Ciro is truly a hidden gem in Oak Park and one of the best restaurants I've been to. The moment you walk in, you can feel the authenticity, this is real Italian cuisine made with love. It's a small, intimate restaurant where you can sit at the bar and watch your food being made right in front of you. We weren't sure what to order, so Ciro himself offered to just bring us what he thought we should try. Every single dish was incredible. You can see the time, care, and passion that goes into everything he makes. Ciro was so warm and friendly, making the whole experience feel personal and special. This is the kind of place that reminds you why you love going out to eat. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves authentic Italian food. I can't wait to come back--and bonus, it's BYOB! read more

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What an incredible meal in such a unique environment! Ciro is a tiny little counter service situation where you watch the kitchen prepare your meal and have a chance to talk directly to the chefs. It was such a fun experience and the food was incredible. The meatballs were a massive standout but everything was amazing on its own. Very reasonably priced (BYOB, so stop next door for a bottle!) and everything is available for take and bake to make at home too! read more

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Amazing food and amazing service! Ciro gets 5+ stars. The pesto is top notch!!! Pair that with some bread! Bon-appetite! read more

Ciro - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

One of the most authentic and best Italian meals I've ever had -- truly unforgettable. From the moment you walk in, you can see the chefs working right behind the counter. They're so friendly and genuinely love sharing their knowledge about the culture and history behind each dish. It's a really special experience. The food? Incredible. The spaghetti was unlike anything I've ever had -- fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The bread came out warm and chewy, and the tiramisu... honestly one of the best I've ever tasted. It's BYOB, and luckily there's a wine shop right next door in case you forget a bottle. With only about 10 seats inside, it's cozy and intimate, but definitely make a reservation ahead of time. This place is a true gem -- I can't wait to go back! read more

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This place is so quaint and cute. I think it seats about 10 people total so it's very intimate. Ciro and Mike were both very kind and explained the menu and the restaurant's history to me because it was my first time there. Everything was delicious & I like that you can byob. You can also get everything they serve premade in to go style which is great. read more

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Phenomenal experience and amazing food. Very cool and intimate dining experience. The closest dining out experience I've had that feels like "eating at home". Very comforting and warm vibe. The focaccia bread was very soft and a nice starter for the meal ahead. Some of the best spaghetti I've had. The sauce had a little bit of a kick to it and those cherry tomatoes in the sauce are impeccable. The mini meatballs on the side were quite good as well. But I'm still thinking about that pasta and will be for a long time! Job well done and I'll be coming back next time I'm in the area. read more

Ciro - Spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Ciro! My absolute favorite restaurant. Food - simple, authentic, amazing flavors Ambiance - small, intimate and welcoming. It's a vibe! Service - top notch. Ciro & Mike are quite the team! Ciro is a must! read more

Found this place from Yelp search after our son's ball game. Glad we gave this authentic Italian cafe a try. Chef Ciro welcomed and served us. You can just feel the warm, hospitable energy from this place the moment you walk in. Our teenager enjoyed hearing the stories Chef shared about the place, how he source all ingredients direct from Italy, and the fact that every dish is lovingly prepared there. We both had the lentil soups, my son had meatballs and rigatoni pasta. We capped it with tiramisu that wasn't overly sweet, but just right. He even lit up a candle on it for my son's birthday. This is worth the stop. read more

I've only been twice now, but both times were amazing. The second time I was in, Ciro greeted me by name. It feels like you're having dinner at a friend's house. Only the friend is making some of the best Italian pastas you've ever eaten. read more

Excellent service , great food with an even greater story behind it . Ciro and staff were amazing . Highly recommend the Pesto Potato gnocchi w/ focacccia. I will be returning ! read more

Ciro - Focaccia - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Had an amazing dinner here upholding most everything positive I'd seen in reviews beforehand. Would not have found this place otherwise, if not for Yelp. Out of the way location, friendly informal atmosphere, fairly priced authentically Italian food, and nice balance between meat-based and vegetarian offerings. Staff provided friendly and attentive counter service without hovering. The takeaway offerings will provide a nice fill-in until we can get back here. read more

Ciro is an incredible little byob spot in Oak Park! They started as take and bake items, and now have 8 counter seats that fill up quickly. Ciro, the owner and namesake, is a gem - his homemade dishes are amazing and he is happy to share his story and talk about the food. Don't miss the mind-blowing tiramisu at the end of your meal! read more

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Delicious food and such a personal touch with the intimate seating and chef cooking the food right in front of you. My favorite Oak Park meal by far! read more

Ciro - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Cozy gem! This intimate Italian restaurant has authentic flavors and a warm atmosphere. Limited seating adds to the charm. Being BYOB is a plus, and the adjacent wine shop is convenient. Highly recommend the meatballs. read more

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Amazing food. I wish they'd expand the menu, because I want more! Great addition to the Oak Park food scene

I tried this place when it first opened up when they only had one dish. Ciro is passionate about what he does and you can really tell. The price is steep, but I appreciate higher quality ingredients and preparation. The portion size seemed a bit small, but it was surprisingly larger than it looked and very filling. The pasta al forno alla nanella was definitely good. I plan to come back to try some of his new dishes. read more

Ciro - pasta al forno alla nanella - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Heard about this place from a coworker and it was great! It's a small charming place with counter seating. Made for great conversation with the chefs. Ciro introduced himself to my husband and I right when we were seated. The food was so delicious, he shares his family recipes as well as his own creations. All our dishes were wonderful. Can't wait to go back and try more. read more

I've wanted to try Ciro for awhile and they blew me away. Oak park has so many great restaurants to choose from but if you are hungry for Italian you need to go here. We met Ciro, who is enthusiastic about Italian cooking and creating a welcoming atmosphere. He educated us on his food and how he makes it. He has these great dreams for the restaurant and you have to root for his passion. With the open kitchen concept you can see the chef's interactions which makes you feel like you are watching it all come together. I had the rigatoni which was amazing. Had these really tender tiny meatballs. But the gnocchi my partner had amazing with this lemony creamy pesto sauce was one of the best dishes I've tried. Do not skip the tiramisu. Ciro said they only use Italian ingredients so it's light and delicate the perfect ending to a lovely dinner. Buy a bottle of wine next door and have a great time. We will be coming back read more

Ciro - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Who would've thought I would have the best Italian food in Chicago??? Not me!!! Everything we had here was DIVINE. The freshly made foccacia bread was so beautifully appetising (I am still baffled that every bite tasted like fresh tomato even when there wasn't any tomato in the bite). I ordered the fusilli and I devoured it - it's a mix of red sauce with an acidic undertone which is perfect for my taste buds. And my partner ordered the special pasta - it's Ciro's grandma's recipe and it's a must when you come here. As my partner said, you can taste his culture and his family in his food. But the ABSOLUTE MUST ORDER is the tiramisu. It was perfect. Ciro mentioned that all the ingredients are made from scratch and/or imported from Italy. Hence the mascarpone in the Tiramisu was perfectly light yet flavourful. Ciro provided a wonderful time of food and conversation. You can sense his passion for Italian food not just through his cooking, but through his intention as he cooks. Come for a leisurely meal where you get to chat and witness the magic happen in front of you. It's a small venue so you better hope you're lucky, or you can get everything on the menu to-go with detailed instructions of how to prepare it for yourself at home. The next time I'm back in Chicago, Ciro's will definitely be my first stop. Grazie, Ciro! read more

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An absolutely delicious lunch with owner Ciro describing the special ingredients and tastes we were experiencing. Small space, so don't think you can just walk in and BYOB. We had a magical experience! We were treated like family and I will for sure going back again! You can also grab and go but eating there is really worth the experience. A true taste of Italy!! read more

Fantastic Italian food, so much is imported and of the highest quality, I will be back

I cannot say enough amazing things about Ciro. The restaurant had been on my list for a while but I just hadn't made the time until I was gifted a gift card by family. The focaccia, the pastas, cannoli, tiramisu, the conversation and laughs were incredible! read more

Ciro - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Amazing food and fun atmosphere! Great conversation with the owners. Would highly recommend Ciro's.

For those who haven't had the pleasure of Ciro, allow me to tell you the story. At first glance, it is disappointingly unassuming. There are no tables. There is only a kitchen countertop with high bar stools. "I dressed up for this?" I thought to myself. There were only two men who worked there, including a slender man who claimed to be the chef. They say to never trust a skinny chef, so I was skeptical. The chef/owner, Ciro, proudly told us that he made the pasta from scratch, he uses hard to find sugars for his desserts and only uses the freshest ingredients for his pre-cooked food he warms in front of you. Unlike most restaurants, there were no pans on fire, dinging of bells, or garnishes on the side of plates. One bite of his food and it doesn't matter. None of it matters. The lack of tables, the pre-cooked food. He could've pulled the pasta from the garbage and I still would have eaten it. You can taste the art, the craft, and the care that Ciro developed and perfected over time. His love of food stemmed from watching his grandmother cook in Italy. As a young boy, he sat under a table in her kitchen, mesmerized by the smells of her Italian dishes, the sight of flour flown in the air. If you've ever seen one of the last scenes in the movie Ratatouille, the experience is similar to that of the food critic. He takes one bite of his food and he's suddenly transported to when he was a young boy and his mother lovingly prepared ratatouille. Only the experience at Ciro is that you are transported to his childhood. You taste the love his grandmother had for him as a young boy in Italy. In short, his food is memorable, transformative, and somehow, amazingly, this skinny chef manages to feeds your soul. read more

Ciro is a local gem, and so is his restaurant. Our friends decided to share this spot with us after their brief discovery of it a few months ago. I can only guess it is because of both the inviting atmosphere Ciro curates inside his restaurant and the charm he brings to diners who walk in and partake of his food. Inside is a small dining counter, enough for maybe 8-10 lucky diners. Much of the menu is suitable for take away, but can be enjoyed in the establishment as well. The food is phenomenal - authentic because it's authentic to the chef (his signature dish is named for his Nonna). The moment you spark a conversation with Ciro you will understand how passionate he is about bringing his food to this area. You will fall in love with each bite as Ciro begins to tell you how technique and quality ingredients do more than adding excessive fillers like cream to his dishes. Apart from the food being delicious I think it's this warm and genuine love for what he does that makes you feel like you've sat at a dinner table with his family in Italy. Highlights: the meatballs, fusilli, rigatoni Practical tip: If dining in, there is a wait for him to prepare your food. Its a one man operation, but it's worth the wait. I suggest taking a minute to enjoy a fizzy drink and take in the charm of the restaurant or enjoy some conversation while you wait. read more

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Wow, this is the real deal! Every pasta Ciro creates is amazing. Oak Park is lucky to have Ciro. The flavors should be a model for every Italian restaurant and trattoria. What a great guy too! Friendly, genuine, passionate and funny! An intimate spot and an overall incredible experience. Don't come here expecting endless bad breadsticks, apps, or any types of salads, especially Iceberg, there is none! You want pasta? He's got pasta! E questo è tutto! Stai zitto e mangia! Grazie per tutto! Ci vediamo presto! read more

Ciro - a coffee pot and four coffee mugs - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Mamma Mia! Among all the good Italian restaurants that we have in Oak Park, this is no doubt THE BEST! I can't recommend it enough! Every dish is prepared with such care and love, that it feels like your granny made it for you. Dont leave without trying the tiramisu!! Shoutout to chef Ciro and his team for making such a good impact in our community. read more

We are so glad we brought our parents here tonight! Not only is the food amazing, but everyone that works here is so fun, kind, and welcoming. We will definitely be returning in the near future, even if it's just for dessert! Thank you, Ciro! read more

Had the most enjoyable meal at Ciro over the weekend. All food is thoughtfully prepared with locally sourced or imported ingredients and it comes out in the flavors of the food...all was so delicious! Ciro and Mike are fun to interact with and provide a great dining experience in a very personal, cozy space. I can't wait to go back and have Italian food outside of Italy! Grazie Mille, Ciro! read more

I took my daughter here and she thought it was the "best restaurant ever." She loved the decor and ambiance, the fresh pasta, and the attention to culinary detail. Highly recommended! read more

Absolutely fantastic! Best Italian in greater Chicagoland area. As good as going to Italy. Ciro is a gem.

As simple as stating as this is a experience, and hands down my favorite Italian restaurant! Ciro and Mike make the place special. Ciro passion is in every dish! The conversations are always amazing and normally about food and Italy. read more

I was in Oak Park for 4 days and on 2 of those days I ate here. Trust me I would've eaten here for 3 days if they were open on Sundays. The food is amazing despite being "pre-prepped". Almost everything I ate is stored in their fridge in tins and then baked in a fancy oven thing. Don't let that deter you! The food came out delicious regardless. Definitely try their take and bake option! My favorite item is by far the focaccia and would definitely recommend getting it with pesto and stracciatella. My favorite entree was the polpette with added mozzarella. I wish I could've tried the spaghetti but it's only available after 4:30 pm. The cannoli is insanely good. I took a bite and I felt pure bliss. The cream is different because they use sheep's milk unlike what most places in the states use. Support local and go here! The two guys on staff I met were very nice as well, one of them being Ciro himself. If I'm ever back in this area I'm definitely coming here! read more

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Ciro is amazing, best Italian food in Chicago plus an intimate dining experience. Highest of recommendations to check it out.

Michelin-star worthy. Further details on this shortly, but first an acknowledgment that, unfortunately for this mediocre writer, his clientele is literate enough that prior reviews pretty much cover it in a beautiful way: in a nutshell, the most vibrant, beautiful, authentic Italian cuisine in Chicagoland, made all the more enjoyable by the equally buoyant personality of its chef-owner. Ciro -and his food- is as consistent as he is passionate. For a European consumer who has lived in the States for some time such as myself, the simplicity and traditional nature of his dishes make them feel genuinely inventive. The food is light yet filling, but the most impressive quality in all the dishes is the balance of flavours. This is achieved in part through a fabulous attention to details and a passion for ingredients - with Ciro, what the French call the terroir is most certainly in your plate (delighting the nose before the palate), and he will joyously share the stories behind the food and its origins. Not only is he producing consistently incredible food, he is also tirelessly working to improve on his already amazing dishes. Within a month and after a second taste of his tiramisu (the only dessert on his menu), I decided that it was the best I have had. Ciro happily commented that in the interval since I had first tasted it, he had actually changed the coffee beans to ones from his native region as well as the sugar. (By the way, he makes the coffee for the tiramisu in a traditional moka pot - I suspect that is also part of the difference.) Ciro's food as well as his personality are the best cultural ambassadors for Italy - and beyond that, for a carefully crafted menu, which inspires both nostalgia and a desire to share the meal in good company. read more

Ciro - Italian Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Where to begin! The owner & chef was so kind and enthusiastic! The food was homemade with many ingredients imported from Italy, and tasted absolutely exquisite! Small but clean and happy restaurant that feels like home. The vibe was really relaxed. Might be the best Italian restaurant I've been to in the US! Would love to come back soon! read more

I met a colleague for lunch at Ciro today and it was fantastic! Loved the intimate countertop space - Ciro (also the name of the proprietor and chef) was friendly and engaging as he told us about the ever changing menu and his plans to build out the window counter to serve gelato. His sense of service was impeccable; despite the fact that he was right across the counter from us for our whole meal, we were still able to talk business without feeling like he was in our face. We split two dishes at his recommendation and both were excellent. While not all of the pasta is handmade in house, he did mention it's high quality dried pasta from Italy, and it was cooked perfectly al dente. My only regret is that I didn't have enough room to try the housemade gnocchi - maybe next time! read more

The food the service and the ambience was all amazing. Owner was very nice. Small restaurant with a casual setting and bright ambience. Seating at counter. Must visit if in the area. read more

What a lovely little place., Such fresh homemade tasty food. Like being at a cool dinner party. Do not be offended by their no frills approach to feeding you. Everything fresh and clearly made for today's service. Try meatballs, focaccia, eggplant and of course the tiramisu!! read more

I went here a month ago and loved it. I had not been to a restaurant like this before but really like the vibe and personalized touch. I felt like I was in a friend's house eating dinner but also got to see an amazing meal can be cooked at home. The service was phenomenal. The waiter knew a lot of about the food and helped greatly with wine pairings. Honestly this is a hidden gem. read more