Restaurant

Bar Sotto

Name: Bar Sotto
Address: 71 W Monroe St Lower Level, Chicago, IL, 60603, US
Telephone: (312) 332-7475
Price range: moderate

Bar•Chicago•moderate

Bar Sotto is one of the best bar restaurants in Chicago for dinner, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Bar Sotto is doing something Chicago's bar scene is genuinely bad at: building a room for the second glass of wine and the long conversation, not the content drop and the early exit.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Bar Sotto is doing something Chicago's bar scene is genuinely bad at: building a room for the second glass of wine and the long conversation, not the content drop and the early exit. It's a subterranean, Italian-leaning bar that commits to the bit — dim, unhurried, underground, the kind of place where the whole design logic pushes you toward staying longer. At a mid-range price point, it's drawing the crowd that skipped the tasting-menu reservation because they'd rather eat well and actually talk. What separates it from other spots at this level, based on what the menu is doing, is that the kitchen and the bar read like they're in dialogue rather than operating in separate lanes. The food program is where Bar Sotto makes its case. The Cacio e Pepe is a known benchmark dish here — one that's deceptively unforgiving to get right, and which the menu stakes some credibility on. The Short Rib Mafaldine anchors the pasta section: braised beef folded into sauce, with mafaldine's ruffled edges being exactly the right vehicle for catching it. Diners consistently point to it as the order. The Prosciutto Flight is a smart bar-menu move — variety, natural wine pairing potential, and a format that works whether you're grazing or waiting for the table to fill out. The Burrata is on the menu doing what Burrata does, and the Crab Orecchiette rounds out the pasta options for anyone who wants something leaning toward the sea rather than the braise. Practically speaking: two-tops reportedly do well at or near the bar, where the pacing tends to be more attentive. Friday evenings without a reservation are a known pressure point — arrive before 6:30 or book ahead.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

Cocktail Barcocktailsdinnerlocal

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Taste ID

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Taste Score 8.2/10

Rating (Google) 9.6

151 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.2/10

Taste Score

Google 9.6 from 151 reviews

Best for

dinner and Cocktail Bar

Price and pace

moderate

Neighborhood

Chicago | 71 W Monroe St Lower Level, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

Price

moderate

Taste Score

8.2/10

Phone

(312) 332-7475

Menu and ordering

Bar Sotto menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. Bar Sotto is listed in the moderate price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Short Rib Mafaldine

Crab Orecchiette

Peas, Nduja, Lemon, Chives, Garlic, Caviar

Prosciutto Flight

12 Month, 16 Month, 20 Month

Cacio e Pepe

Pecorino Romano, Sechuan, Aleppo, and Black Pepper

Burrata

O.G. Burrata, Pistachio Paste, Agrodolce, Red Wine, Speck, Toast

Check the current menu

Why go

What makes Bar Sotto worth the move

Bar Sotto is a clean first click in Chicago when you want a bar option you can trust. Burrata and Filet Mignon Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.6 rating across 151 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.6 from 151 Google reviews

Best for

dinner and Cocktail Bar

Style

Bar in Chicago

Spend

moderate

Best for

Cocktail Bar cocktails dinner local

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.6 from 151 reviews

Price point: moderate

Popular dishes: Burrata, Filet Mignon Sliders, Prosciutto Flight

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Bar Sotto

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Google snapshot

9.6 from 151 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

No diner notes for Bar Sotto yet.

Boka Group has a knack for making a room feel more expensive than it is, and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna at 531 N Wells St.

Tavern style pizzacasual nighttakeout

2127 reviews

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Book on OpenTable Menu Directions

Address: 71 W Monroe St Lower Level, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Phone: (312) 332-7475
Price: moderate
TastyPals score: 8.2/10
Google rating: 9.6 (151 reviews)
Cuisine: Bar
Neighborhood: Chicago

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Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Bar Sotto serve?

Bar Sotto is a Bar restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Bar Sotto is doing something Chicago's bar scene is genuinely bad at: building a room for the second glass of wine and the long conversation, not the content drop and the early exit.

What is Bar Sotto best for?

Bar Sotto is best for cocktail bar, cocktails, dinner, local. Bar Sotto is a clean first click in Chicago when you want a bar option you can trust. Burrata and Filet Mignon Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.6 rating across 151 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Bar Sotto?

Bar Sotto is in the moderate price range (moderate). Google rating: 9.6 from 151 reviews

What should I order at Bar Sotto?

Start with Short Rib Mafaldine, Crab Orecchiette, Prosciutto Flight and Cacio e Pepe. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Bar Sotto worth visiting?

Bar Sotto holds a 9.6 Google rating from 151 reviews. Bar Sotto is a clean first click in Chicago when you want a bar option you can trust. Burrata and Filet Mignon Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.6 rating across 151 Google reviews.