Located in Lincoln Park Chicago, BASIL LEAF CAFE is the happening Italian Restaurant where the locals go to dine, drink, and socialize. Our menu features dishes assembled from the freshest ingredients, sure to bring bold and inspiring flavor into your life. Join us today. In 1984, Pastas Cafe restaurant opened its first location in New York and soon spread throughout the North Shore of Long Island.
In 1988, we expanded our operation to the West Coast under the name of Pasta Primavera. Although we are no longer affiliated with Pasta Primavera, we are responsible for their entire concept, including the creation of their menu. The following year Pasta Villa of Pleasanton was opened with our new ideas and recipes designed to fit Americans' palate for Italian cuisine.
In 1988, we expanded our operation to the West Coast under the name of Pasta Primavera. Although we are no longer affiliated with Pasta Primavera, we are responsible for their entire concept, including the creation of their menu. The following year Pasta Villa of Pleasanton was opened with our new ideas and recipes designed to fit Americans' palate for Italian cuisine.
Reviews (25)
Sharif Aly
Jan 11, 2022
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Savannah Bouwens
Dec 18, 2021
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Brian Sacco
Nov 30, 2021
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D. J.
Nov 02, 2021
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The guy that served me and my friends were amazing. He pitched into our conversation from time to time and it was hilarious. I wish I remembered his name, he wore glasses and had a nice butt. The food was amazing, the tea was delicious and although it was chilly we sat outdoors and it was the perfect fall feast. I will be going back.
Bill Wallace
Oct 29, 2021
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M. B.
Oct 18, 2021
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Pankaj Dave
Oct 17, 2021
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Terry Flood
Oct 15, 2021
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Excellent food, wonderful service. My wife is celiac - the restaurant staff's knowledge and understanding of the need for gluten free options is outstanding. Their execution of outstanding gluten free foods and flavors is second to none in Chicago. Basil Leaf is going to be a regular "go-to". Highly recommend.
Jody S.
Oct 12, 2021
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I had been to the Basil Leaf Cafe Several times before the pandemic. I just came back and revisited with two friends. I tried the chicken picante. I don't know if I ever had it before but this was AMAZING. It had capers, mushrooms, cut up tomatoes, pasta and peas and of course chicken with other ingredients. It was steaming hot when it got to our table and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this dish and Basil Leaf. We had a very friendly waitress whom I forgot her name. We kidded her because she looked like the actress Dakota.
The fresh hot rolls they serve to start with
The fresh hot rolls they serve to start with
Leah L.
Sep 20, 2021
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Loved my experience here! Walked in on a Saturday with 5 people and we were seated right away. The restaurant is very open and calm/quiet. Their Bloody Mary's are HUGE and so tasty! One of the best I've had in a while. The server comes around and gives you a very fresh roll of bread with an amazing mix of EVOO and other spices. The server came over to us immediately after we finished our rolls and asked if we wanted another. We ordered the Calamari as an app which was huge and delicious. I ordered the greek salad with chicken. It was so filling, fresh, and yummy! Their menu is big but
Minal Varma
Sep 14, 2021
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Aaron M.
Sep 09, 2021
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Chandana S.
Aug 06, 2021
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Duke Zeppelin
Aug 01, 2021
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5/5
They’re very polite, stepped in at opening and was greeted with a warm “Good Morning” by staff and was then serviced immediately.
Just a standard carry out, took around 20 minutes for a Caesar Salad but they did just open and was prepping for their lunch service.
Here is a picture of said salad
Well dressed and Balanced
They’re very polite, stepped in at opening and was greeted with a warm “Good Morning” by staff and was then serviced immediately.
Just a standard carry out, took around 20 minutes for a Caesar Salad but they did just open and was prepping for their lunch service.
Here is a picture of said salad
Well dressed and Balanced
Megan F.
Jun 04, 2021
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Emily M.
May 22, 2021
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Went here with dinner for a friend. The staff was very kind and courteous. We were able to get a table without a reservation, which was awesome because we were in the area looking for a nice place for dinner and drinks and were having no luck finding a place that would take us on such short notice.
The windows were open, so it was breezy and refreshing within the restaurant. Our servers were attentive. They bring out from bread every few minutes and offer some at your table from a basket. It was very fresh! The olive oil used with the bread was slightly spicy and some of the best I've ever
The windows were open, so it was breezy and refreshing within the restaurant. Our servers were attentive. They bring out from bread every few minutes and offer some at your table from a basket. It was very fresh! The olive oil used with the bread was slightly spicy and some of the best I've ever
Maureen H.
Mar 28, 2021
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Marley G.
Feb 20, 2021
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This is my new favourite spot. I have suddenly had to go gluten free and felt like I just had to accept never having pasta again UNTIL I found Basil Leaf. I was so used to terrible gluten free items but nope. Basil Leaf's menu is incredible. They take gluten allergies seriously and do not let lack of gluten mean lack of flavour. Our server was Agnieszka and she was an absolute treasure. Even if the food hadn't been absolutely delicious I would still be a repeat customer for Agnieszka. She was an amazing server, prompt, courteous, and absolutely charming. Basil Leaf is my favourite restaurant
Nolan M.
Feb 10, 2021
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My favorite restaurant in Chicago after living here for 6 years. Why?
- The food is absolutely amazing every time I visit. It's not cheap, but it doesn't taste cheap either.
- The serving sizes are very generous.
- Excellent service. Our servers and the wait staff have always been friendly, polite, prompt, and had a great knowledge of the menu (both food and drink).
- It's a simple atmosphere inside but it's warm, inviting, and I feel like the noise level is always good for dinner conversation. Loud enough not to hear your neighbors and vice versa, but quiet enough to
- The food is absolutely amazing every time I visit. It's not cheap, but it doesn't taste cheap either.
- The serving sizes are very generous.
- Excellent service. Our servers and the wait staff have always been friendly, polite, prompt, and had a great knowledge of the menu (both food and drink).
- It's a simple atmosphere inside but it's warm, inviting, and I feel like the noise level is always good for dinner conversation. Loud enough not to hear your neighbors and vice versa, but quiet enough to
Nanette B.
Oct 03, 2020
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Had a great mid-afternoon snack at Basil Leaf Cafe back in September. My daughter and I had spent the day walking around the city and fancied a drink and a nibble. We split the Greek salad and an order of crab cakes and we each had a glass of wine from the expansive and very reasonable wine menu. The Greek salad was very generous, as were the crab cakes. Both were absolutely delicious. Because of the weather, all of the windows were thrown open and we had a nice, airy window seat. There was outdoor seating but at the time we arrived, but it was in full sun so we opted to sit inside at a window
Ernie H.
Jul 26, 2020
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Indoor outdoor seating. Meaning the indoor seating with all the windows open feels outdoor. Distinctive lighting. I'm in.
Most places Italian places have good bread, here it's the main event. The garlic infused olive oil is to DIE FOR! It's like dipped in escargot with out the snails.
The mussels in the fennel wine broth were soft and fresh felt like was never frozen. Although the wine sauce was a little too sour
The linguini carbonara is really tasty almost too rich. The cream is way too thick. You will need a glass of wine to offset it. Linguini fruita de mare was excellent
Most places Italian places have good bread, here it's the main event. The garlic infused olive oil is to DIE FOR! It's like dipped in escargot with out the snails.
The mussels in the fennel wine broth were soft and fresh felt like was never frozen. Although the wine sauce was a little too sour
The linguini carbonara is really tasty almost too rich. The cream is way too thick. You will need a glass of wine to offset it. Linguini fruita de mare was excellent
Anna B.
Feb 20, 2020
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I love Basil Leaf! The angel hair pasta with chicken and tomatoes is phenomenal, and this is what I always order. The wine is also very good and reasonably priced, although I've found that some of the pasta dishes are slightly overpriced (only by a couple of dollars though--and the taste makes up for it, which is why I'm not taking off a star). My husband's favorite here is the linguine carbonara. Basil Leaf is nice for a date spot or a family dinner. There is no parking and street parking in this area is extremely difficult, so best to walk, take the bus, or Uber/Lyft here. Tip
Greg G.
Jan 23, 2020
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Delicious! I came in last night with a friend for a quick dinner and it was fantastic. Our server (I wish I remember her name but she was fantastic!) was kind and answered any questions we had. Wine selection was impressive and well priced. The fried calamari is the best I've had in the Midwest! Perfectly fried and seasoned. I had the pasta with vegetables and added shrimp which was excellent. My friend had the caprese salad and he loved it! Service was prompt and pricing was completely fair. Loved the atmosphere and I can't wait to come back!
Didn't try dessert because we were
Didn't try dessert because we were
Dan Diaz
Aug 10, 2019
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We walked here from Lurie Children's Hospital in Lincoln Park and it was less than 2 minute walk. We had our two children here and were a bit nervous at how they'd behave in this restaurant. Fortunately the staff understood our elevated stress levels and did everything that they could to expedite & elevate our dining experience. We were immediately greeted by the busboy who had childrens water cups for us.(thank you!) Then the server was fantastic getting us in and out as most parents would appreciate and hope. the team here anticipated our needs even before we asked! I stood up to take my son
Niaz K.
May 16, 2019
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Basil Leaf Cafe is anyone's dream restaurant. Cute and cozy atmosphere, friendly servers and the perfect location. They have specials everyday of the week and also offer lunch specials! If you live in Chicago, you should be here once a week.
We were lucky enough to end up on wine Wednesday's. 50% off bottles of wine under $100. Great deal but even greater food.
As soon as the waitress brought our water she brought everyone a nice fresh roll to dip in an outstanding olive oil. We ordered the caprese appetizer to start. The mozzarella was so fresh, it melted in your mouth. It was served
We were lucky enough to end up on wine Wednesday's. 50% off bottles of wine under $100. Great deal but even greater food.
As soon as the waitress brought our water she brought everyone a nice fresh roll to dip in an outstanding olive oil. We ordered the caprese appetizer to start. The mozzarella was so fresh, it melted in your mouth. It was served
