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Best Casual Restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

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A photo of Peanut Park Trattoria restaurant
1. Peanut Park Trattoria
4.8
Exceptional(256)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy / University Village
Booked 8 times today
Located in the heart of nostalgic "Little Italy" on Chicago's famed Taylor Street, Peanut Park is a traditional Italian joint brought to you by your friends at Coalfire and Tempesta Market.Chicago Magazine voted Peanut Park One of the Top Restaurants in Chicago February 2022 and Tasting Table said we are " One of the Absolute Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago" this past May 2022. Our menu is simple and we aim to celebrate Italian classics and timeless bistro favorites.We embody passion, integrity, and excellence while striving to provide an authentic dining experience by celebrating tradition and invoking the modern. Don't miss our handmade pastas, pizza and incredible cocktail menu. Join us in our dining room or dine al fresco on the rooftop for a one of a kind experience!
A photo of Alla Vita restaurant
2. Alla Vita
4.8
Exceptional(2428)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Italian • West Loop
Booked 172 times today
Serving a casual, family-style menu, Alla Vita is a place to gather and enjoy comfortable Italian cuisine. Alla Vita means “to life” in Italian which recognizes overcoming life's challenges and creating a space for shared meals and memorable experiences. Executive Chef Lee Wolen shares his passion for fresh, delicious Italian food made simply with the best ingredients. Follow @allavitachicago to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings.
A photo of Girl & the Goat restaurant
3. Girl & the Goat
4.8
Exceptional(15081)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • West Loop
Booked 221 times today
Girl & the Goat opened in 2010 with the goal of offering a menu of bold, flavorful dishes designed to share in a fun and lively atmosphere. To complement the experience, we offer a curated selection of wines from around the world, focusing on small producers, along with a rotating list of craft beers and a playful cocktail menu crafted by our bartenders. The ever-changing menu, driven by locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, features favorites like sautéed green beans, roasted oysters, crispy short ribs, and confit goat belly. While reservations are encouraged for the dining room, our bar welcomes walk-ins, adventurers, and those who prefer spontaneity.
A photo of Pizzeria Portofino restaurant
4. Pizzeria Portofino
4.8
Exceptional(1735)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • River North (Chicago)
Booked 142 times today
Pizzeria Portofino is a sun-drenched casual restaurant located directly on the Chicago riverfront offering hand-stretched pizzas, coastal wines, an expansive patio and breezy decor that will instantly transport you to the Italian Riviera.
A photo of Cabra - Chicago restaurant
5. Cabra - Chicago
4.6
Exceptional(3119)
Price: Expensive
• Peruvian • West Loop
Booked 78 times today
Perched atop the Hoxton Hotel in the heart of Chicago’s Fulton Market, Cabra Chicago is a lively rooftop escape, inspired by the bold and vibrant flavors of Peruvian cuisine. Led by James Beard Award and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat) alongside longtime partners Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm of Boka Restaurant Group, Cabra serves up crave-worthy dishes in a colorful and energetic setting. The restaurant’s airy, plant-filled ambiance, paired with its open kitchen and sweeping city views, creates a dynamic dining experience. Guests can savor a variety of shareable plates, from ceviches to savory meats, all bursting with the rich, fresh flavors of Peru.
A photo of Costera Cocina Tulum restaurant
6. Costera Cocina Tulum
4.5
Awesome(1016)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • West Loop
Booked 68 times today
Costera Cocina Tulum brings the vibrant flavors of Tulum's coastal and Mayan cuisine to life, blending land-and-sea principles with traditional Mexican dishes. Step into a lively yet serene atmosphere that captures the essence of Tulum's unique intersection of jungle, beach, and bohemian nightlife. Experience our day-to-night philosophy, where "the jungle has two attitudes," and enjoy a dining experience that transports you to this enchanting Mexican getaway.
A photo of Café Ba-Ba-Reeba restaurant
7. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba
4.8
Exceptional(9429)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • Lincoln Park
Booked 150 times today
Cancellation policy: For parties of 5+ you need to cancel by 9am on the day of your reservation, otherwise it is a $25 fee. For smaller parties, please give us one hour in advance, in the event of a last minute cancellation or no show it is a $25 fee. Located in Lincoln Park, the All-Season Courtyard and Dining Rooms at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! are open with our new AIRPHX Air Filtration System. Your health is our top priority in all that we do. Steps we are taking: disposable and digital menus, continuous sanitation procedures & hand washing.
A photo of The Izakaya at Momotaro restaurant
8. The Izakaya at Momotaro
4.7
Exceptional(872)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • West Loop
Booked 49 times today
The Izakaya is located on the subterranean level of Momotaro. The Izakaya and its shared-plates pub-inspired menu echoes the Yokocho street scene of Tokyo. Narrow lounge-inspired ‘alleys’ around a central bar bedecked with hand-painted Japanese menus, moody neon lights, and vintage Tokyo street signs set the scene for the Izakaya’s direct nod to Tokyo’s most famous post-war black markets. Dark, energetic, and ripe with expectation, the Izakaya additionally offers a 30-seat bar featuring crafted cocktails, sakes, and a quality selection of Japanese whiskeys. Parties and programming are no strangers to the Izakaya, where a rotating selection of events, including Monday Night Karaoke, feel right at home in this lively lower-level atmosphere.
A photo of Mirra restaurant
9. Mirra
4.7
Exceptional(174)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Bucktown / Wicker Park
Booked 43 times today
Mirra is centered around the excitement of exploring the South Asian and Mexican culinary and collaboration that is really an unknown story up north. A la carte service, wine-focused with a small curated cocktail menu. Our chef's counter will offer a casual prix fixe experience for guests to enjoy. Mirra is a space that is warm, cozy, and comforting, whilst simultaneously executing a bold and vibrant food and beverage program. Mirra is a unique representation of how 2 different cultures can be 1 presented to you by Rishi Kumar, Zubair Mohajir, and David Mor.
A photo of Miru at The St. Regis Chicago restaurant
10. Miru at The St. Regis Chicago
4.7
Exceptional(1378)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • River North (Chicago)
Booked 109 times today
Miru, Japanese for "view" celebrates the flavors and cuisine of Japan.  We invite you to join us for a collection of sharable dishes including tempura and crispy rice, a robust seafood and beef selection, as well as expertly crafted sushi, overlooking the Chicago River and Navy Pier.

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