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Italian food & Cocktails - Il Vicinato Ristorante, Chicago, IL

Il Vicinato Ristorante

4.7
4.7
459 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
IL Vicinato is immersed in the Heart of Chicago’s Little Italy Neighborhood. This authentic piece of Italy is a hidden gem that has passionately created dishes from old world recipes for 40 years. Appetizers are a great start with such favorites as twice Baked Clams, Red Roasted Peppers, and Grilled Octopus. Our signature dishes include Homemade Veal Ravioli’s, Chicken Vesuvio, and Steak Rinaldo that will make your dining experience an event to remember. If you save room, choose from one of our delectable desserts! We have daily specials; some created and named after customers. Our welcoming atmosphere and family orientated staff will make you a “regular.” Customers come from city and suburbs alike to dine with us. Corporate events welcomed. Dishes are plentiful and accompanied by an extensive wine list and full bar. Great stop before United Center, U.S. Cell and Soldier Field. See us at Check Please, and a recent review by CLTV Chicago's Best.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 5:00 am–5:45 am
  • Phone number
    (773) 927-5444
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Owned/operated by
    Latinx or Hispanic
  • Executive chef
    Leo Rios
  • Catering
    Vicinato caters every event. Please contact us by calling the restaurant for you next gathering. <br />Email us at: contact@ilvicinatochicago.com<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Vicinato is available to host your next private event. Email us at: contact@ilvicinatochicago.com
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy / University Village
  • Cross street
    24th and Oakley St
  • Parking details
    Valet available over the weekends or Special Events
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 459 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

459 Reviews
  1. TiffanyM

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food1service4ambience3
    We have dined here quite a few times over the last 17 years, and this was the first time I left disappointed. I ordered the Veal Vesuvio with a side of Roasted potatoes. My daughter and husband both ordered pastas. Their entrees were delicious. However as soon as the waitress, who was very nice and accommodating placed my plate in front of me, I immediately noticed the appearance of the veal was different from previous visits. It was so thinly sliced my daughter referred to it as “Italian beef” Not only was it thinly sliced, it was also overcooked. It was dry and because it was so thinly sliced it had more of a bacon texture. I have never dined at an Italian restaurant where I had to send my food back. But both my husband and daughter was saying how awful it looked and honestly I was not happy. I was extremely hungry because I hadn’t eaten anything all day because I was looking forward to dinner. I sent it back and it was replaced with more thinly sliced veal that wasn’t overcooked but still not worth the money or ever returning. I noticed the place was fairly empty on A Sunday afternoon. Now I understand why.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food spectacular service with smile and genuine. Definitely worth the value The restaurant was cozy and warm.

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  3. KennethG

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    True old world Italian ambiance with homemade food. Limited menu means better quality.

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  4. Paddy

    Grand Rapids

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is a gem! Food and service are great, employees are wonderful!

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  5. ChicagoPeg

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful place. We have been going to IL Vincinato’s for ivermectin 20 years. It takes us at least an hour to get there from the suburbs, but it is ALWAYS worth the trip. Lovely dining room and fun, casual bar. Perfect spot for dinner before events at the United Center.

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  6. VERONICAA

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Wish they serve more vegetables with the steak. The portions of food was small for a really large plate. I believe it was $15 overpriced for the entrees.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent! Had the Grilled Octopus, Pasta Roger and Cheese Ravioli with a side sausage. Happy we dropped in and enjoyed the conversation with Chef Leonardo. We will be back.

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  8. BobbyW

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, our server was very pleasant and quick to respond. I would recommend for date night, birthday, or any other romantic occasion.

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  9. SweetDeeEats

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time dining at this restaurant. We had 6:30 reservations on a Saturday night. We were greeted upon arrival. We were given an option on the perfect table. We took a corner table to keep noise level to we could converse but the tests phase a nice chill vibe and wasn’t too loud at all. Very unique vintage decor right out of an old Italian movie. It added to the cool ambiance. The servers were all very attentive, knowledgeable, professional,and friendly. We ordered pizza bread. Crab cakes and a pepper and cheese appetizers for the table. We all had a pasta dish. I had the Pasta Carbonara. Someone had the pasta Bolognese. Another had the seafood diabla pasta and the hubby had the Arribiatta. Very solid pasta dishes. No dessert for us, we were stuffed. Beer, wine and cocktails were bad. Would definitely go back for that old school Aurelian restaurant feel. They always serve the best food and have the best service.

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  10. Nuny

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was my first time here. The food was amazing. Everything I had was so fresh and delicious. It was my first time having Italian wine and it was good. Flavorful and strong which I loved. My waitress was amazing. Very accommodating and gave me great recommendations. I definitely found a new favorite Italian restaurant. Overall great experience.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and great service!

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a dinner meeting service and food was excellent…

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  13. KathrynT

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We really enjoy our time at Il Vicinato. It is a casual, comfortable, old world Italian restaurant. The food is always terrific and the portions always yield the next day's lunch...Bonus! The staff is always friendly and welcoming. We always feel like we are in our own neighborhood even though we have driven from the north suburbs. We highly recommend this place for an enjoyable evening.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Literally the best Italian food secret in Chicagoland. Great staff and the portions are amazing. Pastas, chops, fish are all superb. Tell Leo I sent you!

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  15. KathleenS

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I’ve been going to this restaurant for over 35 years. It’s always wonderful and even after new owners it hasn’t changed.

    1 person found this helpful

  16. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall3food1service3ambience4
    Food needed more seasoning

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  17. VinnyP

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    Restaurant was nice but our server was very rude. We waited 10 min for the server to come to our table to take our drink order. He took our order and returned a short while later with drinks. He never came back to ask us if we wanted a refill on them. He also never returned to our table to take our dinner order. He did walk right past us 10 plus times as we were seated next to the entrance of the kitchen. 30 min went by and he had to ask the manager for assistance. The manager took over our table at this point. Our original server never came back to apologize and never said another word to us. As we ate our dinner we saw the same thing happen to another couple.

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  18. JudyP

    Chicago

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious and service was fantastic!!! We will be back!!!

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, wonderful service, great owner. Hidden gem.

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  20. ClaudeF

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a wonderful place. It is a beautiful Italian Restaurant that has been around since 1915. My wife and I enjoyed the best Chicken Vesuvio dinner ever. The salad had fresh vibrant green lettuce and tasted delicious. The bread was oven warm with a crispy crust. Enjoyed the incredible Calamari. The Tiramisu was delicious . The staff was amazing. Ben, who manages the restaurant, treated us like family. The restaurant is wonderful. Enjoy the delicious food and get a taste of true Chicago history.

    1 person found this helpful

  21. GOtto

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a hidden gem. Love the food and the service. Wish I lived closer.

    1 person found this helpful

  22. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience5
    Had a reservation and when I arrived they didn’t tell us they were closed for private party

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  23. RobertG

    San Antonio

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The Chicken Vesuvio is out of this world! Great atmosphere too.

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  24. RaquelP

    Orlando

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience3
    I am not sure that this was Italian food. The restaurant is lovely and quaint inside. But I think this may be a Mexican restaurant veiled as Italian. There is nothing wrong with that but if you go for Italian food the food is not authentically Italian. The soup was like eating a Mexican spicy soup or gumbo. The risotto was not cooked like risotto should. Again, if you want Italian food with a Mexican flavor then this is your place. The service was good, actually excellent. There was a table that was extremely loud and almost obnoxious. They were talking about Cuba and Che Guevarra, and the woman stated, Che was not even Cuban -- he was Venezuelan. I almost walked out.

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  25. AndyB

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very good service & the food was outstanding. Try the Veal Parm. Excellent Kettle 1 martini as well

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  26. MarciaW

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never disappoints!

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  27. RoseC

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ben is the best and so is the food!

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    Palm Springs

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great neighborhood bar and restaurant. We always love going there.

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  29. ScottC

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Honestly been a few years since I’ve been to IL Vincinato and it’s just as I remember. From the staff to the food everything was great. My wife complimented me as it was our wedding anniversary also. Great place

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  30. TheresaO

    Chicago

    87 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great food and wonderful service.

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  31. Tlmdiner

    Chicago

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my all time favorites. Love it! Food is always great and the owner Leo is so nice.

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  32. Chicagomommy

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience5
    Nice setting, very old school Italian restaurant. parking not difficult and they have valet also. We went for Mother's Day and maybe they were too busy. Pasta was overcooked. Flavors were ok. Clam linguini had a lot of clams, though. Rose creme brulee was delicious. TIramisu was so-so. Staff was nice but didn't note the change in people in reservation (I had called to update). Next time will go to Tufano's.

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  33. TomB

    Chicago

    26 reviews

    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great old-time Italian restaurant. Good food, good value, good place.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love this place with my family! Such a great spot!

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  35. Tlmdiner

    Chicago

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this gem of a place. Been coming here since the 1990s and it never disappoints! Great food, welcoming atmosphere and Ben is like family to us. Thanks for a great evening!

    1 person found this helpful

  36. HRCJR1MMC

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Service slow. Items forgotten. Food brought out after different times for each person for each course

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  37. EstherA

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 3, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    Not sure where to start with this review. First of all, there was only one server and one bus person for the entire restaurant and there were 6 of us. I asked for hot tea and was given Peppermint. When asked for another flavor, such as black or green tea said informed that was all they had. Normally they will either ask which flavor you prefer or bring a variety of teas to choose from but not here. We ordered zucchini for an appetizer and was informed they are out of it, so we had to choose another item. We were not even done eating our appetizers and the bus person(woman) has pulling our plates from under us. We had to inform her on several occasions that we were not done with our entrees yet. She could have at least asked us prior to taking our plates if we were done but she never did. We were not sure if she was doing this on purpose or she didn't speak English because she never said a word to us. I ordered the eggplant parmesan and was disappointed as it was bland and oily. My daughter ordered the linguine with clam sauce and it was spicy but it did not mentioned it anywhere on the menu nor did the server let us know in advance that it was a spicy dish. Needless to say, we will not be returning here. For Italian fare, our go to venue is Tufano's in the University Village neighborhood on Vernon Park Place in Chicago but decided to try some place different since we were celebrating a birthday. We will continue to go there. Much better food and service.

    1 person found this helpful

  38. BobM

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best restaurants in Chicago. If you are looking for a great value, service and outstanding food, this is your place.

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  39. RoseB

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Very good food, excellent service. Specials were on a TV screen, and not easy to read. Had not been for awhile due to Covid; definitely will go back again soon. Prices on this website are very outdated. Prices in restaurants are double what you see here.

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  40. JilanaO

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great, authentic Italian food. Perfect for an early reservation before a show in the loop. My partner had eaten there about a decade ago but I never had, and he said the food was better than he remembered. I want to take friends/family there in the future.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Il Vicinato Ristorante using the Order Online button. Il Vicinato Ristorante also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Il Vicinato Ristorante also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (773) 927-5444.

Il Vicinato Ristorante is rated 4.7 stars by 459 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Il Vicinato Ristorante

2435 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Additional information

  • Cross street
    24th and Oakley St
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy / University Village
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 5:00 am–5:45 am
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet available over the weekends or Special Events
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Latinx or Hispanic
  • Executive chef
    Leo Rios
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (773) 927-5444
  • Catering
    Vicinato caters every event. Please contact us by calling the restaurant for you next gathering. <br />Email us at: contact@ilvicinatochicago.com<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Vicinato is available to host your next private event. Email us at: contact@ilvicinatochicago.com
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