Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant
Justin Pinchback · 292 Google reviewsIl Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant — honest italian in South Loop. Nothing about this place is trying to impress you, and that's the point. Kory Caze: "Calamari was crispy but the meat was so tender" [$$, patio]
What 865 diners keep saying
What 865 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely loved it! ❤️🇮🇹🍝 Visiting from Dubai, IL Culaccino has officially made it onto my "can't wait to come back" list! 😍 The moment you walk in, you can feel the energy - warm, buzzing and full of people genuinely having a great time. It's one of those places where you instantly feel at home. A huge shout-out to our server Anita and the entire team 👏 They were so friendly, welcoming and genuinely cared that I had a great experience. The recommendations were spot on, the service was relaxed (never rushed) and they made me feel like regulars instead of first-time visitor. And the food... wow! Every dish was bursting with flavor, the Fish was cooked to perfection and honestly, there wasn't a single bite left on the table. You know a restaurant is doing something right when everyone goes quiet because they r 2 busy enjoying the food! 😂 Chicago has no shortage of amazing restaurants, but IL Culaccino is something special. Incredible food, amazing people and a vibe that makes you want to order one more drink, one more dessert... and stay just a little longer. 🍷✨ Already looking forward to my next visit. Thanks for an unforgettable lunch what an amazing joint! ❤️ #ILCulaccino #ChicagoEats #ItalianFood #PastaLover #Foodie #ChicagoFood #VisitChicago #TravelFromDubai #MustVisit #FiveStars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
“The food was very delicious, the service was excellent and there is a nice atmosphere. We started with the meatballs which were very good. I had the Veal Giardinera. It was great but be prepared, it is spicy!”
“Fabulous, rich Italian food, great wines, 1/2 block from convention center.”
“10/10 from me! If you love Parmesan like I do, you'll be happy here, because they had a little dish of parmesan for the table to use as well as oil and parmesan to dip your fresh bread in!! I got a wonderful pasta with cream sauce and ricotta, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and the portion was very generous! The tiramisu was AMAZING, the marscapone was so flavorful and the ladyfingers were soaked for a good while as well. Really lovely ambiance as well, the patio was just so cute! Anyone at the nearby conference centers and hotels would really enjoy eating here for a nice dinner away from the really busy hotel restaurant options. Absolutely worth a visit.”
“Amazing service delicious food, and decent pricing. You gotta be here and enjoy the cuisine.”
“Oh my goodness this food is so good!!!! So fresh, so delicious, I am so happy. Me and my daughter were looking for a new place trying something different, glad we came. Great service Ashley was great. Thank you so much! I love food I am such a foodie and am so happy after this delicious meal. Don't skip dessert the dessert was so good too. We had vanilla gelato, chocolate cake, and pistachio cup of something my daughter enjoyed very much!”
“Food was really good. Fine Italian dining. I got the special, whitefish with breadcrumbs on top. It was delicious! Not your usual Italian restaurant! The plates were huge too.”
“This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. The service is amazing and the food is delicious! Every option on the menu is amazing and definitely worth a try if you haven’t tried this restaurant. If you’re at the McCormick Convention Center it’s walking distance from there and perfect after a long day.”
“I had the pesto pasta, I dont remember what it was called though. And the whipped Ricotta and honey appetizer. They were both amazing!”
“La comida muy buena, demasiada espera, platos completos”
Sounds like your kind of place?
Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.
One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.
More Italian in Downtown & River North
See the ranking →
In the same lane · Italian, mid-range
If it's packed, walk to…
More good rooms in South Loop, minutes away.