il Carciofo

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A vibrant Roman restaurant from Chef Joe Flamm, celebrated for its authentic dishes, seasonal menu, and lively chef's counter.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow

il Carciofo

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant Roman restaurant from Chef Joe Flamm, celebrated for its authentic dishes, seasonal menu, and lively chef's counter.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Transport yourself to Rome with authentic flavors, standout apps, and an unforgettable chef's counter experience."

TIP

Book Ahead

Reservations are recommended, especially for early dining or to secure a chef's counter seat.

Chef's Counter Perks

Request a seat at the chef's counter for direct interaction and expert dish recommendations.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 4:30PM

Cuisine

Roman Italian

Price

$$$

Phone

(872) 274-5862

Address

1045 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unique Roman-Inspired Dishes

Savor Roman specialties like succulent Abbacchio alla Scottadito (lamb ribs) and the flavorful Boscaiola pizza.

TikTok+3

Interactive Chef's Counter Experience

Enjoy a unique dining experience at the chef's counter, offering personalized recommendations and a lively kitchen view.

Google Review+2

Delectable Homemade Desserts

Indulge in sweet endings with artisanal gelato flavors, including a highly praised pistachio option.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

My top ranked Chicago restaurants on @Beli App | Restaurant Lists ✨ #7 il Carciofo
@cityspritz
122 likes • 4.8K views

Book Ahead

Reservations are recommended, especially for early dining or to secure a chef's counter seat.

Chef's Counter Perks

Request a seat at the chef's counter for direct interaction and expert dish recommendations.

Chef Joe Flamm’s second spot in Chicago’s West Loop brings crispy artichokes, scallop crudo, Roman-style pizza, and pastas that let the ingredients shine. Roman food is meant to be shared—and Il Carciofo nails that. Bring a crew and share everything. My favorite dishes: -Capesante Crudo -Filleti di Baccala -Capricciosa Pizza -Agnolotti -Rigatoni Amatriciana -Manzo Aprugineo #italianfood #chica...
@birdskitchen
511 likes • 11.4K views
Il Carciofo – West Loop, Chicago Chef Joe Flamm, winner of Top Chef Season 15, brings Roman cuisine to Chicago with Il Carciofo. The menu changes seasonally, and while the flavors weren't my personal favorite, the experience was memorable. Standout dishes included a refreshing salad, moist chicken, and ice cream so good it could be sold separately. The service was exceptional, and the ambiance wa...
@manifestingleigharenee
43 likes • 631 views

Dish Seasoning

Be mindful of potential saltiness; ask staff for guidance based on your palate.

Shareable Plates

Roman food is meant to be shared. Bring a group to enjoy a variety of dishes.

Chicago’s new roman restaurant, il Carciofo Would come back for the vibes, drinks and apps ❤️‍🔥
@thehangrylilbrunette
187 likes • 5.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead

Reservations are recommended, especially for early dining or to secure a chef's counter seat.

Chef's Counter Perks

Request a seat at the chef's counter for direct interaction and expert dish recommendations.

Dish Seasoning

Be mindful of potential saltiness; ask staff for guidance based on your palate.

Shareable Plates

Roman food is meant to be shared. Bring a group to enjoy a variety of dishes.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Il Carciofo garners praise for its authentic Roman-inspired dishes, particularly the appetizers like fried artichokes and unique pizzas, and its engaging chef's counter experience. However, some diners note inconsistencies in seasoning, with several reviews mentioning dishes being too salty, and others found certain pasta preparations to be undercooked or overly buttery. Despite these critiques, the attentive service and well-crafted cocktails often elevate the overall dining experience.

"Sitting at the chefs counter, watching the guys sling pizzas into the oven, I felt like I had been transported to Italy for a hot second. Overall, the restaurant ambiance is OK (music a bit too loud, lights too bright), but the chefs counter felt more cozy even with the rapid pace of all the things happening in the kitchen.

More importantly, the food. Artichokes were delicious, but as a party of one, I don’t know how you could possibly share that portion. Rossa pizza was tasty with a crispy crust and fresh tomato flavor. The salad was very good and complex with roasted pistachios, and crisp greens. The cacio e pepe was creamy, salty, and the perfect portion.

Service was attentive, helpful, and not overbearing."

Chris Bonnett

"I’m convinced someone in the kitchen is sabotaging this place. Every dish had far too much salt. Coming from a salt junkie.

The spot has potential but the execution on food needs work.

Buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto- 10/10
Pistachio gelato- 10/10
Carbonara- 2/10
Honey steak- 3/10
Asparagus- 5/10
Meatballs- 2/10
Artichoke- I don’t want to rate this one. It’s a small portion with a ton of oil. Quite interesting.

The cocktails carried our experience. Great drinks and the perfect Aperol Spritz - measurements were spot on.

Overall, we were underwhelmed by the food. We’ll try again at a later date to see if things have changed. Amongst the many Italian places in Chicago, this does not rank just yet."

Lilianna Meyer

"Birthday dinner with my better half. Reservation made for an early dinner weeks in advance.

It is off-putting to place a reservation weeks in advance and upon arrival be asked where you would like to sit.

I asked Google if Rome serves pasta family style, and the answer was no. Not only were our two pasta dishes served 5+ minutes apart, but they were also served family style.

The pizza made for a happy start. Service was excellent. The presentation was lacking."

Michael Nagel

What People Like

Authentic Roman flavors
Unique appetizers (artichokes, pizza)
Chef's counter interaction

What People Dislike

Inconsistent seasoning (too salty)
Undercooked or overly buttery pasta
Confusing seating arrangements

Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular times, to secure a table or a seat at the chef's counter.

Google Review+1

Standout dishes include the fried artichoke, Roman-style pizzas (like Boscaiola), Abbacchio alla Scottadito (lamb ribs), and homemade gelato.

TikTokGoogle Review+2

The restaurant generally has a smart-casual atmosphere, but no strict dress code is mentioned.

Sitting at the chef's counter offers an interactive dining experience with personalized recommendations and views of the kitchen's action.

Google Review+2

The menu changes seasonally. While not explicitly listed, it's best to inquire with the restaurant directly about specific dietary accommodations.

Yes, il Carciofo features a seasonal changing menu, ensuring fresh ingredients and new culinary experiences.

TikTok

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

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It's no surprise that Il Carciofo is busy: it’s an Italian restaurant from a popular chef, it’s in a popular neighborhood, and its sister Rose Mary has been busy for four years straight. Like its Croatian sibling, this spacious Fulton Market spot is filled with West Loopers who can’t resist the pull of a trendy new restaurant. Another shared trait: this Roman-style spot makes damn good food.

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