Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant

Name: Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant
Address: 2134 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, Chicago, IL, 60616.0, US
Telephone: +1 312-794-5300
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.3

Recommended

Italian

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About

Il 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"

Experience Breakdown

🍴Food

5.0

👥Service

4.3

✨Ambiance

4.1

💬Sentiment

4.3

Justin Pinchback

292 reviews

Highlights

CozyOld SchoolOutdoor DiningQuick BiteGreat For GroupsFast ServiceNeighborhood Institution

What Diners Are Saying

Diners loved

Patio/outdoor seating

Some noted

Long waits during peakGets noisySpice level runs hot

Read all 808+ reviews on Google

Location

2134 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

What 808+ diners say about Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant

“Some of the better items on the menu are: Buccatini Milanese Parmesan Calamari Any salad Lasagna Porkchop All the deserts are legit They have a great patio for the summer and it has a retractable rooftop for those cold Chicago nights”

“Food was really good.”

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.

Bella Wang

Nov 2025

“This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago.”

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.

Evan Hofacker

Nov 2025

“We were at a work conference and the vendor made reservations for some of us partners.”

We were at a work conference and the vendor made reservations for some of us partners. There was 17 of us that showed up. For the number of folks to take care, they did a fantastic job. Food was amazing. Service was great .

Kathryn Ross

Sep 2025

“Il culaccino Chicago has been serving the community for years.”

Il culaccino Chicago has been serving the community for years. This is a great spot for a meal before an event at McCormick Place or Wintrust. The portions are legit and you probably won't leave hungry. Some of the better items on the menu are: Buccatini Milanese Parmesan Calamari Any salad Lasagna Porkchop All the deserts are legit They have a great patio for the summer and it has a retractable rooftop for those cold Chicago nights. Stop by! Italian 🇮🇹 Pasta!!!

Justin Pinchback

Sep 2025

“Stopped here after the conference.”

Stopped here after the conference. My server Mark was very sweet and works very hard!!!! First time in Chicago and I will be sad I may not visit again. If you have one dinner available I would recommend here!

Shylo Gottling

Aug 2025

“Attentive service and incredible flavors.”

Attentive service and incredible flavors. Even the kid’s mac and cheese was delicious! —creamy, flavorful, and a big hit. Highly recommend this place!

Corey Altmeyer

May 2025

“The best carrot cake I’ve had in a loooong time.”

The best carrot cake I’ve had in a loooong time! I literally ordered from Il Culaccino just for their cake, and it did not disappoint. The slice is massive—it’s taken me three days to finish it! 😂 As a nibbler, I can confidently say this is the perfect treat to savor over a few days. It stays fresh in the fridge and keeps delivering that amazing flavor every time. The cake itself is moist, perfectly spiced, and paired with creamy frosting that isn’t overly sweet—absolute perfection. If you’re a carrot cake lover or just someone looking for a decadent dessert, this is a must-try. I’ll definitely be ordering from here again!

Genesis S (Gigi)

Jan 2025

“If I could eat here everyday I would.”

If I could eat here everyday I would. We came for the first time yesterday. Food was beyond excellent. We had the calamari, bruschetta, salmon and chicken limon. As if we weren’t stuffed enough we finished off with the chocolate cake and omg!!! Not to mention the amazing and prompt service. We will definitely be back again and again.

Hannah Larner

Nov 2024

“Conveniently located right outside the McCormick Center.”

Conveniently located right outside the McCormick Center. I had the shrimp pasta dish and it was extremely spicy. I was warned ahead of time but it was incredibly delicious. Fully worth the pain. We had the meatball appetizer which was also good. Prices are decent for Chicago. Definitely would recommend to anyone who is in town for a conference at the McCormick Center and looking for an Italian lunch outside of the event. No wait time and fast service.

Aliza Brown

Oct 2024

“There is inside and outside seating both are nice.”

There is inside and outside seating both are nice. There was a pollen allergy in our group and we had to relocate seats inside. The staff were very accommodating. The manager helped adjust our request without question and our waiter was able to stay with us as well. They were very conscious of food allergies well. Food was served and wow. We started with warm bread and an appetizer of pesto & buratta. Some of the best I’ve had. Caesar salad had what tasted like a homemade dressing. The pasta and fish the others had were equally delicious. We would return!

Anna Zoromski-Linde

Oct 2024

“First time trying this place and we loved it.”

First time trying this place and we loved it! The food was flavorful and the warm bread was delicious. The portions are good too. The food had lots of flavors yet didn't feel too heavy thankfully. The staff was really nice as well. We will definitely be back. One suggestion... Please label your vegetarian foods on the menu and offer some vegetarian modifications to other dishes if possible.