Orso's

1401 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
$$$ Italian restaurant
(1177 Reviews)

Welcome to Orso's, a charming Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Old Town, Chicago. Located at 1401 N Wells St, this delightful eatery captures the essence of traditional Italian cuisine, serving up beloved dishes in a cozy, romantic atmosphere that feels both inviting and elegant.

As you step through the doors of Orso’s, a warmth envelops you—the gentle buzz of conversation, the soft glow of candlelight, and the delightful aroma of rich sauces and freshly baked bread filling the air. The ambiance transports you to a quaint Italian villa, enhanced by the enchanting outdoor dining area draped in lush grapevines, perfect for a magical evening under the stars.

Orso's menu boasts a delectable variety of lunch and dinner options that celebrate Italy’s rich culinary traditions. For lunch, start with their Bruschetta—a classic roasted garlic toast topped with a fresh medley of diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and spices for just $6.95. Or indulge in their Calamari Fritti, which tantalizes your taste buds with its light, crispy texture.

One of the highlights of the lunch menu is the thin crust Pizza Bianco, drizzled with a fragrant garlic herb oil and layered with a heavenly combination of fontina, mozzarella, and goat cheese, topped with peppery arugula and zesty lemon vinaigrette for $12.95. The bustling crowd outside can’t resist the charm of the Italian Beef Sandwich, a Chicago staple bursting with flavor, served with your choice of sweet or hot peppers for $10.95.

As the sun sets, Orso's transforms into a haven for dinner enthusiasts. Their Chicken Vesuvio is a must-try—an organic half chicken, perfectly seasoned with fresh garlic and herbs, served alongside Vesuvio-style potatoes that are wonderfully crispy and infused with flavor ($24.95).

Customer experiences echo the joy of dining at Orso’s. Pam Peters praises the “beautiful outside area with dining under a canopy of grape vines,” while Miranda Molina reminisces about the delightful ambiance accentuated by live piano music, making it a perfect place to celebrate special moments with friends and family. Cynthia Macias even hosted her wedding here, highlighting the attentive service and the joy her guests felt with every bite of food.

With savory dishes that are both satisfying and beautifully presented, Orso’s makes every meal a memorable experience. As you savor each bite, you'll feel a connection to the culinary heart of Italy, and you might just find a new favorite spot in your dining rotation.

Whether it's a romantic dinner date or a casual lunch with friends, Orso's provides an unforgettable Italian dining experience, combining delightful flavors, charming atmosphere, and attentive service. Once you visit, you’ll understand why Orso's is a beloved gem in Chicago’s vibrant dining scene.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Has rooftop seating
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves late-night food
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

1177 Reviews
Gary Ward

18 Sep 2025

I live in Roger's Park, but was in Old Town on a Sunday afternoon and found myself in front of Orso's. I had seen it many times, but never dined there. I asked to see the menu, and it looked good and very reasonably priced. Our party of 3 sat in the back patio area. Our waitress was prompt, charming and friendly. The food was delicious and I loved the kind of old-timey atmosphere of the whole place. We'll definitely be back! I thought it was a really good bargain. Going out to eat has gotten SOOO expensive, but I have to say that, at least their brunch menu was a great value. I'm looking forward to returning to try their dinner menu.

Pam Peters

10 Sep 2025

Beautiful outside area with dining under a canopy of grape vines. The food was delicious and our waiter was for friendly and helpful.

roxanna

09 Sep 2025

Absolutely wonderful, amazing pasta, wonderful service! It’s aesthetically pleasing as well! Love coming here for special occasions

Robert Duczyński

30 Aug 2025

Really great food, good value for money. One of the best places I’ve been to in Chicago. Highly recommend bruschetta, portobello (absolutely amazing), and salmon.

Cynthia Macias

19 Aug 2025

We just had our wedding this past Saturday and it was everything we could of ever wanted. The food, the service was A++++ Nakita and Daria and the rest of the staff made sure we got taken care of and also took care of our guest. Everyone LOVED the food, drinks and atmosphere. We have no words but just deep gratitude for everyone that made our day so so very special.

Lauren Cox

15 Aug 2025

Cuuuttteee Italian resturant that allowed us to rekindle our love. Italy holds a special place in my heart, and this was what I needed. Food was excellent! Atmosphere under the grapevine was perfect I cant wait to return

Miranda Molina

06 Jul 2025

My friends and I had an absolutely lovely time at Orso’s. Our food was delicious and our waiter was very attentive. The manager came to our table several times to make sure we were having a very nice experience. The pianist, Joe, was the best part of the evening. He played wonderful songs all night and he didn’t mind us singing along. I’ll be back!

Gladys Gonzalez

05 Jun 2025

Wow at this very moment I'm eating the Veal tortellini pasta it's so amazing and creamy. This reminds me why I love meat so much. This is one of the best pastas ive had that was big in portion. I did take out and still temperature so fresh and perfect feels I'm having a dine in still.

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