Cefalu Seaside Sicilian

From the moment you walk in, the modern design and cozy ambiance transport you straight to Italy. The food is simply outstanding—every dish is crafted with love and bursting with flavor. The staff is warm and welcoming, and the service is fantastic. I can’t wait to come back for another amazing experience! Highly recommend! A big shoutout to Michele, the manager! He is incredibly professional, attentive, and ensures every guest feels taken care of. His warm hospitality truly elevated the experience.

We celebrated Easter and a wedding shower at this location. If you’re craving a Mediterranean escape without leaving the city, Cefalù Seaside Sicilian is your next must-visit. Nestled in the heart of Chicago, this gem brings the sun-soaked charm and bold flavors of Sicily straight to your plate.What to try? The arancini are crispy perfection, the grilled octopus is tender and smoky, and the pasta alla Norma is comfort in a bowl. But the real standout? Their branzino al limone—delicately grilled, citrus-kissed, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Pair it with a glass of Sicilian white wine, and you're golden.Dessert lovers, don't skip the cannoli. It’s easily one of the best in the city—crisp shell, creamy ricotta, and just the right touch of sweetness.

I came here just after 5pm on a Tuesday and I just barely missed their happy hour which is between 3-5. The atmosphere for the entire place was modern and chic it is really inviting. Plenty of parking and outdoor seating. The bar was poppin during HH so be sure to get there early. I sat at the main dining area in the back by the brick oven pizza area and ordered the Fritto Misto which consisted of fried calamari, shrimp and scallops. At first glance $26 for an appetizer is steep, but the plate was huge it can easily be shared among 2-4 people. The seafood was so fresh, the batter was nice and light and the seasoning was just perfect. It felt like I was in the Mediterranean seaside eating it. I was way stuffed from just this appetizer alone I couldn't get to order the main, but I'll be sure to return. The service was great and the free bread and cheese sticks were a classy touch.

DELICIOUS food. Absolutely beautiful presentation and tasty food for a very reasonable price for the great quality. I have to commend Rusbin (our server) for his PHENOMENAL service. He had such a friendly, kind and very professional mannerism. I trusted in his recommendations such as the Octopus and appetizer and I was not disappointed at all. I was SO happy with Rusbin’s performance and hospitality. I have never had such a wonderful, pleasant server like Rusbin ever before. My family and I will most definitely be coming back to this establishment often for the delicious food and perfect service! If I had to complain about anything, it was not a good first impression at the door upon entering. The young valet boy and a young waitress were leaned up against the wall flirting instead of greeting us nor even acknowledging our presence as we stood there waiting for the hostess…

We had the greatest experience at Cefalú! We loved the atmosphere and the aesthetics as soon as you walked in. Definitely very Sicilian coastal vibes. The food and drinks were delicious and the service was on point! Our server, Bridgette, and the manager, Michele, were very attentive and professional. They made us feel very welcomed. They are the reason why we will be coming back!

I recently visited this place with the hope of enjoying a quiet, relaxing meal. While the food was absolutely delicious and the service was warm and attentive -truly appreciated. The overall atmosphere was a bit challenging. During our visit, there was quite a bit of movement and noise around us, as staff were rearranging tables and chairs nearby. It made it difficult to fully settle in and enjoy the peaceful experience I was looking forward to. I understand things can get busy and I really value the effort the team puts in. I just wanted to share this feedback with kindness, in the hope that future guests might have a calmer environment to enjoy what is truly wonderful food and kind service.

I had the best birthday party here hands down! I've been here numerous times and each time Cefalu goes above and beyond. This time was exceptional for me. The drinks and food are so good, no doubt. If the cacio de pepe flambe is available, do it! But beyond that, the service was amazing . Shout out to our server Vinnie aka Bob and the manager Michele for taking amazing care of us. This was the most fun I've had for a birthday in awhile. Thank you Cefalu! See you next time.

First time dining here today. Excellent service.. Monica was A1 service and kept close attention to all of our details. She explained the specials and menu with enthusiasm and gave us the best options. We were very pleased with the great variety of cocktails, delicious lentil soup, bread sticks and fresh bread w oil & parm; the pasta was delicious and cooked to perfection! Definitely recommend this beautiful place & we will come again. Thank you for an amazing experience!