Alla Vita

The story

Alla Vita Chicago – Michelin Recommended Italian Eatery on Randolph Street

Alla Vita

On Chicago’s Randolph Street, Alla Vita lives up to its name. “To life” in Italian, the restaurant is a place to gather and share comfortable, family-style Italian-American cuisine. The space works for both lively lunch gatherings and intimate dinner celebrations, with indoor and outdoor seating that fits the occasion.

Executive Chef Lee Wolen brings a straightforward, ingredient-focused approach to the kitchen. The menu leans on fresh pasta, pizza, and classics like chicken parmigiana with fire-roasted tomato sauce and buffalo mozzarella. Pizza options include Margherita, San Daniele Prosciutto, sopressata, fennel sausage, mushroom, and carbonara. The cooking is simple and deliberate, letting the best ingredients speak.

The restaurant earned a Michelin Recommended distinction, a nod to its consistent quality and welcoming atmosphere. The team, led by Chef Wolen alongside culinary director Jonathan Dockter and chef de cuisine Darren Underway, keeps the experience polished but unstuffy.

Whether you stop in for a weekday lunch, order takeout, or book a private party, Alla Vita delivers the kind of Italian hospitality that feels both special and everyday. That’s the point: a place for shared meals and memorable experiences, made for every occasion.