DueLire Vino & Cucina

Italian restaurant · Ravenswood

DueLire Vino & Cucina

Italian restaurant · Ravenswood

3

4520 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

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DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Google
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp
DueLire Vino & Cucina by Yelp

Highlights

This cozy neighborhood Italian spot offers a seasonal menu of authentic dishes and an impressive wine selection, with a charming outdoor patio perfect for a relaxed meal.  

Featured in Eater
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4520 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Get directions

due-lire.com
@duelirechicago

$$$$$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

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4520 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Get directions

+1 773 275 7878
due-lire.com
@duelirechicago

$$$$$$ · Menu

Reserve

Features

takeout
dine in
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Feb 19, 2025

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@onthegrid

"Great for a night out with your favorite guy or gal. We can’t say enough good things about this place. They use local and seasonal ingredients, their pasta is homemade, the wine is some of the best we’ve had, the food is off the charts and the staff is just awesome. The owner is always there, enjoying every moment of his business and making sure everyone’s taken care of. The patio is a treat, with lights strung overhead, mosaic tiled tables and flowers lining the patio. Order a bottle of wine (the Gran Passione Rosso won't disappoint) and plan to stay a while. Start out with the cheese board and the soup of the day. The short rib ravioli or flat iron steak is great for the main course. If you’re still hungry after all that goodness, get the Panna Cotta with fresh fruit for dessert. Tip: Wednesdays are half price bottles of wine with the purchase of an entree." - Knoed Creative

On the Grid : DueLire Vino & Cucina
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@eater

"A striking purple and green mural serves as the focal point of DueLire’s garden patio, which is surrounded by planters of flowers in complementary colors. Overhead lights and candles set at every table give the Italian space a romantic vibe perfect for sharing a bottle from the seasonal wine list along with a plate of housemade tagliatelle with braised shiitake mushrooms and pecorino cheese." - Samantha Nelson

Where to Drink Outdoors in Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, and North Center - Eater Chicago
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@onthegrid

"DueLire Vino & Cucina, Lincoln Square. Great for a night out with your favorite guy or gal. We can’t say enough good things about this place. They use local and seasonal ingredients, their pasta is homemade, the wine is some of the best we’ve had, the food is off the charts and the staff is just awesome. The owner is always there, enjoying every moment of his business and making sure everyone’s taken care of. The patio is a treat, with lights strung overhead, mosaic tiled tables and flowers lining the patio. Order a bottle of wine (the Gran Passione Rosso won't disappoint) and plan to stay a while. Start out with the cheese board and the soup of the day. The short rib ravioli or flat iron steak is great for the main course. If you’re still hungry after all that goodness, get the Panna Cotta with fresh fruit for dessert. Tip: Wednesdays are half price bottles of wine with the purchase of an entree."

Chicago
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Vishal Shah

Google
Friendly mom and pop Italian spot that was bustling with patrons. Great wine and food. Plenty of vegetarian options to choose from. Possibly the best gnocchi I’ve had in the city! Tiramisu was delicious but the pistachio tart cake was too good! Highly recommend

Eduardo Guardia

Google
We were walking around Lincoln Square and this place looked welcoming so we decided to try it out for dinner. We were seated in their very nice back patio right away. The service was excellent and fast — just what we were looking for. We tried the brussel sprouts, the asiago & salami bruschetta and the spicy sausage pasta. Everything had great, authentic flavors; just know that portions are a bit on the smaller side. Their wine menu is pretty long, and they also have reasonably priced cocktails (the margarita was pretty good).

Jon and Amanda Lewis

Google
We enjoyed our dinner here. The calamari was amazing! Just epic good. Paccheri and Mezzeluna pastas were both delicious. Our service was good and they have a lovely outdoor patio out back of the restaurant. We have taken family here because it is that good and they are kid-friendly. We would recommend this place!

Sam Goodman

Google
Great experience all around. Lively and great music. The food tasted like something my mom would make (if she was Italian with a recipe that’s been shared across generations). My girlfriend and I want to come back and order different entrees because we enjoyed trying each others meal and they were distinct in flavor. Makes us curious to try others! Bravo! See you again!

Mark Sherrett

Google
Dinner on their back patio under a sunsail (shade) was quaint and cozy. Perfect for the four of us to have a great conversation with great food. Chairs were a bit uncomfortable, and table legs were in awkward spots. On to the important stuff, food! Italian mojito uses lemoncello, and is a refreshing way to start. Prosciutto and calamari apps were shared by the table. The calamari included some artichoke hearts and other tasty surprises under the crispy light batter. Best I've had in a long time! Dinner for me was one of their specials of the evening: fusilli salsiccia. The sausage was not too spicy, the pasta was done just right, all in a flavorful tomato sauce. Good stuff! No one rushed us to leave, and when we did,, we left pleased with our experience.

Shaan Somani

Google
Solid Italian spot in Ravenswood with an intimate space and lovely wine list. The calamari lived up to the online reviews. My favorite main entree was the pappardelle, though the salmon and penne were both also quite good. The wait staff were extremely accommodating and even allowed our group to stay 15 minutes past closing. I would recommend every dish I had and would love to return!

Katie F

Google
I really wanted to write a glowing review for this place. The waitress was very nice and the gnocchi rivals some ones I’ve had in Italy. We had 4 dishes and then ordered dessert. Unfortunately, we ordered the gelato for dessert - two scoops that came out together and the coffee flavored scoop was absolutely freezer burnt and inedible. Spoon was bouncing off of it! After we noticed that we didn’t finish dessert. We showed the waitress and told her. They still charged us for one scoop of gelato. $3. Half price off of something inedible. Tacky and ruined the whole experience for us. Considering they served us bad food the least they can do is not charge us for it.

Elena Erla

Google
Delicious food, amazing service, and a beautiful outdoor patio area to dine. I absolutely recommend!

Colleen F.

Yelp
Intimate and consistently delicious. Friendly owner. Exceeds expectations every time!

Eric B.

Yelp
I have overlooked this casual Italian gem that has existed in Bistro Campagne's shadow for many years. I am saddened I have waited so long, but happy to have finally visited. I was anticipating a simple Friday evening dinner of ravs but was pleasantly ambushed by a rack of lamb special, to which I did not hesitate to surrender. And I'm glad I did - cooked to my usual rare, it was an earthy, gamey delight, served on a bed of polenta with shitake mushroom demi-glace. Be advised that the preparation here retained a lamb forward flavor, which I love but is often missing in French preparations. Kelly had a Spinach and Cheese Ravioli which she thought was amazing. For starters, we shared a bruchetta-esque dish where two big slices of bread were covered with prosciutto and cheese. It was earthy and delicious Cocktails were excellent, and they have a wide ranging and affordable list of Italian wines. I opted for a Ramitello Aglianico and it was a wonderful old world style that paired perfectly with our dishes. For dessert, I had the mousse cake which was stunning. We will definitely be back.

Melissa S.

Yelp
Very good food, very good service, always. This is a super small restaurant with a spacious, gorgeous back patio that's delightful during warmer months. On my most recent visit, my friends and I enjoyed the calamari and burrata appetizers. I had a saffron risotto for my entree, which was a special, and it was amazing. We all shared two desserts and several bottles of Chianti Classico. Everything was great and the bill was quite reasonable considering the quality and value. I highly recommend this place.

Bianca R.

Yelp
Literally obsessed with this place!! Food it fantastic!! Service is great!! The place is small but totally worth the squeeze

Laura K.

Yelp
Not cheap, but quite delicious. I had a special, tortelli di zucca. The pasta was gloriously al dente with a flavorful sauce. It didn't have a strong pumpkin flavor - sauce and parmesan balanced it out. The friend I was with had risotto with vegetables and cleaned her plate. Service was pleasant - no complaints. The restaurant itself is small, and we were tucked into a little nook near the kitchen, where the only two 2-person tables were. Classy, romantic vibe - dim lighting and candles on the table.

Cierra L.

Yelp
I haven't had a bad meal here. The place is not big by any means but it has a nice intimate feel and a outdoor patio as well which is great for nice weather days. First time I came here was for restaurant week and I was blown away by their Short Rib Ravioli and and braised wild boar ragu pasta. The handmade pasta the make is what sets all of their pasta dishes apart. Their specials are wonderful and you should definitely check them out in addition to the regular menu. My favorite specials thus far were the pork tenderloin saffron risotto and lamb pasta were unbelievably flavorful and cooked to perfection. The burger was simple but cooked well. The staff was friendly and made great recommendations and substitutions. I loved the vanilla and pistachio gelato great to finish the night. We all left feeling full and satisfied!

David M.

Yelp
Over the last 5 years we have always had great food here, whether it was take out or dine in. It is a small restaurant, perfect for a date. We have had great experiences with larger groups as well, having multiple 8+ person dinners. Service has always been friendly and prompt, and pickup has been seamless every order. A great Italian spot in the neighborhood with a lovely patio in the summer!

Carol A.

Yelp
My friend & I were there last night and decided we would go there because of the reviews. When we got there, I think we were the only ones there and then more people started coming in. I asked the waiter if we could have separate checks, we were only a party of 2 and he told me they don't do that. I have been to many restaurants and they do that, he was just didn't want to be bothered. As an appetizer, we ordered the calamari, which to me was odd, the calamari was small and the other things in it were shrimp, artichokes & capers and it came with an aioli sauce, that was just plain wrong. The aioli sauce was placed on the table, so I had to ask for a spoon, I have no idea how we were supposed to use the aioli without a spoon! I had the Pappardelle which was good, but too much salt for my liking. My friend had the ravioli which he said was good. The food was okay but this is what I didn't like. No bread was offered, I had to ask for Parmesan cheese, they brought it without a spoon, so again I had to ask for a spoon & then as mentioned before I had to ask for a spoon for the aioli sauce that they brought us with the calamari, also had to ask them for ice for our water, since the ice had already melted, was waiting for them to replenish our water and that didn't happen so that is why I asked for ice. That is why only 3 stars and I won't be back! They need to be more attentive to the customer.

Kara C.

Yelp
Great meal. Great ambiance. Pistachio cake was the highlight but nothing disappointed

Paul K.

Yelp
The owner is mean and condescending to customers. I had a reservation booked in advance, but had an unexpected issue arise that was going to make my wife and I 15 minutes late. I called to alert the restaurant we would be 15 minutes late and see whether that was okay and the person who answered said that was fine as long as we could be done within 90 minutes. When getting to the restaurant, the owner was seating people at the front of the house and I told him I called ahead about the issue and that we were now here. Instead he was so rude and yelling that he gave the reservation away. One of his staff came over and told him that he talked to me and said that I called ahead and it was all okay. The owner then started to berate his staff member and acted like a child throwing a tantrum. My wife and I told him to forget it and we won't ever be back. All in all this guy does not know how to treat customers and staff. Take your business elsewhere because there are too many great options in this city.

Katie D.

Yelp
Nice neighborhood spot. It was louder and brighter inside than I anticipated. Service was friendly and sufficient. My husband had the pappardelle which he really enjoyed. I had the garganelli which was good but could have used a little more sauce. We also ordered the chicken parm for the table which wasn't our favorite. In our opinion, the red sauce was a little too sweet and the breading seemed to be cornmeal? Not sure if that's correct. But it wasn't our taste. So overall I'd say this is a 3.5. If this was in walking distance we'd probably go back but I wouldn't go out of my way to return.

Julie D.

Yelp
My husband and I along with another couple went to Due Lire for Northside Restaurant Week. All of our food was delicious and good potion sizes! I had the sausage polenta app to start. So flavorful! The others had the caprese salad and loved it. I had the grouper as my entree. I am picky about fish and this grouper did not disappoint. So good. And for dessert I had the gelato. You received 3 scoops and could mix and match flavors. I had hazelnut and coffee. Service was excellent. We will be back soon!

Jean P.

Yelp
The best thing for our evening out was the appetizer burrata. Delicious Everything else from the person that greeted us to the waiter and dinner was unimpressive. They even brought the wrong entree and had to change it. The busgirls were nicest. Also I had a reservation for 2. Arrived was told the restaurant was booked and only table for 2 was back in a corner Within 5 minutes another couple came in and sat at a table for 4 in front of restaurant where I asked to sit. Obviously we weren't cool enough Would not go back

Christina K.

Yelp
I had heard this place was good, so thought I'd give it a try. Went on a date there, and we sat on the patio. The restaurant itself is pretty tiny, so I would definitely recommend a reservation. The servers were knowledgeable and recited the many specials with ease and explained each preparation. Wine was good, and calamari appetizer was too. The portions were healthy, not overwhelmingly big. I got the Tagliatelle pasta which was very good. Would definitely go back to explore the menu some more.

Tommy O.

Yelp
I was craving Italian and I wanted to try it out Due Lire to support small businesses in Lincoln Square. My go-to Italian place in the area has been the Pasta Bowl, which is ok. I think Due Lire is my new go-to. I ordered the Caprese as an appetizer, Lasagna (special) as a meal, and Tiramisu for desert. I ordered way too much food, but it was all delicious. The Caprese was amazing and had very fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto, and it was soaked in olive oil. The lasagna meat was sweet and the sauce was very good. Also, when I was waiting for my order someone else ordered a pizza and it smelled amazing. So I will have to try their pizza sometime! Prices are expensive at about $18-$30 a dish, but the food was worth it! Overall, I will have to come back again and Due Lire is a very good Italian restaurant in Lincoln Square!

Scott G.

Yelp
Tried this place for the first time yesterday. We live in the neighborhood and always support our local food establishments. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by the staff and shown to our table on the back patio. The waitress approached immediately and took our drink order. Two minutes later another server came forward to take our drink order as well! Every server was on point. Unfortunately the food was nowhere near the service level. On the recommendation of our server, we ordered the Ravioli- Ravioli Short Rib filled Ravioli/ Wild Mushroom Demi -Glaze Sauce/ Parmigiano. Pasta was way overcooked and likely not drained well as it watered down the already bland sauce. No flavor. For $20 it was an unusually small portion. Not worth the price. The server also recommended the off-menu special of fettuccine noodles with a cream sauce, pancetta, and sausage. While the pasta was cooked perfectly andante, the sauce was ok, but the sausage was way overcooked, rubbery and inedible. There was also what seemed to be the melted tip of a black spatula in the sauce... not good. We had to ask for some bread, while at some restaurants would be complementary, the server brought out 2 pieces of grilled sourdough. Was good! I only found out later when the bill came they charged me (albeit, only $1) for bread! Not cool. We then ordered the Torta - Almond Ricotta Cheesecake/ Chocolate Cream/ Orange Vanilla Sauce/ Whipped Cream. $10. Tiny piece of desert, poor taste. Terrible texture. "Whipped cream" tasted like it was out of a package. I'm wondering if the chefs even taste what they are serving? While the service is great, the food is overpriced for the quantity and poorly made. There are plenty of decent Italian places all over the city. Not this one.

Jimmie M.

Yelp
The best Italian food we've had in Chicago. We are always made to feel welcome. It feels like home every time we walk through those doors. They remember us and treat us like old friends. And the food is perfect!

Chicago G.

Yelp
I attended a private luncheon for about 40 people at Due Lire & the team did a good job. Food was ample, delicious & served promptly. The Chef prepared a special meal for my gluten-free restriction. I never attended a regular meal here, but for a private function, I recommend Due Lire.

Darian C.

Yelp
Due Lire is amazing! I love the food - especially the gnocchi. The patio is so cute - if it is nice head out there! The meatballs are amazing as is the aranchini! The owners are great people - I highly recommend!!!

Liza B.

Yelp
Due Lire is Delicious! We had a reservation and I'm guessing you need one by how packed it was. It's a pretty small, tightly packed place. If you're looking for quiet and romantic this isn't it. You are super close to your neighbor here. But it is lively, which is its charm. Food was great but dessert was even better. Usually I can take or leave dessert at Italian restaurants (they all even the same, y'know?) but we were really impressed at Due Lire! Amazing tiramisu. Metered lot across the street makes for easy parking. Pretty stretch of Lincoln with trees and lights. Nice area for strolling before or after your meal.

Daun L.

Yelp
Outstanding service and wonderful food! A neighborhood gem!

Matthew S.

Yelp
A lovely little restaurant with a small but delicious menu of Italian and (a few) American dishes. There's something for everyone and we enjoyed celebrating our anniversary there in the outdoor area!

Kevin W.

Yelp
Host:owner is an ass! Bad attitude, poor customer service, online rez system didn't work.

Claire F.

Yelp
The food itself is fairly good, but my experience was not ideal to say the least. I asked if garganelli had meat in it (speck was listed on the menu), and the waitress said there was absolutely no meat in the dish. My meal came and there was pork speck all over the dish (basically large chunks of bacon). My partner ordered the spaghetti and meatballs, and after eating a few bites, realized that there were pine nuts in the meatballs, and it was not listed on the menu. This is super concerning as he is severely allergic to all nuts. The waitress came back with an apology. Frustrating that the waitress never asked about allergies, nor was knowledgeable on the menu. Restaurant has great potential but needs to do more to ensure their guests eat safe and have a positive experience.

G R.

Yelp
It's been some time since I've been here, the wanting to go somewhere different and the Wednesday night half off a bottle of wine brought me back. Upon entering I remembered why I liked this place so much. It's small and cozy, can be romantic but also works for dinner out with a friend. It's warm comfortable and relaxed. Very good food without the stuffy attitude. Approachable Italian with a twist on the old favorites, you have all the usual dishes with a bit of flair. Expect very fresh food with options of what they were able to source at the time. Accommodating, I inquired what can be made vegetarian, he indicated a few of the pasta's saying we can take this out and put this in, and so on. So refreshing to be able to make adjustments, instead of pre-made entrees being told this is what you get. My entree was custom made and it was delicious. Our server was gracious, friendly and had a sense of humor also. You felt as if you were being entertained at a friend's house for dinner. Going to make it a point to come back more often.

Heather P.

Yelp
Very intimate and charming. The menu is small so not too overwhelming. It was very authentic and I get the impression that the couple who as serving us were the owners; which just adds to the experience. We went on the 1/2 price wine night so bonus there! The wines were great. There were five of us so we were just slightly disappointed when we learned that there was a two bottle limit. Apparently we are gluttons because as much as we wanted more wine, we also could have gone for more food. We had two appetizers for the table and then each of us had an entrée. My entrée was the tortellini and was the largest portion by far. I ate every morsel of it, as it was so rich and delicious. The guys in our group had the ravioli and a special of the evening, the seafood pasta. I felt sad for them when I saw the size of their plates. I get it, authentic Italian portions aren't exactly what we're used to here and when I was in Italy, I totally expected that, but here in the states especially the Midwest, we want food and lots of it. As arrogant as I sound, I just wanted more because it was all so good. Please don't misunderstand, I don't want to be perceived as another idiot American, just someone with a big appetite and love of good food :)

Joe W.

Yelp
We have been here before but I feel it has slipped a bit. The room is nicely decorated but they have maxed out on tables which has created a tight and very loud space. In addition, people waiting for a table are jammed into the front of the restaurant which only adds to this problem. The seasonal cheese and meat plate tasted great but for $25 we felt it was over priced. The food quality was good. The portions were small. Regrettably I do not think we will give this one another chance.

Jerry M.

Yelp
Cute intimate restaurant. The food was very good as was the wine but maybe a bit over priced. I had a seafood dish....assorted shellfish in a tasty sauce. All of the seafood was cooked just right. My wife had an eggplant/pasta dish. She liked it. Service was fine. If you want good Italian food, go there. If you want to save a few bucks, go on Wednesdays when wine is 1/2 price.

Brad P.

Yelp
If you are looking for a truly welcoming and very comfortable home away from home with a diverse yet consistent menu that won't disappoint, I recommend Due Lire. This is a hidden gem along Lincoln in Lincoln Square. It's staff went above and beyond in accommodating our larger group recently to make our special family event perfect in every way. Massimo and his staff are great - thanks much and we'll for sure be back.

Mahsa T.

Yelp
Nestled between Bistro Campagne and the Grafton, the newest addition to the Lincoln Square neighborhood is the much needed and noteworthy wine bar and modern Italian eatery Due Lire. While they await their liquor license, they are BYOB. They expect their license in December (or whenever the city gets around to it), so bring in your own bottle of vino while you still can. Due Lire is sleek and modern, yet maintains a cozy atmosphere with amber lights above the bar, dark woods, and delicious food that will warm you up. We made a late night visit to Due and from the minute we entered, Massimo (who manages Due) greeted us warmly, chatted with us, gave us wonderful menu suggestions and made sure we were happy like we were his own family. Massimo hails from Napoli and has done previous stints at Bice and Gioco. We took his suggestions and were delighted that everything we ordered was delicious. My sis and our friends ordered these small plates to share: 1. Involtini Napoli--eggplant, zucchini, smoked mozzarella 2. Gamberi Carciofi--shrimp, artichokes, salsa verde 3. Arancini Milano--saffron rice, asparagus, Fontina fondue 4. Saporito--ham crostoni with Stracchino cheese and mushrooms 5. Ravioli Rustici--short rib ravioli, Porcini, Parmigiano 6. Tiramisu--on the house, grazie Massimo! Other small plates include various appetizers, crostoni, salad, pasta, fish, and dessert. The full menu can be found at http://www.thrillist.com/pics/175661menupopup.jpg We left feeling warm from the food, the vino, and Massimo's gracious hosting. Due Lire is definitely worth checking out.

John F.

Yelp
We had a one of our best meals ever at Due lira. The Italian wine selection was fantastic. The service and personable interaction with the owner was delightful. The owner is a native of Napoli. Best Italian meal we have had since our travels in Italy. I had a seafood risotto. Which was perfectly cooked. My wife had tagliatelle. All there pastas are homemade and fresh. They served a rustic sourdough toasted bread with a wonderful tapenade. We ate inside and it was comfortable and pleasing. They have perfect patio that would be great on a summer evening.

John G.

Yelp
Nice cozy neighborhood place. It was a nice night so we ate outside in their nice patio. It's impossible to park in Lincoln Square but there is a city lot across the street. It was a Wednesday which is half of wine night if you buy an entree. We started with polenta fries with their tasty meat sauce. Very good but could have used more sauce, since it was very good. I like the meat sauce so much I got the spaghetti with it. A hit with me. My wife got the pork shoulder in a mix of Tuscan style cannellini beans and rapini. I kept eating off of her plate. The food and atmosphere all go together well here.

Shary E.

Yelp
Food was great, service was terrific. Would definitely go back for the gluten free spaghetti!

Andrew O.

Yelp
Food was low quality and didn't match the vibe, which was confusing. Beef ravioli tasted cheap. Chicken parm was depressingly average and the "garlic" mashed potatoes and spinach it came with were flavorless. Too bad! The patio was perfect for a summer evening and the servers were all nice. Wish I had something better to say.

Larry B.

Yelp
Great food. Friendly service. Terrific outdoor seating once the weather warms up. Try the gnocchi...the best in town.

Kristin V.

Yelp
I came here last night, a Friday night, and the restaurant was a nice crowd with a good energy. My husband and I shared a bunch of items. Everything was absolutely delicious. The calamari was perfectly cooked, also had artichoke and caper berries, with a delicious aioli. The Barba was a beet salad, with a perfectly tart salad dressing, goat cheese and candied nuts! The cavatelli was rich in a lamb sauce, delicious and the homemade pasta was the absolute perfect texture. The white fish was amazing, with a caper sauce, red peppers and over couscous. We finished it off with the Fagottino Di Pera, an amazing pear tarte with gelato and a flaky pasty! We also got a bottle of wine "Ennak" is was a perfect, rich blend that perfectly paired with the meal. And cappuccinos to end! We ate like kings and queens and it was a spectacular night!

Julia P.

Yelp
A friend & I dined here about a week ago. We thought the food was good and there was a great ambiance out on the patio. Our server, Hannah, was incredibly friendly and informative/helpful!

Bea C.

Yelp
This has become our go-to for an excellent dinner in an intimate setting. From the moment we walk in to the moment we leave, service is stellar and the food is flat out phenomenal. We've lived in the neighborhood for over 12 years now and this is a real jewel on the Lincoln strip.

Jon C.

Yelp
We have been dining here for years. We live downtown but always felt it was worth the drive. Last night we met a close friend and wanted to introduce him to one of our favs. However, we won't be back. We have noticed that many restaurants are skimping on ingredients and service post Pandemic. that seems to be the case here. normally their pasta is homemade and delicious. Last night we ordered two pasta dishes for our table and the pasta was really dry and tasteless. The sauce was not very good in either dish. Everything tasted like it was out of a box. Service was very Inadequate. Very disappointing.

Keith H.

Yelp
Whenever I go to an Italian place, I have certain expectations. For starters - the noodle. My tagliatelle was...grainy? Mealy? Overcooked? Hard to describe, but it just was not good. If this was homemade, they should be retrained. The the sauce - the bolognese on the tagliatelle was awful. Poorly seasoned, not well done by any stretch of the imagination. My appetizer for some focaccia - at the price they charged me, I should have received more than what arrived on my plate. It was good, but nothing great. The service is fine - nothing to write home about. The atmosphere is cute, but cramped when the facility is full. Overall, this is just not the place I want to eat at. I could spend the same amount of money somewhere else and get much better (and more) food. It's too bad - I walked past this place for years and always wondered how good high quality Italian food actually is - guess I'll keep looking.

Steve W.

Yelp
Six of us visited this quaint Italian restaurant before attending a show at the Old Town Music School. The service was very good. They were very attentive and prompt. The entrees were for the most part good. I had the braised short rib ravioli and it was very flavorful. My only complaint was it came with absolutely nothing and the quantity was disappointingly small. They don't even serve bread unless you specifically ask for it. My date at the spaghetti and meatball and the meatballs were very good. The spaghetti and sauce in my opinion were underwhelming. Another couple shared the braised short rib entree and one of their salads and were quite pleased. The other couple also shared one of their salads and the salmon entree and were pleased. While the food tasted good and the service was good I think we would try another restaurant in the area next time we visit that area.

Alex W.

Yelp
This place is a good addition to the neighborhood. Although Trattoria Trullo is nearby, this is a different take on Italian food.

Anna K.

Yelp
Went here for my Master's graduation dinner with my whole family, so my expectations were pretty high coming in as I wanted everyone to have a good time. Due Lire exceeded my expectations in every way. The service was excellent - our waitress was knowledgable, friendly, and checked in with us often but not too often, so we could enjoy our meal. The food, of course, was amazing - highly recommend the italian bread and japanese eggplant as appetizers, and the tagliatelle and (if they have it) the short rib risotto for dinner. It is important to note that we made reservations in advance and went at 5:30 on a Friday, when it was slightly less busy, so we had the full attention of the staff as there weren't many other diners there. Overall, I would highly recommend this place for a group meal, or even a meal for two as a date night. Great food, reasonable prices, and amazing service. Parking is easy across the street as well.

Adina D.

Yelp
We really enjoyed the environment, the server, the service. The food was well prepared and delicious. I will certainly be back

Sarah D.

Yelp
Absolutely charming patio space, but the food wasn't good enough to merit a return trip. My friends really liked their meals, but I thought the appetizers were bland, my pasta was overly salty, and the desserts weren't sweet enough.

Karin K.

Yelp
Very disappointing experience. Very "salty" from the attitude of Massimo to the food that was served with so much salt, that several people in our group ate very little of their dinner. Also, $4 for every refill of iced served?! The only redeeming quality of the restaurant was the waitstaff.

Paul K.

Yelp
Small space, great service and great atmosphere. The food is just knockout good. I had a pasta special which had a great Italian name but who can remember that stuff? For starters we ordered their olives. These olives were not swimming in olive oil and they had varieties I have never seen, One looked like a small red pepper. It was not hot but it was an outstanding never had before olive. We also ordered some bread that came out like toast. Kind of liked it served that way. I ordered pasta with the long noodle that was supposed to be hollow but really looked like plain old spaghetti noodles. The sauce was a spicy pork ragu. Outstanding. I would not hesitate to come back and eat here again. Fine dining, good service and really was a leisurely meal.

Mark M.

Yelp
We went on a Sunday evening and the place was relatively quiet. The owner was lovely, and the food was excellent. The Caprese antipasto was excellent with abundant mozzarella and tomatoes. My wife's gnocchi and my ribeye special with mushroom & red wine reduction were excellent. Felt like a small neighborhood place and no doubt we'll be back.

Liz O.

Yelp
Definitely one of my new favorite Italian spots in Chicago. Great place for an intimate dinner - romantic or with a group. Very cozy spot in Lincoln Square. My boyfriend and I found this spot by chance when we were in the neighborhood for an event, and were lucky enough to get squeezed in for a table. The service was attentive, fun and knowledgeble - including the host, server and the bartender. Cocktails - we had a negroni and an old-fashioned. Both were delicious and smooth. My boyfriend is very into particular whiskeys and often orders old-fashioneds, and this is his new favorite place for an old fashioned. He ended up talking with and tipping the bartender in addition to our server, even though we never waited at the bar for our table! First Course- for an appetizer we ordered the tomatto mozzarella bruschetta and it was delicious. Served on a large toasted crostini (probably 3 servings), with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil and just the right amount of pesto to soak into the bread but not too much to make it soggy. Second Course- we had the butternut squash salad, with walnuts, cranberries and greens. It was flavorful - spicey, cinnamon and maybe nutmeg, with sweetness from the cranberries and a refreshing bite from the greens. Excellent seasonal salad that tasted like a autumn on a plate. Main Course - I had seafood brodetto and my boyfriend had spaghetti with meat sauce(yes, just plain old spaghetti). I loved my seafood brodetto - shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari in a tomato based broth served with toasted bread. If I wasn't in public I would have slurped every last drop of the broth! I don't eat meat, but my boyfriend raved about house-made spaghetti. Portions were just right - not the oversized massive bowls of pasta you might get at some Italian places. You definitely want to order an appetizer, salad, and/or a side or two to round out the meal. Finally, we didn't have dessert because we were full from dinner, but we saw some chocolate cake go by that looked delicious! Overall, Due Lire is a great spot for a cozey, and comforting Italian dinner with a date, significant other or small group out. We will definitely be going back!