Best Italian Restaurants in Belmont Central / Cragin

We celebrated our 25th anniversary at Gibson Italia, and the experience exceeded all expectations. From the warm welcome to the impeccable service, every detail was perfect. The food was outstanding—both the pasta and steak were flavorful and beautifully presented. The dessert was also absolutely delicious, the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Our server, Destiny, deserves a special mention. Her service was timely, friendly, and every recommendation she made was spot on. Her name couldn’t have been more fitting, as it truly felt like it was meant to be that she took care of every detail of our experience. Our table had a breathtaking view of the Chicago River and skyline, the perfect backdrop for such a significant celebration. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Gibson Italia team for going above and beyond to make our evening extraordinary. You turned a milestone anniversary into a memory we will cherish forever. We can’t wait to return!

Pizzeria Portofino - Chicago I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday at Pizzeria Portofino in Chicago, and I can’t recommend it enough! From the moment I made the reservation, the experience was exceptional. The manager emailed me to ensure everything would be perfect for my special day, which was a thoughtful and personal touch. The atmosphere at the restaurant is warm and inviting, with a lovely Italian charm that makes you feel right at home. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, providing service that made the night feel truly special. And then, of course, the food – absolutely amazing! The pizzas were cooked to perfection with fresh ingredients, and the flavors were spot-on. We also enjoyed a variety of appetizers and pasta dishes, all of which were delicious. It’s rare to find a place that combines great food, fantastic service, and a personal touch like this. Pizzeria Portofino definitely made my birthday one to remember, and I’ll certainly be back again.

There were a few things that didn’t go well for the price tag. 1) We were 3 people dining. 2 of us received their main course and we had to wait more than 5 min for the 3rd person to receive their main course . Unacceptable. 2) When I ordered coffee along with the desert order- we received our coffees while before our desert arrived while my lemonchello arrived while after our desert. No consistency 3) My experience with truffle season.. Usually the places that offer truffles - they offer a special dish.. truffle pasta or truffle rissotto.. here it was- add to one of the dishes..so, I picked the most delicate/simple- pasta limone which is also not perfect as the flavor loses to catch the taste of the truffle - especially if you charge $59 fur the truffle shaving (black.. not white truffle )..

The check-in host (a gentleman) was so friendly and had such great communication skills with directing the crowd at sucha busy time! Our waitress was so smiley and attentive! Food was amazing 🫶 we had a blast!

Due to a glut of options, there are few places in Chicago that spark the “when are we coming back?” conversation before the main course is finished. This is one of those places. The dishes were comfortable yet complex, making you realize, there’s a talent-level in the kitchen that makes them impossible to replicate. Each bite from first course through dessert was exceptional, which is a feat considering we were last seating on a Tuesday night. What made the experience was the service. Lauren S. was welcoming and informative without being pushy. She deftly answered all of our questions that felt like she was guiding us through the menu based on her expertise not her opinion. This included steering us away from certain dishes when she understood our flavor profiles, and explaining things without ruining the surprise. Her attention to little things without feeling crowded made us realize what front of house talent does to heighten the experience. The only knock was the nitty-picky things on the space. The bathroom was a bit disheveled, there was a crud on the handle of a fork (nothing on the tongs, I checked before using it). Extremely minor unless you’re judging for Micheline stars. Simply put, where it matters everything is well thought out from concept to execution. If you can get in, it’s an absolute no-brainer.