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The Village — Italian Restaurants in Chicago

The Village

Italian restaurantChicago, IL

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5(4,909 reviews)

Quick info

+1 312-332-7005
71 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
$20–60 · Reported by 135 people

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About The Village

The Village is an Italian restaurant in Chicago, operating at 71 W Monroe St since 1927. Its character comes from a romantic setting built around classic dishes and an extensive wine list. The signature plate is Veal Parmigiana, a popular main, and Meat Ravioli anchors the pasta side. For dessert, Sicilian Cannoli is on the menu. Reservations are advised.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Paid multi-storey car park · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
  • Good for kids
    High chairs available · Has kids' menu
  • Dietary
    Serves vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes

Menu & Prices

78 dishes · mains $3–59
Veal Parmigiana
Veal Parmigiana
Meat Ravioli
Meat Ravioli
Minestrone Soup
Minestrone Soup
See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.5/5
4,909 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention lasagna, meatballs, minestrone and four cheese ravioli.

5
3,337
4
912
3
369
2
127
1
164

Customer Review Summary

The Village draws consistent praise for its lasagna, with multiple reviewers calling it divine and highlighting its distinctive split of red meat sauce and white cream or bechamel layer. The meatballs and meat sauce also earn repeated mentions as standouts, with one diner noting they are pork free, expanding options. Pasta more broadly is a centerpiece: one reviewer singles out the homemade pasta as the crown jewel of the menu, and the Budino di Pane, a pistachio and chocolate bread pudding, earns enthusiastic praise as a rich, indulgent finish. The atmosphere is frequently described as intimate, warm, and old world, with dim lighting and holiday décor adding to the appeal for special occasions like anniversaries and honeymoons. A few reviewers raise concerns about inconsistency, citing hard, dry meatballs, overcooked chicken parmesan, and bland seafood pasta on separate visits. One diner found portions underwhelming for the price and described the interior as dark and outdated, with stairs at the entrance posing an accessibility issue. Several suggest booking ahead, noting the restaurant often accommodates walk-ins even when reservations appear unavailable.

Featured reviews

  • Melissa D'Angelo
    We were celebrating the first night of our honeymoon and we were treated to a special table in an alcove with a great view of the restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was attentive and friendly. And a complimentary cannoli for dessert.
  • Megan Mulholland
    My friend and I came here, Chicago’s oldest Italian restaurant, for dinner. We didn’t have a reservation but they found a seat for us. The village and authentic Italian ambiance was such fun. Some people were eating in little “cottages.” Our service was good and my meal was yummy. My friend said hers was fine. It was fun to learn about the history.
  • Michael Buscho
    Travel into Sicily when you go to the Village. Juan was our server and he made this experience one of the best! Not only did I order the pork chop but I was able to add broccolini and a sausage. When it sounded like Juan didn't understand …
  • Suomirakastaa
    We stopped in on a Monday afternoon around 2pm. We started with the Garlic Bread for $11...quite disappointing for that price point. It is listed(and pictured on other reviews) as coming with parmesan cheese on top. The option of adding more cheese(mozzarella) was an extra option and charge which we didn't do. Well, the bread came out with no cheese at all. Luckily, they keep parmesan cheese shakers on the table with the salt & pepper. So, we put it on ourselves. The Chicken Vesuvio was pretty lacking on the potatoes...but flavor and cook on the chicken was good. I feel like the portion was not as generous as other pictures we had seen online. My husband left still hungry...pretty sad when $45 a person doesn't fill you up. The Shrimp Tuscany is one of their "house specialties" and once again, the cook on the protein and pasta was good. But, it was pretty boring and bland flavor wise. I took the top off of the black pepper and went to town. That definitely helped but I still wasn't wowed. Both entrees came with a soup or a salad so we went with one house salad and one minestrone soup. Both were yummy. And they also bring a bread basket to the table after you order entrees. So, don't waste your $11 on the garlic bread, just eat the bread they bring and dip it in the olive oil and parmesan cheese that's on the table. Also, this is the darkest, most drab, and outdated place I've seen in a long time. It's very stereotypical "Italian decor." And there are no windows looking out to see the city...so you're just "trapped" in a cheesy(no pun intended), wore out, cliché Italian restaurant. And don't go here if you have mobility issues. It's tight quarters and there is a large set of stairs leading up from the street level entrance. I didn't see an elevator but maybe I missed it? And there is no handicap stall available in the women's bathroom. Although without an elevator, a wheelchair wouldn't make it up those stairs anyway. Final verdict: the meal was fine, although overpriced imho($107 all-in for two entrees and one appetizer, no drinks only water), and a sad dining atmosphere. I wouldn't recommend it nor would I return.
  • Christopher MacDonald
    Table for 3 Supper on a Sunday night. The atmosphere and ambiance of the place did give off nice Italian vibes. A comfortable, dim, lighting. The menu offered lots of choices. We opted for a Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken, a …

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Highlights

Opened in 1927, this romantic Italian restaurant serves classic dishes & has an extensive wine list.

  • Has fast service
  • Serves great cocktails
  • Serves great coffee
  • Serves great dessert
  • Has great wine list
  • Serves local speciality

Amenities

  • Paid parking lot
  • Accepts reservations
  • Offers delivery
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
  • Has kids' menu
Show more amenities
  • Serves vegan dishes
  • Has bar on site
  • Casual
  • Offers kerbside pickup
  • On-site services available
  • Serves beer
Offerings· 10
  • Serves alcohol
  • Serves cocktails
  • Serves coffee
  • Serves comfort food
  • Serves happy-hour drinks
  • Serves late-night food
  • Has private dining room
  • Serves spirits
  • Serves vegetarian dishes
  • Serves wine
Family-friendly· 1
  • High chairs available
Planning· 3
  • Lunch reservations recommended
  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Usually has a wait
Dining options· 6
  • Serves lunch
  • Serves dinner
  • Has catering
  • Serves dessert
  • Has seating
  • Has table service
Atmosphere· 5
  • Cosy
  • Historic
  • Romantic
  • Trendy
  • Upmarket
Crowd· 2
  • Good for groups
  • Popular with tourists
Highlights· 6
  • Has fast service
  • Serves great cocktails
  • Serves great coffee
  • Serves great dessert
  • Has great wine list
  • Serves local speciality
Popular for· 3
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for dinner
  • Good for solo dining
Facilities· 1
  • Has toilet
Parking· 3
  • Paid multi-storey car park
  • Paid street parking
  • Valet parking

Location

How The Village compares to nearby italian restaurants

  • The Village · This shop4.5
    4,909 reviews

    Mentioned in reviews: lasagna, meatballs, minestrone

  • 1,168 reviews0.3 mi

    Mentioned in reviews: candles, rigatoni, happy hour

  • 5,039 reviews0.7 mi

    Mentioned in reviews: lasagna, chicken parm, garlic bread

  • 948 reviews1.2 mi

    Mentioned in reviews: rigatoni vodka, meatball salad, short rib ravioli

How this listing is sourced

Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.

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