We really liked this place! It was very busy. The Caesar and calamari were outstanding. My wife really liked her pappardelle noodles. I also thought the lasagna was good, but not quite worth the hype. We really appreciates the free dessert for our anniversary as well as the server noticing I don't drink alcohol and bringing over a non alcoholic beverage to celebrate. The inside is super cute and not too loud. Very photo worthy. Overall we are glad we stopped by. read more

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There are so many Italian restraurants in Chicago and I can see why this place gets such good reviews. Caesar salad: 4/5. Well balanced dressing and fresh greens. The sliced celery was a nice addition. Just the right amount of anchovy. Burrata lasagne: 4.5-5. A top tier lasagne. Loved the sauce and cheese in the many layers of pasta and the burrata was a nice way to top it. One bad note: the app the restaurant uses to pay the bill with a QR code incorrectly calculates the recommended tip (apparently including the tax). read more

Came for a late dinner on Friday night and the restaurant was still bustling. The pastas were excellent, especially the papperdelle. The meatballs were delicious as was the chicken Vesuvio. Can't go wrong! The service was friendly and attentive. The ambiance is great. The restaurant is nicely lit and mostly dim - though I appreciated the spotlights above each table so that I could read the menu easily. read more

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Service at door and table was quick and our server made good reccs we tired the whole garlic bread the meatballs the sausage and Peppers. All delish and really well made with the homemade flavor. For dinner we had the famous lasagna and the chicken parm with angel hair Alfredo. The lasagna was delish and maybe one of the best we've had a a restaurant the parm was ok. The pasta ousehined it as the Alfredo sauce was delish. We had the bomboloni for dessert and they were hot and delish. That whipped Nutella marscapone was the jam. We love a traditional place that does it right and they do !!! read more

The food was amazing here! The staff was kind and sweet. It's sort of homey but hippie inside. we did have a reservation which we recommend as the wait list line seemed really long. It is a little loud inside but overall great food and experience. Highly recommend! read more

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I am an Il Porcellino FAN. Been here about 5-6 times since moving to Chicago in April '24 and have had incredible experiences every time. Great for date night, great for girls night, great to bring your family or a larger party... the atmosphere is homey, cozy, eclectic, and intimate with photos of guests all over the walls (like an old school Italian spot) and the food is amazing. Prices are typical of trendy Chicago restaurants but their happy hour is actually pretty good. Would recommend to anyone who wants Trivoli but can't get a res for Trivoli. I'd put them on the same level. read more

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Came here for Valentine's day dinner with my boyfriend. We had a res at 5pm and there was about a ~20 min wait upon checking in, but it ended up being worth it because we got a corner table right by the window! The atmosphere was cozy and romantic and we had great service. We ordered the caesar salad (which has celery in it...sounds weird but trust it was so good), the tuscan cheese bread (essentially pizza), and then shrimp scampi and sausage orecchiette. The pastas were both good too, just could've had a bit more protein. Otherwise no notes, I'd come back to try other things! read more

We stopped in for just appetizers and were seated on the bar area. It gets busy very quick there! It's very lively in this old world looking Italian restaurant. Very modern but classic decor. We ordered appetizers as we waited for our next event. The crispy brussel sprouts were delicious, although I thought they were going to be the shavings or leaves, as crispy brussel sprouts are halved with cheese on them. They're still very delicious, but with all these fads in brussel sprouts, I was confused. We also ordered the pear burrata and that was delicious. I enjoyed that dish the most. Not too sweet and the burrata was enough to cover each piece of bread. It was a great place to try and when I go back, I'll absolutely have more. read more

Il Porcellino - Crispy Brussels Sprouts - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We were greeted as soon as we walked in. Glad we had a reservation so we were seated at a nice cozy booth that they have! We love the ambiance that they have. Dark lighting and it made the restaurant more intimate! Drinks were strong, and the fried calamari was super good!!! My boyfriend got the braised short rib and he really enjoyed it. I got the lasagna and it's super good! It was super big and heavy on cheese I couldn't finish it. Our server was super attentive and would come back again! read more

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A fantastic experience. You'll definitely want to book in advance, but we got luck this Friday. Shout out to our waiter Julio, he did a great job. The interior has a chill vibe with the walls covered in photos. We tried: - Whole Loaf Garlic Bread - Burrata & Pears - Mozzarella Sticks - Stuffed Mushrooms - Chicken Parmesan - Brick Chicken Vesuvio - Tiramisu As far as the apps go, the Burrata & Pears were my favorite. The sweat and salty paired nicely. In contrast, the mozzarella sticks had a spicy marinara that balanced out the sweetness. The bread was good, but definitely lost behind the others and the mushrooms were just okay. For the main course, I'd recommend the Vesuvio over the Parmesan but you can't go wrong with either. Lastly, the tiramisu is definitely a top 3 in the city. read more

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So grateful I got to try this iconic restaurant while in Chicago for a few days. Bae and I were looking for a high scale place with good Italian food and a classy ambiance as we wanted to get dressed up and have a fancy dinner to round out our trip. This lived up to every expectation. The ambiance was complimentary of classier outfits yet there were parts of the restaurant like the bar where folks were dressed casually in jeans and t's. We made reservations for two and were sat at high tables near the bar which was ran so well I can only imagine the kitchen. The waiter did an excellent job of outlining the entire menu, pointing us to items on the menu that would align with us our tastebuds, and explaining the intricacy of how some dishes were made by breaking down the ingredients in depth. We weren't feeling particularly adventurous so we ordered classics such as lasagne and penne alla vodka. However, it was nice knowing there are dishes I could try that I'd never had before. We started with the garlic bread (buttery, crispy and fresh!) and the calamari which was fried to perfection and included some deep fried peppers which was a nice (and different) touch. By the time the pasta came out we were pretty stuffed but we got a couple of great bites in before taking an amazing amount of leftovers home. The ravioli was cheesy, saucy, and delicious, with each bite packing a punch of flavor. I was too full to try my partner's pasta buttt I had to snack a piece of the meatball and maaan, I see why the waiter pushed them at the beginning. The blend of meat they use (I can't remember rn) definitely packs a flavor. Each bite we took was a great experience! I would return for sure. read more

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A must try!!! One of my top Italian spots, I have ever been to, for sure! Negroni - top notch! Homemade Mozzarella Sticks and bread - fire! Pastas - insane! And oh WOW the tiramisu The place has an awesome ambience as well. Staff is very attentive and helpful. I will be back for sure when in town again! read more

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This is a quaint place in River North with delicious food. I was on a mission for eggplant Parmesan, and it did not disappoint. The portion was huge, and it tasted so good. I was sad that I was traveling and couldn't enjoy leftovers later. I sat at the bar, and the service was friendly and quick. I even was able to get a happy hour glass of wine. read more

Il Porcellino - Eggplant Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing. The staff went out of their way to make our experience delightfully fantastic. In addition to our appetizers (pictured), I had to order the lasagna, and it didn't disappoint. So good on a cold wintery Chicago night. You've gotta go. You'll be happy you did. read more

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Great food, great wine, great ambiance, and great service. We loved our dinner here and had a great experience. I made reservations in advance and I highly recommend doing so. It gets super busy. Casual spot, fun ambiance, gets loud. Wouldn't recommend this for a super romantic night but more fun date night. All the pastas and desserts were delicious. read more

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My honey and I had dinner at Il Porcellino while we were in Chicago and it was wonderful! Make a reservation because they are very popular. (And for good reasons!) Our server was warm and attentive, and was on top of everything but never rushed us. We went with Italian standards - meatballs and spaghetti and chicken parm. Both were delicious and the portions were more than generous. All good things! read more

Il Porcellino - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was the bomb. This spot is a must check out if you are in River North. We went for Valentine's day and the ambience was fantastic, from the music to the menus. The service was fantastic, we ran late to our reservation and they still sat us super quickly. Highly recommend! read more

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This was a fantastic restaurant! The interior is very picturesque and gives the vibe of a classy bar with the mix of high tops and low dining and wood furnishings and random art on the walls but the beautiful lights hanging from the ceiling makes it a beautiful and romantic spot. Our waitress was really kind and explained the food well when we were stuck on what to order. Lastly, the food was to die for! We ordered the grilled squid and it wasn't too chewy and the sauce on it was very light but was bursting with flavor. We also ordered their famous lasagna and there is a reason it's famous. It was huge and perfect for splitting also loaded with flavor. Stacked high with the proper amounts of cheese and sauce, no risk of embarrassing strings of cheese hanging from your mouth or sauce falling on your outfit. I will definitely be back and recommend this place to many others! read more

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My girlfriend and I came here for a special date night during our Chicago trip and wow, Il Porcellino did not disappoint. From start to finish, everything was perfect. We kicked our dinner off with their nightly special of the house focaccia with tomato jam and honestly, it might have ruined all other focaccias for me. It instantly took me back to mornings in Italy, and even my girlfriend (who usually avoids anything tomato) was obsessed with their jam. We paired it with a bottle of wine and also ordered their Baked Burrata Lasagna. Let me tell you that first bite was pure magic. I couldn't stop eating it, and I still think about that lasagna to this day. This is a straight 10/10, so if you're in Chicago, do yourself a favor and eat here! You'll thank me later. read more

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Il Porcellino was a very cute date place vibe. The food was amazing and I was quite impressed with their options for vegetarian food. I ordered their most famous dish - Rigatoni alla Vodka, and it was divine! My husband had the Spicy Scampi Spaghetti which he liked quite a lot. Overall a great experience, I definitely recommend this place for a cute date night. read more

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I thought this was a pleasant night out. The ravioli was delicious but started to feel heavy towards the end of the meal, the lasagna felt similar. I didn't love the gnocchi. The broccolini was quite poor in my opinion. The lemon was trying to pull freshness from it and it was just drenched ending in almost a picked broccolini rather than roasted. With that, the breads were fantastic, service was great. What a cool interior for a pleasant night out. read more

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food: the burrata lasagna was so yummy even through delivery, maintained its form and the portion is great, tiramisu was also good service: NA ambiance m: NA read more

Il Porcellino - Baked Burrata Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The wait staff needs work. Service was perfunctory, not attentive. Waiter Maritsio? Took our order and forgot about us. Did not follow up to ask about wine with dinner, etc. I needed pepper for my salad and ended up getting it myself. Lots of bus staff standing around, but they seem more tasked with just busing tables, not filling waters, etc. The Italian salad was tasty. Mocktail El Girodino was way too sour. Should have deeper flavor. Apricot sour was yummy and balanced. Small thing, but when you're paying this price, you should not have to keep your cutlery when they take your appetizer or salad plates away and cutlery then is on the table The Gnocchi bolognese was very good could use more cheese. We were not offered Parmesan. Pesto cheese ravioli was great. So, overall, the food was quite good. The primary issue here is the service. read more

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Food: Beyond solid. The lasagna was good (and HUGE) wasn't my personal favorite, but it's certainly the most popular item. Some of my friends loved it. My favorite was the Rigatoni Short Rib. It also had mushrooms in it. It had a delicious flavor. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts had a great flavor as well, but they weren't very crispy. Vibe: Red & moody. Beautiful and enjoyable. Service: Friendly, but slow. So slow that my friend got her food comped for coming out 10-15 minutes after everyone else's. read more

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We had an amazing experience. We were out in the area and wanted a snack and a drink. We popped into the bar and had amazing service. The staff and management team made sure we were engaged throughout our entire experience. We all shared several dishes, including a Caesar salad, the stuffed mushrooms, the pesto pasta and garlic bread. We also indulged with chocolate cake and tiramisu for dessert. The space is comfortable, and our server was a delight. Absolutely outstanding evening. read more

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Solid Italian place in River North! Another lettuce entertain you and the restaurant group is normally pretty consistent. Favorite thing was the Italian salad and the chicken piccata. The garlic bread was pretty dry and the parpadelle was cold, but flavorful. The service was OK but a bit slow and the atmosphere inside was really cute with pictures all over the walls. Overall, I'd come back here if I was in the area, but it's just a typical Italian restaurant in the city. read more

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I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while and I'm glad I did get to try it. I was there with a bigger party and the service was amazing. Everything was on time and not too fast or slow. The food itself lacked a bit of flavor. We tried the Green Chopped salad, Burrata & pears, stuffed mushrooms, rigatoni alla vodka, ravioli al forna, and the chicken marsala along with a couple of tasters. The burrata and pears as well as the chicken marsala were my favorites but everything else was a bit on the bland side. The portions were great and very shareable. I just wish the other dishes had a little bit more depth. I would definitely love to come back and try other dishes to see if I find something better! read more

Oh Chicago how lucky you are to have places like this. Il Porcelino must have a grandma Nonna in the back because everything tastes homemade. Everytime I come here I order way too much and get way too full, but that is part of the fun. From the pasta to the salads to the desserts you can't go wrong. read more

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Space is really cute inside and our server was so sweet! Make sure you use your Lettuce Eats account and get your points too We ordered the stuffed mushrooms I think it's the best thing on the menu SO good Gnocchi bolognese was good but not my fav i think it was. Little too bitter for me but could've been the parsley. Chicken parm was a hit and so good just wish it had more spaghetti since I split it with my partner. read more

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Reservations are a must! If you walk in, there could be a chance that you may wait for 2 hours. Although, if they have space at the bar, it is a first come, first serve so you can chance getting a seat there. When you walk in there is a hostess bar just through the doors. Just behind it, is the restaurant with numerous booths and tables for dining. They also have outdoor seating and a back room that can be reserved for private parties. Great to know! We were seated about 10 minutes after we checked with a reservation which was not too long of a wait. We were greeted shortly after being seated. Great music is played as we enjoyed our dinner which is just the right volume. The ambiance was very nice like an old Italian restaurant. The restaurant was very busy and our server was nice on this visit. We ordered: 1. Tuscan Cheese Bread - Delish with a little but of spice from the red peppers. It has a great light crust to it with marinara for dipping. 2. Ceasar Salad - Made with celery which was a first for me. It gave it a different flavor and the dressing was not too strong. 3. Chicken Parmesan - Absolutely delish and everything was on point in this dish 4. Burrata Lasagna - Great flavor and a huge portion. So big that I was not able to finish it. We enjoyed our time here. From the service to food and all in between. No complaints here and I would definitely recommend this restaurant when visiting Chicago. read more

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Actually did not love the lasagna - it was not hot enough and a bit dry, but great lively vibes for a Wednesday night! read more

Il Porcellino - Il Porcellino Italian Salad - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place my second time here, good menu I wish they would have carbonara on the menu, lasagna one of the best I have had. Fun atmosphere and service. Must have a reservation the place is packed, they reserve even the bar tables. It reminds me of NY restaurants a lot. A must while in Chicago. read more

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Big Italian food fan over here and this did not disappoint. We started with the garlic bread and the gravy boat of butter that they pour tableside is unreal. We also got a caprese salad to get a little bit of veg to offset all of the carbs. We got the ravioli al forno and the burrata lasagna which were so delicious and cheesy and the homemade pasta was incredible. We were asked to switch tables to accommodate a large group which was no problem and they offered a free dessert for our "troubles" so we got an affogato to end our meal. Everything was so good and we had leftovers to take home. Super dark and moody inside and great for a date night. read more

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I am very picky when it comes to Italian food and Il Porcellino DELIVERED! Their tiramisu and focaccia were to die for. The portion size was HUGE and the food was so delicious. The focaccia has a nice slightly crunch exterior and a slight spring to it. Tasted delicious! Yeh tiramisu was one of the best I have had in Chicago. I will definitely be back! read more

This is my first Yelp review, and honestly I'm only writing it because the food was so awful we ended up sending it back. We didn't order anything else because pretty much everyone at the table agreed their dishes were inedible. Sour, pungent, cold chicken, and my vodka rigatoni really tasted like dawn dish soap, I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth even after leaving. That being said, the service was great. Our server was attentive, professional, and very kind, so we made sure to leave her a good tip since the food obviously wasn't her fault. The manager also handled the situation well and comped both our entrees and the appetizer, which we appreciated. The one star is strictly for the food itself. I personally wouldn't eat here again, but I do appreciate how the staff handled the situation. read more

Everything was super delicious! The space is cozy and the staff were all so friendly and welcoming. I had the caprese to start and lasagna for my main, both were bomb. I do wish the lasagna had a bit more sauce, but still really good. Tried the gimlet and it was a 10/10. Also, definitely recommend making a reservation, it gets packed fast. Only downside: my wallet got stolen while I was sitting at the bar. I had it hanging on the hook under the counter and didn't even notice until it was gone. The manager was super helpful and kind once I told them, and they had security around too. Turns out the person next to me had been acting a bit off, but the bar staff that noticed him only mentioned it after I realized my wallet was gone. Can't really blame them though it's not like you can profile or deny someone service just because they seem sketchy. They comped my meal and were really apologetic. Just a heads-up if you're sitting at the bar, keep your stuff close and be alert. It's a tight, busy spot and easy to get distracted. read more

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My husband and I didn't have the best overall experience the first time we visited Il Porcellino due to mostly inconsistency/quality of the food but our most recent visit to Il Porcellino was a-lot better! We recently went back for a second time to celebrate our anniversary since my husband goes crazy for Italian food especially his favorite dish being lasagna! :) My husband and I celebrated an amazing anniversary at Il Porcellino! I highly recommend visiting Il Porcellino if you are near River North in downtown Chicago looking for a casual yet lively neighborhood dining spot that serves up some delicious classic Italian American comfort food! Make sure to set up a reservation before going to Il Porcellino because it consistently stays fully packed/busy! This restaurant is magical! The minute you walk in you feel the positive energy, the cozy comfortable low lit ambience, Italian music, the nostalgic Italian photos on the wall, and especially the wine! The vibes are everything here! We had such a blast! Il Porcellino serves mostly housemade pastas, antipasti, and daily specials made with ingredients from quality artisans, purveyors and local farmers. Their best dish is definitely their famous baked burrata lasagna with prime-beef bolognese, fontina, and asiago cream with melted burrata! I guarantee their burrata lasagna is one of the best dishes you will ever try! Its like receiving a warm hug! The prime beef bolognese is a rich hearty sauce perfectly balanced with the cheese, cream, and marinara sauce. I also recommend their Rigatoni Alla Vodka pasta made imported rigatoni in a classic tomato cream sauce! The pasta was cooked perfectly with the tomato and cream flavor perfectly balanced! Make sure to treat yourself to a glass/bottle of wine, class negroni, or espresso martini to make your experience even better! They even have a happy hour at the bar Monday through Friday| 4pm - 6pm Our service was amazing during our recnt visit. Our server was really funny, laid back, yet very attentive. He made our anniversary personable and extra special! Towards the end of your visit, don't miss their heavenly desserts! I have been craving their Triple Chocolate Cake since the first visit I tried it! Their chocolate cake is huge, rich, and ultimately satisfyingly sweet! Their Tiramisu which espresso soaked lady fingers is also a must try dessert! Give Il Porcellino a try if you are looking for affordable delicious Italian food with a fun casual old school Italian neighborhood ambiance! read more

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My friends and I loved Il Porcellino. The restaurant's interior lighting and ceiling decor looked amazing. Our server, Alyssa, was attentive, friendly, and very efficient throughout our dinner. Each of our dishes exceeded our expectations, and Alyssa went out of her way to ensure we were enjoying our meal. We also ordered the Tiramisu, which was delicious and easily one of the best desserts we tried during our trip. I'd highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great dinner spot in River North with excellent service. read more

Il Porcellino - Orecchiette, Eggplant Parmesan, Spicy Scampi Spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Picking the right restaurant in River North can be hit or miss , being either too expensive, small portions or possibly slightly pretentious, this was not that time, Upon entering you are greeted as if walking into someone's home , the place well decorated with ceiling lights almost Christmas like but is dimly lit , just the right amount of light for a group of friends or perfect for a Date night . I was in my own looking for a great meal , I chose the bar seats and was greeted by one of the friendliest and professional bartenders in the city , I started out with a nice Red Wine, "IL PORCELLINO" CHIANTI , as I looked through the menu , I saw many great offerings but I chose the House special ; BURRATA LASAGNA layered with rosemary bolognese, asiago cream, and fontina, , with a side of their house made Garlic bread , The Lasagna was not only a huge portion but one of the best I've ever eaten , I was fairly full by now, but went overboard , I couldn't resist some desert so I opted for the Cappucino Chip ,which was Coffee Ice Cream with chocolate flakes , and a Expresso shot on the side , I left very satisfied and very done for what I call a perfect night ! read more

Il Porcellino - "IL PORCELLINO" CHIANTI "IL Porcellino" Chianti, Dreolino, Rufina - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came here on a Sunday night, it wasn't too busy. We were able to get a table immediately, we made a reservation 30 mins before we showed up. The restaurant is beautiful, music is great and the staff is lovely. Where the restaurant fell short for me was the food. I ordered the gnocchi and it was just okay. The sauce didn't have a depth of flavour, I could not taste any of the black pepper and sauce didn't taste like much. Some of my gnocchi pieces were not cooked at all. I only found these uncooked pieces when I was pretty much done my dinner because it was buried underneath. When I ate it, it tasted like dough and you could also see that it was very mushy/dough-like. read more

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