We have now been to Indie Cafe four times, and after each visit we say it will probably be our last. Unfortunately, our most recent experience confirmed that decision. We arrived right at opening for dinner service, along with only one other couple. We were allowed to choose our own seats, which was a nice start. Our server asked if we wanted cocktails, and we ordered draft beer from the menu -- only to be told they no longer serve beer on draft. If that's the case, it really should be removed from the menu. The service throughout the evening was unfriendly and rushed. After taking our order, the server quickly removed all the menus from the table. Since we were ordering sushi, we likely would have ordered additional items if we had been allowed to keep a menu. One of our favorite items at most sushi restaurants is the salmon skin hand roll, but this version was terrible. The salmon skin was extremely hard, dry, and difficult to eat -- more like stale pork rinds than properly prepared salmon skin. Normally, salmon skin is lightly broiled and served warm in the roll. This tasted as though it had been deep fried long before serving and left sitting in a container until needed. When the server asked how our meal was, we politely explained the issue with the salmon skin. Rather than acknowledging the concern, she insisted that this is how it is supposed to be made. The rest of the food was just average at best. Honestly, because we came at the beginning of dinner service, much of it tasted like leftovers from lunch. We still left a tip, but after several disappointing visits and consistently rude service, we will not be returning. read more

If you're looking for good Asian food near Thorndale, get yourself to Indie Cafe for some real authentic eats. First, you'll get a flavor of the place from the funky art on the wall. This place really has atmosphere. We got the papaya salad (crisp, fresh ingredients with lots of flavor), the drunken noodles (deep flavorful noodles with plenty of shrimp) and the Panang Curry (creamy, sweet and spicy). The waitstaff are more than happy to go through the menu and help you decide what you're in the mood for. Just be warned - when they say it's spicy, it's *really* spicy, which is great if that's what you want (I do!). Good to have authentic Asian fare in the Northern reaches of the city. Stop by and try Indie Cafe, you won't be sorry! read more

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Came here for a big party reservation for my friend's birthday (we were a party of maybe 12-15 people) and I have to say I was particularly impressed with my Pad Kee Mao. Didn't have much expectations coming here, but it was much better than I thought. Also you can't beat the fact that they are BYOB! read more

The food is incredible. I typically order takeout and it never disappoints. I crave the green curry, crab Rangoon, and don't skip the sushi!! So tasty! read more

I like this place because it's always consistent and in the neighborhood. Friendly staff that are eager to answer questions.

Good experience overall at Indie Cafe! We started with crab rangoons - always recommend but I especially recommend here they were so good! Then I shared the Bangkok roll and Monte Carlo roll and both were tasty. I think I liked the Monte Carlo roll since I prefer some more fresh fish flavor and this one packed a punch. The service was great, they refilled our waters a lot and checked in occasionally. Restaurant looked nice, patio would've been fun if it wasn't so hot! read more

Indie Cafe - Monte Carlo and Bangkok rolls - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely love this place! We have been going there for many years and had a great experience every single time! Love the food and service and atmosphere read more

You know the good thing about sushi? It's great when you want to eat a little, and aren't in the mood for Tapas and/or hot food. Yelp steered me towards Indie Cafe (though my phone's compass has me going in circles for a bit. I started with the Trio Carpaccio. I enjoyed that there were three different kinds of fish, and the sauce was a lovely blend of sweet, salty, and savory. The fish wasn't *the* best quality, but I'll give it an A-OK. Then there was the Monte Carlo. One question: why is it chewy? Turns out it is the spicy salmon filling! Unfortunately, this isn't the only way the roll missed the mark. The quantity of said salmon was low, and as for the white tuna up top, this otherwise beautiful ingredient was ruined with a heavy-handed use of sauce. The rice also did not blow me away, but that may have to do, at least in part, with the decision to mix it with tempura. Final nail in the coffin: seared fish adds a remarkable deliciousness, alas it seems only one piece had kissed the flame. Then there was the question of value - while the prices are more or less in line with what I would expect, the quality wasn't there in my opinion. Finally, where I can give them credit is the service. Polite, friendly, attentive, and reasonably fast. Thus, the sushi and carpaccio were forgettable at best. While I may not go for this part of the menu again, I am not necessarily against trying some of their Thai options. read more

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Cute indoor design, food is mediocre First the food is much later than promised. Seems for lots of other people as well Fried chive dumpling: not much filling. Either add some meat or more chive Ramen: soup is bland. Nothing like tonkatsu. Noodle texture is doughy, chashao is not cooked long enough, too chewy. Pad Thai : way too sweet Coconut glazed pork : this one's actually pretty good flavor and texture Would not come again read more

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Amazing environment, service and food! Will be back very soon! Thank you so much Maya and staff.

My friend and I came here for north neighborhood restaurant week and it was so cute. The inside is very vibey and intimate - low lighting and soft music vibes. The food itself was delicious and they had great offerings for their restaurant week menu. The service was very prompt and kind in explaining. I'd love to come back and try more of the sushi next time! read more

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We have been to Indie Cafe, in Edgewater 3 times over the last 3 weeks. Each time the food was good but the waitress on each occasion was impatient and rude. We gave them the benefit of the doubt. We won't go back. Jim Hodge REVIEW FOLLOW UP. I have spoken with the owner regarding the experience that caused me to post a negative review. She has assured me they take customer satisfaction very seriously and will address the matter. Their food is excellent and I feel that since the are taking steps to correct our complaint we will now give them a 4 star review. Jim read more

Our service was really quick which was nice. I got the peachy no. 14 cocktail and the jellies inside definitely made it different and fun. The shrimp shumai were not my favorite since they were mushier than shumai I have had at other places, but that may be personal preference. The crab rangoons were a little bit cold in the center, but had they not been they'd be really good. They were still good I just wasn't a fan of the colder part. The chicken pad Thai was definitely good. Ours had no spice but you could add some. I would come back to try the sushi since I saw they have amazing presentation, but so far I'd say the pad Thai was the best item we got. read more

Indie Cafe - Shrimp Shumai Crab Rangoon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious food, superb service with kind and friendly servers, great selection of different foods, fun ambience (but you can still hear each other), reasonable prices. I highly recommend. read more

We LOOOVE Indie!! We've lived in the neighborhood since 2019 and this is our tried, true, absolute favourite restaurant. The staff? So friendly! So attentive! The food? Not only delicious, high quality, and generously portioned but consistent over time in all of those same qualities. In 6 years we've eaten here regularly I cant think of a single bad experience we've ever had? This is our go-to for friends and family in town visiting. When we talk about moving, missing Indie is an actual concern. We love you, Indie Cafe :) read more

Food didn't taste very good at all. we had the basil chicken and it was very mid tier. Three out of the four of us received food poisoning from the food at the restaurant. read more

Indie was my favorite restaurant for years, many years actually, but it has gone downhill recently. The service has definitely gotten worse. Tonight I tried to place an order for pickup when some woman, who does not know how to put somebody on-hold, kept hanging up on me. It was ridiculous, my call would be dropped automatically. When she finally answered she was rude and said, "No, I kept putting you on hold." No... not quite hun, maybe learn how to do that. Seems like an important skill to have when you act as a hostess. So if you manage or own Indie and see this... please teach your hosts how to put someone on hold. It makes me sad, but I think this was my last time *trying* to go to Indie. Service, food (the signature curry especially)... it's all not as good anymore. read more

Amazing service and amazing food! The food came out quickly and tasted very fresh. The ambiance of the restaurant was very pleasant and perfect for a late night dinner. read more

Indie Cafe - Crab Rangoon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Indie cafe sushi + Thai really is a different experience. The ambiance really is nice it is very peaceful when you come in and sit down. The food is very good. I will recommend the chefs omakase really quality fish and you could taste how fresh it was. read more

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Love the food at Indie. Have been coming here for many many years and never had a meal I didn't enjoy. The sushi, the Thai dishes, dessert and the drinks are cravable! read more

Ordered takeout for the first time and it was so hard to choose because the menu had so many delicious looking options! I got the tofu spring rolls (so fresh and I loved the sauce that came with it), inari nigiri, and tamago roll. All would get again, and I will be back to try the noodle dishes as well! read more

Over the years, Indie Cafe has been amazingly kind and thoughtful in their service, and their food preparations and presentations always go above and beyond all of my expectations. From quadruple-checking whether or not a menu item is gluten-free, to recommending the best wine/sake pairings for an entrée, their staff have always ensured that I've left their restaurant knowing that I was appreciated as a customer. And welcomed as a friend. Given the quality of their sashimi, the creativity behind their menu, and the warmth in their hearts? I look forward to dining with them for many years to come. read more

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Always a good experience. Excellent choices in sushi, soups, curries, etc. Fast, friendly service. Fair prices.

I got the Khao Soi with tofu and it was amazing! The restaurant was so well decorated! And the service was quick and attentive. 10/10 would recommend to literally everyone! Will be back soon read more

Food was bland & needed more flavor, service was good, but it is so dark in there you can't even see what you are eating. They have candles, but they are way too small. read more

Some of the best sushi I have ever had. The crab Rangoon was so unique and delicious. The waitress was nice, it was very low key inside. Casual with amazing food, a quiet place to indulge. read more

Indie Cafe - Crab Rangoon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Excellent food wonderful service friendly atmosphere love the place and I would love to recommend it to the people read more

Indie Cafe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I recently visited Indie cafe for sushi and Thai food. They did not disappoint me The ambiance is cozy and relaxed. The Sashimi is fresh with beautiful presentation. I order the omakase and triple S, which has the perfect balance of flavor. The Thai dishes are equally impressive, the basil rice dish and pad Thai is a must try. It,s packed with flavor. read more

Authentic Thai food, excellent service, nice lighting and atmosphere. I especially enjoyed the local artwork and wire art installation in the front entry. read more

Our party of three all had curry. The Red Curry had great flavor, ask for it mild if you are sensitive to spice. The Panang was also good, as was the Signature Curry which had a lot of filling in the sauce, some kind of crunchy noodle, potato, some kind of squash along with chicken. Could have used more sauce with all the filling. The prices at Indie Cafe are relatively reasonable, considering restaurant prices these days. The ambiance on one side of the restaurant is somewhat lacking. It seems a little cozier on the side to the north. We parked right in front at a metered spot. read more

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I've lived in or near Edgewater for years and always said I wanted to dine in. Well yesterday I got the opportunity during an impromptu dinner with dear friends. The outside and inside ambiance and aesthetic is beautiful. There is outdoor seating for 5-7 different groups of people. Upon walking in, I was greeted and taken care of. The art on the walls and the music selection definitely added a great feel to the place. Our server, Pare, was amazing. She was well verse and knew the entire menu. Loved answering all our questions and was super patient. I order the veggie delight with added Duck, The Ginger Dragon drink and a miso soup. Pare informed me that the ginger drink is made from in house boiled ginger and club soda. It's not carbonated like you would assume and the ginger is just the right amount. I got mine with 2 out of the 4 scoops of sugar for a very subtle sweetness. My meal was delicious and my friends agree that their meal was definitely filling and delectable. We all plan to return to try another menu item as well as their dessert option. I'd recommend this establish for a cute date spot or to satisfy your sushi craving. read more

Indie Cafe - Veggie Delight with Duck - 14.95 ($4 for Duck) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had the Omakase plate (chef selection 8 pieces nigiri) and a spicy tuna roll for lunch. It wasn't good. The fish didn't taste very fresh and the knife work was scrappy. The ikura and fatty salmon were very fishy, the tuna also tasted off. read more

Indie Cafe - Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tried Indie again after a year away. Happy to report the food was decent this time--basil chicken was smoked caramel with the just the right amount of heat, and nigiri was nicely thick slabs of fresh fish. Missing the different types of roe they used to garnish with, and the pieces have gotten slightly smaller, but I appreciate that they are trying to keep down food costs without sacrificing quality. Glad they will fill an order close to 9pm, too! read more

I've been coming to Indie sushi probably since they opened. I've had a lot of lovely meals- many choices and it appeals to a wide variety of friends and family whom I've brought here. Plus they have some amazing art. But recently Mya is our big reason for returning more often. She's so funny and personable and has turned us onto some sushi I wouldn't have tried before (Mod X)- this place is a win! They have a sweet out door patio too! read more

Everything here is always fresh and delicious. One of my favorite places to get sushi takeout when I'm too tired to go sit down. Wonderful maki combinations. I've never eaten anything here that I didn't love. read more

Can't speak for the sushi or indoor dining as I only got a delivery of appetizers and noodles, but my review would be as follows Crab Rangoon: The sauce is really good but the texture of the wrapping not so much, it was too thin & brittle to hold the consistency of the filling. 4/10 Chicken Gyoza: Greasy, dry & sauce was disappointing :( 4/10 Pad See Eiw: Very smoky & dry, needed much more sauce. Vegetables were grilled & tasted like firewood. 5/10 read more

Indie Cafe - Pad See Eiw, Crab Rangoon, Chicken Gyoza - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love Indie Café. I come here a lot since I'm gluten free, I live in the neighborhood, and they have genuinely delicious food I love to treat myself to when I can afford it. I completely understand their higher prices since their ingredients are always seemingly good quality and I want to support their staff earning a living wage. Due to the above, this review is not "negative" in totality. However, I ordered the sweet sticky rice w my pick up order (seems they were out of mango-- no problem! I love the sticky rice on it's own too). When I opened it up at home, the below image shows the tiny little scoop that awaited me (my hand for scale). This was almost $4 ... c'mon guys. I love your restaurant but this is a bit ridiculous. I've never had this issue before, and don't think it would have happened while dining in, but just felt the need to say something. To end on a positive note-- if you have never had their pot roast beef panang curry you HAVE to get it!!! Especially on a colder, drizzly day it really hits the spot. Truly worth every penny. Thank you for the delicious meals! I will try not to hold on to the sticky rice sadness for too long ;) read more

Indie Cafe - Sweet sticky rice - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ordered take out here, no meat ramen was inedible , smelled really bad . I couldn't bear to eat it. There were huge blocks of raw tofu and not too much else. I also got egg rolls which were disappointing as well. Crab Rangoon was good . read more

Indie Cafe - No Meat Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Expensive small portions !! Overrated for the tiny portions and big prices. On top of the already high prices and small portions they charge extra for extras?! WTF??? Won't order from this Thai restaurant anymore !! read more

Everything here is so tasty and in high quality shape. I've tried Fire Komodo Maki, Godzila BaBa and Sunny Crunchy. They were all really good! I suggest Fire Komodo for sure. For soups, I suggest Tam kha gai, it had a sweet taste. It was really good. Try creme brûlée as well. It was super delicious Everyone here is friendly and I would definitely visit again. read more

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