of disappearance is unacceptable.

My daughter and I visited Chicago and Pizzeria Portofino to celebrate her graduation from college. This was our favorite restaurant of the entire trip. First, the food was fabulous. We loved everything we ordered. Additionally, the service was exceptional. When we told our servers that we were celebrating a graduation, they truly celebrated with us and brought a delicious cake, as well as a pizza, at no charge. They seemed to genuinely share in our happiness and truly could not have been more kind or thoughtful. This was a rare find - exceptional atmosphere, food, and service. If we have the opportunity to visit Chicago again, we will definitely go back to Pizzeria Portofino!

This a crowded restaurant by the river.very busy. However the desk attendees are rude. They don't welcome you nicely and they talk in a stuck up way as if they own the restaurant or this is the only place in town!! But...their pizza is great and very delicious. The salad and Parmesan fries are also so good. We had desert pistachio ice cream and salted caramel and Natella cookie very nice too. Our servers are great and check on us often. We appreciate them tremendously. Thank you so much and sorry I didn't get their names.

First meal in Chicago and it was a 10/10! Probably one of the best pizza’s I’ve ever had! Atmosphere was great and the view of the river was amazing!

Disclaimer*** My girlfriend and I attended dinner here on July 24th, 2020 during the Covid pandemic, which I understand is a difficult time for the service industry. Having said that, this place has no problem taking every single dollar possible for a pretty watered down experience. To start, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to even make a reservation... and still waited 15 minutes for a table, enough said there. The whole point of coming to this restaurant is to eat right on the river with great views of the river/skyline, and when I made my reservation, all it promised me was “patio seating”. Since they are trying to get every last cover possible (understandable given the situation) they have added these very large and obnoxious tents over all patio seating to be able to seat out there even when it rains. This would be fine, but we were seated on the second floor patio in the corner with our view of the river/city all but completely blocked by these tents. It felt like we were eating under a wedding tent, cheapening the whole experience. We were also rushed into ordering when we got there because they have a 90 min limit per reservation, in order to get those max covers they’re desperate for. On top of all of this, they are enforcing a 4% “hardship tax” on all bills that can be removed if you put up a fight (we did not, they obviously need it). This is the first restaurant that I’ve been to recently that has made the negative impacts of the pandemic the customers responsibility. The food was pretty good, but for the $180 bill and all things considered, I would go just about anywhere else in the city while these restrictions are in place. We left our 3 year anniversary dinner disappointed. Side note: we ran into a couple on the stairs on the way out (asked us to take a picture) who were very thrown off by their server asking them if they wanted another round, and then promptly kicked out of their table to finish it after it arrived because the the 90 minute limit.

We couldn’t have enjoyed our experience here more. We came in a little early after reserving a patio table and got seated right away. It was a beautiful view of the river. Food and drinks came fast, and our server was very attentive. The pizza was light, not super filling, so we also got dessert. The tiramisu was great! We really enjoyed the patio atmosphere, too.

What a terrific place! I found it online and wanted to try a new pizza place (new to me) in Chicago. It’s right on the river so beautiful setting and views of the city. Wonderful drinks and food. I love pizza and they make a great pie. Appetizers were great - we had the roasted garlic bread and prime beef meatballs. The charred pepperoni was terrific. You can just taste the hot honey they put on. Nice spin on the pizza. Two people at our table got the margherita pizzas. Desserts were incredible too. A total 5 stars for sure!

Visited with a large group for business. The restaurant went above and beyond taking care of us, personalized menus detailed the family style dinner. Every course was delicious but the real winner was the atmosphere sitting outside along the river makes for an amazing summer evening. Would highly recommend.

Portofino has been open 2 months according to our fabulous waiter, Steven. What a gem! Cute, whitewashed, rustic decor. The indoor space is small, with additional riverfront seasonal outdoor seating. But the menu! Wow. I went to celebrate birthdays with 2 long time friends. We ordered the Focaccia di Stefano and the arugula and parm salad to start. Delicious. We split the Cold Water RedPrawns and Cacio e Quattro Pepe. Both delightful. Gelato and granita finished the meal with a light, sweet touch. There is a quite extensive wine list to peruse. Many reasonably priced options, by the glass or bottle. Just wished I lived nearby so I could sample more of their menu offerings soon!

Leave it to Lettuce Entertain You to come up with a new gimmick -- and it isn't even on the menu. LEY, the Chicago-based nation-wide restaurant chain, not only offers valet parking at its Pizzeria Portofino but it also features first-class boat docking on the Chicago River. Located at 317 North Clark Street, between Clark Street and Dearborn Street, in the bustling River North neighborhood, Pizzeria Portofino is a chic Italian eatery with a riverfront terrace and patio and a menu filled with pizza, pasta, grilled seafood and wines imported from Italy or made from locally sourced ingredients. Open from 11:30 to 9 Monday through Thursday and 11:30 to 9:30 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it begs the question: Is there any challenge in the ultra competitive culinary wars that LEY is afraid to accept? Not hardly. Whether it's steaks or seafood or burgers or pizza or pasta, R.J. Melman's LEY empire, founded in 1971, has over 120 restaurants and 60 different concepts from coast to coast. Pizzeria Portofino is one of Melman's newest and freshest creations. I don't have a boat but the second I noticed Mediterranean Branzino and profiteroles on the menu, I knew I had come to the right place. I started with roasted garlic bread wit parmesan garlic butter and rosemary, prime beef meatballs with basil, parmigiana and pomodoro sauce and Romaine Caesar Salad with Romaine lettuce, croutons and Amalfi lemon vinaigrette. Love the Mediterranean Branzino with marinated artichokes, frisee and salmosiglio. For dessert, profiteroles really hit the spot. You rarely see profiteroles on a restaurant menu. Pizzeria Portofino's version, with hazelnut and white chocolate mousse, is outstanding. So is everything else.

Each year for the past 5 years we have eaten at Pizzeria Portofino and it has gone downhill. The location is absolutely amazing. Watching the river traffic is cool. We saw our server three times and it took forever to get a water refill. The spritzer tasted like club soda with a tad bit of lemon juice and definitely not a lot of alcohol. We reserved a seat on the patio 4 weeks in advance of our visit and the 3 of us were shoved into a little corner. They make a lot of room for traffic along the balcony for standing room only so your view is blocked. If you order the big block of ice for your drink (my husband had a bourbon), the upcharge is $4 and they don’t tell you this! We are normally 25% tippers but our server received 15%.

I went here for dinner. It has a nice location on the river. The waiter was very nice. The food was fairly decent. I thought it was very expensive for pizza.

Went for dinner place was very busy and had to wait 30 mins past booking time but hey have a drink at the bar and watch the world go by on the river, food was good the parmigiana fries are yum! Pizzas very thin and crispy the truffle pizza was our favourite. Great views of the river and downtown Chicago at night I

Chicago has no shortage of exceptional Italian restaurants. From Il Porcellino to Petterino's, the Lettuce Entertain You franchise is already responsible for a host the genre's brightest culinary fireworks. However, curious Windy City travelers wishing to discover the area's best bites to eat will find that deep dish pizza--while remaining an undisputed local staple--is far from the only game in town. Simply put, Pizzeria Portofino has the finest pepperoni pizza I've ever tasted. The crispy meat complemented a perfectly chewy, savory crust. I stared at the skyscrapers bordering the river around me in awe, disbelieving that such a simple dish could turn out so brilliantly. I neglected to mention the appetizers. If you think you know what a Mediterranean salad tastes like and opt to skip this seemingly commonplace bowl of lettuce, think again. I honestly would have given Portofino five stars based on the salad alone. It was that good! The burrata comes swathed with halved green olives and sunflower seeds under a drizzle of olive oil. It's flavor is surprisingly mild, but the bread served on the side is expertly cooked. For over ten dollars a glass, I would skip the nonalcoholic specialty drinks. They were tasty but not worth the steep price. For my entrée, I opted for the Cacio e Quattro Peppe (which I assume means "four cheese and pepper pasta," in English). I would describe it as happiness in a bowl. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Perhaps the highlight of this unforgettable meal turned out to be the profiteroles bianco--puffs of pastry dough filled with hazelnut custard and bathed in white chocolate mousse on a dish flooded with yet more chocolate sauce. As the first forkful met my taste buds, all my worries floated away on the tranquil waters of the Chicago river. This dessert is a chocolate lover's dream. The vanilla bean coppa--vanilla and mango passion gelato--is also a picturesquely-plated, wise choice off this superb dessert menu. A word of caution: look carefully for the valet parking sign that Portofino and RPM Seafood share. It can be easy to miss. Also, reserve your table well in advance as spots fill up in no time. Once you see the sweeping skyline views the patio offers, feel the gentle breeze off the river, and hear the modern thrum of the trendy playlist the restaurant blasts at volume ten, the mood is set for 90 minutes of relaxation and culinary fireworks. Prices here aren't outrageous, but Pizzeria Portofino is certainly not for someone on a budget (or a diet, for that matter). After I move away from this marvelous city, I will treasure the splendid, sun-soaked memories I made on this riverfront and would recommend this new Italian joint to anyone in the area.

Pizzeria Portofino is a popular restaurant. The reason I begin this review by saying that is because of the fact that it's really a good idea to make a reservation at this restaurant. Or, you may be stuck waiting, or have to eat your meal at the bar. This may not be a bad thing for you. But, if you wanna come in and sit at one of the riverside tables, a reservation is probably your best bet. In terms of what they offer, obviously their specialty is pizzas. Just note, this is not Chicago Style Pizza. These are basically smaller, thin crust pizzas. Personally, I like that, because it doesn't leave you feeling too full after your meal. But, I know there's a lot of people who want to come into Chicago and need a Chicago Style Pizza. If that's your preference, this restaurant may not be your place. Other than that, they offer a various other dishes, like large salads and things of that nature. So, pretty much everybody's going to be able to find something tasty to eat off of their menu. In terms of their drinks, particularly their cocktails, they have a fairly limited menu. But, all of the drinks they offer are unique. Even their short-menu of beers highlight a few unique choices. Plus, they have a small wine list, if that is your preference. Plus, they, of course, offer all of the other drinks that one would expect from a pizza orientated restaurant. In terms of seating, they have their tables that are lined up along the riverfront side of the restaurant. They have their bar, as mentioned. They have some booths along the rear wall of the restaurant. Plus, they have a few two-person tables situated somewhere between the bar and the booths. Overall, they do have a lot of seating. But, as stated, very often, this restaurant will be full. So just keep that in mind. Overall, if you want to have an interesting pizza meal along the riverfront. This may be the place for you.

We stopped in around 1:30 pm on a gorgeous summer Sunday. All the tables were full and we were informed the wait time was 30-40 minutes for a table inside or out. We were just on the point of leaving when the manager offered us 2 open seats at the bar along the window where the view was partially obstructed by a stairway. We happily accepted. We ordered a white pizza with mushrooms, a Caesar salad and 2 "pampelmols", a grapefruit juice based non-alcoholic drink. The drink, which came in a big wine glass, was quite tart and refreshing. The pizza had the thinnest imaginable crust with creamy sauce and fancy gourmet mushrooms. It was quite tasty, tho my companion said he preferred his crust to have a bit more substance to it. The salad had very fresh crisp romaine and 2 anchovy slices but it had wa-a-a-y too much dressing and shredded cheese on top, so it was downright gloppy. But no croutons which is unusual for a Caesar salad. The bill before tip was $49, so you are paying for the view, which is glorious on a sunny day with all the boats going by and people strolling the RiverWalk along the opposite riverbank. The restaurant itself is very attractive in a white and sunny yellow color scheme. An upstairs dining room will open at a later date. The restaurant is below street grade. There is an exterior staircase down and also a small elevator just adjacent to the Clark St. Bridge.

Chris served us with lot of Warmth and Hospitality really loved every bit of it Oh what a pizza good Pasta great salad enjoyed

Do Not Hesitate: Go ! After reading some reviews of this restaurant, we hesitated for a nano second. Should we go? We did and it was FABULOUS!!! Not good, not average but FABULOUS!! Location is perfect as anticipated. Pizzeria Portofino’s physical redecoration is spot on for what one would see in Italy. Staff was professional and lovely simultaneously. Ok. Let’s talk food. In a word... Delicious. Beautifully crafted, taste profile was spot on. People, if ya’ want Chicago deep dish pizza with all its slop there are dozens of restaurants in walking distance to chow in. However, if you seek to broaden your palate and / or remember the glorious food you had while visiting the real deal Italy, then march yourself over to Pizzeria Portofino. The food is glorious. I’m already moaning how we shall be able to get a table in the dead of winter when the outdoor seating will be shut. Yes, we shall be back many, many times.

In Chicago next the river, super menu with best prices.. this was the best crispy pizza in town. Inside decoration is very nice.’music is also good.. Thanks to the manager Isabel, she was very friendly and helpfull. She offered a beautiful birthday cake also to us. I will definitely suggest to everyone to go there.

And I would eat it again, but the other offerings that I saw look very well prepared. Reservations a must, though they let us in after we promised we weren't going to stay even an hour. Good ambience. I saw a few young families, young marrieds, older couples. You'll love it!

I was pleasantly surprised with the location, on the Chicago River great outdoor dining . Lots of boats going by. Also has docs for boats to stop by to dine or pick up food. We liked everything from our drinks to our dinner. Italian salad with chickpeas was delicious. Pizzas were tasty.

You're not welcome, this is made clear by the waitresses at reception. I have observed several people checking in - an unpleasant display of procedures that make receptionists feel in charge. If you feel sorry for youngsters not getting tips during lockdown, come to Portofino and your sorrow will be wiped away. Pizza was very, very good and so is location, setting and interior design. Very good value. The waiter was nice and cheerful. I doubt he is spoken to by the colleagues at reception/deception. P.S. The temperature check is also working as selfie monitor -wonder if your pic is forwarded to someone in case you have fever. Silly conspiracy theory -but the rude youths hiding behind the contempt-glass make you think of the worst.

Just arrived in Chicago and took a shot walk from the hotel to check out the city and walking along the river saw this place to dine overlooking the river and so glad we decided to check it out. Food was fabulous even though we didn’t have pizza, calamari was tender as was octopus and very flavorful.

My family took our mom to Pizzeria Portofino for Mother’s Day and soon regretted it. One of our appetizers was significantly delayed (we later learned it went to the wrong table). Because we did not see our server, we stopped the first server to walk by to inform her of the delay. She couldn’t be bothered and she kept walking and quipped with a snarky reply that our server would take care of us. I watched her proceed to walk past our server with no communication whatsoever. So I got up to remind our server of the appetizer that we ordered, to which she agreed to look into. As I was talking to her, the rude server (Adriana) walked up and I told her that I did not appreciate her attitude. A manager immediately interjected and tried to smooth things over. Unfortunately, that included making excuses for Adriana’s rude behavior. After that, my entree was so delayed that my family completely finished their meals before mine had arrived. A second manager came to the table to apologize and proceed to make excuses for Adriana’s rude behavior earlier. I expressed concern over management’s inclination to make excuses as a bigger problem with the culture of the restaurant. That seemed to resonate with the manager (Anna) and her apology began to feel genuine, rather than performative. A manger had previously offered to comp our apps and my meal, which, while very much appreciated, still did not sit right with us because of the constant attempts to excuse Adriana’s behavior. But, in the end, Anna continued the dialogue, which felt much more authentic. Kudos to Anna and the other manager (I didn’t get their name), but Adriana has no business in hospitality! There is way too much competition for good food in Chicago!

We stopped here for drinks and appetizers on a cold Chicago afternoon. Enjoyed the meatball and garlic fries along with our drinks. Great location on the river.

Phenomenal service! Phenomenal food! Phenomenal cocktails! Great menu! So many options! The Restaurant is spotless! They have such a great vibe! One of my favorite establishments in Chicago! Highly recommended! Pepperoni honey pizza is TOP TIER!

Great cocktails, view and the food was a piece of Italy but in Chicago haha. Views of the river were awesome.

Had a 5:30 reservation- checked in at 5:10 and had a sweet table outside, 40 minutes later. I could spend so much time on the quality of the food ...but I choose to let you know the magnificence of the service. Bravo. But what will they do in the winter???

Fantastic options and atmosphere on the river. The fennel sausage (pugliese) pizza is absolutely to die for!! Salads were delicious and overall very nice outdoor dining experience. Will be dreaming of that pizza did a while!!

On my way home from work I decided to have dinner here. The place was almost empty. I asked for a table and they asked me for how many people, I answered one. They responded that I have to go to the bar. (I can't climb on that high chair). They said that if I were with someone else, they would give me a table for two and that they're waiting for; perhaps, parties of more than one person will show up. So, one person is not a person unless that person is with one more person? What kind of service is this? Shame! If I could give this place zero star or negative five stars, I would. You should treat people as humans not as a dollar sign. Although, you don't know how much I was going to order.

I brought a group of 15 work colleagues here last weekend, and let me just say—it completely lived up to the hype! This spot has been on our must-try list for a while, and I’m so glad I finally made the reservation. From the moment we walked in, I could tell we were in for an incredible evening. The service was top-notch—attentive, friendly, and so genuinely welcoming. The staff truly went above and beyond to make us feel at home. And the food? Absolutely phenomenal. We kicked things off with a variety of appetizers, and the calamari was perfectly crispy and flavorful, while the meatballs were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The Caesar salad, pizzas, vodka pasta, and chicken piccata were all crowd-pleasers, each dish prepared with obvious care and bursting with flavor. We wrapped up the night with the tiramisu, and wow—it was the perfect sweet finale to an unforgettable meal. The ambiance of this riverside gem is just as impressive as the food: cool, relaxed, and full of great energy. If you’re looking for a place that checks all the boxes—amazing food, stellar service, and a vibe that’s just right—this is it. Don’t hesitate to book a table here; you’re going to love it!

I wish I could give more stars to this wonderful gem on the river. First, every staff we encountered was kind and helpful. We had an amazing bartender and server Antonio who treated us like family. Bailey was our actual server (supported by Antonio) and he was incredible kind and wonderful as well. The staff (Sam was awesome as well) operates as a team, working multiple jobs and supporting each other. The food was awesome, the atmosphere on the river incredible and the staff could not have been better. When we spoke with the manager Brendan, it was clear that the great attitude includes their management. Brendan was lovely and so gracious in his interaction with us. We can't wait to return in a few weeks!

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here on Monday, Sept. 30th. One of the last 80 degree days in Chicago. The restaurant is brand new and beautiful. The staff was very friendly. We sat outside right on the river. The view of the buildings is wonderful. We were there for lunch. Had a sampler special which included 3 different sandwiches and a spring salad. It was good. The portion size could have been larger. I wish we would have split a pasta dish instead. We also had a pizza. The pizza's are very thin crust, which we happen to like. We went with the Burrata Diavolo, which has fresh mozzarella, I believe, and some prosciutto. The sauce is a little spicy with a nice kick. I would like to try a pasta dish next time. Our server, Nadia, was very friendly and attentive. We really enjoyed the experience.

Top three all-time pizza experiences. Amazing. Excellent service, great energy/vibe and beautiful view of the river.

Staff was amazing and food was delicious.I was celebrating my birthday we enjoyed every moment.Great view and good you will have to get dropped or find a parking garage around.