New Italian Restaurant Moves Into Downtown Aurora Space

AURORA, IL — A new Italian restaurant has opened in downtown Aurora, the city's second so far this year.

Giardino Trattoria and Pizzeria, at 12 N. River St., continues a revival in the city, following in the footsteps of Amore Mio, which opened last November, marking downtown Aurora's first Italian eatery.

The new restaurant, whose name means "garden" in Italian, is a family-friendly, garden-inspired eatery that specializes in wood-fired pizzas and classic Italian dishes, such as bolognese and eggplant parmesan.

Giardino Trattoria is the second restaurant to open in the historic Hobbs Building, just a few months after Leilani Asian Fusion opened its doors in August.

Giardino won't be the last Italian restaurant joining downtown Aurora offerings. The husband-and-wife duo behind Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles, chef Chris Curren and wife Megan Curren, announced plans this summer for Vicolo, an all-day, European-inspired cafe and osteria.

Vicolois expected to open in spring 2025 at 7 S. Broadway, a former art gallery dating back to the 1800s. Dunne Kozlowski, the team that brought to life Graceful Ordinary and Adalina in Chicago's Gold Coast, will design the space.