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After walking for hours becoming familiar with Chicago, I stopped at Acanto for a cocktail. I ordered a special Spritz that was so refreshing. The restaurant is beautiful and would be great for a date night. I sat outside in the semi enclosed area to enjoy my cocktail. I did feel undressed ( most people were in business casual attire).
After catching a play in the city, we headed just a 10-minute walk away to this wonderful restaurant and wine bar for dinner, and it completely blew us away. The inside of the restaurant is so nice and cozy, though they also offer covered patio seating if you prefer the outdoors. We sat inside for our 5:00pm reservation for a table of four, which I booked easily ahead of time. What truly sets this place apart is their incredible accommodation for dietary restrictions. Because I have celiac disease and am listed as a vegetarian on OpenTable, the host thoughtfully brought a separate vegan menu right to our table without us even having to ask. Their main menu also has multiple items clearly marked as gluten-free or gluten-free available, and best of all, they use separate fryers to prevent cross-contamination. I let our server know right away that I have celiac, and she reassured me that the kitchen would take every precaution to make sure my food was entirely safe. We started off with the arancini, which is made gluten-free in a separate fryer and was absolutely to die for. For my main course, I had the gluten-free radiatori tossed in a spicy vodka sauce, and it was so good that I ate every single bite. To top it all off, we shared two desserts between us: the panna cotta and the flourless chocolate cake, both of which were delicious. To drink, I enjoyed a refreshing Aperol Spritz followed by a glass of the moscato. From the top-notch allergy safety to the amazing drinks and food, everything was excellent. This is a must-visit spot, especially if you need gluten-free or vegetarian options!
I had a lovely experience dining solo at Acanto. The lobster capellini was decadent, rich, and absolutely delicious... easily the highlight of the meal. Service moved at a slower pace than I'm accustomed to, but it never felt frustrating. In fact, it seemed to fit the atmosphere, and the staff were friendly, welcoming, and accommodating throughout. The location is what truly set this spot apart for me. I chose it simply because it was adjacent to the Chicago Athletic Club, but then the tree-lined views overlooking Millennium Park create a beautiful backdrop that makes lingering over a meal feel relaxed and intentional. A wonderful spot to enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner while people watching.
Met a few friends for dinner , salads here usually top notch but our iceberg lettuce had some sand which was disappointing. But the hostess was very gracious to replace it with another salad. I love the ambience and service. Rest of the food was delicious, will be back
My wife and I had a really good experience at Acanto. Mirela was our server and she did a wonderful job. We started with the beef carpaccio which was on point, then the gem salad followed by the truffled gnocchi and my wife had the radiatori. Both were so very good. The tiramisu was dripping with espresso. Thank you for a wonderful anniversary!
Upscale, classic, warm old world style Italian restaurant off Michigan avenue. Indoor ambiance GIVES off a cozy wine lounge appeal with its crimson wood style and soft lighting. The outdoor space is also plentiful with heated seating that makes the snowfall dinner such a romantic experience. The food was also very good. Here's what we tried. 1. Fusilli: Squid ink fusilli pasta with generous amount of seafood assortment including lobster, scallops, and shrimp. Seasoned to perfection with chili, tomatoes, and garlic. 2. Filet mignon: perfect cut filet cooked to a medium rare with sis of parsnip pree, shallots, and bone marrow butter. Superb 3. Roasted pistachio and Amaretto Coppa: roasted pistachio gelato with amaretto cherries, an crushed amaretto. Love it! Paired it with mint tea. Overall perfect winter night out. Can't wait to come back during the warmer months to enjoy the park scenery along with dinner
The Great: -The tiramisu is excellent, perfect balance of flavors -Bruschetta is a MUST The Good: -Extensive wine list -Great service The Not so Great: -I don't think they season their meat. I couldn't finish the rigatoni because it literally tasted like a pound of ground beef. Meatball were the same way - no flavor
Acanto was the venue for our work holiday party. Honestly I really wanted our venue to be a steakhouse, so management was breaking years of tradition coming to an Italian restaurant. It was a set menu so could t really venture off and get what I wanted. For appetizers we had the salad - looked like a garden salad with flakes of cheese on top. It was tasty and flavorful and I devoured it all. Next came the house bread which paired nicely with the oil. The bread was delicious - I think i had 3 slices! For the main course. I went with the salmon. Hands down one of the best salmons I've had in a while. What made it amazing was the mushrooms that topped it off with a truffle sauce on top. The taste was a burst of flavor in your mouth. I greatly enjoyed the salmon and highly recommend. Dessert was the tiramisu. It was nice and fluffy and the texture was great. I was pleasantly surprised. Servers were great and very attentive. I would surely come back and taste their pasta. Because if their salmon was to die for, I can just imagine how the pasta would taste like!
We were out in Iowa and decided to make a quick day trip to Chicago. After shopping and walking around, we decided to check out Acanto because their menu looked delicious. Didn't realize it would turn out to be such a great experience. It was a perfect fall day in Chicago! We walked up after making a reservation and the host helped us to get seated right away. We had the option of sitting inside or outside and were so glad to have chosen outside. Their patio looks out into a park across the street and the views and vibes were amazing! The server was friendly and made some great recommendations. We started out with the burrata. It was fresh and light! We asked for some bread to go with it and were brought out the most warm and delicious pieces of foccacia. Next we got a calamari fritti. It was lightly breaded, crisp and perfectly fried. For our entree, we shared the bolognese. Wow!! It was rich in flavor and just such a comforting dish. Lastly, we wrapped with a warm olive oil with berry sauce a la mode. It was the best way to end a meal. If you're looking for a great place to eat with an amazing ambiance to match, this is the spot. If the weather is nice, highly recommend sitting outside.
Wonderful service by Marela I think it was. Forgive me if I'm wrong about her name. Very good food and romantic ambiance. The wine list by the glass was fantastic as well and they have a wine class on Wednesdays as well.
Romantic Italian restaurant located near Millennium Park. Phenomenal homemade pasta dishes. Highly recommend starting with the cauliflower appetizer, and either the sea scallops or duck bolognese with homemade pasta. End the night with affogato in the shape of a rose. The service was also attentive without being overbearing. Great place to eat after attending the Symphony (as it is just steps away).
Stopped in for a late lunch and was excited to find happy hour from 2-5 which included a decent variety of food and drinks. I had an aperol spritz, along with the panino prosciutto which was amazing. It came with a side salad - I'd definitely order it all again. The place itself is a darker eloquent wine bar with plenty of seating.
The restaurant is not that far from the Art museum and Cloud Gate (aka The Bean). We had reservations and were seated right away. They light a new candle on your table and it was fun guessing how many hours it takes for the candle to melt all the way down. We came during dinner time and sat inside. We shared the Arancini, usually comes in 3 and they made 4 for us, since there were 4 of us. Very delicious and we all just took our time savoring the flavor. So good and it is also GF made with rice flour. Next I had the Umbricelli con Sugo d'Anatra. House made spaghetti with duck meat. Noodles were firm and didn't twirl on the fork easily. But it was really good. There were plenty of duck meat shredded and chunks. The cherry tomatoes were a bit tart to me, so I didn't eat them all. For dessert we shared the Tortino al Cioccolato Valhrona, like a chocolate lava cake. Very soft and rich chocolate. Had orange pieces throughout. Came with coffee gelato. Also shared the Vanilla bean panna cotta. Smooth creamy and light, reminds me of crème brulee. Had lots of cherries with crumbles of cookies. Both desserts are GF. I actually like the chocolate more... couldn't resist. They cleanup and give you a new plate and or silverware after each course. They are very good at keeping your glass of water refilled. Very friendly staff. read more
After walking for hours becoming familiar with Chicago, I stopped at Acanto for a cocktail. I ordered a special Spritz that was so refreshing. The restaurant is beautiful and would be great for a date night. I sat outside in the semi enclosed area to enjoy my cocktail. I did feel undressed ( most people were in business casual attire). read more
After catching a play in the city, we headed just a 10-minute walk away to this wonderful restaurant and wine bar for dinner, and it completely blew us away. The inside of the restaurant is so nice and cozy, though they also offer covered patio seating if you prefer the outdoors. We sat inside for our 5:00pm reservation for a table of four, which I booked easily ahead of time. What truly sets this place apart is their incredible accommodation for dietary restrictions. Because I have celiac disease and am listed as a vegetarian on OpenTable, the host thoughtfully brought a separate vegan menu right to our table without us even having to ask. Their main menu also has multiple items clearly marked as gluten-free or gluten-free available, and best of all, they use separate fryers to prevent cross-contamination. I let our server know right away that I have celiac, and she reassured me that the kitchen would take every precaution to make sure my food was entirely safe. We started off with the arancini, which is made gluten-free in a separate fryer and was absolutely to die for. For my main course, I had the gluten-free radiatori tossed in a spicy vodka sauce, and it was so good that I ate every single bite. To top it all off, we shared two desserts between us: the panna cotta and the flourless chocolate cake, both of which were delicious. To drink, I enjoyed a refreshing Aperol Spritz followed by a glass of the moscato. From the top-notch allergy safety to the amazing drinks and food, everything was excellent. This is a must-visit spot, especially if you need gluten-free or vegetarian options! read more
I had a lovely experience dining solo at Acanto. The lobster capellini was decadent, rich, and absolutely delicious... easily the highlight of the meal. Service moved at a slower pace than I'm accustomed to, but it never felt frustrating. In fact, it seemed to fit the atmosphere, and the staff were friendly, welcoming, and accommodating throughout. The location is what truly set this spot apart for me. I chose it simply because it was adjacent to the Chicago Athletic Club, but then the tree-lined views overlooking Millennium Park create a beautiful backdrop that makes lingering over a meal feel relaxed and intentional. A wonderful spot to enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner while people watching. read more
Met a few friends for dinner , salads here usually top notch but our iceberg lettuce had some sand which was disappointing. But the hostess was very gracious to replace it with another salad. I love the ambience and service. Rest of the food was delicious, will be back read more
1 month ago
My wife and I had a really good experience at Acanto. Mirela was our server and she did a wonderful job. We started with the beef carpaccio which was on point, then the gem salad followed by the truffled gnocchi and my wife had the radiatori. Both were so very good. The tiramisu was dripping with espresso. Thank you for a wonderful anniversary! read more
Upscale, classic, warm old world style Italian restaurant off Michigan avenue. Indoor ambiance GIVES off a cozy wine lounge appeal with its crimson wood style and soft lighting. The outdoor space is also plentiful with heated seating that makes the snowfall dinner such a romantic experience. The food was also very good. Here's what we tried. 1. Fusilli: Squid ink fusilli pasta with generous amount of seafood assortment including lobster, scallops, and shrimp. Seasoned to perfection with chili, tomatoes, and garlic. 2. Filet mignon: perfect cut filet cooked to a medium rare with sis of parsnip pree, shallots, and bone marrow butter. Superb 3. Roasted pistachio and Amaretto Coppa: roasted pistachio gelato with amaretto cherries, an crushed amaretto. Love it! Paired it with mint tea. Overall perfect winter night out. Can't wait to come back during the warmer months to enjoy the park scenery along with dinner read more
8 days ago
The ambiance, food & service were all top notch! Our waitress was extremely honest in how much food we needed to order. read more
The Great: -The tiramisu is excellent, perfect balance of flavors -Bruschetta is a MUST The Good: -Extensive wine list -Great service The Not so Great: -I don't think they season their meat. I couldn't finish the rigatoni because it literally tasted like a pound of ground beef. Meatball were the same way - no flavor read more
11 months ago
Acanto was the venue for our work holiday party. Honestly I really wanted our venue to be a steakhouse, so management was breaking years of tradition coming to an Italian restaurant. It was a set menu so could t really venture off and get what I wanted. For appetizers we had the salad - looked like a garden salad with flakes of cheese on top. It was tasty and flavorful and I devoured it all. Next came the house bread which paired nicely with the oil. The bread was delicious - I think i had 3 slices! For the main course. I went with the salmon. Hands down one of the best salmons I've had in a while. What made it amazing was the mushrooms that topped it off with a truffle sauce on top. The taste was a burst of flavor in your mouth. I greatly enjoyed the salmon and highly recommend. Dessert was the tiramisu. It was nice and fluffy and the texture was great. I was pleasantly surprised. Servers were great and very attentive. I would surely come back and taste their pasta. Because if their salmon was to die for, I can just imagine how the pasta would taste like! read more
1 year ago
We were out in Iowa and decided to make a quick day trip to Chicago. After shopping and walking around, we decided to check out Acanto because their menu looked delicious. Didn't realize it would turn out to be such a great experience. It was a perfect fall day in Chicago! We walked up after making a reservation and the host helped us to get seated right away. We had the option of sitting inside or outside and were so glad to have chosen outside. Their patio looks out into a park across the street and the views and vibes were amazing! The server was friendly and made some great recommendations. We started out with the burrata. It was fresh and light! We asked for some bread to go with it and were brought out the most warm and delicious pieces of foccacia. Next we got a calamari fritti. It was lightly breaded, crisp and perfectly fried. For our entree, we shared the bolognese. Wow!! It was rich in flavor and just such a comforting dish. Lastly, we wrapped with a warm olive oil with berry sauce a la mode. It was the best way to end a meal. If you're looking for a great place to eat with an amazing ambiance to match, this is the spot. If the weather is nice, highly recommend sitting outside. read more
22 days ago
Wonderful service by Marela I think it was. Forgive me if I'm wrong about her name. Very good food and romantic ambiance. The wine list by the glass was fantastic as well and they have a wine class on Wednesdays as well. read more
Romantic Italian restaurant located near Millennium Park. Phenomenal homemade pasta dishes. Highly recommend starting with the cauliflower appetizer, and either the sea scallops or duck bolognese with homemade pasta. End the night with affogato in the shape of a rose. The service was also attentive without being overbearing. Great place to eat after attending the Symphony (as it is just steps away). read more
Stopped in for a late lunch and was excited to find happy hour from 2-5 which included a decent variety of food and drinks. I had an aperol spritz, along with the panino prosciutto which was amazing. It came with a side salad - I'd definitely order it all again. The place itself is a darker eloquent wine bar with plenty of seating. read more
3 months ago
Probably the best Italian food we've found in Chicago so far. Fresh pasta homemade every day and amazing quality and flavor. I had Orecchiette di Grano Arso and it was just perfect. Very well balanced and perfectly spicy. Hostess was able to accommodate us even without a reservation and the server Kassie was extremely friendly. We got an outside seat, and they offer inside and bar seats as well, which accommodates small and large groups. Amazing place to spend some time with very good food. read more
We originally wanted to go to Cindys Rooftop, but after seeing the wait we wandered out to find the next closest option--and I'm SO GLAD we did! Acanto ended up being a really cozy and delicious surprise, with super fast and geniune service. Our table got the arancini, lobster ravioli, gnocchi, and the duck ragu. I didn't try the ragu but everthing else was top tier! Arancini: super cheesy, crispy, and that sauce WOW Ravioli: tasty, but a little one note. The lemon drop sauce on top really brightened it up but needed more of it Gnocchi: like a down pillow Our server let us know that they have rotating menu items to highlight one region of italy at a time, which I thought was really cool. When we visited it was Umbria, hence the duck ragu. Keep an eye out for those specials when you visit! read more
Hidden gem near millenium park an the bean. Really nice ambiance and decor of an italian wine bar. Staff were friendly and prompt great service. We came in for happy hour and tried a few share plates and cocktails everything was delicious and the crispy rice tuna is a must try, phenomenal!! Street parking is minimal but their is a garage at the bean. Overall great experience and food. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
I can't lie, I was a bit skeptical about going here at first due to it being a restaurant on Michigan Ave, I figured it would be an over priced tourist trap with mediocre food. But I'm so glad I was wrong! Acanto is a cosy and intimate Italian restaurant with a welcoming and warm ambiance. The restaurant is illuminated by candle-lit tables which gives it a romantic touch. I came here for dinner solo and was seated immediately, and my server was very friendly and hospitable. I ordered the lobster ravioli and house made meatballs. The meatballs were great and came with 2 pieces of hearty focaccia bread. The ravioli was also fantastic but I wish it was cooked just a tad longer so the pasta was a bit softer. I ended my meal with dessert, and opted for the torta barozzi. Out came a very generous slice of a single layer rich chocolate cake, which was also flourless but I honestly couldn't even tell. It was served with a scoop of espresso gelato which complimented the richness of the chocolate cake so perfect and was the best way to end my meal. I would definitely come back here again - either to dine solo for a relaxing dinner, on a date, or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Acanto is a great spot if you're looking for a welcoming and upscale Italian dining experience. read more
Had reservations on a rainy summer evening. The atmosphere was warm and intimate. Our server was very knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines we were considering that evening. Black truffle cacio e pepe was phenomenal. The tiramisu was so light and drenched in espresso it melted in your mouth. read more
Our group was in the mood for some Italian food and saw this place has great reviews. Also, it is right across the street from the bean, so it was perfect for us. The restaurant is beautiful inside and the employees were friendly and attentive. Our party of 7 was happy with our meal and would return whenever visiting the Chicago area again. read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
We ran in here to get out of the rain on the 4th of July and couldn't have had a better experience. The staff was accommodating and our server even helped us create a special order for my daughter who is a picky eater. The PASTA!!! It was delicious! Don't miss dessert either - the tiramisu and pistachio semifreddo are both to die for! read more
2 years ago
Amazing food and service! We went during a weekday for lunch. Were seated immediately. The Italian sodas are great! I had the blood orange and my hubby had the bitter orange: you can't go wrong with either choice! For appetizers, we had the meatballs and the prosciutto. OMG. So darn good! The meatballs had enough sauce but not too much where it felt like it drowning in it. The prosciutto had a bit of a sweet taste to it, but it wasn't overpowering. The main courses! Here we go! I got the cheese tortellini. It wasn't a whole lot but once you try them, you understand why. Very filling and very rich! The broth is perfect! My son loved the rigatoni with meat. It was seasoned just right and the sauce was amazing! My hubby got the Pappardelle. It was so rich yet so good. For dessert, my son had the chocolate gelato while my husband and I shared the panna cotta. It was perfect. It was very pricey but it was worth the price! Highly recommend!! read more
Bestest Italian food I have found in the city so far with top notch quality and ingredients. Totally loved the experience here. It is an underrated hidden gem in between the hustle of city. I walked in for a weekday dinner and found a table last minute. It was a completely candle lit restaurant experience but crowd was extremely noisy so I chose a patio which was far more quieter and low key. The menu is carefully curated and staffs are extremely polite and friendly to answer any questions. Arancini was so creamy and perfect. They give you a veg vs meat option Cocktails were outstanding and on point. English pea ravioli was a classic and beautifully handmade with burst of flavors. Overall a wonderful experience. I reduced a star for the too noisy ambiance. Otherwise perfect! read more
We had a great experience at Acanto. The pasta Umbricelli con Sugo d'Anatra was al dente although the portion size was small. The meatballs came in 3 and were moist however I thought it tasted a little gamey. The arugula salad was recommended by our server and was delicious light and bright. Wine was a great addition. read more
It's a cool ambiance and pretty dark inside, so definitely more of a romantic type of setting. I only went for drinks and we got one appetizer. The drinks were pretty good! And the Bruschetta di Prosciutto was also pretty good. In terms of service, I only experienced the waitress being pleasant. However, the person I went with arrived before me and said she was being mean to him. So that's the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. read more
5 months ago
The service was good, staff was friendly. The atmosphere was calming and nice. The food was pretty good, pasta was a little crunchy I'm not sure if it was intentional. read more
1 year ago
My sister and I had a reservation here and were seated immediately upon arrival. We ordered the arancini, meatballs, rigatoni and black truffle cacio pepe. Food was delicious and service was excellent. Staff was very attentive and worked as a team well (wait staff, bus boys, water refills, etc). Very enjoyable experience. I would rank the arancini above the meatballs for app choices. read more
6 months ago
Went here for Mother's Day. They didn't have any reservations left so we sat at the bar and still had a great time. Food was amazing. Loved the ambiance. The governor of Illinois came in to dine while we were there. The gluten free calamari is some of the best calamari I've ever had - particularly enjoyed the olives. Great experience. A little pricey but definitely less expensive than other places we were looking at. read more
1 year ago
Acanto is a cozy upscale Italian spot! I came in with a larger work group and we just walked in- the host staff was extremely amenable and rearranged seating to enable us to all sit together. The pasta was yummy but definitely pricey for the portion sizes- keep that in mind when you order. I really liked the peach panzanella salad- my highlight of the meal! read more
3 months ago
One of the BEST Italian spots I have ever had. They were very busy upon arrival, but were able to seat us promptly. We ordered the bruschetta and meatballs as the appetizer. They were exceptional. The flavor complexity was elite and the presentations complimented the taste very well. It's rare we get a looks good tastes good. Our main entrees were great as well. They talked us into getting the tiramisu and it was also good. The service was great and they were helpful in every way. The ambiance is dark and dimly let with candles at our tables, but that's the vibe that we want. I would 100% come back if I am ever in town again. read more
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More info about Acanto
18 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
The Loop
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(312) 578-0763
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https://www.acantochicago.com
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Ask the Community - Acanto
Can I make a reservation for 2 on 12/19?
We made our reservations on the Open Table app.
Do they allow dogs outside?
As most city restaurants with outdoor patio, I'm sure they do.
Any Gluten free/vegan options?
Hi Lynne- Thanks for your interest in Acanto! We do offer some gluten free pastas and we often have other gluten free dishes or dishes that can be modified if needed to be gluten free.…
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