10 Old-School Italian Pasta Spots In Illinois Locals Swear By
Illinois has a rich Italian heritage, and nowhere is that more evident than in its classic pasta joints that have stood the test of time.
From Chicago’s bustling streets to smaller towns across the state, these old-school Italian restaurants serve up heaping plates of spaghetti, ravioli, and fettuccine that would make any nonna proud.
Whether you’re craving homemade marinara, perfectly al dente noodles, or meatballs the size of your fist, these beloved spots deliver authentic flavors that keep generations coming back for more.
1. Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap – Chicago
Stepping into Tufano’s feels like walking straight into an Italian grandmother’s dining room, where the smell of simmering tomato sauce greets you at the door. This family-owned gem has been serving hearty Italian comfort food since 1930, making it one of Chicago’s oldest continuously operating restaurants.
The no-frills atmosphere puts all the focus where it belongs: on the mountains of pasta piled high on every plate.
What sets Tufano’s apart is their unwavering commitment to traditional recipes passed down through generations. The lemon chicken over spaghetti has achieved legendary status among regulars, while their homemade gnocchi practically melts on your tongue.
Portions here aren’t just generous—they’re downright absurd in the best possible way, often requiring a to-go box before you’ve even made a dent.
Located at 1073 W Vernon Park Pl, Chicago, IL 60607, this cozy spot in the University Village neighborhood maintains its authentic charm without trying to be trendy. The prices remain shockingly reasonable, especially considering the quality and quantity you receive.
Service comes with that perfect blend of efficiency and warmth that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit, creating an experience that captures the true spirit of old-school Italian dining.
2. Italian Village – Chicago
Since 1927, Italian Village has been dishing out pasta in downtown Chicago with the kind of old-world elegance that simply doesn’t exist anymore. Walking through the doors feels like time travel, with three distinct dining rooms spread across multiple floors, each offering its own unique atmosphere and menu.
The Village room on the main floor captures that classic red-sauce joint vibe, while upstairs you’ll find more refined options.
Their fettuccine Alfredo gets tossed tableside with theatrical flair, creating a creamy masterpiece that puts chain restaurant versions to shame. The lasagna arrives bubbling hot with layers upon layers of pasta, ricotta, and meat sauce that required hours of careful construction.
Every dish demonstrates the kind of attention to detail that comes from nearly a century of practice and refinement.
Found at 71 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, right in the heart of the Loop, this restaurant has survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, and countless food trends by simply sticking to what works. The waitstaff includes veterans who’ve worked there for decades, providing service that’s both professional and pleasantly old-fashioned.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just need a pasta fix between meetings, Italian Village delivers an experience steeped in history and swimming in marinara.
3. La Scarola – Chicago
La Scarola brings that perfect neighborhood trattoria energy where everyone seems to know each other, and if they don’t, they will by the end of the meal. This Near West Side favorite has been family-owned since 1993, though its old-school approach makes it feel like it’s been around much longer.
The dimly lit dining room with its vintage photographs and bustling open kitchen creates an atmosphere that’s both intimate and lively.
Their bucatini all’amatriciana hits all the right notes with its spicy tomato sauce clinging to the hollow pasta strands, while the rigatoni with Sunday gravy comes loaded with meatballs, sausage, and braciole. What really impresses is how they manage to make everything taste homemade without sacrificing consistency—no small feat for a restaurant that’s packed nearly every night.
The garlic bread alone could be someone’s last meal request, crusty on the outside and butter-soaked within.
Situated at 721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, La Scarola operates on a first-come, first-served basis, which means you might wait for a table during prime hours. That wait proves absolutely worth it when your pasta arrives steaming and fragrant, prepared exactly as it should be.
The family atmosphere extends to the staff, who treat regulars and newcomers with equal warmth and enthusiasm.
4. Mart Anthony’s – Chicago
Hidden in plain sight near the Fulton Market district, Mart Anthony’s serves up Italian-American classics with zero pretension and maximum flavor. The restaurant’s unassuming exterior gives no hint of the pasta paradise waiting inside, where red vinyl booths and wood-paneled walls create that perfect retro diner-meets-Italian-restaurant aesthetic.
Owner Tony Barbanente named the place after his father, and that family connection shows in every carefully prepared dish.
Their mostaccioli baked with Italian sausage emerges from the oven with a gloriously browned cheese top that crackles when you break through to the tender pasta beneath. The meat sauce recipe hasn’t changed in decades because, frankly, perfection needs no updates.
Meatball sandwiches here are legendary among construction workers and office employees alike, with three massive meatballs threatening to overflow the bread.
You’ll find this treasure at 1200 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60642, where it’s been feeding hungry locals since 1981. The lunch crowd packs the place with people who’ve been coming here for years, sometimes decades, creating a communal dining experience that feels increasingly rare.
Prices remain stuck somewhere in the early 2000s, making it possible to eat like royalty without emptying your wallet, which explains why the parking lot fills up fast during peak hours.
5. Bruna’s Ristorante – Chicago
Bruna’s has been anchoring the Heart of Italy neighborhood on the South Side since 1933, making it one of the city’s true dining treasures. The restaurant occupies a charming brick building that looks like it could be sitting on a side street in Naples, complete with Italian flags and flower boxes.
Inside, the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between casual comfort and special-occasion worthy.
Their cavatelli with broccoli in garlic and oil showcases how simple ingredients, when treated with respect and skill, create something magical. The homemade ravioli comes stuffed with ricotta so fresh and light you might forget you’re eating pasta and cheese.
What makes Bruna’s special isn’t just the food—it’s the sense that you’re experiencing authentic Italian-American cuisine exactly as it was meant to be prepared and served.
Located at 2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, this family-run establishment has survived nearly a century by never compromising on quality or tradition. The waitstaff moves with practiced efficiency, somehow remembering orders without writing them down and knowing exactly when to refill your water.
Portions are substantial without being overwhelming, allowing you to actually finish your meal and maybe even consider dessert, which would be a shame to skip given their homemade tiramisu.
6. Gene & Georgetti – Chicago
Gene & Georgetti holds the distinction of being Chicago’s oldest steakhouse, opening its doors in 1941, but locals know the pasta here rivals any Italian specialist in town. The River North location maintains its original dark wood interior, white tablecloths, and old-school service style that makes you feel like a VIP from the moment you walk in.
Photos of celebrities and politicians line the walls, testament to the restaurant’s legendary status.
While most people come for the steaks, the cognoscenti order the chicken Vesuvio with a side of their incredible mostaccioli. The pasta comes bathed in a rich tomato sauce that’s been perfected over eight decades of service.
Their spaghetti with meatballs features hand-rolled spheres of seasoned beef and pork that could double as bocce balls, each one packed with herbs and garlic.
At 500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654, Gene & Georgetti continues operating under long-time stewardship while preserving the traditions and atmosphere established by its founding family. The servers here are professionals in the truest sense, many having worked at the restaurant for twenty or thirty years, creating continuity that’s increasingly rare.
Yes, you’ll pay a bit more than at some neighborhood spots, but the quality, atmosphere, and history justify every penny spent on what becomes a memorable dining experience.
7. Il Porcellino – Chicago
Il Porcellino might be newer than some spots on this list, but it channels old-school Italian charm with remarkable authenticity. Though it opened in 2017, the restaurant’s name, meaning “the little pig” in Italian, hints at the pork-forward dishes that define the menu.
Exposed brick walls, vintage Italian posters, and an open kitchen create an atmosphere that feels transported from a Roman trattoria.
Their rigatoni alla gricia demonstrates how four simple ingredients—pasta, guanciale, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper—can create pure magic when handled by skilled hands. The carbonara here follows traditional Roman preparation, with eggs creating a silky sauce rather than the cream-heavy versions found elsewhere.
Each pasta dish respects Italian tradition while using top-quality ingredients that elevate familiar flavors to new heights.
Located at 59 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, in the heart of River North, Il Porcellino attracts a mix of neighborhood regulars and downtown workers seeking authentic Italian fare. The staff displays genuine enthusiasm for the food they’re serving, often offering recommendations and explaining preparation methods.
Portions are sized like they do in Italy—substantial but not overwhelming—allowing you to enjoy multiple courses without needing a wheelbarrow to leave, though you’ll definitely want to save room for their house-made desserts.
8. Carmine’s – Chicago
Carmine’s brings New York-style Italian-American dining to Chicago’s Gold Coast with family-style portions that could feed a small army. The restaurant’s theatrical interior features soaring ceilings, vintage photographs, and enough dark wood to build a ship, creating an atmosphere that’s both grand and welcoming.
Everything here is designed for sharing, which makes it perfect for groups or families looking to sample multiple dishes.
Their rigatoni marinara arrives in a bowl roughly the size of a mixing bowl, with enough pasta to satisfy four adults easily. The linguine with meatballs comes with six massive meatballs that taste like they were rolled by someone’s Italian grandmother, seasoned perfectly and tender throughout.
What’s impressive is how they maintain quality and flavor despite the enormous quantities being produced, never letting volume compromise taste.
Situated at 1043 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611, Carmine’s has become a destination for celebrations, business dinners, and tourist groups since opening in 2010. While newer than many classic Chicago Italian institutions, it successfully recreates the feel of a traditional Italian-American feast.
While the atmosphere leans more toward bustling and energetic than intimate, that communal energy adds to the experience, making every meal feel like a festive occasion worth celebrating with mountains of delicious pasta.
9. Pasta Mia – Bartlett
Venture out to the suburbs and you’ll discover Pasta Mia, a beloved Bartlett institution that proves outstanding Italian food isn’t limited to the city. This unassuming storefront location doesn’t look like much from the outside, but locals know it as the place to go when pasta cravings strike.
The modest dining room fills quickly with families and couples who’ve been coming here for years, creating a warm neighborhood vibe.
Their homemade ravioli stands as the star attraction, with pillowy pasta pockets stuffed with ricotta and spinach that practically dissolve on your tongue. The meat lasagna features layer upon layer of fresh pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese that required hours of patient assembly.
Everything on the menu demonstrates careful attention to traditional preparation methods, with sauces simmered slowly and pasta cooked to precise al dente perfection.
You’ll find this hidden gem at 116 Bartlett Plaza, Bartlett, IL 60103, where it’s been serving the western suburbs since 1988. The family ownership shows in every detail, from the warm greetings to the consistently excellent food that never varies in quality.
Prices remain remarkably reasonable, especially considering the generous portions and homemade quality of everything served. It’s the kind of place where you become a regular after just a few visits, greeted by name and asked if you want “the usual.”
10. Avanti’s Ristorante – Peoria
Downstate Illinois has its own Italian food treasure in Avanti’s, a Peoria institution that’s been feeding central Illinois since 1971. What started as a single location has grown into a small local chain, but the flagship Rockwood Road location maintains the old-school charm that made it famous.
The casual atmosphere welcomes everyone from business lunchers to families with kids who’ve just finished soccer practice.
Avanti’s is famous for its “Gondola” sandwiches, but the pasta menu deserves equal attention, particularly their baked mostaccioli that arrives bubbling with cheese and meat sauce. The spaghetti with Italian sausage features links that are made according to a family recipe, giving them a distinctive flavor you won’t find anywhere else.
Their pizza might get more publicity, but locals know the pasta dishes represent some of the best Italian-American cooking in the region.
Located at 4711 N Rockwood Rd, Peoria, IL 61615, this location serves as a gathering spot for the community, hosting everything from youth sports team celebrations to anniversary dinners. The staff treats everyone like family, remembering preferences and asking about your kids by name.
Portions are generous without being ridiculous, and the prices reflect the local economy rather than big-city rates, making it possible to feed a family without taking out a loan.