Sure, Chicago is most famous for deep dish pizza, but as anyone who lives here will tell you, there’s a lot more to the Italian food scene than just pizza. One of the great melting pots of America, Chicago’s Italian-American history is legendary. The city wouldn’t be the same without a taste of Italy — and neither would work lunches. What better way to bring teams together than with bold flavors and family-style meals? From wood-fired pizzas to red sauce pastas and beef sandwiches, Italian catering in Chicago can turn your next office party or attendance-boosting work lunch into an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. Let’s take a look at the top five eateries your crew won’t want to miss.

1. Firenze Italian Street Food

Firenze Italian Street Food brings the rustic flavors of Florence to Chicago. It’s a hit with locals, who love the high-quality ingredients, simple recipes, and authentic homemade flavors. What’s more, catering customers praise the restaurant’s reliability. As one reviewer described it, “the most requested, always on time, consistent quality.”The menu is so vast that everyone on your team is bound to find something they love. Popular choices include a chicken pesto sandwich, roasted veggie and provolone sandwich, and turkey pecorino sandwich. They’re all individually wrapped and come with chips and a chocolate chip cookie on the side.

Need options for staff with specific dietary needs? Try ordering a hearty salad. The Firenze Salad is gluten-free and features mixed greens, arugula, garbanzo beans, sweet corn, fresh mozzarella, and shaved Parmesan tossed with sweet basil vinaigrette. The Vegan Firenze Salad swaps out the cheese with red onions and is just as satisfying.

Notable: Caprese Sandwich

2. The Pasta Bowl

There are few flavors as revered and appreciated as red sauce. The Pasta Bowl is renowned for just that. Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, this beloved eatery has been serving the community since 1996, making it a staple for anyone seeking hearty, comforting Italian cooking.

This restaurant has a handful of appetizers on the menu. The bruschetta is a noteworthy one: it consists of diced tomatoes, basil, and shredded mozzarella spooned over crispy toast. When it comes to entrées, your team has even more options to choose from. Some of the most popular items on the menu include the Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Rigatoni Bolognese, and Farfalle Pollo. This is one restaurant that always gets rave reviews. “Their pasta, portions, and prices are unbeatable,” noted one customer, while another added that it is “always amazing: from ordering to the professionalism and the quality and taste of their food.”

Notable: Capellini Pomodoro

3. Bonta

Bonta does Italian catering in Chicago slightly differently. Yes, it has a wide variety of pastas and pizzas on the menu, but it also serves breakfast. That’s something you won’t find in many restaurants, so Bonta is a go-to for morning meetings and team-building breakfasts. Keep it simple by ordering freshly brewed coffee and Italian biscotti or treat your crew to a croissant breakfast tray with your choice of cheese and meat fillings.

For lunch, you can choose between hot entrées like Eggplant Parmigiana and Chicken Marsala, an array of pasta dishes, or fresh salads. There are also more than a dozen pies and calzones on the menu. A few memorable ones include the classic Margherita Pizza, the vegetarian-friendly Quattro Formaggi Pizza, and the spicy Diavola Pizza. 

Notable: Chicken Piccata

4. Stix n Brix Wood Fired Pizza

Chicago is world-famous for its pizza, and Stix n Brix Wood Fired Pizza offers a rainbow of cheesy, saucy delicacies for all sorts of dietary needs. That includes gluten-free cauliflower crust pies and vegetarian-friendly toppings.

Here, you can order individual and group pizzas. For example, you could ask everyone to select their favorite 9-inch wood-fired or beer dough pie from the menu using ezCater’s group ordering feature. Best-sellers include the Sausage Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, and Margherita Pizza. For adventurous foodies wanting to try something different, the Beef N Giardiniera Pizza would be a terrific pick.

Single-serve pizzas work for group meals, but why not go bigger? Stix n Brix has five Pizza Party Packages available, serving anywhere from eight to 24 people. No one will go back to their desk hungry.

Notable: BBQ Chicken Pizza

5. Dominick’s Pizza & Pasta

Dominick’s Pizza & Pasta has been doing Italian food catering in Chicago for decades. Founded in 1963, this family-owned business takes pride in making everything with the freshest high-quality ingredients You can taste it. As one happy catering customer noted, “The food was delicious, second time in a week we ordered. Our whole team loved it.”

Pizza and pasta is this local gem’s specialty. There’s something for everyone: from gluten-free pies to creamy carbonaras and vegan red sauce gnocchi. Craving something else? Dominick’s three-foot subs are great for sharing as a group. Loaded with all kinds of deli meats, cheese, fresh veggies, and condiments, each sub feeds nine people. Other options include hot entrées (like fried chicken or mini meatballs) and salads.

Notable: Italian Beef

Find the best Italian catering in Chicago on ezCater

Chicago is home to a rich and vibrant food scene thanks to its Italian roots. Whether your crew is craving deep-dish pizza or sandwiches filled with meat and pickled vegetables, you’ll find the perfect restaurant on ezCater. Ready to make your team’s day? Order the best Italian catering in Chicago for lunch.