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    Kumiko

    4.4 (272 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Kumiko Photos

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    KUMIKO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Kumiko

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    Wagyu
    Katrina V.

    Kumiko was recommended to me by a bartender from a local Michelin star restaurant. I decided to stop by Kumiko on a whim and hoped for the best. It was my lucky day as there was one bar seat available at the time of my arrival. That said, the place was packed for a Wednesday evening around 6pm. The bar staff was awesome. Highly professional, friendly, attentive, and very helpful with the recommendations. One of servers was genuinely stoked about the food I ordered, which hyped me up. I got the wagyu as my main. The meat was soft and tender like butter, and the dish was an amalgamation of wonderful flavors. Loved the dish and savored every bite. The guest next to me said I had to get Kumiko's Truffle Milk Toast, and one of the bartenders second that. It was fantastic. Loved the caramelization on the milk toast, and it had a good balance of savory and sweet. Last but not least, I enjoyed one of their cocktails. It was called "Winning Element" and was found under their "Cocktails for a Cause" section of the menu. So cool that the proceeds ($5 of the cost of the cocktail) goes to a trusted organization. Kumiko was easily my favorite food and drink stop of my entire Chicago trip.

    Jennifer D.

    Second time at Kumiko and I'm still impressed by the sheer depth of the cocktail menu and the level of thought put into each drink. Yes, it is on the pricier side, but the ambience makes it perfect for a date night or special celebration. Staff was very accommodating and made sure we were aware of portion sizes when ordering. There is a good variety to pick from and I'm always a sucker for seasonal specials. That night they had a duck soba featuring duck prepared three ways in a rich, comforting broth. We also enjoyed some pickled veggies and olives on the side, and ever drink we ordered was beautifully crafted (different coaster for each drink too). There are also some unique sake options if you're into that as well. Overall, the cocktails and experience is worth the hype if you are willing to splurge a bit.

    Reanne Z.

    Had a reservation for the whiskey bar downstairs before dinner - would definitely recommend grabbing drinks here, it's dimmer and more intimate, only about 10 seats in total which they usually stagger. The bartenders are very knowledgeable, we had some cocktails and tried half pours of sochu. They also have the upstairs food menu, so we tried the truffle milk toast which was ridiculously good! Make reservations far in advance especially for the weekend, their drinks are unique and delicious!

    Katie M.

    After my recent visit to Kumiko, it's clear why it's consistently recognized as the best bar in the midwest. The ambiance here is chic but comfortable. Dim lighting and stylish interior with hints of Japanese influences make it a great spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a date night without having to shout over loud music. There's a great selection of cocktails and they are beautifully presented and it also taste excellent - we all liked what we ordered. While I only came for drinks this time, I am already looking forward to trying their food in my next visit. Reservations are definitely recommended as they fills up quickly.

    Potato Salad
    Mikaela S.

    Kumiko lives up to the hype. Reservations are tough to get, so set an alarm and do your best to snag one -- it's absolutely worth it. We sat at the bar and ordered snacks along with a few rounds of drinks, which was the perfect way to experience the space. The bartenders were incredibly attentive and genuinely knowledgeable, happy to walk us through drinks and make thoughtful recommendations. The food was excellent -- and this may seem odd but my favorite item was their potato salad which I still crave and haven't found one that compares since. Overall, a fantastic experience and very well deserved spot on all the "best bar" lists. Highly recommend.

    Round 1 with pickled sides to start before appetizers
    Linda C.

    I was brought here as a surprise....my god. I've never been anywhere like this. Kumiko calls itself a "dining bar," but that doesn't really do it justice. It's this seamless mix of food and drink, everything designed to complement each other perfectly. The vibe is classy af. Dim lighting, intimate, and romantic. It feels special the second you walk in. The drinks? Out of control good. We went all in, sake flights, cocktails, the works!! And not a single miss. And the food is delicate, refined, and clearly made with a ton of care. You can tell every detail is deliberate, from flavor to presentation. It totally lives up to Japanese standards. If you're in Chicago, do yourself a favor and book a table here. Kumiko is something else. And if you're debating Kumiko or another restaurant for a special occasion splurge, definitely here.

    Shishito
    Ka L.

    The drinks were amazing. It is worth the hype of being voted best bar in chicago. The service is also amazing . Speedy and polite, as expected from a good notch restaurant. The ambience is perfect for dates and even small parties of adults. Not very family friendly. The food was good, not amazing. Almost feel like a bit of street food except served in a fancy restaurant. But good jap street food is not really avail in the US at a reasonable price anyways. Mash potatoes: taste great with some veggie mix for crunchiness Curry pork let: very refined take of Japanese curry but nothing too special Oyster caviar - excellent ...

    Denielle B.

    I was lucky enough to book this via Chase Sapphire Reserve and get 3 seats at their Whiskey Bar. It was intimate and our server was super knowledgeable about the different drinks and food items available, and was able to make really great recommendations. Big food highlights were the Wagyu Sando, and the curry rice (one with karaage and one with tonkatsu). Everything we had was freaking delicious!

    Sea bass
    Maddie H.

    Incredible experience! We came for drinks and bites and we were blown away by everything we tried. Drinks we complex and unique, very tasty. Bites were fresh and delicious like the hotate on special with a chili carrot sauce so good our amazing server brought us little spoons for the sauce! The seabass was unbelievable and the waygu sando was incredible with fresh wasabi. Overall a classy vibe with a cozy ambiance perfect for date night.

    Sake Pours
    Eric H.

    Searching for a place that makes interesting and delicious non-alcoholic beverages without needing to commit to a 9+ course tasting menu in order to access a non-alcoholic beverage pairing? Kumiko fits the bill. It's a dining bar. Bites and beverages are here to get your taste buds laid and captivate your olfactory system. They offer a dinner tasting menu, but it's optional. You can instead opt to order small bites and beverages from their extensive menu. They have designed some interesting bites and concoctions. Take their Warm Whiskey Butter Oyster, with an intoxicating brown butter aroma, but without much butter, and instead, a warm Japanese whisky and smoked sesame seeds. Goes down very satisfyingly after you savor the aroma. Yes, take deep whiffs. We came here primarily for dessert, having eaten dinner beforehand. We grabbed a couple Caviar Oysters, and decided on the Monte Blanc from their gluten-free menu. It should be noted that the portion sizes here are small bites. If you ordered their tasting menu while hungry, you'd be fine. But if you wanted to iteratively drink and munch, such a feat might be quite difficult to accomplish. One reason is that only one of their staff actively takes and enters the orders. For some reason none of the other staff seem to do so. Therefore, it is difficult to iteratively place your order--want something more? You'll probably have a difficult time reaching the staff member who takes the order. The caviar oysters were fine, with a nice flavor combo. But I found their Warm Whiskey Butter Oyster to be quite captivating. For beverages, we started with Protea, Saved by the Bell, and Lychee Martini. For a non-alcoholic drink, you can't go wrong with the Protea, which seems to have a constant presence on their menu. It's very reminiscent of ume, slightly bubbly with very well controlled sweetness and acidity. You could order it on repeat. It contains no ume, only adzuki (red bean), purple sweet potato vinegar, seedlip spice 94, verjus rouge, fever tree club soda, and top note tonic. The other non-alcoholic drink ordered was Saved by the Bell. I was envisioning something like apple pie spices based on the description, but it ended up being more like a subtly flavored apple juice. At the beginning, it felt rather watered down. However, after waiting for a bit and re-tasting it I started to make out more subtle flavors. This is definitely a lighter flavored drink compared to Protea for sure, but still enjoyable given enough time. The Lychee Martini was impressive. The menu statement nails it: "All of the flavor of lychee, without actually using any lychee. Showcasing how complex just a few key ingredients can be." The lychee aroma of this clear beverage is amazing. Stick your nose nearby and take a whiff. For taste, it does have a detectable lychee quality, but I would never complain if smelling it were the only option. The Monte Blanc took a long while to come out, but this was likely due to the three tasting menu tables on either side of us, with the staff apologizing for the delay at least three times and attempting to level expectations. It had a very nice combination of chestnut, purple sweet potato, and tarty crust, not too sweet, and nicely highlighting the key nutty flavors. Sake offerings, such as flights or tastings, are also present. I tried the Kawatsuru Olive Junmai Ginjo which was pleasant enough considering that I'm not a drinker. Bathroom wise, there one on the main level, and one downstairs. There is also a sake bar downstairs. Finally, it's probably best to make a reservation. I made one through OpenTable a month and a half in advance for St. Patrick's night as a dessert plan. Note that the establishment is small (very limited bar seating and table space), so they limit your total time there. They have a small team of staff, appear to prioritize tasting menu patrons, and all this makes iterative ordering difficult to accomplish. Therefore, your best bet for a smooth experience is to know what you want to order and try up front. For a future visit, I would be interested in trying out their tasting menu. In terms of feedback, I would advise that their bottleneck of only a single staff member capable taking and entering customer orders undermines the experience of à la carte patrons. Additionally, if the kitchen is swamped, it would be prudent to set expectations at the beginning of the experience, rather than delaying for an hour and apologizing multiple times for the delay.

    Karaage and japanese potato salad
    Bobb S.

    Just a stellar experience. We have imbibed a few times here but this was out first experience dining as well. And as expected, the food matched the quality of the cocktails. While the price points may look too high, I was surprised at the quantity of food delivered. Perfectly executed, all options-karaage, potato sold, and the wagyu special were tasty. As published, the cocktails are amazing and I love the care and the precision put forward when making them. Even better, are the stories about the spirits making up the cocktail. Dining room is dimly lit, clean lines, simple yet sexy. One of our fave spots in the city.

    Austin W.

    My wife and I had a 6:45 p.m. reservation at Kumiko, which we booked about a month in advance. We arrived a bit early at around 6:15, and were lucky that they were able to seat us right away at the bar, just as we'd requested in our reservation. From start to finish, the experience was fantastic. The drink menu is thoughtfully curated, with a wide range of options, including an impressive selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. Each drink is described in great detail on the menu, and the bartender is more than happy to offer additional insights or recommendations. After the cocktail is served, they even present the bottles used in the drink so you can take a closer look at the spirits. Presentation is top-notch--the garnishes are beautifully done and show off some serious knife skills. If you order an Old Fashioned for example, a drink that's traditionally served over a single large block of ice, the ice here is crystal-clear and each edge is perfectly cut. The food was equally impressive and surprisingly well-priced for a bar of this caliber. We shared two warm shochu oysters to start ($5 each), followed by a potato salad ($6), a katsu sando (which I overheard is a Wednesday-only special for $17), and the Japanese curry rice with double-fried karaage ($20 base + $10 for the added chicken). There wasn't a single dish I wouldn't happily order again. The curry had a deep, layered flavor with a subtle sweetness that wasn't overpowering. The karaage was perfectly executed--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and not at all greasy. The katsu sando was so good we actually debated ordering another, but ended up saving room for another round of drinks. The pork was tender, and the bread was toasted to perfection. If you appreciate creative, meticulously crafted cocktails and excellent small plates, Kumiko is absolutely worth a visit. I completely understand the hype; it's easy to see why this place regularly shows up on lists of the best bars in America.

    Giovanni D.

    This intimate Japanese cocktail bar lives up to its reputation as one of the best in the world ranking 25th. Julia Momose's carefully crafted creations showcase Japanese whiskey, shochu, and other premium liquors. Each sip is a masterclass in balance and flavor. Delicious bites complement the drinks perfectly, while exceptional service provides insightful explanations of each cocktail's ingredients. Cozy and intimate, this bar is ideal for a date night or special occasion. They also offer Omakase cocktail tasting which I never had before.

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    1 month ago

    A lovely room. Welcoming and informed staff. Delicious and thoughtful food and beverage, both spirited and spirit-free.

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    Ask the Community - Kumiko

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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)

    $$$$

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    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.

    Kumiko - japanese - Updated May 2026

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