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! read more

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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. read more

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I went there for my birthday celebration. The staff were incredibly nice and friendly, making the evening feel very special. Both the food and drinks were amazing, and I found the prices to be very reasonable. I also wanted to specifically thank you for being so accommodating to my group's dietary needs. One of my guests is vegan and another does not eat red meat, and you provided them both with wonderful alternative food options that they truly enjoyed. All in all, it was a fantastic experience and I will definitely be coming back. read more

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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! read more

Kayao - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

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​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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Kayao - Short Rib - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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Honestly one of my personal favorites now out of the fancy chicago restaurants. It's definitely overpriced so share a couple things and expect a lighter meal. The salmon skewers and lions mane mushroom hot plates were both great. The fried rice was very good with the fish soup, but on its own is standard. Fish soup was very yummy and not too strong. read more

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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. read more

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Memorable anniversary experience. We did two different tastings featuring a fusion of Peruvian, Japanese, and Chinese dishes. The progression from light, delicate flavors into heartier mains was really well done. The pisco pairings stood out--ranging from the classic to creative twists like hibiscus and espresso. Service felt personal and welcoming, with a well-paced flow that reflected both a talented kitchen and front-of-house team. We'll definitely be back and would recommend it for a special occasion or even just a few drinks. Great ambiance overall--perfect date spot. read more

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I live very close to Kayao and was also so curious to try them out whenever I passed them. I finally had the opportunity to on a Wednesday evening and absolutely loved my experience. I made a reservation ahead of time, but there was plenty of seating available as well. We ordered the Oysters, Ceviche Kayao, Tuna Acevichado, Lion's Mane, Short Rib, and Bronzino. Everything was PHENOMENAL. I loved how complex the flavors were in every dish, and the ingredients were incredibly fresh. My favorites were the Lion's Mane mushrooms and short rib. The mushrooms were so savory and flavorful, and the short rib's texture was perfect. Despite being on the pricier end, I do think it is still worth it considering the quality of the food, The waiter was very helpful in recommending his favorite dishes! The wait staff was also very attentive in making sure we had our waters filled. The ambiance is also great! It would be a good date spot for sure. I will be recommending this spot! read more

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I have been meaning to write a review for this place since a while now. Kayao hands down is my fav place in Chicago for Peruvian food! My friends and I had a holiday lunch at this place and it was amazing!! We tried their brunch tasting menu and also ordered a bunch of drinks. Bloody mary was everyone's fav, absolutely delicious! We also ordered mimosas, and old fashioned, it was a boozy lunch! The table side guacamole definitely served us well! We also tried yuca trufadas and lions mane for the apps. Lions mane was my fav out of all the dishes we tried, grilled mane mushrooms with tad bit of spice, what is there to not like? For main course I tried a chaufa which was pretty good too! By the time it was time for deserts, we all were pretty tipsy but I remember still relishing the panna cotta and lucuma ice cream. We randomly stumbled upon this place but I'm sure to be back to this place again! read more

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Came in for Chicago restaurant week but did not end up trying it because it was more of a tasting menu than an eating menu. We tried two different mains; the chaufa was delicious but the pasta salteada did not hit as much as we'd like. We were also seated in the back of the entire restaurant away from other patrons when there were many other tables available. Otherwise the restaurant is very vibey and a cute date or dinner spot. Would love to come back and have a better experience as I've heard a lot of people say how good it is. read more

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Went here for restaurant week. It was $30 for the lunch course, and you got a choice of apps and an entree. The ceviche was tasty as an appetizer, and I liked the yucca starter dish we got as well. Unfortunately I found the Tallarin saltado con pollo to be wayyy too salty for my taste. Overall, a decent place for fancy Peruvian food read more

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I've been to Kayao a few times now and love it. The service is great. The atmosphere is contemporary and impressive. Making it a great choice for special occasions. And they have an innovative fusion menu with plenty of dishes that'll impress the table. Kayao is a rare fusion of Peruvian, Japanese, and Chinese. That said, most of the dishes are innovative (ie no standard/traditional preparations) and they land spectacularly well 90% of the time. On this trip we had 10 dishes. 5 were excellent. 2 were very good. 2 were fine. And 1 wasn't good. EXCELLENT (Dishes that wowed the table) Branzino - Best thing on the menu. Ceviche Kayao Ceviche Nikkei Oysters Anticucho de Salmon VERY GOOD (Would order again) Chaufa w/ Duck Pollo Anticuchero FINE (Okay but there's better) Lomo Chifero - The lomo really was good but not as good as the rest of the menu Pannacotta - This is a very unique panacotta. There's much more fruit than yogurt. The fruit tastes fresh and is the dominant flavor. It's quite good but we weren't terribly excited for a fruit dominant flavor profile. NOT GOOD (Skip it) Lucuma - The Lucuma is an Amazonian fruit made into an ice cream. The dish was too unique for us and we simply didn't like the fruits an inherent flavor. read more

A variety of interesting ceviche dishes and cocktails - more too but I only came for an afternoon drink and nosh. Will definitely come back for dinner. Very nice ambiance and friendly staff. read more

Our evening got off to a great start thanks to server Donya who walked us through the menu, described some of her favorite dishes, and in all ways made us welcome. We kicked things off with exceptional pisco sours--not cheap at $22 a pop--followed by ceviche Kayao. Our party of three split two mains--melt-in-your-mouth short ribs and an exquisite branzino. The last were accompanied by an delicious malbec from Argentina's Salta province. read more

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We were excited to try Kayao and it DELIVERED! The ambience is very chic and upscale but they do have limited seating. We had a prior reservation. We tried their brunch tasting menu and ordered some drinks on the side. We ordered the mimosas, bloody marys and an old fashioned. We also got some table side guac. It was exciting to see the guac being made right in front of us. For the tasting menu, we tried the yucas trufadas, oysters, ceviche and lions mane for the first course. For the second course we tried the chaufa and arroz con mariscos. For the third course, we tried the Lucuma ice cream and the panna cotta. Overall, the food was outstanding. Every one of the dishes was exceptionally made and very delicious. The quality and the delivery was top notch. The cocktails were amazing too and the server was really sweet and friendly. I am very amazed by the restaurant and can't wait to see it get either a Michelin bib gourmand or even a star in the future. read more

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My neighbor and I headed to happy hour at Kayao. At the bar happy hour is Monday thru Friday 4:30-7 at the bar. She started with red sangria and I had the rotating cocktail, which had tequila and was sweet and great. Our bartender Miguel's told us to eat the Ceviche with a spoon, which was delicious. The yucas were so surprising- there are 4 fries under the cheese! Tempura was so unique and light. My last drink was pisco sour- remember I had that at Matilda? kayao is the sister restaurant! We're going to make reservations for restaurant week. read more

Kayao - Bar vibes - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My new favorite spot! I've been here for both brunch and dinner. Have yet to have a bad dish here and the drinks are great too. Highlights for me are the Branzino and Ceviche Nikkei - love the Tuber chips as well. The Short Rib has a nice sweetness, and the Yucas Trufades is such a unique dish. Service is awesome and the ambiance is very nice too. Overall just a great dining experience - excited to come back! read more

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SPECTACULAR BRUNCH SPECIAL!! I loved this spot! Such a great deal for the food you get! I'm already waiting until the next time I can come back! Everything was well executed, the presentation was beautiful, and all for a great price!!! Some of our favorites were the chaufa, ceviche, and the panna cotta! The drink pairing is well worth it- the espresso martini SO GOOD! Definitely come with friends to enjoy all their options read more

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What a great find! I randomly stumbled upon Kayao while looking for a restaurant that would be close to The Second City when we had friends in town. I'm so glad we went! We started with the Guacamole and Ceviche Kayao. Both were great but the Ceviche was OUTSTANDING. The broth was literal perfection and had the most amazing and stand out flavor of any ceviche I've ever had. We were drinking the broth off our plates (with ZERO shame). For mains, we split the short rib, arroz con mariscos and branzino. The short rib was my favorite of the three and was so tender it was falling apart immediately when my fork hit it. The arroz con mariscos and branzino also had great flavor and were cooked perfectly. We ended up needing to skip desert because we were so full after all the delicious food. Service was great and fast and everything was coursed out perfectly. Kayao is a solid 5 stars and if you like fusion and new interesting flavors, you won't be disappointed in this gem. read more

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Kayao is a stunning restaurant with lovely dishes. I loved the roll acevichado, arroz con mariscos, and the wantaco tartare; everything was super flavorful. The portion sizes are a bit on the smaller side, though. We also ordered oysters and really liked the sauce. The cocktails were okay; we tried three and they were a bit pricey compared to some other spots in Chicago. The restaurant is beautiful but on the smaller side, so even with a reservation you might wait about 5-15 minutes while people finish up. I'd definitely come back to try more dishes. read more

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This was truly a wonderful and fancy experience for my husband and I. I appreciated all the decorations and details. As a Peruvian person, I can say their menu with ceviche, lomo saltado, and chicha morada were top tier! We celebrated my birthday and they kindly gave us a little Lucuma ice cream dessert which was really tasty!! I would love to come back as everyone was so kind and attentive. Highly recommend this restaurant :) read more

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We shared: 1. Pulpo Parrillero - Grilled Spanish octopus, anticuchera marinade, rocoto romesco, potato confit 2. Arroz Con Mariscos - Peruvian-style seafood risotto, 12-month aged manchego 3. Short Rib - 36-hour slow-cooked, purple corn nitsuke BBQ, leek potato purée 4. Ceviche Kayao - Fish of the day, octopus, crispy calamari, ají amarillo leche de tigre, Peruvian corn 5. Lucuma - Amazonian fruit ice cream, furikake seeds 6. Mosto Verde Pisco Sour Adding this to my top Chicago recs list. I loved the variety, thick cuts, and tenderness of seafood in the ceviche Kayao. The grilled octopus was the best version I've ever had - the flavor and tenderness was already excellent and then you add the sauce, wow. Short rib was perfectly tender. I would just comment that I prefer to taste more potato than cream. Seafood risotto was delicious in texture and flavor. I hope they never change the large portion of rice. Octopus is also perfectly tender in this dish. Lucuma ice cream had an interesting mild flavor and almost cheese-like texture. Service was good. They cleaned up in-between courses. Waiter was respectful and helpful. read more

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Sensory overload in a good way! Came here for a date night which was the perfect vibe to start the night. Place is beautifully decorated, has dark and sexy vibe which felt more lounge than restaurant. However the food and service did not disappoint. We tried the tradition ceviche which had a tone of flavor, especially loved the "frito" combination with it to enhance the texture of the dish. We also got the seafood risotto which had a bright tomato flavor. Everything was great, but I felt prices were a little high. read more

Kayao - Seafood Risotto - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kayao delivers a good service, inviting ambiance, and delicious coastal-inspired dishes. The staff is attentive and helpful without being intrusive, creating a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish. The menu offers a standout variety of ceviches along with both raw and cooked seafood options, each prepared with bright flavors and fresh ingredients. The short rib is another highlight--tender, rich, and deeply satisfying, making it a must-try dish. Complementing the food, the cocktails are well-crafted and balanced, elevating the overall dining experience. read more

Kayao - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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From a Peruvian speaking, the food was excellent! Kayao chefs have really achieved and captured the true flavors from our transcendental cousine. I can't tell you which of the dishes I tried was the best they all were. So come here and taste what Peru food is all about. read more

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Went to Kayao for dinner on a Saturday night and our whole party really loved it. The vibe inside was really nice, service was on point, and the food was excellent across the board! Really great meal. If you're looking for Peruvian flavors (and if not you should be!), definitely add Kayao to your list! Pro tip... An easily overlooked item on the menu is the yucca trufadas, but don't skip it! Super yummy dish... Glad we got it. There really wasn't a single miss on anything we ordered though, including dessert, so I don't think you can really go wrong here. read more

We LOVED the pulpo parailla (octopus and potato) and the ceviche kayao and risotto were really great too. The branzino was fine but not as good as the others. Our waitress was friendly and helpful in guiding us in selecting what to order. Items were not cheap but the portions were surprisingly generous. It was a little loud for our taste as the music made it hard to converse across the table. read more

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My friends suggested this place and it was okay. We got the yucas trufadas, short rib, grilled branzino, and the lomo chifero. The yucas trufadas was a really cool dish with a strong truffle flavor. The short rib was okay. The potato at the bottom was probably the best part of the dish for me just because the short rib was tough and dry. The grilled branzino was really pretty but had many bones and a surprisingly amount of scales. My favorite was the lomo chifero and probably would come back for this. The only thing is the portion size is for one (maybe two people). Service was quick. Waters were regularly filled and empty plates were taken quickly. It is super aesthetic inside and a cute date spot but maybe just for happy hour. read more

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We really enjoyed this Peruvian fusion restaurant. It's elegant , the service is outstanding and everything we ate was fantastic. Be warned it is on the expensive side so more of a special occasion dining experience. Small plate style but frankly portions are not too small. Our waiter recommended 4-5 dishes to share- we went with 3 and a dessert and it was perfect and left full and satisfied. We had: - the Kayao ceviche - A rating - the pulpo - A rating - the short rib - A rating - the ice cream ( forgot the name but it was orange and delicious) One of the best meals iv had in a long time. Highly recommend for a special occasion read more

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We came here for Reataurant Week. We liked the variety of options available but we noticed the portions were smaller. I tried the Yucca Trufadas which were pleasant with the sauce and truffle. Sometimes yucca can taste dry, this was not. The ceviche met expectation. We were both very happy with the Branzino and the sauce, we will be going back for more. Probably one for each of us! The Chaufa was tasty, but for the additional $5, there were only slight pieces of duck added. read more

Kayao - Branzino (near) and Chaufa with Duck (far) - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great date night spot - the background music sounds like what you'd listen to on a beach, the plating is stunning, and the service was attentive. Pros: -the short rib was unreal, I wanted to lick the plate. It was cooked perfectly, you didn't even need a knife to cut it. -the ice cream (amazonian fruit flavor) tasted like butterscotch and it had such a great taste profile (not too sweet but also satisfying the sweet tooth) Cons: -somewhat pricey if you didn't do restaurant week. (we did restaurant week, so it was more affordable to try things out at $60 even though portions were smaller) -getting to your table may be a little slow even if you have a reservation, not a huge deal but something to note if you're in a pinch read more

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Truly a delightful surprise!! I went here for dinner with a friend this week and we had a lovely time. Kayao hasn't gotten as much buzz as some other spots but it deserves much more, and I'm not sure why it's been under reported. The menu was creative and unique and truly delicious. The ceviche roll (not pictured) was outstanding. We also loved the several cocktails we each had, everything was a hit. The octopus was also a favorite and one of my favorite octopus preparations in Chicago. The short rib was also solid. I would love to come back and try more from this delightful menu. Service was friendly and helpful and attentive without feeling rushed. Only grievance ambience wise is that the kitchen lights are wildly bright and are directly in line of sight for several tables which is kind of off putting since it's such different lighting from the restaurant. A shield or curtain or something might be helpful to tone this down. Overall a great find and one I'm sad I didn't explore sooner! I'll be back read more

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I'm so happy that I picked this place for my bday dinner, and was the hero for the night with my picky friends! The sushi was amazing, and I wanted to be selfish and have all of the ceviche myself- SO good!!! Everything was delicious, AND beautifully presented. Food Service Ambience read more

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We came for happy hour and got a nice seat on their little patio setup. We got the pisco sour, which was tasty and refreshing. We also got the ceviche kayao and yuca trufados to start. Very authentic flavors, and the yuca were deliciously fried and cheesy with a nice sauce. We also got the roll avechado, which was my favorite and so flavorful. Everything was great and service was so quick. However it was very pricey for such small portions. read more

Kayao - Rotating cocktail and roll avechado - Peruvian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came in for early restaurant week and overall the food was really good. All of the dishes had flavor and were unique! The platting was well thought through as well. The only 2 challenges were the speed of service and the size. I think they tried to group a few tables together for restaurant week courses so there was a long wait for our first dish (about 45 mins). The servers were all great and tried to clean up quickly but I wish the food came out a bit faster. Lastly, I know for restaurant week sizing is smaller but I felt like the entrees were way too small. My sister got the Branzino and it was beautiful but about 3 bites. I wish the portions were bigger but the taste was great. read more

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