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  • Riccardo Trattoria

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Riccardo Trattoria
Riccardo Trattoria

Riccardo Trattoria Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.riccardotrattoria.com/index.htm
  • Phone: (773) 549-0038
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm


  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Beer, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

  • Parking: No
A word from Riccardo Trattoria
Riccardo started his career at a very young age in Milan's prestigious "GIRARROSTO" family owned. Then, in 1982 he moved to the United States and he opened the famous Sonny Bono's in Los Angeles. In 1987 he started to work with his cousin Roberto Ruggeri (owner of Bice's Venture), with him he… opened Bice New York, Los Angeles and many others around the world.

Now, after three years as Executive Chef of Bice in Chicago, and together with his wife (and sous chef), Veronica, and his cousin (and hostess), Barbara, he decided to continue his gastronomic artistry and creativity in his restaurant named after himself "Riccardo Trattoria."


Here through the craftsmanship of an Italian food connoisseur, dishes are prepared with an almost zen-like essentiality that has shaped Riccardo's professional and existential life course.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
Diner Reviews
  • "Though the food was great (and very rich/heavy), we waited over 30 minutes for our table, despite our reservation. There was another group of 4 people who waited nearly as long, and they informed me that it was not the first time it happened to them."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "Host and wait staff very friendly - memorable food and restaurant."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "We are from out of town and look forward to an evening at Riccardo Tattoria with each visit. The food and atmosphere are always perfect."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "This restaurant looks and feels like a restaurant in Florence. The food is pure Italian. The plates are very simple, well prepared food. The waiters are really Italian for a change from other Chicago Italian restaurants."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "As always, the food was superb. The trout was delicious. Do not miss out when they have soft shell crabs on the menu. We always order to share and it is fun. My kids love the ravioli. We were lucky to have been able to get a last minute reservation. I would recommend always making a reservation."
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "Solid food, good service with friendly host and waitstaff, reasonable prices. I had the special pasta with sage and a pink sauce, and really enjoyed it. My cousin got the swordfish, which was well-prepared. The eggplant and zucchini timbale was good. The pasta fagioli salad and broccoli rabe were misses."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "We wanted a restaurant within walking distance to our condo that was really good and we found it!! The food was great, the service very attentive and it wasn't loud and crazy. It was a great meal and we will go back."
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "The restaurant ambiance was really nice. Very small and intimate. Noise levels were low. Makes for a very nice date spot. The food selection was great, lot of choices. The food itself was GOOD. No complaints at all, but it wasn't incredible either. Service was so so. We ordered an appetizer that we weren't able to eat. The server took it away and said they would remove it from our bill, but they did not. Other than that, no complaints."
    Dined on 7/2/2014
  • "My family had a wonderful time . Tasty food and good service ."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "Great family atmosphere, incredibly personable service- the owner will make you feel like you've known him and the staff all of your life."
    Dined on 8/25/2013
  • "This restaurant was very well reviewed in other travel sites and the reviews were right on. Food is outstanding and would be worthy served at some of the higher priced and perhaps fancier restaurants anywhere. Great value considering the quality and originality. Highly recommend."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "This is our second dining experience at Riccardo trattoria. Again it was wonderful. Everything was perfect."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "A difficult table to get, but worth the effort. Every dish was terrific, from the zucchini blossoms to the suckling pig. Pasta were great and waitstaff was excellent, especially in pointing out the gems on the list that won't break the bank."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "Riccardo's always delivers...and then some! It's impossible to have a bad meal or experience here--no matter what you order...no matter what the occasion."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "I loved the location of the restaurant but I thought the meals were overpriced. Neither my wife nor myself liked the dishes we had picked. That's very unusual. One of us normally makes a good pick. The service and the ambience were very good. The nose level was loud at times. They were quick to seat us."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "I found this restaurant through Zagat top rated in Chicago. The menu was extensive. The food was very good and fresh. Highly recommend it."
    Dined on 6/18/2014
  • "Came here on a whim and was delightfully surprised! Strongly recommend a reservation as it is very tiny and service wasn't rushed. The zucchini blossoms are a must and the risotto was spot on!"
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "Large and inventive menu with great daily specials. While the staff is attentive and the food delicious, Riccardo's is alway crowded, bustling and I feel rushed. Yes, this trattoria is very popular and worth the a visit but don't plan on a romantic, candle-lit evening here."
    Dined on 6/19/2014
  • "Some of the most authentic Italian food in town. Delicious, great wines, lively, etc. I would highly recommend making reservations."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "We enjoyed the small vibrant feel to the room. Service was perfect and the waiter was pleasant. Food was excellent! A little noise but it made it exciting, and alive. We would definitely go again."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "Every bite was magnificent... Staff were warm and welcoming, as if we were guests in their home. We arrived after theater, and the restaurant was still bustling. A multi course meal was served at a consistent, but leisurely pace (no rushing latecomers out here!) The appetizers were great (don't miss the arancini!). We had pastas and risotto for dinner, and each was better than the last. Just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite, the housemade tiramisu arrived, and it was as light as a feather, but richly flavored. I can't wait to go back to Chicago just so we can eat at Riccardo Trattoria again (and maybe try Riccardo Enoteca across the street as well!)"
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "The food was spectacular. Very authentic Italian feel, both from décor and food options. Service was excellent."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "The staff were very attentive, the menu is unique and offers many excellent choices. The scallops in bacon were amazing!"
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "This place gets such great reviews! We love Italian food. Found it uninspired, sauces were tasteless and mine was over-seasoned. Great ambiance, great wine."
    Dined on 6/13/2014
  • "Just moved from NYC and had to find the best Italian in Chicago for us to be able to call this place home. After trying many many places with many disappointments of over-cooked pasta, we found Riccardo's. The pasta was perfect al dente and everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. The service is excellent and Riccardo is always there making sure all the dishes are perfect."
    Dined on 5/21/2014
  • "Consistent, excellent, probably the finest Italian in the city. The zucchini flower appetizer was superb. The spaghetti vongole is the best in the city."
    Dined on 6/11/2014
  • "Dinner with my daughter and two of her friends. Selected several appetizers. Portions very small, barley made it through five people. My wife ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce lobster and prawns. Lobster was disguised as rigatoni and could not be found. I had wild boar with orrocetti. Good, but again a very small portion. Would try again, but try something different. Service matched the food, underwhelming."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "We ate here for a special occasion and found it to be overall a very enjoyable experience. It's a real neighborhood restaurant, simple but nice on the inside with wonderfully unexpected Motown music playing instead of Dean Martin (not that there's anything wrong with that). The service was fine, but definitely more attentive to some others, such as the older Italian gentleman who came in after us and whose conversation took precedence over ringing up our card for quite a while. But overall, the food was really superb. I had plain pasta and loved it, and my companion had seafood and enjoyed it very much. Wine was reasonably priced for the taste as well. Recommended for Italian food lovers, but it is small so probably better for small groups."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Food was Excellent and Service Great, Noise level was a bit overwhelming. Cut the music and listen to the patrons order in Italian!!!"
    Dined on 6/8/2014
  • "Riccardo's remains one of the best and most authentic Italian spots in the city. It is like a quick two trip to Italy."
    Dined on 6/5/2014
  • "Classic in the best sense. Great Italian food in a traditional setting. Show up on time."
    Dined on 6/16/2013
  • "I have dined at Ricardo's twice. I would have to say this is THE BEST Italian restaurant I have dined at. Not your typical Italian menu. Varied and extensive. Everything we've tried has made my mouth smile. The Papperdelle with Porcini and truffle oil is a must try. The service is friendly and attentive. Ricardo is the chef and owner and a gracious host, I'm glad I had the opportunity to speak with him and thank him for his restaurant. So many items on the menu I can't wait to try. 5 stars"
    Dined on 6/1/2014
  • "This place is all about the food...an extensive range of daily specials and a menu full of fabulous Italian dishes. I never miss a meal here when in Chicago."
    Dined on 5/28/2014
  • "We requested a different table and they were happy to move us! The food was very good and the service was fast. We would return without hesitation. "
    Dined on 5/27/2014
  • "The tasting menu was outstanding. Every dish was beautifully prepares and simply presented. "
    Dined on 5/20/2014
  • "We so enjoyed this restaurant; very authentic Italian. From the wine selection (by the glass, never mind the bottle), the bread, salads and pastas, it was superb. Also small and intimate with excellent service. We would go here again next time we are in Chicago."
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "Food was excellent, service was great -- overall a wonderful dining experience"
    Dined on 5/15/2014
  • "Of the thousands of restaurants in Chicago, there are few that provide such consistently superb food with service that is exactly what I need. The staff here always have truly helpful recommendations when needed, are quick to help with a glass, but never intrude into your evening. The food is incredible. It's vibrant and balanced, much of the menu changes frequently. I recommend this restaurant to everyone."
    Dined on 4/6/2014
  • "You'll feel like you're dining in Italy at this storefront restaurant in Lincoln Park. Delicious food. Every bite!"
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "This was my second visit from out of town and the experience was consistent with the first - terrific! We loved the octopus, branzino, calamari, braised short ribs and gorgonzola pear salad. The servers were knowledgeable and helpful. It's a wonderful, neighborhood gem with an authentic feel to the room. "
    Dined on 5/8/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Chicago / Illinois Winners
  • Italian
  • Chicago Winners
  • Italian
Learn more ›