The Village Reviews

What a nice surprise! We decided to eat at this restaurant simply because it was close to our hotel. We were so glad that we did! Great atmosphere, amazing service, and even better food! Everything was fantastic!

Great old school Italian restaurant in Chicago. We all enjoyed our meals and a nice bottle of wine. Prices were quite good. Our server was really nice and very attentive. Absolutely no complaints. Would go again! Make a reservation to skip the lines.

What an amazing experience! Traditionally exquisite and authentic Italian cuisine, extensive wine selection with an expert sommelier who has impeccable taste, a bartender who knows customers and goes above and beyond, and a team that makes you feel special! I highly recommend The Italian Village - they will not disappoint! We had the best food and wine - and the team delivered a truly outstanding customer experience!!!

This is a Chicago classic! If you cannot go for dinner, at least go to the classic bar for a glass of wine. Every time I go, I forget how good the food actually is! The fish special was fresh and excellent. I highly recommend checking out this classic leader decorated original! They have a little private booths that still have a ringer for the wait staff. The bar well it speaks for yourself. You will have to check it out!

It's different in a great way. The food was quite delicious (I highly recommend the caprese salad) and the service was exceptional. Our server was on older gentleman, perhaps 70, who seemed as if he'd worked there his entire life. Amazing. The atmosphere is old school, like it hadn't been changed in decades, which carries it's own charm. The canoli for dessert was massively disappointing but otherwise a great meal. I would definitely return.

We went to the Italian village because it was fairly close to the Chicago theater. The salad wasn’t great. The manicotti was ok. Didn’t like the white sauce.

This place is still the same as it was in the 1970's. Really three restaurants at one location. Verve - the ultra fine dinning room, The Cantina (or bar) with a lighter menu, or the Village, where you really feel you are eating in Italy. Portions are huge, you might like to order 1/2 sized orders. Food very good. Service excellent. I have Veal Piccatta, and found it to be excellent. Save room for a Canolli or one of their other deserts, you will not be disappointed.

The service was good. The food was great. We had reservations a month in advance. I was so excited to take my teen son to this restaurant that I thought was so magical as a kid. But then we got seated behind a wall at a little round table facing the busboy station. Why is there even a table there? Not great atmosphere. Was disappointed in that. We got to watch the hustle and bustle of clearing tables and dumping glasses.

Romantic restaurant with many intimate spots, excellent seafood ravioli and seafood pasta .quick and friendly service

What a great delight for a joyous mea! Service was wonderful, attentive and courteous. Finally a place that had enough servers to accommodate the customers. Loved the Calamari so crisp and good! Food was delicious and can’t wait to return.

This was some of the best Italian I’ve ever had! The service was great, food came out quickly. We got the meatballs, veal parm, and gnocchi. All amazing, highly recommend!

Very nice Italian Dinner in Chicago’s Loop near the Theatre District. This place is classic. As I walked in, I felt like I was in Italy. The Frank Sinatra music made me realize, I was in America but the owners must be real Italian. I ordered a small mixed green salad and spaghetti with two meat balls with glass of Chianti. It was simple and GREAT. While I dined alone, a table of 40+ nearby were having a great time. When I am in Chicago again, I will return! Thanks for a very nice dinner.

Due to scheduling conflicts, we hadn't visited Italian Village in quite some time. We were pleasantly surprised to see our favorite items are still offered. The staff is still warm but professional and the food is fantastic. It's one of the few places where you still get quality AND quantity (you might want to consider sharing then order dessert). We dined there before the opera so to go boxes weren't really an option. :-( I highly recommend visiting with family and friends, they have no problem with large groups.

A Northern Italian experience like none you’ve ever enjoyed! Extraordinary atmosphere and service that will amaze!

Three couples arrived for drinks and early dinner on Saturday. They were booked up with reservations, but invited us to eat in the bar area (downstairs in La Cantina). This ended up being a great move. Atmosphere was fun and cozy... Bartender was so friendly and fun. Emiliano was so professional and funny...he made us want to definitely come back and hang out again. Everyone in our party enjoyed their drinks, food and desserts. In particular, my buddies’ ribeye and steak tips dishes looked AMAZING! Gotta wrap up with one more shout out for Emiliano the bartender. He really made our visit special with his excellent service and friendly wit. Thanks guys! We’ll be back!! 😄👍

Great location and friendly atmosphere; wide variety menu choices. I had chicken picata and it was delicious. Nice selection of background music, but Yeah! we could still hear each other talk.

A family member chose this restaurant for her birthday dinner. Waitstaff was attentive and was more than happy to check on ingredients for potential allergens. Gluten free options are available. Excellent mixed drinks, delicious entrees and scrumptious desserts. Great ambiance. Will return!

We were in town on Mother's Day and went to the Village for dinner that night. It is a place you should make sure to try. Being the busiest restaurant day of the year, it was packed like you'll seldom see. People without reservations were being told of multi-hour waits. Every seat at the bar taken and people standing behind them. And through all that, the staff was everywhere all at once. It was amazing to watch. The hosts/managers were true pros, warm and welcoming to customers and keeping the machine-like efficiency of the rest of staff moving perfectly. Then there was Johan. Our waiter. If you go, you have to ask for this guy. Of course, every table was full. On top of that, we kept making specials requests of him almost every time we saw him. And he was brilliant. I challenge you to find a better waitperson. He's like a whirling dervish. In constant motion. Unless you needed him. Then it was whatever you wanted right that very second with a smile and wit to go along with it. There are no words of high enough praise. The food was outstanding. Gnocchi for Debbie and a pizza for me. We'd order both again and the gnocchi over and over. The atmosphere is fun. Lights and murals and a solid attempt at making you feel at home in Italy. The only issue the restaurant has is one they can't do anything about. The shotgun-style layout forces them to have one walkway through the place. And so that walkway is crowded with both patrons and staff at all times. If your table borders it, you will not be able to get much intimacy. That said, off the main walkway they have created a number of very private snugs. Ask for one of those tables when you make your reservation if it will make it a better experience for you. The bottom line: You'll be very happy you went here.

The Italian Village is outstanding. I dined at the middle floor, Viviere, of the three restaurants housed in this complex just off Michigan Ave. I have dined there numerous times and have found the consistent excellence of service and food reasons to keep returning. This visit was no exception. The server, a 30-year employee of the Village, was prompt, efficient and right on top of my needs. That evening I chose an Italian meat platter appetizer, risotto and an excellent cherry cheesecake desert. All of these were beautifully executed by the kitchen. Those concerned care, and it shows.

Old restaurant, lots of people like it. Told us 30 minute wait, was 90, food was really substandard, made no effort to make it right. Not a fan.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED We have a family tradition of seeing A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Goodman Theater ever year. The Italian Village is our choice of restaurant to dine at before the show (and an occasional visit here and there throughout the year). Always. Repeat, always a wonderful experience. Always fresh and tasty food. Great service. Friendly and efficient. Tip: Best to make reservations in advance on weekends.

The pasta is genuine and fantastic! The gnocchi are to die for. Reasonably priced. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars was we felt rushed. Don’t blame the wait staff… the place is packed and they want to move things along

One of the top restaurants in the city that you will find. The Cantina is an excellent place to have a romantic/private dinner or a group dinner to celebrate an occasion. Hans the manager is magnificent and will make your dining experience wonderful. You will be back again and again, they is why they have so many regular customers!!

I came to town to run the marathon and needed a quick and unpretentious Italian dinner so stopped in the downstairs restaurant, the Cucina. I have never had better service no matter what the caliber of restaurant and eat out a fair amount. I was seated immediately without a reservation, and had wonderful fresh bread and water on my table practically before I sat down. The waitress was great but every single wait staff or busboy who passed by stopped if there was a half empty water glass, a finished plate or anything else and each with a smile on his or her face. Really remarkable service. The house salad was a simple Italian salad but very flavorful. I had the fruiti di Mari linguini pasta which had a healthy portion of seafood and a very nice sauce. Overall a perfect evening. I was in and out after eating at my pace in less than 45 minutes having thoroughly enjoyed the meal. I can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough. Well done!

We sat in a quiet booth in the bar area. It was relaxing, comfortable and we had a view of the Tuscan themed bar, which included gorgeous statues. Our waiter was just great. He described the special dishes, drinks and desserts. The food was amazing! I got the primavera risotto, and my friend got the pizza. So good!

Classic restaurant in downtown Chicago. It had been a few years since I had been there. Not much has changed. Service was great. Did not have to wait long for anything ordered. Ordered the shrimp Tuscany I think it was called. Said it was in a basil butter sauce with sun-dried tomato’s. Though it was quite tasty and the shrimp were cooked perfectly, the sauce was incredibly heavy. I needed an after dinner lemon cello to help digest that meal and I only ate 3/4 of the dish. Need to cut that sauce with some acid or something.

Not the most authentic place - reminded me more of Disney than Italy. Food was somewhere between so-so and just OK. Not impressive or disappointing. Service was OK. All-in-all it is an "experience" but not worth if you are looking for anything authentic.

We haven't been to Chicago in a long time due to COVID, and I was delighted to see that The Village was open! We met family who came up to Chicago from Texas, and I just HAD To bring them to this amazing restaurant. It's still perfection! The food is so amazing (when in doubt, get the seafood manicotti !!!! O M G !!!!) And the wait staff is still as attentive and professional as ever! It's so refreshing to go out for a nice meal and not have to listen to excuses for poor service. I've loved this restaurant for many years, and I'm delighted to say the love affair is not over yet!!

My Chicken all’s nonna was literally low quality chicken on top of soggy pasta with a jar of chef boyardee gravy poured on top. Disgusting food! The waitress was totally pleasant though.

On my first trip to Chicago, I happened to be staying at the Hyatt Centric Loop that was a block away from The Village (the neon sign reads “Italian Village”). The restaurant advertises that it is the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago. Lured by the desire for a classic Chicago experience, I made a reservation at 7 PM on a Saturday night, and at the appointed time, my friend and I ventured into a restaurant that had been open since 1927. After entering the doors, we climbed a staircase to the main floor. This is an eatery from a time when windows were thought to distract from the food and the decor transports you to the owner’s vision of Italy. Landscape frescoes adorn the walls with prop awnings and other architectural decor were fitted with twinkling lights. There are little alcoves positioned in various places against the wall for a private dining experience. The front of house acknowledged my reservation and my friend and I were seated at a two-top at the back of the restaurant near the kitchen where I could see the large compliment of staff moving back-and-forth. We did not wait too long before our server checked in on us. The manager even stopped by to make sure that someone had touched base with us. While we reviewed the menu, baskets of fresh hot bread were provided. Olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chili flakes were already on the table. My friend and I decided to share the entire meal so we could order a full complement of courses. My friend started off with the Chardonnay and I had sparkling water. My friend enjoyed the white wine, and my sparkling water came without ice which was exactly as I ordered. We selected for our antipasti the meatballs. Two meatballs arrived, and they were large and had the proper amount of luscious marinara sauce that was balanced and not too tart. The meatballs had the right proportion of beef, pork, and binder so that they were juicy and delicious. For our second antipasti, we ordered the two soups that were available. My friend had the minestrone, and I had the chicken soup with pastini pasta (tiny pasta balls). Both soups were tasty, warming, and obviously homemade. To avoid overeating, we ordered a side of mostaccioli pasta with pesto as our pasta course. I added the pasta side late and didn’t see that pesto was not on the menu, but without making a fuss, they accommodated my request, coating the pasta in a light mixture of olive oil, crushed basil, and garlic. It was tasty and I enjoyed it. The pasta was cooked perfectly. For the primi, we ordered the veal marsala. It came with four healthy sized pieces, served on a bed of capellini—everything was nicely covered in a mushroom marsala sauce. The pillows of veal were possibly the most tender I’ve eaten in an Italian restaurant. The sauce did not have a strong marsala wine flavor, but I enjoyed the mushroom-forward sauce. The service was impeccable. All of the courses were timed so as soon as we finished one, the next was only about a minute or two away. Staff cleared the plates, refilled our bread basket, and provided new silverware for each course without being intrusive. We ended our meal with their rum cake and spumoni. The rum cake was the star. It was light as a feather, with just a hint of rum and a creamy white frosting. The two scoops of spumoni was a nice counterbalance, adding the traditional Italian flavors. This is a an excellent, casual Italian restaurant. We enjoyed our dining experience at the Village and recommend it without hesitation.

Staff was great but this food is literally not worth anyone's money looks like someone just heated up some ravioli from the fridge and dumped sauce and microwaved

After a long day in Chicago we ordered from Italian Village via DiorDash and the order was canceled because the dasher experienced issues with the restaurant. This I was our first experience with both the restaurant and doordash and it left a Bad Taste in our mouths.

Italian Village is the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago. Legend has it that even Al Capone himself ate there once. Ironically enough in the “jail” booth. There is a picture of him if you take a peek. Though the food wasn’t the best Italian I’ve had, it was nowhere near the worst either. It’s good classic food. What it lacks in flavor, it more than makes up for it in history and Ambiance. The place is laid out as if you were in, of all places, an Italian village. It’s great. I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Cozy and delicious food. Good wine list. We had the vegetable grill pizza good flavor and size. The Pomodoro Pene was delicious. The octopous entry was good my only complain was that it did not came with the alioli sauce it said on the menu and the green salad came with normal tomato instead of the cherry tomatos the menu said.

The food was outstanding. I got the salmon and I would highly recommend it. The bread was good also. Great atmosphere & great service.

Felt like home! These people should sue stouffers for copyright infringement. My lasagna tasted like what we make at home in the microwave! We had the Caesar salad. Also, tasted just like the bag salad we buy at publix. Who knew we could come this far from South Carolina and feel like home! The sangria was amazing.

We love Italian Village! This was our third visit to the restaurant, the first being during our honeymoon in 2007. When we told our waiter this, he decided that we should celebrate our next anniversary a few months early. After we had enjoyed a good bottle of Malbec and dined on bread, dinner salads, and entrees of chicken picatta and chicken marsala, he surprised us with a complimentary dessert with a lit candle in it! In addition to the traditional atmosphere, friendly service, and great food that we have always enjoyed, we really appreciated the this personal touch.

We had a great dinner experience! Helpful reservation staff, fun & cozy atmosphere, great service, and of course the food & wine. Highly recommend! Also, helpful to know they have valet service.

It is a historic restaurant that promises to be an excellent evening. Walked up a stairway and was seated. The table had olive oil and grated cheese on it. The bread arrived and was unremarkable. The food. I had was uninspired and bland. The Alfredo was blahhh. The chicken sausage gravy a bland food. The Manhattan minuscule the almond cake dry. In short I was wondering why so many people were eating here. Olive Garden has food that is much more favorable. I came to Chicago and was looking forward to a great Italian dinner. There are better places. I would not return

The drinks, appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and service were all top-notch. We had mistakenly made a reservation for the wrong night, but they got us in anyway on a busy Saturday night. The decor is a bit over-the-top, like a post-modern Disney World restaurant, but that didn’t detract much from the overall great experience. There is a long staircase to climb upon entry, and no elevator.

We were looking for a place for dinner on Sunday that offered gluten-free. I know, I know, Italian? But a GF app said they did have GF pasta, so we thought we'd give it a try. It was DARK inside, and difficult to read the menu. The staff was not very helpful in what was or wasn't GF on the menu. There were stars next to things that could be made GF, but it took a while to read the fine-print that said so. The waitress was very attentive trying to take our order, right up until we were ready to give it. The food was ok. I've had better GF pasta at a local Italian restaurant, and that was my comparison. Plus our local restaurant offers GF bread as well.

Great food! The mini cheese pizza is amazing (our daughter said it was the best pizza she's ever had). Seafood manicotti is fabulous. Husband got veal marsala and felt it was a little under seasoned. We went back another day and ordered thin crust pepperoni and sausage pizza and it was very good. Service was very good as well.

Food was good, but nothing for the baby (1 year old). Service was not the best. ATmosphere was nice.

Really bad while eating in the upstairs restaurant. I don’t even know where to start... ate there tonight, and the bread was awful, I mean terrible. Worst bread I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant, stale, old, hard, disgusting and should not be served under and circumstance. There was so many extra staff members there that they were standing around staring at customers blocking the upstairs entrance because it was so over staffed and slow. Another concerning indicator for me was that the food came out unnaturally fast after ordering it, which was an indication that it was all pre-cooked and re-heated and not freshly made. This place has so much history, but they have fallen very far on all levels including food quality, service, staff professionalism, cleanliness, and overall quality. My guess is that there isn’t any oversight or management presence here, and that they rely on their heavy tourist crowd to stay in business, which is a shame to those of us that live here. We walked in on a Wednesday night, and it was pretty dead, and everything seemed fine. It’s pretty narrow and the seats are not arranged in a way that is comfortable or flows well. My seafood pasta was so over-cooked that it was almost inedible, and was obviously pre-cooked and re-heated with calamari and octopus completely hard and beyond chewy. I ordered a sazarac that was shameful and overly sweet and disgusting. The prices are SO EXPENSIVE and overpriced that I thought it was a typo. Just an overall awful experience and really a shame. I want this restaurant to be good and do well because of the history, but how that the owners will take my feedback and make improvements to the these problem areas. Chicago is such a wonderful, high-end restaurant city (30+ Michelin Star restaurants!), and they do not contribute to that high-level culinary excellence and history of this city.

We loved the Italian village , it’s in a very interesting old building , you can just feel the history when you enter. There’s a downstairs fancy restaurant and an upstairs fun restaurant with each table different There are cute little rooms and some bigger areas too. It feels like you’re in an Italian village. The food was excellent, generous portions too. We had a great time.

Really enjoyed my food. The pasta had a light, homemade texture to it that I really appreciated. Great atmosphere. Servers were on top of everything and very nice. I would definitely eat here again.

if you want to eat downtown, you have a choice of 3 different Italian restaurants in one building. a great bar on top floor to have a couple of drinks. This establishment has been in business for over 50 years, for a reason, good food !

My friend and I went to the theater and we wanted to have dinner close by. We decided on Italian Village, which was less than a block away from the theater. I had been coming to this restaurant since the 1950s, but I hadn’t been there for a few years, and had rarely been inside any restaurant since the pandemic. I spoke to Liz, one of the managers, who was extremely nice and helpful. I told her that if possible, I would like to have a table that is not close to a lot of people. When I arrived, I was brought to a private booth! I had forgotten that they had wonderful private spaces. This set the tone for a delightful dining experience. Our server was terrific, and came from the Mexican city that I visit almost every year. The food was great. They brought the delicious bread even before my friend arrived. We had the chicken Marsala. Everything was superb. I am so grateful for the wonderful service and consideration. Now that I have returned to dining inside, I will make Italian Village my go to downtown restaurant.

After a day spent at the Art Institute, we had a nice birthday dinner at the Italian Village. Although we had been walking around all day and weren't happy with the walk up a flight of stairs, it was so worth it! The food was so delicious. The atmosphere was just like eating in an italian village. There were some small booth cubbies that could be great for a romantic meal. Next time I may ask for a table more in the open to see even more of the restaurant. For my birthday, they brought us each a cannoli and a candle for me to blow out while everyone sang Happy Birthday. So cool!

This restaurant was a highlight of my week in Chicago. I just showed up off the street (not recommended now that I know more about it). The bar was perfectly accommodating for wine and dinner. Not creative on my part, but a house salad and superb spaghetti and meatballs were exactly what I needed after an active day of sightseeing. Were I in Chicago, I would be a regular. Highly recommended!

Worth the long wait. No reservations for tables for two, so grab a crowd and make reservations. Delicious food, attentive staff, and lovely ambiance. Three restaurants to choose from. Upstairs offered the perfect setting for a couples weekend. Oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago. Recommend

We were looking for somewhere close to our hotel on our first night in Chicago. The Italian village was a great choice. We had the gnocchi, meat ravioli, mushroom ravioli and chicken Marsala. All of the food was delicious. Great place for a couple or a small family. It’s a little tight for larger groups.

This place is only good for people who never experienced real Italian food. Others should just stay away. I should have known better by avoiding this place after seeing the pictures...

It was our first time at the village and we had an amazing experience the food was delicious and our server elver was so hospitable, attentive and just amazing all around we will definitely be back !

Very cute ltalian restaurant. Upstairs, I did not see an elevator. Family owned since 1920's. We were seated quickly, had prompt service, including waitstaff who did not let the bread or water go empty. The food is reasonably priced, large portions and excellent! There are tables tucked away, separate from main area, so a very cozy, private feel. We saT in the main area during a fairly busy time (6pm). The noise level was low and the background music added to rhe classic italian vibe. I will be back!

Very nice ambience and great food! Lasagna was delicious. And the speghetti meat balls were the size of tennis balls! And big portions.

Having been here in the 90's, it was a treat to get to go with my family. Only one of the three restaurants is currently open (June 2021) due to the pandemic, so highly recommend making reservations. The calamari was great, and we each enjoyed a different pasta dish. We were celebrating my birthday, and they surprised me with cannoli with a candle on top. My hubby loved the lemoncello after dinner and said it was as good as what his mom made! Highly recommend.

Neat ambiance. You feel like your in a little Italian village. Food is excellent especially the seafood. Spaghetti is good but spaghetti is spaghetti. Restaurant is upstairs and I’m not sure they have an elevator.

Nice place to get good Italian food. Large menu with lots of options. Place stays busy so a reservation is important.

We make a point of always eating here when we are in Chicago. We stay two blocks away so it is convenient. The food and service always reliable at a fairly reasonable price. The ambiance is perfect. All this being said it is just as good for a family with small children as it is for a group of adults or a couple. This time we were seeing Hamilton across the street and they made sure we were out in time.

This place was beyond what I expected. The professionalism and service was great. It was very busy and we were seated at a high traffic area but the manager accommodated us with a very secluded stall upon request. I was a bit claustrophobic but we made it work. Very intimate which was the goal. The food was waaaay better than I expected and inexpensive. The Italian margaritas are good and strong. I can't wait to bring other friends to experience this place. It was definitely an "experience" and not just a place to eat.

We felt that we had to “settle” for this restaurant since most in the Chicago Loop area are closed do to the current events. We were impressed with the service and food. Lasagna, minestrone soup & Malbec wine made a nice combination on a cool Chicago night.

Food was delicious! Lasagna, seafood, soup!!! Service was great And the place and music really makes you feel like in a little town in Italy

This restaurant was just a couple of blocks from our hotel. We had two dinners and one lunch here and all was amazing. The best Italian food we have had in a long time! We noticed that the portions are large when we saw many folks leaving with carryout boxes. So we shared appetizers ( cold antipasti and Shrimp Tuscany) and entrees (veal marsala and gnocchi con salsiccia) at dinner. We shared a small Margherita pizza at lunch that was amazing! Wonderful thin crust and so fresh tasting! Everything we had was delicious but a stand out for me was the spumoni! I haven't had that since I was a kid and it was even better than I remembered! The decor is charming and the service was friendly and very professional. We will definitely go back next time we are in Chicago!

Neat old place with covered dining booths. Great pizza and big portions of menu items. Close to the theatres.

This restaurant makes you feel like you are in Italy. There are lights across the ceiling and quaint little spots hidden for privacy. Loved the paintings on the wall. The wait staff was very attentive and the food was delicious. Our table has lasagna, ravioli and pasta. Everyone loved their choices. Prices were moderate.

The food was great, the service was fast. We ordered the LaSagne and the Chicken Alfredo. The bread that accompcnies the meal was also great. The prices were reasonable for Chicago. I would highly recommend. We will definitely go again.

Our last night in Chicago we found this lovely Italian restaurant a short block from our hotel in the Loop. The Village claims to be the first Italian restaurant in Chicago. On the second floor we found an old-school sort of atmosphere. There are pictures of people who ate there on the wall, including some gangsters. The workers are always scurrying about keeping the aisles and tables cleared. Spouse had the Chicken parmesan and I had the Agnolotti, stuffed pasta with cheese and spinach with a tomato basil sauce. All was very good. We were able to be seated despite not having reservations on a Sunday night. Tab with one beer - $73.74 including tax

I have been visiting this restaurant for 27 years now. Throughout these 27 years, the service has consistently been outstanding, the food has always been exceptional, and I have never encountered a single negative experience here. It may be old, but it feels cozy and welcoming. Thank you for serving the Chicago community with pride, respect, and love. Additionally, they excel in staff training.

We had such a wonderful time here. The atmosphere was relaxing and transported you to a little spot in Italy. All the staff was so friendly. Our waiter was not annoying at all. Took care of us, made sure our waters were full, checked in a couple times. Best of all they helped us to celebrate a birthday and our baby reveal. They made out quick weekend getaway one we’ll remember. Thank you!

Just sat down at the bar and could not figure out why two ladies were leaving after just receiving their food and did not want the to go boxes. I looked down and crawling along the bar behind the food, was a roach. Needless to say, I got up and left. When I approached the manager at the front door and told him about the roach, he only questioned whether it was on the actual bar or just behind it? Clearly he knew they already had a roach issue.

Our server was great. Our food was ok not great. Big portions though. The restaurant has a lot of character.

We didn’t have reservations but still fit us in quickly. Food was excellent, great setting and wonder service!wonderful service

This may be one of the best Italian restaurants we have been to! The food was very good and the inside of the restaurant is the surprise. It feels like you are in an actual Italian village! The service was excellent and overall great dining experience. We will diffidently return.

What a hidden gem this place is. Cosy and full of character with little discreet dining booths, beautifully dressed tables and perfect service. The food was delicious. The waiter made a wine recommendation with the offer to change it if we didn’t like it (it was perfect!) whilst sharing the history of the wine name. Great experience. Highly recommend.

Wonderful dining experience at the Village that made you feel like you were in Italy. Pictures all around of famous people that have dined in over the years. Very generous portions, the lasagna was great!

Came for dinner. Bread and oil quickly dropped off. Drink orders taken quickly. and delivered quickly. Had the calamari app, a bit over cooked but edible. Had the caprese salad, that had some of the smoothest mozzarella cheese we have ever had. Then came the main course of the seafood ravioli. Wow what a dish! On point and just spectacular! Finished with the pistachio gellato. a great meal!

What a fun place! The atmosphere was great (try to reserve one of the little rooms if you can), the food was delicious and the service great. Highly reccomend!

Feeling sad that a family tradition to meet here for dinners has been just average food. Most recent visit was the final visit. My Eggplant Parmigiana was too mushy...maybe soaked in milk too long or over cooked. The side of pasta was poor quality noodle or overcooked which made it gummy. Alfredo Fettuccine was just okay nothing like past years. Cheese Ravoli was good. Cesear salad was very good. Complimentary bread was good but the dipping oil smelled and tasted rancid. Not sure what has happened to their quality but we will find a new restaurant to carry on our family tradition dinners.

I would not spend the money. It was terrible. Our expectation were since it was the oldest and "best" it would have flavor - it was bland, the Alfredo was too more pepper no garlic, the bread was as old as the restaurant itself - hard crusty end. The desserts were not homemade and tiramisu lady fingers were hard in the dessert. My uncle was Sicilian and I have been to Italy several times. This is NOT authentic or homemade or good- I have had jarred pasta sauce that tastes better- absolutely one of the worse meals I have had and for the price, ugh- the only thing nice was the service and the atmosphere. Not sure how it's received such a high rating unless people have no taste buds

They took us on a Friday night without a reservation and sat us in the bar area immediately. Good vibe, good food and great service from our waiter. Moderate pricing and served hot. I would go again.

On the positive side, friendly and welcoming staff, and good service, in a quaint and quiet setting. On the negative side, the food is very underwhelming. If you’re just interested in big portions, then you’ll be fine here; but if you’re looking for good flavours, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. We had calamari and mozzarella sticks to start. Both were bland and I would guess frozen. For mains, ‘meat’ ravioli and lasagne. The lasagne was awful; all stodgy, overcooked, with 2 spoonfuls of lukewarm bolognaise poured on top. Couldn’t taste any cheese. I ate 1/3, at best 1/2 of it, and didn’t enjoy any of it. Ravioli equally disappointing. A change in chef and some inspiration is badly needed if this place is to survive. It has been around a long time apparently, so it must have been way better at some point in the past.

The best meal we had during an eight day vacation in Chicago. Highly recommend. Nice decor. Reservations recommended on weekends.

Lots of stairs to get in. Reservations recommended. Wonderful atmosphere. Wife had the Puttanesca salmon was moist and tender throughout, enhanced by bright braised grape tomatoes and fresh spinach, prefect blend. Antipasto salad fresh and varied.

Our group made a reservation at the Village for after a play. There had been a mention of the Village being upstairs. I didn’t ask the person how many stairs but I asked the people on Trip Advisor. The responses were are uniform in no elevator but wildly different on the number of stairs. So I called back. (There are 27 steps to get to the Village.) The first floor restaurant isn’t open on Sunday. When I explained that a person in our party couldn’t manage that many stairs, they offered to let us sit in Vivere on the first floor. We used the Village menu. We were treated so well. A server and a busboy were assigned to us and everything ran very smoothly. We had very delicious food and had a nice visit because it was so quiet. I was initially uncomfortable to tie up staff like that, but the manager and server quickly put us at ease. It truly was a case of going out of their way to help us. The food is always good and this was no exception. I just want to thank the Italian Village for providing exceptional service and accommodations for a special Sunday afternoon.

Service was fine - other than multiple servers dropping cutlery on the floor throughout the hour we were there. Unfortunately a simple plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatball was terrible. The pasta was well over cooked, with no bite to it at all. The sauce had little to commend it.

Amazing restaurant and the best Italian I've tasted in a long time! I ordered Fettucine with shrimp. It was to die for! Very fresh and reasonable at $31.00 Great selection of Italian and American wines Delicious bruchetta very good service reasonably priced for both food and wines

I refuse to travel to any destination and not eat Italian food. It’s one of my favorites so I have to have it in every new city I go to, it’s just a must. Even if I don’t take pictures, I have to have Italian. Did a lot of “Door Dash” orders while in Chicago, our time management was OUT the door for whatever reason this trip. Did not want to park and sit down to eat this night, had just gotten back from Rockford visiting family, just wanted a hearty meal and to lay down. That’s where “Italian Village Restaurant” came in to save the evening. My Mother ordered the meatballs pasta, and she was overwhelmed with the serving amount. It almost overflowed over the plastic container. But when she took her first bite, her head went back she said it was that good. She wanted me to taste her food before I even tasted mine. I have my favorites, and my favorite will always be “Chicken Parmesan” ordered the one that had available, and they are NOT stingy. The chicken breast was HUGE, I was not expecting that size portion but did not complain. The marinara sauce that they use is so authentic, I don’t know if it’s freshly made, but it has that taste like it is made in house. Doesn’t take like it comes from a jar. It was amazing. Mom and I both were stuck on stupid when we tasted the marinara. I could’ve just had a bowl of noodles and sauce and would’ve been perfectly fine. Due to the size of both dishes, Mom and I were not able to finish ALL of our food, but the thing that made our meal even more fabulous was the fact that we ordered these dishes, and we were able to save them, for the next day. And even reheating the meals, they were STILL good the next day. That’s how you know a meal is good if it still taste as good as the day you ordered it. And it did, both dishes. Just out of curiosity, we did order a third dish, I wanted to taste their “Alfredo sauce”. I shouldn’t have, the Alfredo sauce did not carry well after sitting and being delivered. It got extremely gritty, and just did not taste good at all.

Beautiful Italian restaurant with great service, varied menu, full dinners, sandwiches, salad, appetizers and terrific desserts. I would recommend reservations unless you can go early, 4-4:30 and snag a table that can be cleared before their rush by 6:00. We all had sandwiches, 2 Meatball Parmigiana and 2 Italian Beef, cannolis and chocolate mousse, everything was very good. Breadbasket and olive oil offered before dinner and a nice drink and wine selection. Close to CBIC theater, 1/2 block.

Whats not to like, great food, good pricing, great service. Okay, the place is a little cramped and noisy, but the other side of the story is the amount of food on the plate is enormous. I had the veal picatta over spaghetti. 10 inch bowl of spagetti with four large veal cutlets. ,$30.00, in downtown Chicago. BYW dont miss the Cannoli.

Wonderful historic gem within the heart of downtown Chicago with amazing food, atmosphere and service! We enjoyed the Italian Cobb, lasagne, and whitefish with extremely attentive service. It feels like you are literally stepping into a historic Italian Village with the decor of little homes, stores, paddle wheel and it all adds to the experience. This is one of my favorite spots in Chicago and the food and experience never disappoints!

Very good food in a charming atmosphere with stellar service. We came in for lunch because we’d just gotten to our hotel on a business trip and it’s in sight of the Hyatt lobby. It could have been awful or a tourist trap or anything but we didn’t care because we’d left San Francisco at 5am and only had a “fruit bar” courtesy of United. From the second we walked in to the moment we staggered out, we loved it. Fresh flavorful ingredients, carefully seasoned classics, generous portions. The wait staff is charming and not a little irreverent. An absolute gem and a new favorite.

Would not recommend. I made a reservation over 2 weeks ago for 9 pm tonight. they confirmed by text yesterday and I even confirmed again this morning as it is my birthday today. They call me 6 hours before reservation now saying they can not accommodate because they don’t make reservations that late. Now I am screwed on my birthday and going to be a bit difficult to make reservation for tonight now. Poor management . Will never go there. Susan

Beautiful place for dinner with friends and family. Love the food😊😊 and everything there. Would definitely revisit♥️

So glad we found The Village. We lucked out with a private "booth" for our Anniversary dinner. We started with the meatballs, outstanding. They were moist, great flavor and sauce was so good. I had frutti de Mar and my spouse had lasagna. Lasagna was excellent. A lot of seafood also with my dish. Salads were a bonus, their dressing very good. We concluded with rum cake, best we've had in years. Great service. They are top restaurant for a reason.

We were steared here via a mystery food tour. Loved the true Italian ambiance. Their Italian sub sandwich was an absolute hit with everyone!

I really love Italian cuisine and therefore for our first dinner in Chicago, we chose this restaurant. An ideal place for dinner and fun company. The food and drinks are very tasty, but what I liked most was the design of the restaurant. This is a small village, very hospitable and attentive staff.

Great atmosphere! The food was pure Italian ! More than enough to eat and then some. Also, the service was superb!

I try to find the best in wherever I dine but The Village did not impress. The food was marginally good - but no better than I’ve had in spots that were much less expensive. Small touches you’d think would be a standard were not, such as freshly ground Parmesan cheese (theirs comes out of a shaker like you’d get at Pizza Hut)….and I had to request ground pepper for my salad. The food service was rushed and hurriedly presented, the staff inattentive. While it may be the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago, it sadly misses the mark of being a really good one - at least in our Saturday night experience.

This is a lovely and vibrant family owned restaurant. The food was delicious. The serving staff were helpful. It’s very busy! Prices are reasonable.

This place is a great find in Chicago! True Italian and so good! I recommend making reservations, especially with limited seating due to Covid.

The inside of this restaurant is so cute! The food and service were amazing with large portions and great recommendations by the staff.

If you’re looking for an authentic family run Italian restaurant, look no further. This incredible restaurant is so unassuming and an absolute gem! Across the road from the CIBC Theatre so a great pre-theatre feed and the wait staff are amazing.

The Italian Village Restaurant was close to the Hilton Chicago where our group of friends were attending a teacher educator conference. I called before noon on February 14 and the restaurant could take our party of 5 at 7:15 pm. I booked it without looking at the entire menu. There was a special Valentine’s Day menu on the backside of the extensive regular menu. Being the only male in our group of 5, I was the last to order the special Lobster Alfredo. The four women each ordered something different, including Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan, Salman, and Spaghetti. Three of us shared a nice bottle of red wine and the other ordered crafted bar cocktails. The service and ambiance was impeccable. By coincidence we sat next to a married couple from Illinois who were friends from our conference. They shared that when they visit Chicago frequently they always eat at the Italian Village Restaurant. We all agreed we’d come back again.

Very attractive restaurant, the cosmetics inside are amazing with snazzy little booths which are perfect for intimate meal for couples, great seating for families too! The food is exactly what you are thinking it will be! - great! Very filling, tasty Italian food. The bread is great! And as the waiters take the food to the tables nearby your mouth will water as you smell the beautiful aroma of fresh cooked food. Gerardo was amazing very tentative but not invasive which is a skill the industry lacks nowadays, he is a credit to this establishment.

We visited this restaurant the last week of September while in town on a business trip. There’s three different levels to the restaurant with a real Italian decor. Waiter was excellent and the food also. We had the calamari, shrimp linguini, and chicken breast sandwich. Everything flavorful and prepared nicely. This ended up being our favorite place for the week

The atmosphere was beautiful and super romantic (even though I was there with my mom and brother haha). Our waiter was great. I had the sangria which was amazing and chicken Parmesan that was very good. We really enjoyed this visit.

It had been 40 years since I was last in Chicago and dining at the Italian Village Restaurant on West Monroe. Many times, a wonderful experience from a while ago doesn't live up to the memories. NOT HERE! Both the staff and the food far exceeded my expectations.

Fun setting. Good service and excellent food.The only warning ; one way in and out,up two flights of steep stairs. No elevator.

Friends introduced us to this Chicago tradition. Great location in the theater district, this family restaurant has been in business since 1927. The ambience is unique--like a little Italian village with lots of private booths, some kitsch and a kinky charm. Food was excellent. I had the veal parm, others had seafood pasta--all excellent. A great fun evening. The cannolis are from a 1927 recipe and were superb!

This was a terrific place to have a delicious Italian meal! The wait staff was attentive and efficient. There are two choices- a main siding room and the lower level cafe. We chose the latter and it was cozy, but with low ceilings. The food was perfectly prepared. I had a charcuterie type plate and my partner had manicotti with a cream sauce that was exquisite. This place offers a wide variety of wines and liquors.

When you walk up the steps and into the restaurant you are walking into a village in Italy. The sky looks real the walls look like the village and the experience and atmosphere it’s a surreal. There are coves and rooms made up to look like homes. Even an Al Capone room where he actually had a meal. The food is delicious and the servers attentive. Homemade sausage sandwich was wonderful. Minestrone soup authentic. Calamari was great. Can’t beat this true Italian atmosphere..

Stopped in for a glass of wine (stayed for three .. oops). Very nice bartender, was able to give us some site history, and some wine history. Will definitely come again, and need to try the food (smelled awesome).

Classic in all terms.. but personally for my taste some misses in the mix. My meat balls were just bland, just " meat " Fettuccine alfredo the shrimps, again just bland but the rest was yummy.. 100 percent classic atmosphere..just dated [ but good ] food

Oh well we tried it ! We got seated in what can only be described as a cupboard so we missed out on any atmosphere the restaurant might have had . The food was ok but not great . Service was ok . Wouldn’t return

First time visit to Vivere. According to their website they offered a Theater Prix Fixe Menu which was not available when we asked. Instead they offered a pricey wine pairing menu or without wine for less. We were seated in the upper level and it was dark and offered no real ambience. The food was alright, limited and pricey. The best part of my dinner was the after dinner limoncello.

The staff was not attentive or friendly. Our waiter was somewhat rude. We didn't receive our bread basket until almost 30 minutes after we arrived. I asked for ice water & never received it. The food was not as it used to be. The sauce was very bland on the pastas. The linguine with clams, lasagne, veal & eggplant parmagianas were nowhere near the quality it used to be. The rum cake had no tast or aroma of rum at all. Sadly, we have decided not to return.

Correct without more, even basic sauce for several dishes. Nice and efficient staff, wine is not terrible and expensive enough, there is better

An iconic Chicago restaurant has been serving customers since 1927. Great entrees, wonderful desserts, and doting service. Seafood ravioli and veal marsala were both excellent.

My eggplant parmigiana was very good! My son's ravioli hadn't been strained enough and ended up a very watery dish, with very little sauce. The salads were good and the bread was fine. My side of mostaccioli was fine and my son ate some of it as well. The chocolate mousse was dense and heavy, not the fluffy texture I expected. The service was attentive if perfunctory (they didn't notice the watery soup left from the ravioli). I was very happy that we found an affordable place with vegetarian options, but my son thought the pizza at the airport was a better "Italian" dining experience.

A family staple for decades —— is just a memorable evening every time. From the linen tablecloths with olive oil and fresh parmesan for the crusty bread to the dining room of faux Italian decor — it treats patrons to a unique evening. The entrees are traditional but o so tasty! The eggplant parmigiana was excellent and traditional spaghetti and meatballs won’t disappoint. The fettuccine alfredo very very tasty - no room for desert! Climb the stairs to an excellent evening- it’s well worth it!

We three college friends were looking for a quiet "last night in Chicago" experience...the Village provide a great pizza to share, and a secluded booth to visit. Lots of nooks and crannies and atmosphere. It was the perfect place for us...

This might not be the best lasagna I have ever had, but I can't remember who makes it better. I ate the rest of it for breakfast the next morning having been filled up with Caprese Salad, bread, and house salad. All were good. My wife is a particular fan of that mozzarella and tomato dish so we always order it and it always makes us too full. I have been here twice in the past when all three levels were operating different cuisines in the evening. Now we're down to the top floor with the other two being used as special events areas. The good news is that The Village was the busiest restaurant that I attended, but considering it's now 1/3 of it's previous size, it's more evidence that the city is self-destructing under the weight of a political movement that seeks to destroy the past and rebuild utopia.

Italian atmosphere (cantina style) however food was somewhat disappointing. I ordered raviolis, well they tasted very “compact”(unless the chef comes from an Italian region where raviolis are cooked so) on the other hand the sauce was delicious: very light and tasty Espresso was really an Italian espresso. I also suggest a glass of wine from Puglia region. A little bit pricy for raviolis. A.L. One negative note: it was quite noisy: beside people conversations the food service carts (trolleys) are very very noisy. I would suggest to the owner to put some material on the wheels to amortize the noise.

Walking around the city and happened across this restaurant at lunch time on a Sunday afternoon; a quick look at previous reviews & decided to try them. So glad we did! Staff pleasant & attentive, very careful to follow indoor dining protocols for Covid. Dining area old-school & full of character. Food delicious & portions generous- something on the menu for everyone, and prices are quite reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes (be prepared to share or bring home your leftovers)! An unexpected highlight of our visit to the city- would recommend & happily return here when back in the area.

This place is amazing!! The egg plant parmigiana is very good. My husband loved his lasagna. It’s worth coming here!!!!

Really enjoyed our dinner at Italian Village. We ate upstairs at the Village. We had a reservation and was seated right away. The staff was fast, friendly and efficient. The food came quick and was great. I highly recommend this location if you are heading to the theater.

We have been going to the Italian Village for more than 40 years. The good news and bad news is that nothing has changed.

I recommend the seafood ravioli! I get it every time and we stop here anytime we are in Chicago. This place such great atmosphere Thisplace

I first went to the Italian Village with my high school girlfriends when we went downtown to see West Side Story! Loved it then - love it now!

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of a building in Monroe street, and that is a slight problem. We saw the 'sign' tried the door and decided as the door as closed and we could not see the restaurant itself, we were about to walk away when someone came out of the building and told us to go to the 2nd floor. As we walked into reception, my first thought was, damn, this is going to be expensive, but it is my first visit here so what the h*ll. The restaurant was packed, however we managed to get a table within a few minutes. The atmosphere is great, the food wonderful and the staff pleasant. Surprisingly the food prices are not as high as I expected

This Italian restaurant felt like walking into a movie set. The charm and character of the ambiance made a great first impression and the themed booths and seating areas added to the experience. The food was great traditional, “home cooked” Italian fare. The portions were large and everything from the salad to main course to dessert was exceptional. The lasagna was as good as advertised! And the wine list is exceptional. And service is prompt and helpful. A great choice before or after a show.

I grew up in Central New York State (Utica-Rome) where good Italian fare is a staple of the restaurant scene. I have since moved to the Deep South where good Italian food is as rare as a snowflake. So when in Chicago... I go to Italian Village. Located in the Loop and close to theatre scene. I was at end of business trip and came on busy Saturday night at 7 pm. I was greeted warmly and seated after just a short wait even though it was packed. Enjoyed friendly and professional service from Scott C. I had a tasty glass of Chianti (house), Caesar salad and chicken parmigiana. Finished with cannoli and coffee. Was solo and will be back with family.

Went to Vivere to meet a friend after attending the ballet. Service was poor - waiter seemed forgetful and after waiting quite some time found out they forgot to put in our order. We ordered the seafood pasta for $29..while tasty we had 1 scallop, 2 squid rings and 2 shrimp- maybe a total of $1.50 worth of seafood....basically $29 for a somewhat tasty pasa. We were celebrating a birthday and without asking they brought out a dessert with a candle only to find out later we were charged a high price for it. Ordered wine which the original glass was charged correctly but the other glasses were overcharged. Unfortunately none of us realized this until the next day. Would definitely not recommend this restaurant.

Had dinner at La Cantina. The cucucioco was the best I have ever had. I have tried cucucioco at several different restaurants. The seafood was cooked perfectly. The broth was savory and delicious. The service was top shelf. The by the glass wine selection is amazing. Five stars. Highly recommend.

Fabulous experience in a beautiful restaurant. Staff was amazingly courteous. Drinks were woah…very strong. Food was wonderful and the after dinner cappuccinos were delicious! Love this place!!!

Experienced staff, everthing runs smooth. A cosy restaurent, with "small rooms". Good food. We were a group of six and had a great time.

Ordered the Chicken Parmesan ($25.00) & La Brusca wine. The food was good. My only recommendation would be to make the portions larger. They did supply plenty of bread. The service was adequate as well.

This was one of my worst restaurant experiences in years. The cheese ravioli was thick chewy pasta with a very thin layer of tasteless cheese in a slop of thin gravy with a few cheap cherry tomatoes thrown on top. They did offer to get me something else, but I’d lost my appetite by then. The experience was capped by witnessing the manager being snappy with me and shouting at the server. I would avoid this place at all costs.

Chose the Italian Village based on recommendations and close proximity to the CIBC theater. We made reservations a week in advance for pre-theater dinner. We were seated right away. They had a theater special for $39.95 which included a soup/salad, entree and desert. I had the house salad which was fresh and the ravioli carbonara which was lukewarm but flavorful. Would have liked just a slightly larger portion. And warmer. The salted caramel gelato was delicious but the biscotti cookie was flavorless. Location has three different restaurants with three different menus. Reservations for two are only accepted at Vivere. Atmosphere is nice but food wasn’t anything exceptional.

Wonderful experience from start to finish. Made reservations the day before and visited on a Monday. The staff was beyond polite and our server was fantastic. Our 16 and 12 year old girls loved the ravioli, minestrone soup, and salad. They had a nice selection of gluten free options which is a must for one family member. The salmon and lasagna were ordered and were both fantastic. The ambiance was gorgeous as well. I would 100% recommended and would return again.

I don't understand the great reviews. We lived in Italy two years, and this is a poor example of Italian food. I had the gluten-free pasta with meat sauce. The sauce was flavorless, the pasta was the cheap gluten-free type that was gritty and fell apart - horrible. My husband ordered the lasagna. The waiter asked if he wanted it "baked". He said, yes. I didn't know there was any other way to serve lasagna other than BAKED! He said it was just okay but the surprise came when there was an additional $5.00 added for BAKED!. REALLY! That was an additional $5.00. The wine was over priced and served in very small glasses - not worth it. The environment is interesting, but my suggestion is to go somewhere else for a good Italian meal.

Place is nice ambiance although a bit noisy slthough we sat in the corner in a closed place. Food is just ok. We ordered risotto that was only had vegetable and no meat and lasagna. Our appetizer was fried squid. Waiter frequently came to check our needs.

We were in town with a group for a Thursday taping of the NPR game show Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me at the Chase Bank Auditorium, and Italian Village Restaurants was just around the block. There were actually three restaurants to choose from and our group chose the one on the second floor "La Cantina?". We had a great experience. I ordered from the Prix-Fixe Theater Menu: Mixed Green Salad with house dressing, baked eggplant and a wonderful cannoli for $25.95. I had enough baked eggplant to eat half for dinner and the other half for lunch the next day. Could not have been any better. My wife had four-cheese ravioli. No complaints except that the food arrived warm rather than right-out-of-the -oven hot. Would I go back? Absolutely!

Ambience is great, wine list is extensive, sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of the barkeeps. Menu was great and easy to accommodate gluten free diets.

The best restaurant we visited by far. The decor is beautiful -- Art Deco with mosaic floors, stained glass alcoves, and deep cherry wood. Our host was absolutely charming, and our waiter was extremely attentive and very helpful. And the food? OMG! Delicious! This is my #1 place to eat in Chicago now!

Great atmosphere, fantastic food, and the staff was so friendly!! Had the best tiramisu I’ve ever had in my life. We were in the main dining room, so I can’t speak for the other areas, but the main dining room is definitely perfect for a date night. I will absolutely be recommending this location to others in the future.

Was looking at restaurants near to our hotel and this one looked good but a little old fashioned with all the booths etc. was really very pleasantly surprised. Great menu and all our meals were wonderful. Great value for money and great service.

Perfect cozy Italian after a very long days work; hostess Janet is a treasure; thank you Janet 🙂will be back again

This place will not let you leave hungry. I came in with 4 very hungry Soldiers. We practically waddled out. Each of us ordered something different and all of the selections looked amazing. 2 of the guest were from TN, one from D.C. and my coworker and I are from Central Illinois. All 5 of us declared we were food snobs and all 5 of us left with very happy bellies. Service was great. Bathrooms clean and the overall ambiance was fantastic.

The food was absolutely amazing! And I must say I'm a very picky eater and I don't eat Italian food often, but this place was outstanding! You can't go wrong with anything you order! What really impressed me–besides the food–was our server Chelsea! She was super nice and helped us understand the menu. She broke down the ingredients in every dish on the menu and gave stellar suggestions, thank you Chelsea for helping us out!

Arrived here, "the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago" the evening after an all day meeting that went into the night. I was unsure of where to eat, but craving eggplant found Italian Village. It is a large restaurant with three sections on separate floors: one an upper end, (read more expensive) room, the name of which escapes me, the second their "regular" Italian Village restaurant, and the third is "The Cantina". The Italian Village and The Cantina serve the same food, with different ambience. As I was solo, I chose the The Cantina, which was a more cosy affair. The service was superb and friendly, the warm, ample, bread a delight, the salad, which comes with the meal, was fresh with a nicely done house-made dressing and my main course, eggplant parmesan was four large tasy medallions served with mostaccioli. Topped off with a nice montepulciano, it was a satisfying end to a busy day.

A beautiful and quiet restaurant, perfect for a nice birthday celebration dinner with friends. The servers were very attentive and worked around food allergies. The food was outstanding. It was some of the best Italian food I’ve had outside of Italy. Loved the history of the restaurant too. Would love to eat here again if I go back to Chicago.

I have been wanting to try this restaurant on a few trips to Chicago but never made the time. I was able to visit on a Saturday and as I was traveling solo I wanted to arrive early to not hold up a table for only one person. I was promptly greeted and seated at a table for two. I ordered a thin crust pepperoni pizza but everything I saw delivered around me looked really tasty. The bread and oil is a nice accompaniment as you wait for your entree. Service was great and my pizza was really good. I will be back again with the family for another dinner.

Some things never change - and tradition and value at Italian Village is one of those places - served by Johan and tutored by the now iconic bar keep Vince, a pre-theatre birthday dinner was exceptional. One can taste the history, care and pride in every dish - every serving. Used to go there? Haven't been for quite awhile? Opened in 1927 and in the heart of the loop, who doesn't like all the house made traditional Tuscan favorites. Do yourself a favor and enjoy a proper meal with proper service in an inviting atmosphere - Italian Village awaits. You will not be disappointed.

Wow, we had lunch here before we went to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a concert and what a great choice. The service and food was fantastic. They were very aware of the timing so we would not be late for our event. Loved the atmosphere. Started with bread with the oil and cheese. We had minestrone soup and the shrimp Tuscany which was all delicious. I would highly recommend

Classic downtown Chicago Italian restaurant. I enjoyed the pizza, even though they could not pie cut it for some reason. Good flavoring crispiness. They had gluten-free options for my wife. However, looking around and seeing some of the pasta dishes, made me wanna go that route next time.

Delicious food! We really enjoyed the Caesar salad and the lasagna! Excellent! I'd highly recommend this place! Service was great but we went at around 4pm when it wasn't busy.

We were there on 12/21 at 5:00. The manager in the front was making rude comments about my remark that we had been told there was no wait but there was and I wasn't angry but he sure was. I told him to calm down and said I wasn't angry why was he. He said he was angry at his staff not me but his comments were directed at me. He then went off on me and said how he wasn't going to take any directions from a customer, just the owner and made some other nasty comments for about a minute as if I wasn't there. Well, Mr. or Ms Owner, this man should not be in a position of customer service.I'm sure he'll defend himself by besmirching my behavior. At no time was I angry or abusive. He proceeded to treat my male companion (who actually was complaining about the wait) with respect and friendliness. So maybe he's only nasty to women.

Great service. We asked to be moved due to a very load family group near us. The manager staff was so kind and bent over backwards to move us even though fully booked.

We ate here twice during our stay in Chicago. The second night after walking all day at the Art Institute I had to think twice about climbing those two flights of stairs again to get to the restaurant. But we did and were not disappointed. The food was good and moderately priced for downtown Chicago. The wait staff were attentive and quick. Photos of famous people who had visited were fun to view.

This was a go-to restaurant when my family lived in the Chicago suburbs. I hadn’t been here for fifty-five years! But, my husband and I were seeing “Hamilton” across the street for our anniversary and decided to give Italian Village a try. We were delighted! We ate downstairs. The host was very welcoming and our server, Melissa, was really on the ball. We ordered Chicken Marsala and Eggplant Parmesan. The bread was lovely, the olive oil for dipping was fresh, the soup and salad were excellent. The entrees were wonderful and plentiful. We’ll be back to try the upstairs restaurant too. We took a peek and it looked just like I remembered. Highly recommended!

Thoroughly enjoyed dinner in the LaCantina restaurant! Food was delicious and portions were great! In the theater district.

The ambience was wonderful! I immediately felt as though I was in a small Tuscan village in Italy. Service was impeccable: Yuli made the experience so great! I had the eggplant parmigiana and a coconut gelato for dessert. The gelato is homemade and well worth it and always safe with eggplant parmigiana - great portion size.

It is completely inaccessible if you cannot get out of your wheelchair or not use your mobility aids as it’s like 30 steps to even get to it and they have no elevators or ramps. It is not labeled at all on their website at all, no matter how much you search.