How is Cafe Spiaggia restaurant rated?

Name: Cafe Spiaggia
Address: 980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, United States, 60611
Telephone: (312) 280-2750
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.3

Cafe Spiaggia

4.3

2423 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Top Tags:

Nestled on The Magnificent Mile, Café Spiaggia is a local gathering spot offering casual Italian fare by Executive Chef Eric Lees. Guests can expect shared plates, handmade pastas, a selection of bottled cocktails and a global wine list hand selected by Sommelier Rachael Lowe, James Beard Award Nominee for “Outstanding Wine Program” 2019.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Monday - Thursday: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm Friday and Saturday: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm Sunday: 4:00pm – 9pm
Phone number
(312) 280-2750
Website
http://www.spiaggiarestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Joe Flamm
Private party facilities
Private dining rooms seat up to 250 guests for dining. Can accommodate up to 400 guests for receptions.
Private party contact
Marlee Schuster: (312) 280-3300

Location
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood
Gold Coast / Streeterville
Cross street
Oak Street
Parking details
The valet is located near 121 E. Oak street near Tod's. $14 for up to 3 hours and $18 after 3 hours. Additional parking is available in the One Magnificent Mile building (entrance on northwest corner of Walton and Michigan, just west of Michigan Avenue) at 120 E. Walton. From there, the elevator can be taken up to Level 2.
Public transit
CTA: Redline - Chicago Stop
Additional
Bar Dining, Beer, Cafe, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,423 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.3

4.3 based on all time ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.1Ambience
3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

2,423 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
My wife and I have been going here for years and have always been impressed with the quality of the food and the reasonable prices. This time the appetizers all held up to the prior experienced excellence, however a couple of entrees were forgettable, which was a first. Attentiveness of service also seems to have dropped a notch. All in all not a bad experience, but since I only get to Chicago once a year or so, I'll probably check out somewhere else for the next visit.
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PS
PujaS
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great alternative to Spiaggia. Food was excellent and loved the chill ambience. Would def go back!
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JM
JohnM
Chicago
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great service and food. My wife and I only had Appetizers and dessert which were delicious and too full to have a full entree. Chef Joe made us feel extra special by taking the time to meet with us on our 43 wedding anniversary.
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RG
RyanGossett
Chicago
12 reviews
vip
2.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Not at all worth the price. There are much better options out there.
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m
mujer
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
2.0
13 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Disappointing visit that didn't meet expectations, especially for food or professional service.
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f
flyingfoodie
Chicago
69 reviews
vip
2.0
69 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
My husband and I dined at Spiaggia Cafe while visiting Chicago. We lived in Chicago for 30 years and had our wedding reception at Spiaggia. We ordered two very dry Martinis to start. They were anything but dry! We asked if perhaps they could add a little bit of vodka to take away from the overpowering vermouth taste. Not sure what they did but they still were not good. Our starters were good, a soup and a kale salad. My husband ordered the Pappardell with braised goat and I ordered the Rotolo. Both were a major disappointment. My husband found a piece of plastic in his dish and my dish was barely warm. We told our waiter who was very apologetic and took our dishes. When he returned my dish was the exact one he took away and only the very top of the dish was slightly warmer. My husband's dish thankfully was without plastic. The manager came over to apologize and took the food off our bill. It was a nice recovery but very disappointing food.
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RP
RnPinSD
New York Area
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beyond delicious food, wonderful service- extremely enjoyable experience
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RB
RossB
Chicago
16 reviews
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Had a holiday family lunch. Food was great wine selection good and service just right . Good way to start the season.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our server David was excellent. Best duck in my life!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 8, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Been years since we ate here but glad we came back. Food and service were outstanding. Creative and very hearty dishes. Strongly recommend to anyone wanting an upscale Italian meal.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 6, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food was fabulous. The clams and spaghetti were the best ever had and my husband makes a great one. The Gnocchi was great in the wild boar ragu. We were visiting Chicago and we are foodies so a big thumbs up!
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MC
MaryCandDavid
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 6, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
My husband and I met a friend there for lunch to celebrate my birthday. It was a bit noisy where we were seated as there were two tables for six on either side, but we were in no hurry to eventually it cleared out. We were not rushed by the wait staff and our waiter was very helpful in describing the menu and suggesting how to order for 3 which turned out to be perfect. The food was very delicious, the service wonderful and the wine list nice. We have been coming on and off for 30 years and the view and pristine nature of the setting and food is still top rated.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 6, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Impeccable food and service! Would definitely go back.
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J
James
Chicago
46 reviews
vip
3.0
46 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
We were there on a Monday night for an early dinner (the first to arrive). Everyone was nice and friendly but our server seemed in a hurry. We placed our order for dinks and an appetizer, we explained we were not in a hurry and wanted to take our time and catch up with one another. Our server Becky asked that we put our entire order in because that’s what the kitchen wants. It’s funny we have both dinned here probably 100x and no one ever said that......we gave our order when we were ready. Our food was amazing like always but the almond tart was dry. We asked Becky if it could be warmed up, she said there was no way to do that and it wouldn’t taste good that way. Our check appeared with out asking for it, so the after dinner drink was out of the question according to Becky! Lololo My friend was very insulted and gave the hostes an ear full. Becky just lost two really good tippers and regular dinners. My night ended uncomfortably, it was time to go home :( Both of us will go back because one needle in the haystack isn’t going to keep us away! Just don’t ask for Becky:(
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T
Tree
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We got the burrata and arugula salad for appetizers, and they were very delicious and fresh. My fiancé got the Arrabiata pasta and the portion was frankly laughable! It was so tiny!! I think he got maybe 2oz of pasta that sat sadly in the middle of the plate. I got the linguine with clams, which had a much more reasonable portion size. The toasted milk gelato at the end was delicious. Overall, this was a really romantic place and the waiters were very friendly!
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JA
JAMES
Toronto
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food with exceptional attention to detail. Service was on point. Gnocci was our favourite dish. Highly recommended!
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B
Basel
Cincinnati
3 reviews
vip
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were served what appeared to be spoiled meatballs and proceeded to be sick with GI symptoms two hours later and lasted all day. Very disappointing.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 29, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Perfect food and service. Pistachio icecream though not to my liking.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great atmosphere with fantastic food! Yummy bread service, great calamari and my pasta carbonara was to die for! The service was also outstanding. Great place for a business meeting, date or rendezvous-vous with friends...you could actually hear your dinner partners!
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MW
MimiW
Chicago
7 reviews
vip
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Very challenging menu - items for lunch were spicy or ladened with pork. Burrata as appetizer was okay. No variance on lettuces - arugula or nothing. No variance on salad dressing - balsamic or nothing. Skirt steak - greasy. Coffee - delicious. Truffle and polenta - delicious. Chicken with salad - delicious.
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P
Pedlinpenguin
Chicago
17 reviews
3.0
17 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Disappointing visit, having been next door i expected better. Staff were wonderful and concerned that the food didnt all please, but food is sort of important! They wanted to resolve the issues, but it shouldn't have left the kitchen quite frankly. Would i go again, probably not as there is so much choice in Chicago
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m
morels711
New York Area
17 reviews
vip
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
I debated whether to book the cafe or spiaggia. I settled on the cafe as I was dressed in jeans. When I arrived, I reconsidered and asked the cafe host to lead me to the spiaggia host so I could book a table there (at the time of the request which was around 7:53 pm) there were open table reservations available at spiaggia for 8:15 and 8: 45 pm. Nonetheless, the host at spiaggia was rude and turned me away saying “nothing” was available in the restaurant though I could sit at the bar instead. I have dined at Per Se, Daniel, La Pergola, and 11 Madison Park among other 3 Michelin Star restaurants but have never felt the level of stuffiness from Spiaggia so I will strongly consider not returning. This wasn’t acceptable to me so I went back to the cafe to dine where the food was actually food. My server at he cafe was friendly, easy going and nice. The food was simple but both well portioned and interesting. I would return to the cafe.
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e
ecvino
Indiana
46 reviews
vip
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service as always
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B
Bill
Raleigh
14 reviews
vip
2.0
14 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
What has happened to Cafe Spiaggia—has the kitchen staff been shadowing chefs at the Olive Garden or Sbarros? This was once a venue for well-prepared and fairly authentic antipasti, pasta, and piatti principale that shared the quality, if not the over the top luxury, of sister restaurant Spiaggia. Well folks, no more of that: the venue and the food (but not the prices) have been dumbed down to near food court levels. Soggy calamari over what tasted like Thousand Island dressing, bucatini a la amatriciana with crispy bacon bits instead of guanciale, and a tiramisu that would make a McDonalds sundae seem like foodie fare were just some of the insults to palate and pocketbook. Run away!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very delicious! Great service. We love the place. Will definitely come back again.
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LE
LaurieE
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We arrived late due to traffic because of the Festival of Lights but we were greeted warm and friendly and escorted to our seats immediately. We had an amazing dinner and the view was beautiful. The service was as expected for a classy place. Thank you!
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VI
VIPLV
Las Vegas
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We have been going there for many years and still Excellent food and service. Highly recommend.
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JT
JTluvsfood13
Charleston
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We had high expectations to be fair but overall found the food somewhat bland, presentation unimaginative, and the service so so. Doubt we will ever go back with so many better options in Chicago.
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B
Bc1981
Greater Boston
16 reviews
vip
2.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I was excited to try Café Spiaggia as I have heard good things about it. Unfortunately, the food really missed the mark. The egg over polenta with truffles tasted like mush with no flavor. There was no truffle taste or smell. The gnocchi were also hard and heavy. I would not return to this restaurant. A very disappointing meal, but the service was good.
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D
Dendlefon
Dallas
12 reviews
vip
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food was great and so was the atmosphere. The negative was the manager of the restaurant loudly dressing down his servers in an attempt to train them in the middle of this small restaurant. Obviously I have no problem with a manager doing his job, but he could have chosen a better time or place; it was a little awkward.
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l
ladivina
Chicago
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was superb. My guest from Spain said it was the best Italian food he had ever had. He also said, "Now I know what tiramisu really tastes like."
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Please be careful about pasta freshness. Some of our plates were gummy. Unacceptable on that. Thanks for asking.
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w
woody
Chicago
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food had plenty of flavor and very well balanced. Kale salad was one of best salads I have had. Gnocchi pasta was light and fluffy, great sauce. Got to meet chef Eric! Very friendly and loved to share stories. Wine and service were done well...
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J
Jack
Chicago
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We usually have a nice dinner there. Unfortunately, this time my wife's arugula salad was oversalted. And not by just a little. A lot. Parts were inedible. They offered to make another for her, but by then, I had already finished my antipasto. Otherwise, it's a wonderful, quiet place overlooking Michigan Avenue and the Drake Hotel.
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KS
KarlaS
Chicago
11 reviews
vip
2.0
11 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Dinner for two consistently arrived not hot, both starters and mains, and was substandard. Perhaps they are trying too hard to be "creative". Know they make their gelato inhouse and I remember it as wonderful but by dessert time, given the prices, we had had enough and left. Hadn't been in a while but won't return.
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IC
InvestorCoach
Nashville
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I went to Chicago for a long weekend. As is out practice we ask the locals where they go to eat to avoid the touristy places. So we asked the server taking care of us the first night where he would recommend for good Italian. When a server makes a recommendation for a restaurant it generally works out well. Such was the case with Cafe Spiaggia. It met all our expectations. It wasn’t too noise which made it easy to have a conversation. We had a table for two overlooking Magnificent Mile. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. We would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for Italian and we will go back the next time we visit Chicago.
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KR
KatherineR
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful all around! I have been going here for years when I visit Chicago, and after not having a chance to go for 3-4 years, I was thrilled to discover the menu is just as delicious as ever. I had the roasted 1/2 chicken, and it was probably the best chicken dish I’ve ever had! Love the new decor!
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SP
SarahP
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service was outstanding. The bartenders were interesting to talk to and knowledgable, and they brought us two different amaros to taste. Dinner was lovely and the service friendly and attentive without being fussy. Food was excellent, and we had a nice table with a bit of a view. Great experience overall.
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PC
PatrickC
Denver
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
While the meal started well, about halfway through the meal our server seemed to disappear. The food was good but not great and not worthy of a Michelin star by itself - add the lack of service and it was a disappointment.
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ME
MaryElizabeth
New Mexico
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 21, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, good wine selection, fantastic service.
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FAQs

Cafe Spiaggia is rated 4.3 stars by 2423 OpenTable diners.