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Kayao

4.4 (160 reviews)
Open • 4:30 pm - 9:30 PM

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KAYAO ATMOSPHERE

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Intimate
Romantic
Classy
Upscale

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Recommended Reviews - Kayao

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Reviews With Photos

Emily J.

This place has a super cool interior and amazing Peruvian food. We sat in the back near the kitchen so we got to see all the tasty dishes coming out and the chefs fawning over things with tweezers making sure the plating looked perfect. Our server was kind of quiet (but kind) and it took a little bit for the courses following the oysters to come out. Loved the ceviche, octopus, chicha morada and pisco drinks. The menu is thoughtfully a mix of chifa, nikkei, and traditional Peruvian which is really dope.

Oysters
Juliana A.

We had a great experience at Kayao! The food was excellent--we tried the oysters and ceviche, and both were delicious. The portions are a bit small for the price, but the quality and flavors definitely stood out. The atmosphere is modern, stylish, and relaxed, and the service was very good. Overall, a great find in Old Town! We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.

Short rib
Sky W.

I went into Kayao with pretty high expectations because various friends have told me about their positive experiences and said I should go try it. Thus, I went with a friend who was visiting from out of town since Peruvian food sounded great. To start, we ordered a Ceviche Kayao with root plantain chips. The fish was quite fresh, but I felt that the overall flavor fell a bit short. While the aji amarillo leche de tigre was packed with flavor, it was noticeably too acidic for my taste. It did not feel balanced with the fish itself. I will note that I really enjoyed the octopus in this dish. Then, for the mains, we wanted to order the short rib and the aji de gallina curry. Unfortunately, they were already out of the curry dish so we ordered the pollo anticuchero instead. I was quite disappointed by the pollo anticuchero, which was rather dry and kind of bland. At least the fries that came with the dish were good? The short rib was pretty good, though I've certainly had much juicier/tender short ribs at other restaurants. I didn't find the leek potato puree to be particularly interesting. Anyways, I felt rather lukewarm about this restaurant after the meal. The chicken dish really threw off the whole meal, in my opinion. Service throughout the night was fine, and the prices are on the high side. Food: 3/5 Price: 3.25/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Overall: 3.25/5

Pacific Coolada
Shelly V.

Wow wow wow! What an amazing dinner. I haven't heard much about this place but just moved down the street and wanted a nice dinner since it's all bars on well. Starting with the oysters, I appreciated the servers explanation of where the oysters come from and all the toppings (though I don't remember). I think it was awesome there were 2 flavored oysters prepared for us, 1 spicy and 1 not spicy. Both delicious. Not pictured, we got the Ceviche Clasico and oh my god if you ever go here please be sure to get this. We were too busy scarfing it down, I forgot to take a picture. Lastly the Perihuela Nikkei was absolutely delicious and had mahi mahi, shrimp, and clams. Whatever broth this was in was heaven, and I kept saying I wish I could make something like this at home. The atmosphere and service was amazing. Came on a Saturday night with no reservations and was able to be sat. Can't wait to come back here and bring more friends and family to try.

Bryan Y.

This place is great for a cute night out dinner with friends! Love the vibe and mood with the low lighting. Everyone is so attentive as well. But, food is definitely the reason I will come back. Amazing and flavorful!

Ceviche Kayao
Lucia L.

The ceviche Kayao specifically has been the reason why I've returned 10+ times this year. Its an appetizer but i always get one as a main meal- thats how good it is. I have never had anything like this. Love to pair it with the Matilda mocktail and the arroz con mariscos. The GM has actually been in a couple Mexican novelas, which is kinda cool/funny.

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!

"A circle of clams and shrimp." One shrimp. Tiny overcooked piece of fish.
Alvin L.

The "emperor's new clothes" is the first thing that comes to mind. First, the atmosphere was beautiful, the lighting was cozy, and beyond that everything was bullshit. The host was slightly rude seating us, the server didn't check in on us ONCE except when I sent back food, and the service was slooooow. It took twenty minutes for our order to be taken. The food was a joke. The first dish was a piece of torched salmon served stabbed on a wilted green, drenched in mayonnaise and bachan. The sauce was supposed to how kimchi notes, but not one whiff of that lovely tartness cut through the dairy and sugar drenched fish. 1/10 The octopus was out, so they served us the tempura shrimp dish instead. It came covered in a cream cheese spread, and if you think seafood smothered in dairy is fine dining, great, but this was so disgusting that my girlfriend and I both couldn't finish this, the flavor was so unappealling. 0/10 The sushi was more of the same: tempura shrimp, some tuna, and a cream sauce that buried any hint of seafood flavor. 3/10 The entree, a seafood stew with cod, clams, and shrimp, contained one tiny piece of overcooked fish, three clams, and one shrimp. It felt stingy and the flavors were unimpressive. 3/10 The dessert was an ultra-processed, flavorless cookie sandwich served on a tiny bed of run-of-the-mill mousse. It felt like I was being shoo'd out the door. A waste of $230, including gratuity. AVOID.

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

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!

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

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3 months ago

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

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1 year ago

AMAZING food & drinks! We got the ceviche clasico & yucas trufadas and everything was great.

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Geja's Cafe

Geja's Cafe

3.9(1.7k reviews)
0.9 mi•Lincoln Park
•$$$

Step off the streets of Chicago into a beautifully dimly lit fondue experience is so cozy inside…read morewith the music of a live Spanish guitar that really create a private magical experience. All the premier dinners come with salad, cheese, fondue, and the chocolate fondue - You are just choosing what protein you would like. The Prince Geja combination has a little bit of everything. However, we most liked the seafood which includes lobster and the scallops were to die for! Also the beef also cooks well. Favorite dipping sauce included the pimento mayo, chimichurri, and garlic butter. The cheese fondue is quite rich and the bread is quite filling so maybe get as much cheese as you can on each piece of bread. The chocolate fondue, I think is actually the best course as the Belgium chocolate melts so well and has a decadent but not overly sweet flavor. It pairs well with all that is provided for dipping, which includes poundcake, rice Krispies, strawberries. They also have some liquor that they light on fire at first so you can roast the marshmallows. It is such a well thought out experience. Service flows very well from two waiters who take your order set up your fondue pots for each course, but be prepared to spend at least 2 hours on this experience. Check out the Groupon but also I read a review that they just tack on the extra $50 so it's not really too much of a savings. Not sure if this is true.

Had a fantastic evening at this classic spot!…read more Food was super tasty and fresh! The seafood was probably my favorite! The full dinner with chocolate and cheese was perfect! Also appreciated that they were accommodating for the vegetarian in our party. Everything except the cheese course can be made vegan friendly as well. The service was top notch! Appreciated that they called me ahead of time to confirm our reservation and ask about food allergies. All the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive. They were quick to refill items and answer any questions we had. The location is classic fondue restaurant, cozy and romantic. However, also perfect for catching up with a friend. I love the history in this place and really enjoyed the mood lighting. Pricing was fantastic for the quality of service, food, and drinks! Look forward to many happy returns!

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Geja's Cafe
Geja's Cafe
Geja's Cafe

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Gemini - Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls

Gemini

4.0(775 reviews)
1.1 mi•Lincoln Park
•$$

Back Again - Gemini Pt 2, but this time for brunch!…read more I enjoyed my first dinner experience here so much last week that we had to come right back to try their weekend brunch. From the start, the hostesses were inviting and lovely. The restaurant is very pretty, warmly blending a modern style with a touch of classic French bistro elegance. I'm mostly so impressed with how versatile the restaurant actually can be, shifting seamlessly from an elegant, upscale dinner setting with its beautiful U-shaped marble bar to a bright, whimsical, and enchantingly airy brunch setting. The fully opened bifold windows are adjacent to the pergola-topped patio, letting a glorious, cascading breeze drift through the space to create a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow and a lively weekend energy. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered: Super Green Vegetable Salad: The kale, broccoli, avocado, asparagus, and peas were crisp and fresh. We loved this so much during our first dinner visit last week that we had to order it again for brunch! Spectacular! Nova Lox Platter: The wild salmon topped with diced red onion, capers, and hard-boiled egg crumble, served with an everything bagel and a side of chive cream cheese, was excellent. French Onion Frittata: The rich gruyère and caramelized onions were wonderful. If you're a French onion soup lover like me, this is a can't-miss!! Definitely will be reordered and often. Fantastic! Daily Omelette: Ordered from the special menu, featuring black truffle salsa, mascarpone, and Calabrian chile honey. It was absolutely phenomenal, perfectly cooked, and the flavor combination was incredible. Our server, Sarah, was excellent and made the experience even better - we even share the same name! The management team was also incredibly warm and attentive, stopping by our table to welcome us back. Returning twice in one week says it all. This restaurant has made it into my regular rotation and is hands down one of my new favorites!

Not too shabby. I…read morelike this place for an impromptu early dinner. I've been twice and always sit outside in the patio area. The restaurant itself is pretty as is the outdoor dining area if aesthetics are important to you. Service is also great. Food wise...good portions overall. However, all I want is a little bit more: a little more butter for the delicious bread, a little more time in the oven for the Brussel sprouts to soften them up, and a little more cream to accompany the carrots. Also, a few more croutons in the Caesar salad! All that being said, the steak was well seasoned and who can ever object to a tasty side of fries? Dining here, you're getting a healthier experience as opposed to heavy seasoning, butter, sauce, etc, but it's good overall.

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Gemini - Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

Gemini - Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

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Sparrow - Bar area Hotel Nacional

Sparrow

4.3(349 reviews)
0.3 mi•Near North Side
•$$

Right before starting writing this one, I wrote a review for Kibbitznest, another phenomenal…read moreChicago bar with a totally different theme and vibe. That is to say: I am not throwing words of praise like "one of a kind" and "phenomenal" around lightly. Both are different and still amazing. Sparrow has a vibe straight out of the 1920s. The decor, signage, use of color, and absence of screens or TV's all contribute to the theme. The music is also appropriate and plays at the perfect volume to be pleasant without forcing one to raise their voice. I tried the Green Daisy and a House Old Fashioned. The Green Daisy was boozy and had some herbaceous notes. A little tartness and a little sweetness helped balance the drink out and make for a phenomenal sipper. I loved the creativity with this one! The House Old Fashioned was also well done, assembled with quality ingredients in balance with one another. Nothing wrong with a well-executed classic. The prices are more or less reasonable considering the location and overall market, with bevies costing around $16. The bar staff is excellent! Very friendly and welcoming! Final verdict: A spot where I can say come for the drinks and stay for the vibe. It's the kind of place where walking in you are transported a century into the past. Everything about the experience, including the atmosphere, drinks, service, and prices, is calling me to return and bring some people with me.

This might be my favorite rum bar in the country. If you want intimate spaces, moody lighting,…read moreextensive rum selections, and drink specials come here. Monday nights are my favorite because they offer a different specialty rum in special. It's a great way to try different kinds. They also serve beer, wine, and every other spirit you can imagine. Cocktails are on point. Seating options are varied: bar seats, small tables in back, bench seating with tiny tables up front. Quiet and comfortable.

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Sparrow - Entry

Entry

Sparrow - Menu

Menu

Sparrow - Perfect Perfect

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Perfect Perfect

Kayao - peruvian - Updated October 2026

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