Elina's
Richard Woo · 401 Google reviewsElina's — solid, no-fuss food in Fulton Market. The kind of spot that earns loyalty, not hype. The cocktail program is serious. Karen Mommsen: "The vodka pasta is an absolute must—perfectly cooked, rich without being heavy" [$$, patio]
What 390 diners keep saying
What 390 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Was visiting the city for the weekend. Friends told us about this place and it was nothing short of excellent. The drinks, food, service it was all amazing. The majito was very good, the spritz was very good too. The ceases sale wasn’t the best I’ve had but still good. The calamari was really breaded but still tasted good. The rigatoni was the show stopper though. A very delicious sauce and perfectly cooked rigatoni.”
“Great Italian food served family style in portions for about 2-3 people in a small, quaint, setting. We got the meatballs as an appetizer, which were some of the best I've ever had, and the rigatoni in vodka sauce, chicken parmigiana, and shrimp scampi for dinner. Everything was delicious. The chicken parmigiana was nice and thin topped with a light marinara sauce and fresh mozarella that had a nice slight char. The vodka sauce on the pasta was fresh, creamy, and homemade. Bread service is complimentary and included garlic bread and focaccia. Will definitely be back.”
“That vodka pasta is a fan favorite for a reason 🤤 would recommend the Caesar, cherry pepper ribs and tiramisu. Everything was delicious. Including the cocktails/mocktails and service too. We will be back!”
“Excellent service, great cocktails, food was tastier than I could’ve imagined 1000/10, will be visiting again!”
“Elina’s is the place that you find and you love so much you don’t want to tell your friends about it because you’re afraid it’s going to get too crowded and you won’t be able to enjoy it the same way. Even though it’s already incredibly well known in Chicago, I still feel like I want to gatekeep it. The atmosphere is comfortable, friendly, and lively. The interior is small, dim, and cozy. The seats are still spread out to feel like you have your personal space and they’re all filled with people talking and enjoying themselves. The staff is attentive and high spirited. All contributing to a refreshing setting that is lost in other Chicago restaurants. Everything you’ve heard about the food is right - it’s incredible. Complimentary starters, no fuss classic staples that hit every time, and family size portions that truly let you savor the meal. If you’re coming for the first time you have to get the famous rigatoni alla vodka but after seeing the whole menu you’ll realize you’ll be back soon to enjoy more. Don’t overlook the side of broccoli carbonizado - the fish sauce vinaigrette they serve it with is truly standout. There’s plenty of good Italian in Chicago, but I promise Elina’s will jump to the top of your list for good reason.”
“I went to Elina’s with a friend for dinner, sat out on the patio, and had a wonderful time. The service was great, the staff were very friendly and had great recommendations. The food was delicious, it was served family style, and was perfect for splitting an appetizer or two and an entree. It was also well paced, giving time to actually eat a little bit before the next course came out. The drinks were well made, all in all it was a great experience!”
“Had a great Italian night here.Seeing these places as an italian makes me proud!🤩 Definitely try the Rigatoni! Atmosphere was amazing with a cozy vibe.”
“Loved having our anniversary dinner here!! Highlights were the Caesar salad, meatballs, and vodka rigatoni.”
“We came to Elinas while in Chicago for a few days. Celebrating my birthday with Italian food always, and this restaurant did not disappoint. Complimentary starters included silky salami, pickled artichokes, garlic bread and cheese bread basket. Perfect to hold us over for the main dishes that we ordered. For our mains we ordered the chicken Parmesan and the rigatoni alla vodka to share. As dishes are served family style, these two dishes were plenty for me and hubby. We even had some leftovers! The chicken parm was thinly battered and crispy on the outside. Both my husband and I agreed it was delicious and paired wonderfully with the rigatoni. The rigatoni with its spot on sauce was topped with some tasty breadcrumbs. I can see why both of these dishes are their most popular ones. Cait, our waitress, surprised us with a celebratory cannoli on the house. I shared it with my hubby and we both agreed that it's the best cannoli we've ever had. Its outer shell is dipped in chocolate, filled with a delicious lemon ricotta filling, and dipped in crushed pistachios. We're still talking about that cannoli. Huge thanks to Cait for the above and beyond service. She really made our night with her recommendations and taking such amazing care of us. If you're looking for some of the best Italian food in Chicago and an intimate, romantic setting, Elina's is your place. Highly recommend making a reservation, as there are only ten tables inside and this place gets booked up fast. We will definitely return next time we're in the Windy City.”
“Elina’s is my favorite Italian in the city. The quality is top tier. The service is always great as well.”
“Elina's is a must visit if you are in Chicago! We had amazing servers and the food was very good. In the picture, we had the caesar salad, fritto misto, italian fries, and I forget the name of the bread. We also got the rigatoni and fusilli pastas. All 10/10!!”
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