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The Village
The Village: Homemade pasta and warm, old-world Italian dining in downtown Chicago.
4.8
Italian
$$
The Village: Homemade pasta and warm, old-world Italian dining in downtown Chicago.
The Village delivers warm, cozy Italian dining in Chicago with a spotlight on homemade pasta, signature meatballs, and lasagna. Reviews praise fresh bread baskets, attentive service, and inviting décor that create an old-world mood. Daily specials like Chilean sea bass with saffron risotto showcase refined flavors, inviting guests to return.
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Fresh, tender pasta made in-house, including ravioli and lasagna, with rich sauces.
Rotating menu featuring seasonal items like Chilean sea bass with saffron risotto.
Signature items such as mozzarella sticks, meatballs, and Caesar salad.
Indulgent options like tiramisu and Budino di Pane (pistachio chocolate bread pudding).
Included with entrees, offering minestrone or house salad for a complete meal.
Wine, cocktails, and drinks that pair perfectly with Italian cuisine.
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Overall rating
Luna Lucadou
My partner and I went here for our anniversary and we were not disappointed. For our appetizer, we got the mozzarella sticks. I've never had homemade mozzarella sticks before, so these were easily the best I've ever had (I've never been to a place that made their own before; it's always the same Sysco pre-breaded ready-to-fry ones). The bread basket was also delicious, fresh, fluffy, and warm. My partner got the four cheese ravioli and house salad. She noted the salad was well-organized, not drowned in dressing, and had perfect cuts. The ravioli was delicious. I got the Chilean sea bass (from the daily specials menu) and minestrone. The soup was divinely rich and the vegetables perfectly tender, and I enjoyed it so much that I ended up using a slice of bread from the basket to soak up every last drop of broth. The sea bass was perfection: the fish was fresh and perfectly tender, every bite an explosion of flavor. It was easily the best fish I have ever eaten. And the bed of saffron risotto it was served on was also excellent. The restaurant is beautiful and well-decorated for the holidays, and the music is quite tasteful. I hope to visit again in the future.
Jen Schaefer
They squeezed the 2 of us in even though no reservations were available. Both the meatballs and meat sauce are pork free, so we had lots of options on the menu! Would highly recommend the lasagna. The chicken parmesan was also delicious. Soup or salad is complimentary with your entree. I'd recommend the minestrone over the chicken broth. Tiramisu was a great end to the meal. We'll definitely be back!
Dave Andersen
Traditional no-frills Italian with an original vibe. We started with a Caesar salad and meatballs. The salad was simple but good. The meatballs (one of their signature dishes) were excellent. The garlic bread was good, but not amazing. I had the lasagna (another signature) was great. It had an interesting mixture of red sauce on one side of the lasagna and a white cream sauce on the other. The meat sauce with the lasagna was a highlight for me. My wife had the four-cheese ravioli. It was decent. The sauce was a bit watery. Be aware that the menu is pretty sparse (at least the one we got). I’m wondering if it was an abbreviated menu, because of an influx of people from the Chicago Marathon. If you’re looking for basic traditional Italian fare then give this place a try.
Jorge Cherriz
The Village Restaurant is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with dining out all over again. From the old-world charm of the atmosphere to the gracious service, everything feels warm, welcoming, and steeped in tradition. But the highlight here — without a doubt — is the pasta. It’s truly out of this world! You can immediately taste the difference when it’s homemade: rich, tender, perfectly textured, and crafted with love. The flavors are bold yet balanced, and every bite feels like an homage to authentic Italian cooking. Pro tip: make sure you specifically ask for the homemade pasta. It’s the crown jewel of the menu and the reason people keep coming back. And just when you think the meal couldn’t get any better, the dessert proves you wrong. The Budino di Pane — their pistachio and chocolate bread pudding — is something you absolutely need to try. It’s rich, indulgent, and layered with just the right balance of nutty pistachio and smooth chocolate, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and sophisticated. It ties the entire dining experience together in the sweetest way possible. The Village Restaurant is more than just a meal — it’s an experience where tradition meets flavor, and where every dish tells a story. If you’re looking for a place that honors authentic cooking while making you feel right at home, this is it. Between the homemade pasta and that unforgettable Budino di Pane, you’ll already be planning your next visit before you’ve even left the table.
Aiden Cross
Exactly the way Italian food should be served! Italian Village offers a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere with beautiful décor and perfect lighting that makes the whole experience feel special. Our waiter was fantastic—friendly, attentive, and made the evening flow smoothly. The wait for food was short, and when it arrived, everything was flavorful, fresh, and cooked to perfection. The drinks paired beautifully with the meal, adding to the overall experience. What I really loved is that you don’t even need a reservation to enjoy this gem, making it easy to drop by and still have an amazing dining experience. Simply excellent Italian food, wonderful service, and a vibe that makes you want to come back again and again.
