My mom is in town visiting and wanted Italian. We had the beer battered artichoke, I had the carbonara, and we shared a poached fruit desert. All of the dishes were super yummy. Perfectly cooked. The aioli was the perfect combo. The fresh bread was great as well. The carbonara was exactly what I was looking for. The egg yolk on top really elevated the dish. Service was fantastic. read more

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Why don't more Italian restraunts have charcuterie and the menu? This was the perfect appetizer to kick off dinner. I did in fact eat my entire bowl of rigatoni alla vodka -- so good and creamy! Plus, I love the atmosphere here. The back room feels like you're sitting out on a patio even though you're inside, which is the best of both worlds during Chicago spring. And the banana gelato was the perfect sweet treat to end the meal even though I was so full. read more

Double date at Nonnina and it has now moved up to my number one Italian spot in Chicago! Our server was enthusiastic about the food and shared his top 5 favorite dishes with us, while spacing out each course perfectly. I don't think you can go wrong with your order here. We had the pappardelle which was so flavorful and fresh, as well as the bucatini with rich, creamy flavor. read more

Walked in, quick service, got seated immediately. However, it was freezing cold inside. Waiter came immediately, then we got some bread. The bread was very nice and fluffy and the olive oil was on point. Pizza came out shortly after nice and warm. Flavors were delicious and size was a very standard personal pizza. read more

Great spot with delicious Italian food! I came here with 2 friends for happy hour and sat in a booth. Happy hour tends to be insanely busy, so you need to get there quickly to snag a table. Brian the GM was super knowledgeable and gave great recommendations on what to try off the menu. We loved how the happy hour had $1 oysters throughout the weekdays! My friends and I had espresso martinis and aperol spritz and Ubaldo did a phenomenal job with our drinks and taking care of us the whole time! All of the food was amazing, but I highly recommend trying the meatballs, Fritto Misto, and their bombolinis for dessert! Service was great and ambiance is perfect for anytime of day. I will be back to check out their deli! read more

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We came here for happy hour at around 4:30pm on a Friday afternoon. they had good drink deals, including cute little mini tinis which are a great option for someone like me who struggles to finish an entire drink by myself. The oysters were yummy and fresh and I really liked the little chopped onion bits in the vinegar and dilly sauce that they came with. The $25 Caesar salad, fries, and martini combo was also pretty good- the caesar salad was just ok but the fries were good, they were topped with parmesan and came with two dipping sauces, one that was truffley and creamy deliciousness. the eggplant appetizer was really really good, it was like fried eggplant caprese pretty much, and it was a great size. the fritto misto was also a good size and also came with two yummy sauces - one yummy marinara sauce and one more creamy sauce. obviously this restaurant really values providing different condiments and i really appreciate that lol. the only gripe i have is that although the servers and staff were all very friendly, the service was kinda slow. the restaurant was pretty full, so it's understandable, but it was pretty difficult to get the attention of any servers when we needed more water or wanted to order more oysters, and that was a bit annoying. overall though, this was a pretty great and fairly economical happy hour deal for this nice restaurant, and i'd totally come back. read more

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Wishing the food was as good as the decor. Nonnina is a nice restaurant. It truly is beautiful inside. The tables are packed in pretty tight, but no too tight. They definitely don't let any square footage go to waste. For my main, I ordered the Orecchiette (Spinach Pasta, Broccolini, Prosciutto, House-Made Sausage, Chili Flakes, Pecorino, Lemon Bread Crumbs). It was good, but to be more specific, it was average. This is why I mentioned the decor of the restaurant. I expected to be blown away by the food. I was surprised that it was just okay. During this visit, I was with a table of seven. Throughout and after our mains, many of us had the same opinion on multiple different entree's. The general consensus was that it was just okay. I did share a Tiramisu and that was pretty spectacular. Service over all was good. No-nonsense and got us what we needed, when we needed it. Would I go back? The short answer is no, but I wouldn't want to discourage people from trying it out. Chicago is tricky in that there is an abundance of restaurants to get great food representing numerous cuisines. The competition is heavy and you really need to stand out and impress to capture that repeat business. Of course, this is merely the opinion of one person who visited one time. Should I go back again, I would be more than willing to try something else and see if that hits the mark. read more

Nonnina - Orecchiette - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went during the dust storm and despite saying on the phone they could only accommodate bar seating they got us in to a table inside! The place is huge and very pretty. The food is absolutely impeccable. The calamari with the pesto sauce is delectable and has great flavor. This got us full!! The pasta is delicious as well. I can't remember what the pasta I got was but it was so good and creamy. read more

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I came into the city for lunch today with my son. We both had the prix fixe. I had the carpaccio di pera, branzino, and panna cotta. My son had the meatball, pappardelle, and bread pudding. It was honestly the best meal I've had dining out in ages. I need to plan a return visit again soon. It was my third visit here but, first in several years. Glad I chose Nonnina. read more

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The food was delicious! Their pizza wasn't overly greasy and had a nice, firm structure, it held up well without being too crispy or too soft. Complimentary bread is available upon request, which is a great touch. My only complaint is with the service. Our waiter seemed a bit out of it and initially brought us the wrong order. Fortunately, the issue was quickly resolved, which I really appreciated. read more

Nonnina - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here as a group of 4 to celebrate my friend's birthday. We ordered the octopus as appetizer and was surprised at the fact that we couldn't each get one piece to ourselves. We had to cut some of the bigger pieces up just to make sure we each get to try it out. The wait time between the appetizer and main entree was 35mins. I know that they said the kitchen was busy/backed up but did not expect to wait 35mins for food. My friends got their food before I did so I actually had to wait an extra 5mins. Overall, the food was decent. I wouldn't say I had an amazing time here nor the food is a banger! I've been here before for HH and thought it was OK. It gives off nice vibes but I don't think the food is like superb. I personally wouldn't come here for food because I think there are other slightly better options. Overall, can't say I had a bad or amazing experience here. It's just OK in my honest opinion. read more

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Beautiful interior and amazing dishes. We were seated in the terrace and it was great ambiance for an early dinner, although it did get loud towards the end of the meal. We got the branzino and squid ink pasta and both dishes were great. Our server had suggested the branzino and was so patient with our questions. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. Squid ink pasta had depth and a good number of lobster chunks. Branzino had so much flavor, even in the side veggies. Would come back 100%. read more

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After roaming the city and searching for food options, the party I was traveling with finally decided on some Italian. I quickly found this on yelp with excitement because the food looks so delicious! When we arrived, we initially had to wait a few minutes, even though there weren't any customers and the dining area only on the bar and deli side. Once we were seated, we were given news and the waiter came over and took a drink orders. He disappeared for sometime, but when he finally came back, we got our drinks and then, he took the food order. The food was great, we had lunch special which included an appetizer of a salad, the main course, and a dessert all $25. I chose a caprese salad,, spaghetti, and meatball (prime rib meat), and panna cotta. Everything was fresh and feeling, even left with what felt like a ton of leftovers from just lunch! With how good the food was, it's unfortunate. I cannot say the same for the service. We only really saw the waiter when the food came out. Never got any refills on our water. And if someone else mentioned about the bill and their review we waited for the bill And when it finally came, he never asked us if we wanted to split it. No biggie we were able to do it ourselves using the receipt app. I would care to return in the future just to try the other things on the menu as well as cocktails, give them a second try for giving better service. read more

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Overall solid Italian place in River North. Inside, the restaurant is very inviting and classy. The menu was a wide selection of pasta and other types of dishes. We started off with the seafood platter, which was good, the calamari was nicely cooked and not chewy. We got a variety of pasta dishes that were all very good and unique. The service was about average for what you expect. Overall a solid restaurant. read more

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Loved the late night happy hour! The oysters were incredible, loved the two mignonettes. The eggplant situation was also very good. Staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, atmosphere was cozy. Great stop in before going out for the evening or an impromptu date night. read more

Nonnina - $1 Oysters Monday-Friday - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had an early dinner (5pm) at Nonnina on a Saturday. The location is perfect; after leaving one has several close options for more drinks or late night shenanigans. The interior is beautiful, and they have a small outdoor patio for those wanting to enjoy the summer weather. The service wasn't bad; he wasn't unpleasant and did come quick when I waived him down. But remember I came at 5pm so the place was completely empty. I expected more attentiveness, and giving him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he didn't want to hover over me or come off as being a pest. He also did something I haven't seen at a nicer restaurant: when I asked him for a food/drink recommendation, he just described the ingredients. Again that's not bad, just not what I'm used to at a well-regarded spot downtown. I can read the menu lol As for the food, again not bad. Portion sizes were great and it came out QUICK which made me happy. I just wasn't blown away by anything I tried. For the appetizer I had the calamari, and for the main course I had the orecchiette. If I could give half stars, I'd rate it a 3.5. But since nothing went wrong, and the bill wasn't crazy high, I'll give them a 4 and revisit in the future. read more

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Two friends and I dined here on a Friday night and had a great experience. We were a little nervous when we saw how empty the place was upon our arrival. But it was busy and full of good vibes and company by the end of our meal. The service was very friendly and accommodating, but my one complaint is they were a little slow. We had to ask a few times to get more bread for our table and we waited more than you would like to place our order. But the staff is very kind and the food came out timely. Each cocktail is named after someone. We had the Cristina, Daniela, and Lucia. The Cristina was one of their signature cocktails and was our favorite. We also ended to night with Espresso Martinis which were excellent! The addition of Bailey's made them so creamy and delicious! The complimentary bread had a wonderful sun-dried tomato flavor that we really enjoyed. However, we would have liked it better if it came warm. For dinner we ordered the Rigatoni (vodka pasta), Ravioli, and Linguine Genovese with Shrimp (off the classics/specials menu). Each were very good. All of the noodles tasted fresh, but the noodles in the Ravioli were almost too thick, giving them a chewy overly al dente texture. But the fresh ingredients and cheesy garlicy filling made up for it. Both the Rigatoni and Linguine Genovese could have maybe used a little more seasoning. But the shrimp in the Linguine Genovese was so tender and juicy. I wasn't sure how I felt about green beans and cubed potatoes in my pasta, but the sauce was delicious and combined them all well. I will say though - A shrimp pasta should have more than 3 pieces of shrimp in it. I was very disappointed in that. For dessert we finished with the Tiramisu. The Tiramisu was very moist and the presentation was beautiful. However the layers were indistinguishable by flavor as it tasted like the espresso was mixed with the marscapone, overpowering it a little. Overall the warm and friendly ambiance, good service, and fresh and tasty ingredients at Noninna makes up for the shortcomings we noticed. No Need to worry about if you're gonna have a good overall experience at the Nonnina! read more

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I wish I liked this place better than I did, as it is beautifully decorated. The carbonara was a a bit past al dente, the bottle of Barbera d'Alba was waaay too warm (PLEASE restaurants, chill your light-bodied reds!), and the service was quite slow. It wasn't a bad experience, but a bit underwhelming and I'm not in any rush to go back. read more

Nonnina - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food: good food, pizza crust was very crispy and yet chewy. The pasta was al dente and good amount of seafood. Now the only downside is that it doesn't give you bread like Italian restaurants. Price for the restaurant is very affordable considering its location. Service: the waiters go above and beyond for your comfort! Very nice if you want to feel pampered. Ambience: dimly lit, not too loud. Excellent alternative to the restaurants that are next to the river. Perfect for a nice night without breaking the bank. read more

Nonnina - Prosciutto & Arugula pizza - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We arrived at Nonnina on Friday night around 7pm without a reservation. The restaurant is near the river, on the northern side. Luckily, there was an open table outside, so we were seated immediately. The inside seats were filled, and there were reserved tables for the rest of the night. Our waiters and servers were friendly. We started off with the oysters. The oysters were thinner than I expected to, but they tasted very fresh. The acidic sauces were absolutely delicious! For main dishes, my friends ordered the squid ink pasta and linguini special. I ordered the malfadine bucatini. The pastas took a while to come out, but the presentation was great! My mafaldine bucatini was lukewarm when I took my first bite, but it was delicious despite it not being hot. The mushroom flavor coated each curve of the noodle to make for delicious and great-textured bites. I scarfed down the portion very quickly since the flavor was so good! The check took a while to come out, but it was understandable since the restaurant was quite busy. Overall, Nonnina is in a great Chicago location, has great ambiance, and even better food! I'd love to come back to try some more pasta, as well as some desserts!! read more

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Team dinner alert! Our department had a team dinner here and it was a good time. They have a variety of food options, drinks and great customer service. The restaurant has different dining areas. Each dining room is nice, clean and good ambiance. As with any restaurant, busier it is, the service can forget stuff but we're very attentive. This is a great place for a family gathering, date night and for drinks. The pasta and steak are my favorites; the drinks were ok but I think need to try different types in the future. read more

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Second time here while in Chicago for work. Amazing service and food. Reminds me of trattorias in Italy. Highly recommend! read more

Nonnina - Happy hour bruschetta with whipped ricotta, prosciutto & pears. Very good flavor combo! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is close to the riverwalk and SpotHero parking options so it's really convenient. The patio is good for dogs but a little tight for large groups. The service was excellent. Appetizers were great. I especially liked the sausage and peppers. However, the meal was underwhelming. Margerita pizza tasted like a normal cheese pizza--nothing special. Bucatini was a weird texture but great flavor. Chicken was flavorful and fresh. read more

Nonnina - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nonnina has such a cozy feel and the Mafalde Bucatini is genuinely delicious. I did not even need a reservation, I just called about fifteen minutes before arriving and they were able to seat me. It is the kind of spot that feels welcoming and easy to enjoy. read more

Nonnina - Rigatoni alla Vodka, Mafalde Bucatini - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

BEST CHICKEN PARM EVER. I would move to Chicago to eat this again and again. 10/10 hands down. read more

Nonnina - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love me some good pasta!!! Their carbonara was soo yummy even though it was more Al dente than I liked but the flavors were yummy! I thought I would've enjoyed the pappardelle with braised short ribs but the carbonara stole the show! It can get pretty busy during dinner time but it's easy to snag a rest beforehand! read more

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Always a great experience at Nonnina. Right from the time you enter, the front manager Giovanni is always so friendly and welcoming. I tend to stop in impromptu during the week to enjoy the happy hour bites which go from 4p-6p weeknights. I'm so hooked on the grilled octopus and eggplant stack and truly appreciate Ubaldo's attentive bar service. The ambiance is charming in the main restaurant too - especially if you dine in the enclosed patio with the twinkle lights. During warmer months, el fresco is another great option being it's located in the River North Neighborhood. I happen to notice little details and love the beautiful Italian blue bread plates and side plates, I feel they elevate the experience. Kitchen staff does an amazing job to make unique dishes that are prepared quickly, even on a busy night. The staff hustles nonstop which can make you feel rushed but don't let that stop you from enjoying it at your own leisurely pace either. Yelp tip: Definitely do yourself a favor to ask for the fresh house made focaccia bread with EVOO & balsamic when you order your meal. They used to bring it to the table right away but now you will need to specifically ask for it. Makes sense though because you could easily fill up on it. Hello Carbs!! Portions sizes in general are adequate, and if I come with friends I prefer to share a few plates to get a nice variety of flavors. The tagliatelle pasta is made in house, and it's delicious so don't be bashful and the squid ink pasta is a wonderful choice too. Overall, Nonnina checks all the boxes! Just go:) read more

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The tomato sauce is fresh and full of flavor. Really enjoyed the lamb pasta and branzino. Panna cotta was good too. Cute decor, ambient lighting, natural light makes the food look mist appetizing. Full of life full of greens and indoor plants. Delicious and elegant place. I'd love to come back. read more

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Good service and food! I am here like a year ago, but I'm writing this now because this was a draft before. I remember the positives of a really good at the time that was my anniversary with my partner. The server did an amazing job at celebrating us. He gave us some chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and a sparkler on top and that just made my night. I would totally come here again. The ambience is amazing. 100% recommend. read more

Enjoyed the chicken parmigiana and the vodka rigatoni. There's limited seating outside for those who like eating outdoors

Been awhile since here. Always great food, drinks and service. Only place I can get eggplant Parmesan where there's more eggplant than bread. No California wine here either. Italian only. Fantastico e atmosfera accogliente! read more

Ordered the spinach pasta and the vodka pasta and they were both really good! I probably would have liked the vodka pasta to be cooked a little more, but I think I'm just not a huge fan of Al dente :0. Server was super friendly and he told us about a new dessert that they have that we tried! It was good, but I do wish that there was a little more of that yummy berry sauce on it. It's a very "instagrammable" spot and many people were taking photos behind the flower wall in the back corner. Cute date night place! read more

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A fantastic date night spot! To start we ordered the eggplant appetizer - it was incredible. The eggplant was so thin & crispy. I honestly enjoyed this app even more than my pasta. We ordered the rigatoni (w vodka sauce) and. To my surprise, the rigatoni with vodka sauce turned out to be a vegan dish & it still maintained all of it's creaminess. Sans heavy cream it was still creamy and delish! My date got the squid ink spaghetti & loved it. For dessert we got tiramisu & it was so light, airy, and perfectly sweetened. This was some of the best tiramisu I've tried in a while - don't leave without trying it!!! Great service & offered insightful wine choices to compliment our meal. read more

Nonnina - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cozy Italian restaurant near the river! Wonderful service and great food! We started off with the eggplant salad which was really good! The rigatoni Alla vodka was solid but I think I've had better ones in the city. The desserts were delicious. read more

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Nonnina is a true river north Italian staple! From the fresh, housemade focaccia upon sitting down, to the large portion apps, and of course the house made pasta & pizza, everything was divine. The interior is decorated so nicely as well, perfect for a date night, night with friends, or family! read more

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We came here for dinner with friends before heading to the ballet this summer. The ambience is beautiful and classically upscale. The cocktails were very tasty and creative. The service was attentive, although I can't say they were particularly helpful or friendly. The food, however, was very ok for an establishment of this level. My carbonara was notably bland and my husband's ragu was also unmemorable. read more

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I went here during happy hour, and the bar was completely full, it's a small bar seating, so unless you were able to be seated at the bar, they will not offer the happy hour deal... So I definitely think they should change this. They have a huge restaurant that was mostly unfilled when I was there, so I sat down, and they let me know that the happy hour deal would not be honored, unless I could seat the at the bar, even thought I didn't have the option to because it was filled, nothing I could do. I find this policy to not be helpful, and it encourages people to not return. read more

Cute place! Great outdoor seating and really good food and drinks! Service was wonderful as well. Not the most expensive place either but still quality. read more

*** this is a review for restaurant week 2024 *** I've never been to Nonnina before, but I have heard good things and went to their sister restaurant, Petterino's, last year for restaurant week. I hate choosing between siblings, but Nonnina is the superior restaurant for suresies. I LOVED the truffle stracciatella! It was exactly what I was looking for - strong truffle flavor, rich cheese balanced out by fresh arugula and salty ham. I tried a bite of the arancini - it was aight, and my partner thought it was the superior appetizer (but as this is my very subjective review, he is wrong). We both got the branzino main. It was pretty and the fish itself was good, but both the squid ink and the orange sauce were extremely sweet and overpowering. Next time I'd consider trying one of the pastas instead. For dessert, we got the lemon panna cotta and chocolate ale cake. The former was very good and so rich that the small size felt fine. The chocolate ale cake was tasty and not too boozy, and also a bit bigger. Without the cream it would've been too dry, and I wouldn't have complained if there were more cream. Service was a teeny bit slow at the beginning, but overall friendly and attentive enough, and the inside of the restaurant is beautiful and cozy. There is some nice booth seating further inside, and a nice sun room area - would recommend trying your luck and asking to be seated there if those seem preferable. One last pro tip: they won't offer bread, but you can ask for it. read more

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What an absolute banger of a happy hour deal. Above average margaritas and espresso martinis, served extremely fast. Well lit bar, clean, great ambiance. The staff is very inviting and the pizza is half off on Thursdays. The restrooms have mints, what more can I say? read more

Nonnina - Happy Hour special - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois