I’ve always walked by this place but never stopped in until today. We had a great meal here! The drinks were average, I thought the gin Negroni I got was way too strong, another cocktail was very spirit forward and not balanced. We got free bread with olive oil, the fried tempura zucchini, and the burrata. The olive oil could have used fresh tableside pepper or salt. We liked the zucchini a lot but the burrata was a bit boring. For the entrees, most of us got pasta. I opted for the tableside one, which was very fresh and tasty but I thought ultimately very plain and a bit of a gimmick. Lastly for the dessert, we got the Napoleon puff pastry with pistachio ice cream. Very good, the puff pastry was hard to split but the dessert was well presented and tasted great. Oh, a special shoutout to the chips we ordered as a side - those were extremely tasty and well made.

Terrific Italian food with amazing service and a quiet, comfortable atmosphere. They have amazing homemade pasta dishes. They also offer many of their pastas as gluten free. Overall a terrific place for an intimate night out, casual dinner or business.

My girlfriend and I decided to give Gioia Chicago a try and I will say it was really good! We tried then: Carciofi, Linguine, and the La Parmigiana. Every dish was amazing! I would say my Personal favorite was the Linguine as you could have the sauce at the bottom of the plate with some bread and it kept making you want more!

Outstanding service and food! Would highly recommend! Some of the best Italian food we’ve had in Chicago. Definitely take your time and plan on enjoying a proper meal with all the courses and drinks. We went all out with no regrets. The most excellent pasta, pizza, steak, dessert, and drinks. Well done! The later it got the louder but we started early and was nice.

This was our second time dining here, and we’re so glad we decided to give it another shot. Our first visit, which was on a busy weekend, didn’t quite hit the mark—crowded, a bit too loud, and not the vibe we were hoping for. However, our weekday evening experience this time around was a game-changer! It was quieter, more intimate, and the service was outstanding—truly attentive and warm. We started with the crab cakes appetizer paired with an arugula salad, and it was absolutely phenomenal—one of the highlights of the meal. For our entrées, we had the fettuccine with ragu, which was rich and flavorful, and the chef graciously made a special carbonara for me, even though it wasn’t on the menu. While the sauce leaned more toward a milk-based preparation rather than the traditional yolk, Parmesan, and pasta water combination, it was still delightful and satisfied my craving. We ended the evening with their tiramisu, which was the perfect sweet finish—light, creamy, and delicious. We look forward to coming back again!

Gaioa is a beautiful Italian spot in Chicago that strikes the perfect balance between upscale and inviting. You’ll want to dress up, but you’ll feel just as welcome coming casual. The ambience is cozy and elegant, with lovely light filtering through the windows and intimate seating nooks. We started with the Fritto—perfectly crisp calamari and shrimp with aioli—so good. Two of my daughters ordered their favorite, Cacio e Pepe, and it did not disappoint. Another daughter tried the Casoncelli Alla Bergamasca, which was rich and hearty, though not a favorite for our table. But the star of the night was the Grilled Butterflied Mediterranean Sea Bass with oregano and lemon oil—incredible. Perfectly cooked, bright, and flavorful. You’ll want more after the first bite. Highly recommend! Special thanks to Luana, the manager, for her warm and attentive service. Gaioa delivers on food, service, and vibe—definitely worth a visit.