Hello dear
Welcome to Cafe Bionda
At Cafe Bionda, nestled in the heart of Chicago's South Loop, we celebrate the rich traditions of Italian cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Our story is woven through the exquisite flavors of our handcrafted pizzas and innovative pasta dishes, crafted with fresh, quality ingredients. Guests rave about our standout offerings, such as the braised beef ravioli and creamy cacio e pepe, enhanced by a delightful tableside presentation. We pride ourselves on exceptional service, creating memorable dining experiences that welcome families and friends alike. Join us for happy hour or a cozy dinner, and indulge in the true taste of Italy at Cafe Bionda.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Cacio e Pepe
Halibut Piccata
Skirt Steak
Grilled Salmon
About
Cafe Bionda
Welcome to Café Bionda, a hidden gem nestled in the vibrant South Loop of Chicago. This Italian eatery specializes in mouthwatering pizza and pasta, bringing a taste of Italy right to your table. With its combination of classy yet casual ambiance, it’s the perfect spot for everything from a family dinner to a night out with friends.
Café Bionda stands out not just for its culinary delights but also for its thoughtful amenities. The restaurant takes reservations and offers delivery, takeout, and catering services. It is fully wheelchair accessible and welcomes groups and children, making it an ideal choice for gatherings of all kinds. With options for street parking, on-site parking, and valet services, visiting Café Bionda is a breeze.
The atmosphere buzzes with moderate noise, enhanced by friendly waiter service and the option to enjoy your meal outside on their heated covered patio. Whether you're sipping a refreshing cocktail during happy hour or catching a game on TV, the lively environment is sure to elevate your dining experience.
Now, let’s talk about the food. Guests rave about the short rib ravioli and the cacio e pepe served tableside in a cheese wheel; the latter draped generously with shaved truffles, is an experience that should not be missed. Both dishes showcase depth of flavor, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients that come to life with every bite. As one patron noted, the vodka rigatoni shines with richness and just a hint of spice, elevating it above the ordinary.
- Signature Dishes: Be sure to try the honey burrata pizza and the whipped ricotta drizzled with hot honey for a perfect appetizer.
- Desserts: While some have had mixed feelings about the tiramisu, don’t overlook their innovative crepe brulee and unique tiramisu martini for a delightful finale.
The service at Café Bionda complements its exceptional food—attentive and personable staff ensure you feel right at home. As the atmosphere envelops you, it’s easy to surrender to the charm of this Italian locale, making you want to return time and again.
If you’re in the mood for hearty Italian food served with warmth and friendliness, Café Bionda is a must-visit. Dive into their delectable menu and discover why this spot has captured the hearts of Chicago’s food lovers.
Visit them at 1924 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616 or call (312) 846-1901 for reservations. Experience the essence of Italy at Café Bionda—your taste buds will thank you!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Amazing entrees, the short rib ravioli was one of the best dishes we ordered that night! The cacio e Pepe was good minus the bitterness, possibly from the truffles? The dessert? God awful, worst tiramisu I've ever had in my life. ”
“ There are few things in this world more welcoming than a warm Italian restaurant with delicious food. So what better way to open restaurant week than at Cafe Bionda. My girlfriend and I got different dishes all around and shared, so we could have a wide sampling of dishes. App's: arancini and whipped ricotta. Mains: braised beef ravioli and chicken parm on spicy vodka rigatoni. Dessert: pistachio tiramisu and olive oil cake. All around, the food was absolutely phenomenal. I would absolutely recommend the vodka rigatoni. I've had a lot of vodka sauce in my time, but never one so delicious as this. Buttery, rich, and a hint of spice from the Calabrian chilis. The chef even came out to speak with us! He told me his secret is to not add so much tomato and let the ingredients do their magic. Bionda is a gorgeous little Italian eatery tucked away in south loop. I would certainly recommend everyone try it out during this year's restaurant week. ”
“ Went here for a happy hour, stayed here for the vibes! Bartender Jenny was incredible she's so personable and sweet! Food was exceptional. Elliot the manager catered to our every need and exceptional service all around! Definitely will be coming back ”
“ Amazing food. Beyond expectations. We ordered whipped ricotta + hot honey which was very tasty. Also I had tableside truffle cacio e pepe which was actually not heavy and very tasty you must try. Crepe Brulee was created beautifully and tasty. Service is attentive and they watered us very quickly. The ambience is out of date. The ambience style itself is fine. You want to update like balthzar in our city(new york) . Also they have a promotion from apps inkind for the first timer for the apps - if you spend 150, they can give us 50 off. I could not spend 150 for 2 people, so we will need to go back with more empty stomach next time! Highly recommended. ”
“ Cafe Bionda is such a cozy italian spot in South Loop - They have delicious appetizers, drinks, and desserts. The cacio e pepe table side in a cheese wheel is a must try - So good with the shaved truffle on top. We also had the honey burrata pizza which was incredible! The flavors were perfect and the crust was light and crispy. The whipped ricotta with the toast was the best appetizer, and for dessert we had the tiramisu martini and the pink cocktail which were also delicious. Everything was great and the service was very friendly. ”
“ We had dinner here since it was close to the convention center and what a great pick! They had an amazing happy hour menu that we were just in time for. They had $10 appetizers and great prices for wine, beer and even some fancy cocktails. Their food menu was great and even had table side Alfredo pasta which we got to see not too far away. Food was great and the company was awesome. ”
“ I'm genuinely confused about some of these reviews because they definitely need to be higher! We came here for my 30th birthday, and we experienced such amazing food and service. We were sat at our designated time, we're always checked in on, and the food was phenomenal. My friends kept saying how much they'd love to come back since they live in Chicago. I got the vodka pasta and added chicken to it. Absolutely obsessed with it. Will definitely be back! ”
“ We've passed by Cafe Bionda several times over the years, but never made it in until now. We are glad we did. It has a cozy warm atmosphere inside with lots of framed vintage posters decorating the walls. The hostess seated us quickly and the server was quick too. We ordered appetizers first. The fried calamari was spot on. The taste of the stuffed mushrooms were a bit disguised by the breadcrumbs, but it was fine. I think if they went a bit easy on the breadcrumbs, it would help the juicy taste of the mushrooms shine through. We all enjoyed the light freshness of the bruschetta. It was one of our favorites for the night. We also enjoyed the main entrees. The margherita pizza is big, probably enough for three people. The lemon shrimp tagliolini had a good lemony taste to it. It would taste more worth it if the shrimp pieces were not cut into smaller pieces. One of the stars of the night was the halibut, light and dreamy with just the right balance of flavors between the garlic, lemon, and capers. At the top was the brick chicken too. It was well flavored with the lemon and garlic. We would order the bruschetta, halibut, and brick chicken again. It is worth trying this neighborhood gem. ”
