Alex Dana, founder of Rosebud Restaurant Group. (Photo courtesy of Influx Consultants)
After more than two years of anticipation, Carmine’s, one of Chicago’s most iconic Italian restaurants and a flagship of the Rosebud Restaurant Group, returns to the Gold Coast with a striking new location at 1037 North Rush Street. The restaurant is slated to open Monday, January 19, marking a long-awaited homecoming on the street where its legacy was born.
Rooted in generous portions, scratch-made recipes and heartfelt hospitality, Carmine’s has long represented the soul of classic Italian-American dining in Chicago. Its reopening ushers in a new chapter that honors that tradition while introducing a refreshed space and renewed energy designed for today’s diners.
Carmine’s returns to Gold Coast Jan. 19.
Now located in an elegant second-floor space overlooking Rush Street, Carmine’s makes a dramatic first impression with a sweeping, curved staircase that leads guests into a warm, inviting dining room. Designed by Jackson Harlan Architectural Group and built by Aberdeen Construction, the restaurant blends vintage Italian charm with modern Chicago sophistication.
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Deep, moody hues, rich wood finishes, brass accents, plush leather banquettes, and thoughtfully layered lighting evoke the feel of a timeless supper club. Expansive windows offer views of Rush Street and Mariano Park, filling the space with natural light by day and a cozy glow by night.
The restaurant features several distinct areas, including a main dining room, a 40-seat private dining room, and a four-season enclosed terrace offering year-round Gold Coast views. Leading the reopening is a seasoned team of Chicago hospitality professionals, including General Manager Stephen Oakes, Steven Harris and Marco Silva, whose combined experience sets the tone for the next era of Carmine’s.
The menu celebrates the return of beloved Rosebud Classics, bringing back dishes that have been woven into Chicago’s culinary fabric for generations. Favorites include Square Noodles, Homemade Eight-Finger Cavatelli, Meatball Salad, Mama Maria’s Famous Braciole, and Carmine’s signature Parmesan specialties.
True to its roots, Carmine’s maintains uncompromising standards. Steaks are sourced from a local butcher and cut exclusively to the restaurant’s specifications, including an 18-ounce USDA Prime strip steak and a dramatic 48-ounce Steak Florentine, prepared tableside.
Guest favorites such as Brick Chicken, known for its crisp skin and juicy interior, return alongside hearty pastas and seasonal Italian specialties that balance tradition with subtle innovation. At the heart of it all is Carmine’s iconic red sauce—made fresh daily at the Rosebud commissary and slow-simmered for depth and balance. A carefully curated pasta program ensures each sauce emulsifies perfectly, preserving the integrity of classic Italian cooking.
Carmine’s also accommodates a wide range of dietary preferences, offering gluten-free pasta and flexible options for vegetarian and vegan guests. Menu prices are expected to range from $31 to $90, making the restaurant equally suited for neighborhood dinners and celebratory evenings.
The wine and cocktail programs pay tribute to Italian craftsmanship while embracing a contemporary, playful sensibility. The wine list highlights both Italian and American producers, while the cocktail menu reimagines classics with house infusions, Italian amaros, and modern garnishes.
Guests can expect elevated takes on Negronis, Spritzes, and martinis, delivering a cool, retro vibe with polished sophistication—timeless yet unmistakably current.
Carmine’s is owned by Alex Dana, founder and president of the Rosebud Restaurant Group and a cornerstone of Chicago’s dining scene for more than five decades. Since opening The Rosebud on Taylor Street in 1976, Dana has built one of the city’s most influential restaurant groups, defined by classic Italian-American cuisine and old-school hospitality.
Born into a family of restaurateurs, Dana learned the craft from the ground up, creating restaurants that have become gathering places for generations of Chicagoans, as well as visitors, celebrities, and cultural leaders.
“Carmine’s has always been about bringing people together over great food and genuine hospitality,” said Dana. “This reopening allows us to honor that history while creating something exciting and relevant for the next generation.”
Opening Details
Address: 1037 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL
Phone: 312-988-7676
Website: www.carminesitalian.com
Reservations: OpenTable
Hours:
Sunday–Thursday: 3:00–10:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: 3:00–11:00 PM
Dinner service at opening; lunch and brunch to follow.
About Carmine’s
Originally opened in 1994, Carmine’s quickly became a Rush Street institution, celebrated for its classic Italian dishes, generous portions, and welcoming spirit. Now reopening in a newly built space in the heart of the Gold Coast, Carmine’s carries forward decades of Chicago culinary history into a vibrant new chapter as part of the Rosebud Restaurant Group.
About Rosebud Restaurants
Founded in 1976 by Alex Dana, Rosebud Restaurants is one of Chicago’s most enduring and respected restaurant groups, known for its dedication to classic Italian cuisine, generous hospitality, and uncompromising quality. What began as a single restaurant in Little Italy has grown into a multi-city hospitality group beloved by generations of diners. Across every Rosebud restaurant, the philosophy remains the same: keep it authentic, keep it welcoming, and make every guest feel at home.
Dining and Cooking