The word Acanto is the Italian translation of Acanthus, the flowery leaf featured prominently in Roman architecture. Famed architect Louis Sullivan used Acanthus in his distinctive terra cotta ornamentation found on the facade of the historically-landmarked building that houses Acanto.
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Popular dishes
Bruschetta
truffled ricotta, prosciutto, balsamic
19 reviews
Rigatoni
catalpa farms lamb ragú, caciocavallo cheese, breadcrumbs
12 reviews
Lobster Spaghetti*
maine lobster, calabrian chili, fennel
11 reviews
The restaurant was closed!!!!! Why did it offer this time if it was closed. We ate at shake shack next door. They need to not offer times that aren’t available.
A solid date spot. Limited menu but a great wine selection. Great location and overall experience. A bit more expensive than other similar places (food wise) but the wine helped bring it up.
Had a delicious meal - arancini, lobster pasta, and a special carbonade. Drinks and service were top-notch. Its a small dining room and so quite good for conversation. Really enjoyed the relaxed experience. It is a bit pricey, so could be more for a special occasion depending upon your price point.
We had a lovely dinner at Acanto, after having driven for 3 hours to get to Chicago in time to attend the symphony. Found out two hours before the curtain that the concert was cancelled, but the food, the attentive service and the general ambiance at Acanto made up for most of our disappointment.
This is a good reliable restaurant and a nice place to have lunch.
Good food but portions are the size of an appetizer. Too expensive in that sense. People who work there are very friendly though.
This was our first visit to Acanto. The food was wonderful and the service and ambiance were very nice. We will return soon.
Superb food and service
I took my wife to Acanto for her birthday after a day's visit at the Art Institute. It was very convenient to the Art Institute, and we had been there once before. Our reservation was for 4 pm and I am glad we got there early. Bottles of wine were half price until 4 pm, so we got our order in just before 4 pm. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the wine list and very helpful in identifying a bottle that we both liked. We each had some pasta which the waiter helped us select since he knew the menu well. Unfortunately, we were sitting next to a table of eight younger adults who had just come from a Bernie Sanders rally in Grant Park and were still fired up from being outside at the rally. As they got a couple of bottles of wine in them, they began to settle down and talk more softly. My wife and I shared a wonderful chocolate dessert that the chef could modify so that my wife, who is gluten-free, could eat it. It was delicious. We enjoyed the afternoon immensely.
We had a very nice experience at Acanto. Food is solid and service was on point. We were impressed that the sommelier allowed us to return a bottle of wine that wasn't quite tasting right. He allowed us to pick another bottle and our dinner was delightful. Acanto is a great choice is you're going to the Chicago Symphony Center, as it is conveniently located down the street.
Great location on Michigan Avenue near the Art Institute and Chicago Symphony Center. Our server was attentive at the beginning but then we never saw her again. We could not get our water glasses filled nor get anyone's attention. Another server closed out our check.
Food was just ok.
Best restaurant near Millennium Park. Superior food and service. Welcoming and warm.
Wonderful service and food
Came here before a show at Auditorium Theatre. Enjoyed the roasted cauliflower, and the lobster spaghetti was fantastic! My husband ordered the porkchop on special - it was huge! The delicata squash served with it was the real star of that dish; porkchop was tasty enough, but a little overdone. Also, felt like the server was disappointed when he realized we weren't there to "dine." He was nice, but definitely felt like the air went out of the room and it showed on his face when we told him we were on a schedule. I would come back again.
Great location and an excellent menu with a good wine selection. We have enjoyed both lunch and dinner at Acanto along with our college age sons. Thumbs up!
Always great reception. Coat check ! Ambience is top notch. It’s an amazing wine bar but want feeling wine and asked for margaritas. Outstanding! Great table service and tried a new menu offering and fell in love.
Thanks for being too notch
Delicious!! Highly recommend the bacon wrapped dates, bruschetta and mushroom risotto. Great service and wine selection too!
Lovely ambience and food was delicious. Service was a little speedy and so we felt under pressure to finish, and the wine was on the pricey side, but on the whole a lovely venue for a special occasion.
Acanto was one of the best meals I’ve ever had and the service was truly incredible. The space is gorgeous and I will dream about the ricotta and prosciutto toast for as long as I live!
Great place to go before a concert! Food is innovative and delicious, service terrific, and you can hear what your dinner partner has to say. Lovely!
Great food!
Lively place with Northern Italian food. Exceptional dessert!
Limited menu with few healthy options but both of our meals were good and service very good.
Excellent food and service.
I met a girlfriend for cocktails and appetizers before listening to music at the Harris and it was perfect! Will definitely come again.
Can't believe it took me a year to visit this charming spot a block from my office! Gorgeous wood interior and authentic Italian cuisine elevated today's business meeting and the rich fabrics and warm service will definitely bring me back.
perhaps the best cheese course I've ever had...half-price Italian wines from a well-curated list...wonderful Sunday afternoon pre-symphony date..wonderful!
The cheese appetizer was absolutely delicious. The only criticism I have is that the Gluten Free options need to be expanded. The gluten free macaroni was not at all satisfying. Everything else was great.
positive attributes:
service
food
ambiance
affordability
Excellent food, wine and service - a truly pleasurable experience
My wife and I enjoyed dinner at Acanto for our anniversary. We had a fantastic meal, and the service was impeccable. We look forward to returning on our next trip to Chicago!
Very good food, well-prepared, good service, good choices. Interesting drinks. Would definitely return.
Great location before a show or symphony. Delicious food, friendly staff.
Lovely as always. Nice, quieter, so great for Conversation. Pasta is one of the best in town as are the sauces
For a pre-symphony dinner this is fine. Food and service are good, the wine list is respectable and the noise level is low. Without a deadline I would look elsewhere, but would eat here again before the symphony.
Fresh ingredients and divine service. Definitely going back
EVERYTHING was great, including the wine last!! Our first visit. We would recommend! We will be back!!
Always excellent. Great neighborhood local place. Excellent wine list and pizza as well
Always one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago, including the best Italian wine selection anywhere in the City.
Food and service was delicious, but a little too much salt used on the salad and veggies.
FAQs
You can order delivery directly from Acanto using the Order Online button. Acanto also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 578-0763.
Acanto is rated 4.7 stars by 2140 OpenTable diners.
Acanto does offer gift cards which you can purchase here https://gagehospitality.cardfoundry.com/giftcards.php.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.