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    Carnivale Chicago

    3.9 (2.7k reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Carnivale Chicago Photos

    CARNIVALE CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - Carnivale Chicago

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    Jazmine P.

    Went for their happy hour drinks and some appetizers with a friend recently and it was pretty good. Selected drinks are 50% off so I tried the cotton candy cosmo, loved it! The appetizers were good as well, they need to add them to the happy hour menu too. The restaurant is so colorful, fun, and full of culture. We were enjoying our second drink when dancers came out to perform, so amazing!

    Holly M.

    Loved this. Brought a group of ten here last weekend for a going away/birthday party, and every single person in the group said they'd driven by and never made it in and everyone was happy to try :) Honestly, exceeds expectations for me. The staff was friendly and accommodating, we got a super cute table right off the main bar, seemed cozy and private. Food was excellent!! Started off with guac and it was delicious!! I'm picky about guac, and loved it. Generous portions too! I got the octopus and the ceviche tasting and was overjoyed. Excellent, on all accounts. I always order octopus, and this one was pretty standout. I did get a drink (something purple, cannot remember the name now) but it was quite good. Friend got the cotton candy martini and loved and it everyone loved their margs. They were wonderful about making our celebrations special, and just had an overall great time! Would definitely go back and recommend.

    Rachel A.

    This was our first time back to this restaurant in 16 years!! My husband and I first came here on our first Valentine's day date as a couple. This time, we came to celebrate both our birthdays, as we are born in the same month. The restaurant is still just as beautiful as the first time I saw it, but it definitely was brighter and more lively even though it was not overly crowded or busy. Our waitress was friendly and kind and very sweet and made sure we were well taken care of, and was nice enough to take a couple of pictures for us. The dinner and drinks were great and they really spoiled us both with the delicious desserts and espressos. Over all, it was a great experience and we both really had a great time celebrating our birthdays. Thanks for the memories. Would highly recommend.

    Beautiful colorful atmosphere. Delicious dinner. Valentines Day dinner was a great surprise!! Server was experienced and knowledgeable. Will remember to take more pics next time because both steaks were phenomenal and salads etc, but only remembered to take pics of appetizers and dessert

    Shannon E.

    Carnivale is such a fun, unforgettable dining experience. The ambience alone is worth the visit--colorful, lively, and artsy with bold decor, glowing lights, and a buzzing energy that makes it perfect for a night out. It feels like a celebration the moment you walk in. The calamari was excellent--light, crispy, and perfectly cooked, with a flavorful sauce that complemented it so well. But the shrimp... OMG. Absolutely standout. So juicy, so well-seasoned, and honestly the kind you think about after you leave. The cocktails are creative and beautifully presented, but the dessert was like a brick. Don't get that banana Carmel brick with ice cream it will disappoint I thought I may break a tooth. The Mac n cheese was meh and the fat fries were not good.

    Tank G.

    The first thing that you will notice about this restaurant is that is very colorful. There are a bunch of murals outside as well as inside. There is metered street parking within a reasonable walking distance. The restaurant is huge. You will find a lounge area and bar with seating in the front of the bar. There is also a decent sized patio area out front. The restaurant's dining area is huge and very colorful. The staff there were friendly. The chef even came to my table to see how my meal was going. The restaurant serves what they call Latin fusion food and their menu includes seafood, empanadas, steak, salad, chicken and paella. They also have a full bar with signature cocktails and daily specials available. I ordered the lamb rack pinxto. It took about 15 minutes for my food to be prepared. The presentation was picture perfect. I was so delicious. I really enjoyed my meal. Surprisingly it was filling. I also got an order of the plantains, and they were really good too. They were sweet and covered with some cheese, which surprisingly went well with them. I was very pleased. I will admit, the food is a bit pricier than average, but was worth it. This place is well deserving of all the hype that it gets.

    Nancy L.

    Carnivale is a beautifully decorated restaurant at the West Loop. The restaurant is very spacious and vibrant and if you come in Thursday and Friday nights there will be samba dancers performances. Unfortunately we came on a Saturday and did not get to experience the performances but we still had an amazing time. My girlfriends and I ordered the ceviche platter which had 4 different types of very fresh delicious ceviche. The seafood paella was delicious but the serving size is a bit small, like an individual size. We also ordered the gaucho steak which was perfectly cooked to medium rare as we requested. We also enjoyed the Mexican corn and fried plantain sides. The cocktails were very delicious especially the cotton candy one that was like a show when they poured the liquid to melt the cotton candy. We ordered the Carnivale ice cream cake to share and the flavors were delicious. We also got complimentary cotton candy with popcorn. This is a really fun place for dinner with great vibe and food!

    Aleena V.

    Carnivale - Chicago Bottomless mimosas + bold Latin eats Chicken & waffle sammies hit all the sweet + savory notes Celebrated my birthday here a couple years ago + they surprised us with giant cotton candy towers for dessert 5/5 The energy + décor = unmatched. Bright colors, festive vibes, and live atmosphere made the whole night feel like a party. The food was delicious, and the experience is a must when in Chicago! Check out my Instagram for the full review @ratedbyaleena

    Addy J.

    Visited on a Friday night and the vibe was great. Unfortunately, it took about 20 minutes for our server to acknowledge us, and he mentioned he hadn't been told we were seated. On the bright side, we tried all four ceviches and they were outstanding. The octopus, however, was a bit disappointing- very chewy. I also had the cotton cocktail, which was extremely sweet and not really to my taste. Overall, still a good experience.

    Joel J.

    Came with my wife for dinner a few months ago. The restaurant has a bright, colorful ambiance with very unique decorations that made it fun to gaze while awaiting our food. we were seated pretty quickly and our server saw to us pretty quickly as well. The menu had a good amount of options but we opted for the Argentinian Parrillada for 2 along w/ a side of yucca fries since we were fairly hungry and I usually tend to like more meat heavy dishes. It came out in a sizzling pan and looked great. Most of it was pretty good but some of the meat was just okay. I wish there was a little more flavor. The yucca fries were excellent and crispy. Overall, we had a fun time. The ambiance was great and added a lot to the experience.

    Ben J.

    Carnivale is a fun Brazilian themed restaurant with a nice selection of food and drink options. Came here with a group and everyone really enjoyed their meals. The guacamole was fresh, the yuka fries were unique and tasty, and the sangria was strong and flavorful. My vegan paella was great. I added chicken but it really didn't add much to the dish. The arrachera was excellent as well, but it's a bit heavy since it's just meat and rice. The mango sorbet at the end was so good. It had chamoy and ginger which helped balance the sweetness. The waiter mentioned they have acrobatic performances Thursday and Friday night.

    Strawberry mojito
    Jon C.

    The food was excellent. We were with a large group and we ordered a lot of different things and everything was excellent. The servers were excellent and the entertainment was great!!

    Mocha tres leche cake
    Bryanna J.

    First time at Carnivale! My friends at do "dinner club" and this was a perfect restaurant to experience! There were so many pretty lights and decorations and it was very colorful inside! Our waiter was attentive, which was nice, especially since it was busy. Toward the middle/end the service was slightly slower but again it was very busy so definitely give it a pass! We ordered drinks, my sangria was yummy, a bit on the dry side though. We had an array of delicious appetizers including pork belly, ceviche, and coconut shrimp to name a few. I ordered the charcoal roasted chicken which was delicious. I was not the hugest fan of the potatoes it came with, but there was so much other food it didn't matter. My friends enjoyed the tres leche cake to end our meal. All in all a great experience!

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    Carnivale Chicago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Carnivale Chicago

    Looking for dinner for 2 that offers Latin dance (salsa, bachata, merengue) tonight (Saturday) celebrate our anniversary ? Would this place be recommended?

    No.

    What is the best thing to eat there?

    Brunch. It has variety of food including steaks and paella and seafood.

    Hi, do you have live entertainment on Friday evenings? And if so, what time? Thanks!

    There's live entertainment on Thursday's, I would always suggest calling ahead to confirm.

    Which nights do they have live entertainment?

    Thursday's, I would always recommend calling ahead to confirm and reserving a spot

    Do you guys have a dancing floor?

    Technically in the dining area there’s no room for dancing per se HOWEVER, up the winding stairwell from the main dining area there’s a banquet hall. When I was there there was a wedding reception taking place so it was blocked off from dining… Read more

    Is this restaurant kid friendly? I made 7pm reservations for my birthday and my daughters are both under 13? Would really prefer to have my kids there! Thank you all in advance!

    Yes, I would bring kids for sure!

    Do you still serve steak and other beef products from Creekstone farm?

    At this time, we do not offer any Creekstone items. Our Lamp Chops are Halal, just not from Creekstone.… Read more

    Do you guys play Brazilian music?

    Hi Gabrielle, We play an eclectic mix of music, including Brazilian!

    Do you host brunch? If so, what days and time?

    We do not offer Brunch services at this time.

    Can you get takeout?

    Yes, we offer take out orders and to-go meal kits.

    I made a reservation for my daughter's 16th birthday.Completely forgot to make a reservation for 3 moms at a different table and now there aren't any. Is there bar seating?Will it even be possible to get a seat at the bar for 3 at 7:30 on a Sat?

    Hello, We are so sorry about that. We do not have any reservations available at 7:30 on Saturday night. They can, however, dine in our lounge. The lounge does not take reservations though.

    Is this restaurant accessible for someone using a power wheelchair?

    Yes

    What is the dress? Causal? Fancy? Semi formal?

    I've seen all of the above but I think business casual is probably the best fit. I typically dress in date night or Sunday brunch attire.

    Form what I read, carnivale does not have a kids menu. Even so, is this place kid friendly? Trying to find somewhere different for my 8 year olds birthday dinner.

    The Sunday Brunch is kid friendly. Sometimes clowns, balloons, etc

    When do they have live music on Saturday nights?

    We do not have live music on Saturday nights. We do have entertainment on Friday nights called Vivir at Carnivale. From 8 to 10 we have a variety of performers each night ranging from DJ, musicians, aerialists, dancers etc. We also have a Samba… Read more

    Is there dancing on Saturday night?

    I do not this that is the case. Shalom

    Do they have shows on Sunday night too? Thanks

    Hi Jacky, We currently have dinner, drinks and #TheShow on Friday nights featuring DJ's, Musicians, Dancers and Aerialists. It'a very festive and dazzling experience. We… Read more

    This is driving me and my friends crazy....what is the name of the Italian restaurant that was in this location for years before Carnivale?

    Before Carnivale, it was a place called The Drink. Como Inn was on N Milwaukee Ave near Erie.

    Is this a good place for a birthday near Valentine's Day?

    Yessss, only because the atmosphere and style are upscale, but if it's for a foodie I would go elsewhere.

    View All 22 Questions

    King of Cups - Old Fashion

    King of Cups

    (132 reviews)

    Lincoln Park

    The best way I can describe King of Cups is to say this place is a VIBE. The theme is all-in on…read moreMedieval, from the lighting to chandeliers, candles, mirrors, chairs, drapes, and even changing digital paintings. It is definitely unique, creative, and a massive differentiator from any other cocktail bar I've been to. Now, let's talk cocktails! The creativity of the interior extends into the menu. Unlike some places that just make variations of existing classics (except for items specifically so named, like the Old Fashioned or Espresso Martini), all of their cocktails are unique and interesting. Time for a punch card? I ordered the Maximillian the Imposter. While I'm not typically a fan of banana (except for banana bread), I thought I'd step out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to try something 'flaming'. Flaming it was! The preparation of the drink involved a surprising amount of fire. I initially thought this was just for show, but no, this translated into a noticeable smoky flavor. Beyond that, the drink was strong, not overly sweet, and an all-around delight. There was one bartender on the night I was here, and while it was busy, I was still able to get my drink in a reasonable amount of time. I also feel as though they have reasonable prices, especially considering the quality and the market rates. King of Cups gets busy, and for good reason: they are an all-around phenomenal place, from the drinks to the vibe, and everything in between. If you're someone who likes a seat rather than fighting through a crowd, get a reservation! See you there!

    What a nice, moody, intimate bar. I came here for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised at how…read moreit's an actual discounted happy hour menu! You know it is these days - most places just knock a dollar off and call it a day. This one is legit! I'd say you should make a reservation for prime time to ensure you'll have a seat. However when it's early no big deal to just pop by. I enjoyed the plum Moscow mule (not too sweet!) and the espresso martini. Both are on draft which made me nervous from past experiences at other places. However, these were great and I LOVED their espresso martini. The bartender was kind and the vibes were off the charts. Check this place out next time you're in Lincoln Park!

    Geja's Cafe

    Geja's Cafe

    (1.7k reviews)

    $$$

    Lincoln Park

    A dimly lit, cramped, dark, and friendly space rests a fondue restaurant made for a night out with…read morefriends, date night, or just a desire for melted cheese. A guitarist sits somewhere against a brick wall and plays music lightly but energetically. Service is friendly from start to finish and smiles are on everyone's faces. The menu is pretty easy to understand. You can get a three-course meal, or you can get each entree à la carte. You have two fondue candles in front of you, one for the cheese and dessert, and the other for the oil. We chose the three-course meal, and it was delightful. We started with the cheese appetizer. You get a basket of bread and fruit and we chose the seasonal cheese to dip. The oil for our meat was then left to heat, and we received a massive platter of veggies and meats for our main course. We chose the option for all selections of meat and seafood. After trying all the meats, I would opt for the lobster and shrimp. You can also substitute the oil for a broth. I would like to try the broth for next time. In one of the shakers, Gejas makes their own meat spice mix. It's recommended to put on the meats and even the desserts. It's a mix of tangy and savory and was a great compliment to the meal. We then chose the seasonal dessert, a white chocolate with vanilla cookies. Fruit, marshmallows, and churros to dip. We were so full by the time dessert came, but we enjoyed a few bites and took it home. The three-course meal, with five types of meat, came with about 10 pieces of meat. It doesn't look like a lot of food, but it truly is, with the apps, veggies, etc, your stomach will be full when you walk out of here. They also start the entire course with a mixed salad (so technically it's a four-course meal). It was very fairly priced, as well. Initially looking at the prices, you may think it's expensive, but it truly is a value with the amount of food they serve. This was rated as most romatic restaurant in Chicago. Its ambiance gives you the romantic feel, the guitarist adds to the atmosphere, and the staff is professional and friendly. This really was a great place and we enjoyed our time and meal.

    We came to Geja's to celebrate our anniversary and it certainly lived up to the hype. We were…read morelucky enough to have a table off the side by the window so it maintained the intimate feel without feeling cramped by other tables. Food-wise, it was very fun to cook everything ourselves. I do think the appetizers were my favorite part because I do just love fruits and cheeses, but everything was great. They were also very accommodating of celiac. Overall, we had a wonderful anniversary celebrating at Geja's.

    Gemini - Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

    Gemini

    (760 reviews)

    $$

    Lincoln Park

    Best restaurant in Chicago! Been here many times, and finally tried the ricotta dumplings! These…read morewere so good and filling, a fun Italian switch up from my normal order. We also go the branzino (forgot to picture) and wow 10/10 need to get that again. And the Caesar salad with added salmon was amazing! The staff is always so friendly and attentive and we just love this place!

    I've eaten at Gemini over the years and have been able to sample a lot of what's on offer. I've had…read moremost of the specials but will usually get either the swordfish or the steak frites. Those are typically very good which is why I come back. The burger though. Why is it such a consistent disappointment? It's small, has the pancetta (a nice rubbery disc of salt) and just seems like kind of an afterthought to the otherwise well-considered menu. I've been eating it on occasion for 10+ years here always with the hope that it has improved. I would love to see a do-over on the burger. It would be great to have a place in the neighborhood that consistently delivered. As it stands, it's a distant second to RJ Grunt's, Small Cheval and not even in the same realm as Armitage Alehouse's burger. Really hoping I get to come back and revise this review to rave about how much better it got. The staff is always very nice and attentive as well. From host stand to bartenders, waitstaff and everyone clearing and setting, always a very nice group that seems like they take pride in their work, which is much appreciated.

    Le Mistral - Inside the building - Le mistral is all the way down on the right side

    Le Mistral

    (12 reviews)

    Lincoln Park

    The service is just incredible. That's what stands out the most. We came after having a superb…read moredinner at S.K.Y. and out waitress transferred us to Le Mistral for dessert as we were hoping to end the night with another cocktail. The transition was seamless, the walk through the kitchen was very cool, everyone was very friendly and excited to see guests. Our dessert came quickly to Le Mistral instead of S.K.Y. and was superb. Our waiter at Le Mistral was very friendly, gave some good advice on the cocktails, and was consistently attentive. My cocktail was just OK - sherry-based martini. I don't normally like a martini but all the ingredients actually seemed very much up my alley - the sherry, benedictine, rose vermouth. But the olive just overpowered. And definitely not worth the price of $24... Would definitely return and try the food next time as well.

    We popped in on a Monday night for a nightcap after finishing up at Mon Ami Gabi across the lobby…read more Our experience was meh. I don't know if every Monday is Metal night, but it was that Monday - Black Sabbath, Nu-Metal, everything but the live goldfish. Perhaps they should advertise "Monday Metal at Mistral" if that is to be a regular thing. It does flow off the tongue. To be fair, there was a full house and the other patrons did not seem to mind. We were not looking to feel the noize, however, and so stayed for just one cocktail. Mine was a Sazerac adjacent mix, and it was very high quality. The decor is very low light, but the vibe is pretty basic - more Paint Your Dorm Room black than Parisian Opium Den black. A bit of a missed opportunity for romance.

    Esme

    Esme

    (152 reviews)

    $$$$

    Lincoln Park

    My rating of a 3 is specifically for the Restaurant Week menu though I'll say it definitely didn't…read moreinspire me to come back. I really wanted to like it; this was a nine-year anniversary dinner. Service was really attentive and friendly and I did appreciate that they brought out specific utensils for me as a left-handed person, never saw that before! The restaurant felt a bit bare and sterile, I think I was maybe expecting a little more decor on the table for a Michelin star restaurant. To echo several of the reviews below, the salad was awkward to share and scanty, the soup was good but the bread served with it felt like an afterthought, the sturgeon wasn't anything special though the sauce was quite good, and we are pretty sure the cut of beef was not wagyu or if it was it was not cooked the right way. The beef was the most disappointing part, I couldn't even chew through all of it. The add-ons were the best part - pasta was great and our dessert was delicious. But the rest of the meal was unfortunately mediocre. Hoping that others have a different experience with the regular menu!

    Esme was the only restaurant I made it to for Chicago Restaurant Week this year. It was a nice,…read moreupscale experience, and I appreciate that we were able to try this Michelin-starred restaurant at a reduced cost. There was no problem with a vegetarian accommodation, but the menu we were handed does not include the details for the vegetarian courses - disappointing that I couldn't reference this to see the details of each course. All of the food was presented tastefully with meticulous attention to detail. The salad is brought out as a shared dish, which is potentially a bit awkward. Not a problem since I was dining with my husband, but I would have preferred my own salad if I was with a less familiar party. The silverware and dishes were works of art in and of themselves, but our table was scratched up considerably. My dessert was presented very creatively - although my husband's was much more straightforward. Dessert was an optional add-in, so a separate bill was brought out for this at the end. My husband carelessly left a tip on top of the hefty service charge they apply by default, but I didn't realize until after the fact since I'd gone to the restroom.

    Willow Room - Arugula salad over avocado toast with poached eggs.

    Willow Room

    (428 reviews)

    $$

    Lincoln Park, DePaul

    Great dinner here tonight - had the mussels, burger, and octopus. All were exceptional. The drinks…read morewere also very good, and the service was awesome. Great meal overall.

    Chicago Restaurant week. I reviewed various dining options in search of a good place for dinner…read more Reddit gave me some ideas. I'd never been to Willow Room and liked that they had a four course dinner menu, with items I liked. I was able to make a reservation for a Saturday night at 8:15pm. PARKING Parking on Halsted on a Saturday night can be a nightmare, and it did take a minute to find street parking. North of the 1800 block is busier because there are several restaurants within a two block radius. Side streets are permit parking after 6pm. Meters on Halsted are $2.50/hr. ATMOSPHERE Willow Room was pretty packed. We had a reservation for 8:15pm and my party of two was seated right away. The restaurant features a full bar, dim lighting and is nice and roomy. They have banquette seating around the perimeter, in addition to tables in the middle. SERVICE Our server, who was very nice and accommodating during our dining experience, came by and gave us our menu's. I had already decided on the RW menu and after review, my friend was interested in the Beef Wellington (not on RW menu). Our server informed us that normally the whole table had to order off of the RW menu if one person does, but said she would check with the kitchen since this was the last day of RW. Luckily, we were able to proceed with ordering from different menu's. FOOD I ordered a raspberry Cosmopolitan. I'm a Riesling/Moscato girlie, but I tasted the Riesling and didn't like it. RW dinner was priced at $60. I ordered: First Course: Caesar Salad (Typical salad, was good) Second Course: Mussels (Tasted fine, came with a baguette) Third Course: Short Rib (Could've been slightly more tender and better seasoned. I've definitely had better. Wouldn't order again.) Fourth Course: Orange Ricotta Donuts (Donuts were very good. Three were served, a few more would have been more filling.) My friend ordered a glass of Pinot Noir and: Truffle Fries (Fries were very tasty. I would order again if I went back.) Beef Wellington (The breading was buttery and very good. The beef could've been more seasoned. I wouldn't order.) Key Lime Pie (Was not sweet and had no taste. When our server came back and saw it was uneaten, she offered to take it off the bill. It should be removed from the menu altogether.) The busboys and server were very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled. OVERALL The atmosphere was nice, our server was great. Of all the food we ordered, I would order the truffle fries and Cosmopolitan again. I did leave full and did take my leftover Short Rib to go. Main dishes needed more seasoning. I would dine here again and try a different menu (brunch/lunch), or Happy Hour if they offer it.

    Carnivale Chicago - latin - Updated May 2026

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