Eataly is set to open an enormous space in Chicago’s River North neighborhood for both fine and casual dining with room for retail and learning.
From the B&B Hospitality group, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich, and Mario Batali are opening this new Italian food market on Dec. 2. The group has previously opened various Eataly spaces around the world. Each offers high-end Italian food and culture, while also being thoughtful of its culinary region profiles and local population.
The Chicago Eataly will be no different. The grand, two-story, 63,000 square foot space features eight restaurants, retail space for Italian fare, two coffee bars, a pizza stand, and more. The birriera, or microbrewery, will brew Eataly beer as well as carry Italian and Chicago beers.
There’s also been a lot of buzz about the Nutella stand that will sell items like muffins, crepes, and more, all featuring Nutella. In addition, the new Eataly will house a bookstore and a space for Italian cooking classes.
The first Eataly in America opened in New York City in 2010, and the newest Chicago addition adds 13,000 more square feet to this chain’s bank of retail space.