Trattoria Demi
Trattoria Demi — among the best italian in Evanston. The atmosphere is half the draw here. Flavors that haven't been adjusted for mass appeal. Wallet-friendly. Rye: "The mussels had such a rich, creamy sauce and the mussels were pretty cooked perfectly" [$$, patio]
What 1,357 diners keep saying
What 1,357 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Denise and Teague were spectacular with their service, kindness, and were very accommodating to seat us without a reservation during a busy evening. The food is spectacular, with plenty of pescatarian options, and delicious desserts. What a cozy setting with stellar ambiance and outdoor seating as well. We can't wait to return for dinner!”

“My wife and I had dinner here, after having driven by, for years. It didn't fail to impress! When we arrived, there was only one other group of people in the establishment. By the time we left, it was packed. However, it did not lose its quaint atmosphere. Our server was attentive and conversational. Fresh bread, salted butter and water appeared soon after we were seated. The menu is not exhaustive, but very well curated. We started with fried calamari and arancini (pictured). Both were amazing! For our main courses Spinach Gnocci and Shrimp Risotto blew us both away. The portion size is very generous. Because of that, we took leftovers home. I would highly recommend Trattoria Demi, for cozy atmosphere, great service and amazing food.”

“My daughter invited us for lunch on Father’s Day. Besides great ambience and tastefully decorated the food was delicious yummy, we ordered lamb shank, shrimp pasta and pizza and everything was so delicious.”

“Food was delicious and the atmosphere was super cozy! You can clearly tell that this is family run and everyone was so nice. Would always come back for more pasta. Lunch special deal is also great.”

“Omg, the food was so good. They really know what they are doing. Service was fantastic, Miguel was really sweet. Since we were celebrating birthday, he good us really nice dessert”

“We came here before the Michigan vs Northwestern basketball game and it was amazing, the food feels to be very authentic italian. I got the Farfalle with Salmon, it was delicious 😋”

“Incredible homemade gnocchi and the warm pear tart was a perfect end to a perfect meal!”

“Trattoria Demi in Evanston is an absolute gem! I went with a large group of 10, and everyone had a fantastic meal and a great time. The staff was warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive, which made the whole experience feel special from start to finish. The restaurant itself has a cozy, intimate vibe—small, charming, and perfect for conversation. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the atmosphere and the food. I ordered the tagliatelle with truffled wild mushrooms, peas, and ricotta salata, and it was outstanding. The homemade pasta was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Truly one of those dishes you keep thinking about after you leave. Highly recommend for date night, small gatherings, or even a larger group like ours. We’ll definitely be back!”

“I love this place. I drive 25 minutes to come get my favorite dish~ Farfalle with Salmon. I have never had a bad experience or bad meal. Lovely family owned business I hope stays around for another 30 years!”

“A fabulous Italian outing! Trattoria Demi transports you to the cobblestone streets of Italy with its interior decoration and cozy atmosphere. The servers were extremely friendly and helpful. Also, if you’re a Northwestern student, show your student ID for 10% off your entree! We got their best seller, the asiago stuffed gnocchi, and the rigatoni primavera for our mains along with a basket of bread. The bread was warm and delicious with bright olive oil and salted butter. The gnocchi was topped with a crispy chicken parm, the sauce was so rich and smooth, and the gnocchi pillows were incredibly soft and bouncy. The rigatoni was seasoned well and very light. For your birthday, the desserts are half off, so we finished our meal with the limóncello créme brule. It had a strong lemon flavor, and the custard was the perfect consistency. Trattoria Demi is the ideal place for a delicious meal for a reasonable price and large portions!”

“The meatball sandwich is the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my entire life. The meat is just absolutely exquisite.”
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