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    Kayao

    4.4 (146 reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 9:30 PM

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    KAYAO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Kayao

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    Shell oysters if your like your teeth broken and a disgusting fish
    Maddy B.

    I dislike this place strongly. I have a few simple pleasures - good service, good food, and good vibes. This place missed the mark on two - service and food. The oysters had shells in them - which means they weren't cleaned. The kayao ceviche was not good - the fish in it tasted terrible and super fishy, although the rest was ok. The black sauce on the yucas was gross and looked bad - it was black, how is that appetizing?! We also had a reservation and waited 20 minutes after our reservation time - even thought they table they ended up seating us at (outside) was open when we walked in! And now, (I am timing it), we have waited 29 minutes for our waiter after asking for the check. Small portions, not very good food (best thing was the sliders, which is this is a Peruvian restaurant... sliders shouldn't be your star), drinks were ok - but I saw them pour sangria out of a $8 premade sangria bottle (I bought it when I was in college so I know), and then they acted like $10 on happy hour was a good deal. I was very excited to try this place from the vibes and looks, but super disappointing. A happy hour meal on the patio on Friday night cost $115 and left us unfull and unsatisfied!

    Yucas Trufadas
    Annie K.

    Loved the ambience and decor, super chic but also felt ok being a bit casual. This is right in the heart of Old Town on Wells, surrounded by a bunch of restaurants and bars, really lively area. The food and drinks are a bit pricey, on par with higher end restaurants in Chicago nowadays. In terms of food, our absolute favorite was the Pulpo Parrillero (grilled octopus) ~ so good! We also enjoyed the Yucas Trufadas (yucca fritters w/ truffle sauce). The Arroz con Mariscos and the Lomo Saltado were good, but would probably try something else next time. For dessert, we had the Crema Volteada, which was delicious, though unfortunately I think it was a bit overbaked, as the texture was a bit dense like jello instead of creamy and melt-in-your-mouth like a flan. Service was great ~ at first we were seated at a small booth table by the open kitchen, and being a lefty, I felt cramped between the wall and the larger party next to me. We let our server know, and she was very gracious and moved us to a much more comfortable seat in the middle of the restaurant. And the lomo saltado I thought was a bit dry/tough, and they brought use a new one quickly. Unfortunately, the texture was the same, but the server and manager again were very gracious about it, and gave us a dessert on the house. Overall, despite a few hiccups, we had a wonderful time and look foward to returning for the Pulpo Parrillero and to try some of the other menu items!

    Oysters
    Juliana A.

    The food is really delicious, the dishes are very well prepared, and the portions aren't that big for the price. The atmosphere is beautiful and cozy, and the service is excellent. Loved the ceviche. I also had a mocktail with red corn it was very nice.

    Jasmine C.

    I love love this place. IMO they have the best pisco sour in town! And I've been to Peru so I can attest to that!! It is a wonderful happy hour with Peruvian ceviche for $12. loved the outdoor seating . They were able to accommodate last minute for a party of 1( me!) and I enjoyed my mini oysters with Peruvian mignonette sauce very much! Got some chips on the side with my ceviche and it was fabulous ! Ended up eating the whole basket dipped in 2 side sauces

    Short rib, rice
    Christina H.

    Everything was so flavorful and beautifully plated. Ceviche was bright and the seafood was fresh. The rice dish was my favorite- it was savory and I loved Al the proteins in it. The short rib was so tender that it fell apart but wish the portion was a little bigger. Super refreshing drinks too. The patio can feel a little cramped but gorgeous for summer dining.

    Nikhita T.

    My friends and I went to Kayao for brunch. We had a reservation, and luckily we were able to get a table for a big group. We all decided to try the tasting menu. For drinks, we ordered mimosas and Bloody Marys. For my first course, I tried the yucas trufadas and lion's mane. My friends tried the ceviche and oysters. Everyone loved their first course. The lion's mane dish was surprisingly really good. For my second course, I had the chaufa, and it was delicious. Overall, all the dishes we tried were very good. For dessert, we had the panna cotta and sorbet, which were both great. My absolute favorite was the guacamole, which they made fresh right in front of us. We loved it so much that we almost ordered six rounds of guac and chips! The chips were yuca chips(i think)which felt like a healthier option. I'm really impressed with this restaurant and their service. Our server was really nice. Some of our friends were late, yet they catered to their needs too. Everything was amazing. Definitely a must try!

    Monica N.

    I originally came here for restaurant week and I loved it so much that I am so happy that I was able to come back! Snacks: the guacamole is so good and so fresh! The oysters during restaurant week were bigger but they are so yummy with the different "dressings" they put on there Cold: Ceviche clasico and Ceviche are chefs kiss! The ceviches are a must here. The Roll acevichado really surprised me - it was a very well balanced roll and the tuna tartare didn't feel like it was skimped on Hot: yucas trufadas are so good! Mains: the Lomo Saltado was so so good. The beef was cooked to perfection and all the flavors were fantastic. The grilled branzino is also my favorite! It's a perfectly cooked fish with this insanely delicious sauce Drinks: The pisco sour and espresso martini's are also a great/well made cocktail. It'd love to come back for happy hour because the HH deals are a steal! The service has been amazing both times. The interior is beautiful and intimate. Their outdoor patio is super cute and very insulated for the winter months. Kayao has become one of my favorite places in Chicago.

    Ceviche con palmitos
    Andrés W.

    ​Restaurant Week provided an amazing deal to finally cross this place off my bucket list. We went on a Sunday for lunch and truly enjoyed the beautiful weather the city was finally having after weeks of cold. ​We started with the yuca trufada, which was superb. It had an amazing crust and a savory sauce, and the cheese on the inside was melted to perfection, hot enough to be gooey but not so hot that you'd burn yourself. The ceviche was also incredible; you could really taste the quality of the ingredients in the leche de tigre. It wasn't excessively sour like at other places I've tried, though I have to admit it would have been amazing if I'd had some chips or fried yuca to accompany it! ​To drink, we had an Espresso Martini and a Pisco Sour. While the martini was pretty standard, the Pisco Sour was totally different from what I'm used to and I liked it a lot. ​For our main dishes, the arroz con mariscos was incredibly good with a creamy texture similar to a risotto and very fresh seafood. We felt a little extra lemon juice would have made the plate even greater. We also had the tallarines salteado and loved the flavor, especially how juicy the chicken was. The Chinese influence on the flavour combined with the Latino sauce used for garnish gave the dish a perfect kick. ​The service was marvelous from start to finish. Even after the restaurant got packed, the staff stayed attentive, keeping an eye on our water and napkins while still finding time for a little chitchat. I will definitely be back to try other things that caught my eye, like the octopus!

    Acevichado roll, ceviche
    Isabel R.

    Food: amazing taste, flavorful, true to Peruvian cuisine. Nice presentation. Small portions though Service: slow Ambient: has a nice bar area, heated outdoor seating area. Great for date night, low lit light and elegant.

    Guacamole
    Clarissa C.

    I LOVED Akiro Handroll bar, and the waiter there mentioned that Kayao is the sister restaurant. Peruvian cuisine is super unique because it has many Asian influences given the amount of Japanese people that live there. I LOVE fusion food!!! Was so excited to see this on the restaurant week lineup! We tried the $30 lunch. The vibes are so luxurious inside, and I love the nods to Peruvian culture on every wall. Started off with the ceviche clasico con palmito - four tiny slices of fish marinated in tiger's milk, red onions, served with corn. I normally really like Peruvian ceviche and this didn't disappoint. Their yucas trufadas was a yuca fritter with mozzarella and "truffle huancina" but I didn't taste too much truffle. We couldn't resist getting the tableside guac off the regular menu. Oh my goodness we were obsessed!! The taro chips are so thin and addicting and add a nice spin. They're generous with the chip portion too!! Guac was served with tiger's milk, and that was definitely my favorite dish of the lunch!! For the mains we tried the tallarín saltado con pollo, which came with such tender pieces of chicken, and fettucine stir fried in soy sauce. I loved the fusion flavors here, though note the portion sizes are on the smaller side. Final main was arroz con Mariscos. Wow the flavors here were so perfect and creamy! Literal perfection. Overall, I LOVED Kayao!! I think the restaurant week menu was a steal!

    Lilia Z.

    We took our mom to Kayao for an afternoon brunch to celebrate her birthday and decided on the Nikkei Brunch Experience (three courses for $35, plus a $25 cocktail pairing). As Peruvians, we were especially excited to try it. I started with the Yucas Trufadas paired with a pisco sour. The yucas were tasty, and the truffle huancaína added a unique twist, while the pisco sour was excellent. It tasted like a good pisco sour, and a great way to start. For the second course, I had the chaufa alongside the sohoul cocktail. I'm a big chaufa lover, and while this wasn't traditional in appearance, it was excellent. The maitake mushrooms added a slightly crunchy texture that I really enjoyed. The Sohoul, however, was my least favorite of the drinks. Lychee just isn't my jam. For dessert, I had the lúcuma ice cream paired with an espresso martini. The ice cream was a 10/10. Rich, flavorful, and not something you can find in stores. The espresso martini was a perfect match for me as a coffee lover. Definitely more coffee-forward than sweet, and a great pick-me-up to end the meal. Service was seamless, with our server bringing each new drink right as we finished the last. Between the cocktails and the thoughtfully portioned courses, we left feeling satisfied and not at all hungry. I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try, just keep in mind it leans more toward a fine dining experience rather than traditional Peruvian street-style food.

    Short Rib
    Amelia B.

    Any time the server personally explains the dish, I'm a happy diner. Took advantage of happy hour and tried the bartender's surprise cocktail. My party was drawn to the steak and short rib entrees. The winner of the night was the Lomo Saltado stole the show. Great flavor and perfectly cooked steak pieces. Authentic feel to the decor and vibe of the restaurant fusing China, Japan and Peru.

    Arroz con mariscos
    Debangana S.

    We had gone to Kayao on a Saturday afternoon, and decided to go for their tasting menu. I tried their ceviche kayao for the first course and arroz con Moriscos for the second course. I paired my food with Bloody Marys. Both the dishes were fantastic, and I really loved the cocktail prepared by Miguel - it had the perfect zing. The seafood risotto was creamy and delicious and left me wanting more. Finally ended the meal with the panna cotta, which was a little tart and the fruity flavours shone through. We had also called for guac and chips for the table. The guac was super fresh and the taro chips paired really well with the guac. Our server was kind and took good care of us. All in all it was a lovely experience and we had a really good time at Kayao. Highly recommend this restaurant for seafood lovers like myself.

    Vibe

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    22 days ago

    Incredible food ignore the bad reviews, great service and incredible food. Highly recommend

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    Crushed by Giants

    Crushed by Giants

    4.4
    (295 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Was craving a burger and a beer and with such a cool name, how could I not check this place out! I…read moresat at the bar around 5pm and it wasn't very busy. They played good music and wasn't too loud. You could easily carry on a conversation or , like me, continue listening to a podcast. By the time I finished, the place was completely full and a bit noisy, but not bad. I started out with a 10oz Birds of Prey Pilsner. It was very nice. Light and crisp and very easy to drink. I followed that up with Melodious Maibock and ordered the CBG burger with fries. I didn't have lunch so I dove right in and forgot to snap a photo. It was a very good smash burger. It was cooked well and I really liked the combination of pickled onion and caramelized onion. I didn't see it until later but you can add bacon. As much as I loved this burger, bacon would totally take it up a notch! I started chatting with the bartender about their different beers and decided to have the Super Melodious Jalapeño Maibock with the burger. It's soooo different, but in a good way. It paired so well with the burger. You get green bell pepper on the nose and a hint of it on the palate. When you swallow you get a little heat at the back of the throat. It was so good! Great bar. Great food. Great beer. Go check them out!

    Good, not great, beer…read more Good, not great, service. Awesome location! We only came for beer and sat at a table (bar was full). This place seems to be much better as a dinner spot. If you want to hang out at a brewery and drink amazing beer, I'd probably choose one of the other breweries in town.

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    Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun
    Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun
    Interior bar
    Interior bar
    Ginger beer

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    Ginger beer
    Bar Sotto

    Bar Sotto

    4.4
    (28 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    We visited Bar Sotto during Chicago Restaurant Week and had a really enjoyable overall experience…read more The space has a cozy, dimly lit, intimate vibe perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. It feels upscale but still comfortable. Service was attentive and paced well, especially considering it was Restaurant Week and fairly busy. The Restaurant Week menu offered a great variety. We started with the crispy arancini, which were perfectly golden on the outside and creamy inside with a rich glaze that added a nice depth of flavor. The wild mushroom risotto had great earthy flavor and was very rich, definitely a heavier dish but satisfying if you are in the mood for something indulgent. The gnocchi were soft and pillowy with fresh basil and roasted tomatoes that brightened the dish nicely. For entrées, the filet mignon was cooked beautifully, tender and medium rare with a flavorful sauce that complemented it well. The chicken parmesan had a solid crisp and good seasoning, though it leaned more classic than standout. Portions overall felt fair for the prix fixe price. Dessert was a sweet finish. The tiramisu was light, creamy, and not overly heavy, which we appreciated. Overall, 4 stars. Great ambiance and solid execution across the board. While nothing completely blew us away, it was a well done Restaurant Week experience and I would definitely come back to try more from their regular menu.

    Came here for a martini with the girls. Such a cute space!!…read more We both had vodka dirty martinis with blue cheese olives and they were very very good. There was also a wine tasting going on which was a fun activity. The service here was great and this atmosphere is unmatched. I'd never expect a place like this to be tucked away in the loop! We didn't eat here but I would come back to try the food. We just ordered the olives off the happy hour menu which were the perfect little snacky item.

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    Lounge
    Lounge
    Bar Sotto
    Bar Sotto

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    Kayao - peruvian - Updated August 2026

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