The Village image

The Village

Restaurant Italian restaurant

Opened in 1927, this romantic Italian restaurant serves classic dishes & has an extensive wine list. People often mention good, restaurant, Italian, service, staff, bread, great, sauce, Chicago, delicious,


Address

71 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

Website

thevillage-chicago.com

Contact

+1 312-332-7005

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 11 am to 8:30 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 8:30 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 8:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (26) restaurant (23) Italian (21) service (19) staff (17) bread (16) great (16) sauce (14) Chicago (12) delicious (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Da-Wang W. 2 years ago on Google
    Ordered lasagna and tiramisu for dinner. The portion was pretty large, and the flavor was standard but not very impressive. Wish the bread was warm when they served it. The service was okay. The interior design was interesting to make you feel like going into a totally different space. Good for a casual dinner but might not be the top choice for Italian food in Chicago.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Theresa H. 5 months ago on Google
    The menu has changed since Covid so if you used to come here in the old days there are many dishes no longer on the menu. But the old Italian Village design remains the same and unmatched for its wonderful history. The lasagna, pasta, veal Marsala are all still delicious. It’s more casual than it used to be but service was excellent and portions huge. After all these years it’s still a great place.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 C H. 1 year ago on Google
    Good food and atmosphere. Tasty dishes and drinks. On the menu The seafood linguine includes scallops & shrimp, but none were included in the dish. Manager offered to have it remade with some and we said sure.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Raafat Z. 7 months ago on Google
    We were taken by surprise finding that restaurant and going over the stairs to enter that dark space and get seated instantly. We ordered the chicken broth soup and house salad and both were good. We were stunned by the taste of the grilled fish fillet and the vegetables. The shrimp futucini alfredo was also cooked to perfection. What a treat to be at such a place.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nick F. 2 years ago on Google
    Wow is an understatement when it comes to this Italian restaurant. The staff work like a well-oiled machine. I have served tables for 5 years in the past and of all the restaurants I've worked for I've never seen a staff work as hard and as a single unit like the staff at the village work together. The food was simply amazing. We started off with the calamari and it was phenomenal. The cocktail sauce or marinara sauce or whatever sauce it was it was absolutely phenomenal that went with it. Per the waiters suggestion I went with the lasagna and a chicken like broth for the soup. My wife went with the seafood ravioli, which was stuffed with whitefish and almost like a vodka type sauce. The lasagna was hands down some of the best lasagna I've ever had. The seafood ravioli was also very delicious. After we ate our entrees we had some cappuccinos and a tiramisu. This was unlike any tiramisu we have had before. It had like an egg white type top layer with the soaked lady fingers on the bottom almost like a cream. It was amazing. This restaurant is by far a 5 out of five I would give it six stars if I could. If I lived in Chicago I feel like this would be a must stop by place on a monthly basis. So swing by and see John and eat some delicious Italian food.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nate S. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow this place was amazing! The decor is beautiful, the lasagna was absolutely incredible! We sat in a nice booth tucked which seems to have been cut out a closet of some sort. It was very private. It even had a switch inside to flip to let the server know we needed something. We'll worth the wait to get seated. Will definitely return on next trip to Chicago!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paola V. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was spectacular. We tried the meatballs with the spicy sauce, ravioli, beef sandwich and our kids got some pizza and it was all delicious. Besides the food, our large family of 9 was accommodated in a somewhat private little room and the customer service we received by all the employees was hands down the best customer service we received while in Chicago. Very kind, sweet people here who go above and beyond to make your visit one to remember.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Robin S. 1 year ago on Google
    Oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago. Liked the ambiance and restaurant theme/decor. The staff was friendly and very accommodating the entire dinner. Food was good but nothing that would knock your socks off. Between the 4 of us we ordered the following: Lasagna, chicken Alfredo, and chicken parmesean. Everything was good, but nothing spectacular. Alfredo was kinda bland. I make a much better Alfredo and the family would agree.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ray B. 1 year ago on Google
    This is the kind of Italian restaurant your parents went to: waiters wearing a pressed white shirt under their vest with a red tie, a water person, a bread person, framed black and white photos of celebrities on the wall. It seems like the place hasn't changed in 30 years, but it doesn't have to... Every menu item is a classic. The dining room is a mix of dimly lit nooks that create an intimate dining experience for close friends and four-tops the run down the center of the space. Be aware: the dining room is up a long flight of stairs.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Shefali K. 1 year ago on Google
    A very cute village decor! Mostly packed always. Seats are not that spacious but good place to have a great Italian food. The waiters are attentive and recommend nicely. Each dish is served with a house salad or a soup. We ordered salad with balsamic dressing and it was beautiful. The whitefish with white wine sauce was tasty and really enjoyed it. They have warm bread complimentary and it was ok. Chicken fettuccine is a white sauce pasta if you craving a cheesy good white sauce pasta this us the place. One star is less for the desserts. Rest all good need to take stairs so if you need assistance check before.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alma F. 2 years ago on Google
    What can you expect when you eat at the oldest Italian Restaurant in Chicago? Beautiful old charm decor and delicious food. 😋 This place is gorgeous! We went for lunch and tried to repeat a second visit but our hotel was a little far. We try their thin crust pizza and we loveeee the crust. It was so crunchy! We really wanted to try the lasagna but we will for our next visit to Chicago. The staff is great and you can tell is like a small family, they help each other, the decor has this old charm that makes it unique. They also have a bar in case you go only for drinks and they have a happy hour.. We ate at what we called "the cave" and it was awesome it was very intimate. Prices are good and portions are generous. This place was one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 AJ B. 1 year ago on Google
    A great experience all around. Food was delicious, and cooked perfectly. Service was phenomenal, hard to find a restaurant with such a perfect level of promptness. Not too frequent that you feel overwhelmed, not too sparse that you need to flag down a waiter. Dare I say, the perfect service. Your glass will never sit empty for long. Come expecting to tip well, the staff deserve it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heidi H. 2 years ago on Google
    I have to give this place five stars because being in here transports me back to childhood. My dad took me here and the inside village decor looked the same. I had spaghetti and meatballs and a salad. I loved it all.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lori G. 3 months ago on Google New
    Delicious, no frills Italian food. Highly recommend the risotto, with some added shrimp and a shot of espresso to cap off your meal. Portions are hefty, had enough for a second dinner. I only wish we were able to sit in one of the more private, cute booths to the side. Guess we'll just have to come back!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 taylor a. 5 months ago on Google
    My boyfriend and I recently went here for our one year anniversary. I made a note of this in our reservation and the staff immediately congratulated us upon our arrival. They seated us in a lovely private booth and staff was very attentive. I cannot stress enough just how good the food was. I will be dreaming about the red sauce for the rest of my life! The staff even brought us a cannoli with a candle to celebrate the evening. The manager Roberto made sure to personally thank us and make sure everything about the evening was up to par. Fantastic experience I have no complaints.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Colton P. 1 year ago on Google
    WOW, what an experience….! From the second you walk in the door you know this place is gonna be like no other. The food is absolutely out of this world, true authentic homemade Italian. The staff is also what makes this place what it is! Truly a great establishment that I highly recommend trying. I will continue to come back for years to come!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 michelle v. 1 year ago on Google
    We came here for dessert. The tiramisu is the best tiramisu I’ve had in my life. I highly recommend getting it, it’s an experience. The restaurant itself is so beautiful, it feels like walking in a fairytale. I loved it. Will be back again
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Makarand P. 2 years ago on Google
    Everything is just perfect about this place ambiance, food, service. The oldest place has some really good recipies. Tried the Pesto Gnocchi and Lasagna. Both were very special. A must visit place for any Italian food lover. Highly Recommended indeed!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emma H. 2 years ago on Google
    This place was fantastic. I absolutely loved the atmosphere. The inside of this restaurant looks like a quaint outdoor ally restaurant in Italy or any ocean town. There are some normal dining tables but the majority of dining experiences are little rooms with windows and an open doorway. They offer a vary more intimate dining experience, could definitely be a fantastic place for an anniversary date. There are other table in booth like tables that have tall walls that inclose the booth with an open ceiling. All tables and booths have a button on them to notify the wait staff you need assistance. This is great if your party is in a room or booth. Now the food!! The food was fantastic! My party had 3 appetizers and they were definitely large enough to share. We also have 2 entrees. I personally had the vodka sauce gnocchi. It was a little bit more spicy than I expected but I loved the texture of the gnocchi and the sauce was delicious if I pushed past the spice. Any normal person with a spice tolerance would easily enjoy this meal. Over all a fantastic experience and I will be coming back.

  • 5/5 Sherri T. 3 months ago on Google New
    Excellent food, it was busy, yet when seated, you weren't aware of it. The tables were cozy and seemed somewhat private. Loved the little "rooms" with tables. I had the steak medallions with pasta and it was the best I have had anywhere! We tried the seasoned potatoes and they were delicious too. Would have been enough for a lunch.,worth it to eat here. We will make it every time we come to Chicage!

  • 2/5 Elizabeth M. 3 months ago on Google New
    We were sat at table 33, with a reservation. It is unfortunately a throw away table literally between a service station, the kitchen, the main thoroughfare and the ladies bathroom. Alcan the waiter was very nice, but I think overwhelmed and understands that table 33 is uncomfortable place to be. Food was fine, we were in and out in 45 minutes, seemingly due to the pressure pot that is an American style restaurant/discomfort. Would not recommend.

  • 5/5 Lauren C. 3 months ago on Google New
    The Village was delicious. I had the Chicken marsala it was very good hot and moist. Huge portion had to take half home. My husband had the chicken Alfredo very good. Nice bread basket and house salads. Servers and bus boys did a great job. Beautiful atmosphere would go back for sure.

  • 5/5 Emily P. 3 months ago on Google New
    Wow! My partner and I had the best experience here. We were seated right away, our server and the waitstaff were magnificent and efficient, and the food was some of the best Italian we’ve had. For reference, we ordered the cheesy garlic bread, seafood ravioli, and the sausage gnocchi. Will definitely have to come back next time we visit!

  • 5/5 Sunny P. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent food and service. That staff was super friendly and the food was extremely tasty and full of flavor. Great atmosphere for dates or causal dinners. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

  • 5/5 Lauren W. 3 months ago on Google New
    We arrived to our reservation earlier than expected, and the staff worked promptly to still seat us right away. Our waitress was kind, respectful, and attentive. We ordered pizza bread, gnocchi con salsiccia, and chicken Parmesan. Each our entrees came with either a soup or salad. Everything was absolutely delicious! We drank some delicious espresso martinis as well. They were also quick to give us more bread service, the bread was fresh and warm. The ambiance is intimate and lively. I can’t wait to return to The Village!

  • 5/5 Gamer J. 4 months ago on Google
    Had a nice lunch with my friend. The lady at the reception was super friendly. I am not used to italian food she took her time to explain us the menu. The food ambience was awesome. We had pizza and it was top notch.

  • 5/5 Cilla 6 months ago on Google
    The Village is a beautiful Italian restaurant that has wonderful food. The staff is very efficient and took exceptional care of us. I ordered Linguini Alfredo with shrimp. It was seasoned to perfection and tasted heavenly. The warm bread they bring at the start was so good!

  • 5/5 Adrian L. 6 months ago on Google
    This restaurant has a strong Italian atmosphere. The soup, Caprese salad and Filet Mignon are very good taste. The service is also courteous and provide very good recommendation to me!

  • 4/5 Reyna C. 6 months ago on Google
    The atmosphere and service were phenomenal. I enjoyed a bday dinner with my daughter and family. Server was attentive, cut cake and even sang happy bday with us. The sauce use on pasta was too acidic and for the price it was not all that great. Lobster fettuccine is no longer available. If you bring your cake get ready to pay a cutting fee of $2 per person- totally worth it.

  • 4/5 Carlos B. 2 years ago on Google
    Old school Italian restaurant in the heart of the Loop, set in an Italian themed village. I started with the grilled Calamari. Grilled perfectly and the sauce was amazing. Followed it up with the chicken pesto gnocchi. Great taste but a bit soupy. The bread was good but inconsistent, first batch fresh, second batch dry and stale. Overall good experience.

  • 5/5 Judy Z. 7 months ago on Google
    The 1st State Bank pre-arranged for our group of about 55 people, to have lunch at this beautiful ,upstairs restaurant about 3 blocks away from the Nederlander theatre. On a normal day we could have easily walked to the theatre but due to extremely hot temperatures, the bus opted to pick us up and drop off at the theatre. The staff was very friendly,helpful and courteous. Highly recommend their Italian food and desserts!

  • 5/5 delara m. 6 months ago on Google
    The best Italian restaurant in Chicago by FAR. The service is just amazingg - they are very attentive to everything. They are always very busy. The food is great the drinks as well and the deserts are amazingggggg. Just my favorite Italian. Recommended and worth every penny for the good food , great ambience and perfectionist service.

  • 4/5 Syuzanna K. 2 years ago on Google
    I liked the decor, our server was very courteous and professional. Food was not bad but not mind blowing either. I'm not sure I loved those seafood pancakes.

  • 3/5 Joseph C. 10 months ago on Google
    The village has history in Chicago with it's start in the 1920s. I like the interior decor; each seating area had a unique vibes which I found to be one of the more attractive features of the restaurant. Service was polite and friendly. Food was good, not exceptional, but for that price tag I was hoping for something more. Overall, great atmosphere and service with fair food.

  • 5/5 Anita H. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is gorgeous! We went for lunch and tried to repeat a second visit but our hotel was a little far. We try their thin crust pizza and we loveeee the crust. It was so crunchy! We really wanted to try the lasagna but we will for our next visit to Chicago.

  • 5/5 Lydia S. 11 months ago on Google
    We were told it was a 30 minute wait but we waited maybe 10 minutes to be sat! The food was DELICIOUS. The appetizers came out quickly and a reasonable amount of time before the main course/side. It was super busy but they made it work! I HIGHLY recommend going here for an amazing fulfilling meal and fun!

  • 4/5 Scott R. 1 year ago on Google
    This was my second visit to this restaurant. The food is good with traditional taste. We had the fried calamari, pizza bread, and antipasto plate. The antipasto was the weak appetizer of the three. I had the chicken piccata with fresh asparagus on the side. We finished the meal with tirmasu and coffee. The service here is very good with the server checking on the table multiple times. The interior is dated but very unique and gives off a nice vibe.

  • 5/5 Karina B. 1 year ago on Google
    Alysse, our bartender & server was amazing! We came back for two nights in a row pretty much because of her. The food was perfect; we had the gnocci & the risotto, plus salad & soup & bread. Drinks were great too. Highly recommend!

  • 4/5 Scott N. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place, great food, the oven baked pasta with mozzarella was terrific. Our service was good until our server decided to talk to what looked like his friends at another table for like 10 minutes while we sat and waited to order desert. Tarnished what had been a good evening.

  • 5/5 John R. 2 years ago on Google
    Let me start with the great! The atmosphere and food was fantastic! I only had an appetizer and a cocktail and both were fantastic! The Karen that greated us insisted my friend purchase a mask. She said I don't make the law. That was a bit insulting considering any one can Google that and see that is not accurate. But back the the restaurant, our server was very professional and attentive. The outside of the building in no way reflects the amazing ambiance inside. The authentic Italian bread and Olive oil was really good too. The pineapple martini was refreshing and enjoyable. The vodka soaked pineapple was strong though.

  • 5/5 casey h. 2 years ago on Google
    Very cool, old school place. I went with my wife for a late lunch. The gentleman at the front was nice and we were seated in a booth in the back which is a pretty cool little spot. The side salad was good (leafy) as well as the free bread. We split the lasagna and it was great. It had a hearty tomato taste and was not acidic at all. The portion was big enough for the both of us for two helpings plus some leftover. Our server was very attentive but not annoying which is a hard balance to strike. We never had to ask twice for anything or wait long for any requests, she was back immediately. ☺️ You can see why the rating as so high and they have been in business so long. Well deserved !

  • 5/5 RUSE - O. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful atmosphere, fantastic service. Got our bread and salad quickly! Gerardo C was courteous and attentive. Definitely coming back. Thanks for the wonderful experience!

  • 4/5 Jennifer W. 1 year ago on Google
    Good things first the food was delicious and speedy service. The decor of the restaurant was fantastic. I felt I had to ask for everything. I need more Pepsi, I need more sauce, we want more bread. Tons of staff and our waiter walked by the table with an empty pop glass. When you're paying 3 plus dollars for a drink it sucks to have to ask to get a refill. I will for sure be back a great part of the city and the staff was very friendly. I had the spaghetti and meatballs.

  • 4/5 Hannah 1 year ago on Google
    Really good service! Not used to being attended to that well. Food is pricey but tasty. Good atmosphere and got to see the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago!

  • 2/5 丰志洁 2 years ago on Google
    The only good thing in this restaurant is the interior design. The food was bad. We had margarita pizza and lasagna, which is supposed to be their speciality. The pizza dough tastes like frozen pizza, like soda crackers. The lasagna has thick weird texture stuff in between layers, that tastes like nothing, definitely not cheese, and more like jelly.


Call +1 312-332-7005 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Valet parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Kerbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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