Orso's
Orso's — clean, consistent italian in Old Town. Unpretentious and comfortable, exactly what you want. The bartender knows what they're doing, and works for larger parties. Tarek El-Ghazaly: "The grilled squid was probably the best we've had" [$$, patio]
What 1,323 diners keep saying
What 1,323 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for a great experience. The staff made us feel welcome right away, and their warm hospitality continued throughout the evening. Everyone was friendly, accommodating, and attentive, making us feel genuinely valued as guests. The food was absolutely amazing, and every dish exceeded our expectations. The venue itself is beautiful and intimate, creating the perfect atmosphere for a memorable meal. A special compliment goes to the bar manager, who went above and beyond to make our night even more enjoyable. Between the exceptional food, outstanding service, and inviting ambiance, Orso's is a place I would highly recommend and can't wait to visit again.”

“The food at Orso's was absolutely amazing, and the entire experience exceeded expectations. Every dish was flavorful and beautifully prepared, making for a memorable meal from start to finish. The venue itself is beautiful and intimate, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for a relaxing evening out. Everyone on the staff was welcoming, friendly, and accommodating throughout our visit. A special compliment goes to the bar manager, who went above and beyond to ensure we had a great night and felt well taken care of. Between the outstanding food, exceptional service, and charming ambiance, I would highly recommend Orso's and look forward to returning.”

“Beautiful restaurant, generous portions for the price. Super satisfied. The waiter was very curt but service was appropriate. The gnocchi looks hand-made which is great.”

“Bat gluten-free pizza and regular pizza in the city so far! AND a place in Chicago that actually still makes chocolate martinis and they are delicious! Thank you! We searched all over Chicago and have only found one other place that makes a legit one. I’ve had many gluten free pizzas around the city. This one actually tastes like regular pizza, even my boyfriend likes it and he’s usually not a fan of GF anything. Their regular pizzas are what a pizza should look and taste like as well! Great sauce flavor, sausage was excellent, veggies were cooked just right, a good amount of ingredients all over and all the way to the edge, perfectly cooked! So good! We actually worsened twice from there bc it’s legit. Our new fave pizza spot. Outdoor atmosphere was cozy. Server was excellent!”

“Lovely restaurant! Great for sharing with friends or with someone very special! Excellent service—thank you!”

“Delicious! I had the chicken lemoné. Our table was celebrating a Birthday. We felt rushed. I wish we could have felt more relaxed. I will come back with my husband to try another dish I had my eye on.”

“Sausage and peppers was my pick for the best appetizer. My entree was Jalapeño Gnocchi with vodka sauce. I have never had a better gnocchi! Soft and pillowy. They are known for their vodka sauce. Ambience was cozy. Delightful experience.”

“We had an amazing experience with Orso’s Restaurant while organizing a birthday party for my husband. From day one, the team was incredibly professional, responsive, and patient (and trust me, I had a lot of questions). They arranged a tasting for us, which made choosing the perfect menu easy and stress-free. Every detail was thoughtfully handled, and communication was clear and timely throughout the whole process. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious — top-quality, beautifully prepared, and honestly some of the best you’ll find in the Gold Coast. Our guests were impressed, and we couldn’t have asked for a better celebration. Huge thanks to the Orso’s team for making this night so special. Highly recommend for events and unforgettable dinners! Especially thanks to Diana, Nakita and their Mr. manager.”

“Old world atmosphere. We only had 30 minutes and they served us immediately. Fresh tortellini soup and crusty bread. Delicious...”

“We got married here ! Wonderful service, delicious food, amazing staff, impressive space with a cozy outdoor space and an upper deck. Truly an incredible venue with outstanding employees. Old school classic Chicago Italian institution. Worth a flight to Chicago just to visit. The thousands of picture frames with celebrities paired with the vibe makes this an essential Chicago visit .”

“I went to Orso’s for lunch and had a good meal. Generous portion pasta, fresh ingredients and friendly service, all for a good price.”
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 Lincoln Park & Old Town
See the ranking →In the same lane · Italian, mid-range
If it's packed, walk to…



More good rooms in Old Town, minutes away.





