Quite frankly, our trip to Gioia was the inspiration behind this guide. This new Italian restaurant in the West Loop is just perfect for people who just want to have a conversation. It’s large without feeling cavernous, tastefully decorated in soothing neutral colors, and the service is on top of everything without being obtrusive. More importantly, the food is good. The focus is on handmade pastas, which include things like a fantastic bucatini cacio e pepe, pici with ragu, and paccheri mancini prepared tableside. And while Gioia is in one of Chicago’s busiest neighborhoods, it’s still easy to book a reservation. Plus, there’s a large bar area that’s great for hanging out after dinner, and a cute sidewalk patio with comfortable tables and chairs that don’t look like they were hastily purchased from a discount garden store.

Gioia is an upscale new Italian restaurant in the West Loop with a cute sidewalk patio that has plenty of plants, and comfortable tables and chairs that don’t look like they were hastily purchased from a discount garden store. The focus here is on handmade pastas, which include things like a fantastic bucatini cacio e pepe, pici with ragu, and paccheri mancini prepared tableside. And while Gioia is on one of Chicago’s busiest streets (Randolph) in one of the busiest neighborhoods, it’s just far enough away from the foot traffic you won’t have to worry about Labradoodles trying to steal your food.

Gioia is an upscale new Italian restaurant in the West Loop. The focus here is on handmade pastas, which include things like bucatini cacio e pepe, seafood tagliatelle, and paccheri mancini prepared tableside. Along with pasta, you’ll also find a bunch of antipasti and mains like veal Milanse.