Coco Pazzo

From the service to the cuisine, drinks, and atmosphere, Coco Pazzo has it nailed. They are so polite and accommodating. Always make sure that your table is clear of finished plates and glasses along with your water filled. We accidentally made a reservation at their cafe not knowing there were multiple locations, and the host said they would serve us at this location not a problem. The food was also devoured by both of us and our children. They also gave the children complimentary tea cookies as well. I will definitely recommend this establishment to anyone looking for top notch.

For high end dining, you definitely get what you pay for here. Lamb shanks were massive and the polenta was cooked perfectly. Peroni was ice cold and the espresso was just as it should be. Carpaccio appetizer was delicious. And service was fantastic. Overall a great experience. Atmosphere is kind of uptight so 4 stars on that because I love a place that knows what they are without overdoing it. Would absolutely visit again, sit at the bar and try a pizza from their wood fired oven.

Aesthetically pleasing restaurant with excellent food and great service. For an appetizer, we had a mousse pate that was quite tasty. Additionally, we had a porcini mushroom risotto that was out of this world. We also shared a porterhouse steak which was more than enough for two people. It was cooked perfectly. If you like Italian food, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Amazing food once again. Went here for the first time in 1994 and the quality is still amazing. I had the scaloppini di vitello and it was amazing. My wife and daughter both had pasta dishes and loved every bite. Staff is very attentive. Look forward to future visits.

The pasta special - pasta with wild mushrooms, asparagus, and sweet butter was amazing! The table side Caesar salad was also incredible. Great service. The bussers are awesome! Hopefully will be back soon and will try the desserts

Food was great and our server Alberto was amazing!

I cannot believe I hadn't been here or heard of this place before! Some of the best Italian food I have had. The Salumi appetizer was incredible. The Rigatoni Alla Buttera was divine! Exceptional drinks and attentive service. We will be back!

Coco Pazzo is just a first-class dining experience for those who love authentic Italian cuisine. - the chocolate chip mint Gelato was amazing 👏🏼 - The attention to details from the serving staff was amazing - the wine list is incredible - the dessert menu is amazing - Need I say anything about the coffee. Cappuccino, and expresso - Amazing ! CP is officially on my preferred restaurant list 😋

Torchio -our haven for reliably sublime fresh pasta- was closed on Mondays so we looked for a decent Italian restaurant nearby, and found Coco Pazzo. It was on almost all 'top 3 Italian restaurants in Chicago' lists, and the food looked excellent, so we thought we'd give it a try. Service was excellent and timely, with our meals being prepared and delivered with perfect timing. Starting with the appetizers, my chicken liver pate was excellent. Super smooth and endulging, and came with sweet pickled and soft grilled onions which complemented it nicely. I only wish it had more crostini. Even if I very very generously spread the pate onto the 4 provided crostinis, I had more than half the jar left. They need to double the number of crostini it comes with. As for my wife's grilled octopus appetizer, wow. My mind was blown. Octopus is very tricky to cook, and even in Portugal some smaller places will fail to get rid of all the chewiness, but here, the Octopus was crisp on the outside, melt in your mouth soft on the inside. Just perfectly cooked. For the main dish, I went for the squid ink seafood pasta, which tasted very fresh and subtle, with no extra favors diluting the taste of seafood it came with. It was very relaxing to eat, and I only wish the fresh pasta was a little thicker to have a little more bite to it. My wife went for the Branzino Al Forno. Again, very subtle, fresh, with a pure taste of fish but without the fishiness, with soft melt-in-your-mouth bites. Just perfect. We only felt bad that they took out a big chunk of meat off of it because they didn't want us picking out bones even though we were happy to do that if given the choice. Finally, my Pistachio Gelato was the only disappointment of the night. Artificially 'radioactive' green, with almost no real pistachio, heavy on the sugar, and not as creamy or endulging as Gelato is supposed to be, this homespun Gelato was a clear tier below any other pistachio Gelato we've had elsewhere e.g. Spacca Napoli or even Eataly. My wife loved her flourless chocolate cage and the cinnamon Gelato it came with. Stick to that if you're getting dessert. Overall, a lovely place and we can't wait to come back on a special occasion and have some properly made Italian seafood.

It had been a number of months since our last visit to CP and last night we lucked out, grabbed a seat in the bar, and settled in to a wonderful evening. Everything from our greeting at the door when we arrived to little cookies and Amaro we had before we left was perfect. Salmon Carpaccio, Ca del Bosco, Negroni, Linguini, pillows of love, Bronzino all prepared perfectly, and the Gaja Brunello di Montalcino was beyond. The only thing that rivaled the food was the perfect service. Humberto, thank you for the great experience.

Absolutely delicious. Everything about this restaurant and the food was incredible!

Love this restaurant, we go every time we’re in Chicago and it never lets you down. Amazing staff and fantastic classic itallian.

This place is a Chicago classic! The pastas are always on point, but I think the HIDDEN GEM is the porterhouse for two for $104!!!!! It’s absolutely amazing… well seasoned and cooked. You can’t get a deal like that for a high quality steak of that size at any other high end restaurant in Chicago.

Such a fun, classic Chicago Italian experience! We had amazing service and loved the oven roasted octopus, housemade pastas, and wine.

We did the Thanksgiving special for two people since we would not be with our families this year b/c of social distancing due to Covid. It was the perfect amount (actually had some leftovers too!). Everything was delicious. I never thought I'd like Beet salad, but it was so, so good! The turkey was tasty along with the stuffing, brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. It was nice to have a great Thanksgiving meal without the trouble of cooking!. Reheating directions for both oven and microwave were easy to follow. Thank you Coco Pazzo for making our Thanksgiving better than expected. We will be ordering from you again soon!

The restaurant ambiance is very nice and intimate. The service is great and the personal very profecional and courteous. The food is simply out of this world, very delicious and the drinks didn't disappoint they were awesome. I went there for my birthday and it was an incredible experience. I would totally recommend.

The atmosphere is more upscale professional than intimate date night, but still cozy overall. Extensive drink list, always great specials, and very friendly staff. Thanks, Jon, for taking care of us!

First of all, the service was great. Our server was very informative and we didn't want for bread or refills as the staff was walking around topping everyone off. The bread was really yummy. We had a large group so the food did take a while but it was worth the wait. I had the Penne A la Arrabatia and it's become my favorite pasta. The pasta was cooked well and the spicy tomato sauce was perfect for my spicy leaning taste buds. Will definitely come back.

Best Italian restaurant in Chicago

Loved this Chicago experience with a large group. The service was welcoming, the food outstanding, and dining next to the open windows completed the city feeling. I would write home about the rigatoni, and their divine Panna cotta for dessert!

Absolutely excellent! One of the best restaurants in Chicago! Amelia made our experience truly memorable with her outstanding service. Every staff member was kind and welcoming! You can really feel the warmth and hospitality the moment you walk in. On top of that, the food is of the highest quality. They gave complimentary appetizers as well as desserts which was such a nice touch! A perfect dining experience from start to finish!

Fantastic Tuscan Italian restaurant with incredible, high-quality dishes and stellar service. Great place for a dinner where you want to feel welcome and enjoy a special experience.

Went with my boyfriend, and had a the best time! We snagged two spots at the bar for their happy hour special, the cocktails were tasty and reasonably priced, and they have a vast and impressive wine selection. The bartender and the staff were welcoming and accommodating. For bites we shared the salumi and the calamari both were so fresh and tasty. The biggest treat was watching the kitchen fire up the pizza we also split for our main course in their wood fire oven, it was thin and crispy and loaded with flavor. To close the meal out we had espresso and their house made cookies. Overall a fabulous meal and great experience !

I had such a wonderful dinner in Coco Pazzo. It is my first time in Chicago, and a friend brought me here. If I return to the city, I am definitely coming back. The food was amazing, especially the branzino. Everyone who worked there and the owners were so kind to us. The place is gorgeous. Definitely recommend it!

Outstanding service, excellent menu and variety; very friendly and terrific tasty dishes.

Alberto made our dining experience absolutely incredible! From the moment we walked in, he greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel like family. His knowledge of the menu was outstanding—he gave the best recommendations, and every dish was perfection. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and he made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. If you’re dining here, ask for Alberto—you won’t be disappointed! Can’t wait to come back.

A couple of weeks ago, my sister and I dined at Coco Pazzo, and had an exceptional dining and customer service experience. The ambiance of the restaurant is very comfortable, yet classy, and each course was outstanding. From the complimentary amuse bouche, to the piping hot and flavorful soup, to the scrumptious vegetable salad, to the main course, we were so happy with our meal. Our fish was expertly deboned table-side by our waitress Jennifer who tended to our every need. I highly recommend Coco Pazzo for both special occasions and a memorable night out.

Came in for dinner and had such a great time from start to finish. We kicked things off with a bottle of wine and an espresso martini, and had Lyric as our server, she was incredible. Super friendly and helpful, and walked us through the whole menu like a total pro. It was my guest’s first time, so we went all in: Polpo Arrosto, Antipasti Misti, Sette Vegetali, Patate alla Toscana, Spinaci, Tagliolini Neri (my forever favorite, I could eat it every day), and Penne all’Arrabbiata. Every single dish was on point. Already looking forward to summer patio nights with a spritz and a big bowl of pasta. Coco Pazzo never misses.

Coco Pazzo is a true Chicago staple! The Italian food is consistently fantastic, with delicious, authentic flavors that never disappoint. The staff is incredibly welcoming and attentive, making every visit a pleasure. Whether you're a local or visiting, it's always a great choice for a memorable meal! Highly recommend!

I really enjoy dining at this landmark restaurant. It has been part of the Italian scene for a long time and not by chance. The quality of the food and service is very high and attentive. I love the sea bass and roasted vegetables- so healthy as well. Very nice selection of exclusively Italian wines. And the management is on it. Last night upon leaving there was a delay with the valet but drawn to the hosts attention, the GM personally got involved. It left me feeling valued as their guest. Don’t miss this very comfortable and delicious dining experience.

Stopped in with friends for a nightcap and sat at the bar. Lovely, warm atmosphere and very friendly, welcoming service. The bartender, Katie P., made the best French martini I’ve ever had — absolutely incredible. Can’t wait to be back for dinner.

I've had the pleasure of visiting this place a few times now and the service is impeccable! The appetizers are a great size for sharing with a group. The menu is dynamic so everyone can find something wonderful to enjoy for dinner. Definitely worth visiting!

Good location, less crowded. Place is right upstairs through the entrance doors. Greeted to be seated. Seating arrangement is fine. Tables seem fairly well spaced so it does not seem crowded. There is a water table that is kind of next to some tables so some people may find that intrusive as many busboys will crowd there. Food selection was good. Lots of pasta options. Less so on salads and appetizers. There is a wine menu but no drink menu.

the restaurant is very nice. the staff is courteous. I have to say that the mixed fried sea food was really good, I was surprised on the positive side. My spaghetti alle vongole was ok, but it didn't impress me. The spaghetti was cooked just right but maybe I would have preferred less garlic and less liquid. The dessert was good. I really liked the ice cream that accompanies the pie. I'll be back to try other dishes!

I come here for a civilised meal without loudmusic, with tables not too close together. My pulpo arrosto was delicious. The whole filited Branzino fresh and fileted table side. I like the Italian Manhattan. I was happy with a glass of Gavi with my fish. $325 Inc service for 2. Two cocktails two courses 3 glasses wine. Service is classic as the maitre d' and team are unchanged for a couple of decades.

Apps were very good (charcuterie board, margarita pizza, grilled squid). The steak I had was severely lacking seasoning and the gnocchi was overcooked. In a group of 10, the service slowed down after apps and drinks were not refreshed unless asked. For the money I would not go back for dinner.

I first would like to start out by saying this review is coming 6 days after my dining experience. I wanted to give it time and see if everything that bothered me during my dining experience still lingered in my mind...and it does. My friend and I ate here on Thanksgiving during the evening. We had 6:15 reservations however we weren't sat until 6:35. I do want to give them grace on the fact that it is a holiday and any restaurant willing to be open, you have to be aware that there may be a wait. The host was very apologetic when seating us (seated at table 50, believe me after our experience I kept the receipt) and wished us a great rest of our evening. That's where the rest of our experience took a turn. Our server was "Jose A" and I could already tell he was either running behind or wanting to check on another table. We got a description of the specials and he took off. I managed to flag him down so we could at least order cocktails. The cocktails came and he asked if we were ready to order. We had ordered an appetizer and two entrees. That was the last time we had a conversation with our server until it was time for the bill. Our appetizer came out, we had ordered the Fritto Miso di Mare. I love seafood and was excited to taste the shrimp and squid. It was more "blah" than anything and thank god it was paired with a spicy tomato sauce because it was probably the only thing that saved the dish. For dinner I ordered the Petto di Pollo while my friend had the risotto special. We did not finish either. And still, we have yet to receive a visit from our server. He was busy with an 8-top seated next to us (I would say he spent most of our time with them). I managed to flag the server whose section was next to us and ask for another round. He passed the order on and that was it. Not once did we get a visit from anyone in the restaurant asking how our dinner was much less our experience. The total came out to $188.89. We paid the tab and left. Walked by several managers and neither of them wished us a "thank you for stopping in" or "have a good night". When I wasn't a resident of Chicago, Coco Pazzo was always on my list to visit. My friends knew that we had to stop there because I really did enjoy the experience. I am tremendously disappointed in what transpired during our visit. I hope management and the servers can take this feedback and use it as an opportunity to correct what needs to be fixed. Thank you.

4th time going to coco pazzo over the years, not sure what happened but we had a bad experience and I don’t think I’ll go back. The veal medallions were over cooked, the rapini and polenta were flavorless. The staff upsold us on bottle of wine in large format and were misleading to get a bigger tip.

I had a reservation for 9:00 PM and arrived right on time. I was told the wait would be about 15 minutes, but I wasn’t seated until 9:36 PM, which felt more like waiting in the walk-in line than having a reservation. When I asked about it, the response made it seem like this delay was normal, which was frustrating. What also made the experience uncomfortable was that I felt a noticeable difference in how guests were treated. I was dressed business casual, yet it seemed like other customers were prioritized. That may not have been intentional, but it definitely affected how welcome I felt. The restaurant itself is nice, and I still tipped well, but better handling of reservations and more consistent, respectful treatment of all guests would really improve the experience.

The food was good, not great. However, the service was bad - the waiter was awful, although the mgmnt team was trying to help. The waiter seemed in a rush with very little patience. We had 3 customers that were vegetarian and he was rude when reflected poorly on me (the vendor) for picking the restaurant. Regarding food - salmon was cooked perfectly, but the customers complained the gnocchi was bland and ravioli too sweet. My espresso martini was a disaster - there was thick foam on top I had to navigate to get to the drink.