Mia Francesca
Richard S · 140 Google reviewsMia Francesca — Lakeview italian where the Pasta sets the tone. Buzzy, energetic room where the crowd adds to it. Good cocktails round out an already strong menu. [$$, patio]
What 1,810 diners keep saying
What 1,810 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Cozy Italian joint with excellent service. Linguine con vongole was perfect. Calamari were very tender and delicious as well.”
“Fabulous food and a fabulous time, calamari was perfectly lightly battered and fried, had the Spicy Arrabiata pasta which was stellar and delicious white wine and porto, cherry on top was the caramel carrot cake”
“Love this place. Generally service is great. When we came on Friday, 6/5/26, for a 730 dinner, the service was minimal. Our server came very infrequently. However, overall experience was great. Food was delish and a great wine selection. Very large portions.”
“Amazing food in Lakeview! I liked the chicken and vodka sauce and the meatballs were really good! Loved the bread that it came with as well.”
“I really liked the ambience. The food was great. The staff was friendly and nice. I definitely would visit there again once they open the patio.”
“Mia Francesca is a standout Italian restaurant that delivers an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. The staff is consistently warm and welcoming, creating an atmosphere that feels both friendly and inviting. Their attentiveness and professionalism make you feel taken care of the moment you walk in. Service is impressively fast without ever feeling rushed. Whether you're stopping in for a quick lunch or settling in for dinner, dishes arrive promptly and perfectly prepared. The food itself is outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. From classic pastas to signature entrées, every plate reflects the quality and care that Mia Francesca is known for. It’s the kind of place where you look forward to your next visit before you’ve even finished your meal. Overall, Mia Francesca is a must-visit for anyone craving great Italian food paired with friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommended!”
“An excellent Italian restaurant. The prices are reasonable. Pizza del Giorno is simply wonderful during happy hour (weekdays from 4 to 6 pm). I currently don't know of any pizza in Chicago that tastes better than this one. The hostess is friendly, and the reservation planning is excellent. The waiter, Jack, is attentive, asking my opinions about the food and any allergies I may have. The kitchen is fast and efficient. I'm not sure the restaurant's atmosphere is truly Italian, but the food does the work. Although the music was good, there was a TV on the bar with the news or sports on mute (It would be better to replace it with a video or slideshow of Italy for the atmosphere). Perhaps they could put on some Italian music or jazz to add a touch of authenticity to the atmosphere.”
“We had reservations and were quoted a 3-minute wait for indoor seating, or a 45-minute wait for the outdoor patio. We opted for inside and were sat at a four-top table that clearly could have been split into two separate two-tops—a completely wasted table given the crowd. The service was remarkably poor. Our server was highly inattentive and went completely missing for a massive chunk of dinner service. It got to the point where multiple surrounding tables gave up looking for him and had to ask the busboy just to get their checks. When the server was at the table, he either wasn't paying attention or the space was simply too loud, as ordering was a struggle. As for the food, it was a mixed bag but generally fine. The Bolognese was served over spaghetti rather than a broader pasta, which wasn't ideal. However, the Rigatoni alla Vodka was absolutely delicious. The real standout was the lemon meringue pie—massive, freshly torched, and incredibly good. Come for the vodka pasta and dessert, but prepare to flag down the support staff if you want your check.”
“Mia Francesca is a small Italian restaurant with alot of character. The feel of the restaurant lends itself to a true Italian Trattoria. The band was setting up while we were eating at a white linen cloth table. The menu offered a variety of Italian favorites, and this evening there were several additional evening specials. We started with a meatball appetizer, which was two medium sized all beef meatballs. Tasty, but hard to share with the table. For our main courses we enjoyed the Lobster Ravioli in a cream sauce (the special). The Raviloi con Carciofie Asparagi which is handmade Ravioli with asparagus, artichoke and mascarpone cheese in a basil creme sauce. The Rigatoni con Pollo E Asparagi which is grilled chicken, asparagus and pine nuts in a light basil creme sauce. We also ordered the special dessert of a vanilla creme custard with whipped cream. The meals were savory and went well with the wine selection. Mia Francesca would be a nice place to come and enjoy a culinary experience with some music. The service, however was much to be desired. A restaurant of this caliber should have a staff knowledgeable on the menu. Our waitress did not know the dishes nor could she describe the menu items when we asked questions. Her response was always "that's my favorite" without saying why. The girl behind the reservation table did not have a table set for five, which was our reservation made three days in advance. So we had to wait while a table was set up for us. No one explained the specials or any menu items Mia Francesca is known for. In fact, she could not say if the pasta was homemade on site. That was poor. Mia Francesca gets three stars, for this reason. A nice restaurant should have professional servers who are knowledgeable about the restaurant, the menu, and how dishes are prepared. The server should be attentive and offer suggestions. ***UPDATE We enjoyed Mia Francesca with a table of five before the Cubs game. Our reserved table was available and ready. The waiter was attentive and accommodating. I asked if the Ravioli dish could be changed from a Pomodoro sauce to a light seasoned olive oil, which I was assured could be done. This made the dish lighter, and for me very tasty. The other dish we enjoyed was the salmon with avocado and a tomato Pico de gallo on top. Yummy! The Spaghetti Bolognese was also spot on satisfying. Very nice atmosphere and meal tonight, so I adjusted my review.”
“Best Italian in Wrigley, hands down. There’s a reason Mia Francesca is still packed every night, after 30+ years of service. The menu is plentiful but not lengthy; they do a solid selection of exceedingly well prepared food. The Caesar salad is cold and crisp; the bolognese is spectacular. Parmesan is grated gloriously onto your pasta, from a grater that rains cheese at Formula One speed! Be sure to request garden seating when you make your reservation, on nice nights it’s in high demand.”
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