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    Elina's

    4.1 (246 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Elina's Photos

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    ELINA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Elina's

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    Complimentary salami, pickled artichoke, and bread basket.
    Adriana F.

    We came to Elinas while in Chicago for a few days. Celebrating my birthday with Italian food always, and this restaurant did not disappoint. Complimentary starters included silky salami, pickled artichokes, garlic bread and cheese bread basket. Perfect to hold us over for the main dishes that we ordered. For our mains we ordered the chicken Parmesan and the rigatoni alla vodka to share. As dishes are served family style, these two dishes were plenty for me and hubby. We even had some leftovers! The chicken parm was thinly battered and crispy on the outside. Both my husband and I agreed it was delicious and paired wonderfully with the rigatoni. The rigatoni with its spot on sauce was topped with some tasty breadcrumbs. I can see why both of these dishes are their most popular ones. Cait, our waitress, surprised us with a celebratory cannoli on the house. I shared it with my hubby and we both agreed that it's the best cannoli we've ever had. Its outer shell is dipped in chocolate, filled with a delicious lemon ricotta filling, and dipped in crushed pistachios. We're still talking about that cannoli. Huge thanks to Cait for the above and beyond service. She really made our night with her recommendations and taking such amazing care of us. [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you're looking for some of the best Italian food in Chicago and an intimate, romantic setting, Elina's is your place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Highly recommend making a reservation, as there are only ten tables inside and this place gets booked up fast. We will definitely return next time we're in the Windy City.

    Nicole B.

    Let me start with the service! Everyone from walking in greeted me to my table, it is a small space inside but it gives a family feel. Or can be really cozy for date night. I was offered a taste of a couple of wines to help me decide and our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. Then comes the food! The bread basket was a good start, think mini pizza slice. And if you do anything else just make sure you add the pasta! 100/10! And we shared the chicken parm which was pretty tasty but the pasta stole the show!

    Joe S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Elina feels like home in the best possible way--like my mom's Italian cooking, but elevated and polished.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] From the moment you sit down, they bring out the freshest, thinnest salami--silky, delicate, and impossible to stop eating. The Caesar salad was absolute perfection, with just the right hint of tang that kept every bite bright and balanced. The rigatoni alla vodka was cooked perfectly al dente, coated in a rich, comforting sauce that hits every note you want. And the chicken parm? Pounded thin, beautifully crisp, and cooked flawlessly--no heaviness, just pure Italian comfort done right. Warm, soulful, and executed with precision. Elina isn't just a meal--it's a feeling. This is Italian food that reminds you why you fell in love with it in the first place.

    Calamari  Bread basket, cold cuts, dip
    Jennifer N.

    Reserved a table for 2 but was offered whatever seating was left at the bar Despite that our server was really nice and took good care of us [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibes are dark, moody, new school Italian spot that is cosplaying an older spot lol[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Calamari is usually my test for a great Italian spot but this one was not my fav. The batter is reminiscent of tempura but it was not giving what it needed to and I wish there was more squid than shrimp. The sauces that came with it were good though What saved this meal was the vodka pasta and the eggplant parm The vodka pasta had the most perfect al dente texture that I still think of The eggplant parm was a great new take on an old school classic with lasagna like layers and a crispy bottom Order family style and try a little bit of everything

    I come here at least once a month! By far my favorite restaurant in Chicago! Perfect date spot and incredible food.

    Ceasar salad
    Rebecca T.

    Went back to Elina's when family was visiting in town. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Sat on the patio for the first time , which was very nice (beware of the ants on the table).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was great as always. Even the bread service at the beginning was amazing. I recommend the rigatoni alla vodka. It's popular for a reason! Took off a star because I found them to be very particular. Tried to order an appetizer before the main and they said it all had to be ordered at once. Also at the end we tried to split the bill three ways and they could only split it two ways. Overall, great experience. I will be back 100%

    Clams
    Pilar G.

    Amazing food and service. I think this is the most underrated restaurant in the city-- how is everyone not talking about it? Our server was wonderful and made the dining experience extremely memorable. We enjoyed the baked clams to start and then shared the vodka rigatoni and the angel hair scampi. The scampi was one of the best things I've ever tasted and I'd go back again and again for it. Also, our waiter brought out free cannolis at the end of the meal which was the cherry on top of an already amazing dining experience! The restaurant is small and getting a reservation requires planning but it isn't impossible! Definitely worth it.

    Vodka rigatoni
    Anna T.

    Great spot! Very cute vibes, our waiter was very friendly and everything came out quickly! They recommend 3-4 dishes per two ppl, but the portion sizes are massive and I would not recommend that unless you want tons of leftovers. We definitely overspent and over ordered sadly. To start we got calamari, baked clams and a Caesar. The clams and calamari were wonderful. The clams are huge and came with 9. They had so much flavor! The Caesar was a miss for me. It was fine but something was a bit off with the Caesar dressing. For my main I got the vodka rigatoni. The portion size is huge. It was good, some pieces were over cooked and hard but overall it was good. Nothing crazy, standard vodka pasta. If you're in the mood for Italian and big portions this is a great spot!

    Bread service
    Jennifer D.

    The best dining experience I had in Chicago! Managed to book a spot at the bar for NYE dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was beautifully decorated for the holiday.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Amazing cocktail menu AND they have blue cheese olives for dirty martinis the complimentary bread service was a lovely treat-- both breads were tasty and my boyfriend and I devoured the salami. We split the rigatoni vodka and chicken parm. One of the best vodka sauces I've had in my life- loved the extra crunch with the breadcrumbs. The chicken parm was so tender and we adored the sauce. Service was impeccable! Everyone was so attentive. I hope to come back some day!

    Aditi S.

    Came here again to celebrate my sister's birthday. We had a really good time! Honestly the vodka pasta is incredible and great as is but the truffle pasta just wasn't good, it almost tasted like plastic? That being said, our waiter did everything to make sure we were satisfied from bringing over salt pepper spices and cheese to help the taste of the truffle pasta to giving us limoncello shots and a free dessert for the birthday girl. Service is always great here and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance was perfect for the holidays.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Uche N.

    I had an amazing time at Elina's. This is my friend's favorite restaurant so I was very excited to try it and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is fairly small so a reservation is a must (bar seating is reservations) nevertheless we were able to get a resy pretty quickly. The staff is incredibly friendly and food comes out very quickly which is a huge plus. My limencello drink was fine - I should have tried something from the wine menu, so I'll do that next time. The food was incredible. The vodka pasta was absolutely amazing and a must try. We also got the Caesar salad which was very very good. The clams were a bit of a miss so I would recommend skipping those. They bread crumbs on top were seeping in oil/very greasy. I'm excited to go back. We got 2 drinks, two appetizers and one entree and the the total was about $120

    Nia E.

    They are amazing! From their positive attitude, their friendly atmosphere, and kind accommodations! [[HIGHLIGHT]]My friends and I were on a girls trip and they made it feel so welcoming to be in Chicago![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We are so grateful for their kindness and superior service!! Would recommend to anyone going to the area!

    Cesar salad
    Parysa A.

    We saw lots of recommendations for this spot on TikTok and made reservations on a Tuesday at 4:30pm, right when they open. Upon arrival, there were already three parties waiting in front of us. Once open, they sat us quickly and brought out some appetizers. These included two different versions of bread, salami, and pickled eggplant. The server suggested 3-5 plates for a part of two so we ordered the Caesar salad & two pastas. The croutons in the salad were the perfect combination of crispy and fluffy and the powdery Parmesan on top ensured a perfect bite each time. The scampi had a strong crab flavor and the vodka pasta was irresistibly creamy. We reached a point of fullness but struggled to stop ourselves from taking more bites. We ended up with leftovers that were just as delicious the next day.

    Eggplant parmesan

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    Ask the Community - Elina's

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    Peanut Park Trattoria

    Peanut Park Trattoria

    4.1
    (168 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    Delicious pizza and pizza in Little Italy area of Chicago. It is a nice looking restaurant, too…read more We went for lunch on a Sunday (to avoid the crowd and for free street parking). The restaurant is not busy at all. We were seated right away. Our server was nice and attentive. We ordered pizza and pasta. Pepperoni and Whipped Ricotta Pizza - cooked perfectly, fresh ingredients and delicious! Served hot! Short Rib Pappardelle - to die for! This is very tasty, the pasta is cooked al dente. The short rib sauce is ssosooo delicious! We sat by the bar overlooking the open kitchen. It was nice to see the chef make the pizza and make the pasta. Further area is more fine dining with wall of wine. Very classy! Street parking only. So plan ahead.

    This is such a cool spot. I wouldn't have even known about it, if it weren't for a local friend…read more Where to start? We came in with a group of about 20! Normally I hate those kinds of large group dinners, but this was the perfect spot for it. The service was absolutely wonderful. I don't know how our server stayed so cool and calm with a group that size. We got a variety of things. EVERYTHING was amazing. If you have seen any of my other reviews, I always get a meatball when I'm at a place that has them. They almost never live up to my expectation. But this place has the new gold standard for a meatball. It was everything you want. It is fork tender, full of flavor, no chewy ground up bits. The pizzas were authentic and thin. With fabulous house made red sauce that wasn't too thick and overwhelming. The flavor was A+ The cocktails were so good! All made from scratch with love. The ambiance was cozy and comfortable. Perfect for a group or a date. They have a full bar, and also great seating with perfect lighting. This is a new favorite for me in the city.

    Photos
    Peanut Park Trattoria
    Sausage and Peppers
    Sausage and Peppers
    Outside

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    Outside
    Il Porcellino

    Il Porcellino

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Came here for my sister's birthday! We made a reservation for Saturday dinner and got seated right…read moreaway in a booth. The ambiance is nice with the restaurant not too dark but still has moody lighting. The entire time we sat down there was a huge group of people waiting for a table, so definitely make a reservation! For apps we got garlic bread and Caesar salad. The garlic bread was a rec from our server, which did not disappoint. They brought out melted butter to pour over the bread. Caesar salad was interesting, it has chopped celery inside which I didn't realize until I started eating. I don't like celery but my sis does and she liked it in the salad. Pappardelle alla porcellino and chicken vesuvio were AMAZING. Pasta was fresh and the chicken was so decadent. Both mocktails I were delish. The tiramisu was SO GOOD. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago!

    I'd been wanting to try this happy hour for some time, and once we did, I was beyond pleased. The…read more$8 Negronis (house Negroni and Negroni of the month) are a great deal and so yummy. Every shared food item we purchased from the happy hour menu was savory and memorable. We had the mushroom arancini, rib sliders, prime beef meatballs and whipped ricotta. The happy hour pricing is attractive. Service was top-tier, and the inside is quite inviting. Everyone seemed happy to be there and took care with every step of the ordering and serving process. The bar was full when we arrived, but the host told us that spots at the bar open up rather quickly. This proved to be true, so I am so glad we waited for a few minutes. However, I wouldn't recommend this happy hour for a group of more than 2 because offerings are available at the bar only, and I suspect it would be hard to get four seats together.

    Photos
    Dining room/Bar
    Dining room/Bar
    Grilled Calamari
    Grilled Calamari
    Burrata Lasagna

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    Burrata Lasagna
    Ciccio Mio

    Ciccio Mio

    4.7
    (652 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago! The food is always so consistent, and the…read moreatmosphere is perfect for a cozy date night with dim lighting and a great ambiance. The burrata is an absolute must order. It's flown in fresh from Italy a few times a week, and you can definitely taste the quality. The Rigatoni Vodka is another favorite of mine. It's rich, creamy, and always delicious. We also loved the Ricotta Gnocchi, Bucatini Amatriciana, and finished with the Toasted Almond Cookie Soft Serve, which was the perfect dessert. The service was friendly and attentive, and every visit has been a great experience. Definitely worth the reservation!

    Italian food isn't my first choice with dining, neither is Hogsalt. That being said, Ciccio Mio…read morequite literally translates to 'My darling' in Italian and it is undeniably the darling of the Hogsalt restaurant group. A ~very romantic~ touch is that they give you a red rose for your birthday. What we ordered: Bucatini Amatriciana: Guanciale, Calabrian chili, pecorino romano Burrata: Saved with fougasse bread, olive oil, and other accoutrements. Forget the lasagna rotolo, this is Ciccio Mio's pièce de résistance Truffle Mafaldine: truffle cream sauce, parmesan. I think mafaldine is my favorite pasta shape. It's just such a whimsical noodle to eat lol Fried Artichoke: Artichoke hearts, caesar aioli.

    Photos
    Espresso machine
    Espresso machine
    Lasagna Bolognese
    Lasagna Bolognese
    Toasted Almond Gelato

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    Toasted Almond Gelato

    Elina's - italian - Updated August 2026

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