riccardo trattoria Reviews

Excellent Italian food is served in this wonderful little neighborhood gem of a restaurant in Lincoln Park. Extensive wine list with a nice selection of Italian wines. Good service. Crowded and loud. One of the best small family run places in the city. I had the best veal saltimbocca that I've ever eaten, and it filled my entire plate. Another in our group had the ossobucco, and it was divine. No tourists here -- we were with local friends. The decor is as it should be, cafe style and underwhelming, but it has a lively atmosphere packed in with happy eaters. Reservations are a must. I would definitely eat here again.

The ASIAGO CHEESE FILLED GNOCCHI TARTUFATI with butter parmesan sauce with burgundy truffle was amazing!! Enjoyed the POLPETTINE veal and ricotta meatballs, ossobuco & porcini sauce. Excellent EGGPLANT & ZUCCHINI PARMIGIANA AU GRATIN with tomato and basil The LAMB CHOP MILANESE breaded & pan fried top with arugula & grape tomato to me was just average and the low point of the meal. It tasted just like a regular schnitzel. To be honest I couldn’t differentiate that this was lamb I was eating. The CIOCCOLATISSIMO with vanilla gelato and amarene (10 minutes to bake) was the highlight of my meal besides the gnocchi! It was delicious! The TORTA DI MELE warm apple pie with vanilla gelato was good too. To end the meal we had some sambucca and lemoncello shots which hit the spot. The coffee was delicious also! It was a very small and cozy Italian atmosphere at Riccardo Trattoria! Definitely enjoyed the food and experience. Came here for restaurant week. Very small beer menu list..

We had dinner at Ricardo's and had a lovely dinner. My husband had the halibut and loved it; the gnocchi was thumbs up and the pappardelle was delish. From the salad to the sorbetta, everything was prepared well.

Very good food with a lot of choices and lots of flavor in each dish. They were easily able to accommodate my companion who is gluten free. I would go again. Prices are good as well.

Riccardo has been on our occasional return list for a long time, but a while since we'd been - two of us had an excellent dinner and it's good to see it continues to fill its niche - a friendly neighborhood setting, not glamorous, a good casual setting. My company had the panzanella salad and is a veal fancier so went with the saltimbocca. In principle I believe in the chef's daily specials of which there were several - I will nearly always brake for zucchini blossoms so that was an obvious starter, and the duck ragu with the pappardelle was subtly flavored and tasty. Profiterole as the special for dessert is always a good choice especially if others at the table are no longer hungry. It's busy, so be sure to reserve, and very tough to park.

My wife and I had an excellent dinner there last night. We had the zucchini blossoms as an appetizer and they were delicious. I ordered the pheasant and my wife had a veal dish. We were both very pleased with our choices. Though the restaurant was very busy, the service was excellent. I would definitely go back, and recommend it to anyone visiting Chicago.

Riccardo Trattoria on Clark St in Chicago makes one of two most authentic Italian restaurants in Chicago that I have come across. Extremely small place with only 14 tables of which half are in the runway, normally for me this is an issue, a big issue. Having said that the food is so good that you will forget about where you are sitting. If need be I will eat standing up, skip the table and chairs, just FEED ME. I had Trofie with Porcini Mushrooms and Branzino, both dishes were the best I have ever had. Parking is challenging, worth the $10.00 bucks to Valet.

How, after all these years, can a restaurant be so consistently awesome? The menu is extensive, everything is prepared in the finest manner and served piping hot. it never fails. I would go here every weekend if I could. Thank you for never disappointing.

This was our 10th anniversary dinner. I wanted to have a nice romantic dinner for my wife and I. This place did not disappoint. The service was good, the food was excellent, and ambiance was really nice. They started us with complimentary bruschetta and a bread basket. Both were delicious. I ordered a lobster risotto and my wife ordered lobster and crab ravioli. Both were amazing. We ordered dessert as well. I had a chocolate suffle and my wife had a cognac mousse. The mousse was outstanding and my souffle was really good. All in all, a wonderful evening.

We had eaten here previously and I still have the same complaints about the noise, the cramped seating and the lack of service. However, the food this time mitigated some of the negatives. I had a wonderful risotto with Parmesan cheese and shaved truffles. It was really delicious. The salad I had as a starter was nothing special. We were guests of our host so I have no real complaints. He chose outstanding wines which were very expensive, but indeed very enjoyable.

Recommended by the Waldorf Astoria concierge and this was a great recommendation. Had a wide assortment of dishes-including pasta, chicken, veal and seafood. A very extensive list of appetizers as well. Anyone who likes outstanding Italian food should be able to find something they will love here. I had a polenta with octopus and squid as an appetizer and a pasta dish with langastinos and lobster in an imperial pink sauce --both were excellent. Very good service. We were too full to have dessert. This restaurant is in a residential neighborhood --about a 20-25 minute walk from the edge of downtown (Miracle Mile). If you are in Chicago--give this place a try

Exceptionally varied menu and excellent food. Service was perfect. Has the feel of a neighborhood place. Very popular. Two blocks from the Lincoln Park Zoo. Definitely worth a return trip.

Our reservation was for 9:00pm and we arrived early. The hostess was very accosting and offered us beverages while we waited. The restaurant is well lite and appointed. For a small restaurant I was pleasantly surprised to find our table quite comfortable for four people The waitstaff was very helpful with dietary restrictions and offering advise. The tomato zuppa was one of the best I have ever have. My entree did not disappoint as well. There would be five stars except one of the GF dishes was not creative and appeared skimpy with the seafood that would have graced the original entree. You need to make reservations well in advance. It appears the restaurant is able to handle larger parties.

I have mixed emotions on this review because I do not want too many people to go there. This place is the closest to eating in Italy that I have found. The quality and attention to detail is over the top. Ricardo (check bio on website) monitors everything. Nothing is left to chance. It is so Italian! The extensive offerings make other Italian eatery's look like they are not quite there yet. The venue is small, and reservations are imperative. Not an expert, but 4 visits to Italy, and many Italian restaurants in the US.

We ate at Riccardo Trattoria for the first time Saturday night with friends who have been many times. This is a small place with about 12 tables that is booked solidly weeks ahead of time. Our reservations were honored within 5 minutes and the waiter was spectacular. Fun, casual atmosphere which can get a bit noisy! Very interesting menu and not inexpensive by the time you order everything a la carte. Bread basket is a winner! For starters - the endive & red beet salad was wonderful as were the pasta e fagioli (white bean) soup and onion soup. One friend said her favorite thing on the menu is the vitello tonato - she sopped up every morsel with bread! For dinner I ordered the chilean sea bass on spinach with lentils - big disappointment which I had to send back as the fish was hard, tough, impossible to cut and a very small portion. The waiter whisked it away immediately and fairly quickly brought the Dover sole piccata with asparagus. My husband also ordered the dover sole. It was tasty but the portion was way too small for a man. It was good but not great. The pasta and prawns was excellent and the waiter offered a tomato sauce instead of the cream sauce. Nice sized portion. Our last main course was a delicious veal dish which was way too small for a man even with an average appetite. The only dessert ordered was a chocolate lava cake, which is called something else (2 of them for the table). It was divine - I shouldn't have shared!! Next time I eat here, I'll forget the fish and order pasta or meat! Good time was had by all.

A gift certificate led to this wonderful discovery. Riccardo Trattoria was an amazing experience. Located in the bustling Lincoln Park neighborhood, you have decent paid street parking options (really dependent on timing...guessing the later, the harder to find spots.) If you can't find street parking, Riccardo Trattoria offers convenient valet service. Upon arrival, we were greeted and seated. The friendly, professional waiter did a great job answering questions, timing our food and making recommendations. The restaurant feel is open yet stylishly decorated. You are not that far from other diners yet you go into your own world and forget the others. The wine list is extensive as is the menu. The food. WOW! Yellowfin tuna perfectly rarely cooked and presented. The lobster ravioli--terrific. The grilled octopus--excellent. We felt like very welcomed guests at a cool spot where we are all in the know being there and rewarded for it. From the hosts to the server to the table busser, everyone is friendly and adds to the experience. Riccardo Trattoria knows what they are doing. Of course, I recommend. Go. Today. Enjoy.

The parking is nonexistent & the dining room is small but OMG the food is fabulous. It was a typical windy cold Chicago night and we loved the floor to ceiling red drapes that keep the cold air out when the door opens. The dining room is kind of spartan but the food is unbelievably fabulous. We will definitely be back here on our next trip to Chicago.

A 20minute walk from our fabulous Airbnb. This place is beyond amazing! We started with the fried calamari which was perfection. I had a special Black truffle fresh pasta. If I died that night I would have to say it was my last meal! Hubby had the pasta Bolognese, again the best! Daughter had the lobster pasta, half portion, again fab! We dine out a lot!!! Make this restaurant a stop when in Chicago. Dress is casual, business to a lil dressed up. A neighborhood/Chicago Gem!

My wife and I visited Riccardo Trattoria on a Saturday night in late February 2022, a few days before the city of Chicago lifted its COVID face mask mandate. Ambience: We arrived about 10 minutes early for our 5:45pm reservation, and were seated immediately. A handful of tables were already busy; we also noticed a brisk carryout business was already taking place. As the dining room filled up (within 15 - 20 minutes only 2 of the 20 or so tables were empty), the atmosphere became more energetic. Wood tables (no tablecloths) and chairs, on a wooden floor, with no draperies on the walls contributes a lot to the sound level. We found the chairs somewhat uncomfortable...the back rail (top) of the chairs were curved inward and just the right level so that when seated it kind of forced my arms against the side of my chest. Food: A basket of warm bread (3 different kinds), and bottle of olive oil for dipping, arrived soon after being seated. We split an order of the fried calamari with red prawns. There were only a couple tentacles in the modest portion of rings, with a reasonable number of prawns. The calamari seemed freshly battered, while the prawns were seasoned nicely with no or very littl batter. The prawns were the best part of the appetizer. Entrees were the lobster and crab filled ravioli in a saffron cream sauce and grilled octopus over crushed potato and pesto Genovese sauce. The crab ravioli was good, the lobster pieces scattered among the sauce were firm and just a little sweet. The cream sauce was a little too thick...we brought home leftovers, and adding a bit of milk to the sauce while reheating gave it a much better consistency. The grilled octopus was good, the pesto sauce was a very nice accompaniment. The "crushed" potatoes seemed to have been boiled, quartered, and pressed into a small bowl to form a precise mini-tower. Cost-wise, I felt the appetizer was a bit overpriced for what we received, while the entrees were reasonable. Service: Our waiter provided very prompt and polite service throughout the meal. He answered a number of questions regarding the bottles on their wine list, and offered a taste of the wine he recommended for our meal (it was one of their by-the-glass offerings). Another waiter also jumped in to ensure water glasses and (more importantly) wine glasses did not run dry. Overall, it was a good, traditional Italian dinner, with very solid service.

Great ambient, amazing food. The chef it's a wonderful artist that with just a few bites, painted in my mind the lost memories of dinner time at my aunt home when i was little. Truly traditional Italian cuisine in a cozy and welcoming environment. Good job !..

The in-house made noodles are to die for!! The pink sauce is amazing. Don’t miss the zucchini blooms. Only downside is the space - they’ve got a few too many tables. I spent the meal getting bumped by servers and other guests. Despite that, I would still go again in a second!

Small restaurant, not fancy but genuine and welcoming. We shared 3 dishes, perfect for two. The fried zucchini blossoms were excellent. The cavatelli del pastore with goat ragu was outstanding. Then we had an incredible seared tuna, very simple with some arugula and lime/lemon juice. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the many enthusiastic reviews on TripAdvisor, we reserved a Friday night dinner at Riccardos well in advance. We were in town for only one night and wanted a local Italian dinner, if at all possible! What a wonderful experience! -- great food plus professional yet friendly service by people who obviously care about their customers! The waiter's recommendations were excellent and every course was superb. Contemporary, creative updates to Italian standards plus many unique options. I think my wife had a veal stuffed ravioli which was exceptional! Many locals enjoying the lively ambiance and many people waiting for a table!

The reviews are spot on. The food is excellent and the service is wonderful. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food. We shared the octopus for our appetizer at our waiter's suggestion. (By the way, he was from Milan and he even tried to teach us a few Italian words!) I had the Bronzino and my wife had the Vongole. We both loved our food. We will definitely return!

This Italian restaurant is a favorite with well-heeled locals. It's a small high-ceilinged room; wooden tables and chairs are close together. The menu is extensive. Home-made pastas are excellent and the ricotta cheescake is to-die-for. Sometimes service by the Italian waiters is cordial and friendly; sometimes it's a bit brusque. It's in a congested area so parking is problematic. Much better to arrive by cab, bus or on foot.

Living in Italy 6 months each year we have come to realize there is a big difference between American Italian and authentic Italian cooking. There is something special either in the freshness of the ingredients, seasoning or just the touch of the right amount of everything. When we return from Italy our first restaurant stop is Riccardo's Trattoria on Clark in Lincoln Park. The food, service and feel of the restaurant allows us to re-enter the USA knowing we have an authentic Italian restaurant to connect too. You won't be sorry. And, if you speak Italian most of the waiters are from Italy which adds that extra authentic feeling. Ciao

Having dined at Ricardo Trattoria three years ago, we were interested in trying it again during a recent trip to Chicago. We had a 7pm reservation on a Wednesday night, hoping that things wouldn't be too busy at that time. Our estimate was correct, but thirty minutes later the place was pretty full and the din was becoming uncomfortable. This is a rather small venue, with tables packed closely together (so much so that servers kept bumping my arm), and there's virtually no sound-absorbing material, so voice levels understandably rise as the crowd thickens. Our warm octopus salad appetizer was marred by the very chewy octopus pieces. Granted, octopus is difficult to cook to a tender point -- if you don't do it quickly, you must continue for a long time -- but there's no excuse for an upscale restaurant to get this anything less than perfect. The dinner salad and the entrees were much more satisfying. Riccardo offers a large number of dishes at extremely reasonable prices ($20 or less). My wife's tortellini stuffed with spinach and cheese was very tasty, and my pappardelle with oxtail was also very good (a few pieces of bone attested to its authenticity, but could have caused serious distress for a diner with sensitive teeth). Wine prices are fairly reasonable for this kind of establishment -- you can find a decent bottle for $45, but if you have unlimited resources you can spend ten times that amount. Service was not particularly attentive, but was adequate for a busy night. In sum, this restaurant does not offer cheap dining or a quiet ambiance, but the food is well prepared and the value is pretty good.

My husband is a vegetarian and he was very disappointed that the brussels sprouts side dish he ordered came with bacon. Bacon was not listed as an ingredient on the menu and he'd been so careful about selecting his salad, that he was pretty floored the waiter didn't point out that there was bacon in the vegetable side dish. The restaurant was fairly busy, but I thought the time we waited to put in our order and the delay in getting the bill was longer than it should have been. It was our last night in our whirlwind Chicago weekend and it was too bad our last restaurant was the most disappointing.

Tiny, romantic restaurant with exquisite food and service. Excellent variety on their menu and wine list. Try their zucchini blossom appetizer. Their short ribs are perfect along with the risotto. Best, freshest, lemon sorbet ever! What a gem!

This was a wonderful dining experience! Food was great - very authentic Italian food served by authentic Italians. Our waiter has worked at Riccardo Trattoria since the restaurant opened 9 years ago. Excellent recommendations for dinner- cannot spell or name the entrées- but anything they recommend will be fabulous. We had the poppelino for an appetizer - mini meatballs- they were a great start to the meal. For dessert we had chocolate lava cake, as well as panatone with a creme en glacé and fruit topping. The wine selection was great and pricey. A wider price range would be appreciated.

Riccardo never lets us down with magnificent food, service and ambiance! We just love dining at this elegant Trattoria. Last evening, Riccardo, once again, adorned us with his delicious food when he chose a selection of his best dishes for us to try. From the bruschetta to the lobster ravioli to the veal milanese...the flavors were divine. The wait staff is right on point and even in the packed house, we were treated as though we were the only table in the restaurant. Hands down the best Italian restaurant in Chicago and beyond! Grazi mille Riccardo! We enjoyed every second.

My wife and I have dined at Riccardo Trattoria on other occasions. Now I know why it is regarded as perhaps the finest Italian restaurant in Chicago. What other restaurant can match this diverse menu? It's all a matter of personal likes and dislikes, of course. Some people like grilled octopus, some don't. In our view, no other restaurant in the city (and we've dined at most of the notable ones) combines more delicious items with impeccable service and comfortable surroundings. Located at 2119 North Clark Street, north of Dickens, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Riccardo Trattoria was opened in 2006 by Riccardo Michi, who built his reputation while working at restaurants in Beverly Hills, New York and Chicago. Open from 4:30 to 10 daily, Michi's pride and joy has blended a unique Tuscan wood burning oven with Northern Italian Style cuisine to win Michelin's coveted Bib Gourmand award in 2011, 2012 and 2013. On our most recent visit, we started with fried shrimps and calamari with puttanesca sauce and lemon wedges, braised veal tripe with tomato, vegetables and parmesan, veal and ricotta meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce, cups of minestrone and pasta and cannellini bean soup and Classic Caesar salad with Romaine hearts, croutons and tuna dressing. For an entree, my wife chose veal tenderloin scallopine in white wine and lemon capers sauce while I passed up the 16-ounce veal shank ossobuco in favor of the roast whole Branzino, the meaty and tasty and tender Mediterranean sea bass that I became acquainted with a few years ago in Florida and can't get enough of. For dessert, we shared a plate of warm apple pie with vanilla gelato with scoops of pineapple and coconut sorbet. Or should we have ordered the raspberry and lemon sorbet? Or the panna cotta with passion fruit? Or tiramisu? And what about that 16-ounce veal chop? At Riccardo Trattoria, there are so many delicious choices.

Good carbonara, good bread. I also ordered the veal which was over $40. It was way too salty. That kinda destroyed the meal.

Two couples first visit. Very disappointing. Average at best. One dish very over salted and not edible. New chef?

We lived down the street from Riccardo Trattoria in Lincoln Park and would treat ourselves to dinner there as often as possible. It is, in my opinion, the best Italian food in Chicago (in addition to their normal menu,they have nightly specials, so there are new options to chose from every night). The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, and the waiters are extremely polite and attentive. I would definitely recommend making a reservation far in advance, as they are really popular, BUT, if you go there and can't get in, their sister restaurant "Riccardo Innoteco" is directly across the street and is also delicious (they have a large brick oven and make delicious pizza, and also feature many of the same items as Riccardo Trattoria).

Wow, loved our dinner with wonderful server Sevan during Restaurant Week! The grilled Octopus was sooo fresh, perfectly cooked, yummy and there was so much of it, the Mixed grill was great and huge, garlic rapini a reat add on, the halibut delish, polpettine so good, short ribs yummy, trofie pesto was al dente and tasty. I loved the sparkling bottle of Moscato and found it went well with my seafood. Everything was Great so enjoyable!

Got to love a place where the chef owner is always on the premises. The veal chop with fontina cheeses and prosciutto could be my favorite dish of all time. It beats Veal a la Gabe from La Scarola and handily beats Gibsons Italia veal Milanese as well. Fried zucchini stuffed with mozzarella florets, eggplant/zucchini parm, asparagus truffle fondue apps, reasonably priced Barolo, Italian waiters great service what's not to like? Been in business for years very loyal clientele so definitely make a reservation. Tables a touch cramped but very popular so not surprising.

This place was delicious and had great service. My friend had the Asiago gnocchi and I had the spicy seafood penne and opted for just lobster and made the pink sauce mild. It was delicious! I ate every bite, which rarely happens.

On the surface, Riccardo Trattoria appears much the same as always. The menu is extensive, though smaller than in the past. You still get a basket of bread with some olive oil to dip it in. The décor is the same and there are even a few outdoor tables under umbrellas in warm months. But Chef Riccardo is no longer at the helm during dinner service and his absence is felt. While portions are generous, the food is just not as well-prepared. I ordered gazpacho garnished with crabmeat from the seasonal menu. It looked good; the soup had been strained so it was smooth rather than chunky. But it had a slightly fishy taste rather than a tomato-y one. My veal piccata, although tender, was too thickly coated with flour which fell off into the lemon-caper sauce during cooking. The ricotta cheesecake separated from its crust. And, while the filling was tasty, it was not the sublime dish we fondly remember. My companion complained that the salad that was plated with his veal parmigiana wasn’t very good but he said the expresso he ordered was excellent. This pandemic has damaged so many restaurants. I’m afraid Riccardo Trattoria is another casualty.

The best service, the best food, the best wines. I love this restaurant and they give you a choice to try different pastas by asking for half portions. The waiter are Italians and the owner is present and that is the difference with other restaurants. You have to try this on your next visit to Chicago. Real and authentic Italian food.

This restaurant was recommended by a relative and I was very pleased to have had the experience. The servers are very friendly and provide an Italian ambiance since they were speaking Italian and had the old world style of service. The food tasted just as I remember in Italy and presentation was equally as pleasing. Chicago is not a low cost place to dine but this was reasonable and a good value.

Our concierge (W Hotel, Lake Shore Dr) suggested Riccardo's in response to my request for "best Italian in Chicago" .. and he was right! The ambiance is old time lounge, small, unpretentious and once seated (there are 6 chairs in the vestibule to wait/even with a reservation) .. Guiseppe takes over and you are wisked away to Italy! The scent of fabulous entrees hits you as you sip your Sangiovese .. the menu overwhelms you at first .. and ou's and ah's escape as you see some things on this menu that you have never seen in New Jersey (known for good Italian) .. these dishes are certain to fill your craving for something you've never tasted before, or as good if you had tried them! The risotto and osso bucco were the best I've ever tried .. along with the total packgage .. fantastic night of dining! Wish it were here in Jersey! Don't miss Riccardo's .. you'll love it! ps .. we were told that this place was a favorite hangout of Al Capone by the Crime Tour guide the next day ....!!

Even the waitors are from the old country and the food is out of this world. Reminiscent of the movie, "Big Night", you will feel transported several decades back in time. Our group was six and we each got something different and then shared. My favorite were the pasta dishes. We also ordered a couple of the desserts and shared those. The Tiramisu was out of this world. Parking is an issue so we just rode a bus from our hotel and walked a short block from the bus stop. Pricey but terrific.

We really enjoyed this restaurant. Beautiful, understated decor and terrific service. We had the cap rear salad and the mozzarella was the best I've had outside of Italy. Wish we lived in Chicago, we'd make this a regular stop.

Don’t let the unpretentious of this place fool you. Make no mistake, this is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Chicago. The chef has excellent credentials. Ricardo came from Milan & opened up Sonny Bono’s restaurant in LA & Bice in NY. He now owns his own modest restaurant in Lincoln Park which has a loyal following. And for 2 reasons: authenticity & consistency. My Nonna couldn’t have made it better. Buon Appetito!

Friday night, party of 8, had a 7:00 PM reservation, place was full, looked like most had been here before. Had a great vibe as soon as you walked in, the smells, the conversations.We took advice on a couple bottles of red wine, a few of us had the fettucine bolognese - veal, pork and beef in a mixed red sauce, but the consistency was not saucy, more sticky - absolutely fantastic! First thing our server told us was that there was no rush, take all the time we want, enjoy the dinner. We had some appetizers, all very good - the meatballs were really good. Place was tight for seating, but not uncomfortable at all. Chef did wander out of kitchen, but only enough for us to catch a glimpse, looked like a guy that loved what he did and had been doing it for a while. This was a great evening, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Our daughter and son-in-law found this restaurant, and were eager for us to try it. We started our meal with a shared bottle of Montepulciano, which was perfect! We then shared appetizers, of baby arugula salads with Parmesan cheese and artichoke and lemon vinaigrette, prosciutto de Parma with melon, and lobster bisque. Each appetizer was more delicious than the last! Hubs had the veal and pork ravioli, daughter had the cod filet Milanese, son-in-law had the lamb shank, and I had a half order of thin spaghetti with a light cream sauce with scallops, shrimp and lobster chunks. We all tried each other's entrees, they were all delicious. The restaurant is smallish, very nicely decorated, very busy, and service was prompt and well-paced throughout the meal. We received complimentary bruschetta when we were seated, and were cheerfully served additional bread when we asked for a little more. We will definitely go back. This is not your typical Sicilian influenced Italian restaurant, but a nice blend of northern Italian cuisine, with ample seafood offerings, which is what I remember from my travels to Italy so many years ago!

A couple came for dinner on an August weekday night at 7:15 pm to this longtime Lincoln Park Italian spot. There were tables along the sidewalk mostly filled; we chose to sit indoors. The menu has 2 components: the regular menu and a shorter list of specials. The place was bustling and loud, partly due to a couple larger groups in the small space ; the waiters were kept very busy. It took awhile before one came by to ask if we wanted drinks which then came in fairly short order. When drinks arrived, we ordered our meals, having had ample time to study the menus. Both of us ordered one app and a main course. Portions are big, so we both ended up taking home some of the main course. We didn't order dessert. The food is good, quite traditional northern Italian food. Trying to maintain moderate prices, the restaurant has dropped some veal and fancier cuts of beef from the menu. Despite the decibel level and somewhat inexpert waitstaff (but working hard and trying to please), it was a pleasant meal. Dinner for 2 with one cocktail, an iced tea, the 2 appetizers and two of the pricier main courses came in a little under $200.

I lived in Rome for 4 months and have travelled there since 2 or 3 times. Travelled to Tuscany, eaten at many fine and casual trattorias and ristorantes throughout Italy. Riccardo Trattoria is the only place in Chicao that I feel duplicates the feeling of being in Italy. They won't kill you with gigantic portions ad the pricing is very reasonable. Probably have ordered everything on the menu at this place and have not yet been disappointed. You'll love it.

Although they sat us about 30 mins after our reservation time, they were clearly packed and very apologetic about the situation. Including offering Prosecco and an app. Food was wonderful - would highly recommend the carbonara or gnocchi.

Four of us ate dinner before a presentation at Francis Parker School. We could have done better. My wife ordered one of her favorites - pasta with manila clams. The clams were very good, but the pasta was well undercooked (raw in places), an absolute no-no for a quality Italian restaurant. My dish of pappardelle with beef ragu was not up to standards - the beef was fatty, the mushrooms overcooked, and the ragu/sauce was gummy and did not taste very good. The two others with us seemed satisfied with their risottos, one of which was unusual (with meatballs and red sauce on top).

Amazing service, fantastic food and wine. The homemade truffle pasta is my go to every time! The atmosphere is vibrant!

Incredible food, this is one of the best Italian place I’ve experienced. Small, congested but perfect in all aspects of flavors. Wonderful Roman Italian dishes, fresh and tasty deserts plus wines and great service.

This place has amazing fresh pasta. I decided to try 3 different types. I got the Bolognese, Pesto, and Pumpkin Brown Butter Sage Ravioli. All of them were amazing and I will defiantly be back. Come here for amazing Italian food in Lincoln Park.

We were a folks visiting Chicago from the east and west coasts. Fortunately for us we happened upon this neighborhood gem. It was small, fairly quiet, with friendly and efficient service. The food was excellent. The only disappointment was the zabaione.

Not a good experience. We had made reservations several weeks in advance and anticipated a wonderful evening after going to the Lincoln Zoolights. We were seated just on the other side of the curtain they have by the front door to block the cold. We were literally IN THE AISLE, plus our table was at most 5 inches from the table next to us...very awkward as the couple at the table were having a heated conversation and we felt like we were sitting at the table with them. Being "on the aisle" we kept being brushed by the wait staff who kept going back and forth attending other guests prior to even asking if we wanted water. When our waiter finally came we mentioned we were not comfortable where we were seated, and he told us very harshly, "That is not MY problem. I did not seat you here. You will need to discuss this with the maitre d." Then left our table. The maitre d was busy checking something on his phone, so we walked out with no one asking why, etc. Had a few sips of water -- that was pretty good!

We had a wonderful meal, start to finish at Riccardo Trattoria tonight. Had 3 specials - squash blossoms, aranchini, Fettuccine Aragosta - and the Fettuccine Alla Bolognese. What an enjoyable night and place. The Grappa di Barolo was a great finish.

Have been back here twice since my review 6 months ago. Whatever wasn't quite right last time was perfect this time. The service was superb and the food to die for. This time instead of fish, I ordered the fettuccine bolognese with a sauce of pork, veal, and beef - the pasta was al dente and the sauce divine. It doesn't look like a large portion but it is - I gave half to my husband who had ordered soft shell crabs with grilled asparagus (2 spears) and loved it. Truth be known, the portion was too small for a man without a side dish. The portion of another dish one of the men ordered was also too small. Servers should warn the men about portion size. Beef carpaccio also well received! My beet salad was delicious, the fried calamari excellent, and the artichoke soufflé small but divine. The bread is wonderful as is the olive oil. For dessert we had the lava cake (grand!) and the warm apple pie (very good!). e were disappointed that tartuffo was not on the menu - not until June. Will have to return. A little slice of Italy here - actually, it was much better than many of the restaurants in Italy!! Do try it - you won't be disappointed.....Our cost with some wine and 3 desserts was $50 a person.

group of 12 - server handled us perfectly - good pacing, appetizers were very good, everyone enjoyed their meals - is a small, comfy place. Everyone loved it - would come back anytime in Chicago.

Just came back from Italy last month. I visited Riccardo's last night and thought I wasn't home yet! Nice to have Italian rather than "Italian style"

Hello Id love some under Cooked pasta with a half glass of wine!! This pretty much summed up my experience at Riccardo Trattoria. Zagat claimed “think-you’re-in-Italy”. Well not so much. I have been to Italia several times and the scam they have fooling people in Lincoln park seems to be working. Small portions with far from superior seafood seamed to be the norm at this establishment. Take my advice if you want authentic Italian food seek else where in Chicago, your money will be better spent.

After being seated about 20 minutes late, we enjoyed our dinner. The food, wine and service all were excellent. Both veal entrees were outstanding as was the Osso Bucco. I did not try the pork chop but it looked great. The burratta appetizer was tasty too. There was not much to the bruschetta. It is very noisy in there which can be a detraction or an annoyance to others.

Always afraid the pasta will be over cooked. This pasta was perfect. Pasta with clam sauce was excellent. Do not eat all the bread that is complimentary, because the plates are quite bountiful.

The food was good but the restaurant is too small to really have a good enjoyable experience. They really need a bigger seating area and a bigger bathroom. Other than that the food was really good.

As a Chicago local, I try to keep great places like this in mind to recommend to others who are visiting from out of town. Riccardo Trattoria is a terrific small little Italian restaurant located just north of downtown and worth the cab ride away from all of the touristy restaurant options on the Mag Mile/Loop. The food is outstanding (try the pork chop!) and the service is just as good.

There are no places like Riccardo Trattoria. I'm Italian ( moved here in my 30s) and for me Riccardo Trattoria is home. The risottos are to die for. The best spot for real Italian dining and charm. Love love love

RT isn’t some red sauce Italian place with an autograph of Larry Manetti on the wall. This place is special. Favorite Italian place in Chicago. If not overall favorite. A full rotation specials menu and a back catalog of classics. Where else can you find monkfish carpaccio or veal sweetbreads?

Riccardo is a bit pricy but worth it. Their emphasis is seafood, but with an ample selection of other dishes. We had great salads and appetizer - the arugula salad was excellent. The main courses were cooked to perfection. My daughter said her pork tenderloin was the best she's ever had. My wife had a whole fish (Branzino) which she loved, and I had a pork potpourri special that included short ribs, two types of sausage and pancetta, all of which tasted wonderful. My only complaint was it was enough for two people. The wine list was pricy. The least expensive bottle was around $35. Our server was helpful, friendly and unobtrusive. The atmosphere was casual, understated and warm. A definite find, but you should be prepared to pay $75/ person if you order appetizer, dessert, wine, etc.

Chicago has many very good and great Italian restaurants, but Riccardo Trattoria is like one of those little places you find when walking around randomly in a northern Italian city neighborhood. Unpretentious, friendly, great food and wine that won't break the bank. Our family held a group birthday dinner, enjoyed some salads and the grilled octopus. Nothing was rushed. When the entrees were served all conversation stopped. Every dish was excellent. One dish was a special for the evening, fresh pappardella with an elk salmis in a sauce that complimented the meat and the pasta. The elk was cooked to perfection, not tough or stringy, with a rich game flavor. Deserts were very good. We chose some house wines which were an excellent value. With tax and tip the bill was under $70.00 per person, a good value for the quality of the food and service. Our waiter Cristiano was terrific.

Went for an early dinner to celebrate a friend’s birthday. It was pretty empty- and quiet - when we were seated but by the time we were eating dinner it was crowded and very loud. The tables are very closely packed and it’s all hard surfaces. I think tablecoths would help with both the visual atmosphere and the noise level. Restaurant states business casual dress but most people coming in were very casual, one couple in shorts and tees. It wasn't exactly the atmosphere we were looking for for our occasion. That being said, the food is wonderful. We shared a veal tonnato (tuna sauce) app, a seared foie gras app and shaved artichoke salad. All delicious. Drinks were good. Small but adequate wine list. Entrees were a very special grilled mixed seafood platter, cornish hen and pasta with truffles. Service was attentive. The servers all pitch in. You may have several attending your table. If only they could do something about the noise. It’s so distracting. Difficult to hear conversation at your own table.

On a recent trip to Chicago, we dined at Riccardo Trattoria. It is a small, intimate restaurant in Lincoln Park. Most of the patrons were obviously regulars. In fact, Riccardo himself was dining with a group of family members and was very engaging when we spoke with him. The menu is extensive and excellent. The wine list, though small, has a good selection of Italian wines. The Tuna Carpaccio, Vitello Tonnato and Heirloom Tomatoes with Cannelini Beans were excellent starters. The Veal Chop Milanese was not only delicious, but a beautiful presentation. The Veal Saltimbocca was superb and the Orecchiette Chinghiale with Rapini extraordinary. If the restaurant seats more than 50 patrons, I would be surprised. The atmosphere is very warm and friendly. I will visit Riccardo Trattoria again and again.

I live in Chicago and have eaten here multiple times over the past 10 years. This is a consistently excellent Italian restaurant that is well run. Professional waiters who can make knowledgeable recommendations ,and reasonable prices for outstanding and delicious dishes .Last night we had the pasta with truffles and squash blossom appetizers,Dover sole, branzino and veal for mains. Each dish was fresh and delicious. Reservations are a must. Call if Open table says nothing available.

This kitchen has to be magical. The sheer volume of dishes and quality is astounding. I commend making a reservation as this is a small restaurant. The décor transports you to a small Italian trattoria which is perfect. Staff is extremely efficient. My wife and I were blown away by the octopus Carpaccio. It was the best octopus I've ever had. My next dish was the pasta course and they allow you to select the appetizer size which is the perfect amount of food. It was a lovely pappardelle pasta with a goat ragu. Pasta was perfectly cooked. The ragu was hearty and the goat was spot on. A dish packed with flavor. My final course was the Branzino. Delicate flavors accompanied with the best Haricot Vert I've ever had. It had a little kick and was slightly charred. Ended the evening with a tasty Grappa. A gem! Authentic food at a fair price.

Following a couple of recommendations, we cancelled other reservations to eat at Riccardo's. A small cozy place with terrific food. We had the lobster pasta and the rack of lamb. Great choices. Highly recommended. Great wine, also. We finished with chocolate and strawberry gelato. Great evening.

Always love this place. Food is consistently good as is the service and the atmosphere for me is perfect but fairly casual and comfortable. The corkage fee is $24 if you bring in your own wine. Reservations are needed.

Traditional Tuscan and Milanese cuisine in this small and cozy family owned restaurant from a chef who started in Milan. You can hear the chef conversing in Italian by the kitchen. The braised short ribs melt in your mouth. The pastas are home made and my daughters gnocchi packs a lot of flavor Brings back the delicious flavors of our summer vacation in Italy.

Alas I felt that the food slipped quite a bit since we were last here. The tagliolini with truffle was completely clumped together and on the dry side, and the truffle portion was stingy to say the least. The asparagus souffle was quite dense and heavy - decidedly not souffle-like - and the accompanying sauce tasty but very gloppy and congealed almost immediately on the plate. Others in my party were satisfied with their meals but nothing was wow. I am sad to say that we will probably not return again.

This was the best meal that we had in Chicago. The depth and quality of the menu was outstanding. The preparation of the dishes was excellent. The service and ambiance were also top quality.

This is now my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. It provides a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere where the traditional dishes are well prepared and the service is excellent. Both the menu and the wine list are extensive. It feels like a home from home. Highly recommended

If it were in New Jersey, I'd still go to it. That good. Order whatever you want on the menu because everything is good, though I'm partial to the truffles when they're on the menu.

Riccardo Trattoria is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere made us feel right at home. The service was truly impeccable — attentive, friendly, and perfectly timed without ever feeling rushed. And the food… spectacular! Every dish was beautifully prepared and bursting with authentic flavor. You can tell there’s real passion and care behind every plate. A perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a special night out — can’t wait to go back! Only negative - finding parking is extremely difficult. If you’re able to ride share to and from - probably the better option.

Cozy ambiance. Wait staff real pros, and charming. Food very special. Squash blossoms filled with smoked proscuitto and mozzarella simply devine. Shaved white truffles over house-made pasta, well we could smell the dish from 10 feet away and it delivered on its promise. Yummy holiday cake with house-made brandy marscapone with fruits. Well priced sections and some very nice Italian wines by the glass. A must stop in Chicago!

A special, small, restaurant with an interesting and varied menu. Every dish was delicious, the waitstaff were friendly and helpful, and the setting was warm and inviting.

Riccardo Trattoria at 2119 North Clark in the Lincoln Park neighborhood has been described by more than one dining critic as "one of Chicago's best Italian restaurants." Cozy, romantic atmosphere. Reservations are a must. If there is an Italian dish that isn't listed on the extensive menu...well, I'm not Italian so I'm not familiar with it. Suffice to say, my wife (who is half Italian) and I never run out of good things to eat. Even though we have our long-time favorites, like Veal Ossobuco and Veal Saltimbocca and spaghetti and ravioli and minestrone and veal chop and grilled whole Branzino, there always is something straight out of Naples that begs to be sampled. Where else can you find Veal Ravioli Massala or Veal and Ricotta Meatloaf or Peppered Yellow Fin Tuna or whole Patagonian prawns? Branzino, a tasty and meaty Mediterranean fish, has become very popular in classy restaurants ever since we first discovered it in Florida two years ago. Riccardo Trattoria is a family affair with chef Riccardo Michi, his wife Veronica (sous chef) and cousin Barbara (hostess) giving the restaurant a home-made feeling. This isn't an Italian-American restaurant, it's an authentic Italian cuisine. My wife's father, who came to this country without being able to speak a word of English, would be proud.

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for authentic Italian cuisine. The Veal was amazing and they have a great wine selection. Cannolis were unavailable which was somewhat disappointing.

Don’t order The mussels. Okay food. Many better options in Chicago for Italian food. Very disappointing. Service was good though. Bland food.

At the beginning didn’t expected much of the place. But the Calamari was shockingly fresh and delicious, and some simple small bolognese as starter was quite satisfying. The principals were really well executed, would have loved more variety but everything was just delicious. The chocolate dessert is like to blow your mind...

From our waiter Giuseppe to the grand finale dessert, we had the most amazing Italian experience. I loved everything on the menu so I asked Giuseppe to pick my meal. He did so and I ate the entire dish (the portion sizes are just right). I had the langostino pasta with the cavatelli bolognese and after just spending 2 weeks in Italy in July, I felt like we were back there again! I would definitely recommend this restaurant and go back again and again.

I'm 100% Italian - 1st generation. Riccardo is hands down the BEST genuine high quality authentic Italian cuisine. It's wonderfully romantic for 2 but I suggest at least 4 of you for sharing! Once you see the menu, you won't be able to decide. Then they hit you with specials that will make your head spin. So if everyone orders something different, you can sample. It's small, so be sure to make a reservation. And even with a reservation, you may have to wait because like true Italian hospitality, no guest is ever rushed. Be sure to make your reservations will in advance!

On multiple occasions we have gone to a restaurant that gets rave reviews on TA yet our experience is the complete opposite. Such was the case with Riccardo Trattoria. We honestly wish we could find one redeeming thing to say about the food, but sadly we can’t. It’s not like we don’t dine out often; say 6 nights a week, and not fast food – never. It’s not to say we haven’t been to great Italian restaurants; here and abroad. Most importantly Italian food is my all time favorite so it’s not like we’re novices. Let’s start of with something simple, a drink order. I ordered Campari (an Italian bitter) and cranberry juice and our server didn’t know what it was. I stuck with water. For appetizers, we had the pasta fagioli soup, which I have to say wasn’t just the worst I have ever had but they should be sued for even calling it pasta fagioli. Pasta fagioli first and foremost should have, well, pasta and this had two, count them two 1 inch ribbon pastas. It was a pureed been soup and nothing more (see pictures). My wife had the Caprese salad (which she orders at virtually all Italian restaurants); that she found to be lacking in flavor, just plain bland. For entrees I had the veal saltimbocca, which is a classic Italian dish, which sadly most Italian restaurants no longer serve, so I was excited to try it here. Mistake. The veal was chewy and there wasn’t that pronounced flavor of prosciutto and sage, which is the key element to this dish. My wife had the lamb shank, which she felt was once again lacking in flavor and seasoning. Now we just had come back from New Orleans where we dined at Shaya (just won a James Beard award) and had the lamb shank there that was to die for. The best she could comment was the portion size was good and the meat was tender. So maybe someone who frequently dines here can tell us where we missed the boat. Should we have just stuck with pasta? Perhaps that is where they excel, for sadly it wasn’t on any of the four items we ordered. The chef should think about using some seasonings, even if were just some salt.

I like Italian food. I make my own from scratch so I can be picky when it comes to italian food on some scale. Riccardo Trattoria is a quaint restaurant. I thought the food was very good. Portions a little smaller for what you pay for but fresh and vibrant. I had the spaghetti Carbonara. It's the only place so far I have found to be close to the Carbonara I had in Rome. The other food that the family order liked theirs as well. Good wine list . A little on the pricier side. Otherwise I think it would be a great date night. Make reservations as they fill up there 15 tables. I recommend trying it. It's off N. Clark. Ciao

For a change a restaurant with real Italian food and wine. The branzino is simply wonderful. A friend of mine brought me the first time. I was really skeptical but was totally turned around during my first visit. They also serve excellent Sicilian chardonnay wine. Nice desserts as well. I always stop here when I'm in Chicago. Keep up the good job.

Went with my parents and husband to Chicago for my moms 75th birthday and went on trip advisor for good Italian restaurants in downtown Chicago. Booked at Ricardo Trattoria and had a fantastic meal. We each had an appetizer and our meal. The service and food were really good. Would go back next time we are visiting.

We had great dinner including pasta and variety of sea food. Everything was excellent. The service was outstanding too, efficient and polite. And finally, the check was very reasonable. All in all it was a very pleasant experience. Highly recommended!

The first table we were offered was in a very tight space (in the back on the left) and we rather sat in the middle. Very close to our neighbors though and too close to busy waiters so we moved the table a bit. We loved the choice of wines and our starters (grilled veggies with goat cheese, meatballs in a delicious sauce). We expected our entrees (orchietti with wild boar and scaloppine) being served as shared first and second course but the waitress brought it altogether. We asked for additional tomato sauce for the pasta since otherwise it would have been too dry. The veal was served with just a tiny bit of sauce which was a bit disappointing. We liked the panna cotta but the chocolate sauce was a bit dominant. The restaurant got less busy after 9pm so we recommend a later reservation.

These 2 longtime Chicagoans had a truly outstanding dinner on May 24 2024. My wife & I shared the amazing whole Branzino (the real thing) and the Linguini Vongole. The pasta was cooked to perfection & the small clams were great. We also shared their ricotta cheesecake which, if you've never tried it, definitely do so. Don't pass it up. Perfect. We've eaten here many times, but this visit was memorable.

My husbands family is from Italy and I have spent many lengthy vacations there. His uncle is a chef and cookbook author and we eat at a lot of Italian restaurants around the world. I NEVER rave about a restaurant...well, until now! The place has a warm, intimate feel, but is still lively and vibrant. The waitstaff are excellent and you never feel rushed. The food....ah, ...is wonderful! Grilled calamari was timed exactly, so I didn't really need a knife to cut it. The pastas and meat entrees were delicious. My fish was fresh, albeit a bit plain. My only food criticism went to the gnocchi. The meat sauce on it was heavenly, but they were tough and chewy (just a bad night for gnocchi). Huge, varied menu, for a small restaurant. I have sent other friends there since we visited a couple weeks ago and they also LOVED this place. We will visiting this small gem more often!

This is a wonderful restaurant that features a wide selection of authentic Italian specialties. We sat outside and enjoyed a warm Summer’s eve and splendid dining. We enjoyed the Tricolor Salad, the Mussels Livornese , which were amazing, fresh and tasty, along with entrees which included Pappardelle, Veal Ravioli & Veal Marsala. Everything was just delicious & delectable. Sometimes al Fresca dining can lead to poor or at least slower service but that is not the case at RT; our server, Luis, was knowledgeable, helpful & prompt. He was outstanding!! This is clearly among the top four Chicago Italian restaurants.

I have eaten here the last 3 times I was in Chicago and every time, it was fantastic. The restaurant is small so there could be a long wait. Fortunately, they now have a place across the street where you can enjoy a bottle of wine while waiting. Wasn’t on the menu, but they made an incredible buccatini caccio e Pepe

I enjoyed our meal here and look forward to going back. The burrata appetizer was delicious and so was my entree the traditional bolognese. The only reason for 4 stars vs. 5 was our waiter. He was not very engaging and didn't provide a ton of help in recommending things from the menu.

I was invited by a friend for a dinner. We where 4 people - restaurant not so busy when we arrived, we still wait to see somebody. When the waiter came, he was OK recommending food. The problem came from food and threw first sign was how fast the food arrived. For ant food you order, to arrive so quick was either pre cooked and waiting to be warmed, either was coming back from somebody else. As the result, from four food plates, just one was good. I am still having stomach problems after eating there, and normally I have a strong stomach due to all my travels. Maybe was an exception and maybe was bad luck , what is sure this restaurant is not something I will recommend people to go and visit. Is too expensive for the experience offered and maybe good for a small town, not for Chicago.

I had their asparagus souffle and saffron risotto with meatballs, both of which the waiter recommended. It did not disappoint. Highly recommended!

Don't go for Tiramasu; go for the pastas! Insane quality. Gnocchis are unparalleled. Really good quality and excellent service. Cool little establishment.

The staff was extremely attentive, courteous, hard working, and alert (we arrived at 9:00 PM on a Sunday evening for dinner due to delayed flight arriving at O'Hare). The staff had no problem explaining the details of the dishes. The food was excellently prepared. The staff wanted to ensure we had a wonderful experience, which we did! Very fine food! Very fine people!

Stumbled across Riccardo and cannot wait to get back. Incredible service. Delicious food - honestly the best gnocchi I've ever had - great atmosphere too.

I came to this restaurant, craving real Italian food. I felt home, in Milan, where I’m from. The owner, a great chef from my home town has done an amazing job. He’s got all the experience in the world, since he’s been running some of best Italian cuisine restaurants in the US. I had a vitello tonnato, fried zucchini, spaghetti alle vongole ( clams ) and finished with a tiramisu. All excellent I’ll be back for more

Excellent food. Great service. Some of the best food I have had in Chicago. Not a convenient location for me when I am in Chicago on business and I still make the trip to eat there.

Average food, excellent service. My ossobucco was a bit chewy/dry, not all that flavorful. Chicken parm was quite flavorful. Nice bottle of chianti house wine. Salads were good. Bread and olive oil were excellent.

This is a nice, busy neighborhood Italian restaurant. We had come from a party and arrived at 9:30pm. The restaurant was full and people were still coming in. We were first served stale, dried out bread. I had beef carpaccio and my husband had the tuna carpaccio....both tasteless. I then followed with a mushroom risotto, which was the color of cream of wheat, had no mushroom flavor and was over-powered by too much truffle oil. My husband's fish stew was good...lots of seafood in a salty broth. Would not willingly go back.

This is my favorite small, quaint restaurant in Chicago. Authentic Italian Food! No fancy sauces just wonderfully fresh, food that are old family recipes. I also think it is the best wait service I have ever had. The waiters are professional and not intrusive. They don't make a big deal out of their wonderful menu. The arugula salad with shaved parmesan and artichoke hearts is delicious and refreshing. The pastas are homemade. The fish is fantastic! Absolutely try the dessert: Frutti di Bosco mixed berries, vanilla gelato, Chantilly and amarene Fabbri. The place is small and many conversations are going on around you but it is like eating in a happy kitchen. Make a Reservation!

This place fires on all cylinders. Food is amazing, service is personal, and the atmosphere is very intimate and warm. I hosted a group of 10 for my son's graduation from college. They had great wines, only a $24 corkage fee (we brought along a couple of bottles of champagne to toast the new graduate), and great cocktails. Firstly, the appetizers were wonderful, with the fresh mozzarella(Burrata & Culatello) being an absolutely amazing dish (I never liked this anywhere else....this is so unique and a must-try). The others were wonderful, as well, but this one was out of this world. The other dishes were all fabulous, and as I was the host, I got to try many of them. The Lobster/Crab Ravioli was delish, I had the Veal Chop, and it was perfect, the Fish Stew was divine, and the pastas were perfectly cooked. What everyone at the table agreed on was the fact that the foods were cooked/prepared to allow them to deliver their original/natural flavor, and spices were used sparingly, so that things were not salty, nor did they use too much garlic. And, in the end, for the $$$$, this place was a relative bargain, because the food was so special and the service deserved a 30% tip. The place is small, so reservations seem to be a must....but well worth it. This place could not have possibly done better, and I would love to find myself back here (I live in Virginia) the next time I visit Chicago. Great spot....go, go, go.

First visit to Chicago and after research found this wonderful Italian restaurant.. we were promptly sat for our 7:30 reservation and what a great experience this was.. from the rest focaccia they had at the beginning of the meal to the wonderful lightly battered squash blossoms for an appetizer to the really wonderful lamb chop Milanese that was light and oh so tender...really a wonderful “local” restaurant.. service was prompt and yes the restaurant is busy and loud but that is part of the appeal of a GREAT restaurant in the city.. I highly recommend this gem of a restaurant!!

Celebrating our anniversary, my husband made reservations and the evening couldn't have been more delightful! We arrived an hour early thinking we'd have a drink at the bar. The restaurant is so small, reminiscent of a NYC trattoria we love, the bar is across the street. Enjoyed drinks and an excellent appetizer there and soon the hostess called us. Riccardo's is quaint, cozy and unassuming. Our food and wine were excellent and our waiter was warm & attentive, never pushy or aloof. I really loved the service and atmosphere. We ordered dessert, which is not typical for us, and I almost ate my husband's entire dish of pistachio gelato. Loved it!

In from out of town and we went here on a recommendation from a Chicago resident. The food, service and ambiance were great. Looks and feels like a neighborhood restaurant, not a tourist one. I highly recommend it.

Tagliolini Fume-eggs tagliolini pasta with smoke salmon asparagus tips in a vodka-tomato pink sauce was delicious. Ravioli filled with spinach parmesan and ricotta cheese, top with broken butter & sage very good. Veal tenderloin topped with tomato and mozzarella au gratin served with Tuscan fried potatoes was tender and flavorful. Veal chop flavored with garlic and rosemary, served with Tuscan fries was so good! Pork tenderloin medallion wrap in bacon, Madeira wine sauce over risotto Parmigiana was perfectly prepared. Wine choices compliment foods.

Riccardo and his team do a superb job in Chicago. I’ve lived in Florence for the past eight months, and I still miss some of his dishes. I went there often for years, and can say honestly that he could and does compete on an equal footing with the best in Firenze! His zucchini blossoms, risottos, pastas, and veal are world-class. I write this review today because I just recommended Riccardo’s to an Italian friend who will be traveling to Chicago soon. Although I’m delighted to be in Italy, I miss his food and even his good-natured teasing about my preferred soccer team. Stay well, Riccardo, and please give my best to your wonderful team!

We took Uber over to Lincoln Park area for pizza at Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder. However, upon arrival to a large crowd waiting out front, we were told it was at least a 2 hour wait. We didn't want pizza that badly!!! So, checked Trip Advisor & Yelp for other nearby restaurants & chose to try Riccardo's Tratorria. We were actually very pleased. Each of us selected a different pasta & all were pleased & satisfied. Service was exceptional.

My wife and I eat here about two or three times a year. After one of those dinners I said in a review that this is one of the best in the city. But no more. I'll start at the beginning. Ordered a diet coke, which came to $3.00 but it wasn't a 12 ounce can but an 8 ounce bottle. Next my wife and I split a $16 buffala caprese salad. It consisted of 3 small pieces of mozzarella and a handful of tiny tomatoes. For a main course my wife had a rack of lamb. She ate it but it was not very warm.She ordered a side of polenta which she returned because it lacked taste. We were not charged for this dish. I had a meatball and ravioli combo which was ok. Lastly,the polenta and my accompanying potatoes came in dishes which worn and cracked. In sum, the place seems to lack value because it cuts too many corners. In my opinion the coke and mozerella size were inexcusable for the price. And not replacing dishes is just out of line. This place now tries to take advantage and we won't return. To be fair service was excellent.

If you are looking for authentic, old world, cozy Italian food, this is the place. The food tastes exactly the same as it does in Italy. Many of the servers were also speaking Italian. They made drinks with real limoncello. The pasta was obviously homemade. It was like heaven!

Why did it take so long for us to find this place? After all, Riccardo Trattoria is located only six blocks from our house, at 2119 North Clark Street, between Dickens and Webster, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. "Best Italian in the city," Zagat said. Bib Gourmand winner in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Tripadvisor reported several highly favorable reviews. This is another one. This is a small, cozy, urbane restaurant that features true Italian cuisine. It has been described as "the house of home-made everything" because chef/owner Riccardo Michi produces a raft of inventive, imaginative daily specials--antipastis, soups, pastas, entrees and desserts. And that's before you get to the dinner menu. Some of the favorites are Genovese, grilled octopus with crushed potatoes and pesto; Bava, gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce oozing with fontina and shaved speck; smooth porcini risotto; briny spaghetti with Manila clams; rich osso buco; and warm fig pie. Mihi's personal favorites are the fish stew viareggina, veal and ricotta meat loaf, ravioli with roasted veal and nutmeg-dusted Parmesan and bolognese of beef and veal laced with garlic and sage. When we visited, three of the entrees listed among the specials were grilled whole Branzino, Dover Sole and Rainbow trout. I've become a big fan of Branzino, a meaty Mediterranean fish, while vacationing in Florida last summer. Mihi's version was the best I've had. The special antipastis included smoke swordfish carpaccio and grilled veal sweetbreads. Two interesting pastas were fettuccine Aragosta (lobster tail and lobster meat in a spicy tomato pink sauce) and risotto seas and mountains (lobster and scampi meat with Alpine purini). Desserts? How about coppa gelato (pistachio, strawberries and fior di latta gelato with Chantilly and amarene cherry? But don't ignore the regular dinner menu. One of our friends enjoyed Polpettine Arrabbiata Al Tegamino (veal and risotto meatballs in a specy tomato sauce) for an antipasti, minestrone soup and a 16-ounce veal chop. Other popular antipastis are Vitello Tonnato (poahed veal carpaccio with tuna and caper sauce) and Toscano for Two (assorted cold cuts, cheese). The Panzanella salad is excellent. Other exceptional entrees are beef short ribs, roast rack of lamb, pork tenderloin, veal Saltimbocca, cod filet and grilled prawns and sea scallops. After all of that, you are looking for a light dessert if at all. Sorbet is the answer. Choose from among several flavors, including chocolate, lemon, strawberry, coconut, raspberry, hazelnut and pistachio. Still hungry? You've got to be kidding.

Sweet neighborhood restaurant with very authentic Italian food. Began with octopus appetizer but were brought the grilled instead of the carpaccio —we were served the grilled whole octopus We ate it and we were delighted with the flavor. However way too big for an appetizer (same situation at the table next to us btw) Pasta was lovely ravioli Branzino in lemon for me was beautifully prepared. My partner thought the Dover sole was fabulous Two Caveats: The music is way too load causing too much volume over all. And the lighting is terrible. That odd blue light pours down from High fixtures that ruin the beautiful food presentation My advice is to get rechargeable table lamps that you find in so many fine dining spots in New York and SF. Would make the restaurant so much more warm and inviting

We’ve been coming to Riccardo for many years and every time it has succeeded our expectations. The truffle pasta, the veal chop, the filet, the panna cita and of course a nice Grappa at the end. All of them and more were exceptional. Paco the manager with the perfect touch of service round up the perfect dinner experience.

We enjoyed amazing meals and wonderful staff dining outside on the front patio for our 20th anniversary. Thank you for a great evening!

I ordered takeout from Riccardo Trattoria for a celebration last weekend. I initially had a hard time using a delivery app to place the order so I decided to call in. I spoke with Christian on the phone and he let me know that they have a full menu in the restaurant (not on the app) and if I came in person I'd get a discount. I placed an order for tripe in sauce with vegetables and lobster and crab ravioli. They threw in a free flan as well. I had eaten here before with my girlfriend and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Our server (who I think may have also been Christian) gave us free limoncello with dessert because the table near us was so rowdy and loud. I am pleased to say again that I was very happy with my dinner. I hadn't had tripe in years, so it was amazing they even offered it. The addition of carrots to the sauce gave it a nice sweetness which complimented the tripe very well. The bread they throw in was also the perfect amount to sop up the leftover sauce. The ravioli was also very good, albeit a bit understuffed for the price. My dessert also tasted like an orange creamsicle which was a great way to top everything off. I gave Riccardo Trattoria a 4 just because I feel the prices are a tad steep. It feels like the kind of place I want to go for a nice meal with my girlfriend or family once every week or two, but it's pushed into more rare territory because of costs. Overall, great friendly staff with a menu that is wide enough to suit all palates but not so wide that it's overwhelming. I will be ordering from here again soon.

I have only dined here twice, but both times I have found the fare nearly flawless. Interesting, seasonal choices share the menu with some delectable standards. If possible, try the fish, any fish. The pastas are also delightful, I've been told (gluten free here). And there is a lovely wine list, that although not on the low end, has wines that are a cut above. I shall return.

This well established Italian restaurant came highly recommended to me so on a recent visit to Chicago I dined there with a good Italian friend of mine. The food was excellent supported brillantly by professional and knowledgeable staff and an extensive wine list with some great Italian reds. I rarely these days outside a degustation indulge in 4 courses, however as soon as I smelled the food and noticed the way in which patrons were focused on their meals I knew this was going to be something different so I started with zucchini flowers, a small spaghetti bolognese and then a traditional Osso Bucco and finally finished off with a delicious panna cotta, the noise the aromas and ambience I could have been in Italy, but just outside we were in a rather comfortable looking residential area just outside the CBD past the Zoo (which is free!). Definitely worth a visit, I for one will be back.

Like being in Italy! I wish I had made notes right after I ate here but alas I did not so I can't write about specific dishes. I would happily return here. Our party of two sampled several appetizers and pastas, everything was delicious, beautifully presented and served by a friendly waiter (with Italian accent). Highly recommended.

Nice neighborhood place. The ambiance is very comfortable. Place has an authentic Italian feel. Easy to talk. Simple typical Italian menu. The food is a solid good. Great variety of tasty dishes. The saffron risotto is great but the Osso Buccio was a little dry. Great veal parmigiana and excellent pastas. The wine list is simple but has some real solid choices. Beef carpaccio was excellent, just a little too much arugula. Whole Bronzino was good but the sides were pitiful.the service was good but the personality of the waiter was strange. Really just an order taker, no engagement. Menu is safe and predictable.

Great upscale Italian food for sure. There wasn't a crumb or sauce left on any of our plates at the end. The waitstaff hustle like no one's business, but still we waited a long time to get our food. Having said that, it was all so enjoyable that it didn't really matter.

Was a little disappointed as we've heard so many great reviews. Would rate 3.5 if possible....above average but not great. Our appetizer (bacon wrapped scallops) were very good and scallops were cooked just right. I had the veal saltimbocca and it was over the top salty. Wife had veal ravioli and it was better dish. Ravioli was al denti and sauce was nice and rich. Good range of prices on wine. Service was excellent and waiter had thoughtful and informative suggestions. Next time, I will try the roasted veal chop that waiter recommended.

Wonderful. This place is the real deal. I live near the North End in Boston and I’ve had some spectacular Italian meals. This place is worth a visit. Service was over the top. Food didn’t disappoint. Impulsively ordered desserts and was blown away. Go here people. It’s awesome.

We got there early (6:15) on a Thursday night, so it wasn't too busy with maybe only 35-40% of the tables occupied (and had me questioning our choice) but by 7:00 it was full. And, it was outstanding. The only thing to be aware of is that while they do have a full bar, because of its size, the selection is very limited. But the Italian wine selection was excellent. Our appetizers, a roasted (but not breaded) eggplant and then a grilled octopus were delicious. Everyone loved their main course (my risotto mare y monti was unbelievable) and the desserts were well worth the splurge. While it is not proximate to the downtown hotels, it is definitely worth a cab ride.

Linguine al vongole of very poor quality When selecting the red wine, two choices on the wine list were not available !! Terrible service when it comes to help the customer to get a cab I will never go again and I definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND that restaurant !

Riccardo Trattoria is a true italian restaurant. The menu offers great specialties from the different regions of Italy. The atmosphere is very cozy and the whole setting transport you temporarily to Emiglia Romagna. We ordered 8 dishes that we shared/tasted and all of them were very good; the Polenta with eggs and truffles was superb!! Great service. Highly recommended in Chicago.

This was the second time here. Our first was just average and our most recent was very disappointing. I just don't know where the great reviews come from. We ordered the pasta fagioli which was lukewarm, tasteless and definitely felt the kitchen used a thickening agent because it was very pasty. I had the osso buco and at $36 was ridiculously overpriced for the portion size, let alone the quality of the meat. Have to say the worst osso buco I have ever had. My wife had the lamb shank and it also was a very small portion size and it flavor was just average. Both were served with rissoto which like the soup had a thickening agent added which made the item tasteless. Our server was very good so nothing to fault there, but will not be coming back again.

A quaint little restaurant in a quiet neighborhood. The food was very good and the service was excellent.

This was a top 10 all time meal. The Gnocchi was like little pillows. The Orecchietta was perfectly cooked. The pork tenderlion Maialino was moist and tender. This was the last restaurant we visited during a week in Chicago. We almost canceled because we had eaten so well before this. We were glad we didn't. Once there we thought we would not eat everything but it was so good that we cleaned our plates. The service was great and the restaurant is a cozy local restaurant. We will go back to this restaurant whenever we are in Chicago.

Always amazing! Best Italian food, great service. Make sure you make a reservation as it's always busy. The saffron risotto and the chicken scaloppini are great. Make sure to say hi to Ricardo.

This should be listed as one of the top Italian restaurants in Chicago or anywhere for that matter. The Pasta is to die for! the chef, who comes out of the kitchen late in the evening, knows everything about how to make the best homemade and yet complex and delicious sauces for his pastas. We tried 3 different ones, a gnocchi dish a pasta with mushrooms and a bolenase dish, all were completely different and completely delissioso! the service is top notch and the wine list is excellent. Primo Italliano!

Had a family birthday, my son's. He surprised us with a nice bottle of red. He has been to this establishment several times and was aware of their corkage fee that. He was quoted $24 which myself being old school thought was ridicules, so, ok what ever. We all had the $33 special and enjoyed our dish, the risotto alla parmigiana was perfect! The fried soft shell crab not so much go for something else. All in all food was very good. Most of the desserts were also great, the gelato fair. Atmosphere was quaint but a bit noisy. Now comes the check upon looking at it I noticed a $48 charge for corkage what? Are you kidding me! No I showed my son and he was not happy, I was angry. He went off to talk to someone and when I looked behind to see what was going on the man he was speaking with was talking loud and about to make a big mistake, very unprofessional. My son comes back to the table and tell me he would not change fee because it was 1.5 liter and that was the charge, in essence $48 fee for a $45 bottle of wine. I said very loudly actually restraining myself we will never come back here! The waiter was not the problem he was going to get his tip all be it reduced by 10% and he tells us the extra fee will be waived, so he got 20%. Sorry damage done ruined a otherwise great evening with family. I would have still given them a 4 rating but I had to ask them to bring our coats and before that I had to ask for the check, that didn't set well with me. Could say allot more, wont. Attitude wow?

Six of us went for dinner and had a great time. The service was attentive and fun! The meal was delicious. We had many of the specials...gazpacho, fried zucchini flowers and salads. The main courses were also very good. The truffle pasta was amazing. The sword fish and other fresh fish of the day were also very good. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

I love the understated dining room here. It's small with a few simple tables and chairs, but it nevertheless is updated. The food is up there with the very best Italian food that Chicago has to offer (gnocchi, veal, some great fish dishes). The crowd here is typically older, possibly some Steppenwolf Theatre goers. Entrees range between $20-30, but in my opinion the value here is actually quite good, given the quality of the food and wine. I appreciated the service, our server offered some honest and objective advice about the menu. What some may say is a lack in atmosphere I actually enjoy; the restaurant is so small that it feels like a family operation. This place is smart casual or coat and tie, and your guests will be impressed by this charming restaurant where the food is the star.

This is the best italian restaurant my wife and I have visited almost anywhere in the world including Italy. It has an unbeatable menu, from starters such as salads, soups, main courses, desserts, in addition to being a unformal restaurant, with good spaces, elegant tables, but at the same time simple without ostentation. The service from the host as well as the waiters is extraordinary. It is also worth mentioning that it is nice to find yourself dining with local people from CHICAGO. For no reason should anyone miss having dinner at this restaurant when you visit this city, it is fantastic!

We are so lucky to have so many high quality Italian restaurants in Chicago. We have been wanting to try Riccardo's, but every time we tried there were no available seats. Finally, we planned far enough ahead and are glad we finally dined here. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Among the four of us we had saltimbocca, a pasta carbonara, a fish and asparagus and lamb chops. All were done perfectly. The chef was not happy with the quality of the salmon he had that day and substituted a trout that made the dish just as good. We also sampled a tarta ricatta, tarta mele, panna cotta and sorbet. the desserts were just as good as the main courses. While the small space is a bit noisy, we could still converse. We found it interesting that there was a wide range of ages of the Saturday night dinner guests - young children to mature seniors.

We had a very nice family holiday dinner following the Lincoln Park Zoo lights with wonderful appetizers, entrees, Chianti & dessert. The food wAs well prepared with light, flavorful sauces enhancing our fish & pasta entrees. Friendly, helpful server (forgot his name) in this Trattoria setting. Highly recommended.

Riccardo Trattoria may be the best Italian restaurant in Chicago, and that's saying something. It's a tiny place with perhaps 10 tables on North Clark Street, right across the street from the site of the infamous St. Valentine's Day massacre. The food is lovingly prepared, authentic, and delicious. The regular menu is varied and ample, but there are large number of specials every night. Service is warm and gracious. If you're looking for a great Italian meal outside the frenetic River North scene, go one two miles up Clark Street and discover Riccardo.

The only downside with this place is its extreme popularity. Riccardo does not advertise, but heaven help us if he ever did. We went on a Thursday night, were promptly seated at 6, and promptly served. By the time we left there were folks jammed into the small waiting area. Their servers know there stuff, and helped us pick a really nice wine from the mostly Italian selections. The food is just superb. For starters we had the lentil soup, the burrata with prosciutto, and mozzarella. All with homemade bread. Two of us had the Branzino, truly wonderful while I had a scrumptious seafood stew that was the best I have ever eaten anywhere. This is a really good restaurant and is way better than some of the more hyped competitors. ZB

If Riccardo Trattoria isn't the best Italian restaurant in Chicago I don't know what is. Totally authentic Italian items. A rather huge number of choices considering the modest kitchen space Riccardo and his staff h e to work with. Daily specials are numerous and literally always perfect. Love this joint.

This is the best Italian food I have ever had. The waiters are attentive and helpful in recommending dishes, and the kitchen will make a dish for you at your request if it is not available on the menu. A+++

Three of us went on a Thursday night. Service was a bit slow at first but picked up later. The food was good but not overly creative. If I lived in the neighborhood I could see the appeal but don't think it's a destination restaurant. Overall I'm glad we came here but will frequent other Italian restaurants in the future.

One wonders what the TripAdvisor reviewers are thinking. Better yet, one wonders if they are legitimate. Riccardo’s was entirely mediocre. My fish was overcooked, over sauced, and the tiny fillet was loaded with bones. Slopped together, sauce doused on it and brought to the table. The portion being tiny turned out to be a blessing. My guests’ dinners were no better and we all left with enthusiasm and a vow never to return. The world seems to embrace mediocrity now more than ever. Cross this place off your list. It’s just a glorified cafeteria.

To start with the oil served with the bread was tasteless. Bad start! Then the mushroom risotto was really tasteless, so added some parmigiana cheese. And guess what? It was tasteless. Certainly not parmigiana! My partner had lobster ravioli and even if often lobster is too cooked in restaurants, here it was borderline raw! Wasted evening and money honestly!

Bottom Line: Very good food at reasonable prices in a lively and fun environment. Perfect for a date nice or nice celebration. Food: Pretty large menu with most of your Italian favorites. Pastas were cooked to a perfect al dente. Sauces were also well done. The Rigatoni Buttera was excellent. Tuna Tartare was also good, but served a bit on the cold side with seemed to mute the taste a bit. Bread served with the meal was just okay. Beverage: Strong wine list with a good selection of wines by the glass. The house Chianti was really good ($12). Service/Ambiance: Very friendly service. The place is small, you're pretty packed in and the noise level is high, but it's also quite lively and fun.

Best fresh Italian in Chicago. Always go here for special occasions with their small and intimate dining experience.

This is one of my go-to spots when in Chicago. It is small, cozy and elegant, with an interesting and extensive menu. Our waiter, Nino, was an attentive guide who knew exactly when to engage and when to let us sit and talk...for hours...over an excellent bottle of Italian red. Best to book ahead, as it is a small space, but it never feels tight and the noise level is subdued. Lovely salads to share, seafood appetizers, pasta, meat, fish...all great choices.

We enjoyed our meal here. The restaurant is reasonably priced with an extensive menu and friendly waiters. There is a good wine list. I had veal's liver which was excellent.

My friends and I dined here on Saturday night. Small restaurant but was able to fit everyone comfortably. The service was excellent. The wine was very good and the food was outstanding!!! We ordered several appetizers and all were fantastic!! My veal chop was cooked to perfection. Will definitely come back when i return to Chicago!

Riccardo's Trattoria offers superb Italian cuisine, with very fresh ingredients, imaginative preparation, cooked perfectly. The quality of the veal is very high, the minestrone soup is one of the richest and most flavorful I have had; the service is excellent. I did find it a bit pricey. Four people had 3 appetizers, one main course each, 4 desserts, and only two drinks (no wine), and the tab was $200 - $50 per person. And the portions, while adequate, were not large. I know it is an expensive location, so I understand, and I understand - the quality is superb, but I do think there are better values for good Italian cuisine.

5 star casual atmosphere, excellent service, and of the good. 4 of had three apps , 4 entries and two desserts- all of which were very good. I would go again tonight.

Had several meals there now, wow!! The Osso Bicco is great, the Favre beans are great and the Veal Chop is the best piece of meat in Chicago Consistently great

I had no idea this little hidden gem is tucked away in Lincoln Park. It is small and intimate with fantastic food at great prices. They had run out of pork loin but the chef was able to create the dish with a pork chop and it was so delicious with the parmesan risotto.

This is probably one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. Small family owned and run Italian restaurant. Our waiter was fabulous - knowledgeable and helpful, but not overwhelming. Best calamari I've ever had - lightly battered, prepared perfectly, great dipping sauce. If you like Italian, don't miss this place. I would go again in a heartbeat!

The food was very good and traditional Italian cuisine. Great wait staff! Plan on paying quite a bit it is pricey!

Book a table early. The restaurant is small but the food is superb. I've eaten here maybe, 30 times, and every time ,the food is the best. I am prone to the veal ,but the pasta is perfect and the risotto melts in your mouth. The menu offers dishes that you don't see every day. Riccardo can cook. Don't miss this restaurant.

We were in Chicago for the weekend and a friend of ours who splits time between Chicago and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL recommended this great restaurant on a beautiful street in the Old Town/Lincoln Park area - not far from DePaul University.. Lots of Italian spoken here, male waiters with white shirts and black ties . . . nice! We got a super corner table, with locals everywhere . . . very intimate atmosphere. Menu is awesome and selections were very tough to make. Food and service superb! If we lived in Chicago, we'd be there every week. A must for Chicagians or out-of-towners like us.