LOVE this tiny little bistro! It's very small, and would be tough to do a walk in here, there's just not many seats. I had the Caserecce Bolognese - savory delicious! Enough for two meals! Everything was wonderful. We had a party of 5, and were very well taken care of. I don't remember what my tablemates had, but I want to come back for every dish - yes, it was that good. read more

What a great find in a great space! For starters I recommend getting to Lincoln square early so you can enjoy the surrounding places to stop in and grab a drink. We enjoyed the atmosphere from the moment we walked in as this is a more intimate spaces restaurant. We were quickly taken care of and able to enjoy our server helping us find things on the menu and even talk to us about specials that exist. Now the main event the food... is some of the best Italian I have had recently. I enjoyed there pasta seafood dish which btw they do not skimp on seafood (cause I know that's what your really wanted to know). Even the starters were a great way to enter the meal. I will certainly be back and have to try their entree as we were full off the pasta. I also enjoyed their cocktail menu with a few different options for everyone's drink of choice. read more

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The best meal I've had in a long time! It feels like you've escaped to a small European town at Amano. The staff are incredibly warm and welcoming and the ambiance is so cozy. The food was truly unbelievable - from the Greek salad to the vodka sauce (to die for), I still think about that meal! Can't wait to go back. read more

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We came. We saw. We feasted. From handmade pasta that makes your heart skip a beat, to juicy steaks, buttery seafood, and desserts that flirt back -- Amano Bistro has it all! I've shamelessly (and proudly) tried almost everything on the menu -- no regrets, just carbs and cocktails! With the friendliest staff (Jelica, Bojan, Evalyn, Valentina), an open kitchen (chef Danny) so you can spy on your dinner being made fresh, and owners (Nikola & Nemanja), who feel like family... it's no wonder this neighborhood gem has my whole heart (and stomach). Catch me here on the regular... Amano Bistro open for dinner at 5 pm 4229 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago Reservations on RESY or call 773-936-0658 Follow on @amanobistrochicago #FoodieHeaven #ChicagoEats #AmanoBistroChicago #PastaLover #GnocchiGoals #SeafoodCravings #SteakNight #VealVibes #EatLocalChicago #LincolnSquareEats #ivanamilano #NorthCenterChicago #OpenKitchenVibes #FoodFlirt #DessertDreams #CocktailLovers #FoodieLife #CarbsAreLife #EaterChicago #FoodInfluencer #IGFoodies read more

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Sat at the bar, received excellent wine pairings made by our server. Food came out at the perfect pace, everything was delicious, good portions, nice presentation and service was delightful. A lovely neighborhood gem! read more

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Went here on a Friday night for dinner. I had made a reservation but was late. Called the restaurant in advance and let them know. They were kind enough to wait for us. The restaurant is extremely cozy and cute compared to a commercial running restaurant. I loved the ambiance and staff were extremely polite and friendly. For appetizers got the Bruschetta and Amote pate. Bruschetta was extremely fresh. Amote pate was okayish and I could smell meat in it.In the menu it didn't mention if it included meat and when the cheque arrived i saw a mention of chicken liver but it was no where in them menu. I am a vegetarian briefly but if i had known i would have avoided it. The menu needs to highlight dietary options more clearly. For entree got the gnocchi and loved it. Dessert we got hazelnut cake and it was okayish could have more deep layer of palette . I gave 3 stars because of not having a clear menu on dietary restrictions and half of the dishes were not available and so we couldn't order much leaving with less options. There is lot of seafood and red meat options but very less vegeterian and chicken options. Overall decent and prices are also decent. read more

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This place has fantastic food and friendly staff. It would be our neighborhood spot except they are understaffed, causing significant wait times for our food. Also, you should make a reservation. They were completely booked in a Thursday night, so go early! read more

5000000000 stars. We were celebrating our 22nd anniversary and this place was worth the wait. Not only is the food out of this world but the staff was truly amazing. I know this will sound stupid but the spinach with the salmon was the best I have ever had in my 65 yrs LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE read more

Amano Bistro - Salmon Livornese - A white oval plate holds salmon livornese topped with chopped herbs and sauce, surrounded by cherry tomatoes, black olives, and greens. The dish is served on a white tablecloth with a glass of water nearby. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We so wanted to love this place. The ambiance is lovely, the service was fine, but the food is just not there. We ordered the bruschetta, which came on grilled bread that was rather thick and therefore arrived soggy because the pomegranate molasses and cherry tomatoes had soaked into the bread. The pine nuts were not toasted and so added a chewy texture. We did not finish it, which our server commented on but did not inquire about whether we liked it or not or make any effort to address why we might not have finished it. (There was no, "was there something wrong with it? Could I get you something else? etc. Instead it was more like, "I see you did not finish the bruschetta. Can I take the plate away?") The crab cake was good but it had a grey appearance with a grey tartar sauce was somewhat off putting. Definitely not a feast for the eyes. The bright giardiniera that came with it was innovative and delicious, however, and the bright spot for that appetizer. We also had the gnocchi. The gnocchi itself was very good and very light, but it was swimming in vodka sauce was notably sweet. The sauce made the course unappetizing. We noticed that a dinner next to us had ordered what looked like chicken parmesan but not eaten more than a bite of the chicken for whatever reason. This place is nice, it has ambiance, and a good staff. For us, it needs better recipes. It seems to want to straddle Italian and Greek but cannot make up its mind and the fusion of two did not work for us. We are rooting for Amano Bistro to succeed but we won't be back for a while. read more

Let's go 4.5 Stars on this joint it was pretty damn good! Walking in... small corner joint with an open kitchen & small bar flanked by some tables.. very nice inside. For such a small place they have a pretty large menu... half a dozen Apps, Salads, Pastas as well as Entrees & some Specials too! Nice drink & Wine List to start and I got some very good red by the glass. I hate to say this but the BRUSCHETTA was the best I've ever had.. must order/ ate the whole order, they said. Next up was a Filet Mignon with Garlic Mashed/ Port wine reduction.. very good as well! Finished it off with Tiramisu which was good although not among the best in city but still worth ordering. Service at the bar was great & the girls will give you many recommendations if you just ask. Prices about average in this day and age! Great neighborhood spot & I can't wait to go back and try some of their pastas. Talk later read more

AMAZING! I came for my anniversary dinner, and my boyfriend and I had the best time. Very small and intimate restaurant which was perfect for our date night. Everything was so tasty that I wish I had seconds of every dish. This was the best bruschetta I've ever tasted. The pasta was perfectly bouncy and the gnocchi just melts in your mouth. Our waitress was the sweetest and always made sure we had everything we wanted. Will definitely be coming back! read more

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We are so glad we found this place, and we had a great dinner here for our anniversary. It's a very small and cozy space, with the dining room open to the kitchen right next to the bar. Nice wine list, and a revolving menu of special cocktails. We had the special appetizer, which was a crab cake with homemade giardiniera - loved it. For our entrees we had the bolognese and the gnocchi, both of which were top notch. The gnocchi were pillowy soft, with a sweet basil tomato sauce. The bolognese was incredibly rich and flavorful. We've (relatively) new to the neighborhood and have been searching for an Italian restaurant to replace our favorite from our old neighborhood, and we may have found it. Definitely will be returning soon. I recommend making a reservation if you're going on a busy weekend night since there are only ~10 tables inside. read more

Amano Bistro - Bolognese and gnocchi - both excellent - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ate outside after being turned away from Milanese, and what great find! Food was wonderful and creative, and the outdoor got crowded after we sat down. The short rib pasta killed, and my linguini and seafood was delish! Also try the Amano pate with blueberry sauce! I'll be back! read more

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The food here is amazing and the prices are really reasonable! We are thrilled, and the owner's story is an awesome story of Chicago and America. read more

Great little local spot, with attentive but not overbearing service and EXCELLENT food. Pasta puttanesca and shortrib pappardelle both amazing, flavorful and just enough food. We'll be back! read more

Excellent service, food and ambiance. They catered to a group of 14 and everything came out absolutely wonderful and extremely tasty. Thank you ! read more

Amano Bistro - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sat at the bar, watched the cooking crew. Like the pit crew at a Formula One. Food is great, we always order a couple of specials. The Montenegrin barkeep exudes warmth. read more

What a GEM of a place this is!! The atmosphere is so comfortable & warm, the food was delicious, and the owner is a true representation of what hospitality should be. My husband & I sat at the bar and enjoyed mussels in white wine and their seafood pasta special - the seafood was fresh, the broth & sauces flavorful. The owner made his way around the restaurant making sure everyone was having a great time and spent 15+ mins exchanging travel recommendations with us as the evening wound down. Our meal ended with a free tasting of brandy & limoncello. What a wonderful experience! Highly recommend! read more

An outstanding dining experience from start to finish. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, the service was attentive yet relaxed, and every dish we ordered was perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the Grilled Octopus and the Linguini Putanesca, which were both amazing! SThe pasta was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were layered, authentic, and deeply satisfying. The wine list was thoughtfully selected and paired beautifully with the meal. A true gem on the North Side -- I look forward to returning again soon. read more

Amano Bistro - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved everything about Amano!!! Cute little restaurant! Ambiance is so relaxing and inviting!! Our waitress was so sweet, very attentive and kind! And the food!!!! Food was awesome too! We will be back! Thank you!! read more

Might be my new favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago! Got to spend one of the first warm days sitting out on the patio for dinner and it was a great ambiance and vibe for the start of summer. The service was 10/10, our waiter was so nice and helpful! The food was DELICIOUS. Everything we ordered was so good, not a single thing was left on any of our plates. We finished the evening off with a great tiramisu dessert & they gave us all a glass of their homemade limoncello as well. Absolutely can not wait to go back and tell everyone about this amazing spot! read more

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Truly phenomenal food. It was our 2nd visit, for our son's birthday, and we were once again blown away. One of the best bruschettas I've ever had--very different. The meatballs, short rib papardelle, bolognese pasta, and gnocchi were all outstanding. Plus the owner and servers are so nice and welcoming! Can't say enough good things about this gem. read more

Very happy to have discovered this place. Quickly became a family favorite. Highly recommend the gnocchi, bruschetta, and scallops.

I didn't feel rushed but everything happened quickly, for no good reason. The pacing was way too quick and not at all in response to me not being in any rush. This alone was disappointing as I mentioned I wasn't in a hurry and wanted things one at a time (fyi, I came at a very non-crowded time and not close to closing time). My drink came with my salad-no pause to just sit and enjoy my wine. My next course arrived moments (under a minute) after my salad plate was cleared. My check came shortly after I declined another drink. I was seated, ate, and headed home, within 45 minutes. My server and staff were quite nice; it's that the pacing of how things came out wasn't what I wanted. The food was also meh. The cornbread muffins were tough and not very flavorful. The Caesar salad was not appetizing. It had so much dressing on it-more like a mayonnaise in consistency-drowning the lettuce. The crouton 'crisps' weren't crisp and so were hard to manage/difficult to eat. The octopus was tasty and itself had a nice texture and flavor, but the purée under it was watery and more like soup than a purée. This was a big disappointment based how cute of a spot this is, and how I'd hoped to enjoy a quiet and relaxed meal. read more

Horrible experience on Saturday 11/8/25. Intentionally made an inside reservation for 2 at 7:30; poor weather report so did not want to sit outside in tent. Arrived on time, told our table wasn't ready, so were shunted between the tight temporary vestibule and then an outside table. Delay progressed, staff apologized but made no effort to resolve the issue. After 30 minutes, asked to just be served outside, but the 4 top we were using was booked so there was no option but to continue waiting; in hindsight, should have just left. An adjacent 2 top opened, demanded it and were finally seated over 30 minutes late. Nothing done to acknowledge their fault in not honoring our reservation, no comp of any kind. This was a celebratory birthday dinner, and the food was meh, so we definitely won't be returning. read more

This place is 10/10 all around. Their service is amazing, the waiter and owner and so nice and the food is excellent. Best Italian restaurant in Chicago. They are starting brunch soon and I will be back. They have a dog friendly patio which is always a plus!! I would highly recommend trying this restaurant. read more

Amano Bistro - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a great new addition to the Northcenter neighborhood! It is a very small space so definitely make a reservation. There's also a lovely outdoor patio. Service was very good all night. Our table shared the fritto misto and celery chips for appetizers. Both were very good. I really liked the two different sauce options for the fritto misto and the celery chips were very unique and also had an awesome sauce, though I wish the chips themselves were a bit crispier. For dinner, I had the pappardelle short rib ragu, which was outstanding. My husband had the pork chop, which he liked but didn't love, although I think his opinion says more about his preferred style of pork chop than anything bad about the dish itself. We enjoyed wine and cocktails throughout the night, all which were very good. Perhaps the most awesome thing about this place is the value: frankly, I think everything on the menu is actually underpriced considering the quality of the food. I can't wait to go back here. read more

Amano Bistro - Pork Chop Athena - A white oval plate contains a grilled pork chop with visible grill marks, accompanied by a portion of crispy potato chips and fried apple slices garnished with chopped green herbs. The plate is placed on a textured tablecloth, with a fork visible in the background. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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AMAZING! Great food, wonderful service, sweet vibe! Definitely try the grilled octopus ... potato leek base delish! Mussels good. BRANZINO a must!! !! Over all - awesome!! read more

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This is an absolute gem! Charming and warm. The staff is wonderful and the owner Nick was so attentive. Our sever, Emily was lovely as was our bartender Jelica. The food...FABULOUS! The octopus was so delicate and flavorful and the gnocchi is the best I have ever tasted. It was like little pillows that melted in your mouth! Nice wine selection too! And I am lucky enough to live near this delish destination! read more

Amazing ambiance. My pappardelle with short ribs and whipped ricotta was out of this world. The bruschettta was different than most and an absolutely excellent start to the meal. The bubbly selection perfect. I went with two girlfriends and had 7:15 reservation. The restaurant is cozy and tiny. For whatever reason our table was not ready for quite some time but they were gracious and acknowledged and offered the bruschetta and root chips for the additional wait. With so few tables none of the food took very long at all. I'd return here over and over. read more

Fantastic neighborhood gem. Great food and warm, friendly service. We will return in the very near future.

Great food and service - they make you feel like you're eating at their home! A neighborhood gem and we can't wait to go back when it's warmer to enjoy their side patio too. read more

I was happy to discover this cozy small restaurant on North Side of Chicago. I loved Octopus, Branzino, potatoes that came with a fish, spinach as well. Service was really good, no wait and the manager came couple times to check if we need anything else. It is open kitchen concept and I like that transparent culinary setting. Prices are reasonable too. read more

Food was delicious! Very intimate setting and delicious homemade pasta. Service was attentive and owners were very conversational!

Hands down the best Vodka sauce i've ever had. I literally wanted to take the sauce from the mussels home to put on pasta.... My husband's short rib ragu was equally incredible. The service was spot on; on top of things but not overbearing. The space is cozy, small and intimate but not too loud and has a really cool view of the chefs. Outdoor seating looked super cute and covered. An overall excellent experience and great addition to the neighborhood. read more

Amano Bistro - Vodka Gnocchi and Short Rib Ragu - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely top notch! On the first visit, I ordered the Branzino. This fish was cooked to perfection and the sides were delicious. it was served in an authentic European style (whole fish) On the second visit, we started with a greek salad. Everything on the plate was very fresh and flavored to perfection! For my entree I ordered the Pappardelle short rib ragu with whipped ricotta in the center. It was supreme! The multitude of subtle flavors was something you would expect from the highest level restaurants and the meat was seasoned so beautifully, I had to sit back and savor the moment. A Michelin star level feast. This neighborhood restaurant is the place we will take our friends and out of town visitors to impress with great food, ambiance and service. My husband & I have eaten here twice. The first time we sat outside in the protected outdoor tented area and the second time we ate inside in the quaint bistro interior. read more

Ordered the bruschetta, Greek salad, branzino and tiramisu. All were delicious! Would definitely come here to eat again and will be recommending to friends! read more

Had an amazing evening with friends at Amano. The food, ambience and service was excellent.

What a gem in the neighborhood! The atmosphere was so pleasant and laidback, one of rare places that doesn't rush you out to get another customer in. The food was so fresh and well paired with cocktails and wine, truly an excellent experience. Definitely one of our new favorites in the neighborhood. Can't wait for them to add brunch on the weekends so that it becomes a family outing too. read more

Three of us went to Amano Bistro tonight for dinner. I had called last week for reservations, though as of yesterday you can make a reservation on Resy. We started with the Bruschetta which is really amazing. Five stars for the appetizer. This is one dish you should definitely order. We split three main courses. The shrimp puttanesca was wonderful, five stars, with plump juicy shrimp and nicely spiced sauce. Not too spicy though, and the pasta was al dente. The gnocchi vodka was 4.5 stars because it wasn't particularly memorable. The gnocchi were not rubbery but not pillowy either. The sauce was good, not great. Maybe a different sauce would make this dish shine. The veal scallopini was maybe 4 stars. Not dry but not special either. The potatoes and sauce it came with were excellent, which is why I give it 4 stars. Wine was good and not too expensive. The wait staff was attentive and working hard. The place was full on a Thursday night. It's an intimate space, and the outdoor patio looks nice too. I would definitely go beck. A lovely addition to the neighborhood! read more

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