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    Il Porcellino

    4.4 (1.8k reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Bars, Salad
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Il Porcellino Takeout or Delivery

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    IL PORCELLINO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Il Porcellino

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    Chicken Parmesan
    Francisco R.

    I had a great time at Il Porcellino! The food was so delicious and amazing- just be prepared for large portions. This restaurant gives old school, Italian American restaurant vibes and makes you feel cozy. The staff was also great with providing recommendations and being honest on the portion sizes so we were prepared. Overall, I highly recommend!

    Garlic Bread
    Danielle Y.

    Came here for my sister's birthday! We made a reservation for Saturday dinner and got seated right away 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!

    Chicken Parmesan
    Steven H.

    Great vibe. Has the dark and moody you want for a date night but also some airiness when the "patio" doors to the street our open. I ended up at a table right by said doors, which was perfect because it had a view of the 1 TV during the World Cup. There is a downside that random people or servers will walk through and be closer than you'd like vs using the regular door like they should. Serviced is good but not exceptional. Attentiveness could be increased a bit, especially relative to water refills, more drinks, dessert time, etc. Food is quite good, but probably won't break into most people's very top tier. That said, there's nothing to really complain about and you won't leave hungry. Overall, it's a solid place that is worth the visit but may not make your "Best Places in Chicago" list.

    Rigatoni alla Vodka
    Sara G.

    This vodka pasta just might be my fav in the city!! The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, and my espresso martini was great! Cozy & family feel Italian vibes inside - definitely recommend.

    Megan G.

    Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of Italian restaurants over the years, and this one keeps us coming back again and again. It's one of those places that you find yourself talking about long after the meal is over. The garlic bread alone is worth the visit. They pour what feels like a gallon of garlic butter over it, and somehow it's still never enough. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. We order it every single time and would probably be disappointed if we didn't. The real star of the show, though, is the lasagna. Between the two of us, we've had lasagna at countless restaurants, and nothing has come close to this one. It's hands down the best lasagna we've ever had. Perfect layers, incredible flavor, and the kind of comfort food that makes you want to savor every bite. Their Grey Goose espresso martini is also unmatched. We've tried espresso martinis all over Chicago, and this one is still our favorite. It's smooth, perfectly balanced, and the ideal way to start or end the meal. The atmosphere is another reason we love coming here. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a dark, moody vibe that makes it feel special without being stuffy. It's the perfect date night spot whether you're celebrating something or just looking for a great night out together. If you're visiting Chicago and love Italian food, Il Porcellino is a must. Great food, amazing drinks, beautiful ambiance, and a meal you'll be thinking about long after you've left. We make a point to visit every time we're in town, and it never disappoints.

    Vernon M.

    First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino certainly did not disappoint! For appetizers, we ordered the While Garlic Loaf Focaccia and the Stuffed mushrooms. I wished I took a video when the focaccia arrived. The waiter, holding a plate with a round and fluffy focaccia and proceeded to pour the garlic et al on top of the bread! Very freshly-made and fabulous! The stuffed mushrooms were also cute delicious! This is a rare time where the stuffing had spinach below the stuffing - excellent! I remember seeing (and enjoying) this while I visited Italy. Delightful! The main courses we ordered were the Gnocchi Bolognese, the Baked Burrata Lasagna and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. The Gnocchi meat sauce was the standout here, being very flavorful, but not as heavy as some other restaurants. The Gnocchi were dense - not fluffy as I had expected. But the sauce flavor was vivid. The Baked Burrata Lasagna was oh, so perfect! Many layers of al dente pasta separates with a tasty meat sauce. Many times I have had lasagna that was either over-baked, or had limp pasta. Here, the lasagna shined! So large of a serving that my wife could not finish it, much to her dismay . . . I had the Barolo Braised Short Rib - oh my living god! - so tender, so complete a dish, with the fork tender meat that melts in your mouth, complimented by a light polenta (I must emphasize the lightness here, as many restaurants serve polenta that is heavy and too rich. This did not compete with the short rib, rather it seamlessly became the foundation on which the richness of the meat was enhanced. I was blown away! But, the most amazing, and probably the most delectable part of the evening was finishing off with a luscious Chocolate Cake! OH, WOW!!! The cake was certainly moist and smooth. Yes, smooth! I could not tell there was cake at all, so smooth it was! And surprisingly (not surprising given the quality of this establishment) it wasn't too sweet, rather just enough to bring out the chocolatey goodness! I only wished that I ordered some hot coffee - the cake would have gone well with a great cup of coffee! Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant! The old-town decor, the dim lights, the fantastic food (just like of the Italy of old!)- all contributing to a wonderful experience! Highly recommended!

    Boneless Chicken Vesuvio
    Debangana S.

    Went to Il Porcellino for a weekday dinner and the place was buzzing. Packed, cozy, and everywhere you looked there was a negroni in someone's hand. For antipasti we started with the humble roasted asparagus: heavily garlicky, generous with the parmesan, and perfectly roasted. Then came the highlight, the burrata lasagna, easily the best I've ever had. Hearty and creamy. We closed out the savory courses with the chicken Vesuvio, nicely charred and finished with herb butter, though it ran a little light on seasoning. For dessert, a delicious tiramisu to finish. Il Porcellino was a treat, and we'll be back soon.

    Whole Loaf Garlic Bread
    Uriel R.

    Il Porcellino definitely delivered last night. I ordered the lasagna and the portion size was very generous. Texturally, the dish was executed perfectly with even layers and it was baked just right. The flavors were bold, especially the sauce, which dominates the initial bite. Because the sauce is so robust, the flavor of the burrata really only comes out at the very end, but it rounds out each bite nicely and balances everything out. It is a solid, well-made dish and I would absolutely go back for it.

    Becca M.

    Lovely street side restaurant. Great vibe and atmosphere. Dimly lit , high top and low top table as well as street patio seating. Great drink menu, good wine selection by the glass and bottle. Our server was so great offering suggestions and was there anytime we needed anything. Great portion sizes, good variety of food. Everything tasted great! Loved the whole garlic bread loaf. Delish!

    Spaghetti & Meatballs
    Caroline T.

    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.

    Fried calamari was amazing
    Yaneisy V.

    This place is serving up amazingly fresh and delicious old school Italian. I highly recommend eating here. Service was super friendly. We had reservations and were seated quickly. We also ordered the tiramisu and we loved it. Great vibe! I would return to Chicago just to eat here again.

    Lisa L.

    This restaurant is so nice inside. The ceiling is so neat. The garlic bread is so tasty. Get a seat by the window.

    Kristine L.

    Had a lovely dinner in a Monday night! Highly recommend making a reservation be hate tables fill up fast. Walking in, Il Porcellino has a low-light, Italian burb feel to it. They offer an array of pasta and meat dishes. For thee people we shared a calamari, Caesar salad, and two pasta (the special lemon ravioli with asparagus and a ragu). Both pastas were delicious and filled with so much flavors the wine list is always fantastic as well.

    Crispy Brussels Sprouts

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    3 days ago

    Delicious food and great service! The portions were huge and all around a great experience. Lasagna and calamari were the standouts.

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    13 days ago

    Fantastic food, ambiance and very reasonably priced! The waitstaff was friendly and knowledgeable. Can't wait to come back!

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    Page 1 of 45

    Il Porcellino Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Il Porcellino

    Hi! Do you use fennel in your meatballs? My wife loves Italian food but hates fennel. LOL

    Hi David, We look forward to you having you dine with us. I am happy to say we do NOT use fennel in our meatballs. Please let us know if you have any other questions.… 

    Do you have a gluten free menu?

    Hi! We do not have a separate gluten-free menu. However, we do have several dishes that can be made gluten-free with substitutions including a gluten-free fettucini noodle.

    Do you serve creekstone (halal) meat?

    Hi Rockie! Unfortunately, we no longer serve the filet that was from Creekstone.

    Do you have gluten free options? Is there a gluten free pasta?

    Madeline, Thank you for reaching out! We make our very own gluten free fettuccine and have many… 

    What are your vegan options?

    There aren't any entrees that are vegan because all of them either have meat, cheese, or a cream based sauce. However, there are appetizers that are vegan (garlic bread, di stefano burrata, stuffed mushrooms). You can also substitute or remove… 

    Does this restaurant have a private room for business dinners?

    Hi Addy, Yes we do. You can find information on our private dining options on our website at… 

    Is the outdoor seating on the street?

    Hi Doug! The outdoor seating is on the sidewalk.

    Are there any dairy free pasta sauces? We are coming next week and a few of us have allergies.. :(

    Hi Angelique! Our sauces do have dairy in them, but our chef team will assist in modifications to accommodate your group's allergies. Please let your server know of your allergies, and they'll help guide you through the menu.

    How late is the kitchen open on Friday - Saturday?

    Midnight

    Does il Porcellino decorate for the holidays? Is there a Christmas tree?

    Absolutely! Not sure about the Christmas tree but there were twinkling lights everywhere...not that you'd notice with all that yummy food on your table :-).

    Is there a dress code here?

    Not a dress code that is stated. I would say business casual

    Do they have valet?

    Yes we do! Right up front for $15.

    Have the Clams Positano been taken off the menu?!!?

    Emily, Unfortunately, they were taken off the menu a while back. We do run it as a special every… 

    Is the pasta homemade?

    Yes, and you can taste the difference!!!

    How much is Valet Parking?

    $15

    I have a group of college students pitching in for a birthday dinner. It's about 6 of us and we were just wondering what you charge to make a reservation this Sunday around 5ish?! Please and thank youuuuu

    There is no charge for a reservation. You can plan on $25 per person roughly.

    Gluten free menu?

    Hey Jill, we don't have a gluten free menu available, but we do have a lot of gluten free options. We actually have a gluten free pasta that can be substituted into many pasta dishes to be made gluten free. As well as gluten free salads, antipasti… 

    Are kids welcome (8 year old)?

    Yup....I'm sitting here while a family has 4 kids younger than 8.

    Can they make the gnocci with a vegetarian sauce?

    Yes, our gnocchi can be made vegetarian! You can substitute the bolognese with our marinara, alfredo or fra diavolo sauce.

    Are there any non alcoholic drinks yet fancy nice drinks on the menu?

    Hey Eli, Thanks for reaching out! We don't have any formal mocktails on our menu. But our team… 

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    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.

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    Ciccio Mio was the final stop of our seven-restaurant Sunday food tour, and it could not have been…read morea more perfect ending. The restaurant is intimate, warm and moody in the best way - exactly the kind of place you want to settle into for a late dinner. We started with the truffle mozzarella sticks and burrata, followed by the rigatoni vodka and chicken parmesan. That chicken parm was easily one of the standout dishes of my entire Chicago trip. For dessert we had the citrus olive oil cake, and then they surprised us by gifting the table their soft serve. We absolutely did not need another bite of food at that point... and yet somehow that soft serve disappeared. It was amazing. And the service? Top notch. From beginning to end, the hospitality matched the food and atmosphere. Seven stops, a ridiculous amount of food, and Ciccio Mio managed to be the perfect finale.

    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!

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    La Scarola

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    My dad took me to La Scarola and claimed it was some of the best Italian food in Chicago! I had to…read moresee for myself! Some street parking available nearby! The interior of the space is exactly what you'd expect from a family owned, authentic Italian spot: checkered tablecloths, pictures of celebrities and movie posters on the walls, and an air of possible mafia activity ;) Service was wonderful and kept things moving nicely throughout the busy Friday night dinner rush! The food was phenomenal! We had an assortment of appetizers, mains, and dessert to enjoy with our bottles of wine! My favorite dish was the Rigatoni Chiaverini, which included meatballs and a creamy vodka sauce. So flavorful and delicious! Would absolutely return for that!

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    Il Porcellino - italian - Updated August 2026

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