Nonnina
River North, Chicago
Restaurant in Chicago, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$50–100per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Nonnina is a practical River North pick when easy booking and central Chicago logistics matter more than a trophy reservation. Use it for casual lunches, low-pressure dinners, and convenience-led takeout, then cross-shop RPM Steak for a splurge or Frontera Grill for a clearer cuisine-driven plan.
About Nonnina
Nonnina is a Chicago restaurant with hours Monday through Saturday and a smart-casual dress code. Use it when the practical details matter: it opens at 11 AM on operating days, closes at 9 PM Monday through Thursday, closes at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.
A practical Chicago option
Nonnina is a direct Chicago choice, but its cuisine, chef-led format, price point, award history, seating setup, takeout program, or group policy are not specified. Plan based on available information rather than assuming a particular menu style or occasion fit.
Because details like off-premise service, dietary accommodations, menu structure, or pricing are not specified, check directly with the restaurant before building a plan around any of those details. The most reliable planning anchors are the posted hours and the smart-casual dress code.
Use it for schedule fit, then cross-shop for mood
Compared with other options, Nonnina is easiest to evaluate by schedule and dress code. RPM Steak and Frontera Grill are natural cross-shops when you want to compare the night against another named restaurant. Barrio, Bodega, and Crying Tiger may also be useful comparisons if you are deciding by atmosphere, timing, or the needs of your group.
For broader planning, use Our full Chicago restaurants guide before locking the meal, then pair it with Our full Chicago hotels guide, Our full Chicago bars guide, Our full Chicago wineries guide, or Our full Chicago experiences guide if the restaurant is only one part of the night. Browsing can also include other Chicago dining rooms.
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 AM–9 PM; Friday and Saturday 11 AM–10 PM; Sunday closed.
- Dress code: smart casual.
- Best use: a Chicago meal planned around its hours and a smart-casual setting.
- Check directly: menu details, pricing, reservations, group policies, dietary accommodations, and off-premise service.
Planning details
- Location
- 340 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- nonninachicago.com
- Phone
- +13128220077
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Nonnina presents itself as a room built for meaningful meals rather than quick turns. The dining space favors measured intimacy: tables and acoustics are arranged to preserve conversation, and the overall effect leans toward an elegant, composed evening. The kitchen’s commitment to handmade pasta and a considered wine list anchors the room in Italian tradition while the service and pacing prioritize attention over volume. Guests find a sophisticated, quietly polished atmosphere that supports anniversaries, promotions and other milestone dinners without theatricality: it’s more about being held by the room than being observed within it.
Best For
This is a restaurant for milestone evenings and low-key celebrations. Couples and small parties come here for anniversaries and date nights; members of the city’s professional class turn to it for quiet business dinners that still feel like an occasion. Families who want a thoughtful celebratory meal also find it appropriate when an evening needs to mean something. The space’s emphasis on conversation and moderated pacing makes it a better fit for reserved, reasoned dining than for rowdy group nights or speedy lunches.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the kitchen’s signatures and plan to share. Start with the Margarita Pizza or a few antipasti, then order the Bucatini Carbonara to experience the house pasta at its most forthright; the Braciole provides a traditional, substantial second course. Save room for Torta della Nonna to finish on a classic note. The dining room’s deliberate pace encourages lingering, so order with the expectation of multiple courses and allow time between plates to enjoy the company and the considered wine selections mentioned in the room’s profile.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and warm with a retro vibe, featuring inviting lighting and a family-friendly atmosphere praised by guests.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Prix fixe
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Bucatini Carbonara
- Margarita Pizza
- Braciole
- Torta della Nonna
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 340 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to Go If You Can't Get In
Try Frontera Grill if value and a defined cuisine lane matter. Pick RPM Steak only if the backup plan can handle a $$$$ steakhouse spend.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Nonnina is the easy-booking, central-location choice in this set. It is a better fit than RPM Steak when the group wants a lower-pressure meal rather than a $$$$ steakhouse night. Choose RPM Steak when budget and occasion are the point; choose Nonnina when convenience is doing the work.
Frontera Grill has the clearer value signal because its Mexican $$ positioning gives diners a more defined expectation before booking. Nonnina works better for a neutral group dinner where nobody wants a strong theme. Barrio and Bodega are smarter cross-shops if the night needs more bar-forward energy.
Crying Tiger is the wildcard comparison: without a listed price or format signal, it is harder to position, but it belongs on the fallback list if Nonnina is not the mood. For the least complicated plan in River North, Nonnina remains the safer booking.
Explore Chicago
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Nonnina guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Nonnina
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonnina | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
| Bodega | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
| Barrio | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
| RPM Steak | Chicago | Steakhouse | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #173World's Best Wine Lists 20252025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #204World's Best Wine Lists 20242024 Michelin Plate |
| Frontera Grill | Chicago | Mexican | $$ | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7282024 Michelin Bib Gourmand2023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Recommended |
| Crying Tiger | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
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How Nonnina Chicago compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Nonnina?
Nonnina is open from 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday and from 11 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sunday. The hours support daytime and evening planning, but specific menu periods are not specified.
What should I wear to Nonnina?
Wear smart-casual clothing for Nonnina in Chicago. Neat, polished casual dress fits the dress code.
Can Nonnina accommodate groups?
Group accommodation details are not specified. If you are planning for a party, contact Nonnina directly before booking; for comparison, RPM Steak is another option to consider.
Is Nonnina good for solo dining?
Nonnina can be considered for solo dining if its Chicago location, smart-casual dress code, and posted hours fit your plan. Specific seating formats are not specified.
Is Nonnina good for a special occasion?
It may work for an occasion if its hours and smart-casual setting match the plan. No award, price, private dining, or special-occasion package information is specified.
What are alternatives to Nonnina?
Consider RPM Steak, Frontera Grill, Barrio, Bodega, or Crying Tiger when comparing Nonnina with other dining options.
